GB2267103A

GB2267103A - Connecting device for e.g.balustrading

Info

Publication number: GB2267103A
Application number: GB9210698A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Fortune
Original assignee: SANDOMS FABRICATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: SANDOMS FABRICATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1992-05-20
Filing date: 1992-05-20
Publication date: 1993-11-24
Also published as: GB9210698D0

Abstract

A connecting device for connecting hollow elongate members whose axes are not normal one to the other comprises first and second members (4, 6) which are pivotally connected together such that said members are relatively movable in a single plane, a first of said members including means e.g. screw thread (6B) to engage a fastening device in one of said elongate members, and a second of said members including means e.g. a peripheral groove (12) to be engaged by a fastening device in the other of said elongate members. The connecting device is in the form of a hinged connecting pin made of mild steel or stainless steel. <IMAGE>

Description

CONNECTING DEVICE This invention relates to connecting devices, and particularly but not exclusively to connecting devices for use in the construction of a balustrade.

A balustrade comprises or includes, inter alia, a series of balusters and rails which are connected together, the balustrade being located at the edge of a balcony, adjacent to steps or stairs, and in other locations.

In the construction of a balustrade, it is necessary to saddle the balusters in order that they will be in relatively intimate contact with the rail(s) which the balusters are intended to support, and then to weld the balusters to the rail(s) in order to secure the members together. The welded joints, of necessity, need to be ground and sanded in order to impart an aesthetically pleasing finish to the joints.

The above procedures, both for horizontally located rails and for inclined or sloping rails, is very time-consuming and expensive, and in addition the balusters and rails must be of the same or similar materials and be capable of being welded. Further, the balustrade cannot conveniently be dismantled should removal, replacement or repair of the balustrade be necessary.

Connecting devices for balustrades are known, but they are complicated and expensive, and their uses are somewhat limited.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved form of connecting device for use in the construction of a balustrade where the balusters and the rails are not normal to each other and in other similar constructions where the members to be connected are not normal to each other.

According to the present invention there is provided a connecting device for connecting hollow elongate members whose axes are not normal one to the other, said device comprising first and second members which are pivotally connected together such that said members are relatively movable in a single plane, a first of said members including means to engage a fastening device in one of said elongate members, and a second of said members including means to be engaged by a fastening device in the other of said elongate members.

Preferably, said device will be in the form of a hinged connecting pin comprising the first and second members pivotally connected together, one of said members being being located in a boss and being engageable by means to secure the member to said boss.

The other of said members will preferably include a threaded end portion which is adapted to engage a threaded nut located in and secured to one of said hollow members.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of a connecting device in accordance with the invention, this Figure also showing associated parts; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the connecting device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to Figure 2, but showing an alternative form of connecting device; and Figure 4 is a sectional elevation through part of a balustrade showing the connecting device of Figure 1 in operative position.

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a connecting device indicated generally by reference numeral 2. The connecting device comprises a first member 4 and a second member 6 which are connected together through the intermediary of a pin 8 such that the members 4 and 6 are able to move relative to each other in a single plane. Reference to Figure 2 will show that the lower (in the drawing) end 6A of the member 6 is bifurcated and engages a flat upper (in the drawing) end 4A of the member 4 the two being maintained in pivotal relationship by the pin 8.

The upper end 6B of the member 6 is in the form of a threaded shank which is engageable in a rivet nut 10, and the lower end 4B of the member 4 is provided with a groove or recess 12 which is engageable by a grub screw 14 when the connecting device is located in a bush 16 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The connecting device will be composed of mild steel or of stainless steel.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of the device of Figure 2. Instead of the bifurcated end 6A and flat end 4A, adjacent portions of the members are halved as indicated by reference numerals 18 and 20.

Figure 4 shows the connecting device in an operative relationship with a baluster 22 and a hand-rail 24 of a balustrade, the connecting device 2 serving to rigidly connect the baluster and hand-rail together. The connecting device is shown with the threaded shank 6B in engagement with the rivet nut 10 - which is secured within the hand-rail 24 - and with the member 4 located in the bush 16, the latter being welded in position within the baluster 22. The baluster 22 will preferably be of stainless steel and the hand-rail of mild steel, although this combination may be changed if desired. Other combinations may also be used.

To connect the hand-rail 24 to the baluster 22, the threaded shank 6B is engaged in the rivet nut 10 and tightened such that these components are held captive relative to the hand-rail, whereafter the hand-rail is 24 is offered to the baluster 22 - which has the bush 16 secured therein and whose upper end has been saddled to the required profile - such that the member 4 passes into the bush as shown. Thereafter, the grub screw 14 is inserted and tightened so as to draw the baluster 22 and hand-rail 24 into intimate engaging relationship.

In the position shown in Figure 4, the connecting device is completely concealed within the balustrade, the only visible item being the grub screw 14 which results in a very aeshetically pleasing balustrade.

With a connecting device in accordance with the invention, there is no necessity for welding and consequent grinding and sanding, nor are any fillets necessary as is the case with other known baluster/hand-rail connectors. In addition, because of the pivotal connection between the members of the connecting device, the included angle between the baluster and hand-rail is infinitely variable.

Finally, where the hand-rail is composed of stainless steel and the baluster of mild steel, it is preferable to powder coat or otherwise treat the baluster in order to prevent electrolysis between the materials.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A connecting device for connecting hollow elongate members whose axes are not normal one to the other, said device comprising first and second members which are pivotally connected together such that said members are relatively movable in a single plane, a first of said members including means to engage a fastening device in one of said elongate members, and a second of said members including means to be engaged by a fastening device in the other of said elongate members.

2. A connecting device according to Claim 1, wherein said device is in the form of a hinged connecting pin comprising said first and second members pivotally connected together.

3. A connecting device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said first member is locatable in a boss and is engageable by means to secure said first member to said boss.

4. A connecting device according to Claim 3, wherein said means is a grub screw which engages a groove or recess in said first member.

5 A connecting device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said second member includes a threaded end portion for engagement with a threaded nut located in and secured to one of said hollow members.

6. A connecting device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said second member is bifurcated and engages a flat upper end of said first member.

7. A connecting device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said second member is halved and engages a halved portion of said first member.

8. A connecting device according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said device is composed of mild steel or stainless steel.

9. A connecting device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figure 3, of the accompanying drawings.

10. A balustrade incorporating one or more connecting devices according to any of Claims 1 to 9.