AU2015230771B2

AU2015230771B2 - A support rail assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2015230771B2
Application number: AU2015230771A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sam Abdallah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-26
Filing date: 2015-09-24
Publication date: 2020-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-24
Also published as: AU2015230771A1

Abstract

A support rail assembly including: at least one stanchion member having a socket therein; a clamping member positionable at least partly within the socket; and at least one railing member at least partly positionable between the clamping member and an inner wall of the socket, wherein the clamping member is movable toward the inner wall of the socket to clamp the at least one railing member securely within the socket. Fig. 4 H:\Iza\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\LZA\8489845_I.docx-24/09/2015 - 6/9 Figure 4 400 501 500 350 A 500 700 300 600 Figure 5 500 700 600

Description

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Figure 4

400 501

500 350

A

500 700 300

600

Figure 5

500

700

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A Support Rail Assembly

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to support rails assemblies, and, in particular, to hand rails and guard rail assemblies.

Background

[002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[003] In the past support rails, and in particular hand rails and guard rails, have been difficult to assemble and/or dissemble due to the way they are constructed. Conventionally, support rails are constructed using a plurality upright stanchion members in connection with horizontal/angled metal piping. Typically, the stanchion members include channels or sockets for receiving the piping. The piping is generally secured in the sockets of the stanchions by welding, which can be onerous to implement and requires specialist equipment. Furthermore, welding provides a permanent join at the joint, which makes the support rails difficult to disassemble without damaging the stanchions/piping.

[004] The present invention seeks to address the above-mentioned issues with conventional support rail systems/assemblies (e.g. hand rails, guard rails).

Summary of the invention

[005] In one broad form, the present invention provides a support rail assembly including: at least one stanchion member having a socket therein; a clamping member positionable at least partly within the socket; and at least one railing member at least partly positionable between the clamping member and an inner wall of the socket, wherein the clamping member is movable toward the inner wall of the socket to clamp the at least one railing member securely within the socket.

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[006] In one form, the support rail assembly further including a threaded fastening member positionable through an aperture in a wall of the socket, the threaded fastening member being rotatable from outside the socket to move the clamping member.

[007] In a further form, the socket is a channel extending through the stanchion member.

[008] In one form, the channel includes two openings, each opening for receiving a respective railing member.

[009] In another form, the clamping member is elongate with a length greater than the distance between the two openings of the channel.

[0010] In one form, the clamping member is a bar or pipe.

[0011] In another form, the at least one railing member is at least one pipe member.

[0012] In one form, a portion of the clamping member is receivable within the at least one pipe member.

[0013] In a further form, a first end of the clamping member is received within a first pipe member and a second end of the clamping member is received within a second pipe member.

[0014] In a further form, the at least one railing member and clamping member are substantially cylindrical, the at least one railing member having a diameter greater than the clamping member.

[0015] In one form, the clamping member includes a threaded recess configured to receive the threaded fastening member.

[0016] In another form, the threaded fastening member is a bolt or screw.

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[0017] In one form, the threaded fastening member is a set or grub screw.

[0018] In another form, the at least one stanchion member is a ball and joint stanchion including at least one ball portion.

[0019] In one form, the socket is within the at least one ball portion.

[0020] In one form, the support rail assembly is a hand rail assembly or guard rail assembly.

[0021] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a clamping member for use in the support rail assembly as described in any one of the above forms.

[0022] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a stanchion member for use in the support rail assembly as described in any one of the above forms.

[0023] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a modified ball and joint stanchion for use in the support rail assembly of any one of the forms as described herein, the stanchion including at least one ball portion, the at least one ball portion with a channel therethrough, and the channel having an aperture in a wall thereof for receiving a fastening member.

[0024] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a clamping member for use in the support rail assembly of any one of the forms described herein, the clamping member being an elongate bar.

[0025] In one form, the clamping member further includes a threaded recess therein, the recess extending perpendicular to the elongate axis of the clamping member

[0026] In another form, the clamping member tapers at each end.

[0027] In a further form, the clamping member includes two substantially cylindrical end

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portions extending from a central portion, the end portions each including at least one channel therein along their length.

[0028] In another form, the end portions each include two one channels therein along their length such that the end portions have a substantially "I" shaped or "H" shaped cross section.

[0028a] In another aspect there is provided a support rail assembly including: at least one stanchion member having a socket therein; a clamping member in the form of an elongate bar positionable at least partly within the socket the clamping member including two end portions extending from a central portion, the end portions each including two channels therein along their length such that the end portions have a substantially "I" shaped or "H" shaped cross section; and at least one railing member at least partly positionable between the clamping member and an inner wall of the socket, wherein the clamping member is movable toward the inner wall of the socket to clamp the at least one railing member securely within the socket.

Brief description of the drawings

[0029] This invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one example of the support rail assembly; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one example of the support rail assembly, showing a full stanchion; Figure 3a is a perspective view of one example of the support rail assembly in disassembled form; Figure 3b is a perspective view the support rail assembly of figure 3a with clamping member inserted through channel; Figure 3c is a perspective view of the support rail assembly of figure 3a with support/pipe members secure; Figure 3d is a perspective view of the support rail assembly of figure 3a in assembled form; Figure 3e is a perspective view of the support rail assembly of figure 3a in an upright orientation.

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Figure 4 is a perspective view of one example of a support rail assembly in exploded form. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the support rail assembly of figure 4 in assembled form. Figure 6a shows a front perspective view of a clamping member as used in support rail assembly of figures 4 and 5. Figure 6b shows a rear perspective view of the clamping member of figure 6a. Figure 7a shows a cross sectional view of the clamping member of figures 6a and 6b along an elongate axis of the clamping member. Figure 7b shows region "D" of figure 7a enlarged.

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Figure 7c shows a cross sectional view and along the line A-A of figure 7a. Figure 8a shows a front view of the clamping member of figures 6a and 6b. Figure 8b shows a rear view of the clamping member of figures 6a and 6b. Figure 8c shows a top view of the clamping member of figures 6a and 6b. Figure 8d shows a cross sectional view along the line "B-B" of figure 8c Figure 8e shows region "C" of figure 8d enlarged.

Detailed description

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention provide a support rail assembly. The support rail assembly is typically used as a hand rail or guard rail, however, the assembly may be used for other support rail applications.

[0031] The support rail assembly includes at least one stanchion member having a socket. A clamping member is positionable at least partly within the socket. At least one railing member (for example horizontally positioned piping) is at least partly positionable between the clamping member and an inner wall of the socket. The clamping member is movable toward the inner wall of the socket to clamp the railing member securely.

[0032] Generally, a threaded fastening member is positionable through an aperture in a wall of the socket and can be rotated from outside the socket to move the clamping member. Thus by rotating the fastening member, the railing member/s can be secured/released from the socket.

[0033] In this way, the support rail assembly can be constructed without welding and may be easily dissembled. It will be appreciated to a skilled person that the configuration of the support rail assembly may be variable and would typically depend on the number of stanchions and railing members used as well as the angle at which they are engaged. A support rail assembly may, for example, be configured for a set of stairs to provide support to persons travelling up and down the stairs. In other examples, the support rail assembly may be configured for walk ways or platforms.

[0034] One embodiment of a support rail assembly according to the present invention is shown in figures 1 to 3. The support rail assembly (1) includes one or more stanchion

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members (2). The stanchion members (2) typically include two sockets (3) therein, although in other forms, the stanchion members (2) may include one or more sockets.

[0035] The stanchion members (2) in this example are modified ball and joint stanchions. It will be appreciated to a person skilled in the art that in other embodiments the stanchions may take other forms.

[0036] The sockets (3) are channels extending through the stanchion member (2). The channels each have two openings (3a, 3b), with each opening for receiving a respective railing member (4a, 4b). In this instance, the railing members are elongate pipe members (4a, 4b). The pipe members (4a, 4b) are cylindrical but in other forms the railing members may take other forms such as tube with a rectangular or other shaped cross section. The railing members may also take forms other than pipe or tube. For example, the support members may be solid beams or extensions. It will also be appreciated that the sockets may also take other forms, and may have any number of openings to receive any number of railing members.

[0037] An elongate clamping member (5) is positionable through the channel (3) such that the ends of the clamping member (5) extend out from the channel openings (3a, 3b). The ends of the railing members are positionable between the clamping member (5) and an inner wall (6) of the socket. Figures 3a to 3e illustrate how the railing/pipe members (4a, 4b) are typically placed over the clamping member (5), like a sleeve, and into the openings (3a, 3b) of the socket/channel (3). A first end of the clamping member (5) is received within a first railing member (4a) and a second of the clamping member is received within a second railing member (4b). The railing members (4a, 4b) and clamping member (5) are typically substantially cylindrical with the railing members (4a, 4b) having a diameter greater than the clamping member (5).

[0038] Using a threaded fastening member (7), in this case a bolt which is positioned through an aperture in a wall of the socket/channel (3), the clamping member (5) is movable toward the inner wall (6) of the socket to clamp the railing/pipe members (4a, 4b) securely within the channel/socket (3). The fastening member (7) is rotatable from the outside of the socket (3) typically via a use of an adjustment tool, such as a drill, screw

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driver, Allan key (9) or the like. It will be appreciated that the fastening member may take other forms. The fastening member may be fixed within the socket wall and/or may not be threaded. For example, the fastening member may be pressed/hammered in to move the clamping member.

[0039] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the clamping member (5) is an elongate bar/pipe with a length greater than the distance between the openings (3a, 3b) of the channel (3) such that when the clamping member (5) is inserted through the channel (3) the ends of the clamping member extend outwardly from each opening (3a, 3b) of the channel (3). In the assembled form, the clamping member (5) thus extends into the pipe members (4a, 4b) to provide additional support.

[0040] It will be appreciated to a person skilled in the art that the clamping member (5) may take other shapes/forms and/or may not extend outside the channel (3).

[0041] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the threaded fastening member (7) is a bolt/screw and the clamping member includes a threaded recess (10) configured to receive the bolt/screw (7). When the bolt (7) is inserted into the wall of the channel (3), to engage with the threaded recess (10), rotation of the bolt (7) draws the clamping member (5) toward the near inner wall (6a) of the socket thereby clamping pipe members (4a, 4b) therebetween.

[0042] As previously noted, the threaded fastening member (7) may take other forms. For example, in one particular form, the threaded fastening member may be a set or grub screw set in the wall of the socket such that rotation of the screw would push the clamping member to the far inner wall (6b) of the channel to thereby clamp the pipe/railing members in place securely.

[0043] Step by step assembly of the support rail assembly is shown in figures 3a to 3d. Figure 3 a shows the dissembled form. At first instance, as shown in figure 3b, the clamping member (5) is inserted through the channel (3) and the bolt (7) inserted through the aperture (8) in the channel/socket (3) wall to loosely engage with the threaded recess (10) of the clamping member (5). The railing/pipe members (4a, 4b) are then placed over

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the clamping member (5) like a sleeve and inserted into the channel openings (3a, 3b). The bolt/fastening member (7) is then rotated/tightened to draw the clamping member (5) toward the inner wall (6) of the channel (3) and clamp the railing/pipe members (4a, 4b) against the inner wall (6), securely within the socket. An Allan key is used in this example to rotate the bolt/fastening member. Once secure, the stanchion member (2) may be erected and the free ends of the railing members (4a, 4b) secured into other stanchions to thereby build a support rail assembly/structure of desired configuration/length/shape.

[0044] A further example of a support rail assembly and clamping member is shown in figures 4 to 8. The clamping member (400) is an elongate bar having two substantially cylindrical end portions (402a, 402b) extending from a central portion (401). The end portions (402a, 402b) include channels (404) therein such that the cross section of the end portions are substantially "I" or "H" shaped. The ends (407a, 407b) of the end portions also taper to a reduced diameter such that insertion into respective railing members (500) is assisted. The central portion (401) is also generally cylindrical and has a diameter larger than that of the end portions so as to provide a rim or flange (505) for abutment with the ends (501) of the railing members during assembly of the support rail assembly. The rim or flange (505) helps with positioning of the railing members during assembly.

[0045] The central portion (401) includes a threaded recess (403) to receive a fastening member (700). As with the previously described forms, rotation of the fastening member (700) thereby draws the clamping member (500) against inner wall (300) of the socket (350) of the stanchion member (600) to clamp the railing members (500) securely within the socket (350).

[0046] The channeled structure of the clamping assembly (400) also provides advantages. In particular, during clamping, the lips (406) of the channels (404) provide two regions/areas/lines of contact (i.e. one for each lip) with the inner walls of the railing/pipe members (500). In contrast, it will be appreciated that a purely cylindrical form without channels (i.e. like clamping member (5)) would only typically have one line/region of contact with the inner wall of a railing member (i.e. along a line at a particular point on the circumference of the cylinder). The channeled structure of the clamping member (500)

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thereby provides for better clamping and a more secure assembly.

[0047] It will also be appreciated that generally, in the assembled form, the outer surface of the railing members (500) sit flush with the outer surface (409) of the central portion (401). The internal cavity of the socket (350) is also generally shaped to have a deeper central region to accommodate the central portion (401) such that during clamping the railing members (500) are clamped against the inner wall (300) of the socket (350) before the outer surface (409) of the central region (401) makes contact with the inner wall (300).

[0048] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0049] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0050] It will be appreciated that various forms of the invention may be used individually or in combination.

[0051] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

II:\dxbr\nterwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\DXB\8489845_ .docx-28/10/2020 - 10 The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A support rail assembly including: at least one stanchion member having a socket therein; a clamping member in the form of an elongate bar positionable at least partly within the socket the clamping member including two end portions extending from a central portion, the end portions each including two channels therein along their length such that the end portions have a substantially "I" shaped or "H" shaped cross section; and at least one railing member at least partly positionable between the clamping member and an inner wall of the socket, wherein the clamping member is movable toward the inner wall of the socket to clamp the at least one railing member securely within the socket.

2. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a threaded fastening member positionable through an aperture in a wall of the socket, the threaded fastening member being rotatable from outside the socket to move the clamping member.

3. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the socket is a channel extending through the stanchion member.

4. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the channel through the stanchion member includes two openings, each opening for receiving a respective railing member.

5. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the clamping member is elongate with a length greater than the distance between the two openings of the channel.

6. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one railing member is at least one pipe member.

7. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein a portion of the clamping

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member is receivable within the at least one pipe member.

8. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein a first end of the clamping member is received within a first pipe member and a second end of the clamping member is received within a second pipe member.

9. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one railing member and clamping member are substantially cylindrical, the at least one railing member having a diameter greater than the clamping member.

10. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the clamping member includes a threaded recess configured to receive the threaded fastening member.

11. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the threaded fastening member is a bolt or screw.

12. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the threaded fastening member is a set or grub screw.

13. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stanchion member is a ball and joint stanchion including at least one ball portion.

14. A support rail assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the socket is within the at least one ball portion.

15. A support rail assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support rail assembly is a hand rail assembly or guard rail assembly.

16. A clamping member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, for use in a support rail assembly.

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17. A clamping member as claimed in claim 16, further including a threaded recess therein, the recess extending perpendicular to the elongate axis of the clamping member.

18. A clamping member as claimed in claim 17, wherein the clamping member tapers at each end.