FRAMELESS GLASS FENCING COMPONENT

Abstract

In a first aspect the invention concerns frameless glass fencing component (10) for a frameless glass fencing installation. The frameless glass fencing component (10) is produced from an engineering plastic. In a further aspect there is disclosed herein a frameless glass fencing installation and a method of installing a frameless glass fence.

Claims

1. A frameless glass fencing component for a frameless glass fencing installation, the frameless glass fencing component being produced from an engineering plastic.

2. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 1, wherein the engineering plastic is covered with an exterior coating.

3. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 1, wherein engineering plastic includes a base material and a reinforcing filler.

4. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 3, wherein the reinforcing filler includes a fibre selected from the group consisting of glass fibre and carbon fibre.

5. (canceled)

6. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 1, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

7-12. (canceled)

13. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 2, wherein engineering plastic includes a base material and a reinforcing filler.

14. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing filler includes a fibre selected from the group consisting of glass fibre and carbon fibre.

15. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 2, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

16. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 3, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

17. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 4, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

18. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 13, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes glass fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

19. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 14, wherein the engineering plastic is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, a polyarylamide, a polyarylamide with fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 60% by volume, and an epoxy vinyl ester resin that includes fibre reinforcement having a concentration of between 50% to 70% by volume.

20. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 1, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

21. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 2, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

22. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 3, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

23. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 4, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

24. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 6, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

25. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 15, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

26. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 17, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

27. A frameless glass fencing component according to claim 19, wherein the frameless glass fencing component is selected from the group consisting of a frameless glass fencing spigot, a frameless glass fencing latch, a frameless glass fencing standoff, a frameless glass fencing support clamp, a frameless glass fencing hinge, a frameless glass fencing rail connector, a frameless glass fencing clamp, a frameless glass fencing top rail and a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompany drawings, wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment frameless glass fencing component;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the frameless glass fencing component of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment frameless glass fencing component; and

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the frameless glass fencing component of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Conventional frameless glass fencing components are produced from stainless steel or anodised aluminium. Drawbacks of employing such materials include relative high weight and costs. Further drawbacks associated with stainless steel products include that they tend to stain and corrode over a prolonged period of time. Preferred embodiments of the present invention address those problems by doing away with stainless steel/aluminium and providing frameless glass fencing components produced from an engineering plastic. Engineering plastics are plastic materials that are used in applications generally requiring higher performance in the areas of mechanical properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, impact and fire retardancy

[0041] To provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance the engineering plastic includes an outer coating having a stainless steel appearance. Such coating may have a range of colours. Also, as plastic generally does not conduct electricity, this feature will provide enhanced safety in a moist environment, such as a swimming pool. Typically, coatings can be applied after surface activation of the engineering plastic product by either plasma, chemical based materials or spray coatings. Final coatings can then be applied by electroplating, plasma surface coating, powder-coating, PVD coating or spray coating.

[0042] A typical embodiment engineering plastic includes a base material having a filler to provide added strength/reinforcing. In an embodiment frameless glass fencing component the filler includes glass fibre. In another embodiment frameless glass fencing component the filler includes carbon fibre.

[0043] In an embodiment frameless glass fencing component the base material includes a polyamide. Typically examples of polyamide which could be employed include those sold under the trade marks Nylon and Zytel.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment the base material of the engineering plastic includes polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In yet a further alternative the base material of the engineering plastic includes styrene.

[0045] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment frameless glass fencing component, here a frameless glass fencing spigot generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The spigot 10 includes a post portion 12 and a flange portion 14. The post portion 12 and flange portion 14 is of unitary construction and is produced from an engineering plastic. In this embodiment the engineering plastic is polyarylamide with a 50-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration. This engineering plastic is a light weight, non-corroding and non-conductive alternative to stainless steel and aluminium. In this embodiment the engineering plastic has an outer coating to provide the appearance of a stainless steel finish.

[0046] The flange portion 14 includes a plurality of fastener openings 16 for receiving non-illustrated fasteners, for example bolts, to secure the post portion 12 in an upright orientation adjacent a pool to be fenced in. The post portion 12 defines a slot 18 for receiving an end portion of a non-illustrated tempered glass panel when constructing a non-illustrated frameless glass fence. The slot 18 includes a polymer packer 20 to protect the glass panel. Typically, the glass panel is secured within the slot 18 with non-illustrated grub screws passing through transverse holes 22 in the post portion 12. In effect a frameless glass fence is constructed in a conventional manner, but with the stainless steel/aluminium spigots replaced with spigots produced from the engineering plastic.

[0047] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment frameless glass fencing component, here also a frameless glass fencing spigot, generally indicated with the reference numeral 30. The spigot 30 includes a post portion 12 similar to that of the spigot 10. The flange portion 14 of the spigot 10 is replaced with a threaded portion 32 for location in a core drilled hole. As is the case with the spigot 10, the spigot 30 is also produced from an engineering plastic. However, in this embodiment the engineering plastic is provided in the form of an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration. This material is resistant to water and other chemicals and has a high strength and other favourable mechanical properties.

[0048] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing latch produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0049] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing standoff produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0050] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing support clamp produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0051] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing hinge produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0052] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing rail connector produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0053] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing clamp produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0054] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a channel fixing produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the channel fixing is a frameless glass fencing channel fixing produced from (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0055] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a standoff face mounted fixing produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the standoff face mounted fixing is a frameless glass fencing standoff face mounted fixing produced from (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0056] It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to glass barriers for pools, but could be employed in various frameless glass fencing installations such as glass balustrades on apartment balconies or glass balustrades in residential dwellings.

[0057] In a further non-illustrated embodiment there is provided glass balustrade top rail, the glass balustrade top rail being produced from an engineering plastic. The engineering plastic typically is (i) a polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement.

[0058] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a method of installing a frameless glass fence. The method includes the step of providing a frameless glass fencing component produced from an engineering plastic. Typically, the engineering plastic is (i) polyarylamide with a 50-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0059] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fence post produced from an engineering plastic. Specifically, the post is a glass balustrade post produced from (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0060] In a non-illustrated embodiment there is provided a frameless glass fencing floor glazing channel produced from an engineering plastic. Specifically, the floor glazing channel is produced from (i) polyarylamide with a 50%-60% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration, or (ii) an epoxy vinyl ester resin with a 50%-70% by volume glass fibre reinforcement concentration.

[0061] Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.