GB2143875A

GB2143875A - An assembly of structural members for a fence or railings

Info

Publication number: GB2143875A
Application number: GB08414212A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ulrich Kreusel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-06-07
Filing date: 1984-06-04
Publication date: 1985-02-20
Also published as: IT1177778B; GB8414212D0; ATA169584A; CH663817A5; DE3320454A1; IT8448330A0; AT388770B; ES288710U; FR2547341B1; DE3320454C2; GB2143875B; FR2547341A1; ES288710Y

Abstract

An assembly of structural members for a fence, railings, bannister or the like demarcations comprised at least of one cross fly beam (2) adapted to be secured between two posts (3) or the like and vertical rods (1) adapted to be secured via retaining members (6) to the cross beam (2) at the required spaced relationship to each other. In order especially to obtain a simple variability of the arrangement of the individual rods (1) with a simultaneous high natural stability, the lattice rods (1) are provided with a longitudinal groove (4) having an opening gap (5) which is narrower than the width of the groove (4). The end portions (7) of the yoke-like retaining members (6) engaging the cross beam (2) engage in the groove (4), which end portions (7) are pressed with clamping action against the groove wall by means of setting means (9) acting between the apex (8) of the retaining member (6) and the cross beam (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An assembly of structural members for a fence or railings The present invention relates to an assembly of structural elements for a fence, railings, a bannister or the like demarcations comprising at least one cross beam securable between two posts or the like and vertical railing rods adapted to be secured with the required spacing relative to each other by means of retaining members.

Such arrangements are generally used for enclosing cultivated plots of land or possibly to form building parapets etc. The aesthetic impression of the view from outside and from the inside decisively affects the value of such an arrangement. Moreover, since such assemblies are frequently for self-assembly, then that such can be carried out in a simple and yet reliable manner is of particular importance. Moreover, in view of various stresses occurring and the required security a high degree of stability should be ensured. To obtain sufficient economic value finally a long durability is required.

German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 29 1 1 974 discloses a fence comprised of at least two posts to which demarcation elements such as single wires, wire mesh, railing fence or the like are secured. Herein the posts have a longitudinal groove formed therein, the width of the opening of which is narrower than the cross-section of the groove itself and two resiliently spreadable arms of a retaining member for the demarcation elements engage in the groove, whereby the arms inserted in the groove are pressed with clamping action against the groove wall by means of a spreading member. In a particular embodiment the retaining member has a pin extending radially to the longitudinal axis of the groove in the post, onto which pin a sleeve-like clamp plate is slipped, the clamp plate having a ring shoulder acting as stop for the cross beams slid onto the clamp plate.The cross beam is a component of a railing fence which is provided with a further horizontally extending cross beam and railing rods welded to these horizontal cross beams. In this known arrangement it is possible for the whole railing fence to be vertically adjusted between the posts, but the individual railing rods of the railings are not optionally variable with regard to their mutual spacing.

Furthermore, German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 25 52 035 discloses a prefabricated fence of fence panels which are mountable on a T-shaped securing flange provided on one side of a triangle, each fence panel comprising spaced, parallel horizontal cross beams of corresponding cross-section to the fence post and perpendicular rod-shaped railings formed by sheet-metal profiles secured, spaced-apart, to the cross beams, which profiles are braced by angle bends extending parallel to their longitudinal sides and have securing flanges located in a plane. To connect the cross beams with the posts corresponding clamp members are provided on the T-shaped securing flanges of the posts and cross beams. The rod-shaped sheet metal profiles are herewith connected in the region of their flat securing flanges with the horizontally extending cross beams by self-tapping screws.This fence does not permit the optional shifting of the rod-like sheet metal profiles vertically or their mutual lateral spacing to one another in view of the necessary screw connection.

The object of the invention is to seek to provide an economic widely usable arrangement of the kind mentioned above, which permits simple manufacture and rapid and reliable assembly whilst simultaneously providing a simple variability of the arrangement of the individual railing bars in respect of their height and their mutual spacing, and which has a high degree of stability, whilst nevertheless observing an aesthetic appeal.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly of structural members for a fence, railings, a bannister or the like demarcations comprised of at least one cross beam adapted to be secured between two posts and a plurality of vertical railing rods adapted to be secured via retaining members to the cross beam at the required spaced relationship to each other, wherein the railing rods are each provided with a longitudinally extending groove, the opening of which is narrower than the groove and in which groove end portions of the retaining members, engaging yoke-like around the cross beam, engage the end portions of the retaining members inserted in the groove being urged with a clamping action against the wall of the groove by means of a securing means acting between the apex of the retaining member and the cross beam.

The primary advantage obtained with the invention resides in the fact that the individual railing rods during DIY assembly are adapted to be fixed to the cross beams by means of retaining members inserted in the groove of the railing rods and held slidingly displaceable on the cross beam and optionally displaceable vertically and in their lateral spaced relationship and in the required end position by a single setting means. Moreover, such an arrangement ensures a high degree of stability and a pleasant exterior both from the front and the rear surface. Furthermore, the railing rods may be produced in consecutive metres.

The undercut groove cross section permits the secure insertion and pressing into position of the individual retaining members at any point of the groove without the individual railing rod having to be provided with any bores therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the two end regions of the yoke-shaped retaining member are formed as dovetailed pins, whereby the groove co-operating with the pins of the retaining member is correspondingly dovetailed in the individual railing bars. This achieves a low overall height of the guide of the structural components.

To enable the securing means for bracing the retaining member with the cross beam to be integrated in simple manner in the retaining member the securing means is preferably a grub screw inserted in the apex of the yokeshaped retaining member.

Furthermore, the cross beam is preferably a hollow profile member, whereby the hollow profile is formed integrally from a U-shaped basic portion, the base of which faces the groove in the given railing bar, and a Vshaped portion connecting the shanks of the "U". This provides a particularly good abutment of the cross beam against the outer surfaces of the grooove wall of the railing bars whilst providing an advantageous utilisation of the available pressure surfaces which contributes substantially to stability. Preferably, the transition from one shank to the other shank of the V-shaped part of the hollow profile of the cross beam is radiused at which location the grubs screw acting as securing means acts in the retaining member.To obtain economy of material in a preferred embodiment of the invention, on the one hand, the internal outline of the yoke-shaped retaining member is adapted to the external outline of the hollow profile of the cross beam, and the cross beam is inserted with slight clearance through the retaining member, and, on the other hand, the external outline of the yoke-shaped retaining member adapted to the internal outline thereof.

The individual railing rods are also preferably formed as hollow profiles having a Dshaped cross-section, wherein the straight side of the D has the groove associated therewith to receive the retaining member for the cross beam. This permits the groove to be arranged within the circular outline of the cross-section of the railing rods. Also, the circular shape of the cross-section is particularly favourable for producing the railing rods.

To obtain visually pleasant appearance the railing rods have a relief surface, which is preferably undulated.

The upper ends of the railing rods may be furnished with ornaments, which ornaments are preferably formed as pointed spherical bodies provided with undulations in longitudinal section, which at their base are connected integrally to a linch pin having a cross-section corresponding to a cavity of the railing rods, which pin is insertable from above with force fit into the cavity of the respective railing rod.

By this means there is attained in simple manner, apart from a pleasant aesthetic appearance, a safeguard against twisting of the ornaments. The linch pin of the ornament is preferably positionally secured in the associated railing rod by means of a suitable screw connection. For economy of material and weight the pointed spherical bodies are preferably hollow.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the upper ends of the railing rods may be provided with a continuous handrail, in which case, linch pins are located on the under-side of the handrail in spaced relationship corresponding to that of the railing rods, which pins are insertable from above in associated cavities of the railing rods, whereby a rapid and secure connection of the handrail with the railing rods is obtained.

To obtain ready variability in the visual appearance of the arrangement in accordance with the invention it is preferable to provide at least two cross beams extending parallel to one another in which case at least one of the railing rods secured to this cross beam in the upper and lower region by means of the yokelike retaining members may be severed in the region between the upper cross beam and the lower cross beam and the cut ends of this railing rod may be interconnected at the cut position by an interposed ornament. The ornament is preferably an undulated spherical member in longitudinal section having linch pins formed integrally at the upper and lower ends, which may be inserted with force fit into a corresponding cavity of the end of the railing rod. This prevents the ornaments from twisting.

For favourable connection of cross beam and post, each cross beam is preferably connected at its ends with a clamp embracing one of the associated posts by means of a sleeve-like receiving member. Preferably herein, the sleeve-like receiving member for the cross beam at the post end is provided with an extension adapted, in the end region, to the shape of the post, and the clamp screw for connection to the clamp is inserted in this extension. To enable the clamp to be used for the connection of the cross beams located aligned to a post screw, the clamp screw of the clamp is guided in a slot of the extension of the sleeve-like receiving member for the cross beam, against the wall surface of which in the exit region of the clamp screw one of the clamp lugs, provided with an aperture for the clamp screw abuts, whilst the clamp screw engages in the tapped bore of the other clamp lug. To enable the alignment of opposing cross beams on a post the width of the clamp embracing the post is preferably equal to half the height of the cross beam. Each post is preferably fashioned of a circular profile in cross-section having an undulated surface.

For supporting a gate assembled from railing bars and cross beams, the post may be provided with clamps mounted with a spacing corresponding to that of the cross beams, each clamp lug of which merges integrally into a bearing boss, whereby each bearing boss is engageable with a bush provided with a corresponding notch, which bush is connected to the associated cross beam of the gate, and a bearing pin may be inserted through the bores of the bearing boss and the bush. The bush is preferably integrally provided with a wall portion facing the cross beam having a shoulder extending in the cross beam, and the end face of the cross beam abuts against the wall of the bush, and the cross beam is secured to the shoulder of the wall of the bush. In this case also the width of the clamp with the bearing boss corresponds to half the height of the cross beam of the gate.These measures permit the incorporation of a gate, which at the opposite side to the stops is provided with a corresponding latching arrangement, in technically and visually simple form.

The components preferably are fabricated from aluminium, which on the one hand attains a light weight and on the other side eliminates the possibility of rusting associated with iron or steel railings. To obtain a pleasant exterior, they are all preferably of similar colour or they may receive different surface treatments.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of an assembly of structural components for a fence in a completely assembled state; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section, on an enlarged scale, of the arrangement of Fig. 1 taken on the line Ill-Ill; Fig. 4 is a section through the railing rod according to Fig. 3 taken on the line IV--IV; Fig. 5 is a partial view of the railing rod of Fig. 3 with an associated interposed ornament, in an exploded view; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the connecting position of a cross beam of the arrangement of Fig. 1 with the associated post, partly in section, Fig. 7 is a rear view of the view according to Fig. 6;; Fig. 8 is a plan view in section through a post of the arrangement of Fig. 1, but with a mounting device for a gate; Fig. 9 is a rear view of the view shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a mounting device for the mounting arrangement connected to a cross beam of a gate; and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the view according to Fig. 10.

The fence portion reproduced in Fig. 7 shows horizontally extending cross beams 2 retained on posts 3 secured in the ground or in a concrete wall, which beams 2, are suitably spaced from each other and support vertically extending railing rods 1, which at their upper end support an ornament 15, and are arranged spread uniformly spaced over the whole fence portion. Further ornaments 1 8 are located in the central region of each alternate railing rod 1. Moreover, the posts 3 also support ornaments 38 at their upper end.

The end face ends of the cross beams 2 are retained by means of clamps 22 on the posts 3. As evident from the rear view shown of the fence panel the individual railing rods 1 are each secured to the lower and upper cross beams 2 by retaining members 6.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each railing rod 1 formed as a hollow profile having a rear longitudinally extending groove 4 the opening gap 5 of which is narrower than the inner cross-sectional region. The hollow profile of the railing rod 1 is of D-shaped cross-section, whereby the straight side 1 4 of the D-shape has a dovetailed groove associated therewith to receive the yoke-shaped retaining member 6 for the cross beam 2. The railing rod 1 has an undulated surface. The end portions 7 of the retaining members 6, formed as dovetailed pins 10, are inserted into the dovetailed groove 4 of the railing rod 1 from an end face and yoke-like portions of the retaining members 6 embrace the lower and upper cross beams 2.Each retaining member 6 has a grub screw 9, acting as securing means, inserted in the apex 8 on the cross beam, which guided with clearance on the retaining member 6, so that when the grub screw 9 is tightened the cross beam 2 is urged against the railing rod 1 and at the same time the dovetailed pins 10 of both end regions 7 of the retaining member 6 are pressed clampingly against the wall of the dovetail-shaped groove 4 of the railing rod 1, whereby a secure mutual connection of these components is provided. To adjust the railing rod 1 in height or in its lateral spacing relative to an adjacent railing rod it is only necessary to slacken the grub screw 9, position the railing rod into its new position and subsequently retighten the grub screw 9.

Each cross beam 2 is of hollow construction. The hollow profile of the cross beam 2 in cross-section consists of a basic U-shaped portion 1 1, the base of which faces the dovetailed groove 4 in the associated railing rod 1. The shanks of the portion 1 1 are adjoined integrally by a V-shaped portion 12.

The shanks of the V-shape 1 2 are interconnected at the base of the "V" by a radius 1 3.

The grub screw 9 of the retaining member 6 serving as securing means acts on this radius.

The retaining member 6 thus in section conforms with that of the cross beam 2, i.e. the internal shape of the yoke-shaped retaining member 6 is adapted to the external shape of the hollow profile of the cross beam 2, whereby between these two components a certain clearance exists, and furthermore, the external outline of the yoke-shaped retaining member 6 is similar to the internal outline thereof.

Ornaments 15, mounted on the upper end of the individual railing rods 1, are adapted as pointed spherical bodies 16 provided with undulations. Each member 1 6 on its base integrally supports a linch pin 1 7 adapted to the cross-section of the cavity of the railing rods 1. The linch pin 1 7 is inserted from above with force fit into the cavity of the associated railing rod 1. This provides a safeguard against twisting of the railing member 1. To prevent accidental withdrawing of the spherical member 1 6 from the railing rod 1, the linch pin 1 7 of the spherical member 1 6 is retained in railing rod by means of a suitable screw connection.It is, of course, also possible to use other ornaments 1 5 with a corresponding linch pin, permitting a considerable variety of possibilities for the visual appearance of the fence panel to be attained.

As evident from Fig. 5 further ornaments 1 8 for improving the visual appearance of the fence panel may be located in the central region of a railing post 1. For this purpose the railing rod 1 is severed in the required region and the free ends of the railing rod interconnected at the cut position by interposed ornaments 18. The ornament 1 8 has the shape of a hollow spherical member 1 9 of undulated cross-section with linch pins 20 integrally moulded on the upper and lower end. The linch pins 20 of the hollow member 1 9 are adapted to the shape of the hollow profile of the railing rod 1 and are inserted with force fit into the respective cut ends of the railing rods.The ornaments 18, of course, may have any optional shape, it is only necessary for them to be provided with suitable linch pins 20 for the insertion into the ends of the railing rods 1.

For connection for the ends of each cross beam 2 with a post 3 shown in Figs. 6 and 7 has a sleeve-like receiving member 21 slid over the end of the cross beam 2, which receiving member is connected to the post 3 by means of the clamp screw 24 of a clamp 22 embracing the post 3. For this purpose the sleeve-like receiving member 21 is provided with an extension 23 adapted in the end region to the shape of the post. Within this extension 23 of the sleeve-like receiving member 21, the clamp screw 24 of the clamp 22 is guided in a slot 25, against the wall surface of which in the exit region of the clamp screw 24 a clamp lug 26 provided with an aperture for the clamp screw 24 abuts. The clamp screw 24 is screwed into a tapped bore 27 of a second clamp lug 28 oppositely disposed to the clamp lug 26.For adjustment of the height of the cross beam 2, it is thus only necessary to slacken the clamp screw 24 position the cross beam 2 with the sleeve-like receiving member 21 and the clamp 22 embracing the post 3 into the new position required and subsequently to retighten the clamp screw 24 of the clamp 22. The width of the clamp 22 corresponds to half the height of the cross beam 2, whereby two adjacent clamps 22 permit two cross beams 2 to be located at the same height on a post 3.

Similar to the railing rods 1 mounted on the cross beams 2 each post 3 is fashioned as a hollow profile of circular cross-section having an undulated surface, and in the upper end of each post 3 a spherical ornament 38 is provided with a linch pin inserted in the upper end of each post 3. A suitable screw connection of the linch pin of this ornament with the post 3 secures the ornament 30 into its position.

Figs. 8 to 11 show in detail a stop point of a gate assembled from railing rods 1 and cross beams 2 against a post 3. A clamp 29 with clamp screw embraces the post 3. A clamp lug 30 merges integrally into a bearing boss 31. Slipped onto the bearing boss 31 is a bush 33 provided with a suitable slot 32, which bush is connected with the associated cross beam 2 of the gate. Subsequently a bearing pin is inserted through the bores 34 or 35 of the bearing boss 31 and the bush 33. The bush 33 is integrally provided with a wall 36 facing the cross beam 2 of the gate having a shoulder 37 extending in the cross beam 2, and the end face of the cross beam 2 abuts against the wall 36 of the bush 33.

Two offset screws connect the shoulder 37 of the wall 36 of the bush 33 with the cross beam 2. Hence a reliable and simple mounting between bush 33 and cross beam 2 of the gate is provided. The width of the clamp 29 with the bearing boss 31 corresponds to half the height of the cross beam 2 of the gate, so that in this case it is also possible for two cross-beams 2 to be mounted on a post on the same level.

The embodiment described shows the particularly simple and easy to handle construction of an assembly of structural elements in accordance with the invention, which regardless of its simplicity is particularly stable, extremely variable and of aesthetic appearance.

Claims

1. An assembly of structural members for a fence, railings, a bannister or the like demarcations comprised of at least one cross beam adapted to be secured between two posts, and a plurality of vertical railing rods adapted to be secured via retaining members to the cross beam at the required spaced relationship to each other, wherein the railing rods are each provided with a longitudinally extending groove the opening of which is narrower than the groove and in which groove end portions of the retaining members, engaging yoke-like around the cross beam, engage the end portions of the retaining members inserted in the groove being urged with a clamping action against the wall of the groove by means of a securing means acting between the apex of the retaining member and the cross beam.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the two end portions of the yokeshaped retaining member is formed as dovetailed pins, and that the groove, co-operating with the pins of the retaining member in the railing rods, is formed correspondingly dovetailed.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the securing means is a grub screw inserted in the apex of the yoke-shaped retaining member.

4. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the cross beam is formed as a hollow profile member.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the hollow profile of the cross beam, of integral cross-section, is formed of a basic Ushaped portion, the base of which faces the groove in the railing rod and a V-shaped portion connecting the shanks of the Ushaped portion.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which the transition from one shank to the other of the V-shaped portion of the hollow profile of the cross beam is radiused and that the grub screw in the retaining member, serving as a securing member acts on this radiused portion of the hollow profile of the cross beam.

7. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the internal outline of the yoke-shaped retaining member is adapted to the external outline of the cross beam and is inserted through the retaining member with clearance.

8. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the external outline of the yoke-shaped retaining member is adapted to the internal outline thereof.

9. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the individual railing rods are formed as a hollow profile member.

10. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which the railing rods are of D-shaped cross-section, whereby the straight side of the section has the groove associated therewith to receive the retaining member for the cross beam.

11. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, in which the railing rods have a raised surface.

1 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which the surface of the railing rods is undulated.

1 3. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the upper ends of the railing rods are provided with ornaments.

1 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 3 in which the ornaments are formed as spherical bodies provided in cross-section with undulations and each spherical member at its base is integrally connected to a linch pin adapted to the cross-section of a cavity of the railing rods and which is insertable from above into the cavity of the associated railing rods.

1 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, in which the linch pin of the ornament is secured in position in the associated railing rod by a screw connection.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 14 or 15, in which the pointed spherical members are hollow.

17. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the upper ends of the railing rods are provided with a continuous handrail.

1 8. An assembly as claimed in claim 17, in which the underside of the handrail in accordance with the spacing of the railing rods is provided with linch pins which are insertable from above in associated cavities of the railing rods.

1 9. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which at least two cross beams are provided extending spaced parallel with one another and at least one of the railing rods secured to these cross beams in the upper and lower region is severed in the region between the upper cross beam and the lower cross beam, and the free ends of this railing rod at the severing position being interconnected by an interposed ornament.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19, in which the ornament in longitudinal cross-section is an undulating spherical member having linch pins integrally formed at the upper and lower ends, which pins are insertable in corresponding cavities of the cut ends of the railing rod.

21. An assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, in which each cross beam at its ends is connected by means of a sleeve-like receiving member with a clamp embracing the associated post.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 21, in which the sleeve-like receiving member for the cross beam at the post side is provided with an extension adapted to the shape of the post, and that a clamp bolt of the clamp is inserted in this extension.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 22, in which the clamp bolt of the clamp is guided in a slot of the extension of the sleeve-like receiving member for the cross beam, against the wall of which in the exit region of the clamp bolt one clamp lug provided with an aperture for the clamping bolt abuts, and the clamp bolt is screwed into a tapped bore of an opposed second clamp lug.

24. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, in which the width of the clamp embracing the post equals half the height of the cross beam.

25. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which each post is formed of a circular hollow profile having an undulated surface.

26. An assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, in which the post, for supporting a gate assembled from railing rods and cross beams, is provided with clamps mounted with a spacing corresponding to that of the cross beams, each clamp lug of which extends integrally into a bearing boss onto which a bush, provided with a corresponding slot is slid, which bush is connected to the associated cross beam of the gate, and a bearing pin is inserted through the bores of the bearing boss and the bush

27. An assembly as claimed in claim 26, in which the bush is provided integrally with a wall facing the cross beam of the gate having a shoulder extending into the cross beam, and the end face of the cross beam abuts against the wall of the bush, the cross beam being secured to the shoulder of the wall of the bush.

28. An assembly as claimed in claim 26 or 27, in which the width of the clamp with the bearing boss corresponds to half the height of the cross beams of the gate.

29. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28, in which all structural components are made of aluminium.

30. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28, in which all the structural components are of identical colouring or diversively surface treated.

31. An assembly of structural members for a fence, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.