Balustrade system

Abstract

A support system for fitting a balustrade 100 to a support structure of a building such as a balcony, landing, mezzanine or terrace or staircase. other structure to which the balustrade is to be attac

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to a balustrade system, for example for fitting a balustrade to a building or other structure, including a balcony, terrace, staircase, landing, mezzanine floor, and the like. Background Traditional balustrade systems generally take the form of either vertical blades / railings or solid panels, e.g. made from metal or glass. The substrate to which a balustrade is to be attached may take one of a variety of forms. Typically, the substrate may be concrete or, in the case of a balcony, the substrate may be a frame forming the balcony chassis. Attaching the balustrade to the substrate is usually by means of a cluster of fixings through the vertical face of the balustrade fascia and penetrating the substrate. For a concrete substrate, this can involve drilling large holes and back filling with high strength resin. For a balcony chassis, typically made from metal, these fixings can take the form of large bolts, nuts, and washers. While both of the above methods of balustrade attachment offer a solid connection to the substrate, the attachment locations are generally fixed, e.g. if the balustrade fascia and / or balcony chassis is pre-drilled. With a concrete substrate, there is a possibility for example that reinforcing bar could be encountered in the drilling process. In both methods with fixed attachment locations, other unexpected clashes could arise on site, such as with cabling, drainage or other services, or with other features of the balcony or building. Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect, the invention provides a balustrade system for a building or other structure, the system comprising: a balustrade; and a support configured for attachment to the balustrade and for attachment to a support structure, wherein the support includes an upper support surface configured for attachment to the balustrade by means of one or more fixings; wherein the balustrade includes a lower support surface for attachment to the support via the upper support surface, the lower support surface including a C-shaped channel extending longitudinally along the balustrade within which the one or more fixings are able to move longitudinally until the one or more fixings are tightened to secure the balustrade and support together. In at least preferred embodiments, part of the fixing (e.g. the head of the bolt, the nut or nut and washer / washer plate) is retained in the C-shaped channel so that the support is able to move longitudinally relative to the balustrade, before the fixing is tightened to lock the support in position. This therefore allows the location of the support to be adjusted, so that clashes with any features of the support structure to which the balustrade is being attached can be avoided. In order to allow insertion of the fixing into the C-shaped channel, the channel is preferably open at one or both ends of the balustrade. The channel may conveniently be extruded from e.g. aluminium, in which case the profile will be constant along the length. In a preferred embodiment, the support further includes a lower support surface configured for attachment to the support structure. The upper and lower support surfaces of the support may be formed by upper and lower support plates respectively. The upper and lower support plates may be substantially parallel and may be connected by an orthogonal connecting plate. In some embodiments, the upper support plate may form the top part of a T-shaped extension from the lower support plate. The support may further include a flange extending orthogonally from the lower support plate. This provides two surfaces at right-angles which can be connected to the support structure. The upper and lower support surfaces, upper and lower support plates and / or the lower support flange may be provided with one or more apertures for fixings so that the support can be attached to the balustrade and to the support structure. The balustrade system may comprise a balustrade and a plurality of supports as described above. In accordance with a second aspect, the invention provides a balcony for a building or other structure comprising the balustrade system described above. The balcony may include a chassis which forms the support structure. The support structure may be any part of the building or other structure to which the balustrade and support is to be attached. The support structure may be a beam or joist, or a concrete slab. The support structure may be a beam of a balcony chassis. The system is fully adaptable for either metal balcony frames or concrete slabs. Any reference to attachment or connection to may be direct or indirect, with additional components in between. The present invention, at least in preferred embodiments, provides a balustrade attachment system which addresses the issues with current methods discussed above. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a prior art method of attaching a balustrade to a balcony base; Fig. 2 shows a balustrade system in accordance with the invention, attached to a support structure; Fig. 3 shows a more detailed view of a balustrade system in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of a support for use with the balustrade system of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 shows a prior art method of attaching a balustrade 10 to a support structure in the form of a concrete balcony base 20. Balustrade 10 comprises top rail 11, vertical blades 12 and fascia panel 13. Four fixings comprising bolts 30 are provided in a cluster, typically every 750mm, to attach the fascia panel 13 of the balustrade to the base 20. This requires four holes to be drilled into the concrete and back-filled with high-strength resin. The potential disadvantages with this method are discussed above. Fig. 2 shows a balustrade system in accordance with the invention, attached to a support structure in the form of a concrete balcony base 20. The system comprises a balustrade 100 and supports 200, two of which are shown in Fig. 2. Balustrade 100 comprises top rail 101 and vertical blades 102. A fascia panel 103 may also be provided for aesthetic purposes to cover the supports and support structure once the balustrade system is fitted in position. Fixings 30 attach the support to the support structure. Fig. 3 shows a more detailed view of a balustrade system in accordance with the invention. Support 200 comprises an upper support plate 210, a lower support plate 220 which is parallel to upper support plate 201, and connecting plate 230 which is orthogonal to both support plates. In this embodiment, there is no flange 240 extending downwardly from the lower support plate, however this is shown in the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 4. 5 Balustrade 100 has a lower member 110 which extends longitudinally along the base of the balustrade. Lower member 110 is provided with a C-shaped channel 111 extending along its length. Fixings 300 are shown, which comprise bolts 301, nuts 302 and washer plates 303. The C-10 shaped profile of channel 111 is such that the bolts 301 and washer plates 303 are retained in the channel but can slide along the channel longitudinally until fastened in position. When the fixings are tightened, the part of lower member 110 which forms the mouth of the C-shaped channel and the upper support plate 210 are clamped together between the washer plate / bolt head and the nut. 15 Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of a support for use with the balustrade system of the invention, with a flange 240 extending downwardly from the lower support plate 220.

Claims

1. A balustrade system for a building or other structure, the system comprising:a balustrade; anda support configured for attachment to the balustrade and for attachment to a support structure, wherein the support includes an upper support surface configured for attachment to the balustrade by means of one or more fixings;wherein the balustrade includes a lower support surface for attachment to the support via the upper support surface, the lower support surface including a C-shaped channel extending longitudinally along the balustrade within which the one or more fixings are able to move longitudinally until the one or more fixings are tightened to secure the balustrade and support together.

2. The balustrade system of claim 1, wherein the C-shaped channel is open at one or both ends of the balustrade.

3. The balustrade system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the support further includes a lower support surface configured for attachment to the support structure.

4. The balustrade system of claim 3, wherein the upper and lower support surfaces of the support are formed by upper and lower support plates respectively.

5. The balustrade system of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower support plates are substantially parallel and are connected by an orthogonal connecting plate.

6. The balustrade system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the upper support plate forms the top part of a T-shaped extension from the lower support plate.

7. The balustrade system of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the support further includes a flange extending orthogonally from the lower support plate.

8. A balcony for a building or other structure comprising the balustrade system of any preceding claim.

9. The balcony of claim 8, wherein the balcony includes a chassis and wherein the5 chassis forms the support structure.A

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