FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to a mounting assembly for glass balustrade. In some embodiments this provides a spigot device that is configured to mount to a vertical wall.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] AU 2014311195 discloses a mounting assembly for glass balustrade. This assembly can be challenging to install in a desired manner, for example in terms of precise vertical positioning and/or glass tilt angle.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Example embodiments are described below in the section entitled “claims”, and in the section entitled “detailed description”.

[0006] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly for a glass balustrade, the mounting assembly including:

[0007] a body that is configured to be mounted to a support structure, the body having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and support a substantially vertically oriented glass panel;

[0008] a securing arrangement adapted to be manipulated between: (i) an open configuration in which the glass panel is able to be inserted into or removed from the channel; and (ii) a secured configuration in which a clamping force acts on a surface of the glass panel thereby to secure the glass panel within the channel; [0009] a slider arrangement configured to allow customisable vertical position adjustment of the mounting assembly relative to threaded inserts which engage with the support structure.

[0010] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly according to wherein the slider arrangement includes at least one vertical adjustment washer which is configured to engage with the body, such that upon firm engagement respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body restrict vertical sliding of the body relative to the support structure.

[0011] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein, in use:

[0012] (i) an installer locates at least one threaded insert which horizontally protrudes from the support structure;

[0013] (ii) the installer positions the mounting assembly over the threaded insert, such that the threaded insert passes through an aperture formed in the body, and into the channel;

[0014] (iii) the installer positions the body at a desired vertical position relative to the threaded insert; and

[0015] (iv) the installer secures the body at that desired vertical position by applying a threaded securing member to the threaded insert, thereby to sandwich the vertical adjustment washer and the body between the threaded securing member and the support structure.

[0016] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein the respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body engage via a tongue and groove arrangement.

[0017] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein the respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body engage via horizontal ribs.

[0018] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly including a tilt arrangement, the tilt arrangement including one or more tilt members having a curved surface region which is shaped to abut with complementary curved surface defined by the body in the channel, wherein selective unequal tightening of upper and lower securing members provides control of adjustment of precise orientation of the substantially vertically oriented glass panel. [0019] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein the tilt arrangement includes:

[0020] a first tilt member which is configured to in use be disposed between the glass panel and an inside wall of the channel that is proximal to the support structure, wherein the first tilt member includes a curved surface which is positioned adjacent a complementary curved surface provided by the inside wall of the channel that is proximal to the support structure; and

[0021] a second tilt member, wherein the second tilt member is configured to in use be disposed between the glass panel and an inside wall of the channel that is distal of the support structure, wherein the second tilt member includes a curved surface which is positioned adjacent a complementary curved surface provided by the inside wall of the channel that is distal of the support structure;

[0022] such that in use the curved surfaces of the tilt members collectively define an axis of rotation for tilting of the glass panel.

[0023] One embodiment provides a method for securing a mounting assembly to a support structure wherein the mounting assembly is for a glass balustrade, the mounting assembly including:

[0024] a body that is configured to be mounted to a support structure, the body having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and support a substantially vertically oriented glass panel;

[0025] a securing arrangement adapted to be manipulated between: (i) an open configuration in which the glass panel is able to be inserted into or removed from the channel; and (ii) a secured configuration in which a clamping force acts on a surface of the glass panel thereby to secure the glass panel within the channel;

[0026] a slider arrangement configured to allow customisable vertical position adjustment of the mounting assembly relative to threaded inserts which engage with the support structure.

[0027] the method including:

[0028] (i) locating at least one threaded insert which horizontally protrudes from the support structure; [0029] (ii) positioning the mounting assembly over the threaded insert, such that the threaded insert passes through an aperture formed in the body, and into the channel;

[0030] (iii) positioning the body at a desired vertical position relative to the threaded insert; and

[0031] (iv) securing the body at that desired vertical position by applying a threaded securing member to the threaded insert, thereby to sandwich slider arrangement and the body between the threaded securing member and the support structure.

[0032] One embodiment provides a method wherein the slider arrangement includes at least one vertical adjustment washer which is configured to engage with the body, such that upon firm engagement respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body restrict vertical sliding of the body relative to the support structure, and wherein securing the body at the desired vertical position includes applying the threaded securing member to the threaded insert, thereby to sandwich the vertical adjustment washer and the body between the threaded securing member and the support structure.

[0033] One embodiment provides a method wherein the respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body engage via a tongue and groove arrangement.

[0034] One embodiment provides a method the respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body engage via horizontal ribs.

[0035] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly for a glass balustrade, the mounting assembly including:

[0036] a body that is configured to be mounted to a support structure, the body having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and support a substantially vertically oriented glass panel;

[0037] at least two glass securing members, including an upper and lower securing member; wherein the glass securing members are manipulated between: (i) an open configuration in which the glass panel is able to be inserted into or removed from the channel; and (ii) a secured configuration in which the securing members are tightened thereby to directly or indirectly apply a clamping force onto a surface of the glass panel thereby to secure the glass panel within the channel; [0038] a tilt arrangement, the tilt arrangement including one or more tilt members having a curved surface region which is shaped to abut with complementary curved surface defined by the body in the channel, wherein selective unequal tightening of the upper and lower securing members provides control of adjustment of precise orientation of the substantially vertically oriented glass panel.

[0039] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein the tilt arrangement includes:

[0040] a first tilt member which is configured to in use be disposed between the glass panel and an inside wall of the channel that is proximal to the support structure, wherein the first tilt member includes a curved surface which is positioned adjacent a complementary curved surface provided by the inside wall of the channel that is proximal to the support structure; and

[0041] a second tilt member, wherein the second tilt member is configured to in use be disposed between the glass panel and an inside wall of the channel that is distal of the support structure, wherein the second tilt member includes a curved surface which is positioned adjacent a complementary curved surface provided by the inside wall of the channel that is distal of the support structure;

[0042] such that in use the curved surfaces of the tilt members collectively define an axis of rotation for tilting of the glass panel.

[0043] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly including a slider arrangement configured to allow customisable vertical position adjustment of the mounting assembly relative to threaded inserts which engage with the support structure.

[0044] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly wherein the slider arrangement includes at least one vertical adjustment washer which is configured to engage with the body, such that upon firm engagement respective formations defined on the vertical adjustment washer and the body restrict vertical sliding of the body relative to the support structure.

[0045] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly for a glass balustrade, the mounting assembly including: [0046] a body that is configured to be mounted to a support structure, the body having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and support a substantially vertically oriented glass panel;

[0047] at least two glass securing members, including an upper and lower securing member; wherein the glass securing members are manipulated between: (i) an open configuration in which the glass panel is able to be inserted into or removed from the channel; and (ii) a secured configuration in which the securing members are tightened thereby to directly or indirectly apply a clamping force onto a surface of the glass panel thereby to secure the glass panel within the channel;

[0048] a tilt spacer, the tilt spacer having a curved surface region which abuts with a rear face region of the channel, wherein selective unequal tightening of the upper and lower securing members provides control of adjustment of precise orientation of the substantially vertically oriented glass panel.

[0049] One embodiment provides a mounting assembly for a glass balustrade, the mounting assembly including:

[0050] a body that is configured to be mounted to a support structure, the body having a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is configured to receive and support a substantially vertically oriented glass panel;

[0051] at least two glass securing members, including an upper and lower securing member; wherein the glass securing members are manipulated between: (i) an open configuration in which the glass panel is able to be inserted into or removed from the channel; and (ii) a secured configuration in which the securing members are tightened thereby to directly or indirectly apply a clamping force onto a surface of the glass panel thereby to secure the glass panel within the channel;

[0052] one or more apertures formed in a rear portion of the body, wherein the apertures are configured to receive a securing member which is in use affixed to a vertical support structure thereby to affix the body to the vertical support structure;

[0053] one or more securing member vertical adjustment plates, wherein each securing member vertical adjustment plate is in use engaged with an internal surface of the body via a tongue-and-groove fitment arrangement thereby to enable incremental adjustment of vertical position of the body relative to the securing member(s).

[0054] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0055] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0056] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including orwhich includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0057] As used herein, the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an “exemplary embodiment” is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting assembly according to one embodiment, shown in an exploded view with optional components. [0060] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B provide front and rear perspective views of a spigot body according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

[0061] FIG. 3 provides a sectional view of the spigot body.

[0062] FIG. 4 provides a sectional view of the mounting assembly, in an assembled state, including the spigot body and other components.

[0063] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B respectively provide perspective views of front and rear tilt members according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0064] FIG. 6A illustrates a cover member according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

[0065] FIG. 6B illustrates a further cover member according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0066] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B provide front and rear perspective views of an internal packing plate according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates a glass protection member according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

[0068] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B respectively provide perspective views of vertical adjustment washer members according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B provide front and rear perspective views of a glass cover plate according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0070] FIG. 11 provides a side sectional view of the main spigot body, shown with example measurements.

[0071] FIG. 13 provides a top sectional view of the main spigot body, shown with example measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to a mounting assembly for glass balustrade, referred to herein as a “spigot”. In some embodiments this provides spigot device that is configured to mount to a vertical wall. However, it will be appreciated that other mounting arrangements may be used in further embodiments. [0073] In overview, the spigot technology described below and embodied in the examples provided in the drawings provides a number of advancements over conventional spigots. These include:

• Customisable vertical mounting relative to threaded wall inserts. In use, a popular mounting technique for vertical mount spigots includes inserting and fixing threaded insert into a wall (such that a threaded portion protrudes horizontally of the wall). The spigot is then fed onto that insert, through an aperture formed in the spigot body, and affixed. Technology disclosed herein includes a slider arrangement which allows the vertical position of the spigot to be adjusted relative to the threaded insert, thereby to allow for incremental upward/downward adjustment of spigot position prior to final fastening to the wall. This is especially useful where insert holes are not formed at a constant height. This may occur either by accident, or be necessity (for instance if there is rebar or other material inside a wall which prevents drilling in a desired location). It allows for a plurality of spigots to be installed and aligned along a common horizontal accurately and conveniently. As discussed further below, embodiments herein provide this slider arrangement using elongate mounting holes, in combination with a complementary ribbed structure on the spigot body and on vertical adjustment washers.

• Glass tilt control. Technology disclosed herein provides a mechanism for micro adjustment of glass tilt, thereby to allow an installer to achieve an optional glass alignment (for instance relative to adjacent panes). This may be necessary due to imperfections in a wall, or other factors. The mechanism for micro adjustment of glass tilt includes, in some embodiments, a pair of tilt members which: (i) are sandwiched between a glass pane and the spigot body, on each side of the glass; and (ii) include respective curved regions which engage against complementary curved recesses in the spigot body, thereby to provide a pivot arrangement. In some embodiments only one tilt member is used.

• Accommodation of varying glass pane widths. The technology described herein allows for a common size of spigot body to be used with glass pains of varying widths, whilst still allowing adjustments such as those mentioned above.

• Cover plates. The technology described herein allows for mounting of cover plates over the spigot body following installation, thereby to enable aesthetics of a building to modified without replacement of installed spigots. [0074] FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting assembly, in the form of a spigot, according to one embodiment. This is shown in an exploded view, with some optional components. The various components are described below.

[0075] A main spigot body is denoted by reference numeral 1. This is preferably a cast component, for example formed from steel or aluminium. In this embodiment, the spigot body has a “U” shape, with a central base member supporting a frontal body structure and a rear body structure. A glass receiving channel is defined between the inner faces of the frontal body structure and the rear body structure. The body is preferably integrally formed as a one-piece unit, which provides optimal strength. The rear body structure has a one or more apertures formed therethrough, thereby to receive a wall-mounted member (in this example being a wall mounted threaded member which protrudes horizontally from a wall to which the spigot is to be mounted).

[0076] A tilt mechanism includes a rear tilt member 2, and front tilt member 4. These respectively provide an interface between a glass pane inserted into the channel, and the main spigot body. These each include a curved region which is configured to engage with a complementary curved region on the spigot body. FIG. 5A shows curved surface 41 of member 2. FIG. 5A shows curved surfaces 42 of member 4. It will be recognised that curved surfaces 42 are formed with a gap therebetween, which accommodates a locking nut as described further below. As forthe spigot body, curved surfaces 31 and 32 in FIG. 3, which in combination provide for a hinged pivot in combination with the tilt members.

[0077] In use, member 2 is sandwiched between a rear face of the glass pane and a rear inside face of the channel defined by the spigot body (optionally with additional packing members). Likewise, in use, member 4 is sandwiched between a front face of the glass pane and a front inside face of the channel defined by the spigot body (also optionally with additional packing members). Collectively, tilt members 2 and 3 provide an ability to tilt the glass plane relative to the channel. The glass pane is held in a desired position by way of grub screws 13, which pass through threaded apertures 43 formed in the frontal body structure and abut against tilt member 4, and provide the sandwiching force. Differential tightening of the top and bottom grub screws controls tilt angle. A glass protection member 12 is slidable along the base of the channel thereby to assist movement of the glass upon tilt adjustment.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3, the channel tapers outwards between surfaces 31/32 and the top of the channel, and also tapers outwards between surfaces 31/32 and the bottom of the channel. This accommodates pivoting of the glass panel. [0079] In further embodiments, member 4 is optionally omitted.

[0080] The spigot includes a pair of glass protection members 5. These are in this embodiment identical, and each formed with an inside face which is configured to engage with a glass pane (directly, or via an optional stacking member, and an outside face which is configured to engage with a respective one of tilt member 2 and 4 (described above). These are preferably formed from nylon or other materials suitable for engagement with a glass pane. In the present embodiment, they include a formation which allows for their mounting over the each of the tilt members, such that they provide a greater surface area than the tilt members afford. In a further embodiment the glass protection members are defined by a coating applied to the inward facing surface of each of tilt members 2 and 4.

[0081] Either or both of illustrated internal stacking plates 7 and 8 are optionally sandwiched between a glass plane and either or both of the tilt members, thereby to accommodate different widths of glass panes via the spigot body. These presently include outer face protrusions which mount into the protection members and tilt members, thereby to secure the stacking plates in place during glass pane mounting and adjustment.

[0082] The slider arrangement is in this example configured to allow single-fixation mounting, or dual fixation mounting:

• For single fixation mounting, a single-point vertical adjustment washer 6 is used. This is sandwiched between the rear body structure and a lock nut 15. These are preferably M16 sized, for a single M16 sized threaded member which is fixed into a wall (the sandwiching force comes from tightening of the lock nut onto the threaded member). This is typical for cement walls.

• For dual fixation mounting, a pair of two-point vertical adjustment washers 2 are used. These are each sandwiched between the rear body structure and a lock nut 14. These are preferably M12 sized, for a respective M12 sized threaded member which is fixed into a wall (the sandwiching force comes from tightening of the lock nut onto the threaded member). This is preferably for fixation into wood or steel, where a single M16 fixation is insufficient.

[0083] Each of the vertical adjustment washers has a front face configured to abut with a lock nut, and a back face with a series of horizontal ribs (i.e. corrugations or the like). These ribs engage with complementary ribs formed on the inside of the rear spigot body structure (best shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, which shows a rib region 21 for single-point vertical adjustment washer 6, and rib regions 22 and 23 for two-point vertical adjustment washers 2).

[0084] In some embodiments only one of the single fixation mounting or the dual fixation mounting is provided.

[0085] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate example cover plates. The cover plate of FIG. 6B is mounted over a front face of the spigot, thereby to conceal apertures through which members 43 protrude, and to otherwise allow improved aesthetics. The cover includes a body having a vertically extending region which is configured to wrap over a cover a vertical face of a similarly shaped spigot for glass balustrade. This is integrally formed with a horizontally extending base region, which is configured to wrap and cover a base region of the spigot.

[0086] In this embodiment, a clip member is provided on an upper edge of the vertically extending member, this being configured to, in use, secure within a vertical channel defined by the spigot (for example a channel into which glass is mounted. This assists in connecting the cover to the spigot.

[0087] In this embodiment, the base region includes an aperture which is configured to receive a screw or other member, thereby to enable fixing of the cover to the spigot via a complementary aperture (for example a threaded aperture) formed in the spigot (shown as item 50 in FIG. 3). It will be appreciated that the aperture in the base region could be formed at other locations. However, the base is preferably selected for aesthetic reasons.

[0088] It will be appreciated that the shape of the cover is formed to match the complementary spigot around an edge region. However, other visual attributes of the cover need not perfectly match the spigot, and may be modified for aesthetic purposes. For example, the outervertical face may include designs, ornaments and/or formations foraesthetic purposes.

[0089] The cover plate of FIG. 6B is shaped such that it is easily clipped onto the spigot behind the glass.

[0090] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0091] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0092] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0093] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.