GB2385068A

GB2385068A - Railing kit

Info

Publication number: GB2385068A
Application number: GB0202981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harry Scowcroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-08
Filing date: 2002-02-08
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Also published as: GB0202981D0

Abstract

A railing kit comprises a railing section 10 which connects between frame sections 20. The railing section has generally parallel horizontal members 12 connected by a plurality vertical members 14, and the frame section comprises a pair of hollow posts 22 connected by a crosspiece 24 to define an aperture 26. Each hollow post has a connection means for the connection of the railing sections. Patterned inserts 30 may be installed in the aperture of the frame section 26. A configuration where hollow posts may be used to connect respective frame elements or railing sections is also included. The kit may have hollow posts and /or frame sections which include an integral means of securement 18 to a substrate 40.

Description

Railing Kit The invention concerns a railing, and a novel method of constructing same.

According to the invention a kit for constructing a railing comprises a plurality of each of two components, namely a railing section comprising generally parallel horizontal members connected by plural vertical members, and a frame element comprising a pair of hollow posts connected by crosspiece means to define an aperture, in which respect each hollow post of the frame element has means for connection of a railing section so that, in use, respective railing sections can be connected between respective frame elements.

Pattern inserts, for installation in the apertures of the frame elements, and individual hollow posts for use particularly at the ends of assembled railings or for mounting short sections of railing in narrow gaps, are preferably also provided.

The invention will be described further, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a perspective view of part of a railing constructed from a kit in accordance with the invention.

A preferred practical embodiment of the kit of the invention comprises at least one of each of these four components: a) a railing section 10, about 75cm long, comprising generally parallel horizontal members 12 connected by plural vertical members 14; b) a hollow post 16; (not shown) c) a frame element 20 comprising a pair of hollow posts 22 connected by upper and lower crosspieces 24 to define a rectangular aperture 26; and d) a pattern insert 30 adapted for installation in the aperture 26 of the frame element 20.

Each hollow post 22 of the frame element 20 and the individual hollow post, have means, in the form of a pair of punched holes 28, for connection of a railing section 10 so that, in use, respective railing sections 10 can be connected between respective frame elements 20 as in Fig.

1, or between individual hollow posts and frame elements, or between respective individual hollow posts, as required to any desired overall length.

The individual hollow posts and the posts 22 of the frame element 20 include integral flanges 18 to enable securement to a substrate, in this case a wall 40.

The pattern inserts 30 are for fitting into the apertures 26 in the frame elements 20, as already mentioned. Very many decorative forms are possible, including geometric shapes, abstract patterns, flowers and foliage, letters of the alphabet etc. Each pattern insert 30 is formed of steel plate, cut and shaped, and includes top and bottom strips 34 with angled end margins providing four limbs 36 whereby the insert 30 is secured in the respective aperture 26. In this respect, each limb 36 has engagement means in the form of a terminal notch 38 which engages and is braced against the horizontal crosspiece 24. In each case, one limb 36 of the four is more easily bent relative to the strip 34 from which it extends so that in order to fit an insert 30 into an aperture 26, the insert 30 is manoeuvred into a position where the notches 28 of the other three limbs 36 are engaged, then the fourth is bent into engagement, conveniently by means of a tool (in which respect see the applicants'co-pending application concerning a gate) in order that the whole insert is braced and hence secured against removal.

The tool may be simply formed from three metal rods, the first rod being long and providing a lever or handle, the other two rods being shorter and welded to the long rod at a central location so as to project laterally as a pair of spaced prongs. The prongs can then be positioned one at each side of the limb 36. Then, by using the long rod as a lever the engaged limb 36 can easily be bent, either to secure the insert 30 or to release it. Thus, such inserts 30 can be removed and changed, as desired, throughout the lifetime of the railing in order to change its overall appearance.

As will be appreciated by reference to the drawing, the various components can be assembled together in any combination, with the ends of horizontal members 12 of railing sections 10 being inserted as a friction fit into the locating holes 28 in the hollow posts 22 of frame elements or the locating holes 28 of individual posts.

The railing sections 10 can be cut to a smaller length when required to fit to a predetermined total length. When only a very small gap needs to be filled by a railing, a short section, cut to size, can be mounted between two individual posts.

Also, the railing sections 10 can be curved, as required for a curving boundary, or bent more severely to the shape of an angular boundary. This is possible because of the circular cross section of the horizontal members 12.

Thus, using the kit of the invention any length or shape of railing can be precisely achieved.

Variations in detail are possible within the scope of the invention. For example the crosspieces of the frame members could provide apertures in a different manner, of diamond or circular shape, into which modified pattern inserts could be fitted.

Claims

Claims 1. A railing kit comprising a plurality of each of two components, namely a railing section comprising generally parallel horizontal members connected by plural vertical members, and a frame element comprising a pair of hollow posts connected by crosspiece means to define an aperture, in which respect each hollow post of the frame element has means for connection of a railing section so that, in use, respective railing sections can be connected between respective frame elements.
2. A railing kit as claimed in claim I further comprising a plurality of pattern inserts each adapted for installation in the aperture of a respective frame element.
3. A railing kit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising at least one hollow post having means for connection of a railing section.
4. A railing kit comprising at least one of each of these four components, a) a railing section comprising generally parallel horizontal members connected by plural vertical members; b) a hollow post c) a frame element comprising a pair of hollow posts connected by crosspiece means to define an aperture; and d) a pattern insert adapted for installation in the aperture of a respective frame element;

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in which respect each hollow post of the frame element and the individual hollow post have means for connection of a railing section so that, in use, respective railing sections can be connected between respective frame elements or between individual hollow posts and frame elements, or between respective individual hollow posts.
5. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the crosspiece means of the frame element comprises upper and lower members.
6. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the aperture of the frame element is substantially rectangular.
7. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the posts of the frame element (s) and the individual hollow post (s), when present, include integral means of securement to a substrate.
8. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for connection of the railing sections comprise holes provided in the respective hollow posts.

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9. A kit as claimed in claim 2 or 4 wherein each pattern insert has a plurality of limbs provided with means of engagement with the crosspiece means defining the aperture in any one of the frame elements, at least one of said limbs being displaceable to enable the insert to be releasably secured in the aperture.
10. A kit as claimed in claim 9 wherein each limb of each pattern insert is provided with engagement means in the form of a notch.
11. A kit as claimed in claim 9 or 10 further including a tool having a portion adapted to engage the displaceable limb of any pattern insert and a portion serving as a lever to enable displacement of said limb.
12. A railing assembled from a kit according to any preceding claim.
13. A railing comprising alternate railing sections and frame elements as specified in claim 1, the horizontal members of the railing sections having their ends engaged into holes provided in the hollow posts of the frame elements.
14. A railing kit and a railing assembled therefrom substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.