GB2599695A

GB2599695A - Loop wedge

Info

Publication number: GB2599695A
Application number: GB2016018.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Marcus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2020-10-09
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: GB202016018D0

Abstract

A wedge device 200 for use when installing fence posts or balusters comprising a shaped closed loop 210 defining a horizontal plane and at least three wedges 220, 222, 224 attached to the loop and spaced equidistant from each other along the circumference of the loop, each wedge having a longitudinal axis, wherein the at least three wedges are attached such that their longitudinal axis are perpendicular to the plane of the loop. The loop is preferably circular or triangular, or a square loop with at least four wedges spaced equidistant. The wedges may be integrally formed with the device made from a deformable polymer, preferably polypropylene.

Description

Loop Wedge [001] The invention relates to a constructional aid device. Particularly the invention relates to a constructional aid device for fitting fence/balustrade posts. Even more particularly the invention relates to a constructional aid device for holding, fence/balustrade posts vertically in their respective bores prior to fixing in place.

Background of the Invention

Terraces/patios are a very common and desirable feature in private homes and outdoor communal public places, a common feature of these are to have fences (etc picket fences) or balustrades running along the perimeter.

Fences and balustrades comprise a series of posts/balusters secured to the "ground", which provide the structural support, and traditionally a series of panels/spindles disposed therebetween. In the case of balustrades there is also a rail running along the top.

It used to be common practice to bolt down the balusters to the "ground" of the patio or terrace. However, using this method when the balusters are bolted down, the balustrade as a whole follows the commonly uneven floor. Which in turn reflects in "un level" or even "wavy" rail across the top, which more often than not isn't the desired aesthetic.

The main solution to avoid this currently in the art is to grout the post/baluster into a core drilled hole. At the moment it is normal practice to use a handful of loose wedges to hold the post plumb and level in the core drilled hole (as shown in figure 1). Once held in position, then the grout can be poured into the hole for the post to set. however, the problem is [2] [3] [00* [005] sometimes the packers fall in the hole and arc difficult to remove, and it's not always in the centre of the hole which results in the posts not being perfectly in line. ;[006] Tt is an object of the current invention to provide a construction aid which substantially reduces the flaws of the current common practice. ;Statement of Invention ;[7] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wedge device for use when installing fence posts/balusters comprising: A shaped closed loop defining a horizontal plane. At least 3 wedges attached to the loop and spaced equidistant from each other along the circumference of the shaped loop, each wedge having a narrow end and an opposing wide end defining a longitudinal axis of each wedge. Wherein the at least three wedges are attached to the loop such that their respective longitudinal axis are perpendicular to the plane defined by the loop. ;[8] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the shaped loop is in the form of a circular ring. ;[9] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the shaped loop is in the form of a triangular loop. ;[10] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the shaped loop is a square loop and there are at least four wedges attached to the loop and spaced equidistant from each other along the circumference of the shaped loop. ;[11] An embodiment of the First aspect wherein the shaped loop and wedges are integrally formed. ;[12] An embodiment of the first aspect made from a semi-rigid, deformable polymer. ;[13] An embodiment of the first aspect made by 31) printing. Brief description of the drawings [014] The invention will I be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings: [015] Figure 1 depicts the prior art method for holding posts plumb and level in a drilled core; [16] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the drawings [17] Figure 1 depicts the current state of the art. there is shown a baluster 100 having outer surface 105 held in a drilled core hole 110 by a plurality of loose wedges 120. Common practice is to then fill the hole 110 with some form of grouting. This system is not particularly reliable as the wedges 120 are prone to moving therefore shifting the baluster 100 from vertical, and the nature of the wedges 120 meaning they have to be inserted substantially one at a time means that getting the baluster 100 well centred in the hole is difficult. ;[018] Figure 2 depicts an embodiment 200 of the present invention (loop wedge). It comprises a shaped loop 210 with at least three wedges 220 integrally formed with, and located at points equidistant around the circumference of shaped loop 210. The loop 210 has an outer surface 212, and inner surface 214. The wedges 220 have an inner surface 222 parallel with inner and outer loop surface 214,212 respectively, a wide top surface 226 at one end, a point 228 at the opposing end, and an outer sloped surface 224 which is not parallel with the loop surfaces 212,214. ;[019] It should be noted that the depicted embodiment is to a circular loop for use with a circular post/baluster. However, the invention is not limited to this shape, any suitable shaped loop could be used to match the shape of the outer profile of the baluster/post it is to be used with. ;[020] In practice a baluster 100 is placed loosely in a corresponding hole 110, the loop wedge 200 is placed over and around the baluster 100, such that inner wedge surfaces 222 are substantially parallel with the outer surface of the baluster. The loop wedge 200 is then slid down the baluster until the loop wedge is at least partially in the balusters respective hole, pointed tips 228 having room, but at a certain point outer wedge surfaces 224 will come into contact with the inner surface of the hole, substantially simultaneously. As the loop wedge continues further into the hole, this urges the wedges 220 "inwards" toward the baluster such that inner surfaces 222 of the wedges push substantially simultaneously against the outer surface of the baluster. ;The ensured equidistant placing of the wedges, and the substantially simultaneous application of the "inward" pressure, creates a self-aligning force which is applied to the baluster, urging it to substantially the centre of the hole and vertically aligned. Which is much simpler and quicker than the common method of having to insert the individual wedges one at a time and ;S ;constantly adjusting and checking to see if the baluster/post is vertically aligned. ;[21] Three is the lowest number of equidistant wedges needed to create this effect, and only works with circular or triangular loops. This is because the non-aligning/centring forces created by each individual wedge 120 need to be cancelled out by the other wedges. For example, a square/rectangular post and therefore loop shape would need at least 4 wedges in total, one located at the centre of each face and equidistant from each other along the square loop's circumference. If the post and therefore loop were pentagonal, five wedges would be needed, and so on up to the limit where the number of sides is a large enough number where the shape can be reasonably approximated to be a circle and the number of required wedges drops back down to three. ;[22] In a preferred embodiment the loop wedge 200 is made from a semi-rigid but deformable plastic such as polypropylene or building packer material, and is made by 3D printing. However, any suitable material and construction method known to the skilled person could be used. ;[23] In a preferred embodiment the loop shape is that of a circular ring with a diameter of 48.3mm, the at least 3 wedges having a length of 42.4mm from the pointed end to the wide end, and at the wide end the distance between the inner and outer surfaces being 15mm. this is a specific embodiment and should not be considered limiting, the invention is fully scalable and can [02* The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The description is intended to enable a skilled person to make the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A wedge device for use when installing fence posts/balusters comprising: A shaped closed loop defining a horizontal plane; At least 3 wedges attached to the loop and spaced equidistant from each other along the circumference of the shaped loop, each wedge having a narrow end and an opposing wide end defining a longitudinal axis of each wedge; Wherein the at least three wedges are attached to the loop such that their respective longitudinal axis are perpendicular to the plane defined by the loop. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.a wedge device according to claim 1 wherein the shaped loop is in the form of a circular ring.A wedge device according to claim 1 wherein the shaped loop is in the form of a triangular loop.A wedge device according to claim 1 wherein the shaped loop is a square loop and there are at least four wedges attached to the loop and spaced equidistant from each other along the circumference of the shaped loop.A wedge device according to any preceding claim wherein the shaped loop and wedges are integrally formed.A wedge device according to any preceding claim made from a semi-rigid, deformable polymer.A wedge device according to claim 6 made from polypropylene.8. A wedge device according to any preceding claim made by 3D printing.