WO2004015219A1

WO2004015219A1 - Post and rail assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2004015219A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Stojanovic
Original assignee: Frank Stojanovic
Priority date: 2002-08-08
Filing date: 2003-08-01
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: AU2002950655A0

Abstract

A post (14) to be releasably secured to a concrete slab or flight of stairs, the post (14) includes an upper hollow tubular portion (75) that telescopically receives a lower portion (77). Extending between the upper portion (75) and lower portion (77) is a threaded shaft (20) that is actuated to cause movement between the upper portion (75) and lower portion (77) to aid in securing the post (14) to the supporting structure. The upper portion (75) is also provided with a threaded shaft (21) and the lower portion (77) with a clamp member (18) between which the concrete slab of flight of stairs is secured.

Description

POST AND RAIL ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to removable rail and post assemblies which may be particularly used on stairs and elevated floors of a building under construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction industry typically rails and fences provided for the purposes of inhibiting workers falling from elevated surfaces consist of an assembly of scaffolding and/or timber structures. It is also not uncommon for mesh to be secured by various means to these fence and rail assemblies.

The abovementioned rail assemblies are generally time consuming to erect and dismantle and therefore are expensive from a labour point of view. Still further frequently the materials cannot be reused.

There is disclosed in the following patent specifications rail and post assemblies:

The various post and rail assemblies disclosed in each of these documents fails to provide a post that will securely engage a supporting structure while being height adjustable, and that provides a relatively rigid assembly.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is firstly disclosed herein a post to be removably secured to a supporting structure and being adapted to support at least one rail, said post including: an elongated body to extend generally upwardly from the supporting structure, the body including an upper hollow portion and a lower portion telescopically received within the upper portion; a fist clamp member, said first member being mounted on said upper portion and adjustably fixed thereto so as to be securable to the upper portion at a desired longitudinal location along the upper portion; a second clamp member, said second member being mounted on the lower portion and positioned relative to the first clamp member so that the supporting structure can be clamped therebetween; an adjustment member operatively associated with the first clamp member and second clamp member to cause movement therebetween to clamp the supporting structure between the clamp members; and wherein the first clamp member includes a clamp part, the clamp part being operable to apply a clamping force to said supporting structure. Preferably, said first clamp part is a threaded shaft threadably engaged with a passage of said first clamp member and rotatable to apply a clamping force to said supporting structure.

Preferably, said adjustment member includes a threaded shaft attached to the upper and lower portions and operatively associated therewith so that upon rotation of the shaft the upper and lower portions move relative to each other.

Preferably, said upper portion has a passage that receives said lower portion, said passage having a transverse cross section of "I" configuration, and wherein said lower portion has a cross section of "I" configuration so as to be complimentary to the cross section of said passage so as to slide therein.

There is further disclosed herein a post to be removably secured to a supporting structure and being adapted to support at least one rail, said post including: an elongated body to extend generally upward from this supporting structure; a clamp means fixed to the body to releasably secure the body to the supporting structure; and wherein said body includes an upper tubular portion providing a longitudinal passage, and a lower portion telescopically received within the upper portion, said passage having a transverse cross section of "I" configuration with said lower portion having a transverse cross section of "I" transverse cross section so as to be complimentary with the cross section of said passage so as to slidably received therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Preferred forms of the present invention will now describe by way of example which references the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a set of stairs and a rail and post assembly secured thereto;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a balcony and a post and rail assembly secured thereto;

Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the post employed with the stairs of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the post of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of a post employed with a balcony of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a schematic end elevation of the post of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic elevation of a clamp employed to secured mesh to the post and rail assembly of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a rail employed in the post and rail assemblies of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 9 is a schematic further elevation of the rail of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of portion of the rail of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a schematic end elevation of a further portion of the rail of Figure 8; and

Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a modification of the rail and post assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a schematic isometric view of a post and mounting therefor; Figure 14 is a schematic side elevation of a mounting for a post; Figure 15 is a schematic side elevation of portion of the post of Figure 12; Figure 16 is a schematic side elevation of a post to engage an edge of a concrete slab; and

Figure 17 is a series of end elevations of various sections employed in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

In Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a set of stairs 10. The stairs 10 include tread surfaces 11 and an opposing underneath surface

12 that is inclined to the horizontal. Secured to the stairs 10 is a post and rail assembly 13 including posts 14 supporting rails 15. The assembly 10 is removable, for example the stairs 10 may be part of a building under construction.

Figures 3 and 4 schematically depict one of the posts 14. Each post 14 includes and elongated body 16 that may be tubular in form. Fixed to the lower end of the post 16 is a shaft 17 that is generally circular in transverse cross section. Movably mounted on the shaft 17 is a first clamp member 18. The clamp member 18 has a circular sleeve 19 slightly mounted on the shaft 17 so that the angular disposition of the clamp member 18 adjusts to the inclination of the surface 12. The clamp member 18 includes a clamp plate 20 that engages the surface 12.

Fixed to the body 16 is a second clamp member 21 which in this embodiment is a threaded shaft. The clamp member 21 is threadably engaged in a bracket 22 so that upon rotation of the clamp member 21 the clamp member 21 moves relative to the clamp member 18 so that the first clamp member 18 securely engages the surface 12 while the second clamp member 21 securely engages the adjacent surface 11.

Secured to the body 16 are one or more rail supports 23, each of which includes a hollow 24 and/or a recess 25 which co-operates with threaded clamp pins 26 to secure the rails 15 thereto. Typically the rails 15 would project into an associated way of a hollows 24 or recesses 25.

The body 16 includes an upper body portion 27 and a lower body portion 28 telescopically received within the portion 27. The lower portion 28 would have secured to it the first clamp member 18 while the second clamp member 21 is secured to the upper portion 27. Extending between the portions 27 and 28 is a threaded adjustment shaft 29 at upon rotation causes relative movement between the portions 27 and 28 to aid in securing the post 14 to the stairs 10 by causing relative movement between clamp members 18 and 21. This arrangement also enables height adjustment of the supports 23. The shaft 29 is threadably engaged in a nut 30 fixed to the portion 27. The lower end of the adjustment shaft 29 maybe threadably engaged or rotatably supported in a lower housing 31 fixed to the lower portion 28.

The rails 15 are further depicted in Figures 8 to 11. As can be seen each rail 15 includes an inner rail member 40 telescopically received within a tubular outer rail member 41. The outer rail member 41 has secured within it end stops 42 secured in position by means of rivets 43. In the inner rail member 40 is provided with a longitudinally extending recess 44 that accommodates the end stops 42. Accordingly the inner member 40 can slide relatively to the outer member 41. However, the inner member 40 has a stop member 45 secured in position by means of a threaded fastener 46. The stop member 45 abuts the stop member 42 to define the two extreme positions of the inner member 40 relative to the outer member 42. The two extreme positions are shown in Figures 8 and 9.

In Figures 5 and 6 there is schematically depicted a post 50. The post 50 would be typically used with the raised platform or balcony 51 as shown in Figure 2, that is a supporting structure that is not inclined. The post 50 includes an elongated body 52 to which there is fixed a first clamp member 53. Adjustably attached to the body 52 is a second clamp member 54. The second clamp member 54 includes a bracket 55 secured to the body 52 by means of a pin 56 that passes through a selected one of the appages 57 to secure the bracket 55 in position. Threadably engaged with the bracket 55 is a threaded shaft 58 that co-operates with the clamp member 53 to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the platform 51. Also secured to the body 52 are rail supports 59 by means of pins 60. The pins engage a selected one of the appages 57. Accordingly the location of the rail supports 59 is adjustable. Each rail support 59 includes a hollow 61 and/or recess 62 that receive an associated rail 15. Again a threaded pin 63 is used to secure the associated rail 15 in position. Each rail support 59 includes a collar 71 through which the body 52 passes, and which as a passage 72 to receive the pin 60.

If so required mesh sheet material 64 may be secured to the rails 15 by means of clamps 65. Each clamp 65 includes a clamp body 66 that includes a sleeve 67 through which associated one of the rails 15 projects. Attached to the clamp body 66 is a mesh clamp portion 68. The clamp portion

68 co-operates with a recess 69 into which the mess 64 projects and is retained therein by means of projections 70 of the portion 68. In this respect is should be appreciated that the portion 68 is resiliently urged into contact with the mesh 64.

In Figure 12 there is schematically depicted a modification of the post and rail assembly 13. In this embodiment the rail 15 includes two telescopically associated elongated tubular members 71 and 72.

The post 14 includes a first tubular member 75 that has longitudinally extending flanges 73 and transverse webs 74 cooperating to provide a hollow 76 of "I" transverse configuration. Received within the hollow 76 in a telescopic manner is a lower member 77 that has longitudinally extending flanges 78 joined by a transverse web 79. The member 77 has a transverse cross section complimentary with the cross section of the hollow 76 so that the member 77 slides therein.

The post 14 has adjacent its lower end the clamp member 21, adjustment shaft 29 and associated nut 30 and lower housing 31 as well as clamp member 18 so as to be engageable with the tread surface 11 and underneath surface 12.

The member 73 is also mountable by means of a mounting 76 including a plate 77 having apertures 78 through which fasteners would pass to secure the mounting 76 to a concrete slab. Fixed to the plate 77 and extending upwardly therefrom is a socket 79 that is the same configuration as the member 75 so that an associated member 80, having a configuration consistent with the member 77, may be slidably received within the socket 79.

If so required, the clamp member 21 may be provided with a foot 81 to engage the tread surface 11. The foot 81 may include a base 82 with a socket 83 that receives the lower end of the member 21. The socket 83 would have passage 84 through which a threaded fastener would pass to engage within a groove 85 of the member 21 so that the member 21 is captively located with respect to the base 82. A resilient pad 86 may be secured to the lower surface of the base 82.

In Figure 16 there is schematically depicted a modification of the post 50. In this embodiment a post 86 includes an elongated body 87 that has the same configuration as 5 the member 77 so as to provide a transverse cross section of a "I" configuration. Slidably mounted on the body 87 are collars 88 that have the same configuration as the member 75 so as to cooperate with the member 87. The member 87 and collars 88 have apertures 89 and 90 through which pin or fasteners pass to secure the collars 88 in a desired position along the body 87. Accordingly, the collars 88 are positioned until a selected one or both it) of the apertures 90 align with an aperture or apertures 89 and the pin or threaded fastener passed therethrough. Attached to the collars 88 are rail supports 91 through which rails 92 pass. Each rail support 91 has a threaded fastener 93 that threadably engages the associated rail support 91 so that upon operation of the threaded fastener 93 the associated rail 92 may be secured in position. is The post 86 also has a first clamp member 94 that includes a collar 95 and flange

96 that threadably receives a threaded shaft 97. The collar 95 has the same configuration as the member 75 and has apertures 97 that receive a pin or threaded fastener to secure the first clamp member 94 in a desired location along the body 87. Operatively associated with the first clamp member 94 is a second clamp member 98 including a collar 99 and 0 clamp flange 100. Again the collar 99 has the same cross section as the member 75 and has apertures 101 through which pins or threaded fasteners pass to secure the collar 99 in a desired position on the body 87. The clamp members 96 and 98 engage the upper and lower surfaces 102 of the concrete slab 103 so as to secure the post 86 thereto. In operation of the post 50 the collars 95 and 99 are located in a desired position and the post 5 86 positioned so that the slab 103 is between the clamp members 96 and 98. The threaded rod 97 is then operated to securely engage the upper surface 102.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A post to be removably secured to a supporting structure and being adapted to support at least one rail, said post including: an elongated body to extend generally upwardly from the supporting structure, the body including an upper hollow portion and a lower portion telescopically received within the upper portion; a fist clamp member, said first member being mounted on said upper portion and adjustably fixed thereto so as to be securable to the upper portion at a desired longitudinal location along the upper portion; a second clamp member, said second member being mounted on the lower portion and positioned relative to the first clamp member so that the supporting structure can be clamped therebetween; an adjustment member operatively associated with the first clamp member and second clamp member to cause movement therebetween to clamp the supporting structure between the clamp members; and wherein the first clamp member includes a clamp part, the clamp part being operable to apply a clamping force to said supporting structure.

2. The post of claim 1 wherein, said clamp part is a threaded shaft threadably engaged with a passage of said first clamp member and rotatable to apply a clamping force to said supporting structure.

3. The post of claim 1 or 2 wherein, said adjustment member includes a threaded shaft attached to the upper and lower portions and operatively associated therewith so that upon rotation of the shaft the upper and lower portions move relative to each other.

4. The post of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein, said upper portion has a passage that receives said lower portion, said passage having a transverse cross section of "I" configuration, and wherein said lower portion has a cross section of "I" configuration so as to be complimentary to the cross section of said passage so as to slide therein.

5. A post to be removably secured to a supporting structure and being adapted to support at least one rail, said post including: an elongated body to extend generally upwardly from this supporting structure; a clamp means fixed to the body to releasably secure the body to the supporting structure; and wherein said body includes an upper tubular portion providing a longitudinal passage, and a lower portion telescopically received within the upper portion, said passage having a transverse cross section of "I" configuration with said lower portion having a transverse cross section of "I" transverse cross section complimentary with the cross section of said passage so as to slidably received therein.

6. A post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, or Figures 5 and 6, or Figure 12 or Figure 16.