GB2538262A

GB2538262A - Stanchion mounting plate for use with roofs incorporating a protective membrane

Info

Publication number: GB2538262A
Application number: GB1508119.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liberson Zhev
Original assignee: STAINLESS STEEL FABS Ltd
Current assignee: STAINLESS STEEL FABS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-13
Filing date: 2015-05-13
Publication date: 2016-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-13
Also published as: GB2538262B; GB201508119D0

Abstract

The stanchion mounting plate is a flat plate 1 that has a plurality of holes 5 for receiving roofing screws 9, and multiple mounting posts 3 projecting from one face of the plate. The mount is configured to receive a foot of a stanchion having a flange that includes a plurality of apertures through which the mounting posts are inserted. The diameter of the protruding posts may be larger than the diameter of the holes in the plate. Diametrically opposed indicators 7 may also be included to help align the mount. Also claimed is a method of mounting a stanchion, and a stanchion mounting system that includes the mount 1 and a stanchion 11 comprising a flange 13 that features through holes 15. The plate is intended to prevent the ingress of standing water through the screws when the stanchion is affixed to the mount with sealant.

Description

Stanchion Mounting Plate for use with Roofs Incorporating a Protective Membrane The present invention relates generally to a stanchion mounting plate and a method of mounting a stanchion and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in installation of balustrades for balconies.

Stanchions are often used to support the coping of a parapet or the handrail of a staircase, and are sometimes known as balusters, thereby forming a balustrade. An alternative use is to support glass panels therebetween, again to form a barrier past which people are prevented from passing. These forms of barriers may be used to form balconies on flat roofs, that are safe for people to use.

A typical stainless steel stanchion comprises a substantially elongate portion, usually oriented upright when in use, and at a lower end of which is located a stanchion foot. The stanchion foot comprises a flange with a plurality of through holes (typically three or more) for securing to a surface with fixings such as screws. The stanchion foot is therefore secured to the roof by (for instance) screwing through a waterproof membrane (e.g. fibreglass or felt surface, or a membrane beneath roofing tiles) protecting the roof.

Conventionally, to protect the roof against water ingress, a sealant is used on the stanchion foot. TTowcwcr, this will usually void the waterproof roof warranty, because when water sits on the screw head, capillary action will act to draw the water through, down the threads and cause a slow water infection. This is particularly apparent when the typically large diameter screws used to secure stanchions of a balcony pass through the waterproof membrane of the roof.

According to the present invention, there is provided a stanchion mount for use on roofs incorporating a protective membrane, the stanchion mount comprising: a substantially flat plate; a plurality of holes in the substantially flat plate, each hole extending between a first substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate and a second substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate, the second face opposing the first face, and each hole configured for receiving a roofing screw therethrough; and a plurality of mounting posts projecting from the first face of the substantially flat plate; wherein the stanchion mount is configured to receive a foot of a stanchion thereon, the stanchion foot comprising a flange with a plurality of through holes for insertion of the mounting posts therethrough.

In this way, the plate can be sealed by the stanchion foot above, thereby preventing standing water on screw heads used to fix the stanchion mounting plate / stanchion mount to the surface.

The plate is substantially flat, comprising a first substantially flat face and a second substantially flat face opposing the first face. The first and second faces may be substantially parallel. The first and second faces may be spaced by between approximately 4mm and 10mm, in particular between approximately 5mm and 8mm, more particularly approximately 6rnm. The plate may have a lateral extent (e.g. a diameter) of between approximately 60mm and 200mm, in particular between approximately 80mm and 150mm, more particularly approximately 100mm.

The stanchion mount may comprise up to 12 holes, in particular, up to 8 holes, more particularly up to 6 holes. The stanchion mount may comprise at least 3 holes, in particular, at least 4 holes, more particularly at least 6 holes.

The stanchion mount may comprise up to 6 mounting posts, in particular up to 4 mounting posts, more particularly up to 3 mounting posts. The stanchion mount may comprise at least 3 mounting posts, in particular, at least 4 mounting posts, more particularly at least 6 mounting posts.

The stanchion mount may comprise more holes than mounting posts, in particular the stanchion mount may comprise two or three times the number of holes than the number of mounting posts. In this way, screws of smaller diameter may be used to secure the stanchion mount onto a roof than the diameter of the mounting posts. Accordingly, water penetration by capillary action along the threads of the screw may be limited.

The holes may he substantially circular in cross-section. Optionally, the holes may he threaded; however, in alternative embodiments, the interior of the holes is smooth. The holes may be countersunk holes. The holes may have a region adjacent to the first face in which their profile is substantially that of a conic section. The aperture of the cone forming the conic section may be between 50 degrees and 100 degrees, for instance approximately 60, 70, 80 or 90 degrees. The holes may be located in a recessed region of the first face, to accommodate a head of a screw therein; such a recessed region may be substantially any shape, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, or similar.

The holes may have a diameter for receiving the shank of a screw of between approximately 5mm and 9rmn, in particular between approximately 6mm and 8mm, more particularly approximately 7mm.

The mounting posts may have a diameter of between approximately 6mrn and 10mm, in particular between approximately 7mm and 9mm, more particularly approximately 8mm. The mounting posts may be substantially circular in cross-section. The mounting posts may be threaded. In this way, the mounting posts may be configured to receive a nut thereon, to secure a stanchion thereto. Alternatively, the mounting posts may be substantially smooth.

The mounting posts may have a diameter that is substantially greater than a diameter of the holes. In this way, smaller diameter screws may be used to secure the stanchion mount onto a roof than the diameter of the mounting posts. Accordingly, water penetration by capillary action along the threads of the screw may he limited.

Each hole may have an interior diameter and each mounting post may have an exterior diameter, wherein the exterior diameter may be substantially greater than the interior diameter.

Each mounting post may projecting from the first face of the substantially flat plate substantially perpendicular to the first face (e.g. to within a tolerance of up to 5 degrees, more particularly 3 degrees, in particular 2 degrees).

The stanchion mount may comprise metal, for instance steel or any other suitable metal. Each mounting post may be connected to the plate, for instance by welding, or some other suitable means; however, in alternative embodiment, the mounting post may be integrally formed (e.g. cast) with the plate.

The plate may he substantially circular; however, other shapes are also envisaged, such as square or hexagonal.

The stanchion mount may further comprise a first indicator on a periphery of the plate, and a second indicator on the periphery of the plate diametrically opposite the first indicator. in this way, the first and second indicators may be used to correctly align the stanchion mount along a line present on the surface to which they are to be attached. The line present on the surface may be a chalk, pencil or pen line, or may be a laser line projected onto the surface.

The indicator may be a visual mark, and may be located on the first face or on a peripheral face; however, in preferred embodiments, the indicator is a notch in a peripheral face, extending between the first and second faces. In this way, the line can be seen through the notch by a user by looking through the notch from the first face to the second face.

The stanchion mount may comprise a plurality of diametrically opposed indicator pairs, for instance, two pairs, three pairs, four pairs, five pairs or six pairs. Tn this way, corners may be more easily formed by a user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stanchion mounting system, comprising the stanchion mount of the first aspect and a stanchion, the stanchion comprising: an elongate member; a flange at a first end of the elongate member; and a plurality of through holes in the flange, each through hole associated with a respective mounting post, and each through hole having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the respective mounting post. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a stanchion on a surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a stanchion mount according to the first aspect; affixing the stanchion mount to the surface with sealant; securing the stanchion mount to the surface with a plurality of fixings extending through the holes in the plate; mounting a stanchion on the stanchion mount by passing the mounting posts through through-holes in a flange disposed at one end of the stanchion; affixing the stanchion to the first face of the stanchion mount with sealant, to seal the plurality of fixings against ingress of water; and securing the stanchion to the stanchion mount with a securing device.

In this way, ease of installation is improved because precise alignment of the components can be achieved merely by locating and securing the stanchion mount, rather than the large and unwieldy stanchion.

The sealant may he adhesive, e.g. polymer adhesive, or may he any other form of sealant. The fixings may be screws, but also may be nails, rivets or any other suitable form of mechanical fixing. The securing device may be a nut suitably for thrcadable engagement with a mounting post; however, other forms of securing devices are envisaged such as locking pins.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting plate.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mounting plate with counter sunk screw fixings.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a stanchion and mounting plate system.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a stanchion and mounting plate system in assembled form.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily he considered to he an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may he exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to he understood that the tuns so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or component, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. 'thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

Similarly, it should he appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. 'Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances. The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting plate / stanchion mount. The stanchion mount comprises a substantially circular plate 1, from which project three substantially cylindrical externally-threaded bolts 3 (the thread is not shown, for clarity). The bolts 3 are symmetrically disposed on the plate 1, with counter-sunk holes 5 arranged either side of each bolt 3. The holes 5 have a smooth internal bore with an internal diameter less than the external diameter of the bolts 3. Two slots 7 are cut into the periphery of the plate 1, diametrically opposed from one another.

Figure 2 shows the stanchion mount at a different orientation, with screws 9 (again, screw threads not shown for clarity) inserted into the holes 5, with their heads flush with the upper surface of the plate 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a stanchion mounting system, including the stanchion mount of figures 1 and 2. A stanchion 11 is provided with a flange 13 about its lower end, the flange 13 including three through-holes 15, each arranged to receive one of the three bolts 3 therethrough. Nuts 17 are provided to he threadably received on the bolts 3, to hold the flange 13 against the plate 1. A cover 19 is slidably received on the stanchion 11, such that once the nuts 17 have been tightened onto the bolts 3, it may cover the nuts 17 and bolts 3 to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Figure 4 shows the assembled stanchion mounting system, with the cover 19 obscuring the flange 13 and plate 1, and with the screws 9 (which in use would be embedded in a surf-ace) projecting from the lower end. is a perspective view of a stanchion and mounting plate system in assembled form.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stanchion mount for use on roofs incorporating a protective membrane, the stanchion mount comprising: a substantially flat plate; a plurality of holes in the substantially flat plate, each hole extending between a first substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate and a second substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate, the second face opposing the first face, and each hole configured for receiving a roofing screw therethrough; and a plurality of mounting posts projecting from the first face of the ubstantially flat plate; wherein the stanchion mount is configured to receive a foot of a stanchion thereon, the stanchion foot comprising a flange with a plurality of through holes for insertion of the mounting posts therethrough.
2. The stanchion mount of claim 1, comprising twice as many holes as mounting posts.
3. The stanchion mount of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each hole has an interior diameter and each mounting post has an exterior diameter, and wherein the exterior diameter is substantially greater than the interior diameter.
4. The stanchion mount of any preceding claim, further comprising a first indicator on a periphery of the plate, and a second indicator on the periphery of the plate diametrically opposite the first indicator.
5. A stanchion mounting system, comprising the stanchion mount of any preceding claim and a stanchion, the stanchion comprising: an elongate member; a flange at a first end of the elongate member; and a plurality of through holes in the flange, each through hole associated with a respective mounting post, and each through hole having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the respective mounting post.
6. A method of mounting a stanchion on a surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a stanchion mount of any one of claim 1 to 4; affixing the stanchion mount to the surface with sealant; securing the stanchion mount to the surface with a plurality of fixings extending through the holes in the plate; mounting a stanchion on the stanchion mount by passing the mounting posts through through-holes in a flange disposed at one end of the stanchion; affixing the stanchion to the first face of the stanchion mount with sealant, to seal the plurality of fixings against ingress of water; and securing the stanchion to the stanchion mount with a securing device.
7. A stanchion mount substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAIMS1. A stanchion mount for use on roofs incorporating a protective membrane, the stanchion mount comprising: a substantially flat plate; a plurality of holes in the substantially flat plate, each hole extending between a first substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate and a second substantially flat face of the substantially flat plate, the second face opposing the first face, and each hole configured for receiving a rooting screw therethrough; a plurality of mounting posts projecting from the first face of the substantially flat plate; a first indicator on a periphery of the plate, and a second indicator on the periphery of the plate diametrically opposite the first indicator; (r) wherein the stanchion mount is configured to receive a foot of a stanchion thereon, the r stanchion foot comprising a flange with a plurality of through holes for insertion of the mounting posts thereihrough.2. The stanchion mount of claim 1, comprising twice as many holes as mounting 3. The stanchion mount of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each hole has an interior diameter and each mounting post has an exterior diameter, and wherein the exterior diameter is substantially greater than the interior diameter.4. A stanchion mounting system, comprising the stanchion mount of any preceding claim and a stanchion, the stanchion comprising: an elongate member; a flange at a first end of the elongate member; and a plurality of through holes in the flange, each through hole associated with a respective mounting post, and each through hole having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the respective mounting post. posts5. A method of mounting a stanchion on a surface, the method comprising the steps of providing a line on the surface; providing a stanchion mount of any one of claim 1 to 3; using the first and second indicators to correctly align the stanchion mount along the hne present on the surface; affixing the stanchion mount to the surface with sealant; securing the stanchion mount to the surface with a plurality of fixings extending through the holes in the plate; mounting a stanchion on the stanchion mount by passing the mounting posts through through-holes in a flange disposed at one end of the stanchion; affixing the stanchion to the first face of the stanchion mount with sealant, to seal the plurality of fixings against ingress of water; and securing the stanchion to the stanchion mount with a securing device.6. A stanchion mount substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.O N