GB2388151A

GB2388151A - Connection device including a plate support and clamp for attachment to a barrier post

Info

Publication number: GB2388151A
Application number: GB0209845A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Dennis Copp
Original assignee: EUROGRID Ltd
Current assignee: EUROGRID Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-30
Filing date: 2002-04-30
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-30
Also published as: GB2388151B; GB0209845D0

Abstract

A connection device (16) for use, in a barrier assembly (10) of the kind comprising a plurality of posts (12) which extend generally vertically in use, to attach a plate (14) to at least one of the posts (12), characterised in that the connection device (16) comprises a post engaging portion (18, 18'), a plate engaging portion (20, 20'), and clamping means (26, 26') which is adjustable to clamp the plate (14) relative to the post (12) to restrict movement of the plate (14) with respect to the post (12). The connection device may be used in pedestrian walkways to attach a plate, e.g. a kick plate or toe board, to an upright post of a barrier or handrail assembly.

Description

238815 1

Title: Connection device Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a connection device. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a connection device of the kind used in pedestrian walkways to attach a plate, known in the industry as a kick flat or toe board, to an upright post of a barrier or handrail assembly.

Such kick flats, which extend along the base of the handrail assembly, are typically connected to a base portion of each of the upright posts by means of a bracket which extends around the upright post and is bolted at its ends to the kick flat. Holes to receive the bolts from the brackets must be drilled into the kick flat at intervals appropriate to the spacing of the upright posts, and thus each kick flat must be tailored to fit the handrail assembly to which it will be fastened. Thus manufacture of the kick flat is time consuming and hence expensive. Moreover, if any errors are made in drilling the holes in the kick flat, or if the posts are assembled at slightly different spacings to those specified when manufacturing the kick flat, it will not be possible to connect the kick flat to the posts, and it then becomes necessary to manufacture a new kick flat, or at least to have new holes drilled in the original kick flat According to a fist aspect of the invention we provide a connection device for use, in a barrier assembly of the kind comprising a plurality of posts which extend generally vertically in use, to attach a plate to at least one of the posts, characterized in that the connection device comprises a post engaging portion, a plate engaging portion, and clamping means which is adjustable to clamp the plate relative to the post to restrict movement of the plate with respect to the post.

Thus, by virtue of the invention, when manufacturing a barrier assembly, it is not necessary to drill holes in the plate to receive bolts, and hence manufacture of the plate is simplified. Lengths of undrilled plate can be transported to the site of erection of the barrier, cut to the required length, and simply clamped to the posts.

Preferably the clamping means is adjustable to clamp the plate between Me post and the plate engaging portion, in which case the plate may be, in use, in direct contact with the post and the plate engaging portion.

Preferably the clamping means comprises a threaded fastener such as an alien screw or bolt. In this case, the threaded fastener may be received in a threaded aperture provided in the post engaging portion, and may be adjusted to engage with the post and to pull the plate engaging portion toward the plate into clamping engagement with the plate.

Preferably the plate engaging portion further comprises a clamping surface which in use lies generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the post to which the plate engaging portion is attached. The clamping surface may thus engage with a front surface of the plate.

Preferably the plate engaging portion comprises a support part which in use extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the post to which the connection device is attached. The support part may in use engage with an edge of the plate.

The connection device may include two plate engaging portions, each being adapted in use to engage with opposite edges of the plate. In this case, the connection device may include two connection parts each having a post engaging portion and a plate engaging portion.

Preferably the or each plate engaging portion includes two clamping surfaces and two support parts which are connected via the post engaging portion. In this case, the connection device may be generally U-shaped.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a barrier assembly comprising a plurality of posts which extend generally vertically in use, and a plate which is connected to at least one of the posts by a connection device, characterized in that the connection device comprises a post engaging portion, a plate engaging portion, and clamping means which may be adjusted to clamp the plate between the post and the plate engaging portion to restrict movement of the plate with respect to the post.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIGURE I is an illustration of a perspective view of part of a barrier assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, FIGURE 2 is an illustration of a side view of the part of a barrier assembly of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is an illustration of a rear view of the first connection part of the barrier assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2, viewed in the direction of arrow Y in Figure 2, FIGURE 4 is an illustration of an underneath view of the connection part of Figure 3, viewed in the direction of arrow X in Figure 2.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown part of a barrier assembly 10, specifically a handrail assembly 10 for a pedestrian walkway or the like, comprising a base portion of a generally vertically upright post 12 and a plate 14 which is connected to the post 12 by means of a connection device 16.

Typically the handrail assembly comprises a plurality of generally vertical posts 12, connected by one or two horizontal rails (not shown), and in this example, the plate 14 extends generally horizontally between base portions of the posts.

Lee plate 14 is known as a kick flat or toe board, and serves primarily to prevent, or at least hinder, objects rolling off the walkway, and to reduce the size of the openings between the walkway and the bottom rail of the walkway, or between the rails of the walkway. The post 12 comprises a generally

cylindrical rod or tube, and the kick flat 14 is an elongate, generally rectangular plate. The connection device 16 in this example comprises first and second connection parts 17, 17', each of which has a post engaging portion 18, 18' and a plate engaging portion 20, 20' which engages with the kick flat 14. The two plate engaging portions 20, 20' each comprise two support parts 24, 24' and two clamping parts 22, 22', the two support parts 24, 24' being connected by means of the post engaging portion 18, 18'. Each post engaging portion 18, 18' is generally curved so that in use it extends around a portion of the cylindrical post 12, and the plate engaging portions 20, 20' are generally parallel to one another. Thus each connection part 17,17' is generally U-shaped.

Each post engaging portion 18, 18' has the form of a rectangular metal plate bent in a direction generally parallel to its smallest dimension into a generally semi-circular arc, with tapered end portions which extend generally mutually parallel. In use, the largest dimension of the rectangle extends around a portion of the circumference of the post 12, and the end portions taper in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis A of the post 12.

Each support part 24, 24' is a generally right-angled triangular plate, the smallest dimension of which extends in use generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the post 12. Each tapered end portion of the post engagement portions 18,18' is connected to an edge of one of the support parts 24, 24'.

The clamping parts 22, 22', are generally rectangular plates which lie in use generally flat against a front face 14a of the kick flat 14, and two support parts 24, 24'. The clamping parts 22, 22' each extend from an end of and generally normal to one of the support parts 24, 24'. The length of the support parts 24, 24' is such that, when the post engaging portion 20, 20' is placed around the post 12, Me gap between the post 12 and the clamping parts 22, 22' is slightly greater than the thickness of the kick flat 14.

Typically each connection part 17, 17' is a monolithic part formed by casting, but each connection part 17, 17' may instead be formed by forging from metal plate, for example. Alternatively, the post engaging portion 18, 18' may, for example, be formed separately from the plate engaging portion 20, 20', and the two portions joined by welding or by means of fasteners.

Each post engaging portion 18, 18' is provided with an aperture 19 which is located generally centrally between the two plate engaging portions 20, 20', and which is adapted in use to receive an alien screw 26, or other similar flat ended threaded fastener A bottom end 12a of the post 12 is welded to a base plate 28, which is typically bolted to an edge beam of a walkway.

To connect the kick flat 14 to the post 12, the first connection part 17 is brought into engagement with the post 12 such that the post engaging portion 18 lies circumferentially around a portion of the post 12, and the clamping parts 22 extend generally vertically upwards from the support parts 24. A lowermost edge 14c of the kick flat 14 is then placed between the post 12 and the clamping parts 22, and the alien screw 26 tightened such that it engages with the post 12 and pushes the post engaging portion 18 away from the post 12 and the clamping parts 22 towards the post 12. The user continues to tighten the alien screw 26 until the kick flat 14 is clamped between the clamping parts 22 and the post 12, and movement of the plate with respect to the post 12 is substantially prevented. At this point the clamping parts 22 lie generally flat against a front face 14a of the kick flat 14 and a rear face 14b of the kick flat 14 lies generally flat against the post 12.

The second connection part 17' may then be placed around the post 12 with Me post engaging portion 18' engaging with the post 12 and the clamping parts 22' extending generally vertically downwardly from the support parts 24'.

The user may then slide the first connection part 17 along the post 12 until an uppermost edge 14d of the kick flat 14 lies between the post 12 and the

( clamping parts 22' of the second connection part 17'. As with the first connection part 17, the alien screw 26' is then tightened so that the uppermost edge 14d of the kick flat 14 is clamped between the post 12 and the clamping parts 22'.

The kick flat 14 is thus clamped between the clamping parts 22, 22' and the post 12, and movement of the kick flat 14 with respect to the post 12 is substantially prevented. As neither the post 12 nor the kick flat 14 is bolted to the connection device 16, it is not necessary to drill bolt holes in either the post 12 or the kick flat 14, and therefore neither component needs to be custom made for a particular handrail. Thus the time and cost of manufacturing the components of such a handrail is reduced. Blank posts and kick flats can be provided to the user, and the user may cut these to the required size on site and can connect the kick flat 14 to the post 12 on site at whatever location on the kick flat 14 or post is appropriate.

The above embodiment is, however, described by way of example only, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, the kick flat 14 need only be connected to the post 12 using one connection part 17, i.e. the connection device 16 need only comprise one connection part 17. The lowermost edge 14c ofthe kick flat 14 may rest on the edge beam of the walkway, for example, and the uppermost edge 14d of the kick flat 14 may be clamped to the post 12 using a single connection part 17 as described above.

The alien screw 26 may be replaced by a bolt or any other suitable threaded fastener.

The plate 14 need not be connected to a base portion 12a of the post 12.

It may, instead be connected to the post at any other point along the post 12.

Whilst the kick flat 14 shown in the above example, is rectangular and generally flat, it need not have this shape. For example, the front surface 14a of the kick flat 14 may be provided with a plurality of undulations or ridges.

Whist the above embodiment ofthe kick flat 14 is clamped in direct contact with the post 12 and plate engaging portion 20 of the connecting device 16, an intermediate member may be provided to separate the kick flat 14 from the post 12 or from the plate engaging portion 20.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of'

and "comprising" means "including or consisting of''.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following

claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A connection device for use, in a barrier assembly of the kind comprising a plurality of posts which extend generally vertically in use, to attach a plate to at least one of the posts, characterized in that the connection device comprises a post engaging portion, a plate engaging portion, and clamping means which is adjustable to clamp the plate relative to the post to restrict movement of the plate with respect to the post.

2. A connection device according to claim 1 wherein the clamping means is adjustable to clamp the plate between the post and the plate engaging portion.

3. A connection device according to Claim 2 wherein the plate is, in use, in

direct contact with the post and the plate engaging portion of the connection device.

4. A connection device according to any preceding claim wherein the clamping means comprises a threaded fastener.

5. A connection device according to claim 4 wherein the threaded fastener is received in a threaded aperture provided in the post engaging portion, and may in use be adjusted to engage with the post and to pull the plate engaging portion toward the plate into clamping engagement with the plate.

6. A connection device according to any preceding claim wherein the plate engaging portion farther comprises a clamping surface which in use lies generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the post to which the plate engaging portion is attached.

7. A connection device according to claim 6 wherein the clamping surface engages in use with a front surface of the plate.

8. A connection device according to any preceding claim wherein the plate engaging portion comprises a support part which in use extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the post to which the connection device is attached.

9. A connection device according to claim 8 wherein the support part in use engages with an edge of the plate.

10. A connection device according to any preceding claim wherein the connection device includes two plate engaging portions, each being adapted in use to engage with opposite edges of the plate.

1 1. A connection device according to claim 10 wherein the connection device includes two connection parts each having a post engaging portion and a plate engaging portion.

12. A connection device according to any preceding claim wherein the or each plate engaging portion includes two clamping surfaces and two support parts which are connected via the post engaging portion.

13. A connection device according to claim 12 wherein the connection device is generally U-shaped.

14. A connection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A barrier assembly comprising a plurality of posts which extend generally vertically in use, and a plate which is connected to at least one of the posts by a connection device, characterized in that the connection device comprises a post engaging portion, a plate engaging portion, and clamping means which may be adjusted to clamp the plate between the post and Me plate engaging portion to restrict movement of the plate with respect to the post.

16. A barrier assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features hereinbefore described and/or as shown in We accompanying drawings.