WO2004109038A1

WO2004109038A1 - Device for attaching the planks of a railing

Info

Publication number: WO2004109038A1
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albertus Johannes Bettink
Original assignee: Albertus Johannes Bettink
Priority date: 2003-06-10
Filing date: 2004-06-10
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Also published as: NL1023633C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for coupling together railing planks to be placed on edge. The device comprises a first vertically elongated space, open only at one side for receiving a vertically placed end of a first plank and a second, also vertically elongated space for receiving a portion that is located between the ends of a vertically placed second plank.

Description

Device for attaching the planks of a railing.

The invention relates to a device for coupling together railing planks to be placed on edge.

Such a device is known as safety structure for the prevention of falls on construction and building sites. With respect to the necessary protection of workers and passers-by, fall-prevention safety devices are employed on the building site. These safety devices are used, for example, for the demarcation of holes in the floor and serve to prevent people from falling through. Often a number of planks are simply placed upright abutting to each other and fixed together with nails or the like. In connection with work in progress, the railing frequently has to be removed and placed anew, so that reattaching the planks after the railing has been placed anew, is regularly neglected. This results in an unsafe situation.

The use of clamp railings to which the planks are attached is also well known on building sites. The disadvantage of these clamp railings is that they are not always applicable. An important practical disadvantage is moreover, that the assembly and disassembly of the planks requires the performance of many actions, so that the necessary employment of workers makes it costly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device affording a reliable railing. A further object is that the thus produced railing can be placed, removed and placed anew in a simple manner. A further object of the invention is to provide a device for coupling two planks, which is unaided carried by one of the planks.

To this end the device according to the invention possesses a first vertically elongated space, open only at one side for receiving a vertically placed end of the first plank and a second, also vertically elongated space for receiving a portion that is located between the ends of a vertically placed second plank. It should be observed, that the Japanese Patent Application JP 10 102766 A and the French Patent Application FR 2 337 238 A disclose coupling devices for the construction of kick-edge protections, that is to say protections that are placed close to the floor and that prevent material from being pushed over an edge. These kick-edge protections are not functional as safety measure to prevent people from falling, and have the disadvantage that the coupling devices do not stay attached to the planks of the kick-edge unaided, so that at the first or subsequent placement, means have to be used in order to aid fastening the coupling device to one of the planks. Furthermore, these known coupling devices are not useful for coupling railing planks that are placed crossways to one another. To employ the device according to the invention, the end of the first plank is pushed into the first space, which is open at one side only making the same self- supporting, whereafter the second plank can be placed into the second space without further aid. This is a very simple manner of coupling two planks to one another to form a railing. It is not only very simple to realise this coupling but it is also very easy to take it apart again and to place it anew. A further advantage of the present invention is that when disassembling the railing, the device may stay attached to one of the planks so that when recoupling two planks to one another, on the same site or another site, less time is taken up. Another advantage is that the risk of losing parts of the railing during transport is smaller.

The device according to the present invention is used for the construction of a railing that serves as fall- prevention safety device and prevents workers falling over an edge formed, for example, by a hole in a floor. To this end the planks are placed at some distance from the floor, for example, hip- or breast-high. Desirably, the two spaces are positioned at a predetermined angle in relation to each other. This may preferably be realised by means of an adjustable hinge that can be fixed with a bolt/nut connection. In this way, due to the angle, the railing can form a very stable construction. The angle between the first and second space may have any value, but as a rule an angle of 90° is preferred. In this manner it is easy to realise railings of various dimensions and shapes.

For example, railings having two sides for use in corners, railings having three sides or railings having four sides (to completely surround a hole) may be formed. Of course, railings of a different shape can also be realised using the device according to the present invention.

The spaces in the device may also be positioned such that the planks that are pushed into the holding member have the same longitudinal orientation. This may be relevant if one wishes to couple two planks in each other' s extended direction or if one wishes to fasten two planks next to each other.

To couple two planks to each other, the device does not need to be fastened to the planks. However, if the device is fastened to one or both planks, the obtained coupling is firmer and operationally safer. An option is, for example, to fasten the first plank to the device and to push the second plank without fastening into the second space. When disassembling the railing, the second plank can simply be removed from the second space and the first plank can remain fastened to the device. Replacing occurs in reverse order, in the same simple manner. Fastening may take place in any manner commonly used in the building industry, for example, by clamping or by using other fastening means, such as nails and screws. In its standard form, the device comprises a first space in which the cross-cut end of a first plank is received and a second space in which a lengthways portion or one of the cross-cut ends of a second plank is received. The embodiment in which both spaces are designed for receiving the cross-cut end of a plank may in some situations be to advan- tage, for example, if it is necessary to avoid ends of the plank projecting beyond the railing. This considerably reduces the risk of someone bumping into (a part of) the railing, thereby furthering the safety of the railing. Below the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of a number of embodiments of the device according to the invention. If in the various figures of the drawing the same reference numerals are used, said reference numerals always relate to corresponding components.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows the device according to Figure 1 in the assembled condition.

Figure 4 shows a top view of a second "divided" embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the parts comprising the first and second space are posi- tioned at an angle of 90° in relation to each other.

Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the device, in which the parts comprising the first and sec- ond space are placed at an angle of 180° in relation to each other.

Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a top view of the second embodiment of the device, in which the parts comprising the first and second space are placed at an angle of 225° in relation to each other.

Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 8. Figure 10 shows a top view of the second embodiment of the device, in which various angles are shown in which the parts comprising the first and second space may be positioned in relation to each other.

Figure 11 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 12 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 11. Figure 13 shows a top view of the embodiment of Figure 11, in which various angles are shown in which the parts comprising the first and second space may be positioned in relation to each other. Figure 14 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

A first embodiment of the device 1 according to the present invention is shown in the Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment the device 1 comprises a framework 21 made of, for example, wood, plastic or metal, forming a first space 20. The first space 20 is open on one side, and may therefore also be described as a cage, a housing or a body. A first plank 22 (see Fig. 3) is introduced in its longitudinal direction into the first space 20, with the inner walls of the first space 20 being adjacent to the sides of the first plank 22. In this way the device remains attached to the plank 22 of its own accord. At the cross-cut side of the framework 21, a holding member 31 is provided forming the second space 30. The holding member 31 may be designed such that, for example, the second space 30 is a slot into which a second plank 38 (see Fig. 3) can be inserted. Near the first space 20 the frame 21 further comprises one or two feed-through openings 27, through which nails or screws and the like may be driven into the first plank 22, so that in this manner the first plank 22 is secured to the device. The holding member 31 forming the second space 30 is also provided with a feed- through opening 27 through which a nail or a screw or the like may be driven into the second plank 38, so as to secure the second plank 38 to the device.

To assemble the railing at the building site using the device according to the first embodiment shown in the Figs. 2 - 3, first of all the first plank 22 is inserted into the first space 20.^' The first plank 22 is preferably secured to the framework 21 of the device by driving one or several nails or the like through one or both of the feed-through openings 27 into the first plank 22. Subsequently, the second plank 38 is placed into the holding member 31, after which the second plank 38 can also preferably be fastened to the device 1 by driving a nail or the like through feed-through opening 27 into the second plank 38. For placing the railing planks at a specific distance from the floor, the planks may, for example, be placed on hooks or into slots that are fastened to balusters (not shown in the drawing) . The hooks' or slots may be provided at various levels, for example, at hip- or breast-height. The constructed railing may be extended with further planks and further devices according to the invention, so as to form a railing that can be placed around a hole in a floor. If the railing has to be temporarily disassembled to be assembled again soon thereafter, only the optional fasten- ing (nails and the like) is removed from the second plank 38. Said second plank 38 can then be removed from the holding member 31 while the device remains fixed to the first plank 22. When replacing, the second plank 38 is again placed into the holding member 31 and secured with a nail or screw and the like.

If desired, one or several changes may be made to this first embodiment. For example, the material from which it is made may vary, or the type of fastening between the device and the planks may be modified. It is also possible, for example, to modify the position and the number of feed- through openings in the device so as to adapt the device to the specific requirements of the user. The framework 21 forming the first space 20 and the holding member 31 forming the second space 30, may at their top be open or closed and the orientation in which the two spaces 20, 30 are positioned in relation to each other may be varied.

The Figures 4 to 10 show a second embodiment of the device, wherein the angle formed by the two spaces 20, 30 in relation to each other can be varied in the horizontal direc- tion. To this end the device 1 is provided with a hinge 2 by means of which the angle between the elements 3 and 4 of the device 1 can be adjusted. The Figures 4 - 10 show the device 1 with the second space 30 being enclosed on four sides and the hinge 2 is provided between the two spaces 20, 30. The second space 30 may also be enclosed on three sides, whereby a slot is created which facilitates the positioning of the second plank. The hinge 2 is formed by a through-opening at the point where the elements 3 and 4 overlap, through which a bolt is driven that has to be secured with a nut in the device according to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 - 10.

Figure 10 shows various horizontal angles at which the elements 3 and 4 of the device 1 may be fixed. Figures 11 to 13 show a third embodiment of the device 1, in which the angle formed by the orientation of the two spaces in relation to one another can be varied in the horizontal direction. In this third embodiment, the pivoting point 2 of the device is located at one side of the two spaces 20, 30 (extended embodiment) . This increases the number of angles to which the device can be rotated and fixed. Figure 13 shows various horizontal angles at which the elements 3 and 4 of the device 1 according to the invention can be fixed. The embodiments shown in the Figures 4 to 13 allow planks to be coupled together at various angles in relation to each other. In this way not only rectangular railings can be formed but also railings of a different shape.

Figure 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention in which the second space in relation to the first space, can be tilted from the vertical. This embodiment is especially useful for providing railings along holes on a slope, such as in staircases.

Figure 15 shows a fifth embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. In this fifth embodiment, whose second space 30 is enclosed on four sides, first of all the second plank 38 is pushed into the second space 30 and optionally secured with a screw or nail. Then the first plank 22 is introduced into the first space 20 and likewise option- ally secured with a screw or nail.

The above description concerns an elucidation to the invention by way of a few embodiments of the device according to the present invention, without the intention of limiting the present invention thereto. The protective scope merited by the invention is determined exclusively by the appended claims .

Claims

1. A device (1) for coupling together railing planks to be placed on edge, characterised in that the same possesses a first vertically elongated space (20), open only at one side for receiving a vertically placed end of a first plank (22) and a second, also vertically elongated space (30) for receiving a portion that is located between the ends of a vertically placed second plank (38).

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first space (20) and the second space (30) are po- sitioned at a predetermined angle in relation to each other .

3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the angle is adjustable.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the angle can be fixed preferably by means of a hinge (2) that can be fixed with a bolt/nut connection.

5. A device according to one of the claims 1-4, characterised in that the same can be fastened to the first plank (22) .

6. A device according to one of the claims 1-4, characterised in that near the first space (20) the same comprises at least one first feed-through opening (27) for nails, screws and the like.

7. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the same can be attached unaided to the second plank (38) .

8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that near the second space (30) the same comprises at least one second feed-through opening (37) for nails, screws and the like.

9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second space (30) is designed for receiving the end of the second plank (38) .