GB2444928A - Banister assembly - Google Patents
Banister assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2444928A GB2444928A GB0625435A GB0625435A GB2444928A GB 2444928 A GB2444928 A GB 2444928A GB 0625435 A GB0625435 A GB 0625435A GB 0625435 A GB0625435 A GB 0625435A GB 2444928 A GB2444928 A GB 2444928A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- banister
- connecting bracket
- component
- socket
- parts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000004035 Cryptotaenia japonica Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004831 Hot glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 102000007641 Trefoil Factors Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 235000015724 Trifolium pratense Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010974 bronze Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper tin Chemical compound [Cu].[Sn] KUNSUQLRTQLHQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920006351 engineering plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005002 finish coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009419 refurbishment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1817—Connections therefor
- E04F11/1834—Connections therefor with adjustable angle, e.g. pivotal connections
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1812—Details of anchoring to the wall or floor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1817—Connections therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1817—Connections therefor
- E04F2011/1823—Connections therefor between balustrade filling members, e.g. balusters or panels, and horizontal or sloping balustrade members
- E04F2011/1825—Connections therefor between balustrade filling members, e.g. balusters or panels, and horizontal or sloping balustrade members between balustrade filling members, e.g. balusters or panels, and handrails
- E04F2011/1827—Connections therefor between balustrade filling members, e.g. balusters or panels, and horizontal or sloping balustrade members between balustrade filling members, e.g. balusters or panels, and handrails between balusters and handrails
Abstract
A banister connecting bracket 10 comprises a first part 16 having a socket 18 for receiving the end of a first elongate banister component, and a second part 22 fixedly mountable to a surface extending generally transversely of the first elongate banister component, a releasable fastener 32 extending along an axis of mutual rotation of the first and second parts, the axis of rotation extending substantially normal to the axis of the first component and the releasable fastener 32 when fastened acting to draw the first and second parts into rigid engagement with each other. The socket 18 may therefore be adjusted at any desired angle to the mounting surface and the fastener 32 tightened to provide a rigid joint.
Description
BANISTER ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a banister and adjustable connecting brackets for use in forming such a bannister. The term banister refers to a railing assembly used to guard the open edge of a staircase and/or landing. Such an assembly comprises an upper handrail connected to the tops of a number of vertical rails or balusters. The lower ends of the balusters may be connected to a foot rail, staircase stringer or a floor. Elsewhere the terms banister and baluster are sometimes used synonymously, to refer to the vertical rails as such. In the io following specification however, the term banister is used to denote the railing assembly including the handrail, and the term baluster is used to denote one of the vertical rails.
Background of the Invention
Current building regulations in the UK and many other countries have standardised the maximum angle or steepness of staircases installed in new build housing and other classes of buildings. However, for refurbishment work, or where the staircase concerned turns a corner, the angle between the balusters and the associated hand and foot rails or the like can vary considerably. The correct formation of joints between these components using traditional methods can therefore be a matter for a skilled joiner, and often cannot readily be carried out off site. Where errors are made, these will often lead to the scrapping of expensive components.
Attempts have been made to mitigate these problems by providing angularly adjustable brackets for interconnecting the banister components. (See, for example EP1691001).
However, such brackets often do not provide rigid joints between the banister components, so that for strength and rigidity the assembly relies upon its connections with a supporting structure, such as newel posts or the walls of the building. Moreover such joints are generally not intended for any degree of preassembly offsite and can be time consuming to fit and adjust on site.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the present invention, a banister connecting bracket comprises a first part having a socket for receiving the end of a first elongate banister component, and a second part fixedly mountable to a surface extending generally transversely of the first elongate banister component, a releasable fastener extending along an axis of mutual rotation of the first and second parts, the axis of rotation extending substantially normal to the axis of the first component and the releasable fastener when fastened acting to draw the first and second parts into rigid engagement with each other. The socket may therefore be adjusted at any desired angle to the mounting surface and the fastener tightened to provide a rigid joint.
The bracket may be used in a variety of different applications. For example the mounting surface may be on a handrail, foot rail, staircase stringer or floor, with the socket receiving the end of a baluster. Alternatively, the surface may be provided on a newel post or wall, with the socket receiving the end of a hand rail or foot rail. The socket is suitably sized and shaped in each case.
Advantageously, the first and second parts can be assembled by movement in a plane parallel to the mounting surface. This allows the connecting bracket second part to be preassembled with a banister component such as a hand rail or foot rail. There are then a number of possibilities for assembly of the second part and an associated baluster: 1) The socket is left empty until the hand or foot rail is brought on site. In this case, the banister is assembled by fitting balusters and adjusting and tightening the brackets on site.
2) A baluster is fitted into the socket at the factory. The first and second parts are separate until brought on site, at which point they are assembled together, adjusted as necessary, and the releasable fastener tightened to form the rigid joint.
3) A baluster is fitted into the socket and the first and second parts are secured together at the factory using the releasable fastener. The fastener is left loose, or the angle between the first and second parts is adjusted so that the banister is in a collapsed or compact condition for transport to site. On site, the angle between the baluster and the co-operating banister component (handrail, foot rail or stringer) is adjusted as required, and the releasable fastener tightened to form a rigid joint. In this case a complete banister may be preassembled at the factory, formed from a handrail, a foot rail or stringer, the required number of balusters, and one of the connecting brackets of the invention at each end of each baluster. Further connecting brackets, according to the invention or otherwise, may be fitted to the ends of the handrail and (where present) the foot rail, for mounting the entire banister in position on site.
4) As 3) above, except that the baluster connecting brackets are adjusted and their releasable fasteners tightened at the factory. The banister is thus supplied fully assembled and pre-adjusted for fitment on site. If readjustment is necessary, the releasable fasteners can be loosened to permit this, before final tightening of the connecting brackets.
It will therefore be seen that the banister connecting bracket is very versatile and allows considerable savings in time and labour on site.
In some embodiments, mating surfaces on the first and second components are substantially circular, e.g. planar, frustoconical or stepped. Co-operating portions of the first and second parts may form a substantially spherical assembly. This has a neat and eye-catching appearance, no matter what the angular adjustment between the first and second parts.
The second part may comprise a mounting plate for fixing the second part to the mounting surface. The mounting plate may be shaped to conform to the mounting surface, e.g. generally flat, or curved in transverse section to fit the underside of a round or curved handrail. The mounting plate may be fitted into a mortise or groove in the co-operating banister component, e.g. so that its exposed surface lies substantially flush with the surface of that component. The mounting plate may be circular, elliptical, oval, or rectangular in plan, or of any other shape as desired. It may comprise two or more holes for screw fixing.
The socket on the first part is preferably of the same cross-sectional shape as that of the banister component with which it co-operates; for example circular, square or rectangular, for a circular, square or rectangular cross-sectioned baluster, hand rail or foot rail. More complex socket profiles may be provided, to accommodate more complex rail or baluster moulding cross-sections, e.g. mopstick, crown, trefoil, etc. Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows first and second connecting brackets each embodying the present invention, used to interconnect parts of a banister and to mount the banister to an adjacent supporting structure (not shown); Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the brackets shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of the bracket shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the other bracket shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 5.
Description of the Illustrative Embodiments
Referring to Figure 1, a first connecting bracket is shown, connecting a baluster 12 to a handrail 14. A second connecting bracket 20 is used to secure one end of the handrail 14 to a mounting surface, such as on a wall or a newel post (not shown).
As shown more clearly in Figures 2 -4, the first bracket 10 comprises a first part 16 having a socket 18 for receiving one end of the baluster 12. The bracket 10 further comprises a second part 22 having a mounting plate 24 by which it can be secured to a surface part way along the handrail 14 which extends generally transversely of the end of the baluster 12.
The plate 24 has two holes 30 for fixing screws by which the bracket is fixed to the surface of the handrail 14. As shown in Figure 1, the plate is recessed within a groove 34 formed in the underside of the handrail 14, so that the exposed face of the plate 24 lies flush with the adjacent undersurface of the handrail on either side of the groove 34. Alternatively, the plate 24 can be fixed proud of the handrail underside, or recessed into a mortise on the handrail underside. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate is oval, so that such a mortise can be formed easily using a router or drill bit. The plate may be substantially flat, to conform to a flat base of the groove 34. However, as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the plate 24 is curved in the transverse direction, to conform to the surface curvature of the generally circular sectioned handrail 14.
The first and second bracket parts 16, 22 each comprise respective generally hemispherical portions 26, 28 having generally circular mating faces 26a, 28a (Figure 4) which can be secured in tight frictional engagement by a coaxial screw 32. The bracket parts 16, 22 may therefore be secured rigidly together at any desired angle relative to each other about the axis of the screw 32. The baluster 12 when received in the socket 18 may therefore be fixed at any desired angle relative to the handrail 14. With the first and second connecting bracket parts 16, 22 separated, and with the first part 16 fixed to the end of a baluster and the second part 22 preinstalled on the handrail 14, the first and second parts 16, 22 can be brought together by relative movement in a plane generally parallel to the mounting plate 24, e.g. by movement along the axis of the hole in the hemispherical portion 26 in which the screw 32 is accommodated. Such assembly can take place either at the factory or on site. With the first and second parts 16, 22 loosely secured together by the screw 32, the angle of the baluster 12 relative to the handrail 14 can be adjusted, again either at the factory or on site.
With this angle correctly adjusted, the hemispherical parts 26, 28 of the bracket 10 can be drawn into tight frictional engagement with each other by tightening the screw 32, to secure the handrail and baluster rigidly together at the desired angle. The other end of the baluster 12 (not shown) may be similarly secured to a foot rail or staircase stringer (not shown) by a further bracket 10. The required number of bracket second parts 22 necessary to form a complete banister assembly is secured to their respective handrail, foot rail or stringer. This is preferably done at the factory, to reduce on site labour, and where specialist assembly jigs andlor marking out tools are available for greater accuracy.
The second bracket 20 shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 is similar to the first bracket 10 described above, except that the second bracket 20, including its socket 18, is of a somewhat larger size adapted to accommodate the end of the handrail 14. The second bracket 20 also includes a substantially flat, substantially circular mounting plate 36 in place of the plate 24, by which the bracket second part 22 may be secured to an adjacent structure such as a wall surface or newel post (not shown). For this purpose, the mounting plate includes three fixing screw holes 38.
Although the sockets 18 shown are substantially cylindrical (i.e. they have a substantially circular cross-section), other socket cross-sectional forms are possible, to match other baluster / handrail / foot rail cross-sections. The brackets are preferably formed from metal, such as brass, bronze, stainless steel or aluminium; although they may also be formed from engineering plastics such as ABS, or composites such as GRP, or any other suitable material. The bracket external surfaces may be given a suitable finish coating, e.g. plating s with a metal such as chromium, a paint finish such as a baked on powder polymer spray coating, or an anodised finish in the case of aluminium. The balusters or rails may be bonded into the socket 18 by a suitable adhesive, e.g. a hot melt adhesive or epoxy resin.
Alternatively they may be frictionally retained in the socket 18. The internal surface of the socket 18 may be roughened, barbed, knurled or ridged, to assist in retaining the baluster or rail. Additionally or alternatively, radial fixing screws may be used to secure the end of the baluster or rail within the socket 18.
Claims (8)
1. A banister connecting bracket comprising a first part having a socket for receiving the end of a first elongate banister component, and a second part fixedly mountable to a surface extending generally transversely of the first elongate banister component, a releasable fastener extending along an axis of mutual rotation of the first and second parts, the axis of rotation extending substantially normal to the axis of the first component and the releasable fastener when fastened acting to draw the first and second parts into rigid engagement with each other.
2. A banister connecting bracket as defined in claim I, in which the first and second parts can be assembled by movement in a plane parallel to the mounting surface.
3. A banister connecting bracket as defined in claim 1 or 2, in which the second part comprises a mounting plate for fixing the second part to the mounting surface.
4. A banister connecting bracket as defined in claim 3, in which the mounting plate is shaped to conform to the mounting surface.
5. A banister connecting bracket as defined in claim 3, in which the mounting plate comprises holes for screw fixing.
6. A banister connecting bracket as defined in any preceding claim in which the socket on the first part is of substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the banister component with which it co-operates.
7. A banister connecting bracket as defined in any preceding claim in which the releasable fastener is a threaded fastener.
8. A banister connecting bracket substantially as described with reference to or as shown in Figures 1 -4 or Figures 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0625435A GB2444928A (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2006-12-20 | Banister assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0625435A GB2444928A (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2006-12-20 | Banister assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0625435D0 GB0625435D0 (en) | 2007-01-31 |
| GB2444928A true GB2444928A (en) | 2008-06-25 |
Family
ID=37734538
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0625435A Withdrawn GB2444928A (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2006-12-20 | Banister assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2444928A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2477433A (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-03 | Pipex Structural Composites Ltd | Continuous grip handrail |
| CN110387814A (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2019-10-29 | 温州众新建设有限公司 | A kind of municipal administration Bridge guardrail and its construction method |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE259042C (en) * | ||||
| GB2299370A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1996-10-02 | Kee Klamps Ltd | Connector device |
| DE20214613U1 (en) * | 2002-09-21 | 2002-11-28 | Ctr Fahrzeugtechnik Gmbh | railing |
| US20060226330A1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2006-10-12 | Yu San C | Bar support rack |
-
2006
- 2006-12-20 GB GB0625435A patent/GB2444928A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE259042C (en) * | ||||
| GB2299370A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1996-10-02 | Kee Klamps Ltd | Connector device |
| DE20214613U1 (en) * | 2002-09-21 | 2002-11-28 | Ctr Fahrzeugtechnik Gmbh | railing |
| US20060226330A1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2006-10-12 | Yu San C | Bar support rack |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2477433A (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-03 | Pipex Structural Composites Ltd | Continuous grip handrail |
| GB2477636A (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-08-10 | Pipex Structural Composites Ltd | Pivotal connection between handrail and post |
| GB2477433B (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2011-12-21 | Pipex Structural Composites Ltd | Improvements in or relating to hand rails |
| US10968637B2 (en) | 2010-02-08 | 2021-04-06 | Pipex Limited | Hand rails |
| US11339575B2 (en) | 2010-02-08 | 2022-05-24 | Pipex Limited | Hand rails |
| CN110387814A (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2019-10-29 | 温州众新建设有限公司 | A kind of municipal administration Bridge guardrail and its construction method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0625435D0 (en) | 2007-01-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: JELD-WEN, INC. Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): JELD-WEN UK LIMITED |
|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |