GB2612614A

GB2612614A - An improved bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2612614A
Application number: GB2115914.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hynd Stephen
Original assignee: Brass Age Ltd Ta Ba Systems
Current assignee: Brass Age Ltd Ta Ba Systems
Priority date: 2021-11-05
Filing date: 2021-11-05
Publication date: 2023-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-05
Also published as: GB2612614B

Abstract

A compression washer 30 comprises a plurality of nested annular rings (31a, 31b, 31c- see figure 4). Each annular ring is connected to the or both neighbouring annular rings by a bridging element 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b. The shape of the annular rings can optionally be selected from circular, square, rectangular, oval, but is preferably circular. The rings maybe the same shape and are concentrically arranged. Edges of the compression washer 30 can be chamfered and also any corners of the compression washer 30 may be rounded. The compression washer 30 may be used in the installation of the base of a balustrade, the compression washer 30 being interposed between the balustrade and a waterproof material.

Description

An Improved Bracket

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improvement to a system of installing a balustrade which system provides protection against water ingress. In particular, a compression washer is provided which co-operates with a flexible water-impermeable membrane to form a seal with improved water-resistant properties.

Background to the Invention

Balustrade systems are increasingly used in the balconies and roofs of buildings both for safety reasons, but also aesthetic reasons to provide an increased feeling of connection with the exterior of the building. Although balustrades have been known for centuries in indoor staircases and landings, modern balustrades are increasingly used externally.

The balustrade therefore needs to be able to withstand weathering and also its installation needs to be such as to not cause problems to the structure to which it is fixed. For example, the means used to secure the balustrade in position needs to be watertight as water ingress into the interior of a balcony can cause damage. For example, the water can cause removal of salts from a concrete structure and/or corrosion of rebar or fitting elements such as steel bolts: especially when the water accumulates.

Sealants can be used to seal the gap between the balustrade supports and the floor or wall, but these very often degrade over time and cease to be effective. In addition, weathering due to Light, winds and changes in temperature can cause stresses on the sealant resultant in a mechanical weakness over time, and fissures being formed therein. Another solution to the problem is to utilise a traditional washer. However, traditional washers provide a Limited barrier to water ingress and if water breaches the seal provided, then the washer would need to be replaced.

It is an object of the current invention to provide an improvement to the abovedescribed solutions in the form of a compression washer having structural features additional to those of a traditional washer.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of installing a balustrade which enables a balustrade to be installed which is more resistant to water ingress into the supports.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of a balustrade support including a watertight compression washer. In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of supported base channel; Figure? is an enlarged end perspective view of the base channel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the underside of supports illustrating compression washers in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a dose-up view of a compression washer in accordance with the invention secured to the first embodiment of support; Figure 5 illustrates a compression washer in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a further close-up perspective view of the support of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectional end view of the base channel of a second embodiment of base channel support; Figure 8 is a close-up perspective view of the base channel of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a further dose-up perspective view of the base channel of Figure 7 with securing elements included; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of support; Figure 11 is a further perspective view of the second embodiment of support with the membrane hidden; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of support; and Figure 13 is an end view of the compression washer being used with the first embodiment of support.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a compression washer, the compression washer comprising a plurality of nested annular rings, each annular ring being connected to the or both neighbouring annular rings by a bridging element.

This configuration provides a pluraLity of seals when the compression washer is in contact with a suitable materiaL such as a resilient waterproofing membrane, rather than a single seaL.

Preferably, the width of an annular ring is from 2 -3 mm, to provide a good seaE, but not risk cutting into a material with which the compression washer forms a seal.

The thickness of the washer is preferably from 2 -3 mm to provide a depth of seal without deforming the material with which the compression washer forms a seal such that the material cannot function properly.

Optionally each of the annular rings has the same shape to provide uniformity of seals.

Preferably, the annular rings are concentric Preferably the shape of an annular ring is selected from a square, rectangle, circular, or oval and particuLarLy preferably circular for ease of manufacturing and handling. Further preferably, a corner of a compression washer, where present, is rounded to prevent damage to the material with which the compression washer forms a seal.

Preferably, the edges of the compression washer are chamfered to minimise damage to the material with which the compression washer forms a seal.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing the base of a balustrade, the method comprising the steps of Locating a waterproof membrane between the balustrade and the surface to which the balustrade is to be attached, interposing a compression washer in accordance with the above between the baLustrade and the waterproof material, securing the balustrade in position such that the compression washer is urged into sealing engagement with the waterproof membrane.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Modern balustrades, particularly those which are installed externally, need to be protected from the effects of weathering. This applies especiaily to the fitments used in securing the balustrade to the structure to which the balustrade is attached. Such fitments almost exclusively involve drilling a hole into the structure into which a securing means such as a bolt, screw or other fitment means known in the art is secured. In carrying out this action a weakness in the structure is created in that water can then penetrate into the internal material of the structure through any gap between the fitment means and the structure and into the hole. This water can cause damp within the structure or damage to the material integrity of the structure.

One way in which this problem is addressed in the art is to provide a seal between the fitment means and the structure. This can be in the form of a traditional annular washer, a chemical sealant or combination thereof. Moreover, a flexible sealant membrane can be introduced to form an additional barrier to water. Chemical sealants however have the disadvantage that with time, particularly if exposed to ultra-violet radiation or mechanical stresses arising from forces on the balustrade, then they degrade chemically resulting in a weakening of the seal and possible fracturing, allowing water ingress. Traditional annular washers on the other hand provide a singie barrier to water ingress and so any incorrect fitment or corrosion of the washer will again allow water to penetrate into the structure.

The current invention seeks to obviate the above problems. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the balustrade is intended to be of the type having vertically orientated panels held in the vertical position by one or more base channels (shown as 10 in Figure 1). The base channels themselves are held above the surface of a structure to which they are attached by supports which themselves are directly secured to the surface. Between the supports and the surface is included a flexible waterproof membrane and a compression washer in accordance with the invention. A fixing means such as a bolt secures the support into a hole formed in the surface of the structure with the compression washer and the membrane combining to prevent water ingress between the support and the surface into the hole.

In more detail, Figure 1 illustrates a base channel 10. The base channel illustrated is formed of aluminium for lightness and strength and also to resist weathering. The base channel 10 has two parallel walls 11a, 11b, each having an internal ribbed structure 12 to lessen the weight of the base channel 10. The walls 11a, llb are joined at their base by a floor 13. A foot 14 extends away from the base channel 10 and allows the base channel 10 to be secured to a first embodiment of support 15, as illustrated in Figure? by means of a conventional bolt 16.

The support 15 illustrated has a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, longer along the base to spread the mass of the base channel 10 and attached panels across a larger surface area. A further bolt 17 also passes through the floor 13 into the support 15 to increase the stability of the base channel 10. The support 15 is then itself secured to a structure by means of bolts 18 whose shafts 19 pass through the body of the support 15 and into the body of the structure.

As can be seen from Figure 1, a base channel 10 is secured to a plurality of supports 15 along its length.

Figure 3 shows the base channel 10 and two supports 15 from underneath. Secured to each support 15, at either end thereof, is a compression washer 30 in accordance with the current invention. The compression washer 30 is housed about the shaft 19 of the bolt 18 (see Figure 6). On installation, a water impermeable membrane, formed of a soft flexible material, typically single-ply, is interposed between the support 15 and the structure to which the support is to be attached. The membrane includes an aperture through which the shaft 19 passes. On tightening the bolt 18 to secure the support 15 in position, the compression washer 30 is compressed against the membrane and deforms the membrane around the compression washer's shape, without cutting into the membrane. This forms a seal between the compression washer 30 and the membrane which prevents water from passing from the support through to the hole formed in the structure. The compression washer 30 pushes into the membrane material sufficiently that lateral relative movement of the support to the membrane is resisted.

In Figures 4 and 5, the details of the compression washer 30 can be seen more readily. The compression washer 30 is formed of a stainless steel material, or other suitable water-stable material known in the art. The manufacture can be via a laser cut method or other suitable method known in that art. A typical diameter of the compression washer is 45mm, although the diameter is chosen to suit the particular purpose. A range of 40 to 70mm is most likely to be suitable depending on the application and balustrade Load requirement. The thickness of the compression washer 30 is, similarly, chosen to suit the particular use and material of construction but is for example 3mm. Preferably, the thickness is greater than 2mm to avoid the compression washer 30 to ensure the compression washer 30 has sufficient strength and does not bend under the forces experienced.

Although the exemplified compression washer is illustrated having a circular shape, the outermost annular ring of the washer can have a shape other than circular, such as square, rectangular, oval etc. In addition the inner rings can also have a shape other than circular and can be concentric or otherwise. Further the rings of a washer can have different shapes to each other where so required.

The compression washer 30 can be seen to comprise 3 concentric rings 31a -31c. A ring 31 is joined to the or both of its neighbouring rings by a pair of diametrically opposed bridging sections 32a, 32b and 33a, 33b. The bridging sections 32a, 32b are offset circumferentially 900 from the bridging sections 33a, 33b. The bridging sections are advantageously set at 90 degrees to retain stability of the washer and avoid possible distortion in use if the bridging sections were in line. In use therefore, the compression washer 30 effectively provides 3 separate seals with the membrane as each of the concentric rings 31a -31c acts as a separate seal. The risk therefore of water penetration between the compression washer and the membrane is greatly reduced. It has been found to be advantageous to have 3 or more concentric rings. The radial width of a ring is preferably in the range of from 2 -3mm. The width should be sufficiently large to minimise the risk of the compression washer 30 cutting into the membrane, and less than or equal to 3mm to allow the compression washer 30 to push into the membrane sufficiently. Where a thicker membrane is used, then the compression washer 30 preferably has a thickness at the lower end of the 2 -3mm range to allow better compression of the membrane. In an optional embodiment, not illustrated, the edges of a compression washer are chamfered to minimise the risk of cutting the membrane.

Referring now to Figures 7-12, these illustrate a second embodiment of support, although the compression washer employed is as described above with reference to Figure 3 -5. The support however has a different construction to that shown in the first embodiment, as the balustrade channel has to be as low as possible to the waterproof membrane and yet still allow water to pass underneath. In this embodiment, the base channel 10 is as described above. The support 70 comprises an 'S'-shaped bracket 70. The bracket 70 comprises a horizontally deployed foot 71, from one end of which extends a vertical support plate 72. From the upper edge of the vertical support plate 72, a horizontal support plate 73 extends to support the base channel 10.

The foot 71 is secured to the structure on which the base channel 10 is mounted. Interposed between the foot 71 and the structure 74. The structure 74 comprises spacers or packers to level up the support plate 72. The base channel 10 is supported on the upper section 77 of a bracket. The bracket comprises two sections: the upper section 77 and a Lower section 78. Interposed therebetween is a membrane 76 as described above. The membrane 76 lies on the upper surface 75 of the horizontal support plate 73. The bracket is utilised to sandwich the compression washer 30 against the membrane 76 and to sandwich both of these against the support plate 73. Bolts 79 hold the sections 77, 78 and the compression washer 30 in position to either side of the horizontal support plate 73 and urge the compression washer into sealing engagement with the membrane 30.

In use therefore, a support in accordance with one of the embodiments described above is secured to the structure on which the balustrade is to be mounted. The membrane is placed in position and secured with respect to the support depending on the particular embodiment of support used. When installing the membrane, it is preferable if the membrane is warm, to improve its pliability and to minimise the risk of its cracking when torque is applied to tighten the compression washer against the membrane and to enable the compression washer to key into the membrane. When the conditions are cold therefore, heat is preferably applied to soften the membrane. When the balustrade is to be applied to a cold roof in which any insulating Layers of the roof are between rafters, the membrane can be applied directly to the concrete roof and the compression washer mounted to the underside of the fixing bracket. This allows water to pass under the base channel and on top of the waterproof membrane. On the other hand, where the roof isa warm roof, where insulation is applied on top of an existing roof surface, then the waterproof membrane is applied on top of the roof. However, such surfaces are not strong enough to support a balustrade and so steel work is first installed to bring the level of the base channel up to the Line of the waterproofing. The compression washer is also installed on top of this steelwork and waterproof membrane in accordance with the particular embodiment When the support is in position, the base channel can be secured to the support.

Claims

Claims 1. A compression washer, the compression washer comprising a plurality of nested annular rings, each annular ring being connected to the or both neighbouring annular rings by a bridging element.
2. A compression washer according to Claim 1, wherein the width of an annular ring is from 2 -3 mm.
3. A compression washer according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the thickness of an annular ring is from 2 -3 mm.
4. A compression washer according to any preceding Claim, wherein each of the annular rings has the same shape.
5. A compression washer according to any preceding Claim, wherein the annular rings are concentric.
6. A compression washer according to any preceding Claim, wherein the shape of an annular ring is selected from a square, rectangle, circular, or oval.
7. A compression washer according to Claim 6, wherein the shape of an annular ring is circular.
8. A compression washer according to Claims 1 -6, wherein a corner of a compression washer, where present, is rounded.
9. A compression washer according to any preceding Claim, wherein the edges of the compression washer are chamfered.
10. A method of installing the base of a balustrade, the method comprising the steps of Locating a waterproof membrane between the balustrade and the surface to which the balustrade is to be attached, interposing a compression washer in accordance with the above between the balustrade and the waterproof material, securing the balustrade in position such that the compression washer is urged into sealing engagement with the waterproof membrane.