EP0731236B1 - Fastening device under floors for the supporting post of balustrades - Google Patents

Abstract

A guard rail support bar (4) is fixed under a slab (1) by a fixing section (14) under the slab. The section upper part (17) is applied under the slab lower surface (18) and fixed there by a screw (25). When the support bar is vertical the front end of the section is at the slab head (2). An end piece (15) which is mounted at the fixing section front end has a convex external surface (29). A shoe (16) having a concave base, complementary to the end piece convex surface, has an upper part (31) which fits into and fixes the support bar base. A bolt and washer (32,33) fix the shoe through its concave base against the end piece. In the case of an inclined support bar, particularly when a gutter must be placed in front of the slab head, the fixing section is positioned so that its front end, and consequently the end piece, are located in front of the slab head.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for fixing under slab, for railing support bar, including balcony railings.

Balcony railings generally include support bars, which support a handrail as well as a filling or bar, the base of each support bar being fixed to the balcony slab. Usually the base of each support bar is placed and fixed on the upper surface of the balcony, a short distance from the front edge of the slab, says "slab nose". This traditional method of fixation has certain disadvantages, in particular: means of fixing the support bars are very exposed weather, their presence on the upper surface slab can represent an annoying obstacle, and they weaken the area of the slab nose.

To avoid these drawbacks, fixing under slab for railing support bar have already been proposed. By postponing the fixing of the support bar on the underside of the slab, we makes a fixation which is better protected from humidity, while fully clearing the upper surface of the slab. In addition, the means for fixing the support bars can be placed at a greater distance significant slab nose, thus avoiding embrittlement of this part, which is interesting especially in the case of the renovation of old buildings.

• Comme il ressort de ce qui précède, sa mise en oeuvre nécessite des barreaux-supports de configuration spéciale, notamment à leur base.
• Les dispositifs de fixation à étrier ne permettent pas un réglage multidirectionnel, alors que celui-ci apparaít indispensable pour compenser les défauts géométriques de la dalle.
• La présence d'un double dispositif de fixation à étrier rend l'ensemble assez compliqué et coûteux, et l'un des dispositifs à étrier reste obligatoirement assez proche du nez de dalle.
• Toutes les opérations manuelles de fixation doivent être réalisées par le dessous de la dalle, ce qui est peu commode.
• Les moyens de fixation sous dalle, notamment les étriers et les vis associées, ne sont ni dissimulés, ni protégés.

A particular embodiment of a sub-slab fixing device for a railing support bar is described in the German patent application DE-A-3702128. In this known embodiment, the base of the support bar comprises a bent part at a right angle, therefore substantially horizontal, extending under the balcony slab. This horizontal part is fixed under the slab by means of two stirrup devices. The device of document DE-A-3702128 thus has various drawbacks or inadequacies:

• As is clear from the above, its implementation requires special configuration support bars, in particular at their base.
• The stirrup fasteners do not allow multidirectional adjustment, while it appears essential to compensate for the geometric defects of the slab.
• The presence of a double stirrup fixing device makes the assembly quite complicated and expensive, and one of the stirrup devices necessarily remains close to the slab nose.
• All manual fixing operations must be carried out from below the slab, which is inconvenient.
• The means of fixing under the slab, in particular the stirrups and the associated screws, are neither concealed nor protected.

Another fixing device under the slab is known from German patent application DE-A-4324602. This device uses a particular horizontal piece which is applied, and fixed by screws, under the underside of the balcony slab. At the front of this room is provided a vertical element on which fits, without possibility the base of the railing support bar. The angular adjustment is achieved by means of a small shim mobile arranged on the horizontal part. This piece is therefore not applied, by a continuous surface important, against the underside of the slab. So, the adjustment device of document DE-A-4324602 does not not allow to distribute on a continuous surface appreciable compression load on concrete, which results in railing instability when the support bar is stressed. We will also note that, in this document, the positioning of the adjustment shim appears difficult.

Yet another fixing device under slab is described in the German utility model DE-U-9419270. This fixing device comprises a profile substantially horizontal tubular, fixed with a screw under the underside of the slab. However this profile is not directly applied against the underside of the slab. The screw fixing under the slab is made with the interposition of a cylindrical wedge, allowing angular adjustment. Given the low distance between screw and end of shim cylindrical, the fixing pin is strongly requested. This is a major drawback, since the fixation is carried out in a "stretched" area of the concrete slab.

The present invention aims to eliminate all of these disadvantages, by providing a fixing device under improved slab, which while retaining a simple and economical structure allows adjustments in all directions, conveniently with access from the top of the slab, and also allows a optimization of the mechanical link and transmission efforts, between the components of the device fixing under slab and the slab itself.

• un profilé de fixation sous dalle, sensiblement horizontal, dont la partie supérieure est appliquée sous la face inférieure de la dalle et y est fixée au moyen d'au moins une vis ou similaire, l'extrémité avant du profilé étant située sensiblement au niveau du nez de dalle,
• une pièce terminale montée à l'extrémité avant du profilé de fixation sous dalle, la pièce terminale possédant une surface extérieure convexe, notamment sphérique,
• un sabot possédant une embase concave, complémentaire de la surface convexe de la pièce terminale précitée, et une partie supérieure prévue pour l'emboítement et la fixation de la base du barreau-support, et
• des moyens de fixation du sabot, par son embase concave, contre la surface extérieure convexe de ladite pièce terminale, dans une position relative correspondant à la position désirée du barreau-support.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for fixing under a slab for a railing support bar, which essentially comprises:

• a substantially horizontal sub-slab fixing profile, the upper part of which is applied under the lower face of the slab and is fixed thereto by means of at least one screw or the like, the front end of the profile being situated substantially at the level of the slab nose,
• an end piece mounted at the front end of the fixing profile under the slab, the end piece having a convex external surface, in particular spherical,
• a shoe having a concave base, complementary to the convex surface of the abovementioned end piece, and an upper part provided for the fitting and fixing of the base of the support bar, and
• means for fixing the shoe, by its concave base, against the convex outer surface of said end piece, in a relative position corresponding to the desired position of the support bar.

Thus, the invention provides a device for fixing under slab, which requires a minimum number of components, while allowing adjustment in all directions by the cooperation of two surfaces complementary, spherical or similar, allowing compensate for geometric defects in the slab and always place the support bar according to the orientation desired. In this regard, it will be noted that the fixing under a slab, object of the invention, allows place the support bar not only in one position vertical, but also in an inclined position which can be necessary in some cases especially when a gutter must be placed in front of the nose of slab.

In the latter case, the fixing profile under slab is positioned so that its end before, and therefore the end piece on the surface convex exterior, located in front of the slab nose, which saves the space necessary for the gutter. At otherwise, in the simplest case of a support bar to be fixed vertically, the fixing profile under the slab is positioned so that its front end, and therefore the outer surface end piece convex, located practically to the right of the slab nose.

Given the configuration of this device fixing under slab, in particular of its shoe, this one can be used with existing support bars, in particular the support bars constituted by a simple straight profile, the upper part of the hoof comprising a housing open upwards, receiving the base of the support bar.

The position provided for the adjustment means allows direct application of the fixing profile under slab against the underside of the slab, without interposition of no wedges, which provides a surface of important contact on which the efforts. This can be achieved in particular by providing, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, that the fixing profile under the slab has a flat upper face, pressing against the face bottom of the slab. It is for example a profile tubular having a generally semicircular section. This profile may have an internal part relatively massive, scheduled to be drilled vertically at the location of the or each screw fixing to the slab. To allow access to this screw, the fixing profile under the slab may also have, in the lower region of its outer wall, a cut made in correspondence with the location of the fixing screw, this cutout being able to be closed by fitting a cover.

While providing a large contact surface with the underside of the slab, such a profile of fixing under slab has only a limited height, this which makes its presence discreet, and its means of attachment to the slab is completely hidden and protected, however remaining accessible after removal of the cover. The semicircular section of this tubular profile itself gives great rigidity.

According to another characteristic, the means of fixing the shoe against the end piece are constituted by a single fixing screw, passing through said end piece and clamped in a channel longitudinal of the fixing profile under the slab, formed in the relatively massive internal part of this profile. Preferably, the concave base of the hoof has, in its middle, a buttonhole opening for placement shoe on the fixing screw already in place. The base of the shoe still advantageously presents, in its part front, an opening allowing access to the screw fixing, the opening in question being able to be closed by fitting a cover. So the screw of shoe attachment is pre-mounted, and the installation of this shoe, followed by its adjustment and its blocking in the set position, easily operated from above the slab. Note also that the setting according to all directions take place at a single point. Once the adjustment and tightening of the shoe made, the installation of the cover ensures the concealment and the protection of the fixing screw, while leaving it accessible after removing this cache.

Overall, we thus obtain a device for fixing under slab without visible screws, including mounting is nevertheless particularly easy.

Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, de côté, d'un dispositif de fixation sous dalle conforme à l'invention pour un barreau-support vertical ;

Figure 2 est une vue d'ensemble similaire à figure 1, mais illustrant l'application du dispositif de fixation sous dalle selon l'invention à un barreau-support incliné ;

Figure 3 est une vue de détail, en coupe verticale, de ce dispositif de fixation sous dalle ;

Figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant IV-IV de figure 3, montrant la section du profilé de fixation sous dalle au droit de la vis de fixation ;

Figure 5 est une vue en coupe similaire à figure 4, représentant la section courante du profilé de fixation sous dalle ;

Figure 6 représente le sabot, vu de face du côté de sa surface concave.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this under-slab fixing device for support bars of railings:

Figure 1 is an overall side view of a sub-slab fixing device according to the invention for a vertical support bar;

Figure 2 is an overall view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the application of the slab fixing device according to the invention to an inclined support bar;

Figure 3 is a detail view, in vertical section, of this fixing device under the slab;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of Figure 3, showing the section of the fixing profile under the slab to the right of the fixing screw;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4, showing the current section of the fixing profile under the slab;

Figure 6 shows the hoof, seen from the front from the side of its concave surface.

Figure 1 shows, in cross section, a balcony slab 1 whose front edge 2 forms the "nose of slab ". The balcony slab 1 receives a railing, designated as a whole by the reference 3, which includes rectilinear support bars 4 arranged at intervals, the vertices of which support a handrail 5. The railing 3 also includes a filling 6, mounted between an upper beam 7 and a lower beam 8 which are both fixed to the support bars 4 by suitable connecting pieces, respectively 9 and 10. In a well known manner, the support bars 4, the handrail 5 and the rails 7 and 8 are constituted by aluminum alloy profiles. In the case particular of Figure 1, the support bars 4 are fixed vertically, and located just in front of the filling 6, itself placed in the vertical plane passing through the slab nose 2. Each support bar 4 is fixed under the slab 1, by means of a fixing under a slab designated as a whole by 11 and described in detail below, the base of this support bar 4 thus being located just in front of the slab nose 2.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the same device for fixing under slab 11 also applies to a support bar 4 slightly tilted vertically, the base of the support bar 4 being offset forward so as to allow the fixing of a gutter 12 against the nose of slab 2. In the latter case, filling 6 of the railing remains in a vertical plane passing through the nose slab 2, the bottom rail 8 of this filling 6 being connected to each support bar 4 by a rod substantially horizontal link 13.

Referring to Figures 3 and following, we now describes the detail of the fixing device under slab 11. The device 11 mainly consists of a fixing profile under slab 14, of a terminal piece 15 mounted at the front of the profile 14 and a shoe 16 fixed against the end piece 15 and receiving the base of the support bar 4.

The fixing profile under slab 14 is a tubular profile, of symmetrical section having a shape general semicircular, its large flat face 17 being applied under the underside 18 of the slab 1. This profile 14 has internal longitudinal partitions 19, dividing it internally into two lateral chambers 20 and 21, and an intermediate chamber 22, the latter having a substantially square section - see figures 4 and 5. Profile 14 also has an internal part 23 relatively massive, pierced longitudinally with a channel 24 of circular section.

The profile 14 is fixed under the slab 1 by means a vertical screw 25, located at a distance predetermined D of the slab nose 2. At the location of the fixing screw 25, the massive part 23 of the profile 14 is pierced perpendicular to channel 24, as indicated in 26 (see Figures 3 and 4), so as to provide a passage vertical for screw 25. In addition, to access the location of this screw 25, the lower region of the substantially semi-cylindrical wall 27 of the profile 14 is cut locally, as indicated in 28, forming a "window" through which the intermediate chamber 22 of the profile 14 opens outwards.

The end piece 15 has a surface outer 29 convex, in particular in a spherical cap. This end piece 15 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal detection of profile 14. It is fixed against the front end of this profile 14.

Shoe 16, clearly visible in Figures 3 and 6, has a concave base 30, in particular in a crown spherical, complementary to the external surface 29 of the end piece 15. The upper part of the shoe 16 forms a housing 31 open upwards, receiving the base of the support bar 4 which is immobilized there by means a blocking device known per se (not represented).

The concave base 30 of the shoe 16 has, in its middle, a buttonhole opening 32 intended to be crossed by a fixing screw 33, which also crosses the end piece 15 and which is introduced and clamped in channel 24 of profile 14. In its front part, the base 30 of the shoe 16 has an opening rectangular 34, allowing access to the screw head mounting 33.

Installation and adjustment of the fixing device under slab 11, previously described, are carried out as follows:

The profile 14 is fixed under the slab 1 by means of the screw 25. In the case of a vertical support bar 4 (Figures 1 and 3), the front end of the fixing profile under slab 14 is positioned practically in line with the nose slab 2. In the case of an inclined support bar 4 (Figure 2), the front end of the profile 14 is, at opposite, positioned in front of the slab nose 2. This front end of profile 14 receives in all cases the end piece 15, which is fixed to it by means of screws (not shown) inserted and tightened in two grooves internal 35 and 36 of profile 14 - see figures 4 and 5.

Shoe 16 is applied by its concave base 30, against the convex outer surface 29 of the part 15. The tightening of the screw 33 fixes the shoe 16 against the end piece 15 in the relative position desired, allowing adjustment according to all directions from space. In particular, the shoe 16 can thus be positioned and immobilized in a position placing the support bar 4 in a vertical position (Figures 1 and 3), or in a position placing the support bar 4 in the inclined position (Figure 2).

It will be noted that, the fixing screw 33 being placed at advance, without being fully tightened, shoe 16 is engaged by its buttonhole opening 32 on this screw 33 already in place, which facilitates its installation as well as the subsequent tightening of said screw 33. The operations of mounting and adjusting the shoe 16 are thus conveniently performed by a person taking place on the slab 1.

Assembly and adjustment can be followed by the installation of covers 37, 38 and 39, which close off respectively the window 28 of the fixing profile under slab 14, the access opening 34 of the shoe 16 and the rear end of the profile 14. The two screws of fixing 25 and 33 are thus made invisible, too well for the sake of security only for the purpose of protection against humidity, while contributing to the aesthetics of fixing device under slab 11.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the profile fixing under slab 14 has, between the screw fixing 25 to slab 1 and its rear end closed by the cover 39, a length L which can be relatively large. The length L is determined in according to the requirements prescribed by the standards in force in the country concerned, and by the constraints of strength of the fastening device, especially characteristics of the anchor 40, embedded in the slab 1, which receives the fixing screw 25. In particular, a lengthening of the length L, therefore of the distance between the screw 25 and the rear end of profile 14, allows reduce, by leveraging easily understandable, the forces exerted on the screw 25 and / or on the ankle 40, under the action of the weight of the railing 3 and external forces transmitted by this railing.

This fixing device under slab 11 is applicable to new constructions and works renovation. It not only concerns the slabs of balconies, substantially horizontal, but also the climbs staircase with fixing under an inclined surface, the spherical configuration of the end piece 15 and the shoe 16 allowing, in all cases of application, to fix the support bar 4 in a vertical position or substantially vertical. Of course, this fixing under slab 11 is applicable, without modification, not only to a filling railing 6 such as described but also to a railing with bars. Moreover, we would not stray from the scope of the invention by providing, in cases where this proves necessary, two profile fixing screws under the slab, instead with a single screw, or by replacing this fixing screw by any equivalent means, such as a threaded rod crossing the slab right through, on all its thickness.

Claims (12)

1. Device for fixing under a slab (1) for a guardrail support stanchion (4), notably for a balcony guardrail, the said device comprising:

   a substantially horizontal under-slab fixing profiled member (14), the top part (17) of which is intended to be applied underneath the bottom face (18) of the slab (1) and to be fixed thereto by means of at least one screw (25) or the like, the front end of the profiled member (14) being intended to be situated substantially level with the slab nose (2),

   an end piece (15) mounted at the front end of the under-slab fixing profile member (14), the end piece (15) having a convex, notably spherical, external surface (29),

   a shoe (16) having a concave base (30), complementary to the convex surface (29) of the aforementioned end piece (15), and a top part (31) provided for the nesting and fixing of the base of the support stanchion (4), and

   means (32, 33) for fixing the shoe (16), by its concave base (30), against the convex external surface (29) of the said end piece (15), in a relative position corresponding to the required position of the support stanchion (4).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that, in the case of a support stanchion (4) to be fixed vertically, the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) can be positioned so that its front end, and consequently the end piece (15) with a convex surface (29), are situated practically in line with the slab nose (2).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that, in the case of a support stanchion (4) to be fixed in an inclined position, when a gutter (12) is to be positioned in front of the slab nose (2), the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) can be positioned so that its front end, and consequently the end piece (15) with a convex surface (29), are situated in front of the slab nose (2) in order to provide the space required for the gutter (12).
4. Device according to any one of Claims I to 3, characterised in that the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) has, between its screw (25) for fixing to the slab (1) and its rear end (39), a length (L) which can be relatively great, adapted to the requirements of the screw fixing (25, 40).
5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) has a flat top face (17) intended to be applied against the bottom face (18) of the slab (1).
6. Device intended to be applied according to Claim 5, characterised in that the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) is a tubular profiled member having a cross section with a semicircular shape overall.
7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) has a relatively solid internal part (23), designed to be perforated vertically (at 26) at the location of the screw or screws (25) for fixing to the slab (1).
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the under-slab fixing profiled member (14) has, in the lower region of its external wall (27), a cutout (28) produced in correspondence with the location of the fixing screw (25), this cutout (28) being able to be closed off by fitting a cover (37).
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the means of fixing the shoe (16) against the end piece (15) consist of a single fixing screw (33), passing through the said end piece (15) and tightened in a longitudinal channel (24) in the under-slab fixing profile member (14) provided in the relatively solid internal part (23) of this profiled member (14).
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the concave base (30) of the shoe (16) has, at its middle, a slot-shaped opening (32) for fitting the shoe (16) on the fixing screw (33).
11. Device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the base (30) of the shoe (16) has, in its front part, an opening (34) affording access to the fixing screw (33), the opening (34) being able to be closed off by fitting a cover (38).
12. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the top part of the shoe (16) has a housing (31) open upwards, intended to receive the base of the support stanchion (4).

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