CA2262181A1 - Modular railing system - Google Patents
Modular railing system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2262181A1 CA2262181A1 CA002262181A CA2262181A CA2262181A1 CA 2262181 A1 CA2262181 A1 CA 2262181A1 CA 002262181 A CA002262181 A CA 002262181A CA 2262181 A CA2262181 A CA 2262181A CA 2262181 A1 CA2262181 A1 CA 2262181A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- railing
- panel
- modular
- panels
- rail members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1812—Details of anchoring to the wall or floor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/181—Balustrades
- E04F11/1842—Balusters; Grille-type elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F2011/1868—Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for
- E04F2011/187—Miscellaneous features of handrails not otherwise provided for lengthwise adjustable, e.g. telescopic
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
Abstract
A modular railing is disclosed. Railing panels are produced which are adjustable in length, by cutting or otherwise, to properly fit a particular area requiring a railing, while providing the rigidity of a custom fabricated railing. The panels are adapted such that they can be quickly joined together without the requirement of welding or other such labor-intensive attachment methods. Various mounting hardware can be produced to allow for the attachment of the completed balcony railing in location, to a wall or other upright structure, as well as allowing for railings to be produced which allow for corners or angles in the location, such as stairs or the like. This modular system will allow for a reduction in inventory of custom manufactured pieces by railing manufacturers, as well as simplifying the installation process.
Description
' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 923-02-02 MODULAR RAILING SYSTEM
This invention is in the field of building construction, and s deals particularly with the field of manufacture and installation of railings around balconies or other similar structures.
to BACKGROUND
The manufacture of railings for balconies, stair wells and other similar residential as well as commercial applications is a labor-intensive process. The majority of this material 15 is manufactured from steel or wrought iron and particularly in the case of residential pieces involves a significant expenditure of labor in the creation of artistic railings.
The amount of labor required to produce these railings is compounded by the fact that the majority of them need to be 2o custom manufactured to the precise dimensions of the place in which they are to be installed. Even in the case of straightforward railings not incorporating a large number of F&K 423-02-02 artistic elements, which can then to some extent be mass produced, manufacturers find themselves carrying enormous inventories of pieces of various dimensions.
In addition to the relatively high cost of producing and inventorying these items, their installation can also be problematic. For example, in the case of a larger railing which needs to be manufactured in several pieces it is then in most cases necessary to bring a welder or other heavy 1o equipment to the side of assembly in order to weld the pieces together and attach them to their permanent location. Labor savings in the assembly of these conventional railing units is a key factor in the present invention.
Railing manufacturers have tried to overcome this problem of high inventories and/or custom building a large number of railings by designing modular railing systems from which parts can be selected and mixed to produce a railing to fit most spots.
There have been problems, however, with the modular railing systems designed to date. The most important of these is railing strength and rigidity. for various reasons, ,any of F&K 423-02-02 these modular railing systems in the prior art are manufactured of materials or in such a fashion that they are bendable or not particularly strong. This is a problem when someone leans on the railing, or someone or something falls against such a railing, because injury to the person as well as damage to such a malleable railing can result. One of the reasons that some conventional modular railing systems are bendable is that the standard sized panels which are used in the system are specifically designed to be bent so that they 1o will fit around corners, stairs or other irregularities in the surface on which they are to be installed. For example, one manufacturer designs a panel that can be bent during installation just by anchoring one end of the panel to something and then exerting pressure on the other end of the panel focused at a bending point to make a bend in the panel.
In the case of such bending of the panels at the assembly site it is also difficult and time consuming to yield uniform bends in all members of a railing panel.
These bendable railings, or others currently in the market, do not yield a rigid finished unit with the same strength and quality of a railing custom manufactured to the dimensions of ' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 the installation area.
A system of manufacture of a balcony railing which was relatively modular in nature allowing for the flexible use of a smaller number of standard sized pieces would reduce the number of pieces which a manufacturer had to produce and stock, causing the realization of significant savings.
It would also be beneficial to provide a method of production of a balcony railing which yielded a railing which was relatively easy to assemble at the construction site and which did not require a large number of expensive or bulky tools or skilled labor to install. Rigidity and strength of the finished product are key.
SZJi~IARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the obj ect of the present invention to provide a modular 2o railing system which would allow for the construction of balcony railings of various configurations from a limited number of stock pieces of standard dimensions.
F&K 423-02-02 It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a modular railing system which would allow for the construction of balcony railings of various configurations from a limited number of stock pieces of standard dimensions, which modular railing when assembled would offer superior rigidity and strength to conventional designs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a modular railing system which could be easily assembled 1o at the construction site using a minimum of tools and skilled labor.
Various mounting hardware could be incorporated into the railing system to allow for the attachment of railings to various types of structures, as well as to accommodate variations in the installation such as making a railing which will turn a corner or angle up or down a set of stairs, for example.
2o The invention, a modular railing, accomplishes its objects comprising substantially a plurality of railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced F&K 423-02-02 apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail s members thereof; and a plurality of panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adj acent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other.
Several designs of railing panels could be used, both for cosmetic and structural purposes. The most basic embodiment of a railing panel which is specifically contemplated within the scope of the present invention consists of two parallel rail members, the intermediate bars being bars extending vertically between the rail members. The bars could extended between the rail members perpendicular to the rail members, or could be angled.
The rail members could be of various shapes and sizes depending on the situation, with the necessary adjustments made to the shape and size of the panel joiners. In the case of a rail member having a rectilinear cross-section, the panel F&K 423-02-02 joiner might be a rectangular bar with similar outer dimensions to the inner dimensions of the rail member. In assembling the modular railing, and joining the railing panels together, the panel joiners would simply be inserted into the two open ends of adjacent rail members and the respective railing panels would then be engaged.
Rail members of circular or other cross-section might also be employed, with other types of panel joiners being used also.
Anchors might be added to one or more of the railing panels in the modular railing in order to anchor the modular railing to a surface, such as a balcony, floor or other. The anchors might be anchoring flanges, through which bolts could be extended into the surface, or any number of other types of conventional anchoring methods could also be employed.
Manufacturing a limited number of parts for the modular railing system results in virtually endless combinations. For 2o example, a corner panel could be provided which would allow for the modular railing to provide horizontal angle. The corner panel could be formed by manufacturing the rail members thereof each with an identical horizontal angle, while F&K 923-02-02 maintaining the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other in the assembly of such corner panel. A right angle corner panel could be produced, or a number of corner panels having different angles. In the assembly of a particular railing then, the necessary corners could be achieved using more modular parts.
In addition to providing corner panels which will allow for a horizontal angle in the modular railing to accommodate the 1o turning of a corner, or providing an angular deflection in the railing to circumnavigate some particular obstruction in the path of the railing on the surface, the modular railing system could also include parts to provide for vertical angles in the modular railing. This would allow for a modular railing to go up or down such things as a ramp or a stairwell.
An angle panel adapted to provide the vertical angle in the modular railing could be formed by manufacturing the rail members thereof each with a desired vertical angle in it, 2o while maintaining the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other when assembling said vertical panel.
F&K 423-02-02 The pre-manufacture of any angles or corner panels means that the panels or railing parts do not need to be produced from bendable material which can be bent at the assembly site, and far superior rigidity can be achieved.
Rather than using an angle panel or a corner panel to allow for the accommodation of a vertical or horizontal angle in the modular railing, the panel joiners could be modified. The panel joiners between least one pair of adjacent railing io panels could be adapted to allow the joining of said adjacent panels at either a horizontal or vertical angle by providing the necessary angle in the panel joiner between the two rail members engaged by said panel joiner.
The railing panels and panel joiners could be further modified to allow for the fixed engagement as well as attachment of adjacent pairs of railing panels. For example, in addition to simply engaging the railing panels together passively by the insertion of the panel joiners in adjacent rail members, 2o mating bolt holes could be placed in the rail members of a pair of adjacent railing panels and their corresponding panel joiners, and bolts then inserted therethrough.
' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 The panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels of the modular railing might be adapted for attachment to a surface such as a wall. For example, the panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels might include anchoring flanges for bolting the modular railing to a wall or other vertical surface.
The use of these standardized railing panels and joining hardware to assemble a modular railing will allow for 1o significant increases in efficiency in both manufacture of the railing parts as well as assembly of railings on the construction site. The railing panel might be manufactured in a few standard lengths for each panel style, and the necessary railing length can be reached by joining together several panels and shortening the last panel by shortening the rail members thereof. Various panel joiners could be used to accomplish various special effects such as angles or the like.
In addition to the assembled modular railing, the present 2o invention also includes a kit for the assembly of such a modular railing, which kit would comprise one or more railing panels, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by F&K 923-02-02 intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and one or more panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members of two adjacently placed railing panels and will engage said adjacent railing panels thereof to each other.
Such a kit for the assembly of modular railing might yield a modular railing of any of the embodiments of the present invention.
is The railing panels of the present invention are also more rigid than other balcony railing assembly kits since the intermediate bars, or pickets, are welded in place at the time of manufacture rather than installed at the site.
F&K 423-02-02 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Figure 1 shows a partial section of one embodiment of the modular railing of the present invention, a wall and a patio or the like also being shown;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a rail member and panel joiner pair of the present invention, demonstrating the sizing of same;
Figure 4 is a partial view of another embodiment of the zo modular railing of the present invention shown in place on a patio or the like, vertical and horizontal angles in the modular railing being demonstrated; and F&K 423-02-02 Figure 4 demonstrates two embodiments of the modular railing of the present invention attached in placed to a wall and patio of a house.
s DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
Figure 1 demonstrates a partial section of one basic embodiment of the modular railing of the present invention.
1o There is shown a wall (7) and a surface (6), to which a modular railing (1) is being attached. The modular railing (1) shows, in this case, two railing panels (2). Each of the railing panels (2) consists of two hollow tubular rail members (3), joined in parallel to each other by a series of 15 intermediate bars (4). In this case, the intermediate bars (4) are bars extending between the rail members (3) perpendicular to the rail members (3).
The rail members (3) are hollow and the dimension and cross-20 section of each rail member (3) inside is the same along its entire length. Thus the rail panel (2) can be shortened by cutting off a section of the railing panel (2) by severing the F&K 423-02-02 rail members (3) in question, and the size and shape of the newly created open end of the rail member (3) will be the same as that which was cut away.
Also shown are panel joiners (5). The panel joiners (5) are of shape and dimension such that they can be placed inside of the open ends of two adjacent rail members (3), thus engaging two adjacent railing panels (2) to each other.
1o The cross-section of the interior of the rail member (3) could be of various shapes, and necessary amendments could be made to the panel joiner (5) in order to continue their secure engagement of the railing panels (2). For example, in the case of a rail member (3) of rectilinear cross-section, such as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the panel joiner (5) could be either a smaller rectangular tube, or a rectangular bar, of dimensions and shape to snugly fit inside of the rail member (3). By sliding several of these panel joiners (5) into place in the open ends of rail members (3) of adjacent railing 2o panels (2), a very large modular railing (1) can be assembled in a very short period of time.
Also shown in Figure 1 are anchors (8). Anchors (8) can be F&K 423-02-02 used to anchor the modular railing (1) to a surface (6). In this case, the anchors consist of a stub and an anchoring flange through which bolts or other types of anchors could be extended to secure the modular railing (1) to a surface such s as is shown at (6).
Also shown in Figure 1 is a modified panel joiner (5a) at the extreme end of the outermost railing panel, which also includes an anchoring flange for use in the bolting or otherwise securing of the modular railing (1) to a vertical surface such as a wall (7). It will be understood that other similar modified panel joiners (5) could be used at the extreme end of the modular railing (1) in order to secure the modular railing (1) to various structures or surfaces and that all such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Similarly, it will be understood that a short panel j oiner ( 5 ) could be produced that was actually a plug to go in the open 2o end of rail members (3) of the extreme end of railing panel (2). It will be understood that the use of such a plug would not depart from the scope of the present invention and is also contemplated to fall within the bounds thereof.
F&K 423-02-02 Various combinations of rail members (3) and panel joiners (5) could be used, with various profiles and internal cross-sections in the case of the rail member(3). It will be understood that any such combination which accomplishes the s goal of allowing for the engagement of rail members (3) by the simple insertion of a panel joiner (5) would fall within the scope of the present invention and, as such, some of the particular other embodiments which might be envisioned would include a rail member (3) of circular cross-section, and a io panel joiner (5) of circular cross-section as well, the diameter of the panel joiner (5) being of approximately the same dimension of the internal diameter of the rail member (3). Any shape of a panel joiner (5) could be used which accomplishes the goal of securely engaging two adjacent rail is members (3) to each other.
Figure 2 demonstrates in more detail, in cross-section, the complimentary dimensions of the rail member and panel joiner of one embodiment of the invention.
Turning to Figure 3, some of the further versatility of the present invention is demonstrated. Specifically, it is shown how the modular railing (1) can be adapted to turn at either F&K 423-02-02 horizontal or vertical angles.
This modular railing system can accommodate horizontal corners, a sample angle of which is demonstrated at (11), in s one of two ways. Firstly, corner panel (9) could be produced, which is a railing panel of the present invention, wherein the rail members are bent horizontally at an identical angle, their parallel relationship to each other being maintained by their attachment by the intermediate bars (4).
Panel joiners (5) can then be used to attach straight railing panels (2) to the corner panel (9) and a corner on a patio or whatever surface might be desired can be achieved. The horizontal angle (11) might be 90° or there might be any number of other standard angles which would be produced. It may even be necessary to produce custom fitted corner panels (9) which have a custom horizontal angle (11) in a certain situation, but the time involved in producing such a modified corner panel (9) would still be less than if the entire 2o modular railing (1) were being custom fitted.
The second alternative to providing a corner panel (9) would be to provide panel j oiners ( 5 ) which had the horizontal angle F&K 423-02-02 bent therein between the ends of the panel joiner (5) which will engage the adjacent rail members (3).
Similarly, vertical angles, such as going up or down a stairwell or a ramp, are accommodated by the present invention either by the production of an angle panel or by the production of an angled panel joiner.
An example of a vertical angle is shown at (10) in Figure 2.
1o Also shown are panel joiners (5) which, it can be seen, are bent at the vertical angle ( 10 ) . In conj unction with a corner panel (9) and the modified panel joiners (5b), another straight railing panel (2) can be attached to the remainder of the modular railing (1) at an angle upwards or downwards therefrom.
Again, it will be understood that standard or custom angles could be accommodated relatively easily with changes to the panel joiners (5), without requiring any other substantial changes to the railing panels (2) themselves.
Figure 3 demonstrates two modular railings (1) of the present invention attached in place on a surface (6), being a patio F&K 423-02-02 against a house with a wall (7). Using the various modular railing panels (2) and modified panel joiners (5), these entire modular railings (1) can be assembled from a relatively small selection of stock hardware, rather than being required s to be custom produced.
Also disclosed by the present invention in addition to the modular railing 1 shown, is a kit for the assembly thereof.
A kit for the assembly of any portion of a modular railing 1o which falls within the scope of the modular railing as a claimed herein is intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention as well. It will be understood that this system could be marketed piece by piece and that the present patent is intended to cover both the assembled modular railing 15 as well as the individual cooperating parts thereof.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its stated objectives. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
2o Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or ' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
This invention is in the field of building construction, and s deals particularly with the field of manufacture and installation of railings around balconies or other similar structures.
to BACKGROUND
The manufacture of railings for balconies, stair wells and other similar residential as well as commercial applications is a labor-intensive process. The majority of this material 15 is manufactured from steel or wrought iron and particularly in the case of residential pieces involves a significant expenditure of labor in the creation of artistic railings.
The amount of labor required to produce these railings is compounded by the fact that the majority of them need to be 2o custom manufactured to the precise dimensions of the place in which they are to be installed. Even in the case of straightforward railings not incorporating a large number of F&K 423-02-02 artistic elements, which can then to some extent be mass produced, manufacturers find themselves carrying enormous inventories of pieces of various dimensions.
In addition to the relatively high cost of producing and inventorying these items, their installation can also be problematic. For example, in the case of a larger railing which needs to be manufactured in several pieces it is then in most cases necessary to bring a welder or other heavy 1o equipment to the side of assembly in order to weld the pieces together and attach them to their permanent location. Labor savings in the assembly of these conventional railing units is a key factor in the present invention.
Railing manufacturers have tried to overcome this problem of high inventories and/or custom building a large number of railings by designing modular railing systems from which parts can be selected and mixed to produce a railing to fit most spots.
There have been problems, however, with the modular railing systems designed to date. The most important of these is railing strength and rigidity. for various reasons, ,any of F&K 423-02-02 these modular railing systems in the prior art are manufactured of materials or in such a fashion that they are bendable or not particularly strong. This is a problem when someone leans on the railing, or someone or something falls against such a railing, because injury to the person as well as damage to such a malleable railing can result. One of the reasons that some conventional modular railing systems are bendable is that the standard sized panels which are used in the system are specifically designed to be bent so that they 1o will fit around corners, stairs or other irregularities in the surface on which they are to be installed. For example, one manufacturer designs a panel that can be bent during installation just by anchoring one end of the panel to something and then exerting pressure on the other end of the panel focused at a bending point to make a bend in the panel.
In the case of such bending of the panels at the assembly site it is also difficult and time consuming to yield uniform bends in all members of a railing panel.
These bendable railings, or others currently in the market, do not yield a rigid finished unit with the same strength and quality of a railing custom manufactured to the dimensions of ' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 the installation area.
A system of manufacture of a balcony railing which was relatively modular in nature allowing for the flexible use of a smaller number of standard sized pieces would reduce the number of pieces which a manufacturer had to produce and stock, causing the realization of significant savings.
It would also be beneficial to provide a method of production of a balcony railing which yielded a railing which was relatively easy to assemble at the construction site and which did not require a large number of expensive or bulky tools or skilled labor to install. Rigidity and strength of the finished product are key.
SZJi~IARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the obj ect of the present invention to provide a modular 2o railing system which would allow for the construction of balcony railings of various configurations from a limited number of stock pieces of standard dimensions.
F&K 423-02-02 It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a modular railing system which would allow for the construction of balcony railings of various configurations from a limited number of stock pieces of standard dimensions, which modular railing when assembled would offer superior rigidity and strength to conventional designs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a modular railing system which could be easily assembled 1o at the construction site using a minimum of tools and skilled labor.
Various mounting hardware could be incorporated into the railing system to allow for the attachment of railings to various types of structures, as well as to accommodate variations in the installation such as making a railing which will turn a corner or angle up or down a set of stairs, for example.
2o The invention, a modular railing, accomplishes its objects comprising substantially a plurality of railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced F&K 423-02-02 apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail s members thereof; and a plurality of panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adj acent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other.
Several designs of railing panels could be used, both for cosmetic and structural purposes. The most basic embodiment of a railing panel which is specifically contemplated within the scope of the present invention consists of two parallel rail members, the intermediate bars being bars extending vertically between the rail members. The bars could extended between the rail members perpendicular to the rail members, or could be angled.
The rail members could be of various shapes and sizes depending on the situation, with the necessary adjustments made to the shape and size of the panel joiners. In the case of a rail member having a rectilinear cross-section, the panel F&K 423-02-02 joiner might be a rectangular bar with similar outer dimensions to the inner dimensions of the rail member. In assembling the modular railing, and joining the railing panels together, the panel joiners would simply be inserted into the two open ends of adjacent rail members and the respective railing panels would then be engaged.
Rail members of circular or other cross-section might also be employed, with other types of panel joiners being used also.
Anchors might be added to one or more of the railing panels in the modular railing in order to anchor the modular railing to a surface, such as a balcony, floor or other. The anchors might be anchoring flanges, through which bolts could be extended into the surface, or any number of other types of conventional anchoring methods could also be employed.
Manufacturing a limited number of parts for the modular railing system results in virtually endless combinations. For 2o example, a corner panel could be provided which would allow for the modular railing to provide horizontal angle. The corner panel could be formed by manufacturing the rail members thereof each with an identical horizontal angle, while F&K 923-02-02 maintaining the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other in the assembly of such corner panel. A right angle corner panel could be produced, or a number of corner panels having different angles. In the assembly of a particular railing then, the necessary corners could be achieved using more modular parts.
In addition to providing corner panels which will allow for a horizontal angle in the modular railing to accommodate the 1o turning of a corner, or providing an angular deflection in the railing to circumnavigate some particular obstruction in the path of the railing on the surface, the modular railing system could also include parts to provide for vertical angles in the modular railing. This would allow for a modular railing to go up or down such things as a ramp or a stairwell.
An angle panel adapted to provide the vertical angle in the modular railing could be formed by manufacturing the rail members thereof each with a desired vertical angle in it, 2o while maintaining the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other when assembling said vertical panel.
F&K 423-02-02 The pre-manufacture of any angles or corner panels means that the panels or railing parts do not need to be produced from bendable material which can be bent at the assembly site, and far superior rigidity can be achieved.
Rather than using an angle panel or a corner panel to allow for the accommodation of a vertical or horizontal angle in the modular railing, the panel joiners could be modified. The panel joiners between least one pair of adjacent railing io panels could be adapted to allow the joining of said adjacent panels at either a horizontal or vertical angle by providing the necessary angle in the panel joiner between the two rail members engaged by said panel joiner.
The railing panels and panel joiners could be further modified to allow for the fixed engagement as well as attachment of adjacent pairs of railing panels. For example, in addition to simply engaging the railing panels together passively by the insertion of the panel joiners in adjacent rail members, 2o mating bolt holes could be placed in the rail members of a pair of adjacent railing panels and their corresponding panel joiners, and bolts then inserted therethrough.
' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 The panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels of the modular railing might be adapted for attachment to a surface such as a wall. For example, the panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels might include anchoring flanges for bolting the modular railing to a wall or other vertical surface.
The use of these standardized railing panels and joining hardware to assemble a modular railing will allow for 1o significant increases in efficiency in both manufacture of the railing parts as well as assembly of railings on the construction site. The railing panel might be manufactured in a few standard lengths for each panel style, and the necessary railing length can be reached by joining together several panels and shortening the last panel by shortening the rail members thereof. Various panel joiners could be used to accomplish various special effects such as angles or the like.
In addition to the assembled modular railing, the present 2o invention also includes a kit for the assembly of such a modular railing, which kit would comprise one or more railing panels, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by F&K 923-02-02 intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and one or more panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members of two adjacently placed railing panels and will engage said adjacent railing panels thereof to each other.
Such a kit for the assembly of modular railing might yield a modular railing of any of the embodiments of the present invention.
is The railing panels of the present invention are also more rigid than other balcony railing assembly kits since the intermediate bars, or pickets, are welded in place at the time of manufacture rather than installed at the site.
F&K 423-02-02 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Figure 1 shows a partial section of one embodiment of the modular railing of the present invention, a wall and a patio or the like also being shown;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a rail member and panel joiner pair of the present invention, demonstrating the sizing of same;
Figure 4 is a partial view of another embodiment of the zo modular railing of the present invention shown in place on a patio or the like, vertical and horizontal angles in the modular railing being demonstrated; and F&K 423-02-02 Figure 4 demonstrates two embodiments of the modular railing of the present invention attached in placed to a wall and patio of a house.
s DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
Figure 1 demonstrates a partial section of one basic embodiment of the modular railing of the present invention.
1o There is shown a wall (7) and a surface (6), to which a modular railing (1) is being attached. The modular railing (1) shows, in this case, two railing panels (2). Each of the railing panels (2) consists of two hollow tubular rail members (3), joined in parallel to each other by a series of 15 intermediate bars (4). In this case, the intermediate bars (4) are bars extending between the rail members (3) perpendicular to the rail members (3).
The rail members (3) are hollow and the dimension and cross-20 section of each rail member (3) inside is the same along its entire length. Thus the rail panel (2) can be shortened by cutting off a section of the railing panel (2) by severing the F&K 423-02-02 rail members (3) in question, and the size and shape of the newly created open end of the rail member (3) will be the same as that which was cut away.
Also shown are panel joiners (5). The panel joiners (5) are of shape and dimension such that they can be placed inside of the open ends of two adjacent rail members (3), thus engaging two adjacent railing panels (2) to each other.
1o The cross-section of the interior of the rail member (3) could be of various shapes, and necessary amendments could be made to the panel joiner (5) in order to continue their secure engagement of the railing panels (2). For example, in the case of a rail member (3) of rectilinear cross-section, such as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the panel joiner (5) could be either a smaller rectangular tube, or a rectangular bar, of dimensions and shape to snugly fit inside of the rail member (3). By sliding several of these panel joiners (5) into place in the open ends of rail members (3) of adjacent railing 2o panels (2), a very large modular railing (1) can be assembled in a very short period of time.
Also shown in Figure 1 are anchors (8). Anchors (8) can be F&K 423-02-02 used to anchor the modular railing (1) to a surface (6). In this case, the anchors consist of a stub and an anchoring flange through which bolts or other types of anchors could be extended to secure the modular railing (1) to a surface such s as is shown at (6).
Also shown in Figure 1 is a modified panel joiner (5a) at the extreme end of the outermost railing panel, which also includes an anchoring flange for use in the bolting or otherwise securing of the modular railing (1) to a vertical surface such as a wall (7). It will be understood that other similar modified panel joiners (5) could be used at the extreme end of the modular railing (1) in order to secure the modular railing (1) to various structures or surfaces and that all such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Similarly, it will be understood that a short panel j oiner ( 5 ) could be produced that was actually a plug to go in the open 2o end of rail members (3) of the extreme end of railing panel (2). It will be understood that the use of such a plug would not depart from the scope of the present invention and is also contemplated to fall within the bounds thereof.
F&K 423-02-02 Various combinations of rail members (3) and panel joiners (5) could be used, with various profiles and internal cross-sections in the case of the rail member(3). It will be understood that any such combination which accomplishes the s goal of allowing for the engagement of rail members (3) by the simple insertion of a panel joiner (5) would fall within the scope of the present invention and, as such, some of the particular other embodiments which might be envisioned would include a rail member (3) of circular cross-section, and a io panel joiner (5) of circular cross-section as well, the diameter of the panel joiner (5) being of approximately the same dimension of the internal diameter of the rail member (3). Any shape of a panel joiner (5) could be used which accomplishes the goal of securely engaging two adjacent rail is members (3) to each other.
Figure 2 demonstrates in more detail, in cross-section, the complimentary dimensions of the rail member and panel joiner of one embodiment of the invention.
Turning to Figure 3, some of the further versatility of the present invention is demonstrated. Specifically, it is shown how the modular railing (1) can be adapted to turn at either F&K 423-02-02 horizontal or vertical angles.
This modular railing system can accommodate horizontal corners, a sample angle of which is demonstrated at (11), in s one of two ways. Firstly, corner panel (9) could be produced, which is a railing panel of the present invention, wherein the rail members are bent horizontally at an identical angle, their parallel relationship to each other being maintained by their attachment by the intermediate bars (4).
Panel joiners (5) can then be used to attach straight railing panels (2) to the corner panel (9) and a corner on a patio or whatever surface might be desired can be achieved. The horizontal angle (11) might be 90° or there might be any number of other standard angles which would be produced. It may even be necessary to produce custom fitted corner panels (9) which have a custom horizontal angle (11) in a certain situation, but the time involved in producing such a modified corner panel (9) would still be less than if the entire 2o modular railing (1) were being custom fitted.
The second alternative to providing a corner panel (9) would be to provide panel j oiners ( 5 ) which had the horizontal angle F&K 423-02-02 bent therein between the ends of the panel joiner (5) which will engage the adjacent rail members (3).
Similarly, vertical angles, such as going up or down a stairwell or a ramp, are accommodated by the present invention either by the production of an angle panel or by the production of an angled panel joiner.
An example of a vertical angle is shown at (10) in Figure 2.
1o Also shown are panel joiners (5) which, it can be seen, are bent at the vertical angle ( 10 ) . In conj unction with a corner panel (9) and the modified panel joiners (5b), another straight railing panel (2) can be attached to the remainder of the modular railing (1) at an angle upwards or downwards therefrom.
Again, it will be understood that standard or custom angles could be accommodated relatively easily with changes to the panel joiners (5), without requiring any other substantial changes to the railing panels (2) themselves.
Figure 3 demonstrates two modular railings (1) of the present invention attached in place on a surface (6), being a patio F&K 423-02-02 against a house with a wall (7). Using the various modular railing panels (2) and modified panel joiners (5), these entire modular railings (1) can be assembled from a relatively small selection of stock hardware, rather than being required s to be custom produced.
Also disclosed by the present invention in addition to the modular railing 1 shown, is a kit for the assembly thereof.
A kit for the assembly of any portion of a modular railing 1o which falls within the scope of the modular railing as a claimed herein is intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention as well. It will be understood that this system could be marketed piece by piece and that the present patent is intended to cover both the assembled modular railing 15 as well as the individual cooperating parts thereof.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its stated objectives. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
2o Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or ' CA 02262181 1999-04-19 F&K 423-02-02 modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims (26)
1. A modular railing comprising:
a) a plurality of railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and b) a plurality of panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other,
a) a plurality of railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and b) a plurality of panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other,
2. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the rail members are of rectilinear cross-section.
3. The modular railing of Claim 2 wherein the panel joiners are rectangular bars of similar outer dimension to the inside dimensions of the rail members.
4. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the intermediate bars are bars extending between the rail members.
5. The modular railing of Claim 4 wherein the bars are perpendicular to the rail members.
6. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the number of rail members in each railing panel is two.
7. The modular railing of Claim 6 wherein the number of panel joiners used for each pair of adjacent railing panels is two.
8. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the rail members are of circular cross-section.
9. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein one or more of the railing panels further comprise a plurality of anchors to anchor said modular railing to a surface
10. The modular railing of Claim 9 wherein the anchors are anchoring flanges.
11. The modular railing of Claim 9 wherein the surface is a balcony.
12. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein one or more of the railing panels are corner panels adapted to provide a horizontal angle in the modular railing.
13. The modular railing of Claim 12 wherein the rail members of each said corner panel are manufactured with an identical horizontal angle, and the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other is maintained in the assembly of said corner panel.
14. The modular railing of Claim 12 wherein the angle is a right angle.
15. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein one or more of the railing panels are angle panels adapted to provide a vertical angle in the modular railing.
16. The modular railing of Claim 15 wherein the rail members of each said corner panel are manufactured with an identical vertical angle, and the parallel relationship and attachment of the rail members with respect to each other is maintained in the assembly of said corner panel.
17. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the panel joiners between at least one pair of adjacent railing panels are adapted to allow the joining of said adjacent panels at a horizontal angle.
18. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the panel joiners between at least one pair of adjacent railing panels are adapted to allow the joining of said adjacent panels at a vertical angle.
19. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein said railing panels and panel joiners allow for the fixed engagement and attachment of adjacent pairs of railing panels.
20. The modular railing of Claim 19 wherein mating bolt holes pass through the rail members of a pair of adjacent railing panels and their corresponding panel joiners.
21. The modular railing of Claim 19 wherein a tack screw extends through a rail member into or against the panel joiner contained inside of the rail member, rigidly joining the panel joiner and the rail member.
22. The modular railing of Claim 1 wherein the panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels are adapted for attachment to a surface.
23. The modular railing of Claim 22 wherein the panel joiners used at the extreme ends of the outermost railing panels include anchoring flanges.
24. The modular railing of Claim 22 wherein the surface is a wall.
25. A kit for the assembly of a modular railing, said kit comprising:
a) one or more railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein each rail member is open at each end, wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and b) one or more panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other.
a) one or more railing panels for placement adjacent to each other, each railing panel comprising a plurality of hollow tubular rail members spaced apart and joined in parallel by intermediate bars, the interior cross-section and dimensions of each rail member being the same along its entire length and wherein each rail member is open at each end, wherein the length of said railing panel can be shortened by shortening the rail members; and b) one or more panel joiners, each panel joiner comprising an element of shape and dimensions such that it can be inserted into the open ends of two adjacent rail members and will engage the adjacent railing panels to each other.
26. The kit of Claim 25 wherein the modular railing yielded by the assembly of the parts thereof is the modular railing of any of Claims 1 to 24.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002262181A CA2262181A1 (en) | 1999-02-16 | 1999-02-16 | Modular railing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002262181A CA2262181A1 (en) | 1999-02-16 | 1999-02-16 | Modular railing system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2262181A1 true CA2262181A1 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
Family
ID=29555171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002262181A Abandoned CA2262181A1 (en) | 1999-02-16 | 1999-02-16 | Modular railing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2262181A1 (en) |
-
1999
- 1999-02-16 CA CA002262181A patent/CA2262181A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |