GB2147022A - Stairway handrail assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly comprises an angled bracket (23, 37) and a stud fixing portion (24, 38) for reception in corresponding bore hole in an upright newel post (21, 35), the angled bracket (23, 37) incorporating relatively inclined strip portions of which an upright portion is the flat side face of a newel post (21, 35) for abutment on one side thereof with and the relatively angled or inclined portion or horizontal portion is for abutment with the underside of a handrail (22, 36) the opposite upright flat face of the other strip being for abutment with the angled end face of the handrail (22, 36). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Stairway component assembly This invention relates to stairway construction and is particularly concerned with a stairway component assembly intended to provide a simple yet efficacious means of assembly of what might be an otherwise complex and overwhelming precision assembly of a stairway in which the various components must interfit and meet at precise angles in order to achieve the desired visual presentation and function whilst being securely interfitted for safety and security purposes.

Known stairway components assemblies have employed complex and elaborate jointing systems which must either be precision machined beforehand with attendant expense or impose an undue burden upon the assembler, who may be merely an amateur. Thus the present invention is intended to encourage and promote the possibility of a stairway assembly by the amateur or D.l.Y. market.

According to the invention, a stairway component assembly comprises an angled bracket provided with a locating and mounting stud for receptionin a support member, the angled bracket comprising mutually angled portions at the desired relative inclination of two members of the component assembly so that by location of the stud in one member the other bracket portion will automatically be presented at the correct relative angle and disposition.

Desirably the support member is recessed to accommodate any otherwise protruding parts of the angled bracket assembly.

Recessing may also include accommodation for a fixing nut and washer for the locating stud and a blanking piece to cover the same.

Supplementary fastening means may also be provided for locating the bracket upon another member which is to be secured to the support member. Suitable fastening means comprises holes in the bracket for receiving wood screws or the like.

In order to ensure flush interfitting of the various components, necessary appropriate recessing of the component parts may be effected.

The invention enables the free assembly and location of relative parts of the assembly before the final fixing, including any glueing, so that final positicning may be readily effected.

The use of metal fixing brackets ensures a positive yet simple and efficacious interconnection between the component parts without the need for cutting elaborate angled joints which may have to be glued, filled and correctly orientated, requiring a high degree of skill and precision in assembly and construction.

Filling, interfitting filler may be provided to cover any gaps in the assembled components.

Use of brackets enables marking out of holes to be drilled in component parts and recesses to be cut therein to be effected readily and acurately.

There nowfollows a description of a particular embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a stairway component assembly for assembling a newel post and handrail; Figure 2 shows another stairway component assembly, comprising an interconnected newel post and horizontal and angled runs respectively of handrail; and Figure 3 shows a detail of the handrail end bracket assembly used in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a stairway component assembly comprises proprietary component parts the major items of which are the primary upright or vertical support post or pillar, referred to as a newel post, and an upper handrail which may be angled or horizontal according to whether a stairway run or landing run is being covered. Between the base of the stairway or landing run and the handrail are typically disposed either a panel or a series of decorative spindles which are located in grooves in the underside of the handrail itself and are spaced by a series of spacer elements fitting in the groove, but this aspect of the assembly is not discussed in detail here.

The major strength and outline definition of the stairway assembly is formed by the newel post and one or more interconnected handrails and the present invention is concerned with a simple vet efficacious manner of inter-assembly of these major components without the need for complex wood joints which must be precision cut and formed, taking account of the various relative angles involved.

Thus, the present invention provides an angled bracket assembly for fitting between the newel post and stair rail of a stairway component assembly.

In Figure 1, an angled bracket 23 incorporating a plate or strip bent into two portions at an acute angle, has a threaded stud 24 secured thereto, for example by welding, and which is received in a horizontal hole drilled laterally and centrally in a side face of the upper end of a newel post 21. This hole is recessed at one end 31 to receive the corresponding part of the bracket strip and at the other end 30 to receive a locking nut 25 and load spreading washer 26, this recess 30 being closed by a decorative blanking stud 27 or similar material to the newel post 21 itself and which is finished in the same manner.

Prior to introduction of the stud 24 into the bore hole in the newel post 21 the upright bracket strip is secured by suitable fastening means, in this case a wood screw 29, to the angled cut end of a handrail 22; supplementary fastening being achieved by securing the other relatively angled strip by further wood screws 28 to the underside of the stair rail, which is recessed as mentioned previously to receive the decorative panels or spindles and relatively spacing strips also referred to previously.

It will be noted that the relative angles of the two strip portions of the bracket 23 are automatically and correctly preset for a vertical newel post 21 so that the handrail 22 is presented at the correct required angle and the cut end of the handrail will be orientated vertically and will be a flush fit with the upright side face of the newel post 21.

The use of a threaded stud provides a secure and yet releasable and adjustable method of fixing without the need for complex joints and special purpose wood glues. Moreover the angled bracket supports the downward weight of the loading on the handrail 22 and resists twisting by the recessing of the upright strip portion of the bracket in the recess 31.

Afurther use of the bracket assembly according to the invention is shown in Figure 2 in which a horizontal run of a handrail is secured to a vertical or upright newel post 35 by means of a right angled bracket 37 provided with a fixing stud 38 received in a transverse bore hole in the newel post 35 with opposed recesses 41 and 42 corresponding respectively to the recesses 31 and 30 described with reference to Figure 1 The stud 38 is threaded at one end and is secured in position by lock nut 32 and load spreading washer 33, these elements being covered by a blanking stud 34.

The right angled bracket 37 is secured to the end face and underside respectively of the handrail 36 by means of wood screws 40 and 39 respectively.

A corresponding arrangement for a second run of handrail 43 which is inclined to the horizontal and runs downwardly from the newel post 35 is also illustrated. In this case an obtuse angled bracket 44 is employed with a fixing stud and fastening screw as before.

Figure 3 shows in greater detail the right angled bracket 50 with the fixing stud 52 and lock nut 53 for fastening to an end face and underside of a handrail 55; a further refinement being a recess 51 to accommodate the protruding welded head of the stud 52 on the inside of the angled bracket 50. By this means the bracket itself is completely recessed between the handrail and newel post and is invisible when the two components are secured together as previously described.

The brackets may be fabricated out of mild steel and there is no need for supplementary stiffening webs between the angled strips because the imposed loads are primarily downward in the plane of the upright strip portion and twisting or flexing is inhibited by the overall inter-assembly of components in a completed stairway. Plating of metal components may however be provided to reduce the risk of corrosion.

Claims (2)

1. A stairway component assembly comprising an angled bracket (23) and a stud fixing portion (24) for reception in a corresponding bore hole in an upright newel post (21), the angled bracket (23) incorporating relatively inclined strip portions of which an upright portion is for abutment on one side thereof with the flat side face of a newel post (21) and the relatively angled or inclined portion or horizontal portion is for abutment with the underside of a handrail (22), the opposite upright flat face of the other strip being for abutment with the angled end face of the handrail (22).

2. A stairway component assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.