GB2476310A

GB2476310A - Bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2476310A
Application number: GB0922276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Craven Benson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-21
Also published as: GB0922276D0; GB2476310B

Abstract

A bracket assembly for attaching sheet cladding (3) to a framework (16), especially a wrought iron gate, comprises a screw (1) having a free end adapted to pass through a hole in the cladding (3) for connection thereto, a first bracket (8) loosely fitted onto the screw (1), a second bracket (9) screw threaded onto the screw (1), the first and second brackets (8, 9) each having a gripping portion (12, 14) at one end for attachment to the framework (16), and means (10,11) for adjusting the spacing between the ends of the brackets (8, 9) remote from the gripping portions whereby to pivot the first bracket (8) on the screw (1) so that the gripping portions (12, 14) engage the framework (16). The cladding (3) may be of acrylic plastics cut to the gate's outline.

Description

BRACKET

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the enhancement of the appearance, security and privacy afforded by gates, doors, screens etc made of wrought iron or similar materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a bracket for fix-ing sheeting to a gate, door, screen etc of wrought iron or similar material.

Background to the Invention

Wrought iron gates can make an imposing entrance to a property, whether domestic or commercial. Nowadays, such gates are not always made of traditional wrought ironwork but may consist of castings of other materials.

As well as gates for vehicular access, premises can have pedestrian gates or doors made to the same design. Examples of such vehicle gates and pedes- trian door/gate are illustrated schematically in Figures 1 and 2. In addition, do-mestic and commercial premises are sometimes fitted with screens to separate one area from another. The present invention is applicable to any of these pur-poses and to either modern constructions or traditional wrought iron structures.

A disadvantage of openwork such as found in wrought iron gates is that they offer little or no visual privacy. A passer by can easily see into a driveway or garden otherwise "protected" by one or more such gates. The present inven-tion provides a solution to these problems, as well as visually enhancing the appearance of the gates.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides, in one aspect, a bracket assembly for attaching sheet cladding to a framework, the bracket comprising a screw having a free end adapted to pass through a hole in the cladding for connection thereto, a first bracket loosely fitted onto the screw, a second bracket screw threaded onto the screw, the first and second brackets each having a gripping portion at one end for attachment to the framework, and means for adjusting the spacing between the ends of the brackets remote from the gripping portions whereby to pivot the first bracket on the screw so that the gripping portions engage the framework.

The adjusting means preferably comprises a second screw, the second screw being adjustably screw-fitted onto the second bracket so as to engage said end of the first bracket.

Each bracket may comprise a pair of locating arms bent out from the bracket for locating onto the framework.

The gripping portions preferably comprise end portions of the brackets that are canted out therefrom.

The first screw may have a pair of nuts adapted to be tightened against opposite faces of the cladding sheet to clamp it to the bracket assembly.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a gate or screen fitted with sheet cladding using at least one of the bracket assemblies herein defined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a pair of wrought iron or similar vehicle gates fitted with a sheet material; Figure 2 shows a wrought iron or similar pedestrian gate fitted with a sheet material; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a bracket or clamp in an unclamped state for attaching sheet material to a wrought iron or similar structure; and Figure 4 shows the bracket or clamp in an operative position to clamp sheet material to a wrought iron or similar structure.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a typical pair of gates, made of wrought iron or similar material, and mainly for vehicle access to premises. Figure 2 shows a similar construction applied to a pedestrian gate or door. The same construction can be applied to screens for internal or external application. Of course, the inven-tion is not restricted to the particular design illustrated.

Although the beauty of the gates can be appreciated as they are, it is un-doubtedly the case that anyone can see through them. Where privacy and/or security is an issue, alternative forms of barrier may then be necessary, denying the property owner the advantage of having attractive wrought ironwork.

The present invention enables a sheet of material to be fitted to the gate so as to leave the gate otherwise unaffected and without the need for drilling, welding or screwing anything to the structure of the gate. In Figures 1 and 2, a sheet of plastic cladding, such as acrylic plastics (eg Perspex (RTM)) is at-tached by a clamping bracket that is unobtrusive and does not damage the gate structure. The sheet is preferably cut to the same outline as that of the gate so as to be confined by its perimeter with no overlap.

A preferred bracket is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The bracket consists of a screw 1 having a head end 2. The other end of the screw passes through a hole in the plastics sheet 3. The sheet 3 is clamped onto the screw by a pair of nuts 4, 5 and washers 6, 7.

A pair of opposed brackets 8, 9 are fitted on the screw. The bracket 8 is a loose fit on the screw 1, whereas the bracket 9 is a screw fit onto the screw 1.

Bracket 8 has a pair of bent over flanges 13 (only one of which is visible in Fig-ure 3). Likewise, bracket 9 has a pair of bent over flanges 15. The remote end of each of the brackets 8, 9, ie furthermost from the screw 1, is canted at a small angle to provide gripping portions 12, 14. When the bracket assembly is attached to a gate, part of the gate structure or framework, indicated generally at 16, is gripped between the gripping portions 12, 14 and is located by the bent over flanges 13, 15.

A clamping screw 10, with a head end 11, is screw-threaded onto the bracket 9. When the clamping screw 10 is tightened, its free end engages the inner face of the bracket 8 and causes the bracket 8 to pivot on the screw 1, thereby causing the gripping portion 12 to engage one face of the frame mem-ber 16, whilst the other gripping member engages the opposite face of the frame member 16.

In order to attach a cladding sheet 3 to the gate's framework 16, the sheet 3 is pre-drilled to accommodate the free end of the screw 1. With the in-ner nut 5 and inner washer 7 threaded on the screw, the screw is passed through the hole then the outer washer 4 and outer nut 4 attached. The outer nut may be a self-locking type. The nuts 4, 5 are tightened relative to one an-other to clamp the sheet between them. The assembly is offered up to the gate and the gripping portions 12, 14 located loosely over a piece of the framework 16. This is made possible by the fact that the bracket 9 is screwed onto the screw 1 but the bracket 8 is a loose fit on the screw. This position, where the bracket is in place but not tightened is illustrated in Figure 3.

When the cladding sheet is in position, the clamping screw 10 is tight-ened and the gripping portions 12, 14 engage opposed faces of the frame 16 and thereby firmly clamp the cladding sheet to the gate. As many such clamp-ing brackets as appropriate are provided for each cladding sheet. This position is illustrated in Figure 4.

The cladding sheet is preferably of acrylic plastics material, which is known for its strength and availability. Shades of translucency and/or colour may be used. The sheet provides a background against which the wrought ironwork of the gate is silhouetted, offering improved privacy, security and ap-pearance to the gate and the premises it serves.

In order to accommodate gate structures of varying thickness, all that is necessary is to provide different length screws 1 for the same brackets 8, 9. It may also be necessary to provide different length clamping screws 10. This is of extreme benefit to a supplier/installer, who needs only to keep a stock of standard sized brackets and a variety of different length screws.

The clamping mechanism has an added advantage of being readily re-movable for maintenance, such as painting.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bracket assembly for attaching sheet cladding (3) to a frame-work (16), the bracket comprising a screw (1) having a free end adapted to pass through a hole in the cladding for connection thereto, a first bracket (8) loosely fitted onto the screw (1), a second bracket (9) screw threaded onto the screw (1), the first and second brackets each having a gripping portion (12, 14) at one end for attachment to the framework (16), and means (10,11) for adjusting the spacing between the ends of the brackets remote from the gripping portions whereby to pivot the first bracket (8) on the screw (1) so that the gripping por-tions (12, 14) engage the framework.
2. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the spacing between the ends of the brackets comprises a second screw, the second screw being adjustably screw-fitted onto the second bracket so as to engage said end of the first bracket.
3. A bracket as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each said bracket further comprises a pair of locating arms bent out from the bracket for locating onto the framework.
4. A bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said grip- ping portions comprise end portions of the brackets that are canted out there-from.
5. A bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the first screw has a pair of nuts adapted to be tightened against opposite faces of the cladding sheet to clamp it to the bracket assembly.
6. A gate having a framework, and a cladding sheet fitted to said framework by at least one bracket assembly, wherein each said bracket as-sembly comprises a screw (1) having a free end adapted to pass through a hole in the cladding for connection thereto, a first bracket (8) loosely fitted onto the screw (1), a second bracket (9) screw threaded onto the screw (1), the first and second brackets each having a gripping portion (12, 14) at one end for attach- ment to the framework (16), and means (10,11) for adjusting the spacing be-tween the ends of the brackets remote from the gripping portions whereby to pivot the first bracket (8) on the screw (1) so that the gripping portions (12, 14) engage the framework.
7. A gate as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said framework comprises a framework of a wrought iron gate.
8. A gate as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein said sheet cladding comprises an acrylic plastics sheet.
9. A screen having a framework, and a cladding sheet fitted to said framework by at least one bracket as defined in any of Claims 1 to 5.
10. A bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures of the drawings.
11. A gate or screen substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures of the drawings.