GB2512933A

GB2512933A - Panel Support Structure

Info

Publication number: GB2512933A
Application number: GB1306685.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julie Jarvis
Original assignee: D R SERVICES LONDON Ltd
Current assignee: D R SERVICES LONDON Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-12
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: GB201306685D0

Abstract

A glass balustrade support structure 100 comprises a supporting base 103 connected to parallel first 101 and second 102 side supports. The base and the supports form a U-shaped channel to receive a portion of a panel 300, wherein at least a part of the base slopes at an angle from the first to second supports. An outer shell of further supports 104 may be provided to add strength to the structure, the shell being connected to the first support by a plurality of struts 104b, d, g. The first support, the base and the struts are all connected at a nodal point n1. The support base may include protrusions 103a, b, one being taller than the other such that an end of the panel is perpendicular to the first and second supports. The structure may be formed from extruded metal and may be connected to a balcony by a bolt 106.

Description

Panel Support Structure

Field of Invention

This disclosure relates to a support for a panel. More specifically, but not exclusively, an apparatus arranged to support a glass panel balustrade is disclosed.

Background to the Invention

Balustrades have been uscd for hundreds of years to act as barricrs to prcvent pcople falling from balconies, or such like. In recent years, due to the advances in the strength of glass, it has become common to make balustradcs from toughcned glass. While thc strength of thc glass uscd in balustrades is of sufficient strength to prevent it being broken by the weight of one or more people leaning on the glass, there is still a need to ensure that the glass itself is well secured to the balcony or floor to which it is connected.

Tt is common to provide a strong metal frame around the periphery of the glass, the frame holding the glass and being secured to the floor. However, it is seen as desirable to minimise the amount of metal used to secure the glass both for aesthetic and cost reasons. As such, many balustrade systems have been designed in which a metal shoe is provided on a floor or balcony edge and a glass panel then sits in and is supported by the shoe. Consequently, a fully glass balustrade is provided apart from the support shoe provided at the base of the balustrade.

Glass balustrade support shoes are designed to ensure that the glass panel is secure up to certain levels of force being exerted on the glass panel. However, providing sufficient strength for withstanding such forces means that large amounts of metal are oflen used for constructing such balustrade support shoes. The large amount of metal required to provide sufficient strength to such balustrades is oflen seen as undesirable.

Summary of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention aftempt to mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

Tn accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for supporting a glass panel, the apparatus comprising a supporting base, a first side support connected to a first side of the supporting base, and a second side support which is substantially parallel to the first side support and connected to an other side of the supporting base. The supporting base, first side support and second side support form a channel arranged for receiving a portion of a panel so that an end surface of a received panel sits on the supporting base and is held in the channel between the first and second side supports. Furthermore, at least a portion of the supporting base slopes down from the first side support to the second side support.

The first side support may be arranged for use at a front of the apparatus. The second side support may be arranged for use at a rear of the apparatus.

The apparatus may further comprise a support structure arranged to strengthen the front of the apparatus. The support structure may comprise a plurality of additional supporting elements connected to at least one of the first side support and the supporting base. The plurality of supporting elements may comprise an outer shell. The plurality of supporting elements may comprise a plurality of struts connecting the outer shell to at least one of the first side support and the supporting base. The outer shell may be connected to a top end of the first side support and to a boftom end of the second side support, when orientated for use.

The plurality of struts may connect to the connection between the first side support and to the supporting base. The first side support, thc supporting basc and the plurality of struts may all be connected about a nodal point.

The first sidc support may be at a front of the apparatus and the second side support may be at a rear of the apparatus. The first side support may be thicker than the second side support.

The supporting base may comprise at lcast one protrusion arranged to support the end surface of the panel at a position substantially perpendicular to the first and second side supports. The supporting base may comprise a plurality of protrusions arranged along the length of the base between the first and second side supports. A protrusion nearer to the second side support may be taller than a protrusion nearer to the first side support so that the end surface of the panel is supported at a position substantially perpendicular to the first and second side supports.

The apparatus may be substantially U-shaped. The apparatus may be formed from extruded metal. The apparatus may be connectable to a balcony by a connection member. The apparatus may comprise a connection hole and the connection member may be a bolt arranged to connect the apparatus to a balcony via the connection hole.

Embodiments of the invention reduce the amount of material that is required for a panel support structure. In particular, in certain embodiments additional support is only provided on one side of the support structure because the support structure is designed for use as a balustrade and therefore force is only applied to one side of the balustrade. Also, in order to reduce the material usage the support structure utilises a plurality of struts, and therefore a plurality of corresponding cavities, rather than a solid structure.

Embodiments of the invention provide a support structure including a plurality of supporting struts, wherein the supporting struts are arranged to pass through a single nodal point or axis.

Embodiments of the invention provide a support structure arranged to withstand forces of at least 3kN in at least one direction.

Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for supporting a glass panel. The apparatus comprises a supporting base, a first side support connected to a first side of the supporting base, and a second side support which is substantially parallel to the first side support and connected to an other side of the supporting base. The supporting base, first side support and second side support fonu a channel arranged for receiving a portion of a panel so that an end surface of a received panel sits on the supporting base and is held in the channel between the first and second side supports. The first side support is provided with additional support compared to the second side support for withstanding the application of greater forces.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention shall now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a glass panel support structure according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 provides a cross-section of the support structure of Figure 1.

Throughout the description and the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Specific Descripfion Figure 1 illustrates a glass panel support structure 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, Figure 1 shows the glass panel support 100 for use as part of a balustrade. The support 100 is fixed to a balcony 200 and a laminate toughened glass panel 300, forming the balustrade, is held by the support structure 100.

Figure 2 provides a cross-section of the support structure 100 when supporting the glass panel 300. The support structure 100 comprises a first side support 101, a second side support 102 and a supporting base 103. Together, the first side support 101, second side support 102 and base 103 provide a U-shaped channel in which the glass panel 300 is held. Both the first and second side supports 101, 102 of the support structure are parallel with one another and provide flat internal surfaces which the glass panel sits between. Hence, the support structure 100 is arranged to receive the glass panel 300 in the channel so that the glass panel 300 rests on the supporting base 103 and is held upright by the side supports 101, 102.

The first side support 101 is at a front side of the support structure 100, while the second side support 102 is at a rear side of the support structure 100. In other words, the first side support 101 is at the side of the balustrade at the edge of the balcony 200, while the second side support 102 is at the balcony side of the balustrade where people may stand. Additional support is therefore provided to support thc first side support 101 since this is subjected to greater forces when people lean on the balustrade, as shown by arrow F in Figure 2.

An outer support 104 is provided around the first side support 101 and base 102 to provide additional support to the first side support. The outer support 104 comprises an outer supporting shell and a plurality of webs or struts which connect the outer shell to the body of the channel formed by the first side support 101, second side support 102 and base 103.

In order to secure the support structurc 100 to the balcony 200 a plurality of holes 105 are provided along the length of the base of the outer shell. The support structure can be bolted to the balcony using MI 2 cap screws 106 prior to installing a glass panel into the support structure.

A steel socket is embedded within concrete in the balcony to receive the screw 106 and provide the balustrade with a strong connection to the balcony 200. Alternatively, a steel beam structure may create the floor of the balcony.

Multiple support structures can be joined together by insertion of cylindrical connector dowel rods in holes 107 and 108 at each end of every support structure. The cylindrical rod or connector dowel is placed partially in one support structure and partially within a neighbouring support structure in order to hold the neighbouring support structures together and keep the support structures aligned.

The structure of the support 100, and in particular the specific design of both the outer support 104 and the supporting base 103 for withstanding the application of high forces applied to the balustrade, shall now be discussed in detail.

The base 103 of the channel slopes from the front to the rear of the support 100. This slope is provided so that when forces are exerted on the glass panel as shown by arrow F, those forces are transferred through the first side 101 and down into the base 103 with minimum strain being placed on the join between the first side 101 and base at node ni. The base is preferably angled at approximately 100 from the horizontal. However, it will be appreciated that any angle between 5° and 45° would minimise the strain on the join between the first side support 101 and the base 103 thereby allowing the support 100 to withstand greater forces in the direction of force F. The base 103 is provided with a first protrusion 103a and a second protrusion 103b, both of which are arranged to support the bottom of the glass sheet 300. More specifically, the first and second protrusions are arranged to provide a flat surface, perpendicular to the internal surfaces of the first and second sides 101, 102, on which the glass is arranged to sit. The second protrusion 1.3b is taller than the first protrusion 103a so that the top surfaces of the first and second protrusions are level with one another when the apparatus is level and in use.

The outer support 104 provided around the first side support 101 and base 102 comprises a plurality of webs which connect an outer shell of the outer support 104 to the body of the channel formed by the first side support 101, second side support 102 and base 103. In particular, a first portion 104a of the outer shell of the outer support 104 is connected to the top edge of the first side support 101. The first portion I 04a extends at an angle of approximately 35° from the first side 101. A first internal strut 104b connects a lower end of the first portion 104a of the outer shelltothejoinbetweenthe first side 101 andthebase 103 atnodenl. Atriangularcavityis therefore formed between the first side 101, the first portion I 04a of the shell and the first internal strut 104b. The first internal strut 104b is angled at approximately 45° to the first side 101, in the opposite direction to the first portion 104a of the outer shell. The first internal strut I 04b and the first portion I 04a of the shell therefore meet approximately two thirds down from the top of the first side support 101.

A second portion 104c of the outer shell extends downwards from the join between the first internal strut 104b and the first portion 104a of the shell. The second portion 104c of the shell is parallel with the first side support 101. A second internal strut I 04d is connected between the lower end of the second portion 104c of the shell and the node nl at which the first side support 101, base 103, and first internal strut I 04b adjoin one another. The second internal strut I 04d is angled at approximately 80° from the first internal strut 104b.

A third portion 104e of the outer shell extends down from the bottom end of the second portion 104c. The angle of the third portion 104e with respect to the second portion 104e mirrors that of the first portion I 04a, that is about 160° internally from the second portion I 04c. A bottom end of the third portion connects to base portion 104 of the outer shell 104. The base portion then connects to the second side support 102, which extends down beyond the join between the base 103 and the second side support 102. The base portion I 04f increases in thickness nearer to the join with the second sidc support 102. This increases the strength of the base portion 104f nearer to the second side support 102 because this section is subjected to additional stress when subjected to a levering action by the application of force F. The base portion I 04f has a concave external lower face, which provides a thin front and thin back foot on which the support 100 stands. When installing the apparatus, one of the feet can be easily shimmed to make the support level, if required. Furthermore, the holes 105 for connecting the support 100 to the balcony 200 are provided within this base portion I 04f.

A third internal strut I 04g is connected between the middle of the base portion I 04f and the node nl at which the first side support 101, base 103, thc first internal strut 1Mb and second internal strut 104d adjoin one another. The third internal strut 1Mg is in line with the first internal strut 1Mb.

The structure of the outer shell 104, including the internal struts, is arranged primarily to provide additional support to the first side support 101, but also the second side support 102 and base 103. In particular, when force F is applied to the glass panel, for example when a person is leaning on the top edge of the glass, this outward force is transferred to the first side 101 and the first portion of the outer shell 104a. The forces transferred to the first side 101 are then transferred through the base 103 to the second side 102. As mentioned previously, the base 103 is angled with respect to the first side to reduce the strain placed on the connection between the first side and the base. Some on the forces transferred through the outer shell are then transferred to the second portion I 04c of the outer shell and to the first strut I 04b, which in turn transfers forecs via node n to both the base 103, third internal strut 104g and base portion of the outer shell I 04f, via the third internal strut 104g. Overall, the web structure provided by the outer shell helps to transfer the forces and provide support where particular strains occur. Furthermore, the angles of the struts are provided to minimise strain between components when the outward force, which is perpendicular to the first side support 101, is applied.

As mentioned above, the first side support 101, base 103, the first internal strut 104b,second internal strut I 04d and third internal strut I 04g all adjoin one another at node n I. The centre of all of these components passes through node ni. Adjoining all of these components through node n I in this way helps to strengthen the support 100.

The web structure also has the added advantage or minimising the amount of material required to provide such support. In particular, the outer shell and struts are provided in specific positions to balance the support required with respect to the amount of material used.

The fact that the additional support 104 is only provided on the front side of the support structure 104 means that less material needs to be used to construct the support. Furthermore, since there is less support on the side nearest to people on the balcony, those people on the balcony will feel that they can get closer to the balustrade and will also feel closer to the edge of the balcony.

The installation ofabalustrade using the supporting structure described above shall now be described with reference to additional elements used in order to help secure the glass panel 300 to the support 100.

When installing the glass panel 300, the panel 300 is first placed in a gripping shoe 109, which is a U-shaped device that fits around at least a portion of the bottom of the glass panel. Multiple gripping shoes may be provided along the length of the bottom of the glass panel. The gripping shoe is arranged to exert an inward force to maintain itself in position on the glass. One of the sides of the U-shaped gripping shoe 109 has a plurality of notches to provide a surface suitable for gripping the internal surface of the first side 101 of the support structure 102, while the other side of the U-shaped gripping shoe 109 tapers to its distal end.

The glass panel 300 with gripping shoe 109 fitted is then placed into the channel formed by the first and second side supports 101, 102 and the base 103. A tapered wedge 110 is then pushed or knocked in the channel, between the outer surface of the tapered side of the gripping shoe 109 and the internal surface of the second side support 102 of the support structure 100. The tapered wedge therefore holds the gripping shoe, and therefore the glass panel, in place within the channel provided by the support structure. The fact that the base 103 is Iowa at the leftmost shown side, i.e. at the second side 102, than where the base of the glass sits means that the tapered wedge 110 can be driven down fbrther and therefore provide an even tighter fit and reduce movement of the glass panel 300 within the support 100.

A t-shaped groove III is provided on the internal surtIice of the first side support 101, near the top of the support structure 100. A bubble seal 112 having a T-shaped connector and a cylindrical sealing component is arranged to connect with the T-shaped groove I II. The bubble seal is arranged to provide a seal along thc front edge of the glass. The bubble seal 112 is made of rubber or a plastic composite. The bubble seal can be installed before the glass making it possible to fully install and finish the balustradc without requiring access from the fall side', i.e. so that the glass can be installed by someone on the balcony. -However, a push in glazing wedge could not be placed prior to the glass and could not be placed from inside' after the glass has been installed because the glass would bc in the way.

A U-shaped groove 113 is provided on the internal surface of the second side 102, near the top of the support structure 100. A legged seal 114 is provided to connect on one side with the groove 113 and on its other side, using a plurality of legs, with the glass sheet 300. The legged seal 114 is made of a plastic composite and is provided to seal the balcony side of the glass 300. The legged seal 114 is made of rubber or a plastic composite.

Once the support structure is connected to the balcony 200 outer covers (not shown) can be clipped onto the external surfitce of the support structure 100 in order to provide an improved appearance to the support structure.

The support structure is formed from extruded aluminium. However, it will be appreciated that the support structure could be moulded or formed by any other suitable technique.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first side support and base of the support structure that define the channel are thickened in order to provide additional support rather than having the outer shell structure. It will be appreciated that use of the outer shell structure, compared to the thickened wall stncture enables for less metal to be used while providing sufficient strength.

While the above described panel is arranged for supporting a glass panel it will be appreciated that the support structure may support a panel made of any material. For example, a plastic, metal, wooden, or composite panel could be supported. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the support structure need not be used as part of a balustrade; instead, the support structure could be used in any application in which a panel need be supported.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are provided as an example only and the invention is only limited by the claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. Apparatus for supporting a glass panel, The apparatus comprising: a supporting base; a first side support connected to a first side of The supporting base; and a second side support which is substantially parallel to the first side support and connected to an other side of the supporting base, wherein the supporting base, first side support and second side support form a channel arranged for receiving a portion of a panel so that an end surface of a received panel sits on the supporting base and is held in the channel between the first and second side supports; and at least a portion of the supporting base slopes down from The first side support to The second side support.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side support is arranged for use at a front of the apparatus and the second side support is arranged for use at a rear of the apparatus.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a support structure arranged to strengthen The front of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of additional supporting elements connected to at least one of the first side support and the supporting base.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of supporting elements comprise: an outer shell; and a plurality of struts connecting the outer shell to at least one of the first side support and the supporting base.
6. The apparatus according to claims, wherein the outer shell is connected to a top end of the first side support and to a bottom end of the second side support, when orientated for use.
7. The apparatus according to claims or claim 6, wherein the plurality of struts connect to the connection between the first side support and to the supporting base.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first side support, the supporting base and the plurality of struts are all connected about a nodal point.
9. The apparatus according to claim I, wherein the first side support is at a front of the apparatus and the second side support is at a rear of the apparatus and the first side support is thicker than the second side support.
10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting base comprises at least one protrusion arranged to support the end surface of the panel at a position substantially perpendicular to the first and second side supports.
II. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the supporting base comptises a plurality of protrusions arranged along the length of the base between the first and second side supports, wherein a protrusion nearer to the second side support is taller than a protrusion nearer to the first side support so that the end surface of the panel is supported at a position substantially perpendicular to the first and second side supports.
12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is substantially U-shaped.
13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is formed from extruded metal.
14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is connectable to a balcony by a connection member.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises a connection hole and the connection member is a bolt arranged to connect the apparatus to a balcony via the connection hole.