AU2005202023A1 - A balustrade system - Google Patents

Description

0 0 >.i P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "A BALUSTRADE SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 0 o TITLE c:l tA BALUSTRADE SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION n 5 This invention resides in a balustrade system. In particular, the balustrade system is used to mount glass panels and will therefore be C described in this context. However, it is envisaged that the balustrade 0 o system may be used for other types of panels, such as plastic panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many modern buildings use balustrades to enclose various structures such as balconies, verandas, decks, pool areas and staircases. One type of balustrade that is becoming increasingly popular is the use of a glass panel within the balustrade, as disclosed in United Sates Patent No. 4,155,540.

The glass panel is transparent and therefore its use on verandas and decks provides virtually uninterrupted views through the balustrade. Further, the glass panel provides a barrier to prevent objects accidentally falling from the structure.

The most common prior art balustrade system used in mounting glass panels includes a series of posts (often referred to as banisters or balusters) with each post usually including a pair of glazing slots to mount glass panels either side of the post. Each end post usually has only a single glazing slot occupied by a glass panel whilst each intermediate post has both glazing slots occupied by glass panels. Each of the posts may be welded to a base o plate, which is used to attach the post to the structure, such as a balcony.

Alternatively, the balcony may be core drilled to accept the posts, which are cemented in place.

In order to install the prior art balustrade system, the posts must be attached to the balcony at spaced intervals corresponding to the length of 0the glass panels. The glass panels must then be placed within the two Sglazing slots on two adjacent posts to mount a single glass panel. A top rail 0 o is then fitted to the top of the posts to complete the balustrade system.

One difficulty with the aforementioned prior art balustrade system is that the glazing of the glass panels must take place on site. This is labour intensive and difficult because the balustrade system is often used on balconies that can be many floors above ground level. Conventionally, the glass panels are fitted to the posts using a resilient rubber-like material in the form of two separate wedge shaped gaskets on either side of the glass panel. Since the balustrade is normally fitted adjacent the edge of the balcony, appropriate protective scaffolding or restraining apparatus must be employed when glazing and subsequently fitting the gaskets. Another drawback is that there may be the need to adjust the spacing between adjacent posts so that the glass panels can be installed into the glazing slots.

A further disadvantage is that the base plate and post can become weakened at the welds causing the post to separate from the base plate.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of 0 o the above disadvantages and/or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION n 5 In one form, although not necessarily the broadest or only form, the 0invention resides in a balustrade post for a balustrade system, said system Sincluding a plurality of balustrade posts, at least one panel and a railing, said 0 o balustrade post comprising: a first mounting member comprising a first engagement portion and,a first glazing slot; and a second mounting member comprising a second engagement portion and a second glazing slot; wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion mutually engage to hold the first mounting member and the second mounting member together.

Suitably, the second mounting member is engaged within the first mounting member.

Preferably, the first engagement portion comprises a pair of first engagement arms and the second engagement portion comprises a pair of second engagement arms.

Preferably, the first engagement portion comprises at least one screw flute. Suitably, the at least one screw flute is provided in each first engagement arm.

Preferably, a base of the second mounting member comprises at least In1 0 0one screw flute.

Preferably, the at least one screw flute in the first engagement portion and at least one screw flute in the second mounting member receive fasteners to fasten an undercap of the railing to the balustrade post.

n 5 Suitably, the base of the second mounting member comprises at least 0one abutment projection which abuts against the first mounting member.

N The balustrade post may further comprise at least one cover strip o engaged by the first glazing slot and/or the second glazing slot.

Suitably, the at least one cover strip comprises a substantially central leg extending from a base of the cover strip.

Suitably, the substantially central leg provides support for a panel engaged within the glazing slot above the cover strip.

The at least one cover strip may comprise at least one locating protrusion for abutment against a projection of the glazing slot to limit the depth of insertion in the glazing slot.

The at least one cover strip preferably further comprises at least one barbed leg for engagement with a projection of the glazing slot.

In another form, the invention resides in a balustrade system including a plurality of the aforementioned balustrade posts.

In a further form, the invention resides in a method of installing a balustrade system, the balustrade system having a plurality of balustrade posts, at least one panel and a railing, each balustrade post comprising a first mounting member and a second mounting member, the method including the steps of: o engaging a first panel in a first glazing slot of the first mounting member; engaging a second panel in a second glazing slot of the second mounting member; and n 5 mutually engaging a first engagement portion of the first mounting 0member with a second engagement portion of the second mounting member N to form a balustrade post.

In o The method may further include the step of fastening an undercap of the railing to at least one screw flute in the first engagement portion and to at least one screw flute in the second mounting member.

In a yet further form, the invention resides in a balustrade module comprising: a first mounting member of a first balustrade post, the first mounting member comprising a first engagement portion and a first glazing slot; a second mounting member of a second balustrade post, the second mounting member comprising a second engagement portion and a second glazing slot; and a panel having a first end engaged within the first glazing slot and a second, opposite end engaged within the second glazing slot.

The balustrade module may further comprise an undercap extending between and fastened to the first mounting member and the second mounting member.

The balustrade module may further comprise a first cover strip engaged by the first glazing slot and a second cover strip engaged by the o second glazing slot, the first and second cover strip extending at least partially along a length of said first and second glazing slots respectively.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

0BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Ci Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of o example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balustrade system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of a balustrade post of the balustrade system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional end view of a railing of the balustrade system of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of a first mounting member of the balustrade post shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a sectional end view of a second mounting member of the balustrade post shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 6A is a sectional end view of a glass panel mounted to a first mounting member; FIG. 6B is a sectional end view of a glass panel mounted to a second mounting member; FIG. 7 is a sectional end view of a cover strip of the balustrade post shown in FIG. 2; o FIG. 8 is a sectional end view of an undercap of the railing of FIG. 3; and FIG. 9 is a sectional end view of a handrail of the railing of FIG. 3.

n 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 0FIG. 1 shows a balustrade system 10 for a structure 11 such as a Sbalcony, staircase or pool. The balustrade system 10 comprises a series of 0 o balustrade posts 20 to which are mounted glass panels 21 and a railing With reference to FIG. 2, each balustrade post 20 comprises a first mounting member 40, a second mounting member 50 and potentially two cover strips With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6A, the first mounting member includes a first, substantially U-shaped glazing slot 41 and a first engagement portion in the form of a pair of first engagement arms 42. The first glazing slot 41 is sized so that an end of the glass panel 21 can be accommodated within and engaged by the first glazing slot 41 as shown in FIG. 6A. However, the glazing slot 41 is not restricted to accommodating panels of glass and in other embodiments the glazing slot 41 may accommodate panels of other materials such as plastics material. Two opposed pairs of projections 43, 43a are located within the first glazing slot 41. Outer projections 43 are for the secure location of a pair of sealing strips 44 and inner projections 43a are for engaging barbed legs of a cover strip as described later herein.

First engagement arms 42 are resilient and in this embodiment, due to 0 the circular cross-section of the balustrade post 20, are curved. The ends of each of the arms 42 are able to move with respect to each other. According to one embodiment, recesses 45 are located at the end of each of the arms 42. Two apertures in the form of screw flutes 46 and 46a are located on the inside of each of the arms 42.

0 With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6B, the second mounting member comprises a second, substantially U-shaped glazing slot 51 and a second 0 o engagement portion in the form of second engagement arms 57. Two abutment projections 54 extend from a base 58 of the second mounting member 50 and base 58 further comprises an aperture in the form of a screw flute According to one embodiment, the second engagement portion comprises a pair of nodes 52 located on the outside of the second engagement arms 57. In an alternative and preferred embodiment, the attachment nodes 52 are omitted from second engagement arms 57 of the second engagement portion such that the first and second engagement portions of the first and second mounting members 40, 50 mutually engage each other with a neat interference fit. The inventor has discovered that omitting the attachment nodes 52 allows the first and second mounting members 40, 50 to be securely engaged, but readily disengaged if required.

The second glazing slot 51 has similar features to the first glazing slot 41. That is, the second glazing slot 51 is sized so that an end of the glass panel 21 can be accommodated within the second glazing slot 51. The second glazing slot 51 comprises two opposed pairs of projections 53, 53a.

o The outer projections 53 are for the secure location of two sealing strips 56 and inner projections 53a are for engaging barbed legs of a cover strip as described later herein. FIG. 6B shows a glass panel 21 mounted to the second mounting member 50. However, it will be noted that the depth of the tn 5 second glazing slot 51 is less than the depth of first glazing slot 41. The 0difference in the depths of the glazing slots 41, 51 aids on-site glass N installation of the glass panels if necessary, for example, to replace a broken 0 o panel on site, in a similar manner to the process of "shuffle glazing" as will be familiar to one skilled in the art. It will also be noted that a space is left between a base of the glazing slots 41, 51 and the glass panel 21 as is customary in the art.

FIG. 7 shows a cover strip 60 that is placed in the first glazing slot 41 and/or the second glazing slot 51 as required. The cover strip 60 includes a base 61 having two locating protrusions 62, two barbed legs 63 and a substantially central leg 64. With additional reference to FIG.1, in one embodiment, lengths of cover strip 60 are inserted into first and second glazing slots 41, 51 between the glazing panel 21 and an undercap (shown in FIGS. 3 Where a base plate is used to fasten the balustrade posts 20 to the structure 11, lengths of cover strip 60 are inserted into first and second glazing slots 41, 51 between the position of the top of the base plate and the position of the glazing panel 21. This may be done off-site prior to installation or on-site. Where the balustrade posts 20 are embedded in the structure 11 and secured with cement or the like, as shown in FIG. 1, lengths of cover strip 60 are inserted into first and second glazing slots 41,

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o 51 between the position of the glazing panel 21 and the end of the tbalustrade post 20. Again, this may be done off-site prior to installation or on-site. Adhesive tape or the like may be used temporarily to prevent the cover strip 60 from sliding down due to the weight of the glass panel 21 until the balustrade post 20 is secured in the structure 11.

0The barbed legs 63 of the cover strip 60 engage against inner projections 43a, 53a to hold the cover strip to the respective first mounting 0 o member 40 and the second mounting member 50. The locating protrusions 62 abut against respective outer projections 43 or 53 of the glazing slots 41 or 51 to limit the depth of insertion of the cover strip 60 and to ensure base 61 of the cover strip is aligned with the outer surface of first mounting member 40 to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish.

The substantially central leg 64 of cover strip 60 supports the glass panel 21 by forming a base on which the glass panel 21 is mounted. As is customary in the art, a hard rubber setting block (not shown) is placed between the cover strip 60 and the glass panel 21 so the glass is not resting against the metal surfaces of the cover strip. Where panels of material other than glass are used, the setting block may be omitted. Additionally, cover strips 60 make the first and second mounting members 40, 50 of the balustrade posts 20 appear aesthetically pleasing by covering the lengths of slots 41, 51 not occupied by the glass panel 21.

In an alternative embodiment, central leg 64 is replaced with plurality of legs or an alternative shape to provide increased support to the panel. It is also envisaged that barbed legs 63 could be alternatively shaped such that

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o at least part of legs 63 also contribute to supporting the panel. For example, legs 63 could form a shallow v-shape with an apex of the v-shape lying closer to the central leg 64 than the ends thereof.

It will be appreciated that balustrade end posts 20 of the balustrade system 10 will only have a glass panel 21 mounted to one side of the post 020. Hence, end posts 20 have a cover strip 60 that extends the entire length N of the post 20 on the side not holding a glass panel.

0 o FIG. 3 shows a sectional end view of a railing 30 formed from the undercap 70 and a handrail 80. Further detail of the undercap 70 is shown in FIG. 8 and further detail of the handrail 80 is shown in FIG. 9. With reference to FIG. 8, the undercap 70 is formed from two U-shaped channels 71 interconnected by a web 72. An indentation 73 is formed on an outside corner of each of the channels 71 to accommodate locating projections 83 of handrail 80, shown in FIG.9. A series of hole-locating channels 74 extend longitudinally along an inside of the channels 71 and along the web 72 of undercap 70. Channels 74 are substantially v-shaped in cross-section and aid in accurately drilling or punching holes therein and aligning screws or other fasteners with screw flutes 46 and 46a of first mounting member and screw flute 55 of second mounting member 50 for fastening undercap thereto. A barb 75 is located at the end of each of the channels 71. In an alternative embodiment, web 72 is omitted from the undercap 70 such that the undercap 70 is formed from a single U-shaped channel. This embodiment is simpler and cheaper to manufacture and easier to attach to the balustrade post 12

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0 With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG.9, the handrail 80, is tsubstantially oval-shaped with a large bay 81 located within the middle of the handrail 80. The bay 81 includes two stop projections 82, two locating projections 83 and two nodes 84. Stop projections 82 prevent the handrail 80 being inserted too far onto undercap 70 and nodes 84 prevent lateral movement of the handrail 80 on undercap NAccording to one embodiment, to install the balustrade system 10 as 0 o shown in FIG. 1, holes 12 are drilled along a structure 11, such as a balcony, at spaced intervals that are slightly farther apart than a length of the glass panel 21. Prior to installation and usually remote from a site where the balustrade system is to be erected, balustrade modules are made up in a required quantity, which, when connected, will span the structure 11 as desired.

Each balustrade module is made up as follows. The first mounting member 40 of a first balustrade post 20 and the second mounting member of a second balustrade post 20 are fitted to opposing ends of the glass panels 21 by means of the sealing strips 44. A length of undercap 70 is cut according to the length of the balustrade module and fastened to flutes 46a of first mounting member 40 and flute 55 of second mounting member At the site, the first mounting member 40 of a first module and the second mounting member 50 of a second, adjacent module are engaged with one another. The second engagement portion of the second mounting member 50 engages with the first engagement portion of the first mounting member 40. The abutment portions 54 of the second mounting member IC 13

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0 may abut against the first mounting member 40 and limit the depth of tinsertion of the second mounting member 50 in the first mounting member However, in an alternative embodiment, abutment portions 54 are omitted. In this embodiment, screw flute 55 of the second mounting member 50, which is present in both embodiments of the second mounting member, 0can perform the same function as the abutment portions 54. The depth of Ninsertion of the second mounting member 50 in the first mounting member 0 o 40 is primarily controlled by the fixing of fasteners through holes accurately positioned in the undercap 70 and into the screw flutes 46, 46a, In the embodiment comprising the nodes 52 of the second mounting member 50, the nodes 52 are located within the recesses 45 of the first mounting member 40 to lock the first mounting member 40 and the second mounting member 50 together to form a balustrade post 20. In the embodiment where the nodes 52 are omitted, a neat interference fit ensures the engagement of the first and second mounting members 40, Also, at each balustrade post 20, two additional fastenings are made through the undercap 70 to the flutes 46 of the first mounting member thus preventing on-site separation of the first and second mounting members of each post, for example, under an extreme load. Hence, the first and second mounting members 40, 50 are further secured to the glass panel 21 by virtue of a single length of the undercap The balustrade modules are connected together and installed progressively along the structure 11. Each post 20 is placed in their respective hole 12. Cement, adhesive or like material is located within the S14

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0 hole 12 to hold the post 20 in position. In an alternative embodiment, flutes t46 and 46a of first mounting member 40 are utilised to fasten posts 20 to a base plate (not shown) that is fastened to the structure 11.

Lengths of cover strip 60 are inserted into first and second glazing slots 41, 51 between the structure 11 and the glazing panel 21 and between N the glazing panel 21 and the undercap 70. These are preferably inserted when the balustrade module is made up off site, but may be inserted once 0 Sthe posts 20 have been positioned. For aesthetic purposes, and to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture, a cover strip similar to cover strip 60 is also inserted into aperture 90 created by web 72 in undercap 70 where the undercap is not affixed to posts 20. For the alternative embodiment of the undercap 70 in which web 72 is omitted, a cover strip 60 for the undercap is not required.

The handrail 80 is then placed on the undercap 70 so that the locating projections 83 of the handrail 80 lock together with the indentations 73 in the undercap 70. The nodes 84 abut against the outside of the walls of the channels 71 to prevent lateral movement of the handrail 80. The abutment projections 82 prevent the handrail 80 from being pushed too far onto the undercap Hence, the balustrade system of the present invention addresses at least some of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and provides a number of advantages. Firstly, according to a preferred embodiment, glazing of the glass panels 21 can be conducted safely and easily prior to the balustrade modules being located and installed on site. Further, the spacing

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0of the posts relative to the glass is easily and quickly achieved using the first and second mounting members and the undercap 70. Nonetheless, if required, adjustment of the panels relative to the balustrade posts 20 is straightforward.

Cementing of the posts to the balcony according to one embodiment 0 and fastening the posts to a base plate via flutes 46 and 46a according to another embodiment provides a strength advantage over posts having a o welded base. Further, no welding of any part of the balustrade system is required.

Handrail shapes can also be changed relatively easily by removing and replacing the oval handrail 80 and replacing it with, for example, a handrail having a cross section in another shape and/or style, such as square, circular, other regular or irregular geometric shape, colonial style or the like.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the balustrade post 20 is shown in the exemplary embodiments as substantially circular in cross-section.

However, it will be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes may be employed, whilst retaining the benefits and advantages provided by the arrangement and interconnection of the first and second mounting members, cover strip(s), undercap and handrail.

Claims (24)

1. A balustrade post for a balustrade system, said system including a plurality of balustrade posts, at least one panel and a railing, said n 5 balustrade post comprising: 0a first mounting member comprising a first engagement portion and a Sfirst glazing slot; and 0 o a second mounting member comprising a second engagement portion and a second glazing slot; wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion mutually engage to hold the first mounting member and the second mounting member together.

2. The balustrade post of claim 1, wherein the second mounting member is engaged within the first mounting member.

3. The balustrade post of claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a pair of first engagement arms.

4. The balustrade post of claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion comprises a pair of second engagement arms.

The balustrade post of claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion comprises at least one screw flute.

6. The balustrade post of claim 5, wherein at least one screw flute is provided in each first engagement arm.

7. The balustrade post of claim 1, wherein a base of the second mounting 0member comprises at least one screw flute.

S8. The balustrade post of claim 5, wherein the at least one screw flute in the first engagement portion and at least one screw flute in the second mounting member receive fasteners to fasten an undercap of the railing to the balustrade post.

9. The balustrade post of claim 7, wherein the base of the second mounting member comprises at least one abutment projection which abuts against the first mounting member.

The balustrade post of claim 1, further comprising at least one cover strip engaged by the first glazing slot and/or the second glazing slot.

11. The balustrade post of claim 10, wherein the at least one cover strip comprises a substantially central leg extending from a base of the cover strip.

12. The balustrade post of claim 11, wherein the substantially central leg V18 O o provides support for a panel engaged within the glazing slot above the cover strip.

13. The balustrade post of claim 10, wherein the at least one cover strip comprises at least one locating protrusion for abutment against a 0projection of the glazing slot to limit the depth of insertion in the glazing N slot.

14. The balustrade post of claim 10, wherein the at least one cover strip further comprises at least one barbed leg for engagement with a projection of the glazing slot.

A balustrade system including a plurality of balustrade posts as claimed in any of claims 1-14.

16. A method of installing a balustrade system, the balustrade system having a plurality of balustrade posts, at least one panel and a railing, each balustrade post comprising a first mounting member and a second mounting member, the method including the steps of: engaging a first panel in a first glazing slot of the first mounting member; engaging a second panel in a second glazing slot of the second mounting member; and mutually engaging a first engagement portion of the first mounting o member with a second engagement portion of the second mounting member to form a balustrade post.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of fastening an undercap of the railing to at least one screw flute in the first 0 engagement portion and to at least one screw flute in the second mounting member.

18. A balustrade module comprising: a first mounting member of a first balustrade post, the first mounting member comprising a first engagement portion and a first glazing slot; a second mounting member of a second balustrade post, the second mounting member comprising a second engagement portion and a second glazing slot; and a panel having a first end engaged within the first glazing slot and a second, opposite end engaged within the second glazing slot.

19. The balustrade module of claim 18, further comprising an undercap extending between and fastened to the first mounting member and the second mounting member.

The balustrade module of claim 18, further comprising a first cover strip engaged by the first glazing slot and a second cover strip engaged by the second glazing slot, the first and second cover strip extending at 0 least partially along a length of said first and second glazing slots respectively.

21. A balustrade post substantially as hereinbefore described with tn 5 reference to the accompanying drawings. C

22. A balustrade system substantially as hereinbefore described with Oreference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of installing a balustrade system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A balustrade module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twelfth day of May 2005 BALUSTRADING SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY