Glass panel railing securement

Abstract

A selectively inserted panel securement secures a panel into a balustrade, and a fastener affixes the panel securement into a top rail of the balustrade. The panel securement comprises a base inserted into a recess within the bottom of the top rail, a riser affixed on one end to the base and having a contact surface adjacent to a panel side edge that restricts panel movement in a first axial direction; and a panel retaining member extending perpendicularly from the riser on a second end distal to the base. The panel retaining member is inserted into a top railing channel and restricts panel movement in a second axial direction. A notch in the base secures the panel in a third axial direction, thereby preventing movement of the panel in three orthogonal axes. The fastener fastens the selectively inserted panel securement to the top rail within the channel.

Claims

1. In combination, a balustrade, a panel inserted into said balustrade, a selectively inserted panel securement securing said panel into said balustrade, and a fastener, said balustrade comprising: a bottom rail; a top rail extending longitudinally generally parallel to and spaced apart from said bottom rail; a channel longitudinally extensive along a lower surface of said top rail with a longitudinally extensive opening into an interior of said channel facing toward said bottom rail; at least one baluster extending longitudinally between said top and bottom rails; and said panel having a bottom edge supported by said bottom rail, having a top edge supported within said channel, and having a side edge longitudinally extending generally parallel to and facing said at least one baluster; said selectively inserted panel securement comprising: a riser having a contact surface adjacent to said panel side edge and restricting movement of said panel in a first axial direction; a panel retaining member inserted into said channel and having a contact surface adjacent to said panel top edge and restricting movement of said panel in a second axial direction from said first axial direction; a U-shaped fastener anchor; and said fastener passing through a side of said top rail and into said U-shaped fastener anchor to affix selectively inserted panel securement to said top rail, fasting said selectively inserted panel securement within said channel.

2. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 1, wherein said selectively inserted panel securement further comprises a base, said riser coupled on a first end to said base and on a second end distal to said first end to said panel retaining member.

3. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 2, wherein said top rail further comprises a pair of bottom lips defining a recessed lower surface against which said base is secured.

4. The combination balustrade, panel and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 2, wherein said riser has a contact surface extending longitudinally in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal extension of said at least one baluster, and wherein said panel retaining member has a contact surface extending longitudinally in a direction generally perpendicular to said longitudinal extension of said at least one baluster.

5. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 2, wherein said base further comprises a panel receiving notch encompassing said panel on three faces, said panel receiving notch configured to secure said panel against motion transverse to said top rail.

6. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 5, wherein said at least one baluster further comprises two adjacent and spaced-apart balusters, said panel centered between said two adjacent balusters, and further comprising a second selectively inserted panel securement at a side edge of said panel distal to said selectively inserted panel securement, said second selectively inserted panel securement configured in combination with said selectively inserted panel securement to prevent movement in either direction parallel to said top rail longitudinal axis.

7. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 1, wherein said panel further comprises a glass panel.

8. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 2, wherein said U-shaped fastener anchor is coupled at each distal end to said base.

9. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 8, wherein said fastener extends longitudinally perpendicular to a plane defined by said panel.

10. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 1, wherein said fastener fastens said selectively inserted panel securement to a fixed position within said channel or wherein said fastener further comprises a tamper-proof fastener head.

11. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 1, wherein said fastener extends longitudinally in a direction generally perpendicular to said channel longitudinal axis or wherein said fastener extends longitudinally within a plane defined by said panel.

12. The combination balustrade, panel, and selectively inserted panel securement of claim 1, wherein the contact surface contacts said panel side edge or wherein the first axial direction is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the top rail.

13. A method of installing a balustrade, comprising the steps of: supporting balusters; installing to said balusters a bottom rail and a top rail having a channel longitudinally extensive along a lower surface of said top rail with a longitudinally extensive opening into an interior of said channel facing toward said bottom rail; inserting a panel between said balusters and bottom rails and into said channel; introducing a panel retaining member at least partially into said channel; positioning said panel retaining member within said channel above a top edge of said panel within said channel; placing a riser adjacent to a side edge of said panel, the side edge facing said baluster; limiting vertical motion of said panel by fastening, by a fastener passing through a side of said top rail and into a U-shaped fastener to affix said positioned panel retaining member to said top rail, said positioned panel retaining member relative to said channel; and restricting horizontal motion of said panel by fastening, by said fastener passing through said side of said top rail and into said U-shaped fastener anchor to affix said placed riser to said top rail, top said placed riser relative to said channel, thereby securing said panel.

14. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 13, furthering comprising the step of rigidly affixing said panel retaining member to said riser to define a single “L” shaped selectively inserted panel securement prior to said step of introducing.

15. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 14, further comprising the step of bonding a base to said selectively inserted panel securement prior to said stop of introducing, wherein said step of introducing further comprises moving said selectively inserted panel securement into said channel until said base engages with a recessed lower surface of said top rail.

16. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 15, wherein, subsequent to said step of introducing, said steps of positioning and placing further comprise the step of sliding said selectively inserted panel securement along said recessed lower surface of said top rail while said panel retaining member passes above the top edge of said panel until said selectively inserted panel securement firmly engages with said panel.

17. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a notch in said base; and wherein said step of sliding further comprises sliding said selectively inserted panel securement along said recessed lower surface of said top rail until said panel is received within and encompassed on three faces by said notch.

18. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 14, wherein said step of restricting horizontal motion further comprises rigidly anchoring said placed riser relative to said channel.

19. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 18, wherein said step of restricting horizontal motion further comprises driving said fastener through said top rail in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said top rail.

20. The method of installing a balustrade of claim 13, wherein the riser contacts said panel side edge or wherein the horizontal motion is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the top rail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment glass panel securement designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a projected view.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment balustrade including the preferred embodiment glass panel securement of FIG. 1 in further combination with a top rail and panel from an end and slightly projected view, with the baluster removed for purposes of illustration.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment balustrade of FIG. 2 from sectional view taken along a vertical plane parallel and adjacent to the surface of the panel.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a first alternative embodiment glass panel securement designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention and which is configured for a different type of glass railing that is a mid-rail horizontal support that holds the top of the glass and is located several inches below the top rail, from a projected view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(6) In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, a panel securement 10 for glass railings has a base 11 that forms the primary support. A panel receiving notch 12 and fastener hole 13 are each preferably formed into base 11. Extending out of the plane of base 11 is a riser 14 that terminates at panel retaining member 15. Riser 14 and panel retaining member 15 are generally perpendicular to each other, and each form a leg that together define an “L”-shaped geometry.

(7) The material used to manufacture preferred embodiment panel securement 10 is not critical to the invention, and so may be selected from a variety of materials, including metals, resins and plastics, ceramics or cementitious materials, or even combinations or composites of the above. The specific material used may vary, though special benefits are attainable if several important factors are taken into consideration. In consideration thereof, a durable plastic injection molded part is most preferred for several reasons. First and most apparent, the additional geometric features that define panel receiving notch 12, fastener hole 13, riser 14, and panel retaining member 15 may all be formed during the single molding operation, thereby keeping manufacturing costs low. Less apparent is the inherent resilience and soft contact surface offered by plastic, which is preferred for engagement with a panel, particularly a glass panel. Finally, the plastic will offer very good environmental resistance, similar in that regard to an aluminum rail or plastic channel insert. Consequently, a suitable material will, for a given fabrication dimension, offer sufficient strength and durability, and sufficient environmental resistance including both corrosion and cold-crack resistance.

(8) FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred embodiment balustrade 1 including the preferred embodiment panel securement 10 in further combination with a top rail 2 and panel 9, and with the baluster 30 and bottom rail 20 removed from FIG. 2 for purposes of illustration. Top rail 2 may, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose, include a longitudinally extensive screw channel 3 that will simultaneously provide nominal reinforcing or stiffening, and will also provide a substantially cylindrical region that a self-tapping or machine screw passing through or affixed with the baluster 30 may be driven into and engage with.

(9) A bottom lip 4 and recessed lower surface 5 provide a containment area within which base 11 will preferably fit. The precise thickness of base 11 and recess depth of recessed lower surface 5 are preferably similar, but there is no requirement that they be identical. Nevertheless, if they are close or if recessed lower surface 5 is deeper than the thickness of base 11, then preferred embodiment panel securement 10 will be substantially out of sight from a mischievous resident, guest, or other person acting in the heat of the moment.

(10) An exemplary interior U-shaped channel 6 receives extruded plastic channel insert 7. Channel insert 7 has two pairs of opposed panel retention fingers 8 that are preferably sufficiently resilient to accommodate diverse thicknesses of panels and gently squeeze against a panel 9 inserted therein.

(11) The installation of a preferred embodiment balustrade 1 such as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes the prior art steps outlined herein above, which include the anchoring of balusters installation of the top rail 2, bottom rail 20, and insertion of panel 9 by tilting the top edge of panel 9 into alignment with top plastic channel insert 7, lifting panel 9, aligning the bottom edge of panel 9 with the bottom rail, 20, and then lowering the bottom edge of panel 9 until panel 9 rests in the bottom rail 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, if the spacing is appropriate the top edge of panel 9 will still be located and held within plastic channel insert 7, held there preferably between panel retention fingers 8.

(12) Continuing the installation in accord with the teachings of the present invention, preferred embodiment panel securement 10 is slipped into top rail 2. This includes inserting riser 14 and panel retaining member 15 into an unoccupied portion of the gap between opposed panel retention fingers 8. Since panel 9 will fully also occupy a portion of this gap between opposed panel retention fingers 8, riser 14 and panel retaining member 15 will insert adjacent to panel 9, until base 11 engages with recessed lower surface 5, preferably fully contained within bottom lip 4 and so not visible except when looking from underneath top rail 2.

(13) Next, preferred embodiment panel securement 10 will be slid along recessed lower surface 5 in a direction toward panel 9. From FIG. 3, this motion would be from starting at the right side of the Figure and sliding to the left. Continuing this sliding motion, panel retaining member 15 will pass over the top edge of panel 9, and horizontal panel retaining surface 15a will slide on top of horizontal panel edge 9b. With additional sliding, vertical panel edge 9a will become encompassed by panel receiving notch 12. Preferably, and though not strictly essential, a final sliding motion in the same direction will engage vertical riser surface 14a with vertical panel edge 9a, which is the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

(14) A fastener 16, which may for exemplary and non-limiting purpose comprise a sheet metal or other self-tapping screw, will be driven into place through fastener hole 13, preferably entirely through plastic channel insert 7 and into interior U-shaped channel 6, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

(15) For those installations requiring the utmost of security, fastener 16 may comprise a special head such as an anti-tampering head requiring a unique driver or tool, preventing tampering with ordinary tools. While a screw is described, any type of fastener known in the mechanical arts and capable of holding preferred embodiment panel securement 10 in place within bottom lip 4 of top rail 2 will be understood to be incorporated herein, including but not limited to adhesives, bolts, clips, and so forth.

(16) As illustrated, the geometries of vertical riser surface 14a and horizontal panel retaining surface 15a are each planar and rectangular. With a relatively strong and rigid plastic or metal material used for preferred embodiment panel securement 10, this geometry is preferable owing to even distribution of force across the entire large area of surfaces 14a, 15a into panel 9. This even distribution of force is beneficial and can even be critical in the case of a glass panel, since any concentration of force on a small area of either vertical panel edge 9a or horizontal panel edge 9b can lead to chipping and even potential failure of the entire panel 9. Nevertheless, the geometry may be varied to suit a particular need or interest, and may further be combined with materials selection to yield a preferred securing bracket for one or more specific applications. Where the material of preferred embodiment panel securement 10 is softer, more resilient, or both, different geometries may be used that incorporate a gradual building of force between panel 9 and surfaces 14a, 15a. For exemplary and non-limiting purpose, with a more resilient material surfaces 14a, 15a may be textured or otherwise shaped such that the more elevated portions of the surface area will contact panel edges 9a, 9b first and compress slightly, leading to greater and greater contact area. As long as the material used for preferred embodiment panel securement 10 is sufficiently soft, resilient, or both to yield at a force below the fracture point of panel 9, such geometries and materials can provide additional beneficial dampening of movement and vibration. Therefore, in some alternative embodiments surfaces 14a, 15a will be non-linear, non-planar, non-rectangular, or of reduced area. Nevertheless, for most applications and as already described herein above, most plastic compositions will provide adequate dampening without the need for further modification of the surface geometry from that illustrated.

(17) While horizontal panel retaining surface 15a is illustrated and described as being in intimate contact with horizontal panel edge 9b at the time of installation, this is not required and in fact will likely not occur in many of the installations. As is known in the building trades, dimensional tolerances are generally relatively large. This means that panel 9 may vary measurably in both height and width from the nominal dimensions that a builder or installer specified. A variable width of panel 9 is readily accommodated by the preferred installation method outlined herein, owing to the horizontal sliding of preferred embodiment panel securement 10 along recessed lower surface 5 at the time of installation. However, the height of horizontal panel retaining surface 15a relative to horizontal panel edge 9b is not readily adjusted. Consequently, at the time of design, the vertical rise provided by riser 14 must be great enough to accommodate the anticipated range of vertical dimensions for each panel 9 and the variability of distance between top rail 2 and the bottom rail 20, while still providing the needed securement to prevent panel 9 from being removed vertical from the bottom rail 20. In consideration thereof, there will most commonly be a distinct gap between horizontal panel retaining surface 15a and horizontal panel edge 9b.

(18) When installed as described herein above, preferred embodiment panel securement 10 will prevent a person from lifting panel 9. Likewise, optional panel receiving notch 12 will help to better secure panel 9 against motion transverse to top rail 2 than normally provided by panel retention fingers 8. Finally, the end of panel receiving notch 12 defined by the presence of base 11 will prevent panel 9 from being slid in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of top rail 2. As may be apparent, the presence of base 11 will only prevent movement in one direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of top rail 2, toward base 11. In some installations, the panel may be located on one side edge adjacent to a baluster or wall. In such instances, a single preferred embodiment panel securement 10 will be sufficient to prevent movement along this top rail longitudinal axis. However, in most installations, panel 9 will be centered between adjacent balusters. In that case, the provision of two preferred embodiment panel securements 10, one at each distal side edge of panel 9, will be required to prevent movement in either direction parallel to the top rail longitudinal axis.

(19) With two preferred embodiment panel securements 10 properly installed, panel 9 will be secured in three orthogonal axes. Absent premeditation, and in those situations where a special fastener 16 is used, absent a special tool, a resident, guest, or other person will not be able to inadvertently displace or release panel 9 from balustrade 1. Nevertheless, a balustrade requiring service may be disassembled very easily, starting with removal of fastener 16 to enable preferred embodiment panel securement 10 to be removed.

(20) A first alternative embodiment panel securement 110 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The embodiments are distinguished by the hundreds digit, and various components within each embodiment designated by the ones and tens digits. However, many of the components are alike or similar between embodiments, so numbering of the ones and tens digits have been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones and tens digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description.

(21) First alternative embodiment panel securement 110 has a base 111, but lacks the fastener hole 13 found in preferred embodiment panel securement 10. Instead of fastener hole 13, a U-shaped fastener anchor 117 is provided. In some instances, the top rail may not be provided with an interior U-shaped channel 6 that is spaced from the very top of top rail 2. In such case, the successful insertion of a fastener vertically as illustrated in FIG. 3 could be difficult and dangerous, with risk of piercing entirely through the top rail. In other cases, a horizontally oriented fastener may simply be preferred. In yet other instances, a secondary rail is provided below the top rail, and this secondary rail may not be configured to work suitable with preferred embodiment panel securement 10. In any of these instances, and others that will be recognized by those reasonably skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure, a fastener such as fastener 16 may be driven through the side of top rail 2 into the relatively large vertical face provided by U-shaped fastener anchor 117 to secure alternative embodiment panel securement 110 in place.

(22) While the vertical orientation of fastener 16 passing through fastener hole 13 helps to draw preferred embodiment panel securement 10 up into abutting relationship against recessed lower surface 5, which in most applications is also substantially hidden from view of a person, this also necessarily restricts vertical adjustment of panel securement 10 at the time of installation into top rail 2. In contrast, in alternative embodiment panel securement 110, an installer may adjust panel securement 110 up or down somewhat, to better accommodate the dimensional variations in panel 9 and spacing variations between top rail 2 and the bottom rail 20.

(23) In some alternative embodiments, the inclusion of panel receiving notches 12, 112 may be undesirably limiting. In such alternative embodiments, panel receiving notches 12, 112 may be removed, and as a result, panel 9 will be secured against movement along two orthogonal axes rather than three and panel retention fingers 8 will be relied upon for securement along the third orthogonal axis.

(24) While preferred embodiment panel securements 10, 110 are illustrated with the other features of a preferred embodiment balustrade 1, having particular utility with glass panels, it will be understood by those skilled in the art of railings and balustrades that the present invention is applicable with many different geometries of railings with much efficacy and benefit. Furthermore, while the present description and Figures illustrate and describe top rail 2 as extending longitudinally horizontally, vertical riser surface 14a extending in a vertical plane, and horizontal panel retaining surface 15a extending in a horizontal plane, it will be understood that these orientations may be altered to accommodate some applications. For exemplary and non-limiting purpose, a stairway balustrade is inclined, meaning the top rail will also commonly be inclined. In such instances, the references to horizontal and vertical will be defined and understood herein to be offset in accord with the altered inclination of the balustrade.

(25) While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.