BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to railing systems, and more specifically, to railing systems employing barrier panels such as plate glass panels.
2. State of the Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,410 to Hansen relates to a glass panel railing system that uses anchor posts that are set into a concrete slab and which extend above the concrete slab, as shown in FIG. 2 of Hansen. The anchor posts are spaced horizontally at regular intervals along a straight line. The anchor posts support a base shoe which is connected to the anchor posts with bolts. Each post has a single connector to connect to one base shoe section. Also, the posts connect to the base shoe at locations spaced inwardly from the ends of the base shoe so that the sections of base shoe connect directly to one another at their ends with dowel pins, as shown in FIG. 7 of Hansen. Glass panels are set into a groove formed in the base shoe. The base shoe supports and spaces the glass panels above the concrete slab to allow for drainage between the base shoe and the slab.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect, further details of which are described hereinbelow, a railing system is provided that employs adjoining barrier panels supported by a substrate such as concrete floor or slab. The railing system includes at least one anchor post which is connected to first and second base shoe sections that support adjoining barrier panels. The anchor post includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to one another about a pivot axis. It is expected that the pivot axis will be fixed in a vertical or near-vertical orientation during use. The first and second portions of the anchor post have top ends opposite respective bottom ends. The bottom ends of the first and second portions are configured to be secured into or rigidly fixed to the substrate during use. The top ends of the first and second portions are configured to be spaced above the substrate and connected to the first and second base shoe sections. Specifically, the top end of the first portion of the anchor is connected to the first base shoe section, and the top end of the second portion of the anchor is connected to the second base shoe section. The first and second portions of the anchor post are configured to pivot relative to one another about the pivot axis to set an angle between the first and second base shoe sections connected thereto. The first and second base shoe sections (together with the adjoining barrier panels supported by the first and second base shoe sections) can selectively extend relative to one another in an end-to-end manner in parallel or non-parallel directions based on the angle set between the first and second portions of the anchor post.
Owing to the features of the railing systems described herein, it is possible to construct a railing system where base shoe sections together with the adjoining barrier panels supported by the base shoe sections can extend along a straight path as well as a non-linear path. The non-linear path allows the adjoining barrier panels to be set at non-zero angles relative to one another so that they are not co-planar. Thus, the railing system in accordance with this disclosure can be used to follow a linear path or a non-linear path along a building or walkway, for example.
In embodiments, the barrier panels of the system are glass panels, where each glass panel is supported above a respective base shoe section. In embodiments, the system includes a securing means for securing each glass panel to a base shoe section. The securing means has an upper clamp and a lower clamp that are independently adjustable to align the glass panel with the vertical axis.
In embodiments, the range of pivoting motion between the first and second portions of the anchor post, and thus the range of angles between the adjoining base shoe sections and the range of angles between adjoining barrier panels, is between 0 and 25 degrees.
In embodiments, each base shoe section has a bottom that is vertically spaced above the substrate by the anchor post. This is beneficial to provide space that allows water and any other debris to pass below the base shoe sections.
In embodiments, the first and second portions of the anchor comprise a hinge that pivotally connects the first and second portions. In embodiments, the hinge has a positive stop structure that limits the angle between the first and second portions to a predetermined maximum angle (such as 25 degrees).
In embodiments, the first and second portions of the anchor post have respective inside surfaces that face one another and that are disposed opposite respective outside surfaces, wherein the connection between the first portion of the anchor post and the first base shoe section is closer to the inside surface than the outside surface of the first portion of the anchor post, and wherein the connection between the second portion of the anchor post and the second base shoe section is closer to the inside surface than the outside surface of the second portion of the anchor post.
In embodiments, the first portion of the anchor post includes a first set of linearly spaced holes aligned along a first line and the second portion of the anchor post includes a second set of linearly spaced holes aligned along a second line. In a closed configuration (where the first and second base shoe sections extend in parallel directions relative to one another), the first line and the second line are parallel to one another, and in an open configuration (where the first and second base shoe sections extend in non-parallel directions relative to one another), the first line and the second line are not parallel to one another.
In embodiments, the system includes at least one exterior cap section configured to connect to an exterior side of the at least one base shoe section, and at least one interior cap section configured to connect to an interior side of the at least one base shoe section.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, the elements of the railing systems described herein may be supplied as a kit, including one or more barrier panels, base shoe sections, and anchor posts as discussed above. The barrier panels may be solid and, more specifically, may be glass panels (i.e., plate glass). In embodiments, the kit may include one or more aforementioned exterior cap sections and one or more interior cap sections.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of assembling a railing includes providing a railing kit as discussed above, and setting the at least one anchor post of the kit into a corresponding hole formed in the substrate at a predetermined depth so that the upper end of the at least one anchor post is spaced above the substrate a predetermined distance. The method also includes setting the angle between the first and second portion of the at least one anchor post, fixing the at least one anchor post to the substrate, connecting the first base shoe section to the first portion of the at least one anchor post, and connecting the second base shoe section to the second portion of the at least one anchor post. Also, the method includes securing a first barrier panel to the first base shoe section, and securing a second barrier panel to the second base shoe section. The first and second barrier panels are secured so that they adjoin along their lateral sides forming a continuous surface across the first and second panels. The predetermined depth of the at least one anchor post disposes a bottom of the first and second base shoe sections in spaced relation above the substrate.
In embodiments, the method also includes providing a plurality of exterior cap sections, and connecting each exterior cap section to an exterior side of a respective one base shoe section each exterior cap section corresponding to one section of base shoe. Also, the method includes providing a plurality of interior cap sections and connecting each interior cap section to an interior side of a respective one base shoe section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a railing system in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, viewed from an interior.
FIG. 2A is a section view of railing system of FIG. 1 along section 2A-2A in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B is a section view through the base shoe section of the railing system of FIG. 1 along section 2B-2B in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show sections of one anchor post of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3C shows the sections of the anchor post of FIGS. 3A and 3B assembled together into an anchor post and shown in a fully closed position.
FIG. 3D shows the sections of the anchor post of FIGS. 3A and 3B assembled together into an anchor post and shown in a fully open position.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show sections of a second anchor post of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4C shows the sections of the anchor post of FIGS. 4A and 4B assembled together into an anchor post and shown in a fully closed position.
FIG. 4D shows the sections of the anchor post of FIGS. 4A and 4B assembled together into an anchor post and shown in a fully open position.
FIG. 5 shows anchor posts of FIGS. 3C and 3D and FIGS. 4C and 4D aligned with holes formed in a substrate.
FIG. 6 shows the anchor posts in FIG. 5 set into the holes formed in the substrate.
FIG. 7 shows the anchor posts in FIG. 6 secured to the substrate.
FIGS. 8 to 10A show assembly of base shoe sections to the secured anchor posts of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10B shows an exploded view of the portion of FIG. 10A labeled “10B”.
FIG. 10C shows an exploded view of the portion of FIG. 10A labeled “10C”.
FIG. 11 shows the connection of the external cap profiles to the base shoe sections shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C.
FIGS. 12 to 14 shows the connection of panels to the base shoe sections shown in FIG. 11.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show the connection of internal cap profiles to the base shoe sections in FIG. 14.
FIGS. 17A and 17B shows anchor posts of FIG. 3C arranged to form a ninety degree corner of a railing system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a shows a railing system 100 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be representative of a portion of a larger (i.e., longer) system 100. The railing system 100 includes one or more anchor post (e.g., 106, 108), which is connected to first and second base shoe sections 110 that support adjoining barrier panels 102 (e.g., solid panels formed of plate glass). The system 100 is configured to dispose the base shoe sections 110 at respective angles (θ1, θ2, θ3) relative to one another so that the supported panels 102 extend relative to one another in an end-to-end manner (adjoining) in parallel or non-parallel directions based on the angle set between the base shoe sections 110. Additionally, as will be described in greater detail below, separate portions of the system system 100 may be arranged in one configuration to dispose the panels 102 at corners (e.g., ninety degree corners) shown, for example, in FIGS. 17A and 17B.
Anchor post 106 includes a first portion 106a and a second portion 106b, that are pivotally connected to one another about a pivot axis F-F (FIG. 5). Anchor post 108 includes a first portion 108a and a second portion 108b that are pivotally connected to one another about a pivot axis G-G (FIG. 5). It is expected that the pivot axes F-F and G-G will be fixed in a vertical or near-vertical orientation during use, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. FIG. 2A shows a view through a first portion 106a of anchor post 106, but sections through other portions of anchor post 106 and other portions of anchor post 108 would show corresponding features. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first portion 106a of the anchor post has a top end 106a′ opposite a respective bottom end 106a″. The bottom end 106a″ is secured into or rigidly fixed to the substrate 104 during use, as shown in FIG. 2A. The top end 106a′ is spaced above the substrate 104 and is connected to a respective base shoe section 110. Specifically, the top end 106a′ of the first portion 106a of the anchor post 106 is connected to one base shoe section 110, and the top end 106b′(FIG. 7) of the second portion 106b of the anchor post 106 is connected to another base shoe section 110, as shown in FIG. 1.
The first and second portions 106a, 106b of the anchor post 106 are configured to pivot relative to one another about the pivot axis (e.g., F-F, FIG. 5) to set an angle between the respective base shoe sections 110 connected thereto. Likewise, the first and second portions 108a, 108b of the anchor post 108 are configured to pivot relative to one another about the pivot axis (e.g., G-G, FIG. 5) to set an angle between the respective base shoe sections 110 connected thereto. The base shoe sections (together with the adjoining barrier panels 102 supported by the base shoe sections 110 can selectively extend relative to one another in an end-to-end manner in parallel or non-parallel directions based on the angle set between the first and second portions 106a, 106b of the anchor post 106 and the angle set between the first and second portions 108a, 108b of the anchor posts 108. Further details of the system 100 are described below.
The panels 102 form a barrier between an interior region 103 (FIG. 2A) and an exterior region 105 (FIG. 2A). Each panel 102 has a top 102a, a bottom 102b (FIG. 2A), and two lateral sides or ends 102c. The panels 102 adjoin side-by-side or end-to-end manner along their lateral sides or ends 102c so that they form a continuous panelized barrier including panels 102 set at various angles relative to each other. Also, the panels 102 have an interior surface 102d (facing the interior region 103) and an exterior surface 102e (facing the exterior region 105), as shown in FIG. 2A.
The system 100 supports the adjoining panels 102 without structural vertical supports or posts otherwise connecting the adjoining lateral sides 102c of the panels 102 together. That is, at least in one embodiment described herein, each panel 102 is supported vertically only from its bottom 102b by a corresponding base shoe section 110, which is supported from below by at least one anchor post, such as posts 106 and 108. The anchor posts 106 and 108 structurally support the base shoe section 110 and the panels 102, but do not extend above the base shoe section 110. In the case of panels 102 made of glass, eliminating structural vertical supports between the adjoining lateral sides 102c of the panels 102 may be preferred since it produces a continuous unobstructed visual field across the width of multiple adjoining panels 102.
FIG. 2A shows additional details of the components of the system 100 along line 2A-2A in FIG. 1, which extends through a panel 102, a corresponding base shoe section 110, and a post portion 106a of anchor post 106. The base shoe section 110 has a generally L-shaped profile having a vertical portion 110a and a horizontal portion 110b, which generally extend perpendicular to one another. The post 106 has an interior facing surface 106c and an exterior facing surface 106d. As used herein, “interior” and “exterior” refer to directionality with respect to the interior and exterior regions 103 and 105 in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A shows the base shoe section 110 is fixed to the post 106 with interior and exterior connectors 112a, 112b, e.g., threaded fasteners such as screws and bolts. Though not shown in FIG. 2A, the base shoe section may 110 also be connected to post 108 also with connectors 112a, 112b. As shown in FIG. 2A, the posts 106 dispose a bottom of the base shoe section 110 so that the bottom of the panel 102 and the bottom of the base shoe section 110 are spaced from (i.e., elevated above) the substrate 104. This provides a gap or space for water and debris to pass under the base shoe section 110.
The panel 102 sits in a substantially vertical groove 110c formed in the vertical portion 110a of the L-shaped base shoe section 110. A U-shaped protective gasket 118 is arranged to wrap around the bottom 102b and the interior and exterior surfaces 102d, 102e of the panel 102 and the gasket 118 is interposed between the vertical groove 110c and the panel 102. The gasket 118 can cushion the panel 102 and prevent direct contact between the panel 102 and the base shoe section 110 and the connector 112b. The vertical leg 110a of the base shoe section 110 includes means for securing a panel 102 to the base shoe section 110. The securing means also includes means for adjusting an angle that the panel 102 makes with respect to the vertical axis A-A. In one embodiment, the means for securing the panel 102 includes the vertical leg 110a and adjustment screws 120a and 120b. The vertical leg 110 a defines an upper threaded hole 110d and a lower threaded hole 110e that receive and retain corresponding adjustment screws 120a and 120b. When the adjustment screws 120a and 120b are threaded into the holes 110d and 110e they compress or clamp the panel 102 against the inside of the groove 110c. The angle that the panel 102 makes with the vertical axis A-A (FIG. 2A) can be adjusted by adjusting the upper and lower screws 120a and 120b in and out of their respective holes 110d and 110e. Thus, for example, a user can adjust the screws 120a and 120b so that the panel 102 is substantially (+/−5 degrees) plumb.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the vertical portion 110a of the base shoe section 110 has an interior surface 110n′ and an exterior surface 110m′. The horizontal portion 110b of the base shoe section 110 has an interior surface 110n″ and an exterior surface 110m″. The horizontal portion 110b extends horizontally between its interior surface 110n″ and its exterior surface 110m″. As shown in FIG. 2A, the system 100 may also include exterior cap sections 114, each of which attaches (e.g., snaps onto) to and covers the respective exterior sides 110m′ (FIG. 2B) and 110m″ (FIG. 2B) of the vertical portion 110a and horizontal portion 110b of a corresponding base shoe section 110. The system 100 may also include interior cap sections 116, each of which attaches (e.g., snaps onto) to and covers respective interior sides 110n′ (FIG. 2B) and 110n″ (FIG. 2B) of the vertical portion 110a and horizontal portion 110b of a corresponding base shoe section 110.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the vertical portion 110a of the base shoe section 110 has a small groove 110f configured to receive a complementary ridge 114a formed in the top of the exterior cap section 114. Also, the horizontal portion 110b of the base shoe section 110 defines a lower ridge 110g which is engaged with a lower lip 114b of the exterior cap section 114. The interior cap section 116 snaps over the interior sides of the vertical portion 110a and horizontal portion 110b of the base shoe section 110. The vertical portion 110a of the base shoe section 110 defines a groove 110h, which receives a ridge 116a formed in the interior cap section 116. Also, the bottom of the horizontal portion 110b of the base shoe section 110 defines a ridge 110i about which a lip 116b of the interior cap section 116 extends. The interior cap section 116 extends diagonally to provide a slope to direct rainwater away from the panel 102 and the base shoe section 110. The exterior and interior cap sections 114, 116 can create a seamless appearance along the exterior and interior surfaces 102e, 102d of the bottom of the various panels 102 of the railing system 100 and help to conceal connectors 120a, 120b, and 112b and any gaps 111 (FIG. 10) between the ends of the base shoe sections 110 that are connected indirectly via the posts 106, 108, as shown in FIG. 10, for example.
The horizontal portion 110b of the base shoe section 110 defines an inside hole 110j and an outside hole 110k. The inside and outside holes 110j and 110k are not centered about central axis A-A through the horizontal portion 110b. Instead, the holes 110j and 110k are off-axis towards the interior surface 110n″ (FIG. 2B). Also, the holes 110j and 110k align along an axis I-I (FIG. 8) that is perpendicular to an axis J-J (FIG. 8), which extends longitudinally along the length of each base shoe section 110. The connected anchor post portion 106a is configured to be received and seated between the lower ridges 110g and 110i of the base shoe section 110 so that the interior holes 130a/131a (FIGS. 3A to 3D) align with interior holes 110j of the base shoe section 110, and exterior holes 130b/131b (FIGS. 3A to 3D) align with exterior holes 110k of the base shoe section 110, as shown in FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the close fit between the anchor post 106 and the lower ridges 110g and 110i limits or prevents relative movement (i.e., horizontal movement) between the anchor post 106 and the base shoe section 110.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a view of the top of elongated post portions 106a and 106b shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7. The post portions 106a and 106b may be made from metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, metal alloys) or other material with suitable material strength and have a uniform profile throughout their length having the form shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The portions 106a and 106b are configured to pivotally connect along vertical axis F-F (FIG. 5) by a hinge so that an angle between the portions 106a and 106b can be adjusted and set by a user, which can set the angle between adjacent base shoe sections 110 and panels 102.
Post portion 106a has a base 130 with legs 132, 134 extending at substantially right angles from the base 130. The base 130 defines an interior hole 130a and an exterior hole 130b, which may be threaded to mate, respectively, with interior and exterior threaded connectors 112a, 112b. The centers of holes 130a and 130b align along axis B-B, which is also parallel to the surface of the base 130 shown in FIG. 3A.
Leg 132 extends from the base 130 to an end 132a. The leg 132 tapers along an a outer surface 132b from a shoulder 132c to the end 132a. The outer surface 132b may be tapered in any manner and may be a convex surface as shown in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the shoulder 132c may be at a mid-point along the length of the leg 132.
Leg 134 extends from the base 130 to an end 134a. The leg 134 has a male projection or bead 134b at the end 134a. The male projection 134b may extend longitudinally along the vertical length of the post portion 106a, i.e., along axis F-F (FIG. 5). The leg 134 also has a shoulder 134c at the base of the male projection 134b. The shoulder 134c provides a positive stop to limit the angle between portions 106a and 106b, further details of which are discussed below. The center of the male projection 134b is horizontally aligned (along a midline X-X in FIG. 3C) with the shoulder 132c, at the mid-point along the length of the leg 132.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the post portion 106b has a base 131 with legs 133 and 135 extending at right angles to the base 131. The base 131 defines an interior hole 131a, and exterior hole 131b, which may be threaded to mate, respectively, with interior and exterior threaded connectors 112a, 112b. The centers of holes 131a and 131b align along axis C-C, which is parallel to the surface of the base 131 shown in FIG. 3B.
Leg 133 extends from base 131 to an end 133a. The leg 133 defines a female channel 133b that extends longitudinally along the vertical length of the post portion 106b, i.e., parallel to axis F-F (FIG. 5). The female channel 133b is configured to receive and pivotally connect with the male projection 134b, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. Thus, the female channel 133b and the male projection 134b comprise portions of a hinge that permits relative rotation between portions 106a and 106b. The leg 133 defines a shoulder 133c at the base of the channel 133b. The shoulder 133c provides a positive stop to limit the angle between portions 106a and 106b, further details of which are discussed below.
Leg 135 extends from base 131 to end 135a. An inner surface 135b adjacent to end 135a is concave or otherwise tapered towards end 135a and is configured to slide against complementary surface 132b when the post portions 106a and 106b are pivotally connected and pivot about the hinged connection between male projection 134b and female channel 133b. The center of the female channel 133b is horizontally aligned, (along the midline X-X in FIG. 3C) with the end 135a of leg 135.
The portions 106a and 106b are pivotally connected along axis F-F (FIG. 5). The male projection 134b of leg 134 may pivotally connect or interconnect with the female channel 133b of leg 133 by vertically aligning the male projection 134b with the female channel 133a along axis F-F (FIG. 5) and axially (e.g., along axis F-F) sliding the male projection 134b into the female channel 134b until the top ends of the post portions 106a and 106b horizontally align, as shown in FIG. 5. When the male projection 134b and female channel 133b are pivotally connected, they form a hinge that permits post portion 106a to pivot or articulate relative to post portion 106b between a closed position (FIG. 3C) and a fully open position (FIG. 3D). Alternatively, the post portions 106a and 106b may be pivotally connected together by any other suitable hinge means.
For example, FIG. 3C shows post portions 106a and 106b connected together and in the closed configuration where the axes B-B and C-C are parallel to each other. In the closed configuration the end 135a of leg 135 and shoulder 132c of leg 132 adjoin along midline X-X, which extends horizontally across the midpoint of exterior-facing surface 106d and interior-facing surface 106c. This configuration can be used to connect two base shoe sections 110 together in a straight line, e.g., one base shoe section 110 connected to portion 106a; and another base shoe section 110 connected to portion 106b. Also, this configuration can be used to connect a single base shoe section 110 to both portions 106a and 106b of anchor post 106 with the axis J-J of the base shoe section 110 extending perpendicular to axes B-B and C-C, i.e., base shoe sections 110 extending 180 degrees apart from each other, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 17A and 17B.
The first and second portions 106a, 106b of the anchor post 106 have respective inside surfaces 136 (FIGS. 3A, 3C) and 137 (FIGS. 3B, 3C) that face one another and that are disposed opposite respective outside surfaces 138 (FIGS. 3A, 3C) and 139 (FIGS. 3A, 3C). In the closed configuration of the post 106 shown in FIG. 3C, the inside surfaces 136 and 137 enclose a hollow space having an area A106. The holes 130a and 130b of portion 106a are closer to the inside surface 136 than to the outside surface 138. Also, the holes 131b and 131a of portion 106b are closer to the inside surface 137 than to the outside surface 139. In use, the space between the inside surfaces 136 and 137 is filled with material, such as concrete, when the post 106 is set in the substrate 104.
FIG. 3D shows post portions 106a and 106b connected together and in a fully open configuration where the end 135a of leg 135 is rotated away from shoulder 132c of leg 132 through an angle of about 25 degrees. As shown, the axes B-B (along which lie holes 130b and 130a) and C-C (along which lie holes 131b and 131a) are at an angle of about 25 degrees to one another. In FIG. 3D, the angle shown (about 25 degrees) is a maximum angle which is limited by the interference between the shoulders or stops 134c and 133c.
In embodiments, the hinge that pivotally connects the post portions 106a and 106b together permits free relative pivotal movement between the post portions 106a and 106b when the post 106 is not secured or otherwise fixed to a substrate, such as substrate 104 in FIG. 1. This can permit the post portions 106a and 106b to be relatively positioned in any open position between the closed position and the fully open position. In embodiments, either or both of the post portions 106a and 106b can both be rotated about the vertical axis F-F and relative to the midline X-X. Thus, in embodiments, to set an angle between the post portions 106a, 106b, one of the post portions, e.g., 106a, may remain stationary and another one of the post portions, e.g., 106b, can be rotated by a user relative to the stationary portion 106a, e.g., 25 degrees. Alternatively, both of the portions 106a and 106b can be rotated about the vertical axis F-F and displaced equal or varying angular amounts relative to midline X-X, e.g., 5 degrees and 20 degrees, respectively.
When the post 106 is configured in any open position and portions 106a and 106b are connected to respective base shoe sections 110, the angle set between the post portions 106a and 106b determines the angle at which the base shoe sections 110 extend relative to one another. Between the fully open and closed positions, a user can set any specific angle between the portions 106a and 106b, and, thus, set any desired angle between holes 130a/130b along axis B-B and holes 131a/131b along axis C-C, which can connect to different base shoe sections 110 extending at an angle relative to one another. Thus, it is possible to set the angle (e.g., θ2, FIG. 1) between two base shoe sections 110 (and panels 102) by adjusting and setting the angle between the post portions 106a, 106b, and their holes 130a/130b and holes 131a/131b.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a view of the top of elongated post portions 108a and 108b shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 4A shows elements of portion 108a that correspond to features of portions 106a. In FIG. 4A, elements corresponding to those of portion 106a are incremented by “10”. The centers of interior and exterior holes 140a, 140b align along an axis D-D that is parallel to the surface of the base 140. FIG. 4B shows elements of portion 108b that correspond to features of portions 106b. In FIG. 4B, elements corresponding to those of portion 106b are incremented by “10”. The centers of interior hole 141a and exterior hole 141b align along an axis E-E that is parallel to the surface of the base 141. Similar to the arrangement between post 106 and base shoe section 110 in FIG. 2A, the assembled anchor post 108 is configured to be received between the lower ridges 110g and 110i of the base shoe section 110 so that the interior holes 140a/141a align with interior holes 110j of the base shoe section 110 and exterior holes 140b/141b align with exterior holes 110k of the base shoe section 110 when the base shoe section 110 is placed over an assembled anchor post portion 108a or 108b.
The portions 108a and 108b are pivotally connected along axis G-G (FIG. 5). The male projection 144b of leg 144 may pivotally connect with the female channel 143b of leg 143 by vertically aligning the male projection 144b with the female channel 143a along axis G-G (FIG. 5) and axially (e.g., along axis G-G) sliding the male projection 144b into the female channel 144b until the top ends of the post portions 108a and 108b horizontally align, as shown in FIG. 5. When the male projection 144b and female channel 143b are pivotally connected, they form a hinge that permits post portion 108a to pivot or articulate relative to post portion 108b between a closed position (FIG. 4C) and a fully open position (FIG. 4D). Alternatively, the post portions 108a and 108b may be pivotally connected together by any other suitable hinge means.
For example, FIG. 4C shows post portions 108a and 108b connected together and in a closed configuration where the bases 140 and 141 are parallel to each other. In the closed configuration the end 145a of leg 145 and shoulder 142c of leg 142 adjoin along midline Y-Y, which extends horizontally across the midpoint of exterior-facing surface 108d and interior-facing surface 108c. The closed configuration of post 108 can be used to connect two base shoe sections 110 together in a straight line, i.e., base shoe sections 110 extending 180 degrees apart from each other, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 17A and 17B.
The first and second portions 108a, 108b of the anchor post 108 have respective inside surfaces 146 (FIGS. 4A, 4C) and 147 (FIGS. 4B, 4C) that face one another and that are disposed opposite respective outside surfaces 148 (FIGS. 4A, 4C) and 149 (FIGS. 4A, 4C). In the closed configuration of the post 108 shown in FIG. 4C, the inside surfaces 146 and 147 enclose a hollow space having an area Aux The holes 140a and 140b of portion 108a are closer to the inside surface 146 than to the outside surface 148. Also, the holes 141b and 141a of portion 108b are closer to the inside surface 147 than to the outside surface 149. In use, the space between the inside surfaces 146 and 147 is filled with material, such as concrete, when the post 108 is set in the substrate 104.
FIG. 4D shows post portions 108a and 108b connected together and in a fully open configuration where end 145a of leg 145 is rotated away from shoulder 142c of leg 132 through an angle of about 25 degrees. As shown, the axes D-D (along which lie holes 140b and 140a) and E-E (along which lie holes 141b and 141a) are at an angle of about 25 degrees to one another. In FIG. 4D, the angle shown (about 25 degrees) is a maximum angle which is limited by the interference between the shoulders or stops 144c and 143c.
In embodiments, the hinge that pivotally connects the post portions 108a and 108b together permits free relative pivotal movement between the post portions 108a and 108b between the closed and the fully open configurations. This can permit the post portions 108a and 108b to be relatively positioned in any open position between the closed position and the fully open position. In embodiments, either or both of the post portions 108a and 108b can both be rotated about the vertical axis G-G and relative to the midline Y-Y. Thus, in embodiments, to set an angle between the post portions 108a, 108b, one of the post portions, e.g., 108a, may remain stationary and another one of the post portions, e.g., 108b, may be rotated by a user relative to the stationary portion 108a, e.g., 25 degrees. Alternatively, both of the portions 108a and 108b can be rotated about the vertical axis G-G and displaced equal or varying angular amounts relative to midline Y-Y, e.g., portion 108a may be rotated 5 degrees away from midline Y-Y, and portion 108b may be rotated 20 degrees away from midline Y-Y.
When the post 108 is configured in any open position and portions 106a and 106b are connected to respective base shoe sections 110, the angle set between the post portions 108a and 108b determines the angle at which the base shoe sections 110 extend relative to one another. Between the fully open and closed positions, a user can set any specific angle between the portions 108a and 108b, and, thus, set any desired angle between holes 140a/140b and holes 141a/141b, which can connect to different base shoe sections 110 extending at an angle relative to one another. Thus, it is possible to set the angle (e.g., θ1, θ3, FIG. 1) between two base shoe sections 110 (and panels 102) by adjusting and setting the angle between the post portions 108a, 108b, and their holes 140a/140b and holes 141a/141b.
One notable difference between anchor posts 106 and 108 are the positions of their inside and outside holes relative to their hinges formed by male protrusions and female channels. For example, in comparing posts 106 and 108 shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C, the holes 131b, 130b, 131a, and 130a are off-axis to the right (towards the hinge formed by male protrusion 134b and female channel 133b) of midline M-M (FIG. 3C), whereas the holes 141a, 140a, 141b, and 140b are off-axis to the left (away from the hinge formed by the male protrusion 144b and female channel 143b) of midline N-N (FIG. 4C). That is, the inside and outside hole pattern of post 108 is reversed from the inside and outside hole pattern of post 106. The aforementioned differences between the locations of the inside and outside holes of posts 106 and 108 mean that the hinges of each post 106 and 108 cannot be on the same side of the panels 102 of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the hinges of posts 108 are on the outside surface 108d of the post 108 and face the exterior, whereas the hinges of posts 106 are on the inside surface 106c of the post 106 and face the interior.
In one example, in the closed configurations shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C, the anchor posts 106 and 108 have the same overall dimensions, e.g., width “W” of about 96 mm+/0.5 mm and a height “H” of about 76 mm+/−0.5 mm. Thus, both posts 106 and 108 have a rectangular outer profile in their closed configurations. As shown in FIG. 3C, the midline X-X extends through the shoulder 132c and the center of the male protrusion 132b. Thus, the height of the shoulder 132c and the height of the center of the male protrusion 132b are equal to one half of the height H, i.e., about 38 mm+/−0.5 mm. Also, as shown in FIG. 4C, the midline Y-Y extends through the shoulder 142c and the center of the male protrusion 142b. Thus, the height of the shoulder 142c and the height of the center of the male protrusion 142b are equal to one half of the height H, i.e., about 38 mm +/−0.5 mm, which are the same dimensions as the corresponding elements of anchor post 106. When the inside surfaces of both anchor posts 106 and 108 are aligned over one another (i.e., with the hinge of post 106 facing the interior region 103 and the hinge of post 108 facing the exterior region 105). Thus, when constructing a straight portion of the railing system 100, anchor posts 106 and 108 can be used interchangeably, though with the hinge of post 106 facing the interior and the hinge of post 108 facing the exterior.
FIGS. 5 to 16 show details of a workflow for constructing the railing system 100. FIG. 5 shows a plurality of posts including three posts: one post 106; and two posts 108. The two posts 108 and post 106 are shown to provide support for a plurality of base shoe sections including a first and a second base shoe section 110 that can be set at an angle θ2 shown in FIG. 1. The posts 106 and 108 may be pre-cut to a predetermined length based on a predetermined depth or predetermined range of depths that the posts will be set into the substrate 104, as well as desired spacing of the base shoe section 110 above the substrate 104.
Each of the posts 108 is vertically aligned with axis G-G in a corresponding one of holes 160a and 160c that are formed in the substrate 104. Post 106 is vertically aligned with axis F-F in a corresponding hole 160b that is formed in the substrate 104. For example, the substrate 104 may include a preexisting concrete slab that may be drilled to form the holes 160a, 160b, and 160c. Alternatively, the substrate 104 may include a newly poured slab in which the holes have been defined by concrete forms.
Posts 108 are horizontally aligned along an axis H-H (FIG. 5). However, posts 108 do not align with post 106 along axis H-H. Instead, hole 160a and 160b align along a line 162 and hole 160a and hole 160c align along line 164. The angle between lines 162 and 164 is an interior angle θ2 between panels 102 shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, the posts 106 and 108 are introduced into their corresponding holes 160a, 160b, and 160c. Specifically, the posts 106 and 108 are positioned so that their interior-facing surfaces 106c and 108c are closer to axis B-B than their exterior-facing surfaces 106d and 108d. Then, the angles between the post portions 106a, 106b and 108a, 108b of each post 106, 108 are set by the user, as shown in FIG. 6. The angles between the post portions 106a and 106b and the angle between post portions 108a and 108b are set so that the axis B-B (of holes 130b and 130a) and axis D-D (of holes 140a and 140b) are perpendicular to line 162 (axes B-B and D-D oppositely face one another) and axis C-C (of holes 131a and 131b) and axis E-E (of holes 141a and 141b) are perpendicular to line 164 (axes C-C and E-E oppositely face one another), as shown in FIG. 5.
Once the angles between the post portions 106a and 106b, and between post portions 108a and 108b are set, the posts 106 and 108 are fixed to the substrate, such as by filling the around the post portions 106a, 106b, 108a, 108b in the holes 160a, 160b, and 160c with concrete or other suitable material (e.g., high strength grout), as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper ends 108a′, 108b′, 106a′, and 106b′ are spaced above the substrate 104. Thus, the posts 106 and 108 all protrude upwards from the substrate 104. The concrete or other material also fills in around the inside surfaces 136, 146 and outside surfaces 138, 139, of the posts 106, 108 to reinforce the posts in the holes 160a, 160b, and 160c. Once the posts 106 and 108 are fixed to the substrate 104 the angle between portions 106a and 106b, and between portions 108a and 108b is also fixed.
Once the posts 106 and 108 are fixed, the angle between the portions 106a/106b and 108a/108b fixes the axes B-B, C-C, D-D, and E-E in space so that those portions can be connected to the base shoe sections 110, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. The base shoe sections 110 are cut or pre-cut to length to fit between neighboring posts 106 and 108 along lines 162 and 164 in FIG. 5. The ends of the base shoe sections 110 can be miter cut (i.e., with mitered ends), as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C. Alternatively, the ends of the base shoe sections 110 can be straight cut (i.e., without mitered ends) to facilitate construction and connection of the base shoe sections 110 to the anchor posts 106 and 108. As shown in FIG. 8, a section of base shoe 110 is set over and onto the tops of adjacent post portions 106a, 108a of neighboring posts 106 and 108 along line 162. When the axis J-J of base shoe section 110 aligns with line 162, for example, the interior holes 130a, 131a of post 106 and exterior holes 130b, 131b of post 106 will align, respectively, with interior and exterior holes 110j, 110k in the base shoe section 110, and the interior holes 140a, 141a of post 108 and exterior holes 140b, 141b of post 108 will align, respectively, with the interior and exterior holes 110j, 110k in the base shoe section 110 when the axis J-J of the base shoe sections 110 aligns with line 162.
Interior holes 110j in the ends of the base shoe section 110 align with the interior holes 130a and 140a of the respective post portions 106a and 108a, so that connectors 112a are inserted into the aligned interior holes and tightened to secure the base shoe section 110 to the posts 106. Exterior holes 110k in the ends of the base shoe section 110 align with the exterior holes 130b and 140b of the respective post portions 106a and 108a, so that connectors 112b are inserted into the aligned exterior holes and tightened to secure the base shoe section 110 to the posts 106. FIGS. 9 and 10 show additional base shoe sections 110 connected to the posts 106 and 108. The ends of base shoe sections 110 in the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 10C do not directly connect, and, thus, there may be spaces or gaps 111 (FIG. 10) between the ends of the adjacent base shoe sections 110 connected to posts 106 and 108. That is, the ends of base shoe sections 110, at least in one embodiment, may not directly contact or connect to one another, but may join together only indirectly via the posts 106 and 108 creating a joint that may have a gap or space 111 (FIGS. 10A and 10C) between the ends of the base shoe sections 110.
FIG. 11 shows exterior cap sections 114 are attached over the exterior sides 110m′ and 110m″ of the base shoe sections 110. Each exterior cap section 114 snaps onto the exterior sides 110m′ and 110m″ of a corresponding base shoe section 110, as discussed above. The lateral ends 114a, 114b of the exterior cap sections 114 are connected so that their ends adjoin to conceal the gaps or spaces 111.
Once the exterior cap sections 114 are attached to the base shoe sections 110, the panels 102 are placed into respective grooves 110c of the base shoe sections 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the bottoms of the panels 102 are surrounded by the gasket 118 and then inserted into the grooves 110c. FIGS. 13 and 14 show additional panels 102 being inserted. FIG. 14 also shows that a user can adjust the vertical angle of the panels 102 by adjusting screws 120a and 120b so that the side edges of the panels 102 align and the panels 102 are substantially (+/−5 degrees) plumb.
Once the panels 102 are connected to the base shoe sections 110 and the screws 120a and 120b are adjusted, the interior cap sections 116 can be attached to the base shoe sections 110 over the interior sides 110n′ and 110n″, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Lateral ends 116a, 116b of the interior cap sections 116 are connected so that the ends adjoin to conceal the gaps 111 or spaces, as shown in FIG. 16. Thus, when connected to the base shoe sections 110 and to each other, the interior cap sections 116 can provide a seamless and continuous appearance between interior cap sections 116 at the base of the panels 102 on the interior sides of the panels 102. Also, the interior cap sections 116 can protect the connectors 112b, 120a, and 120b from the elements, as well as limit access to prevent further unauthorized intervention. Upon installation of all of the interior cap sections 116, the assembly of the railing system 100 is complete, as shown in FIG. 1. Once the railing system is complete, all of the panels 102 adjoin end-to-end at their lateral sides 102c forming a continuous panelized barrier with the panels 102 disposed at various angles relative to one another.
FIG. 17A illustrates portions of the system 100 arranged so that panels 102 can be disposed ninety degrees apart at a corner. To achieve the corner configuration shown In FIG. 17A, configuration of the panels 102, as shown in FIG. 17B, portions 106a and 106b of two anchor posts 106 are arranged in the closed configuration and fixed to the substrate 104 so that the inside surfaces 106c of the two anchor posts 106 are perpendicular to one another. Specifically, the axes C-C (through holes 131b and 131a) of the two anchor posts 106 shown in FIG. 17B are arranged perpendicular to one another. Each base shoe section 110 shown in FIG. 17 is arranged over both portions 106a and 106b of a corresponding one of the two anchor posts 106 so that outside holes 110k in the base shoe section 110 align with the outside holes 130b and 131b of the anchor post 106, and inside holes 110j in the base shoe align with inside holes 130a and 131a in the anchor post 106.
While both portions 106a and 106b are covered by and connected to the same continuous base shoe section 110, this is not required. Indeed, each base shoe section 110 shown in FIG. 17B could be replaced by two base shoe sections 110 having straight ends joined (butted up against each other) by portions 106a, 106b at each respective anchor posts 106. In FIG. 17, the adjacent ends of the base shoe section 110 at the corner are mitered at a 45 degree angle so that the ends of the base shoe section 110 as well as the ends of the panels 102 are in contact with one another, or, alternatively closely spaced apart.
In alternate embodiments, the angle between the base shoe sections 110 in FIG. 17B can be other than ninety degrees by changing the angle of the mitered ends of the base shoe sections 110 and by rearranging the posts 106 in their closed configuration. For example, each of the posts 106 in their closed configuration can be rotated about their vertical axis to change the angle between the respective axes C-C of the posts 106. Thus, the anchor posts 106 or 108 can be used in their closed configurations to form corners of various interior angle.
There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a railing system and a method of assembling the railing system. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular base shoe profiles have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other profiles may be used as well. In addition, while particular types of panel materials have been disclosed, it will be understood that any panel material can be used. For example, and not by way of limitation, wood, metal, glass, stone. Also, while particular angular ranges have been disclosed for angle between anchor post portions, it will be appreciated that other ranges are possible by adjusting the location of the positive shoulders stops. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.
Patent Application
20200354964
