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Title:
A FASTENING SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING ACCESS STRUCTURE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2003/052213
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A fastening system for fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, of adjacent ramp members of a building access structure is disclosed. The fastening system includes a coupling member (25) which is adapted to be fastened to both of the adjacent members (21, 22) such that the adjacent members (21, 22) are thereby fastened together. The fastening system is characterised in that the coupling member (25) is bolted to a first one of the adjacent members (21 or 22) to thereby form a bolted joint. The bolted joint includes a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures (23, 24, 26 or 27) extending through the coupling member 25 or the first adjacent member 21 or 22. The apertures (23, 24, 26 or 27) are adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member 25 and the first adjacent member 21 or 22 are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members (21, 22).

Inventors:
SPOLJAREVIC MATTHEW (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2002/001710
Publication Date:
June 26, 2003
Filing Date:
December 17, 2002
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
REDI ACCESS PTY LTD (AU)
SPOLJAREVIC MATTHEW (AU)
International Classes:
E04F11/00; F16B5/02; (IPC1-7): E04B1/58; E04F11/00; F16B5/02
Foreign References:
EP0877129A21998-11-11
BE859585A1978-02-01
FR2632675A11989-12-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CULLEN & CO (239 George Street Brisbane, Queensland 4000, AU)
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Claims:
CLAIMS:
1. A fastening system for fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, or adjacent ramp members of a building access structure, the fastening system including a coupling member adapted to be fastened to both of the adjacent members such that the adjacent members are thereby fastened together, the fastening system being characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a first one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the first adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the first adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.
2. The fastening system of claim 1 further characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a second one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the second adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the second adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.
3. The fastening system of claim 1 or 2 further characterised in that at least some of the apertures are in the form of linear slots.
4. The fastening system of claim 1 or 2 further characterised in that at least some of the apertures are in the form of nonlinear slots.
5. The fastening system of claim 1 further characterised in that the coupling member is in the form of a fishplate.
6. The fastening system of claim 1 further characterised in that the coupling member is in the form of an Lshaped bracket.
7. A building access structure including a fastening system for fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, or adjacent ramp members of the structure, the fastening system including a coupling member adapted to be fastened to both of the adjacent members such that the adjacent members are thereby fastened together, the fastening system being characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a first one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the first adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the first adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.
8. The building access structure of claim 7, wherein the fastening system is further characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a second one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the second adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the second adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.
9. The building access structure of claim 7 or 8 further characterised in that at least some of the apertures are in the form of linear slots.
10. The building access structure of claim 7 or 8 further characterised in that at least some of the apertures are in the form of non linear slots.
11. The building access structure of claim 7 further characterised in that the coupling member is in the form of a fishplate.
12. The building access structure of claim 7 further characterised in that the coupling member is in the form of an Lshaped bracket.
Description:
A FASTENING SYSTEM FOR A BUILDING ACCESS STRUCTURE Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to a fastening system which is able to be used on building access structures.

The invention has been developed primarily for fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, or adjacent ramp members of a building access structure and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular use.

Brief Description of the Prior Art Buildings often include access structures which provide convenient access to the building for wheelchairs, trolleys and the like. Often, the design of such access structures is such that the inclination of a ramp, which forms part of the access structure, cannot be varied. The inability of the inclination of the ramp to be varied can be a significant problem if the inclination of the ramp must be adjusted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening system for a building access structure which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the aforementioned deficiency of the prior art.

It is an alternative object of the present invention to provide a building access structure which includes a fastening system which

overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the aforementioned deficiency of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fastening system for fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, or adjacent ramp members of a building access structure, the fastening system including a coupling member adapted to be fastened to both of the adjacent members such that the adjacent members are thereby fastened together, the fastening system being characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a first one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the first adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the first adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a building access structure including a fastening system for

fastening together adjacent ramp and platform members, adjacent platform members, or adjacent ramp members of the structure, the fastening system including a coupling member adapted to be fastened to both of the adjacent members such that the adjacent members are thereby fastened together, the fastening system being characterised in that the coupling member is bolted to a first one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the first adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the first adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.

In a preferred form, the coupling member is bolted to a second one of the adjacent members to thereby form a bolted joint, the bolted joint including a plurality of bolts or studs received by respective apertures extending through the coupling member or the second adjacent member, the apertures being adapted to cooperate with the bolts or studs such that the coupling member and the second adjacent member are able to be pivoted relative to each other after the bolted joint is loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the adjacent members.

Preferably, at least some of the apertures are in the form of linear or non-linear slots.

The coupling member may be in the form of a fishplate or an L- shaped bracket.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a fastening system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1B is a perspective view of a fastening system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1C is a perspective view of a fastening system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1 D is a perspective view of a fastening system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2A is a front view of a frame for a platform or ramp which forms part of a building access structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2B is a side elevation of the frame illustrated in Fig. 2A; Fig. 2C is an end elevation of the frame illustrated in Fig. 2A; Fig. 3A is a front view of a first embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 3B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 3A; Fig. 3C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 3A; Fig. 3D is a mirror image of Fig. 3C;

Fig. 4A is a front view of a second embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 4B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 4A; Fig. 4C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 4A; Fig. 4D is a mirror image of Fig. 4C; Fig. 5A is a front view of a third embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 5B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 5A; Fig. 5C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 5A; Fig. 6A is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 6B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6A; Fig. 6C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6A; Fig. 6D is a rotated version of Fig. 6C; Fig. 6E is a side elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6A; Fig. 6F is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 6E; Fig. 7A is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 7B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 7A; Fig. 7D is a rotated version of Fig. 7C; Fig. 7E is a side elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 7A; Fig. 7F is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 7E; Fig. 8A is a front view of a sixth embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 8B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 8A ; Fig. 8C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 8A; Fig. 9A is a front view of a seventh embodiment of a post and coupling member assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 9B is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 9A; and Fig. 9C is an end elevation of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 9A.

Detailed Description Fig. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a fastening system 20 for fastening together adjacent structural member portions 21,22 of a building access structure. Portions 21,22, which are each in the form of a rectangular plate, may form part of a ramp member and a platform member, respectively.

Alternatively, portions 21,22 may each form part of respective ramp members or respective platform members. A pair of apertures 23, which are in the form of inclined parallel linear slots, extend through portion 21 and are located

adjacent an end thereof, while a pair of apertures 24, which are also in the form of inclined parallel linear slots, extend through portion 22 and are located adjacent an end thereof. Each one of the apertures 23,24 is adapted to receive the threaded portion of a bolt.

The fastening system 20 includes a coupling member 25 which is in the form of a rectangular fishplate. The coupling member 25 is adapted to be fastened to both of the portions 21,22 such that the portions 21,22 are thereby fastened together. In particular, the coupling member 25 includes two pairs of circular apertures 26,27 extending therethrough which are respectively located adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each one of the apertures 26,27 is adapted to receive the threaded portion of a bolt. The location of the apertures 26,27 is such that when the portions 21 and 22 are placed end to end as shown in Fig. 1A, the coupling member 25 is able to be placed over the junction of the portions 21,22 such that each aperture 26 is aligned with an associated aperture 23, and each aperture 27 is aligned with an associated aperture 24. When the portions 21,22 and coupling member 25 are arranged in this manner the coupling member 25 can then be fastened to portions 21 and 22 by inserting a bolt (not shown) through each of the aligned apertures 23,26 and 24,27. A nut (not shown) is then wound onto each bolt to thereby form a pair of bolted joints. The nuts of each bolted joint are tightened so that portions 21 and 22 are fastened together by the coupling member 25.

The slot configuration of apertures 23 and 24 is such that they are able to cooperate with the bolts such that the portions 21,22 and, hence,

the members which the portions 21,22 form part of, are able to be pivoted relative to the coupling member 25 after the bolted joints are loosened to thereby adjust the relative inclination of the portions 21,22 and, hence, the members which the portions 21,22 form part of. Once the relative inclination of the portions 21,22 has been suitably adjusted, the bolted joints can again be tightened so that the portions 21,22 are fastened together.

The fastening system 20 illustrated in Fig. 1B is identical to the fastening system illustrated in Fig. 1A except that apertures 23,24 are circular and apertures 27 are in the form of inclined parallel linear slots. The configuration of the apertures 23,24, 26 and 27 is such that only portion 22 is able to be pivoted relative to the coupling member 25.

The fastening system 20 illustrated in Fig. 1C is also identical to the fastening system illustrated in Fig. 1A except that apertures 23 are circular so that only portion 22 is able to be pivoted relative to the coupling member 25.

The fastening system 20 illustrated in Fig. 1D differs from the fastening system illustrated in Fig. 1A in that the apertures 23,24 are circular.

Also, the apertures 26,27 are in the form of inclined linear slots so that the portions 21,22 are still able to be pivoted relative to the coupling member 25.

Figs. 2A to 2C illustrate a frame 30 for a platform or ramp member which forms part of a building access structure. Frame 30 includes a pair of parallel longitudinal members 31 and a plurality of transverse members 32 extending therebetween. Each transverse member 32 is secured to both of the longitudinal members 31 such that the transverse members 32 are

evenly spaced apart from each other. Members 31 and 32 are formed from angle-iron and are secured to each other by welding or other suitable means.

Although not shown, the frame 30 supports a sheet of material which can be walked upon.

Apertures 33 extend through the sides of the longitudinal members 31 and are located adjacent to opposite ends thereof. The sides of the longitudinal members 31 correspond to the portions 21 or 22 illustrated in Figs. 1A to 1D, and the apertures 33 extending through the sides of the longitudinal members 31 correspond to the apertures 23 or 24 extending through the portions 21 or 22 so that the apertures 33 are therefore configured as circular apertures or inclined parallel linear slots as appropriate.

A pair of frames 30 may be arranged end to end and fastened together with a pair of coupling members 25 such that the coupling members 25 are fastened to adjacent sides of the longitudinal members 31 using a plurality of nuts and bolts in the manner previously described in connection with the various fastening systems 20 illustrated in Figs. 1A to 1 D.

Configuring the apertures 26,27 and 33 of the coupling member 25 and frames 30 as either circular apertures or slots in the manner previously discussed with reference to Figs. 1A to 1D enables the relative inclination of the frames 30 to be adjusted when the bolted joints fastening the members 25 and 31 together are loosened.

Figs. 3A to 3D illustrate a post and coupling member assembly which includes a hollow post 40 secured to a coupling member 25 by welding or other appropriate means such that the post 40 extends between the

circular apertures 26,27 of the coupling member 25. The coupling member 25 is in the form of a fishplate having a rhomboidal shape. The post 40 functions as a baluster which is able to support a rail of a building access structure which utilises the coupling member 25 to fasten together adjacent frames 30.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 4A to 4D is similar to the assembly illustrated in Figs. 3A to 3D except that the coupling member 25 includes a rhomboid-shaped portion 28 extending from a rectangular portion 29.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 5A to 5C is similar to the post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs.

3A to 3D except that the coupling member 25 is rectangular.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 6A to 6F includes an L-shaped coupling member 25. The coupling member 25 includes a rhomboid-shaped portion 28 which extends perpendicularly from a rectangular portion 29.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 7A to 7F also includes an L-shaped coupling member 25. However, the coupling member 25 includes a first rectangular portion 28 and a second rectangular portion 29 extending perpendicularly therefrom.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 8A to 8C is similar to the post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs.

7A to 7F except that the post 40 is located on the opposite side of the

coupling member 25 and is secured to flanges 50 which extend from the coupling member 25.

The post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs. 9A to 9C is similar to the post and coupling member assembly illustrated in Figs.

5A to 5C except that the apertures 26,27 are in the form of non-linear slots.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of using separate bolts to secure the coupling member 25 to the portions 21,22, the coupling member 25 or portions 21,22 may include threaded studs instead of apertures 23,24, 26 or 27 as appropriate.

Also, any of the apertures 23,24, 26 or 27 could be non-linear slots. In particular, any of the apertures 23,24, 26 or 27 could be non-linear slots of the type illustrated in Fig. 9B.