Fences – Rail – Connection
Patent
1994-08-26
1997-12-09
Johnson, Blair
Fences
Rail
Connection
256 59, 256 65, 256 67, 256 70, 403 56, 403292, 403294, 403354, E04H 1714, F16C 1106, F16B 700, B25G 328
Patent
active
056951752
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a banister assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
The traditional method of constructing banisters requires several hours work on site by a carpenter. Banisters usually comprise a base rail and a handrail, extending upwardly at an angle, interconnected by vertically arranged supporting balusters.
After the carpenter has installed the sloping bottom rail, he has to cut the lower end of each baluster to a corresponding angle, so that when the balusters are mounted on the bottom rail, they extend vertically. The upper end of the balusters also have to be cut at an angle, to receive the handrail. The carpenter also has to fit spacing blocks onto the rails, to space the balusters apart at appropriate intervals.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the invention provides a banister assembly comprising a base rail, a hand rail, and a plurality of balusters, extending between the hand rail and the base rail, the assembly being arranged to be adjustable during its construction to allow variation of angles formed between each of said balusters and said base rail and hand rail, the assembly being characterised in that end portions of each of said balusters are provided with either a ball or a socket formation and the base rail and hand rail are each provided with a plurality of complementary formations formed thereon, said complementary formations being either sockets or protrusions for cooperation with said baluster formations so as to provide variable angle joints, means being provided for rigidly securing said joints to inhibit further angular variation following attainment of a desired position.
Preferably, the end portions of each baluster are provided with a ball formation and the base rail and hand rail are each provided with sockets formed thereon.
The sockets may be formed integrally.
Said means for rigidly securing the joints may comprise adhesive.
The assembly preferably further comprises first and second newel posts located, in use, at either end of the base rail.
Preferably, the assembly is further provided with a first connector for securing at least a first end of the handrail to said first newel post.
Preferably, the first connector comprises: slot in the first connector member to join the two connector members together.
The link may be separate from the second connector member and the second connector member may also have a partially shrouded slot.
Preferably, at least one slot has an unshrouded mouth region to enable insertion of the link.
Preferably, a shrouded region of at least one slot is adapted to retain the link within the slot.
At least one, and preferably both of the connector members comprise a block of material having first and second spaced apart opposed surfaces and surrounding surface.
At least one slot may extend inwardly from the surrounding surface.
Preferably the first and second connector member are formed such that relative movement of the first and second connector members whereby the link is caused to be inserted further into at least one of the slots, is arranged to cause relative movement in a transverse direction of the first and second connectors towards each other, and preferably into abutment with each other.
Preferably, the second surface of connector member is substantially perpendicular to the surrounding surface, but is at an angle to the first surface.
Preferably, at least one slot has a base which is parallel to the first surface of the or each connector member.
The link is preferably in the form of two head to head truncated cones, such that the inner diameter of the link, where the heads meet, is less than the outer diameter.
Preferably the base of at least one slot is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the link.
Preferably the mouth of at least one slot is wider than the outer diameter of the link and the shrouded region is narrower than the outer diameter, but wider than the inner diameter of the link.
Preferably, the first and second connector members are provided with countersunk passages to enable the use of w
REFERENCES:
patent: 4013373 (1977-03-01), Lamprecht et al.
patent: 4050211 (1977-09-01), Wahman
patent: 4403767 (1983-09-01), Basey
patent: 4421302 (1983-12-01), Grimm et al.
patent: 4505456 (1985-03-01), Zieg
patent: 4811508 (1989-03-01), Engelbach
patent: 4898490 (1990-02-01), Herbermann
Ellis Hawkins Limited
Jenkins P.A. Richard E.
Johnson Blair
Lev Bruce A.
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