NZ525600A - Base to support upright sheet using clamping action to retain the sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A base (1) for mounting a rigid sheet element (2) uprightly on edge on a substrate (11). In particular, the base (1) is for mounting a series of glass sheets uprightly for use as a balustrade or similar barrier. The base (1) is fabricated as a metallic extrusion to have two elongated box sections elements (3,4). The elongated elements (3,4) are joined at their lower edges, as at (6), to form a gap (5) there between. A frangible element (7) is provided at the top of the gap (5), its removal being required to mount a sheet (2) as described below. The width of the gap (5) is marginally wider that the thickness of a rigid sheet (2) to be mounted therein. Along the outer lower edges of each of the elongated elements (3,4) a downwardly directed rib (8) is provided. A detent projecting rib (9) is provided beneath the gap (5). The detent projection (9) stands less proud of the lower side of the base (1) that the outer two projecting ribs (8). In use, mounting bolts/nuts (10, 13) anchored in the substrate (11) are inserted upwardly through the lower sides of the elongated elements (3,4) to "tacked" fix the base (1) to the substrate (11). A rigid sheet (2) is mounted on edge in the gap (5) and the mounting bolts/nuts (10, 13) then fully tightened. In so doing the elongated elements (3, 4) are tilted inwardly about the outer ribs (8) to grip the sheet (2). The detent rib (9) acts to limit the extent of tilting. Gaskets (14) may be provided in the gap (5).

Description

P.F. 5 Code 1050 Fee: $250 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 No. 525600 Priority Date: 1 May 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION BASE TO SUPPORT UPRIGHT SHEET We, Glass Relate Hardware Limited, a New Zealand company of 5 Tolich Place, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: intellectual property office of n.z. 26 APR r1ceivi& N1577nzfinal This invention relates to a base to support an upright rigid sheet or panel and in particular to a base for supporting glass sheets in forming a balustrade or similar barrier.

Balustrades and other similar barriers formed from sheet glass are well known. Traditionally they involve a post and rail structure supporting the glass sheets. In some 5 cases posts only are used to thus avoid a balustrade rail obstructing a view. Also, it is known to provide only an elongate base adapted for fixing to a substrate and incorporating a channel in which the lower edge section of glass panels are fixed with grouting. This approach can avoid both rails and posts however considerable skill is required with such an installation. For example, it is necessary to use a non shrinkable grout to provide a firm 10 hold on the glass and achieving this consistently can prove difficult. Also the grout needs to be protected from the weather in particular rain necessating a capping or sealing thereover. Even then with the passage of time the grout tends to leach out which can lead to unwanted discolouration on adjacent elements. Further with age the grout can tend to degrade and consequential loss to the integrity of the installation. An intention of this invention is to 15 provide a base support to support a sheet uprightly as aforesaid which at least partly overcomes these drawbacks or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a base to support a rigid sheet uprightly broadly comprising a pair of elongate members each having an upper side and a lower side adapted to be spaced adjacently apart to receive, substantial in abutment 20 therewith, an edge section of a rigid sheet therebetween, the elongate members both being adapted for fixing, from above their upper sides and with their lower sides substantially in contact with, to a substrate in a manner that also tilts them toward one another as to impinge onto and grip the sheet element.

'ACTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z.

I 2 JUL 2004 RECEIVED N1577nzfinal 3 According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the box sections are joined together adjacent lower sides thereof to define the spacing therebetween as a top open gap.

According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the 5 preceding paragraph wherein a downward projection is provided along the outer lower edge of each elongate element whereby downward fixing pressure to the elongate elements will tilt them inwardly about the projections to provide the required impinging influence.

According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in any one of the three immediately preceding paragraphs wherein the elongate elements are 10 adapted to receive, at longitudinally spaced apart intervals, fixing means substantially uprightly through at least a lower section thereof to mount the base to a substrate.

According to a fifth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in any one of the three immediately preceding paragraphs wherein the base is formed by a metal extrusion.

According to a sixth aspect of this invention there is provided a base as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a frangible element is provided to bridge the open top of the gap to prevent the gap collapsing during manufacture, removal of the frangible element being required to form the gap.

In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings 20 wherein; intellectual property office of n.z. 12, JUL 2004 received N1577nzfinal Fig 1 is a cross-sectional view of the base, and Figs 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the base as typically used.

In a preferred embodiment a base 1 suitable for supporting a series of glass sheets 2 uprightly on edge to form a balustrade is described. A pair of elongate members, preferably 5 box sections, 3, 4 are preferably fabricated as part of a unitary metal, preferably aluminium, extrusion. The box sections 3, 4 are adjacently spaced apart to have a gap 5 therebetween of a width commensurate to the thickness of a sheet 2 to be mounted by the base 1. To that end the lower sides of the box sections 3, 4 are joined by an integral web element 6 and their upper sides by a frangible web element 7, the web elements 6, 7 bridging the gap 5. 10 The frangible web element 7 maintains the integrity of the extrusion during manufacture and, in use, is removed to enable, as depicted in Figs. 2 and 3, an edge section of a sheet 2 to be inserted into the gap 5.

A downward projection in the nature of a rib 8 is provided along each outer edge of each box section 3, 4. Preferably a detent projection 9 is also provided on the lower side of the 15 extrusion 6 beneath the gap 5. Preferably the detent projection 9 is in the form of an enlargement of the integral web 6 material and stands marginally less proud of the lower sides of the elongate elements 3, 4 than do the rib projections 8. The purpose of the projections 8 and the detent 9 is described below.

The box sections 3, 4 are adapted to receive fixing elements, at longitudinally spaced apart 20 intervals, such as anchor bolts/nuts 10/13 or screws (not depicted) through at least their lower sides to fasten the base 1, with the lower sides of the box sections 3,4 substantially in intellectual property office of n.z. 1 2 JUL 2004 received N1577nzfinal contact with, to a substrate 11. Preferably apertures 12 are provided through the upper and lower sides of the elongate elements 3, 4 at intervals to align with in situ upright anchor bolts 11. The apertures 12a in the upper sides are oversized to provide access from above the upper sides for fixing tools to the nuts 13. Typically the substrate 11 comprises a deck 5 or terrace, to which the base 1 is fastened to support the glass sheets 2 as a balustrade.

Particularly where the base 1 is for supporting glass sheet 2, gap 5 is adapted to receive gaskets 14 therein between the sides of the gap 5 and the sheet 2. To that end grooves 15 may be provided in the walls of the gap 5 in which enlarged edges 14a of elongate gaskets 14 can be mounted. Secondary gaskets or seals 16 may also be provided at the upper junction of a sheet 2 with the base 1. Preferably the outer and upper faces of the base 1 are provided with longitudinal grooves 17 to enable separate covers 18 such as matching metal extrusions to be clip fitted thereon, ribs 17a engaging in grooves 17, to provide an aesthetic finish and in particular hide the fixing apertures 12a and the bolts 11.

In use lengths of the base 1 can be "tacked" in situ by part insertion/tightening of the 15 bolts/nuts 10/13. Preferably at this stage the frangible web element 7 is removed to open the top of the gap 5. Gaskets 14 are mounted therein as may be a packer cushion 18 prior to insertion of a lower edge section of a glass sheet 2 into the gap 5. The fastening bolts/nuts 10/13 can then be tightened to secure the base 1 to the substrate 11. In so doing the box sections 3, 4 will be tilted inwardly about the outer rib 8 projections to impinge onto and 20 grip the sheet 2 through the gaskets 14. The extent of tilting may be limited by the central detent projection 9 which will eventually "bottom" on the substrate 11. Covers 18 can then be clip fitted to the base 1 and the gasket seals 16 then inserted as depicted in Fig. 3. intellectual property office of n.z. '12 JUL 2004 RECEIVED N1577nzfinal 6

Claims (9)

1. A base to support a rigid sheet uprightly comprising a pair of elongate members each having an upper side and a lower side adapted to be spaced adjacently apart to receive, substantial in abutment therewith, an edge section of a rigid sheet therebetween, the 5 elongate members both being adapted for fixing, from above their upper sides and with their lower sides substantially in contact with, to a substrate in a manner that also tilts them toward one another as to impinge onto and grip the sheet element.

2. A base as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate elements are joined together adjacent lower sides thereof to define the spacing therebetween as a top open gap. 10

3. A base as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a downward projection is provided along the outer lower edge of each elongate element whereby downward fixing pressure to the elongate elements will tilt them inwardly about the projections to provide the required impinging influence.

4. A base as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 inclusive wherein the elongate elements 15 are extruded metallic box sections.

5. A base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate elements are adapted to receive, at longitudinally spaced apart intervals, fixing means substantially uprightly through at least a lower section thereof to mount the base to a substrate.

6. A base as claimed in any one of the claims 3-5 inclusive wherein a third 20 downwardly directed detent projection is provided, the third projection being positioned intellectual property office of n.z. 12 JUL 2004 received N1577nzfinal 7 centrally beneath the gap and standing less proud of the lower edge of the elongate elements than the two downwardly directed projections provided on the outer edges of the elongate elements, the detent projection limiting the extent of inward tilting of the elongate elements.

7. A base as claimed in any one of the claims 2-6 inclusive wherein a frangible element 5 is provided to bridge the open top of the gap to prevent the gap collapsing during manufacture, removal of the frangible element being required to form the gap.

8. A base as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each elongate element is adapted to retain a gasket between the elongate element and a sheet mounted thereby and to receive a cap over the upper and outer edges thereof. 10

9. A base substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. GLASS/RBLRTE HARDWARE LIMITED By theim^Etorneys 15 NEWNHAM&CO wd of gums intellectual property office of n.z. 12 JUL 2004 received NI577nzfinal ABSTRACT 5 A base 1 for mounting a rigid sheet element 2 uprightly on edge on a substrate 11. In particular, the base 1 is for mounting a series of glass sheets uprightly for use as a balustrade or similar barrier. The base 1 is fabricated as a metallic extrusion to have two elongate box-section elements 3, 4. The elongate elements 3, 4 are joined at their lower edges, as at 6, to form a gap 5 therebetween. A frangible element 7 is provided at the top of 10 the gap 5 its removal being required to mount a sheet 2 as described below. The width of the gap 5 is marginally wider than the thickness of a rigid sheet 2 to be mounted therein. Along the outer lower edges of each of the elongate elements 3, 4 a downwardly directed rib 8 is provided. A detent projecting rib 9 is provided beneath the gap 5. The detent projection 9 stands less proud of the lower side of the base 1 than the outer two projecting 15 ribs 8. In use, mounting bolts/nuts 10, 13 anchored in the substrate 11 are inserted upwardly through the lower sides of the elongate elements 3, 4 to "tacked" fix the base 1 to the substrate 11. A rigid sheet 2 is mounted on edge in the gap 5 and the mounting bolts/nuts 10, 13 then fully tightened. In so doing the elongate elements 3, 4 are tilted inwardly about the outer ribs 8 to grip the sheet 2. The detent rib 9 acts to limit the extent 20 of the tilting. Gaskets 14 maybe provided in the gap 5. intellectual property office OF N.Z. 12 JUL 2004 received