Coupling

Abstract

Coupling 1 for retaining first 39 and second 41 railings relative to one another and comprising first 3 and second 5 structures arranged to engage together to define nonconvergent first and second channels for retaining the first and second railings respectively. The first structure may comprise first 11 and second 12 rail engaging portions. The second structure may comprise third 13 and fourth 14 rail engaging portions. The first and third rail engaging portions and second and fourth rail engaging portions may respectively define first and second channels for receiving the railings. The channels may extend in perpendicular or non parallel first and second directions. The coupling may comprise a fixing which extends through first and second holes in the first and second structures respectively for fixing the first and second structures relative to one another. The coupling may be an offset crossover joint. The first and second structures may comprise a glass reinforced polymeric (GRP) material. The first and second structures may have the same geometry. Also claimed is a method of coupling first and second structures to one another using the coupling.

Description

Field The present invention relates to couplings for coupling railings together and particularly relates to a coupling for the coupling of hand railings. Background There are many devices available for coupling railings together. These devices can be "end-to-end joints" where railings are coupled at their ends, "cross joints" where railings are coupled at a common point (e.g. a T-joint), or "offset crossover joints" which define nonconvergent first and second channels for coupling railings that are offset such that they can crossover one another (i.e. do not meet at a common point). End-to-end and cross joints necessitate cutting railings to length when installing a new coupling, and on a typical handrail installation this can be labour intensive. Offset crossover joints are beneficial as they enable the use of continuous railing (i.e. railings don't necessarily need to be cut to length to be joined). This leads to a reduction in the labour required to install a handrail, and has the knock-on effect of reducing associated health and safety risks of cutting multiple railings to length (excessive particulate generation, cutting injuries, etc.). Conventional offset crossover joints are solid bodies that define first and second bores having offset longitudinal axes relative to one another, where each bore receives a respective length of railing when installed; such that the length of railing extend through the length of each of the bores and projects outwardly from each end. There is thus a requirement to slide these joints along the railings which requires the installer to manipulate heavy cumbersome assemblies, which comes with an associated risk of injury. Further, there is a significant time cost associated with sliding the joints into place and manipulating the resultant assembly to the desired location. Additionally, once installed it can be difficult to add any further offset crossover joints to a railing, as existing joints may prevent further offset crossover joints from being slid into place. The present invention seeks to address these issues or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of Invention According to an aspect of the present invention there is a coupling for retaining a first railing and a second railing relative to one another, the coupling comprising a first structure and a second structure arranged to engage together into an engaged configuration to define nonconvergent first and second channels for retaining first and second railings respectively. It will be appreciated that prior to engaging together the first and second structures are not connected. By engaging the first and second structure together, the first and second channels capable of retaining the first and second railings will be defined. It will be appreciated that the first and second structures together define the first and second channels and together act to retain the first and second railings. The term "non-convergent" in relation to two features, such as a first and second channel, is well understood to mean that the features not only do not intersect at any point, but further should the features be projected longitudinally they would also not converge. A coupling that defines two non-convergent channels when coupled would be suitable for connecting two railings together, where both railings can extend through the entirety of the first and second channels respectively and project from both ends of the respective channel. The first structure may comprise a first and second receiving portion for receiving the first and second railings and the second structure may comprise third and fourth receiving portions for receiving the first and second railings, where the first and third receiving portions define the first channel and the second and fourth receiving portions define the second channel. By having a first and third receiving portion on the first and second structures respectively, it is possible to receive a first railing in the first and third receiving portions. It will be appreciated that when the first and third receiving portions come together, the first channel is defined, where this first channel is suitable for retaining the first railing. Therefore, when the coupling is in an engaged configuration a first railing may be received separately by both the first and third receiving portions, as well as being retained through the engagement of the first and third receiving portions (defining the first channel). The preceding explanation equally applies to the second and fourth receiving portions in relation to a second railing. The second and fourth receiving portions each beneficially comprise a recess, where in an engaged configuration the recess of the second receiving portion partially receives the third receiving portion and the recess of the fourth receiving portion partially receives the first receiving portion. The recesses enable the first and second structure to engage such that the first and second railings are held adjacent one another, with minimal material between them. This reduces the footprint of any installed railing system. It will be appreciated that the geometry of these recesses is partially defined by the geometry of the receiving portions and the geometry of the first and second channels. The first and third receiving portions beneficially comprise respective first and third rail engaging surfaces, and the second and fourth receiving portions may beneficially comprise respective second and fourth rail engaging surfaces, where the first and third rail engaging surfaces define the first channel, and second and fourth rail engaging surfaces define the second channel. Each of the first and second channels beneficially have a longitudinal length between opposing first and second ends, where each of the first and second channels are open at each end. The longitudinal length of the two channels further helps to retain the railings, by providing constraint along the length of the railing. By being open at each of their respective ends the first and second channels enable railings retained within them to project outwardly from said ends. The first channel beneficially extends from the first end of the first channel towards the second end of the first channel in a first direction, and the second channel beneficially extends from a first end of the second channel towards a second end of the second channel in a second direction, where the first and second directions are nonparallel. The longitudinal length of the first channel may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the second channel. The first and second structures may engage together linearly in the first direction. By engaging together linearly? in the first direction, the first and second structure can both be placed on a railing and then slid towards one another to form the first and second channel, easing assembly leading to reduced time to install and reduced effort required by the installer (and consequently reduced chance of injury). The first channel beneficially comprises a longitudinal axis and the second channel beneficially comprises a longitudinal axis, where the first channel is defined by the first and second structures engaging in an engagement direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first channel, and the second channel is defined by the first and second structures engaging in the engagement direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second channel. It will be appreciated that the definition of the first channel by the engagement of the first and second structures may be achieved by the first and third receiving portions engaging together. Further, it will be appreciated that the definition of the second channel by the engagement of the first and second structures may be achieved by the second and fourth receiving portions engaging together. It will be appreciated that the engagement direction and first direction are the same direction. The first and second structures beneficially engage together when the first and second structures are in a single orientation relative to one another. It will be appreciated that this single orientation is a specific orientation and a coupling that engages together in a specific orientation will not engage in another orientation. This feature improves assembly of the coupling by easing understanding of the orientation of the first and second structure relative to one another when being assembled. At least a portion of the first and / or second channels may be a bore. It will be appreciated that any channel that is a bore will fully encircle any railing within said channel. It will be appreciated that fully encircling refers to the railing being encircled around its circumference, which may or may not extend along the length of the railing. By fully encircling one or both railings, the connection between the structures and railings is improved. The coupling may further comprise a fixing for fixing the first and second structures relative to one another in the engaged configuration. Grub screws are used to fix conventional couplers onto metal railings, by biting into and tightening against the railings. However, it is increasingly common to use glass reinforced polymer (GRP) railings due to their light weight and associated ease of installation. It is not possible to attach a coupler to GRP railings using a grub screw as the loadings generated by tightening against and biting into the railing result in damage to the railing (e.g. splintering) that result in reduced, or non, functionality. Fixings that would be suitable for fixing the first and second structures together include bolts or screws that pass through a hole in the GRP or metal railing. The coupling may further comprise a first hole and a second hole in the first and structures respectively for receiving the fixing, the first and second holes positioned such that the fixing extends through both the first and second holes across one of the first or the second channel. Such holes would be diametrically opposite one another and on opposing receiving portions of a channel (e.g. first and third receiving portions in relation to the first channel). When the two structures are coupled, these diametrically opposed holes can enable a bolt to pass through the coupler and railing, holding the coupler in place. The first and second structures beneficially comprise polymeric material and even more beneficially may comprise glass reinforced polymeric material. The ability to utilise glass reinforced polymeric material (GRP) is enabled by first and second structures engaging together to define the first and second channels. It is not possible to utilise GRPs for conventional couplers with defined non-convergent first and second channels, as the method of manufacturing couplers from GRP prevents such geometries being readily formable. By utilising GRPs a coupler with non-convergent first and second channels can be manufactured that is much lighter than conventional metal couplers with non-convergent first and second channels, whilst retaining much of the strength of said conventional couplers. The coupling may be an offset crossover joint. An offset crossover joint is well understood to be a coupler comprising two channels perpendicular and offset from one another, such that the channels "crossover" when one channel is viewed from a perspective where it obscures the other channel. When the first and second structures are in an engaged configuration a passageway may be defined between the first and second channels. This passageway enables alignment of the couplers when placing them onto railings, to ensure the coupling of two rails occurs at the intended location. This eases installation and reduces time wasted by an installer aligning the couplings. The first and second structures may have substantially the same geometry. By the plurality of structures having substantially the same geometry, two structures can be manufactured as two halves of the coupler and consequently can be designed to couple together in such a way that the material framing the first and second channels of each structure does not interfere with other structure. Additionally, the material required to produce the formations is kept to a minimum making the product more economical and environmentally friendly. Further, as each of the plurality of formations have substantially the same geometry, the joint can be provided as multiple copies of the same formation, simplifying construction on site and assembly of large railing projects. Also according to the present invention there is a method of coupling a first and second railing relative to one another comprising providing a coupling comprising a first structure and a second structure, bringing the first and second structure together into engagement to define nonconvergent first and second channels, and retaining the first and second railings respectively in the first and second channels. By having a first and second structure that are then brought into engagement to retain first and second railings it is possible to arrange multiple railings relative to one another and then add couplings to the joining points of these railings. This has the potential to dramatically increase the speed of railing installation and could enable assembly of bespoke modular sections that are then installed in place, with further couplings used to retain these sections relative to one another. The first structure may comprise a first and second receiving portion for receiving the first and second railings and the second structure may beneficially comprise third and fourth receiving portions for receiving the first and second railings, where the first and third receiving portions define the first channel and the second and fourth receiving portions define the second channel in the engaged configuration, where the method comprises the steps of: - engaging the first receiving portion with the first railing; - engaging the second receiving portion with the second railing; - engaging the third receiving portion with the first railing at a rail location longitudinally spaced from the first receiving portion; - sliding the second structure longitudinally along the first railing into engagement with the first structure. It will be appreciated that when the first and second structures are engaged together the first and third receiving portions are at least partially longitudinally aligned. Further, it will be appreciated that the steps disclosed in the above clause are not intended to be limited by the order in which they are presented. For example, it is envisioned that the third and second steps could be performed in any order, such as the third and then the second; or the second and then the third. By independently engaging the receiving portions it is possible to selectively engage with first and second railings easing assembly. The method beneficially further comprises securing first and second structure relative to one another by positioning a fixing between the first and second structure. The method may further comprise bringing both the first and second structures into contact with first railing before engaging together. The method may further comprise engaging the first and second structures together by sliding the first and second structures together along the first railing. By sliding the structures together along the railing, the assembly of the coupling is eased. An installer only needs to place both structures onto a railing and then slide them together, removing the need to align the couplings relative to one another (as the railing will achieve this). Specific Description Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying Figures where: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in an uncoupled configuration according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective representation of half of two identical halves of a coupling according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an alternate schematic perspective representation of half of two identical halves of a coupling according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in a coupled configuration according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in an uncoupled configuration with a railing received by each half of the uncoupled coupling according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in a coupled configuration with a railing retained by the coupling according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in a coupled configuration with two railings retained by the coupling according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective representation of a coupling in a coupled configuration according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 - 7, a glass reinforced polymeric offset crossover joint (1) is shown, having a first structure (3) and a second structure (5) which engage together to define a first (7) and second (9) channel (where these channels are first (7) and second (9) bores). The first (7) and second (9) bores are non-convergent, in that they do pass through one another and if the first or second bore were to be projected infinitely and linearly they would not intersect one another. The first (7) bore extends linearly in a first direction (25) and the second (9) bore extends linearly in a second direction (27), where the first and second directions are perpendicular. Each bore (7, 9) has a longitudinal length (23), where both lengths are the same. Each end (29) of the first (7) and second (9) bores are open, allowing a railing to pass through each bore without needing to be cut to size. Both the first (3) and second (5) structures have the same geometry, and each comprise respective first (11, 12) and second (13,14) receiving portions, where each of these portions are effectively half of one of the structures and also define half of one of the bores. The first receiving portions (11,12) of the first (3) and second (5) structures each have one of two matching curved rail retaining surfaces, being the first (15) and third (17) surfaces respectively, and the second receiving portions of the first (3) and second (5) structures each have one of two matching opposing curved rail retaining surfaces, being the second (19) and fourth (21) surfaces respectively. The first (15) and third (17) surfaces form the first bore (7) and the second (19) and fourth (21) surfaces form the second bore (9). Each of the first (11,12) and second (13,14) receiving portions can be visualised as an extruded u-section or half of a pipe, where the pipe is cut in half along its length to form the extruded u-section. Taking the first structure (3) as an example, the first (11) and second (13) receiving portions intersect, conjoining tangentially such that (when each receiving portion is visualised as half of a pipe) the inner diameter of the pipe halves are brought into tangential contact. Further, the regions of the extruded u-sections that would have intruded into the first (7) and second (9) bores are not present in either the first (3) and second (5) structures formed from the conjoined first (11,12) and second (13, 14) receiving portions. The second receiving portions (13,14) of the first (3) and second (5) structures each comprise respective recesses (31). When the first structure (3) and second structure (5) are oriented in a specific orientation relative to one another and brought into engagement by sliding the first (3) and second (5) structure together in the first direction, the first receiving portion (12) of the second structure (5) slides into the recess (31) of the first structure (3), and the first receiving portion (11) of the first structure (3) slides into the recess (31) of the second structure (5). The recesses (31) are defined by the first receiving portions (11,12), in that the recesses (31) are formed by extruded cuts through the second receiving portions (13,14), where the extruded cuts are defined by the outer geometry of the first receiving portions (11,12). When installing the offset crossover joint (1), the first receiving portions (11,12) of each of the first (3) and second (5) structures are brought into contact with the first railing (39). The first (3) and second (5) structures each have a semi-circular passageway (37) that joins the first (7) and second (9) bores, where a second railing (41) would tangentially adjoin the first railing (39). This passageway (37) enables the centre of the first (3) and second (5) structures to be quickly identified when located on a rail, improving ease of installation. A second railing (41) can then be brought into contact with second receiving portions (13,14) of the first (3) and second (5) structures, or supported in place between second receiving portions (13,14) of the first (3) and second (5) structures. The first (3) and / or second (5) structures are then slid along the first railing (39) towards one another until they engage together, forming the first (7) and second (9) bores. Should the second railing (41) not be introduced prior to engagement of the first (3) and second (5) structure, the second railing (41) can then be slid into the second bore (9). The offset crossover joint (1) is then secured in place on the first (39) and second (41) railing by passing a fixing such as a bolt or screw (not shown) through a set of the diametrically opposing holes (33) in the first receiving portions (11, 12), and also through the first railing (39). Another fixing can then be passed through another set of diametrically opposing holes (35) in the second receiving portions (13,14), and also through the second railing (41). A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 8, where a glass reinforced polymeric offset crossover joint (101) is shown, having a first structure (103) and a second structure (105) arranged to engage together to define first (107) and second (109) channels (where these channels are first (107) and (109) second bores). Both the first (103) and second (105) structures have the same geometry, and each comprise respective first (111, 112) and second (113,114) receiving portions, where each of these portions are effectively half of one of the structures (3, 5) and half of one of the bores (7, 9). The first (107) and second (109) bores have respective longitudinal lengths (123,124) and extend linearly in perpendicular first (125) and second (127) directions respectively. Each end (129) of the first (107) and second (109) bores are open, allowing a railing to pass all the way through each of the bores. Diametrically opposing holes (133,135) on the 5 first receiving portions and second receiving portions enable two railings to be retained by the offset crossover joint (101). The second bore (109) has a greater longitudinal length than the first bore (107). Consequently, the second bore (109) can more easily retain two railings as the increased length of the second bore (109) results in an increase in the length of the second receiving portions (113, 114), leading to more space for the provision of another set of diametrically opposing holes 10 (137). Although particular embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications / additions and / or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claims. 15

Claims

1. A coupling for retaining a first railing and a second railing relative to one another, the coupling comprising a first structure and a second structure arranged to engage together into an engaged configuration to define nonconvergent first and second channels for retaining first and second railings respectively.

2. A coupling according to claim 1, where the first structure comprises a first and second receiving portion for receiving the first and second railings and the second structure comprises third and fourth receiving portions for receiving the first and second railings, where the first and third receiving portions define the first channel and the second and fourth receiving portions define the second channel.

3. A coupling according to claim 2, where the second and fourth receiving portions each comprise a recess, where in an engaged configuration the recess of the second receiving portion partially receives the third receiving portion and the recess of the fourth receiving portion partially receives the first receiving portion.

4. A coupling according to any one of claims 2-3, where the first and third receiving portions comprise respective first and third rail engaging surfaces, and the second and fourth receiving portions comprise respective second and fourth rail engaging surfaces, where the first and third rail engaging surfaces define the first channel, and second and fourth rail engaging surfaces define the second channel.

5. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where each of the first and second channels have a longitudinal length between opposing first and second ends, where each of the first and second channels are open at each end.

6. A coupling according to claim 5, where the first channel extends from the first end of the first channel towards the second end of the first channel in a first direction, and the second channel extends from a first end of the second channel towards a second end of the second channel in a second direction, where the first and second directions are nonparallel.

7. A coupling according to any one of claims 5-6, where the longitudinal length of the first channel is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the second channel.

8. A coupling according to any one of claims 5-7, where the first and second structures engage together linearly in the first direction.

9. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the first channel has a longitudinal axis and the second channel has a longitudinal axis, where the first channel is defined by the first and second structures engaging in an engagement direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first channel, and the second channel is defined by the first and second structures engaging in the engagement direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second channel.

10. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the first and second structures engage together when the first and second structures are in a single orientation relative to one another.

11. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where at least a portion of the first and / or second channels is a bore.

12. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the coupling further comprising a fixing for fixing the first and second structures relative to one another in the engaged configuration.

13. A coupling according to claim 12, where the coupling further comprises a first hole and a second hole in the first and structures respectively for receiving the fixing, the first and second holes positioned such that the fixing extends through both the first and second holes across one of the first or the second channel.

14. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the first and second structures comprise polymeric material.

15. A coupling according to claim 14, where the polymeric material is glass reinforced polymeric material.

16. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the coupling is an offset crossover joint.

17. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where when the first and second structures are in an engaged configuration a passageway is defined between the first and second channels.

18. A coupling according to any preceding claim, where the first and second structures have substantially the same geometry.

19. A method of coupling a first and second railing relative to one another comprising providing a coupling comprising a first structure and a second structure, bringing the first and second structure together into engagement to define nonconvergent first and second channels, and retaining the first and second railings respectively in the first and second channels.

20. A method according to claim 19, where the first structure comprises a first and second receiving portion for receiving the first and second railings and the second structure comprises third and fourth receiving portions for receiving the first and second railings, where the first and third receiving portions define the first channel and the second and fourth receiving portions define the second channel in the engaged configuration, where the method comprises the steps of:engaging the first receiving portion with the first railing;engaging the second receiving portion with the second railing;engaging the third receiving portion with the first railing at a rail location longitudinally spaced from the first receiving portion;sliding the second structure longitudinally along the first railing into engagement with the first structure.

21. A method according to any one of claims 19 or 20, the method further comprising securing the first and second structure relative to one another by positioning a fixing between the first and second structure.

22. A method of installing a coupling according to any one of claims 19 - 21, where the first and second structures are both brought into contact with first railing before engaging together.

23. A method of installing a coupling according to any one of claims 19 - 22, where the first and second structures engage together by sliding the first and second structures together along the first railing.

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