GB2294065A - Bannister system - Google Patents

Abstract

The bannister system comprises a means of joining the upper hand rail to the lower base rail, between newel posts set at each end, by a variety of elements. These elements comprise base elements, which attach to hand and base rails, intermediate elements, which form the main link between the base elements, and decorative elements, which link together intermediate elements and intermediate elements to base elements. There is also the provision of a special tool to ensure that the elements, when combined, are vertical.

Description

BANNISTER ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method for assembling bannisters.

Background Bannisters comprise two elongate rails, a lower base rail and an upper hand rail which are attached at each end to newel posts. The gap between the two rails is crossed by a number of vertically arranged balusters. Bannisters are usually constructed by fitting the rails to the newel posts and then subsequently fitting the balusters into position.

Balusters are usually made of wood which has been turned on a lathe to make the profile of the baluster decorative.

However such balusters are relatively expensive to manufacture and the installation of balusters takes a skilled carpenter a substantial length of time. In addition if a baluster is broken it requires a skilled carpenter to manufacture an identical replacement.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for a bannister comprising first base elements which are for connection to a handrail; second base elements which are for connection to a base rail; intermediate elements for extension between said first and second base elements; and decorative elements for location on said intermediate elements wherein at least one decorative element is included for each intermediate element for interengagement of said intermediate element to a base element.

Preferably, one or more of the decorative elements is a sleeve which is slidable on an intermediate element.

Preferably, the interengagement of an intermediate element with one of said base elements comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

Preferably, an intermediate element comprises separate sections, each section being joined by connection means.

Preferably the connection means comprises a connection element with projections in substantially opposite directions; said projections having a screw thread partially inserted into each of them; said screw threads projecting in substantially the same directions as the projections and each being inserted into the ends of one of the said intermediate elements.

Preferably a sleeve slidable on a section of an intermediate element is slid along the intermediate element so that it covers a portion of one of the said projections.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a method is described for assembling a bannister comprising connecting one base element to a handrail; connecting a second base element to a base rail; locating decorative elements on an intermediate element; placing said intermediate element between said first and second base elements such that said intermediate element extends between said first and second base elements; interengaging at least one decorative element on said intermediate element with a base element.

Preferably the interengagement between the intermediate element and the base element comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool enabling holes to be drilled substantially vertically or horizontally into bannister components independently of the spatial orientation of the said bannister components comprising; a block attached to a support means; said support means enabling the block to be rotated only in one plane; the said block having a hole bored through it in the same plane as the plane of rotation; the said hole being adapted to enable a drill bit attached to a drill to pass through it to contact the surface of the said bannister component; and said support means having a base enabling it to be placed on the surface of the said bannister component.

Preferably, the said block is fitted with a levelling device.

By way of example a specific embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a bannister systems with balusters in various stages of assembly; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base element; Figure 3 shows various designs of base element; Figure 4 shows various designs of balusters according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows various designs of balusters according to the present invention; Figure 6 is an exploded view of a joint between two sections of rod in a baluster according to the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded view of a joint between two sections of rod in a baluster according to the present invention; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a joint between a rod and a base element according to the present invention;; Figure 9 are views of rods and fittings according to the present invention; and Figure 10 shows two perspective views of embodiments of a tool according to the present invention.

With reference to Fig 1, base elements (1) are attached to the lower surface of hand rail (2) and the upper surface of the base rail (3). The base elements may be secured by a screw. Fig 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a base element having side walls (4) and a substantially horizontal wall (5) through which is a hole (6). A screw or nail (7) can be inserted through the hole (6) to anchor the element to the rail. Fig 3 shows examples of various designs of base elements.

When the base elements are in position, a section of rod (8; Fig 1) is cut to a length equal to the distance between the two base elements. Slidable sleeves (9) can then be fitted onto the rod before the rod is placed in position.

The sleeves are decorative in that they alter the visual appearance of the assembly. The sleeves are then slid towards the ends of the rod so as to project over the end of the rod, and cover a portion of the base element, and thus connect the rod to the base element.

The rod may be in one piece or several sections joined together. The rod may also be fitted with a number of sleeves of different shapes and designs. Figs 4 and 5 show various examples of decorative sleeves. Each element of the bannister assembly may be of the same colour as other elements of the assembly or may be of different colours.

Each element may be made of a suitable material such as plastics, metal or wood.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a means of connecting two sections of rod that make up a baluster.

Referring to Fig 6. The connecting means comprises a connection block (10) with projections in substantially opposite directions (11). The projections are shaped so that their exterior dimensions and profile matches that of the exterior cross-sectional dimensions of a section of rod (12). A screw thread (13) is inserted into substantially the centre of each of the projections so that the screws project in substantially the same directions as the projections. The rods which are to be joined are substantially hollow and the ends of the rods are fitted with plugs (14). The plugs have holes in their centres.

To connect the two sections of rod the screw threads are inserted through the holes in the plugs. A sleeve (15) which is mounted slidably on the rod can then be slid along the rod until it covers the projection from the block.

Referring to Fig 7 an alternative connection means for joining two substantially solid rods (16), comprises two rods with sockets hollowed out in the ends to be joined (17). A connection block (18) bears two projections (19) in substantially opposite directions which are shaped so as to fit into the hollowed out rod ends. Screw threads (70) are inserted into the connecting block projections so that they project in substantially the same directions as the projections. The rods are connected to the block by inserting the screw thread into the substantially solid centre of each section of rod as far as to allow the connecting block projection to fit into the hollowed out rod end. A sleeve (21) mounted slidably on the rod can then be slid along the rod so as to meet the connection block (18).

Fig 8 shows a connection block (22) allowing a section of rod (12) to be connected to a base element (24). The connection block has two projections (25) in substantially opposite directions. These projections are hollow. The projections are fitted into the open ends of a rod section (23) and base element (24).

Fig 9 shows a means of connecting two sections of rod (26) wherein a fitting (22) is attached to one end of each section of rod to be joined, the said fittings having a hole bored through them to allow the other section of rod to pass through them. The free ends of the two rods are slid through the holes in the corresponding fittings. The end of the rod to be attached to the fitting has a screw thread. The screw thread is passed through the hole in the fitting and is secured by a nut (28). The rods may be connected to the hand or base rail by a base element (29) into which the rods are fitted.

Fig 10 shows a tool enabling holes to be drilled substantially vertically or horizontally into bannister components independently of the spatial orientation of the said bannister component 30. This tool may be used for drilling holes into a bannister component for attachment of base elements in connection with the erection of the bannister assembly. However the tool does not have to be used and a block of wood with holes at the correct angle will also enable such holes to be drilled into bannister components. The tool comprises a block (31) attached to a support means (32). The support means allows the block to be rotated in only one plane. The tool may be provided with a means for locking the block in relation to the support means (not shown) so that the block can be locked at the correct angle. The block has a hole bored through it (33) in the same plane as the plane of rotation. The said hole is adapted to enable a drill bit (34) attached to a drill to pass through it and contact the surface of the bannister component. The support means has a base (35) enabling it to be placed on the surface of the bannister component (35). In an embodiment of the present invention the tool may be fitted with a spirit level (36) to enable the block to be orientated accurately either vertically or horizontally. The tool may be provided with an arm (37) extending from the body of the tool having a lower flat surface which enables it to lie on a surface of a bannister component. The arm may be provided with a downwardly extending finger for engagement into a previously drilled hole to ensure the correct spacing of holes.

Claims (15)

1. An assembly for a bannister comprising; first base elements which are for connection to a handrail; second base elements which are for connection to a base rail; intermediate elements for extension between said first and second base elements; and decorative elements for location on said intermediate elements wherein at least one decorative element is included for each intermediate element for interengagement of said intermediate element to a base element.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein one or more of the decorative elements is a sleeve which is slidable on an intermediate element.

3. An assembly according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein the interengagement of an intermediate element and one of the said base elements comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an intermediate element comprises separate sections each section being joined by a connection means.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the connection means comprises a connection element with projections in substantially opposite directions; said projections having a screw thread partially inserted into each of them: said screw threads projecting in substantially the same directions as the projections and each screw thread being inserted into the ends of one of the said intermediate elements.

6. An assembly according to Claim 5 wherein a sleeve slidable on a section of an intermediate element is slid along the intermediate element so that it covers a portion of one of the said projections.

7. An assembly as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An assembly according to Claim 1 substantially as herein described.

9. A method for assembling a bannister comprising connecting one base element to a handrail; connecting a second base element to a base rail; locating decorative elements on an intermediate element; placing said intermediate element between said first and second base elements such that said intermediate element extends between said first and second base elements; interengaging at least one decorative element on said intermediate element with a base element.

10. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the interengagement between the intermediate element and the base element comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

11. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method according to Claim 9 substantially as herein described.

13. A tool enabling holes to be drilled substantially vertically or horizontally into bannister components independently of the spatial orientation of the said bannister components comprising; a block attached to a support means enabling said block to be rotated in only one plane; said block having a hole bored through it in the same plane as the plane of rotation; said hole being adapted to enable a drill bit attached to a drill to pass through it and contact the surface of the bannister component; the said support means bearing a base enabling it to be placed on the surface of a bannister component.

14. A tool according to Claim 13 wherein the block is fitted with a levelling device.

15. A tool substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A tool according to claim 13 substantially as herein described.

15. A tool substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A tool according to Claim 13 substantially as herein described.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. An assembly for a bannister comprising; first base elements which is for connection to a handrail; second base elements which is for connection to a base rail; intermediate elements for extension between a said first and a second base elements; and decorative elements for location on said intermediate elements wherein at least one decorative element is included for each intermediate element for interengagement of said intennediate element to a base element.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the decorative elements is a sleeve which is slidable on an intermediate element.

3. An assembly according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the interengagement of an intermediate element and one of the said base elements comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

4 An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an intermediate element comprises separate sections each section being joined by a connection means.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the connection means comprises a connection element with projections in substantially opposite directions; said projections having a screw thread partially inserted into each of them; said screw threads projecting in substantially the same directions as the projections and each being inserted into the ends of one of the said intermediate elements.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein a sleeve slidable on a section of an intermediate element is slid along the intermediate element so that it covers a portion of one of the said projections.

7. An assembly as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 substantially as herein described.

9. A method for assembling a bannister comprising connecting one base element to a handrail; connecting a second base element to a base rail; locating decorative elements on an intermediate element; placing a said intermediate element between said first and second base elements such that it extends between said first and second base elements; interengaging at least one decorative element on said intermediate element with a base element.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the interengagement between the intermediate element and the base element comprises a slidable sleeve that projects beyond the end of the intermediate element to cover a portion of the base element.

II. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method according to claim 9 substantially as herein described.

13. A tool enabling holes to be drilled substantially vertically or horizontally into bannister components independently of the spatial orientation of the said bannister components comprising; a block attached to a support means enabling said block to be rotated in only one plane; said block having a hole bored through it in the same plane as the plane of rotation; said hole being adapted to enable a drill bit attached to a drill to pass through it and contact the surface of the bannister component; the said support means bearing a base enabling it to be placed on the surface of a bannister component.

14. A tool according to claim 13 wherein the block is fitted with a levelling device.