WO2006098627A1

WO2006098627A1 - Railing system for stairways, verandas, balconies, terraces and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2006098627A1
Application number: PCT/NO2006/000081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arvid Borgersen; Sverre HÅRSTADSTRAND
Original assignee: Miljø Stål As
Priority date: 2005-03-15
Filing date: 2006-03-06
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: NO20051330D0; EP1866501A1; EP1866501A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a railing system (11) intended to be fixed to a building structure (10) , such as stairways, balconies, verandas, terraces and the like. The railing system comprises posts (12) of metal, such as for example, but not exclusively steel, stainless steel or aluminium, and one or more infill panels (13) , intended to be arranged between two adjacent posts (12) and to be rigidly fixed to said posts (12) . Each post (12), preferably at its lower end, is intended to be fixed to the building structure (10), said posts (12) being tubular, preferably with a quadrilateral or oval cross section and having a closed box like profile. Each post (12) comprises a load bearing main structure (17) with a U-shaped profile with a mainly open side and a removable cover plate (18), which when assembled, covers the open side of the main structure (17) . The load bearing main structure (17) and/or the cover plate (18) on two opposite sides are provided with openings (23) for receipt, fixing and locking of the end of the rails (14) on the stairway infill panels (13) to the posts (12) by means of the clamping force provided by the cover plate (17) or by any other relevant means of fixation.

Description

RAILING SYSTEM FOR STAIRWAYS, VERANDAS, BALCONIES, TERRACES AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates generally to hand rail and railing solutions for stairs, verandas, balconies, terraces and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a post, column or support system for such railing solutions, wherein the railing comprises posts fixed to a building structure and infill panels intended to be placed between and fixed to two adjacent posts. The infill panel may be of any suitable type, configured with a pair of top and bottom rails, each of which forming laterally extending arms or similar attachment means for attachment to the posts. It has previously been known to construct railing of posts or columns and with intermediate infill panels tailor made for the particular site where the railing is to be installed. Such railings are produced as prefabricated modules intended to be installed in situ and fixed for example by bolting to for example a concrete wall and/or concrete stairs or floor. Since such solutions to large extent principally require is required to be tailor made for a particular construction or a specific stair case, the prior art solutions are not cost effective and often require a large degree of in situ adjustments.

Finish patent specification No. 69,180 disclose a railing system made of vertical posts and intermediate panels. Each post comprises two elongate halves, assembled to a post and locking means for interlocking the two assembled halves. The railing system must be made of extruded aluminium profiles, and in the assembly process each railing section, i.e. a panel which at both ends are provided with a post half, must be axially installed on to an already installed section. Further, a very high degree of precision is required when installing such type of railing on a building structure. European patent specification No. 1,170,437 describes a railing where the posts or poles are formed by two U- shaped sections of a soft, deformable material, such as aluminium, assembled to a unit, the two halves being interlocked by means of co-acting channels, the co-acting surface of which being provided with grooves or dents. Further, the U-shaped section is not self-supporting, but is dependent on the support of reinforcing profiles.

An object of the invention is to provide a railing system of a highly esthetical appearance, being pleasant to see and touch, and being flexible with respect to installation, easy to adapt to various types of building constructions, without requiring specific, in situ adjustments, destroying the surface finish and appearance. Another object of the invention is to provide a railing solution which may be completed, including surface finishing in a production plant having all suitable and required production facilities and wherein the railing system easily may be installed at the relevant construction site.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a modularized railing system with inherent flexibility of in situ modifications and adjustments, and still obtaining a delicate and nice surface finish without making detri- mental impact on the surface finish provided by the manufacturer .

Still a further object is to provide a safe and secure railing system eliminating the possibilities for causing damage and injury to persons or to the railing system itself, due for example to external loads.

The objects according to the invention are obtained with a railing system as further defined by the independent claim.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The railing system according to the present invention incorporates use of tubular posts, preferably having a quadrangle shape, made up of standardized modules. Such solutions form the bases for a cost effective production and installation of the various types of railing solutions required.

The posts according to the invention comprise two vertical, separate elements which in the installation phase are assembled to a closed post. The posts are produced as prefabricated, complete and finished units for attachment to the load bearing part of the building structure and with holes or the like for attachment of the hand railings. At predetermined places the posts are also provided with notches or holes for attachment of panels of different types. The posts are preferably produced in a small number of different standardized types for example in stairways, stair landings, balconies, guard rails or the like. Standardized corner solutions may preferably also be developed. The posts are configured to suit the infill panels and vice versa. The infill panels are cut in suitable lengths and are assembled with the posts by inserting the end of the rail(s) of the panels into the corresponding notch (es) or hole(s) in the posts. The ends of the rails are rigidly fixed by means of one of the elements forming each post. Alternatively, other type of fixing means, such as pop rivets, screws, bolts or welding may be used, without deviating from the inventive idea.

The solution according to the invention is particularly adapted to automated production of both posts and infill panels, thereby resulting in a cost effective production.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention shall be described in further detail, referring to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a railing system for stairways according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a section of the railing system shown in Figure 1, used in connection with a stairway;

Figures 3a and 3b show a post 12 and a front cover plate 18, prior to being buckled, seen from the side of the post;

Figure 4a and 4 show different positions of the posts in a railing system, adapted for stairways;

Figure 5 shows a view of sections of a horizontally arranged railing system, functioning as a guard rail; Figure 6 shows schematically a horizontal section through a preferred embodiment of a post according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the lower part of a post; Figure 8 shows a front view of the lower part of the post shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows schematically a front view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustment plate at the lower end of the post; Figure 10 shows schematically a side view of the adjustment plate shown in Figure 9, where the surface against which the adjustment plate is intended to rest, is inclined in a downwards and outwards direction;

Figure 11 shows schematically a side view of the adjustment plate shown in Figure 8, where the surface of the adjustment plate is intended to bear against an upwards and inwards inclined surface;

Figure 12 shows the upper end of a main element of a post, completely punched out from a plate, but prior to knuckling or bending;

Figure 13 and 14 shows various stages in a preferred knuckling or bending process; and

Figure 15 shows the phase where the knuckling or bending process of the main element is completed, the post being attached to a building structure, and where the front plate is in the process of being attached to the main element.

Figure 1 shows a stairway 10 provided with a railing system 11 according to the present invention. The railing system 11 comprises posts 12 of steel, which at their lower end are attached to a structural part of a stairway 10. Further, the railing system 11 comprises infill panels 13 in the form of an upper and lower end of the rails 14 and ballusters 15 extending between the rails 14. The infill panels 13 are at each side attached to the posts 12 in the region of the end of the rails 14 of the infill panels 13. At its upper end the posts 12 are provided with means for attachment of the hand rail 16.

Figure 2 shows in detail a post 12 and an infill panel 13, formed of an upper and lower rail 14 together with ballusters 15 arranged between the rails 14. For the sake of clarity the hand railing 16 is not shown in Figure 2. As indicated in the Figure the post 12 comprises a main part 17 and a cover plate 18. The cover plate 18 is attached to the main part 17 by means of at least one attachment means 19, for example in the form of screws and nuts. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, one end of the infill panel 13 is intended to be fixed to the main part 17, while the other end of the infill panel 13 is intended to be fixed to the cover plate 18. At the upper end of the post 12 an upwards projecting rod or tap 20 is arranged, intended to support the hand railing (not shown) .

Figure 3a shows a front view of an embodiment of the cover plate 18 according to the invention, while Figure 3b shows a front view of the main part 17, seen from the rear side, prior to being buckled. As shown in the Figures both the main part 17 and the cover plate 18 are provided with suitable holes 21 for assembly of the main part 17 and the cover plate 18, for example by means of screws. In addition, the main part is at its lower end provided with holes 22 for bolts intended for attachment of the post to the structural part of a building construction. Both the main part 17 and the cover plate 18 are further provided with notches 23 for receiving suitable parts of the panel for securing the infill panels to the posts . The embodiment shown in Figure 3a and 3b are designed to be placed along the inclined part of the stairway, as further indicated in Figure 4a and 4b. Accordingly, the notches 24 in the cover plate 18 are displaced downwards compared to the notches 23 in the main part 17. The rod or tap for support of the hand railing is not shown in the Figures.

Figure 4a shows a post 12 intended to be installed in the inclined part of a stair casing, while Figure 4b shows a solution where the post 12 is placed on the edge of a landing platform in a stairway. The reference number 14 denotes the upper and lower connection means on the panel. As indicated in the Figure 4a and 4b the free end of the rod or tap 20 is different, dependent on the position of the post in the stair case.

Figure 5 shows a view of a horizontal guard rail 11. The guard rail 11 comprises a hand rail 16 supported by posts 12 via an upwards extending rod or tap 20. At their upper end, said rods or taps 20 are provided with a seat, adapted to the shape of the hand rail 16. The posts 12 are fixed to the building structure (not shown in Figure 5) by means of attachment means, which will be described in further detail below. Further, the guard rail comprises intermediate infill panels 13. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the infill panel 13 comprises horizontal upper and lower rails 14 and vertical ballusters 15. The end of the rails 14 are fixed to the vertical posts by means of suitable attachment means on the posts 12. Preferred ways of fixing the infill panel 13 by means of the rails 14 will be described in detail below.

Figure 6 shows a horizontal section through a post 12. As shown the post 12 comprises a main part 17 and a cover plate 18. According to this embodiment, the post 12 has a substantially rectangular or square cross sectional shape, wherein both the main part 17 and the cover plate 18 have more or less a U-shape. The open end of the main part 17 has preferably a constricted outer part compared to the remaining closed part of the main part 17. The purpose of such constricted open end is to provide a post wherein the outer surfaces of main part 17 and the cover plate 18 are aligned when assembled, forming a smooth surface . On Figure 6 the end of the rails 14 are shown with broken lines. As indicated in the Figure the main part 17 of the post 12 is provided with notches or openings for receipt of upper and/or lower end of the rails 14. Further, both the main part 17 and the cover plate 18 are provided with recesses 21, each configured for receipt of attachment means 19 (not shown on the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 2) . Alternatively, the cover plate 18 may be provided with a hole, whilst a nut may be welded to the main part on its interior, opposite wall. A further alternative may be to use two holes, one in the main part and one in the cover plate, for receipt of a through bolt and a corresponding internally threaded sleeve.

For the solution shown in Figure 6 the end of the rails 14 of the infill panel 13 are rigidly fixed to the posts (12) by means of the clamping force caused by the cover plate 18 when assembled on the main part 17. It should be appreciated, however, that fixing of the panels may be alternatively obtained by use of conventional fixing means and methods, using for example pop rivets, screws or by welding.

Figure 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the lower end of a post 12 according to the invention. The post 12 is provided with a metal plate 24 attached to the side of the post 12 facing the building structure 14. The metal plate 24 may for example be welded to the post 12. The plate 24 is provided with a longitudinal slot 25, extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate 24. The slot 25 cooperate with a washer 28, arranged inside the post 12, and a bolt 26 for fixing the post 12 to the building structure 14. Further, the plate 24 is provided an upper and/or lower threaded hole 27, intended to receive a bolt 27 for adjusting the vertical orientation of the post 12. Correspondingly, the lower end of the post 12 is for such purpose provided with openings in the wall of the post 12, providing access to the bolt from the internal space of the post 12. The Figures shows a case wherein the building structure 14 is inclined upwards and inwards. If the building structure 14 is inclined in opposite direction, the lower threaded holes 27 may be used.

Figures 9-11 show an alternative embodiment of the adjustment plate 24, attached to the lower end of a post

12. The adjustment plate 24 may be fixed to the post 12 by means of a central bolt 26 which also fixes the post 12 to the building structure 14. As shown in Figure 9 the adjustment plate 24 is provided with a pair of holes for receipt of an adjustment bolt 27 in each hole. The post 12 on the left side of Figure 9 has the holes 24 arranged at the upper part of the plate. Such position is to be used in case the building structure 14 is inclined upwards and inwards, as shown in Figure 10. In case the building structure is inclined in opposite direction, the • adjustment plate 24 is rotated about the centrally arranged anchor bolt 26, so that the pair of holes for the adjustment bolts 27 are arranged on the lower part of the adjustment plate 24, as shown in Figure 11. As also described in conjunction with Figures 7 and 8, the holes for the adjustment bolts 27 are threaded, providing adjustment possibilities for various degrees of inclined building structure 14 surfaces. As further shown in Figure 9 the adjustment plates 24 is wider than the post 12 and is arranged on the inner side of the post 12 with respect to the building structure 14. The holes for the adjustment bolts 27 are arranged so that they also are positioned on each side of and on the outside of the post 24, providing unrestricted access to the head of the bolts.

Figures 12-14 show a preferred, alternative embodiment of a post 12, where Figure 12 shows a cut-to- shape plate A, prior to the start of the buckling process for formation of a post 14. As shown in Figure 12 the various buckling lines are indicated by the broken lines, wherein the numbers 1-7 denotes the order of sequence of the buckling. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the upper tongue 29 is buckled 90° about the buckling line 1, whereupon a somewhat wider part 30 of the top plate is buckled 90° about the buckling line 2, forming a hook shaped lip. Thereafter the top plate 31 is buckled 90° at its foot about the buckling line 3. The outer, elongated flap 32 and the lip 35 of the main body are then buckled 90° about the buckling line 4, whereupon the wing 33 is buckled 90° about the buckling line 5. During this latter phase of the buckling process, the lip 35 becomes placed between the buckled top plate 31 and the tongue 29, locking the top plate 31 from being lifted or moved upwards. The process described above is repeated for the other side of the cut-to-shape plate, in that the outer elongated flap 32' and the lip 35' of the main body are buckled 90° about the buckling line 6, whereupon the remaining part of the wing 33' is buckled 90° about the buckling line 7.

Openings 23 are cut-to-shape in the plate A, the openings being intended to receive the end of the rails 14 of a infill panel 13. Further, holes 34 are made for fixing of pods for supporting the hand railings. Further, at the upper part of the plate two lips 35,35' are formed, which during the buckling process are bent in between the J-shaped end of the top plate 21, formed by buckling the outer lip 29 and the outer part 30 of the top plate 31. Hence, the top 31 plate is locked, preventing lift up of the top plate 31, for example when subjected to an uplifting force on the hand railing installed on top of the top plate 31.

The two wings 33,33^Λ of the plate A are given a narrowing, preferably subsequent to the cut-to-shape operation of the plate A, but prior to the buckling operation, as indicated in Figure 13 and which more easily also may be seen in Figure 6. The narrowings are made for receipt of the U-shaped cover plate 18, so that the outer surface of the cover plate 18 is aligned with the outer surface of the main part 17 when the two parts are assembled. Locking mechanism of the top plate 31 is also indicated in Figure 14 and 15.

Figure 15 shows the phase where the cover plate 18 is assembled with the main element 17. The arrows a and b indicates the direction of movement necessary for assembling the cover plate 18. As also indicated in Figure 6, the cover plate 18 is bolted to the main part 17 by means of screws or bolts and corresponding, suitable holes, preferably threaded. Because of the narrowing described above and the shape of the upper part of the cover plate 18, the upper edge of the cover plate 18 will be locked securely against movement by the under side of the top plate 31. The railing system according to the present invention is normally delivered in an unassembled state, with infill panels 13, main parts 17 and cover plates 18. These parts are assembled in situ at the construction site by introducing the end of the rails of the infill panels 13 into the openings 14 in the posts 12 and by locking said end connections against movement by bolting the cover plate 18 to the main parts 17.. Alternatively, conventional fixing and/or locking means or methods may be employed, such as pop rivets, screws or welding. The posts according to the invention may preferably be made of metal plats which allow buckling, such as steel stainless steel, aluminium or the like, the plates being buckled to the desired shape and wherein the openings for the fixing and/or locking means on the infill panels preferably being punched or otherwise cut out in the metal plate. According to an alternative the posts may be made of extruded aluminium profiles with a shape as shown in Figure 6.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Railing system (11) intended to be fixed to a building structure (10), such as stairways, balconies, verandas, terraces and the like, comprising posts (12) of metal, such as for example, but mot exclusively steel, stainless steel or aluminium, and of one or more infill panels (13), intended to be arranged between two adjacent posts (12) and to be rigidly fixed to said posts (12), wherein each post (12), preferably at its lower end, is intended to be fixed to the building structure (10), said posts (12) being tubular, preferably with a quadrilateral or oval cross section and further is in the form of a closed box like profile, wherein each post (12) comprises a load bearing main structure (17) with a U-shaped profile with a mainly open side and a removable cover plate (18), which when assembled, covers the open side of the main structure (17 ), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that load bearing main structure (17) and/or the cover plate (18) on two opposite sides are provided with openings (23) for receipt, fixing ' and locking of suitable end of the rails (14) on the stairways infill panels (13) to the posts (12) by means of the clamping force provided by the cover plate (17) and/or any other relevant means of fxation.

2. Railing system according to claim 1, wherein the distance between two opposite sides of the U-shaped profile at the bottom of the profile is larger than the corresponding distance between the free edges of the - shaped profile.

3. Railing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the openings (23) are arranged both at the upper and lower region of the post (12) , the openings (23) being positioned in the part of the U-profile where the distance between the two legs are changing.

4. Railing system according to claim 3, wherein the cover plate (18) has more or less U-shaped profile and is intended to cover the open end of the U-shaped profile of the main structure (17).

5. Railing system according to claim 4, wherein the depth of the U-shaped profile of the cover plate (18) is chosen such that the cover plate (18) when assembled with the main structure (17), will rigidly clamp the end connectors (14) to the main structure (17) of the post (12) .

6. Railing system according to one of the claims 1-5, wherein the load bearing main structure (17) and/or the removable cover plate (18) are formed of buckled metal plates .

7. Railing system according to claim 6, wherein the top plate (31) of the load bearing main structure (17) is configured and buckled so that the top plate (31) , when the buckling of the top plate (31) is completed, is locked against movement by means of buckled lips (35,35') inserted into a opening formed by the top plate (31) .

8. Railing system according to claim 7, wherein the opening is formed by a lip obtained by buckling the free end of the top plate (31) 90° whereupon the plate (31) is buckled once more 90° so that the end of the top plate (31) obtains a more or less J-shape.

9. Railing system according to one of the claims 1-8, wherein the post (12) at its lower end is provided with means for adjustable attachment to the building structure (10) .

10. Railing system according to claim 9, wherein said means is in the form of a metal plate (24) attached to the post (12) .

11. Railing system according to claim 9, wherein the plate (24) is rotatably arranged on the post (12) on a bolt (26), the plate (24) being provided with two adjustment bolts (21), arranged in the same horizontal plane on one side of the bolt (26) .

12. Railing system according to claim 9, wherein the bolt (26) also is used for attachment of the post (12) to the concrete building structure (11).

13. Railing system according to claim 9, wherein the plate (24) is welded or otherwise fixed to the post (12), the post (12) and the plate (24) being provided with an elongated recess extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate (24), configured to receive an attachment means (26) for attachment of the post (12) to the building structure (11) .

14. Railing system according to claim 13, wherein the plate (24) further is provided with a threaded hole (27) placed on each side of said elongated recess, intended for adjustment of the vertical position of the post (12) with respect to the building structure (11) .