DK177511B1 - Stairway railing - Google Patents

Abstract

Stairway railing for use as a side limitation in connection with staircases, said railing comprising one or more stanchions, and filling elements where each filling element has a height, length and a thickness, where one or more filling elements are arranged between said stanchions, characterized in that each filling element comprises a substantially stiff frame, where said frame defines the circumference of the filling element, where an aperture is surrounded by said frame, and that said frame is provided with a flange projecting inwards into said aperture from an inner surface of said frame, where infilling means are arranged connected in a first position to said flange, projecting into said aperture where said infilling means are fastened to said flange in a different second location on said flange.

Description

i DK 177511 B1

Stairway railing Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stairway railing for use as a side limitation in connection with staircases and landings as well as a method for installing such a railing.

5 Background of the Invention

In the art it is generally known that stairways are provided with railings for safety and security reasons. The railings are typically high enough such that a person walking up or down on the stairway feels safe that there is no danger of falling off the stairways.

10 In DE 1160158 is described a stairway railing construction, comprising upper and lower rails. Between these a number of intermediate members are arranged by means of pivot connections to the rails. The construction therefore acts as a parallelogram, and may easily be adapted to different desired heights of the top rail, and to desired elevations, without changing the basic configuration, but simply by altering the paral-15 lelogram.

A general problem with the railings, however, is that they are quite cumbersome to install in a building in that if they are to be lifted in with a crane they need to be placed while there is still access to that particular floor, i.e. in a multi-storey building the rail-20 ings need to be installed as the construction proceeds upwards or the railings need to be installed afterwards where access to the stairways might be very difficult.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore consequently an object of the present invention to provide a railing which overcomes the prior art problems.

25 Description of the Invention

The invention addresses this by providing a Stairway railing for use as a side limitation in connection with staircases, said railing comprising filling elements where each filling element has a height, length and a thickness, where one or more filling elements in use are arranged along at least a section of one side of a stairwell, characterised in 30 that each filling element comprises a substantially stiff frame, where said frame defines the circumference of the filling element, where an aperture is surrounded by said 2 DK 177511 B1 frame, and that said frame is provided with a flange projecting inwards into said aperture from an inner surface of said frame, where infilling means are arranged connected in a first position to said flange, projecting into said aperture where said infilling means are fastened to said flange in a different second location on said flange and fur-.

5 ther that an L-shaped profile is provided, where said L-shaped profile comprises means for being attached to said inner face of said frame, and where said L-shaped profile is provided in sections or continuously along the inner periphery of the frame.

By providing substantially stiff frames with means to attach a filling element it is pos-10 sible to pre-manufacture the frames and filling elements separately and furthermore to manufacture these elements in a size, i.e. having a weight which makes it possible for the elements to be manually handled in the building such that the necessity for lifting for example by crane is eliminated. This fact is especially important in regions where working environment rules prohibit manually handling of heavy objects. For example, 15 according to the Danish workers code a worker is not allowed to routinely lift more than approx. 12 kilos. This in turn makes it possible with the present invention to create rather large frames and rather large filling elements such that although the weight is minimized it is possible to install rather large elements where only the access possibilities limit the overall size of the elements.

20

The flange provided on an inner surface of the frame projecting into the aperture defined by the periphery of the frame makes it possible to attach a variety of different filling elements exhibiting different either aesthetic or constructional details such as for example sound absorbing, moisture regulating or the like characteristics all within 25 the same constructional principle.

The L-shaped profile serves to fasten the filling element between the flange and the L-shaped profile such that the filling element does not need to be provided with for example holes or other attaching means in order to be fastened to the frame. By using an 30 L-frame which together with the flange provided on the frame as such is able to hold and fasten a filling element it is possible to use a wide variety of filling elements with the standard frame construction.

3 DK 177511 B1

Ih a still further advantageous embodiment the filling means connected to the flange is selected among one or more of the following: a continuous plate, substantially filling the entire aperture; a glass plate, preferably unbreakable or reinforced glass; 5 - a sound absorbing plate; a lattice work of stringers, wires or bars, preferably made from steel or stainless steel, wood, plastics or other suitable material.

Most building codes set requirements and standards for the railings such that depend- . 10 ing on the type of building in which they are installed the railings will provide the necessary security. In many cases this requires that the filling element only has openings of a very limited size, for example less than 12 cm across such that children and the like will not be able to become entangled with the filling element or the railing as such.

15

Therefore, in order to address the security issues and at the same time provide aesthetic solutions the inventive construction particularly relating to the flange and associated fastening means provides for a wide variety of infilling means to be used with the present invention. Naturally, a continuous plate will address most of the safety require-20 ments as long as the plate itself is strong enough to withstand the forces to which it is exposed. The plate material may naturally be selected from any desired material as for example a metal plate, a plastic plate or a sheet of security glass. In other applications it might be interesting to provide sound absorbing means in the infilling element in that usually stairwells are relatively “hard” rooms having concrete or stone walls and 25 glass windows and there will usually not be any material present which will be able to absorb the generated sound/noise by people moving up and down the stairs. By providing sound absorbing means in the infilling element these sound absorbing means may be camouflaged such that they are not noticed, but at the same time they carry out a very important task, namely to provide for a better sound/acoustic envi-30 ronment inside the otherwise resounding or noise aggressive room. Furthermore, the infilling element may also be of a more conventional type, i.e. having a lattice work of strings, wires or bars as is well-known in the art.

4 DK 177511 B1

The frame may also as suggested in a further advantageous embodiment have a substantially rectangular cross section, where the flange is integral with the frame and where the frame with its flange is manufactured in an extrusion, pultrusion, rolling or drawing process.

5

Especially by providing a (steel) drawing process the profile may be manufactured having a relatively thin material thickness and still retain a stiffness such that very lightweight and stiff frames are provided. The flanges arranged integral with the profile, especially adjacent the comers of the frame will improve the overall stiffness of 10 the frame. Also the manufacture from steel or aluminium makes is possible to weld the profile sections together (in the comers) in order to manufacture the frame such that very stiff connections are obtained. Therefore, this embodiment foresees that very lightweight and still substantially stiff frames may be manufactured. This in turn provides for easy handling during installation and at the same time provides an aesthetic 15 acceptable finish.

In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention the flange is provided with a slanting cover connecting the free edge of the flange to a side of the frame, and where a triangular cross-section shaped profile is provided, where said triangular 20 shaped profile comprises means for being attached to said inner face of said frame, and where said triangular shaped profile is provided in sections or continuously along the inner periphery of the frame.

The slanting of the surfaces makes it less likely that dirt, dust and the like will accu-25 mulate on the frame section and as such from a hygienic point of view the slanting surfaces provide an improvement. Also, when cleaning the railings it has proved easier and more hygienic to have a slanting surface in that no acute angles are present in the construction such that it is relatively easy and fast to clean the exposed surfaces.

30 In a still further advantageous embodiment the flange is provided asymmetrically such that the flange is provided closer to one side of the frame than the other side.

5 DK 177511 B1

The asymmetrically placed flange makes it possible to arrangethe flange in a manner whereby the infilling element may be placed centrally relative to the frame profile. In other embodiments it is advantageous to arrange the flange substantially flush with the side element of the frame such that the filling element will be substantially flush with 5 a side of the frame. By arranging the flange asymmetrically a new variety of design possibilities arise without compromising the enhanced strength and constructional principles of the railing according to the invention.

As already elaborated above it is important that each frame weighs less than 20 kilos, 10 and this is possible with the embodiments as described above. Particularly the fact that the frame and infilling element may be transported to the side of the installation separately allows for the construction to stay within the weight limitations put on manual work. The outer periphery of the frame may furthermore be provided with fastening means or connection means such that it is possible to fasten the frames to the stan-15 chions and/or to interconnect frame elements.

The invention is furthermore directed to an embodiment wherein the frame is either provided with fastening means on the part of the uppermost frame section, where said fastening means are suitable to mount a banister onto, or wherein the uppermost part 20 of the frame is shaped as a banister, and where further apertures are provided in the frame for arranging electrical wires, and where optionally lighting fixtures/sources may be provided along the frame, connected to said electrical wiring.

The invention is also directed to a method of installing a railing according to any of 25 the preceding claims, wherein: - the frames are fastened to stanchions and/or each other and/or directly to the staircase or landing by the provided fastening and/or connection means; - mounting the infilling means to the flange.

30 The method provides the possibility to arrange the slim frame profiles along the staircase and/or landing in such a manner that all fastening means becomes more or less invisible for a user on the staircase/landing. This also applies to the fastening of the infilling means as it is possible to mount these in the frame such that the fastening is 6 DK 177511 B1 not visible, i.e. the bolts/screws or the like may be provided on the back side and covered by the infilling means (as long as these means are not transparent).

However where the L-shaped profile is used to fasten the infilling means to the frame, the fastening means for fastening the L-shaped profile may be visible.

5

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method the infilling means is one or more of the following: a continuous plate, substantially filling the entire aperture; a glass plate, preferably unbreakable or reinforced glass; 10 - a sound absorbing plate; and where an L-shaped or triangular shaped profile is arranged, such that the infilling means on one side is held in place by the flange and on the other side is held in place by the L-shaped or triangular shaped profile, which in turn is fastened to the frame, and that optionally resilient means are arranged between the flange and the infilling 15 means, and the L-shaped or triangular shaped profile and the infilling means, and/or the frame.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: 20

Figure 1 illustrates a section of a stairway including a railing

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section indicated by the arrows in figure 1

Figure 3 illustrates an L-shaped fastening member

Figure 4 and 5 illustrate embodiments of the combined profile 11 with variations of 25 the “L-shaped” fastening profile

Figure 6 illustrates infilling means in the shape of a plate, for example a glass pane

Figure 7 illustrates a construction of a sound absorbing infilling means

Figure 8 illustrates a possible mounting detail 30 Figure 9 illustrates where the infilling means is a glass or Plexiglas member

comprising an LED

Figure 1 Oa-c illustrate various embodiments of a frame with a banister DK 177511 B1 7

Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment where the infilling means is in the shape of wires

Figure 12 illustrates a comer detail of a frame mounted to a staircase.

Detailed Description of the Invention 5 In figure 1 is illustrated a section of a stairway including a railing 1 according to the invention. The stairway railing 1 comprises means 2 for example in the shape of bolts for fastening the railing 1 to the side 3 of a staircase 4. Between adjacent means 2 is arranged a stairway railing 1.

10 The stairway railing comprises a substantially stiff frame 11 which surrounds an aperture. The frame 11 defines the periphery and circumference of the filling element. The outside of the frame 11 is provided with connection means 12, 13 such that the stairway railing may be attached to the staircase 4, by means of bolts 2.

15 The connection means 12, 13 may also be used to fasten the railing to stanchions (not illustrated) in a normal fashion (not illustrated).

Furthermore, the stiff frame is provided with a flange 14 projecting from an inside side face of the frame 11 into the aperture. In this embodiment the flange 14 is provided 20 along the entire inner circumference of the frame 11, but it is also possible only to provide the flange in sections along the inner periphery in that the flange is used in order to fasten infilling means 10. Where the infilling means for example is a plate member, it is advantageous to have the flange along the entire inner circumference of the frame 11 in that in this manner it is possible to provide a very strong connection 25 between the plate member constituting the infilling means and the frame 11. In other circumstances where a lattice work of steel wires, bars or the like is to constitute the infilling means, it is only necessary to provide small sections of the flange along the inner periphery in that the need for connection means will only be in points, i.e. where the end of the wire of bar is to be fastened to the frame.

In figure 2 is illustrated a cross section indicated by the arrows 5 in figure 1 where it is clear that the frame 11 is provided above and below the infilling means which in this 3° 8 DK 177511 B1 embodiment is in the shape of a plate member 15. The plate member is fastened to the flanges 14 such that the combination of the frame and the infilling means in this manner constitutes a complete filling element.

5 The flange 14 may be supplemented by an L-shaped fastening member 16 as illustrated with reference to figure 3. In this manner it is possible to fasten the infilling means 10 without mechanical intrusion into the frame 11 as will be explained with reference to figure 6. The L-shaped fastening member 16 may be fastened to the frame 11 either mechanically by means of for example countersunk screws or may be fastened by ad-10 hesive means or welding.

In figures 4 and 5 are illustrated embodiments of the frame 11 with variations of the “L-shaped” fastening profile. As illustrated in figure 4 the flange 14’ is in this embodiment provided with a slanting side surface as is the fastening element 16’. The slant 15 provides for easier cleaning and less horizontal dust and dirt collecting surface. In figure 5 the flange 14” and fastening element 16” is provided with a curvature both for aesthetic reasons and in order to be easier to clean. Irrespective of the design of the flange 14, 14’, 14” and fastening element 16, 16’, 16” they all function in the same manner and may be fastened to the frame 11 by appropriate means as already dis-20 cussed above.

As mentioned briefly above, it is possible to fasten the infilling means 10 without mechanically intruding into the infilling means. This is illustrated with respect to figure 6 wherein infilling means 10 in the shape of a plate, for example a glass pane, is ar-25 ranged between the flange 14 and the L-shaped fastening means 16. Interposed between the flange 14 and the L-shaped fastening means 16 is a rubber profile 19.

The infilling means may take many shapes and forms such as for example timber panels, plate glass panes and the like. A special advantageous embodiment is the use of 30 sound absorbing plates which in addition to providing infilling means also improves the acoustic environment iri a stairway.

9 DK 177511 B1

In figure 7 is illustrated a construction of a sound absorbing infilling means 10’. The sound absorbing element 10’ is provided with outer metal plates, for example aluminium or painted steel 21. In the plates are provided apertures/holes 22 and sandwiched between the two metal plates 21 is a sound absorbing material 23, for example an in-5 sulating material such as expanded glass wool or rock wool. In order to protect the sound absorbing material 23 a membrane, for example in the shape of a cloth material 24 may be provided on either side of the insulating material 23.

Turning to figure 8 a possible mounting detail is illustrated. The frame 11 is by means of a mounting plate 30 fastened to the side of a staircase 4, for example by means of 10 anchors 31.

In order to maintain the distance between the edge of the staircase 4 and the infilling means 10 at a certain minimum distance indicated by the arrow 32 which often is set at 30 mm such that people and especially children will not inadvertently get their feet 15 stuck or squeezed between the edge of the staircase 4 and the infilling means 10. The flange 14 is displaced at the appropriate distance such that the distance 32 between the edge of the staircase 4 and the infilling means 10 is maintained at the desired distance.

Other features may also be implemented in the inventive concept for a railing. For 20 example as illustrated in figure 9 where the infilling means 10 is a glass or Plexiglas member, an LED 40 is arranged along the edge of the infilling means 10 such that as the LED is illuminated, the light will be transmitted through the infilling means 10. The necessary wiring 41 may be accommodated inside the frame 11 such that a substantially invisible installation may be provided. In this embodiment the infilling 25 means 10 is supported sideways by the flanges 14, the L-shaped fastening element 16 and interposed between the flange an L-shaped fastening element and the infilling means are resilient strips 42.

In some staircases it is desirable to provide a banister, for example made from wood, 30 and such a construction is illustrated in figures 10a to 10c.

In fig. 10a the banister 45 is fastened to an L-shaped fastening element 16 substantially corresponding to the L-shaped fastening element used in other embodiments described 10 DK 177511 B1 above where the L-shaped fastening element 16 is connected to a secondary flange 14”” provided on an outer side face of the frame 11. As illustrated the frame 11 is still provided with the original flange 14 and infilling means 10 which may be held in place by the L-shaped fastening means 16. In this manner it is possible to provide a 5 banister in an elegant manner.

In fig. 10b the banister 45 is fastened to the frame 11 by means of a screw 46, which screw is accessible through a bore 47 provided in the frame’s 11 underside. In this manner the mounting/fastening of the banister is substantially invisible. The banister 10 45 will be mounted prior to arranging the infill element 10, which otherwise blocks access to the screw 46 by blocking the bore 47.

In fig. 10c is yet another example of a frame 11 provided with a banister 45 illustrated. The banister is provided with a groove 48 such that the banister 45 may be fitted over 15 the upstanding flange 14””. In order to fasten the banister 45 a screw or the like may be arranged as illustrated by the dashed line 49.

In figure 11 is illustrated an embodiment where the infilling means is in the shape of wires 50. In this embodiment it is only necessary that the flange is provided section-20 wise as indicated by the flange sections 51.

Fig. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. The frame 11 is provided with a mounting flange 60 arranged inside the comer of the frame 11. In this manner the mounting flange 60 is not visible in embodiments where the infilling means 10 are 25 in a plate shape and not transparent. In the illustrated embodiment the infilling means 10 is in the shape of steel rods fastened to the flange 14.

The frame 11 is in this embodiment fastened to the staircase 3 by means of a bolt 61.

An adjacent railing element 1 may be attached to the staircase in the same manner, 30 immediately adjacent (and possibly in contact with) the railing illustrated. IN this manner there is not used any stanchions or other means for stabilizing the stair railings.

11 DK 177511 B1

Above the invention has been described with reference to schematic embodiments and during the discussion of the embodiments various materials, fastening methods etc. have been mentioned. It is, however, contemplated that any suitable fastening method and any suitable materials may be used within the inventive concept of the present 5 invention which shall only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

12 DK 177511 B1 Stair railing (1) for use as a side boundary in connection with stairwells, which railing comprises filling elements (10), each filling element (10) having a height, length and thickness, one or more filling elements (10) in use is arranged along at least a section of a side of a stair shaft, characterized in that each filling element (10) comprises a substantially rigid frame (11), the frame defining the circumference of the filling element (10), an opening being surrounded by the frame, and that the frame is provided with a flange (14) projecting inwards into the opening 10 from an inner surface of the frame (11), wherein filling means (15) are arranged in a first position connected to the flange (14) projecting into the opening, wherein the filling means (15) are attached to the flange (14) in a different second position on the flange (14), and further that there is an L-shaped profile (16, 16 ') which comprises means for attachment to the interior of the frame. flat, and where it is L-shaped profile (16, 16 ') is provided in sections or continuously along the inner periphery of the frame (11). Handrail according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling means connected to the flange are selected from one or more of the following: - a continuous plate which fills substantially the entire opening, 20. a glass plate, preferably shatterproof or reinforced glass, - a sound-absorbing plate, - a latticework of girders, wires or rods, preferably of steel or stainless steel, wood, plastic or other suitable material. Handrail according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame has a substantially rectangular cross-section and that the flange is integrated with the frame, the frame with its flange being made by an extrusion, pultruding, steel rolling or steel drawing process. A handrail according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange is provided with an inclination of cover connecting the free end of the flange to one side of the frame, and wherein there is a profile with triangular cross-section for attachment to the inner surface of the frame. , and wherein the triangular profile is provided in sections or continuously along the inner periphery of the frame. Handrail according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange is provided asymmetrically such that the flange is provided closer to one side of the frame than the other side. Handrail according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each frame is made of welded profiles, and each frame weighs less than 20 kg, the profile on an outer periphery being provided with fastening means and / or connecting means allowing adjacent frames to be interconnected and / or connected to the posts and / or connected to the staircase. Handrail according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is either provided with fastening means on the part of the upper frame section, the fastening means being suitable for mounting a baluster thereon, or that the upper part of the frame is designed as a baluster, and that further openings are provided in the frame for arranging electrical wires, and where light fixtures / sources may optionally be arranged along the frame connected to the electrical wires. 20 Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - frames are fastened to posts and / or to each other and / or directly to the staircase or ledge with the fastening and / or connecting means provided, - mounting of the filling means on the flange. 25 A method according to claim 8, wherein the filling means are one or more of the following: - a continuous plate which fills substantially the entire opening, - a glass plate, preferably shatterproof or reinforced glass, 30. a sound-absorbing plate, and where arranged an L-shaped or triangular profile, such that the filling means are held in place on the one hand by the flange and on the other hand are held in place by the L-shaped or triangular profile, which in turn is attached to the frame, and that 14 DK 177511 B1 elastic means, if any, are arranged between the flange and the filling means on one side, and the L-shaped or triangular profile and the filling means, and / or the frame.