Panel barriers

Abstract

A panel barrier panel system is provided which employs aesthetically pleasing panels which tend to be brittle, but is able to meet or exceed building codes. The system employs a frame having a vertical member, a horizontal member and connectors extending from members. These connectors employ upper and lower supports for a panel. The lower supports employ protrusion to interact with a lower edge of the panel, to support the weight of the panel, with the upper supports sandwiching the panel for stabilizing it. Since these supports do not rely upon friction and pressure to support and secure the panel, they are less apt to crush or fracture the panels. Connectors are made to be flexible to absorb shock and stress, thereby further protecting the panels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to panel structures such as railings and gates, and more particularly to novel ways of constructing panel structures. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In the prior art, numerous types of railings, gates and fences (collectively referred to as “barriers”) have been used to enclose or divide areas or protect persons or animals from falling off of elevated structures such as stairs, balconies or platforms. [0005] There barriers have been structures where a frame surrounds and secures panels forming the structure. These may be held in place by a number of different fastening methods including pressure clamps. These exert pressure on the flat surfaces of the panel such that the panel is secured and suspended by clamps. Since the clamps also suspend the panel, it should be fairly tight to insure that the panel does not slip downward. The pressure required to suspend a panel gen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a railing system which is capable of using more aesthetic panel materials while still meeting building codes.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support system which supports and stabilizes materials while providing reduced stress force as compared to prior art support means.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of securing heavy panels without the necessity of modifying the panel.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of securing brittle panels without the necessity of modifying the panel.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide support for brittle materials while reducing stress force on the material as compared to prior art devices.

Problems solved by technology

The pressure required to suspend a panel generally increases with increased weight.

Therefore, a panel made of ceramic or glass would require a great deal of pressure to suspend.

Prior art pressure clips tend to place glass and other brittle materials under such pressure that it does not take much to cause the material to crack or fracture.

Since there are building codes which require barriers to withstand certain forces without fracture before they could be used on a building, many of these systems will not meet or exceed the code making them unusable as they are designed for the uses listed above.

As described above, drilling holes in this type of material, or cutting notches causes weakened points.

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