CLAIMS:
1. A balustrade system comprising:
- a base plate formed from a cast having a vertical fixing plate extending perpendicularly therefrom, the fixing plate having at least one aperture to receive a bolt therethrough, alternatively at least one recess to securably receive a bolt therein;
- at least one rail having an aperture, alternatively a recess at both ends being configured to securably receive a bolt therein; - the rail securable to the fixing plate about the apertures, alternatively about the recesses;
- the rail being horizontally located between vertical fixing plates at either end, in use.
2. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base plate has a convex shaped base.
3. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base plate comprises at least one reinforcing rib extending between the base and the vertical fixing plate.
4. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 1 to 3, wherein the balustrade may have at least one external fixing plate which is securable to the base plate.
5. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the external fixing plate has at least one aperture to receive a bolt therethrough, alternatively at least one recess to securably receive a bolt therein.
6. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 5, wherein there are two external fixing plates secured to either side of the base plate about the vertical fixing plate, wherein the rail is securable to the fixing plate about the apertures.
7. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the external fixing plates are spaced by at least one spacing means along their longitudinal axis.
8. The balustrade system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a bracket is securable to the external fixing plate and a second plate is securable by the bracket.
9. The balustrade system as claimed in claim 8, wherein The second plate is composed from any one of toughened glass, metal or any other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to be a balustrade.
10. A base plate for a balustrade formed from a cast and having a vertical fixing plate extending perpendicularly therefrom, the fixing plate having at least one aperture to receive a bolt therethrough, alternatively at least one recess to securably receive a bolt therein.
11. The base plate as claimed in claim 10, having convex shaped base.
12. The base plate as claimed in claim 10 or 11 comprising at least one reinforcing rib extending between the base and the vertical fixing plate.
DATED AT JOHANNESBURG THIS 7 th DAY OF APRIL 2009 |
MODULAR BALUSTRADE SYSTEM WITH CAST BASE PLATE
E04F
BACKGROUND
Balustrade systems are well known and are commonly used as a balcony restraining means. There are numerous configurations and designs on the market place and are primarily manufactured from metal and steel in particular.
Amongst the disadvantages associated with steel balustrades is the need for welding equipment to be available during the construction and installation process. During installation, grinding and/or sanding is needed to complete the balustrade. In addition the balustrades have heat affected zones from the welding which potentially compromise the overall structural integrity of the balustrade.
Further disadvantages associated with the prior art include residue steel railing remaining after installation as a by-product of cutting and grinding the balustrades to the desired size and configuration.
The present invention seeks to at least partially ameliorate the current disadvantages associated with steel balustrades, in particular to provide a balustrade system that does not require welding, cutting or grinding at the installation site.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a balustrade system comprising: - a base plate having a vertical fixing plate extending perpendicularly therefrom, the fixing plate having at least one aperture to receive a bolt therethrough, alternatively at least one recess to securably receive a bolt therein;
- at least one rail having an aperture, alternatively a recess at both ends being configured to securably receive a bolt therein;
- the rail boltable to the fixing plate about the apertures, alternatively about the recesses. When assembled, the rail is horizontally located between vertical fixing plates at either end.
Conveniently the base plate is formed from a cast. The need for welding or sanding the plate at the installation site is thereby avoided as the base plate is provided in its desired end form.
Conveniently the base plate has a convex shaped base thereby increasing the overall structural rigidity and strength of the plate when compared to a welded flat based plate. Further the base plate may have at least one reinforcing rib extending between the base and the vertical fixing plate.
Conveniently the balustrade may have at least one external fixing plate which is securable to the base plate.
Conveniently the external fixing plate has at least one aperture to receive a bolt therethrough, alternatively at least one recess to securably receive a bolt therein.
Preferably there are two external fixing plates secured to either side of the base plate about the vertical fixing plate, wherein the rail is boltable to the fixing plate about the apertures.
Conveniently the external fixing plates have a plurality of apertures for bolting rails thereto. In use, the number and spacing of apertures in the fixing plates corresponds to the intended number and spacing of rails bolted thereto.
Conveniently a bracket may be bolted to the external fixing plate, wherein a second plate is securable by the bracket. The second plate may be made from toughened glass, metal or any other suitable material having sufficient strength and rigidity to be a balustrade.
Preferably the external fixing plates are spaced by at least one spacing means along their longitudinal axis. The spacing means may be securable about the apertures thereby providing structural rigidity to the fixing plates.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a base plate for a balustrade being formed from a cast.
Conveniently the base plate has a convex shaped base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a top view of a balustrade system of the invention when assembled; Figure 2 shows a front view of the balustrade of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a sectioned front view of a base plate of the invention along the line 3 - 3 of Figure 5; Figure 4 shows a sectioned side view of the base plate along the line 4 -
4 of Figure 5; Figure 5 shows a top view of the base plate of Figure 3 and 4;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the base plate of the invention; Figure 7 shows a sectioned side view along the line 7 - 7 of Figure 8; Figure 8 shows a front view of another embodiment of Figure 1 having vertical rails in place of side rails;
Figure 9 shows a sectioned side view along the line 9 - 9 of Figure 10; Figure 10 shows a front view of a further embodiment of Figure 1 having glass panels in place of rails; and
Figure 11 shows a perspective front and side view of Figures 9 with several balustrade modules assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a top view of a modular balustrade 10 of the invention. Each balustrade module comprises a base plate 12 a set of steel fixing posts 14, a top rail 16 and a plurality of intermediary rails 18 which are secured to the steel posts. The intermediary rails 18.1 may be horizontally secured to the steel posts as shown in Figure 2. Alternately they may be vertically secured to the posts in a step ladder formation as shown in Figure 8, the vertical rails 18.2 forming the rungs of the ladder formation and have a horizontal rail 22 secured on either side of the vertical rails. The free ends of the horizontal rails are secured to the fixing posts about apertures 24 situated along the length of the fixing post. The fixing posts are spaced by a bush 25 which is secured to the posts at selected apertures 24.
The intermediary rails may be replaced by a suitably dimensioned glass plate 26 as shown in Figures 9 to 11. The glass plate is secured to the fixing post using a bracket 28 which is secured by alien cap screws and a washer which is bolted to the bracket. Neoprene gaskets are located between the glass plate and the steel bracket for adequately securing the glass plate.
The base plate 12 as best shown in Figures 3 to 6 is made from a casting and comprises a generally rectangular convex base 30 with a vertical fixing plate 32 extending from the centre of the base. The fixing plate has a support leg 34 which extends downwards from the under side of the base. The base has a sunken aperture 36 on either side of the fixing plate for passing a bolt therethrough to secure the base plate, in use. The fixing plate has threaded apertures 38 located at its free-end and base-end for securing the fixing posts
thereto. The fixing plate is annularly raised on either side of the apertures 38 to increase structural rigidity and space the fixing posts from the base plate. In use, a cap screw is passed through the aperture on the fixing post and screwed into the apertures 38 of the fixing plate.
It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. For example, the horizontal length of each module may be varied according to the perimeter length of balustrade required. Also the base plate may have a generally circular or square base.
The disclosure of the invention and claims form an integral aspect of the description.