AU2012216776A1 - Balustrade mounting system - Google Patents

Abstract

- 32 A balustrade mounting system comprises an elongate channel member for mounting at least 5 one glass panel therein for vertical or horizontal mounting. The system includes at least one tail means, channel mounting means and at least one packing and sealing means. The elongate channel member includes a front upright arm and rear upright arm forming an upwardly facing elongate recess. The mounting means includes upper and lower mounting means whereby one of the mounting means includes means to penetrate the tail means to 10 allow mounting of the elongate channel member to a vertical or horizontal surface of a substrate. Methods of installing the balustrade mounting system for vertical and horizontal mounting are also disclosed. 18 20- 49< 41 -- 46 -7 21- 26 8 25a 25 15 23 -12 6 30b 231 32 -30 31 3 30d 35 36 30d

Description

- I Gov e rnme -sonal Details of Applicant(s) (* denotes mandatory fields) -ne CSR VIRIDIAN (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED ACN/ARBN/ABN iress 19 Gabador Place Mt Wellington Auckland Country (if not Australia) New Zealand State Postcode 1060 Applicant ACN/ARBN/ABN uired) -ess Country (if not Australia) State Postcode ress for service of documents in Australia Iress PIPERS Melbourne, Unit 9B, 9 Beach Street, Melbourne State V.I.C *Postcode 3 2 0 -espondence Address (if different from the above) ess Pipers, P 0 Box 5298, Auckland Country (if not Australia) New Zealand State Postcode 1141 nt Details (only complete if you are being represented by an Agent authorised to act on your behalf) e Pipers Customer Number ress P 0 Box 5298, Auckland Country (if not Australia) New Zealand State Postcode 1141 phone (+649) 919 9450 Fax (+64 )9 919 9454 nber +64 21 359 991 all iress [email protected] 5tomer erence 193640AU P TM - D PBR -~~~~~ trla ovrmn I/We, being the person(s) identified as the applicant(s), apply for the grant of a standard patent for an invention described in the accompanying complete specification. *Invention Title BALUSTRADE MOUNTING SYSTEM *Name(s) of actual inventor(s) Soo Win YIM Associated Provisional Application(s) Details (if applicable) Application Number Application Date Basic Convention Application(s) Details (if applicable) Application Number Country Country Code Application Date 595645 New Zealand NZ 07/10/2011 Divisional Application Details Original application number Patent of Addition Details (only one application OR patent number allowed for a Patent of Addition) Application/ Patent number Drawing number recommended to accompany the abstract 3 P TM D PBR P00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Intention Title: BALUSTRADE MOUNTING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -2 Balustrade Mounting System The invention relates to a balustrade mounting system for panels or sheets used to provide a safety barrier for various structures such as for example staircases, balconies and decks and to a method of installation. The invention is directed particularly but not solely towards 5 glass panels for use in situations where a minimalistic and spatial look is required combined with minimal restriction of view. Background of Invention 10 Typical channel mounted balustrades are difficult to mount and time consuming to install and adjust especially with panels made of glass. Non-stick or positive fasteners are used which include grub screws which in use directly abut the glass panel, causing problems of over-tightening and high localized pressure points of the glass. Another problem can be that some glass fixings loosen over time requiring retightening and extra maintenance. With this 15 type of glass panel fitting movement and breakages can occur. Typically glass panels are held in place in channel type mounting systems using non-shrink grout or fasteners such as grub screws which directly abut the glass. Glass panels can become loose when the bond between glass and grout is broken, or break due to high 20 pressure points caused by the grub screws. Glass panels can shift in the channels due to thermal movements of the channels and glass. In addition typical channel mounting systems are fixed directly to the substrate which increases the risk of moisture penetration into the building. Additionally, systems with grub 25 screws do not allow for easy adjustment of the angle of the glass panels and some allow glass and metal contact which is not good glazing practice. There can also be problems in keeping glass panels from contacting the metal of any mounting or in providing sufficient means to allow for simple adjustment for different glass panel thicknesses. In terms of maintenance and weather tightness, it may be desirable to minimize the number of fixings or 30 penetrations into any supporting structure -3 In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be 5 relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an improved balustrade mounting system and method of installation that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the 10 known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of Invention In a first aspect the invention includes a balustrade mounting system comprising an elongate channel member for mounting at least one glass panel therein, having at least one tail means, 15 channel mounting means and at least one packing and sealing means, wherein the elongate channel member includes a front upright arm and rear upright arm forming an upwardly facing elongate recess having inner faces, whereby the mounting means includes upper and lower mounting means whereby one of the mounting means includes means to penetrate the tail means to allow mounting of the elongate channel member to a vertical or horizontal 20 surface of a substrate. Preferably when in use the packing and sealing means are inserted into the recess at least between the glass panel and one face of the channel member, to mount at least one glass panel therein. 25 Preferably the mounting means includes at least one fastener aperture and at least one fastener that penetrates the rear upright arm which is adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface with appropriate fastener holding means and fastener load spreading means. 30 Preferably the tail means is located below the elongate channel and is in the form of a vertically oriented tail member which is adapted to be mounted to the vertical surface.

-4 Preferably the vertical tail member has at least one fastening aperture for at least one fastener to be applied there through with appropriate fastener hold means and fastener load spreading means. 5 Preferably each fastener is clamped to the elongate channel shaped member wherein the tail member and rear upright arm are separately clamped to a fastener to cause the assembly to be spaced but fixed to the vertical surface. Alternatively the tail means includes a front and rear tail member which are horizontally 10 oriented in opposing directions whereby the mounting means includes means able to penetrate both front and rear tail members to be able to be mounted to a horizontal surface. Preferably the front and rear tail members are joined or connected to the base of the channel member and each have at least one aperture therein adapted to allow at least one fastener 15 there through. Preferably, the channel shaped elongate member when mounted is spaced from the vertical or horizontal surface to form a drainage cavity there between, to reduce the risk of moisture penetration into the building and the built up of moisture abutting the channel member. 20 Preferably, there is a front cover and rear cover mounted to a front face of the elongate channel member over the front upright arm and tail means and a rear cover mounted to a rear face of the rear upright arm. 25 Preferably for vertical mounting, the front cover is shaped as at least one elongate member having an unequal square shaped channel member in cross section having in use a vertical base and horizontal flanges wherein the flanges include a top flange being less in extent than a lower flange. 30 Preferably front cover clips into a groove at the top of the front upright arm and clips into a groove at the bottom of the vertical tail member wherein each flange has a ridge which is clips in the groove.

-5 Preferably the rear cover is shaped as at least one elongate square corner member cross section, located at a top of the rear upright arm wherein the rear cover has a horizontal arm with a downwardly protruding ridge which slide or clips into place on a first groove located on the top of the rear upright arm, a downwardly oriented vertical arm and a corner flange 5 located between the horizontal and vertical arms which is angled to be slidably received by a second groove located below the first groove in the rear upright arm. Preferably the front and rear covers are spaced from the vertical surface to allow for drainage there between. 10 Alternatively for horizontal mounting the front and rear covers are each shaped as an elongate member having a substantially F shape cross section with an in use substantially vertical leg with one horizontal flange located at a top and another horizontal flange located between the top and bottom of the cross section, wherein each flange is shaped to be able to 15 be located in place on the front or rear upright arms and be deep enough from the top to bottom to substantially cover the front upright arm or rear upright arm and tail means. Preferably the substantially vertical leg is adapted to drain any moisture away from the mounting system whereby the vertical leg has a sloping top portion leading down to a 20 vertical portion such that the sloping vertical leg slopes away from the bottom of the channel member and the horizontal flange as located between the top and bottom is located substantially midway between a top and bottom of the front or rear cover. Preferably the one flange is a top flange and the other flange is a middle flange wherein the 25 top flange has a ridge that is shaped to be slidably held in a groove in a top of the front upright arm, and the middle flange is has a stop member and barb adapted to held by a barb located and provided on the front upright arm. Preferably the front and rear covers have a depth that are spaced from the horizontal surface 30 to allow for drainage.

-6 Preferably at least one of the fasteners is clamped to the elongate channel shaped member wherein the rear platform of the tail means is clamped to a fastener to cause the rear platform to be suspended above the horizontal surface. 5 Preferably the packing and sealing means includes a front cushioning member located between the front arm and glass panel. Preferably, the packing and sealing means includes a top sealing member located between the glass panel and rear arm. Preferably, the packing and sealing means includes at least one glazing wedge member 10 located between the glass panel and rear arm below the top sealing member. Preferably, the packing and sealing means includes a rear glazing thickness tolerance wedge member also located between the glass panel and rear upright arm located below the top sealing member. Preferably, the balustrade mounting system includes a glazing seating block located in the 15 recess directly below the glass panel. Accordingly in a second aspect the invention consists in a method of installing balustrade mounting system with glass panels on a vertical substrate by carrying out the steps of: 20 a) Install elongate channel member with top and bottom fastener assemblies located at certain centres along the length of elongate channel member; b) Tighten the top fastener assembly ensuring that the channel is straight, loosely fit bottom nuts and washers as adjustment may be required later in these steps after glass panel installation; 25 c) Apply vinyl film to the bottom edge of one glass panel; d) Place setting blocks at the bottom of the channel recess for each glass panel at quarter position points; e) Lower the glass panel in the channel recess so that the glass panel does not hit any part of the elongate channel member; 30 f) Insert the rigid plastics wedge into the gap and use a narrow blade to push it down until there is no glass movement at the base of the channel recess; g) Insert the glazing wedge at the top of the channel recess; -7 h) Using the top fastener assemblies as leverage, move the top edge of the glass panel inwards or outwards until the glass panel is plumb, tighten the bottom nuts and washers; i) Repeat steps c - h for the other glass panels while ensuring that they are lined up; 5 j) Fit a front cover to a front of the elongate channel member after all the bottom fastener assemblies have been tightened; k) Apply a low modulus sealer or silicone sealant to the gap between the glass panel and the channel recess; 1) Fit a rear cover and use a suitable adhesive to keep the rear cover in place and 10 m) Clean glass panel and covers and remove all rubbish from site. Accordingly in a third aspect the invention consists in a method of installing balustrade mounting system with glass panels on a horizontal substrate by carrying out the steps of: a) Install elongate channel member 102 by fixing the lower fastener 124 with appropriate 15 nuts 125 and washers 124a, 124b located at 600mm centres along the length of elongate channel member 102; b) Fasten upper fastener assembly 130 with appropriate nuts 125a, 125b and washers 130a, 130b, ensuring that the elongate channel member 102 is straight and level, adjustment can be carried out by firstly loosely fitting bottom nuts 125b, and washers 20 130b as adjustment may be required later in these steps after glass panel 150 installation; c) Apply the 150mm vinyl film 151 to a bottom edge of each glass panel 150; d) Place 2x 100mm long x6mm thick neoprene setting blocks 158 at the bottom of the channel recess for each glass panel 150 at quarter position points along the length into 25 the page of the elongate channel member 102; e) Carefully lower the glass panel 150 in the channel recess so that the glass panel 150 does not hit any part of the elongate channel member; f) Insert one small rigid plastics wedge 157 into the recess 104 and use a narrow blade to push it down until there is no glass movement at the base of the channel recess; 30 g) Insert the larger rigid plastics wedge 156 close to the top of the channel recess 104; h) Using the upper fastener assemblies as leverage, move the top edge of the glass panel 150 inwards or outwards until the glass panel 150 is plumb, tighten the lower nuts 125b and washers 125b; -8 i) Repeat steps c - h for other in line glass panels 150 while checking that the panels 150 are lined up; j) Fit a front cover 132 to a front of the elongate channel member 102 after all the upper and lower fastener assemblies have been tightened; 5 k) Apply silicone sealant 155 (eg Dow Coming 795 silicone) to the gap between the glass panel 150 and the channel recess; 1) Fit a rear cover 132 and use an adhesive to keep the rear cover 133 in place and m) Clean glass panels 150 and covers 132 & 133 and remove all rubbish from site. 10 To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. 15 Brief Description The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the balustrade mounting system in accordance with a 20 first preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is front view of a cantilevered glass panel mounted in a balustrade mounting system but without the covers in place. Figure 3 is a similar cross section end view to figure 1 but showing all of the glass panel and 25 mounting system. Figure 4 is a Description of Drawings The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of 30 the invention, namely a balustrade mounting system and method of installation whereby glass panels are cantilevered from a balustrade mounting system. The invention is in no way -9 limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. Figures 1-3 describe a balustrade mounting system for a vertical substrate while figure 4 describes a balustrade mounting system for a horizontal 5 substrate. Vertical Mounted Balustrade mounting system As shown in Figures 1-3 there is disclosed a balustrade mounting system 1 comprising an elongate channel shaped member 2 having a length as directed into the page showing the 10 cross section to the system, having a substantially U shaped cross section with a downwardly directed tail means 3 which in this example is in the form of one tail member. The balustrade mounting system 1 is particularly suited to mounting to vertical surface like for example a wall. When in use the U shaped elongate channel member includes a recess or channel recess having an upwardly facing opening 4 at an upper end 5 and a base 6 at a 15 lower end 7. The tail member 3 is substantially vertically oriented and is co-linear with one of the arms of the elongate shaped channel member 2. Also as shown in figure 1 in use there is a front face 8 and a rear face 9 where the rear face is defined as being the face that is abutted directly or indirectly to a suitably oriented support 20 such as for example a vertical surface 10 of any substrate 11. For indirect fixing there is provided a cavity 12 between a rear face of the rear arm 16 and the vertical surface 10 which also functions a drainage cavity to reduce the risk of moisture penetration into the substrate 11. The substrate 11 can be part of a wall or it can be part of a slab having an end edge face. 25 The tail member 3 is also located at the lower end of the elongate shaped channel member 2and also extends, at least a portion of the length of the elongate shaped channel member 2. The elongate shaped channel member 2 comprises a U shaped channel cross section includes a first or front upright arm 15 and a second or rear upright arm 16, which extend upwardly 30 from one side of the base 6. Each arm defines an inner face and outer face and a vertical height. Tail member 3 extends downwardly vertically from a lower end of the base 6 and is in line with or being substantially parallel with the front upright arm 15 and rear upright arm1 6.

- 10 As shown in figure 1 at the upper end of both upright arms 15 and 16 of the U shaped cross section, at least one first cover fixing groove 18 and 19 is provided at the same height as each other. The first cover fixing groove 18 or 19 can extend at least part of the length of the 5 elongate member. Front upright arm 15 can have a constant thickness or have graduated thickness whereby the thickness can be smallest at the top and gradually increasing thickness towards the bottom. However an inner face of the front upright arm 15 is vertical while a front face of front arm 10 15 is angled. Front upright arm 15 can also have a thickened edge formed by having an outer ledge 17 protruding on one side ie opposite to the inner face. The outer ledge 17 can extend at least part of the length of the elongate shaped channel member 2. Rear upright arm 16 can also has a cross section having an inner facing top ledge 20 located 15 closer to the upper end and a top fastener assembly. Rear arm 16 includes at least one inner recess 21 located any where along the height of the rear arm 16 and below the ledge 20 which provides an entrance to a first fastening aperture 23 and within the opening 4. In this example, the inner recess 21 is located substantially mid way of the height. Inner recess 21 is formed having angled sides and flat vertical base, whereby the first aperture 23 is provided 20 and located through the flat base. Inner recess 21 is shaped to allow for proper flush fitting of a top or head of a first fastener 24 whereby a shaft of the first fastener 24 which in use protrudes or extends through the first fastening aperture 23 and through the thickness of the rear upright arm 16, across the cavity 12, to allow fixing to through vertical surface 10 of the substrate 11. On the opposite side or outer face of the rear upright arm 16 there can also a 25 raised portion or thickened area 26 of the thickness of the rear upright arm 16 to assist in providing adequate thickness to allow proper stable fixing of the elongate channel shaped member 2 to the substrate 11. Top fastener assembly includes at least one fastener 24 (eg screw), fastener holding means 30 25 (eg nuts) and fastener load spreader 25a (eg washers). As the top fastener is located within the recess of the U-shaped channel further apertures (not shown) are provided in the front arm, in line with the first fastener aperture 23 to allow access there through to head of the screw fastener to tighten/un-tighten or adjust accordingly.

- 11 In this example the first fastener 24 can be M10 Hilti internal threaded sleeve HIS-RN whereby double nuts are provided within the cavity 12 but being in use abutting an outer face of the rear upright arm 16 and the other nut abutting the vertical surface or face of substrate 5 11. Only one first fastener 24 and one first fastener aperture 23 is shown but there will be so-many fasteners along the length of the rear arm 16 as required. Appropriate washers as shown in figure 1 can also be utilized between the nuts and the abutting face as required. In this example the fastener 24 can be a bolt or screw fastener. 10 In another variation first fastener 24 which as originally shown was simply a screw threading into a sleeved hole in the substrate 11 (eg concrete) in a male into female type relationship, can be varied whereby the screw is replaced to include a barrel nut 59 as shown in figure 1 which is adapted screwed but this is screwed around a driven thread shaft as driven into or cast into the substrate 11 (eg concrete) in a female to male relation as seen in figure 1. 15 The length of first fastener 24 is long enough to provide adequate length and frictional embedment so that there can be a gap between nuts within the cavity 12 to allow for adjustment through tightening or loosening. Also located on the rear face of the rear upright arm 16 there is also an upwardly projecting hook shaped protrusion 27 forming a second 20 recess 28. Located in the tail member 3 there is provided a bottom fastener assembly which includes the following components of second fasteners 30 (eg can be a bolt), second fastener holding means ie nuts 30b, 30c and second fastener load spreading means ie washers 30d. Tail 25 member 3 has at least one second fixing aperture 29 for at least one second fastener 30, though like the first top-elt fastener 24 & first aperture 23 combination as previously mentioned, there can be so many second fasteners 30 and second apertures 23 spaced along the length of the tail member 3 as extending along the line of the elongate channel member 2. 30 Also similarly to the top fastener assembly, the bottom fastener assembly can include fixing nuts 30b & 30c positioned similarly to the other fasteners/nuts/washers but with an extra nut 30b being threadably attached to a head of the second fastener 30 to allow clamping just to the tail member 3. The extra nut 30b may also be a different size to the other nuts 30c. In - 12 this example the second fastener 30 can be a Hilti HIT-HY 150 anchor. The length of the second fasteners 30 is long enough to provide adequate length so that there can be a gap between nuts 30c within the cavity 12 as shown in figure 1. 5 The inner face of the rear upright arm 16 can be formed having a lower portion being angled in at least two different slopes. Tail member 3 has an end edge formed with at least one second cover fixing groove 31. Like the top fastener assembly having a thickened area 26, lower fastener assembly also has a thickened area 31 a ie formed as an outwardly raised portion to the generally vertical rear surface of the rear upright arm 16 10 Balustrade mounting system also includes a flashing in the form of a front cover 32 and a rear cover 33 which are elongate member having a length commensurate with the length of the elongate member channel shaped member 2. Front and rear covers 32 and 33 can be formed as one piece items or can be made in interconnected or modular parts and have a 15 length (across the page of figure 2) and a height with a top and bottom with respect to the view of figure 1. Front cover 32 for vertical mounting At an upper end of front cover 32 has a downwardly facing ridge 34 which is downwardly 20 facing and sized and positioned on an underside of an upper end to be slidably located within one of the first cover fixing groove 18 of the front upright arm 15. Downwardly facing ridge 34 and first cover fixing groove 18 have similar shapes but in this example their shapes can be square or angular. At the same time, front cover 32 also has a lower ridge 36 which is upwardly protruding and is adapted to slidably inter-fit with tail groove 31. However the 25 lower ridge 36 and tail groove 31 can be matching but this can be for example formed as wedge shaped. Front cover 32 is an elongate member formed of a substantially square shaped channel cross section having the following portions in use of a top horizontal flange 40, a substantially 30 vertical web 41 and lower horizontal flange 42 whereby the top flange 40 is parallel but spaced by the vertical web 41 to the lower flange 42. These portions intersect with each other at substantially right angles. There is provided means to fix an end cap (not shown) which includes a screw fixing pipe 35 as located at the inside corner of the intersection of the - 13 vertical web 41 and lower flange 42. In use the front cover 32 sits on the upper edge of the front upright arm 15 to hang down and underneath the end edge of the tail member 3. Rear Cover 33 for the vertical mounting 5 Rear cover 33 is a much smaller flashing section than the front cover 32 but is also elongate of a similar length and comprises in use as a square shaped corner cross section having a horizontal top arm 45 and at right angles, a downwardly oriented vertical arm 46 to form an elongate corner shaped member. At an intersection between the horizontal arm 45 and vertical arm 46 there is an angled diagonal flange member 47 located within the corner 10 between the horizontal arm 45 and vertical arm 46. Horizontal arm 45 has a downwardly protruding ridge 48 which is adapted to slidably inter-fit within the fixing groove 19 located at the top of the rear upright arm 16. Ridge 48 and fixing groove 19 are similar is shape but in this example they are formed as rounded square shapes. 15 Angled diagonal flange member 47 has a vertical end edge 48 which is sized and adapted to slidably interfit with second recess 28 of the rear face of rear arm 15. Rear cover 33 also has a means to allow fixing of an end cap (not shown) which is in the form of a screw pipe 49. Packing and sealing means for vertical mounting 20 Packing and sealing means is in the form of various packers, seats and seals are also utilized in combination with the elongate channel member and at least one glass panel 50. As shown in figures 1 and 2, in use a lower portion of the glass panel 50 is slidably fitted into the recess of the elongate channel member 2. The recess is designed to allow for a smaller recess or gap to be formed between the face of the glass panel 50 and the front arm 15 than the gap on 25 the rear of the glass panel 50 and an inner face of the rear upright arm 16. The elongate channel member 2 is formed from metal or any material that is strong enough to support the glass in a cantilevered way. Between the front of the lower portion of the glass panel 50 and the inner face of the front 30 arm 15 being metal, for the smaller gap there is provided a first packing and sealing means in the form of a front cushioning member 51. The front cushioning member 51 can be a thin vinyl film. In this example the film can be 0.15mm thick and can be of a length commensurate with the length of the glass panel 50.

-14 Located on the other side of the lower portion of the glass panel 50, the larger gap which is formed of several different volume/shapes as one goes from top to bottom, there is a second packing and sealing means in the form of top sealing member 55 located at the top which is 5 located in a gap at the top including the inner ledge 21. This gap is approximately rectangular or square in cross section. Top sealing member 55 can be for example a DC 795 silicone sealant. Directly abutting a lower edge of the top sealing member 55 includes underneath second 10 packing and sealing means, there is a third packing and sealing means in the form of an elongate glazing wedge member 56 which includes an elongate shaped member having an approximate T shape cross section with bendable tabs on the vertical web which when the glazing wedge member 56 is inserted into the gap, the tabs of the glazing wedge member 56 to bend towards the web to seal the gap. This glazing wedge member 56 can be formed from 15 a santoprene gasket. Below and spaced from the glazing wedge member 56, there is a fourth packing and sealing means in the form of rear glazing thickness tolerance wedge member 57. This rear glazing thickness tolerance wedge member 57 is required to fit a narrow vertical wedge like gap near 20 the base of the glass panel 50 and is formed of a rigid plastics as a wedge to accommodate glass thickness tolerance and is pushed into place after the glass panel is fitted in the channel recess. Further below the rear glazing thickness tolerance wedge member 57 and directly below the 25 base of the glass panel 50 there is a glazing seating block 58 which is flexible enough to allow the glass panel to be cushioned in place in combination with all of the other packers 51, 55, 56, 57. Glazing seating block 58 can be formed from a neoprene as a setting block of any desired length. 30 In one option at least one handrail 60 as shown in figure 3 can be removably attached to the glass panel 50.

- 15 Figure 4 - Horizontal fixing for balustrade mounting system As shown in figure 4 there is a balustrade mounting system 100 for mounting at least one glass panel 101 on a substrate that is a flat or substantially horizontal surface. Balustrade 5 mounting system 100 includes covers and a channel shaped elongate member 102 having a substantially U shaped cross section having a channel recess with an upwardly facing opening 104 at an upper end 105 and a base 106 at a lower end 107. There is a front face 108 and rear face 109 and horizontal surface 110 borders a substrate 111. The cavity 12 as previously provided to alleviate any build up of moisture around the balustrade mounting 10 system 100, is now formed as a space and is located directly under the base 106 as cavity 112. The channel shaped elongate member 102 includes a front upright arm 115 and a spaced rear upright arm 116, each arm 115 & 116 having varying wall thickness which increases as one 15 moves from the top 105 down to the base 107 of the channel. This change in wall thickness means that the recess 104 between the arms varies allowing for wedge shaped packers and sealants. Front and rear upright arms 115 & 116 each have a head 117 located at the top which is formed as a wider or thicker portion than the rest of the arm. 20 Head 117 has a front cover fixing groove 118 and second cover fixing groove 119 both being located at an in use upper end 105 of front and rear upright arms 115 and 116 respectively. Front upright arm 115 has a front arm first ledge and rear arm first ledge formed as barb shaped horizontal extensions or horizontal barbs 11 8a and 11 9a. 25 The balustrade mounting system 100 also has mounting means whereby the tail of figures 1 3, is now formed as lower and upper fixing platforms 120 & 121 which are joined to or extend from, the channel shaped member 102 and comprise substantially horizontal platforms extending in opposing directions from the base 106 away from the channel member 101. The mounting means also includes fastening apertures which can include at 30 least one fastening aperture 123 in lower platform 120 and at least one fastening aperture 124 in upper platform 121. Upper platform 121 is elevated from the surface 110 of the substrate 111 by a set vertical height 126 and is located at the rear or right hand side of figure 4. Lower platform 120 is connected or formed with the base 106 by having an angled tail - 16 portion 120a leading to the lower platform 120 and is located at the front or left hand side as seen in figure 4.. Like the other balustrade mounting system, there are appropriate fastening components such 5 as fastener holding means (eg nuts) and fastener load spreading means (eg washers) whereby there is first fastener 124 which slidably interfits through fastening aperture 123 and second fastener 130 which also slidably interfits through the other fastening aperture 123, to be frictionally held in the substrate 111. However this time the fasteners 124 & 130 are vertically oriented to be embedded or driven into the substrate 111 to then upwardly protrude 10 through and above each platform 120 & 121. Lower fixing platform 20 has first or front fastener 124 including a first fastener locking nut 125 on top. Lower fixing platform 120 as shown on the left of the drawing, has the locking nut 125 threadably engaged only on an exposed or protruding portion of the first fastener 124 15 to then be tightened onto a first washer 123a on an upper surface of the lower platform 120. Additionally on an under side of the lower platform 120 there is provided a second lower platform washer 124b to rest on the outer surface 102 of the substrate. Similarly the rear or upper platform 121 has an upper platform first nut 125a on the exposed 20 or protruding portion of the second fastener 130 which abuts a first upper platform washer 13 Ga which in turn is abutting an upper outer surface of the upper platform 121. Located on a lower outer surface of the upper platform 121, there is provided firstly a second upper platform washer 130b followed by a second upper platform nut which together clamp the upper platform 121 to the fastener 130 which is suspended above the surface 110 of the 25 substrate. Front and rear covers for horizontal mounting First platform 120 has a first platform or front cover 132 and second platform 121 has a second platform or rear cover 133 whereby both covers are shaped as elongate planar 30 members formed as an angled F shape in cross section. The F shaped includes a main leg with an upper flange 134 extending from one side of the main leg horizontally from the top of the F and a lower flange 135 also extending horizontally on the same side of the main leg from the F. First cover 132 has main leg starting at the top with an angled portion 136 - 17 leading to a substantially vertical portion 137. Upper flange 134 extends less horizontally than the lower flange 135. The upper flange includes a ridge member 138 located along its length whereas the lower flange includes an abutment leading to a barb 139. For each side both abutments face inwardly and vertically towards each other. Upper and lower flanges 5 are of similar shape, position and extent with respect to each side of the balustrade mounting system 100 to essentially provide a mirror image. In use the upper flange 134 abuts the upper outer surface of the channels shaped member whereby the ridge 138 downwardly slidably clips into place in the upwardly facing groove 10 118 or 119 and the lower flanges 135 abut with the horizontal barbs 118a & 139 interlocking with each other with the ridge 138 providing a stop for the barb 11 8a of the channel and an outer wall surface of the channel 102 providing a stop for the barb 139 of the lower flange 135. Additionally the vertical leg 137 of each cover abuts an outer vertical surface of the lower platform and upper platform 121. Both lower leg portions 137 are spaced a certain 15 distance from the surface 102 of the substrate to allow for adjustment in length and height and to allow for different tolerances plus temperature expansion and contraction and to allow for moisture drainage there though or therefrom. Also balustrade mounting assembly 100 is for mounting a glass panel 150 in the recess 104 20 of the U shaped channel member. A vinyl film layer 151 can be applied to at least a portion of at least one side of the glass panel 150 abutting the front arm 115. The glass panel 150 has a thickness 152 which is designed to be less than a width of recess 104 to form a gap for various packers and sealants. As shown there is a top sealing member 155 which can be formed as a 'pumpable' silicon sealer. Directly under member 155 there can be a first rear 25 glazing thickness tolerance wedge member 157. Below first wedge member 157 there can be a gap 153 and below gap 153 there can be another wedge member ie second wedge member 157 of a smaller thickness than the first wedge member 157. The glass panel 150 can be seated on a glazing seating block 158. 30 In one option at least one handrail as shown in figure 3 can also be removably attached to the glass panel 150 of figure 4.

- 18 Method of Installation for vertical fixing - figures 1-3 Following is one method of installing the balustrade mounting system as disclosed: a) Install elongate channel member 2 with lower and upper fastener assemblies located at 5 600mm centres along the length of elongate channel member 2; b) Tighten the top fastener assembly ensuring that the channel 2 is straight, loosely fit bottom nuts 30b, 30c and washers 30d as adjustment may be required later in these steps after glass panel 50 installation; c) Apply the 150mm vinyl film 51 to a bottom edge of the glass panel 50; 10 d) Place 2x 100mm long x6mm thick neoprene setting blocks 58 at the bottom of the channel recess 4 for each glass panel 50 at quarter position points; e) Carefully lower each glass panel 50 in the channel recess 4 so that each glass panel 50 does not hit any part of the elongate channel member 2; f) Insert the rigid plastics wedge 57 into the gap and use a narrow blade to push it down 15 until there is no glass panel 50 movement at the base of the channel recess 4; g) Insert the santoprene glazing wedge 56 at the top of the channel recess; h) Using the top fastener assemblies as leverage, move the top edge of the glass panel 50 inwards or outwards until the glass panel 50 is plumb, tighten the bottom nuts 30b and 30c and washers; 20 i) Repeat steps c - h for the other glass panels 50 while checking that the panels 50 are lined up (into the page); j) Fit a front cover 32 to a front of the elongate channel member after all the bottom fastener assemblies have been tightened; k) Apply silicone sealant 55 (eg Dow Corning 795 silicone) to the gap between the glass 25 panel 50 and the channel recess; 1) Fit a rear cover 33 and use an adhesive to keep the rear cover 33 in place and m) Clean glass panels and covers 32 & 33 and remove all rubbish from site. These steps can be amended without altering the scope such as sealing and fitting the rear 30 cover 33 before fitting the front cover 32. Also the step c could be carried out before the first few steps.

- 19 Method of Installation for horizontal fixing - figure 4 Following is one method of installing the balustrade mounting system as disclosed: 5 a) Install elongate channel member 102 by fixing the lower fastener 124 with appropriate nuts 125 and washers 124a, 124b located at 600mm centres along the length of elongate channel member 102; b) Fasten upper fastener assembly 130 with appropriate nuts 125a, 125b and washers 130a, 130b, ensuring that the channel 102 is straight and level, adjustment can be 10 carried out by firstly loosely fitting bottom nuts 125b, and washers 130b as adjustment may be required later in these steps after glass panel 150 installation; c) Apply the 150mm vinyl film 151 to a bottom edge of the glass panel 150; d) Place 2x 100mm long x6mm thick neoprene setting blocks 158 at the bottom of the channel recess for each glass panel 150 at quarter position points along the length into 15 the page of the elongate channel member 102; e) Carefully lower the glass panel 150 in the channel recess so that the glass panel 150 does not hit any part of the elongate channel member 102; f) Insert one small rigid plastics wedge 157 into the recess 104 and use a narrow blade to push it down until there is no glass movement at the base of the channel recess 104; 20 g) Insert the larger rigid plastics wedge 156 close to the top of the channel recess 104; h) Using the upper fastener assemblies as leverage, move the top edge of the glass panel 150 inwards or outwards until the glass panel 150 is plumb, tighten the lower nuts 125b and washers 125b; i) Repeat steps c - h for other in line glass panels 150 while checking that the glass 25 panels 150 are lined up; j) Fit a front cover 132 to a front of the elongate channel member 102 after all the upper and lower fastener assemblies have been tightened; k) Apply silicone sealant 155 (eg Dow Coming 795 silicone) to the gap between the glass panel 150 and the channel recess; 30 1) Fit a rear cover 132 and use an adhesive to keep the rear cover 133 in place and m) Clean glass panels 150 and covers 132 & 133 and remove all rubbish from site. Advantages - 20 a) Fewer mounting components b) No direct fastening onto the glass panel which means no high localised pressure points c) Excellent separation of glass from bracket 5 d) Simple installation method e) Ability to accommodate glass thickness tolerance f) No chance of over tightening the glass into the bracket g) Robust construction Drainage cavity to minimise risk of moisture penetration 10 Silicone sealant to prevent glass shifting in the channel h) Glass panels can be fitted to vertical or horizontal substrates. i) Able to adjustably mount to allow for levelling j) Able to allow for drainage 15 Variations Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 20 It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described. 25 It will also be understood that where a product, method or process as herein described or claimed and that is sold incomplete, as individual components, or as a "kit of Parts", that such exploitation will fall within the ambit of the invention. These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the method of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and 30 economics of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this -21 specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. The elongate channel member 2 with the tail member 3 can be formed as shown as a one piece member but equally it is possible that the tail member 3 or the channel shaped portion 5 itself can be formed as a separate member(s) to be attached to the channel member either removably or permanently by bolting or welding. The shape of the channel member is shown as being U shaped but also other shapes for forming a channel or recess, are also possible such as for example square shaped and the recess may or may not follow the outside shape of the channel. Any of the faces can also be flat or shaped having steps or ridges. 10 Equally it may be necessary to fix the elongate channel member directly to a vertical wall instead of having a cavity there between with suitable sealers and packers there between if necessary. The elongate channel member 4 or 104 can be formed as one section covering a certain length distance but also can be formed of several separate lengths. The first packer 55 can 15 also be formed as a flexible sealer such as a silicone. The third packer 57, the seat 58 and first packer 51 or any combination of these can be formed as a single U shaped packer and seat. Though "front" and "rear" are mentioned these are only relative terms whereby equally one could call these "first" and "second" in that the orientation can be swapped. "Inner" and 20 "outer' are terms meant in reference to being within the recess of the channel or outside of the recess. The covers, packers and fasteners etc can be made as one piece items or be as separate lengths spaced or not commensurate with at least part of the length of any such balustrade mounting. The horizontal fixing of figure 4 can also extend any suitable length comparable to figure 3 & 4, whereby there can be any number of glass panels and covers of 25 suitable dimensions and spacing of fasteners and associate parts like apertures, nuts and washers. Any type of fasteners are possible as long as they are suitable for glass fixing and the channel shaped member like for example bolts, pins screws which can be applied by casting in place or driven in or screwed in with or without suitable adhesive. In general when considering the elongate channel member with glass panels there can be any length of 30 channel member with any number of glass panel to suit and any number of fasteners and packers to suit.

-22 For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where 5 expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 10 Schedule of parts or components of the balustrade mounting system as shown in figures 1-3 - vertical mounting 1 balustrade mounting system 2 elongate channel shaped member 15 3 tail member 4 upwardly facing opening 5 upper end 6 base 7 lower end 20 8 front face 9 rear face 10 vertical surface of a substrate 11 substrate 12 cavity 25 4-3 14 15 front upright arm 16 rear arm 17 outer ledge of front upright arm 30 18 first cover fixing groove 19 first cover fixing groove 20 inner facing top ledge -23 21 inner recess of rear upright arm 22 23 first fastening aperture 24 first fastener 5 25 fastener holding means (nuts), 25a fastener load spreading means (washers) 26 thickened area of rear arm 27 hook shaped protrusion 28 second recess 29 second fixing aperture 10 30 second fastener (bolt), 30a & 30b fastener holding means (nuts), 30c fastener holding means (nuts), & 30d fastener load spreading means (washers) 30d 31 tail groove, 31 a thickened area 32 front cover 33 rear cover 15 34 downwardly facing ridge 35 screw fixing pipe 36 lower ridge 37 38 20 39 40 top horizontal flange 41 vertical web 42 lower horizontal flange 43 25 44 45 horizontal top arm 46 vertical arm 47 angled diagonal flange member 48 ridge 30 49 screw pipe 50 glass panel 51 front cushioning member 52 - 24 53 54 55 top sealing member 56 glazing wedge member 5 57 glazing thickness tolerance wedge member 58 glazing seating block 59 Barrel nut 60 Handrail 10 Schedule of parts or components of the balustrade mounting system as shown in figure 4 - horizontal mounting 100. Balustrade mounting system for a horizontal wall 101. Glass panel 15 102. Channel shaped elongate member 104. Upwardly facing opening 105. Upper end 106. Base 107. Lower end 20 108. Front face 109. Rear face 110. Horizontal surface of a substrate 111. Substrate - floor 112. Cavity below rear platform 25 115. Front upright arm 116. Rear upright arm 117. Head of channel cross section of front & rear arms 118. Fixing groove at head of front arms 11 8a. Horizontal barb of the front arm 30 119. Groove at head of rear arm 11 9a. Horizontal barb of the rear arm 120. Tail - lower fixing platform 120a. Angled tail portion -25 121. Tail - upper fixing platform 123. Fastening aperture 124. Front or first fastener 124a. Front first fastener load spreading means -washer 5 124b. Front second fastener load spreading means -washer 125. Front locking fastener holing means -nut 125a. Upper platform first locking nut 125b.Lower platform locking nut 126.Vertical space from rear platform to substrate 10 130. Rear or second fastener 130a. Rear upper fastener load spreading means -washer 130b. Rear lower fastener load spreading means -washer 132. Front cover 133. Rear cover 15 134. Cover - Upper flange 135. Cover-Lower flange 136. Angled portion - cover 137. Vertical leg of cover 138. Ridge of the flange of the cover 20 139. Horizontal barb 150. Glass panel(s) 151. Vinyl film layer 152. Glass panel thickness 153. Gap with no packer 25 155. Top sealing member 157. Wedge members 158. Glazing seating block 30