This invention relates to guard railing systems, including frameless glass guard railing base shoe securing systems and methods.
Frameless glass panel guard rail systems for use with commercial and/or residential buildings typically utilize rail systems to provide support to the glass panels while in use. The rail systems typically include a base shoe that extends along the bottom edge and/or the top edge of the glass panels that are designed to maximize the structures' “frameless” appearance.
In some instances, the glass panels are permanently secured within the rail systems such that if the glass panels become broken or otherwise need replacement, the rail systems also must be replaced. This adds cost and additional labor.
In some instances, the glass panels are removably configured with the rail systems, thereby avoiding this problem. However, current removable rail systems are difficult to assemble, require complicated tools to install, do not provide a uniform attachment pressure to the glass panels, and are generally bulky.
Accordingly, there is a need for a removable rail system for use with frameless glass panel guard rail systems that is easy to install using simple tools, that provides uniform attachment pressure to the glass panels for fragile laminated glass, and that is streamlined in appearance.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
As used herein, unless used otherwise, the following terms and abbreviations have the following meanings:
Outboard means towards the outside, and in the case of a guard railing system and associated panel, towards the area outside the guard railing system and panel. Unless otherwise stated, this will typically be depicted in the FIGS as the portion of the system to the left of the system's median plane.
Inboard means towards the inside, and in the case of a guard railing system and associated panel, towards the area outside the guard railing system and panel. Unless otherwise stated, this will typically be depicted in the FIGS as the portion of the system to the right of the system's median plane.
Lateral means towards the side, and in the case of a guard railing system and associated panel, facing away from the middle (the median plane) of the guard railing or panel.
Medial means towards the middle, and in the case of a guard railing system and associated panel, facing towards the middle (the median plane) of the guard railing or panel.
In general, the system according to exemplary embodiments hereof provides a system and method for securing an apparatus. The securing system effectively translates forces applied along the plane of a first axis into the plane of a second axis. For example, in some embodiments, the system translates forces applied along a generally vertical axis (e.g., a Y-axis) into a generally horizontal axis (e.g., an X-axis). The securing system utilizes the translated forces (e.g., the forces translated from the Y-axis to the X-axis) to cause the lateral motion of one or more devices that in turn cause the tightening and/or loosening of the apparatus being secured. In this way, the system utilizes vertically oriented forces to cause the lateral tightening and/or loosening of the securing devices.
In some embodiments, the securing system may be used to secure a glass panel within a base shoe for implementation as a frameless guard railing. The securing system may be implemented within a channel of a base shoe and be adjusted to secure (e.g., clamp) the panel therein. It is understood that the securing system also may be used with other panel securing systems such as frameless glass doors, door stile systems, door jamb systems, and other types of systems. It also is understood that the securing system may be used to secure other types of structures and/or other types of panels, including structures comprising materials other than glass.
Referring now to
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
Back Plate 100
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the front 112 includes a stop 113 located at the first and/or second intermediary points, and preferably at the midpoint Mp as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
It may be preferable that the width W1 equal the width W3, and that the width W2 equal the width W4, but this may not be required.
In some embodiments, the width W1 (and the width W3) is about ⅛″ to ⅕″, and preferably about ¼″, and the width W2 (and the width W4) is about 1/32″ to ⅛″, and preferably about 3/32″
In some embodiments, the angles ϕ1 and ϕ2 may be about 0.1° to about 10°, and preferably about 1° to about 5°, and more preferably about 3.5°. The angles ϕ1 and ϕ2 may preferably be equal or about the same, but this may not be required. It is understood that the angles ϕ1 and ϕ2 may include any suitable angles and that the scope of the back plate 100 and of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the values of ϕ1 and/or ϕ2.
In some embodiments as shown in
Given the above, the base plate 102 may be seen to generally include two adjacent and opposing wedges positioned apex-to-apex.
In some embodiments, the base plate 102 may comprise 20% glass fiber-Polycarbonate with carbon black colorant, or any other types of suitable materials.
Shim Assembly 200
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the first shim member 202 includes a left side 206, a right side 208, a top 210, a bottom 212, a front 214, and a back 216. The first shim 202 also may include an upper left chamfer 218 between the left side 206 and the top 210, and an upper right chamfer 220 between the right side 208 and the top 210. The chamfers 218, 220 may be formed at 30°-60°, and preferably at 40°-50°, and more preferably at about 45°. However, it is understood that the chamfers 218, 220 may be formed at any suitable angle as required. In some embodiments, the upper right chamfer 220 may be larger than the upper left chamfer 218, but this may not be required.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the second shim member 204 includes a left side 222, a right side 224, a top 226, a bottom 228, a front 230, and a back 232. The second shim 204 also may include an upper left chamfer 234 between the left side 222 and the top 226, and an upper right chamfer 236 between the right side 224 and the top 226. The chamfers 234, 236 may be formed at 30°-60°, and preferably at 40°-50°, and more preferably at about 45°. However, it is understood that the chamfers 234, 236 may be formed at any suitable angle as required. In some embodiments, the upper left chamfer 234 may be larger than the upper right chamfer 236, but this may not be required.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the first and second shims 202, 204 may comprise 20% glass fiber-Polycarbonate with carbon black colorant, or any other types of suitable materials.
Adjustment Assembly 12
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the base plate 102 includes a bottom ledge 120 generally aligned with and parallel to the bottom 110 of the base plate 102. In some embodiments, the ledge 120 is adapted to provide vertical support to the first and second shim members 202, 204. That is, as shown in
For the purposes of this specification as shown in
In this configuration as shown in
In some embodiments, the base plate 102 includes an upper stop 122 generally aligned with and parallel to the top 108 of the base plate 102 in the area of the midpoint Mp. In some embodiments, the stop 122 includes a left end adapted to provide a lateral movement stop to the upper right chamfer 220 of the first shim member 202, and a right end adapted to provide a lateral movement stop to the upper left chamfer 234 of the second shim member 204.
For the purposes of this specification and as shown in
As shown in
Similarly, as the second shim member 204 moves from the left to the right (e.g., in the direction of arrow C), the second shim's left side 222 with width W7 travels towards the base plate's right side 106 with width W3, and because of the structure's overlapping tapers as described above, the width of the second shim 204 and the width of the base plate 102 combine increasingly. Accordingly, the width WR of the right portion 16 increases. For example, the width WR may increase from W10 (
Conversely, as shown in
Similarly, as the second shim member 204 moves from the right to the left (e.g., in the direction of arrow D), the second shim's right side 224 with width W8 travels towards the base plate's midpoint Mp with width W4, and because of the structure's overlapping tapers as described above, the width of the second shim 204 and the width of the base plate 102 combine decreasingly. Accordingly, the width WR of the right portion 16 decreases. For example, the width WR may decrease from W12 (
Given the above, it is understood that the width WA of the adjustment assembly 12 may be increased and/or decreased by causing a lateral movement of one or both of the shim members 202, 204.
In some embodiments, a lateral movement of one or both of the shim members 202, 204 is caused by providing one or more lateral forces to the members 202, 204. In one example as shown in
In a second example as shown in
In some embodiments, a lateral movement of one or both of the shim members 202, 204 is caused by providing one or more downward vertical forces to the members 202, 204 that may be translated into corresponding lateral forces. In one example as shown in
In a second example as shown in
Accordingly, it is understood that the width WA of the adjustment assembly 12 may be increased and/or decreased by providing one or more downward vertical forces to one or more of the shim members 202, 204 as described above.
In some embodiments, the base plate surfaces 116, 118 and/or the shim member backs 216, 232 may include frictional elements such as rough surfaces, indents, channels, etchings, slots, detents, teeth, and/or other types of surface textures or elements that may increase the friction between the abutting surfaces 116, 118 and 216, 232, respectively. In other embodiments, the surfaces 116, 118, 216, 232 may be generally smooth. In other embodiments, some of the surfaces 116, 118, 216, 232 may be smooth and other surfaces 116, 118, 216, 232 may include frictional elements. In some embodiments, the base plate 102 and/or the shim members 202, 204 may include cutouts to reduce the weight of the respective items.
In some embodiments, the system 10 may be used to secure a glass panel 300 within a base shoe housing 400 (e.g., of a frameless guard railing). Given this available implementation, a typical base shoe housing 400 and associated panel 300 are described below for reference.
Base Shoe Housing 400 with Panel 300
In some embodiments as shown in
The panel 300 with width Wp is positioned vertically within the channel 412 (preferably midway between the inner channel surfaces 408a, 408b) thereby forming a left inner channel 418 between the panel 300 and the inner channel surface 408a, and a right inner channel 420 between the panel 300 and the inner channel surface 408b.
Support Assembly 500
In some embodiments, a support assembly 500 is included as part of the system 10 (or otherwise) to provide base and lateral support to the panel 300 within the base shoe channel 412.
In some embodiments as shown in
The width W8 of the block 502 (from the front 504 to the back 306) is preferably constant along the height of the block 502. In some embodiments, the width W8 of the block 502 is chosen to be equal or similar to the width of the adjustment assembly 12. However, other widths may be chosen.
The block 502 may include a foot 516 extending outward from the block's front 504 at its bottom 514. In some embodiments, the foot 516 may extend outward and perpendicular (at 90°) with respect to the front 504. The foot 516 may include a top surface 518 that, as described in other sections, may be adapted to support the bottom side (the bottom edge) of the panel 300. Given this, it may be preferable that the foot's top surface 518 extend outward from the front 504 a distance sufficient to support the bottom of the panel 300. However, it may be preferable that the distance be slightly less than the thickness of the panel 300 so that a portion of the panel's bottom surface may overhang the front of the foot 516. As will be described in other sections, this may allow for the adjustment assembly 12 to engage the panel 400.
In some embodiments, the bottom 514 (including the bottom of the foot 516) may include one or more channels 520 extending from the front 504 (of the foot 516) to the back 506. In some embodiments, the channels 520 may be open towards the bottom 514 with a height that extends upward a portion of the height of the foot 516 (preferably not all the way through the foot 516).
In some embodiments, the block 502 includes a notch 522 in its back 506 at the bottom 514. The notch 522 may extend from the left 508 to the right 510 of the block 502 or portion(s) thereof. In some embodiments, the notch 522 communicates with at least one of the channels 520 so that water that may collect within the channels 520 may pass into the notch 522 to be removed from the housing 400 as will be described in other sections.
Securing the Panel 300 Using the System 10
In some embodiments, to secure the panel 300 within the base shoe 400, the adjustment assembly 12 and the support assembly 500 are positioned within the base shoe channel 412 as shown in
In some embodiments, the block's foot 516 extends across the channel's bottom 416 towards the adjustment assembly 12 leaving a gap G2 between the front of the foot 516 and the back 114 of the adjustment assembly's base plate 102. As will be described in other sections, with the panel 300 resting on the top 518 of the foot 516, the adjustable width WA of the adjustment assembly 12 may be increased as described above to expand at least partially into the gap G2 while applying a clamping force to the panel 300. In this way, the foot 516 may not obstruct the expansion of the adjustment assembly's width WA.
In some embodiments, the panel 300 is secured by increasing the adjustment assembly's width WA to expand into the gaps G1 and G2 until the front 114 of the assembly 12 abuts against and applies a clamping force to the panel 300. In this way, the panel 300 is held between the assembly 12 and the block 502 within the housing 400.
To accomplish this, a downward force (such as the force F5 in
To release the panel 300, the width of the adjustment assembly 12 is decreased thereby expanding the width of the gaps G1 and G2 until the panel 300 is no longer secured.
To accomplish this, a downward force (such as the force F9 in
Implementation Tools 600
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
It is preferable that the first and second tools 602, 608 are adapted to fit within the left inner channel 418 and/or the right inner channel 420 (see
Benefits of the System 10
The benefits of the system 10 are multifold and include, without limitation:
First, the system 10 works for most glass compositions and thicknesses, thereby reducing inventory costs of different securing devices.
Second, the system 10 is quick and easy to install and/or remove.
Third, simple single-part implementation tools 600 may be used to install and remove the system 10.
Fourth, the system 10 facilitates the quick and easy adjustment of the glass within the base shoe housing 400.
Fifth, the adjustment assembly 12 provides increased contact area with the panel 300 thereby reducing stress to the glass under emergency loads, minimizing breakage.
Sixth, the system 10 is resistant to chemicals, temperature extremes and sun exposure.
It is understood that the benefits shown above are meant for demonstration and that other benefits of the system 10 may also exist. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.
It also is understood that any aspect or detail of any embodiment described herein or otherwise may be combined with any other aspect or detail of any other embodiment to form any additional embodiments that also are within the scope of the system 10. For example, the adjustment assembly 12 may comprise a single shim member (e.g., shim member 202) and the adjustment assembly's left portion 14 only. In another example, two first shim members 202 may be oriented back-to-back with opposing taper directions to form an adjustment assembly 12, and the overlapping shim members 202 may be moved laterally in relation to one another to increase and/or decrease the overall width of the combined members 202. It can be seen that the concepts described above in relation to the adjustment member 12 also apply to these configurations in regard to downward forces applied to the shims' chamfers that are translated into lateral forces.
It is understood that other configurations of other numbers of shim members and/or base plates may be used to translate vertical forces into lateral forces and to thereby vary the width of the configurations.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/066,018, filed Aug. 14, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63066018 | Aug 2020 | US |