Abstract:
A support for a rigid panel ( 16 ) comprising an elongate channel ( 12 ) for attaching to a surface, at least one cradle ( 14 ) for receiving an edge of the panel, each cradle being receivable in the elongate channel and angularly adjustable about a longitudinal axis relative thereto, and locking means ( 18, 20 ) for securing the or each cradle to the elongate channel in an adjusted position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a United States National Stage of International Application No. PCT/GB2014/052341, filed Jul. 30, 2014, which in turn claims the benefit of United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB1313694.0, filed Jul. 31, 2013. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a support for a rigid panel. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     It is well known to use a channel as a support for a panel in a balustrade system. Typically, the panel is held in place within the channel by utilising one of a variety of methods: clamping with bolts, sealing with resin or wedging in place. 
     A major disadvantage of this system is the requirement for access from both sides of the balustrade in order to fix the panel into place. This creates a challenge when attempting to vertically align the panel, and often will require multiple labourers to work on the installation simultaneously. Additionally, installation of a balustrade on higher levels of a building, for instance on a balcony, necessitates the use of scaffolding platforms, or access towers, increasing both the cost and time taken to complete the project. 
     It is an object of the invention to reduce or substantially obviate the above mentioned problems. 
     STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided a support for a rigid panel comprising an elongate channel for attaching to a surface, at least one cradle for receiving an edge of the panel, the at least one cradle being receivable in the elongate channel and angularly adjustable about a longitudinal axis relative thereto, and locking means for securing the or each cradle to the elongate channel in an adjusted position. 
     The locking means for the or each cradle may be operable from only one side of the elongate channel. 
     The support is advantageous as it greatly reduces the effort required to install and vertically align a (generally glass) panel in a balustrade set-up. The panel can easily rest in the cradle(s) whilst the installer secures it in place, and the ability to secure the cradles in place from only one side reduces the time and manpower required to install. However, the main advantage of installation from a single side is that a balustrade can be erected at a high level, on a balcony for instance, without the need for access towers or scaffolding platforms, which can drastically increase the cost and complexity of what ought to be a simple project. Similarly, access from a single side vastly decreases the difficulty of mounting the balustrade to a fascia, as access from above will no longer be necessary. 
     The support may have pre-drilled holes in one side of the elongate channel, to allow access to the locking means. 
     The pre-drilled holes give guidance for the required quantity and spacing of cradles within the elongate channel, and the holes are wide enough to be able to insert the necessary tools for securing the locking means. They also reduce the installation time required for the device as a whole, as the installer does not need to dedicate time to carefully drilling well-aligned holes. It further prevents the holes being drilled incorrectly (which would negatively impact how each cradle secures to the elongate channel), and prevents the device being damaged during the course of drilling, both of which would lower its overall aesthetic value. 
     The elongate channel of the support may have an internal open cross-section which includes a substantially rectangular lower portion, which opens at its upper end with a concave sweep on either side. The cross-section of the elongate channel of the support may be symmetrical about a longitudinal central vertical plane. 
     The external cross-section of the or each cradle may include a substantially rectangular lower portion extending into a convex upper portion on either side. The concave sweeps of the upper end of the elongate channel may form an interrupted cup for receiving the convex upper portion of the or each cradle for enabling lateral rocking adjustment of the or each cradle within the elongate channel. The external width of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the cradle may be less than the internal width of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel. 
     The support is designed such that the elongate channel and the cradles interlock in a jointed system, similar to a ball and socket. The interrupted cup of the elongate channel is the ‘socket’, into which neatly fits the ‘ball’ that is the convex upper portion of the cradle. The substantially rectangular lower portion of the cradle then acts as an adjustment arm, which can be used to pivot the ‘ball’ to tilt the or each cradle, for moving the panel into alignment with the longitudinal central vertical plane, or to align with another panel, angled out of the plane. The greater internal width of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel compared with the external width of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the cradle provides enough freedom for this pivoting motion. The advantage of the ball and socket system is that angular adjustment of the panel can be made with a high degree of precision; a small adjustment at the level of the cradle will correlate to a much greater re-positioning of the upper edge of the panel. 
     The or each cradle may have a channel opening from its upper face and extending along its full length, for receiving the panel, where the width of the channel is matched or substantially matched to the external width of the panel. 
     The advantage of the cradle system for panel support lies in the fact that the lower edge of the panel is physically rested upon the inner face of the cradles, substantially flush with the internal surfaces of the cradles, which strengthens the hold on the panel when compared to similar supports which only clamp the faces of the panel, whilst also preventing the possibility of over-tightening the clamps and causing damage to the panel itself. In addition, the matching of the width of the channel in the cradle to the external width of the panel allows the panel to rest in place whilst it is locked into its final position, unlike in systems with clamps, in which the panel must be held in place whilst the locking means is applied. As such, this reduces the manpower and time burdens of installation. 
     The or each cradle may contain a first threaded aperture extending into the substantially rectangular lower portion from one side thereof. The or each cradle may also contain a second threaded aperture with a smaller diameter than the first aperture, extending from an internal end of the first aperture to the other side of the substantially rectangular lower portion. The two apertures meet at the centre of the or each cradle. 
     A first bolt may be inserted into the first threaded aperture, with complementary outer threading. Similarly, a second bolt may be inserted into the second threaded aperture, with complementary outer threading. 
     The first bolt may have an axial aperture extending through the whole length of the bolt, so as to allow access to the head of the second bolt from a single side of the or each cradle, i.e. through the aperture. 
     The locking means may be provided by turning the (internal hexagon) heads of the first and second bolts in the threaded apertures of the or each cradle, such that the ends of the bolts which are external to the or each cradle exert a force upon the internal surface of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel. 
     There may be a concave indentation on the internal face of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel at the end of each of the pre-drilled holes, for acceptance and alignment of the extended end of the first bolt. There may also be a concave indentation on the opposing internal face of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel, for acceptance and alignment of the extended end of the second bolt. 
     The locking means of the cradles within the elongate channel is provided by the first and second bolts. Turning the heads of the bolts extends the external ends of the bolts from the faces of the cradles. When extended to a great enough degree, the ends of the bolts will apply a force to the internal faces of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel, having aligned themselves into the indentations in the faces, such that the cradle will be immobilised and locked. Locking of each individual cradle has the advantage of stabilising the panel to a greater extent when compared with similar balustrade supports. 
     Angular adjustment of the panel may be provided by increasing or decreasing the force applied to the internal surface of the substantially rectangular lower portion of the elongate channel by turning the heads of one or other of the bolts. 
     Tightening of the first bolt, that is the bolt applying a force to the near side of the elongate channel to the installer will tilt the cradle, and therefore the upper edge of the panel, towards the installer, and tightening the second bolt will tilt the cradle away from the installer. Loosening the bolts will have the opposite effect. The advantage of the adjustment of the bolts within the cradles is twofold. The location of the bolts being internal to the cradles means that the adjustment is achieved at the base of the support, so a small adjustment in the bolt position will have a relatively large effect on the position of the upper edge of the panel. In addition, each cradle can be adjusted individually, allowing the installer to make minor vertical adjustments along the entire length of the elongate channel. 
     The head of the first, smaller bolt may be located on the end of the bolt facing the exterior of the or each cradle. The head of the second, larger bolt may be located on the end of the bolt facing the interior of the or each cradle. 
     The arrangement of the bolts within the cradles in a fashion as described allows the installer to adjust the positions of the first and second bolts from only one side. Ordinary balustrade supports require bolts or similar clamping devices to be operated from both sides of the panel. The major advantage of this invention is the single-sided operability of the locking means, and this is achieved by utilising the hollow first bolt. This provides access to the head of the first bolt for a screwdriver or similar tool, negating the need for access to the far side of the elongate channel when adjusting the angle of the panel. 
     One or more detachable cylindrical caps may be fitted at the external ends of the pre-drilled holes in the elongate channel, in order to cover the holes. 
     The cylindrical caps for the holes are mainly for decorative purposes, making the external face of the elongate channel appear as one contiguous unit, but also to offer some protection for the bolts, reducing exposure to inclement weather. 
     The elongate channel may have a plurality of holes in its base, to allow it to be secured to a surface, for example, with screw fixings. The holes are countersunk to receive the heads of the screw fixings. 
     The advantage of pre-drilled holes in the base of the elongate channel is that it will save an installer time in drilling them for himself. A balustrade will almost always be secured into place onto a surface, and the holes are a useful addition to the elongate channel. 
     The elongate channel may have a semi-circular groove near the lip of one side of the convex upper portion of the elongate channel into which an elongate gasket may be placed to aid with securing the panel into place and hiding the cradles from view. 
     A first elongate gasket may be inserted between one face of the panel and the side of the convex upper portion of the elongate channel with the semi-circular groove, the elongate gasket being shaped to slot into the semi-circular groove. A second elongate gasket may be inserted between one face of the panel and the side of the convex upper portion of the elongate channel without a semi-circular groove. 
     The first and second elongate gaskets may be inserted into the elongate channel, on either side of the panel, such that the upper faces of the elongate gaskets are flush with the top face of the elongate channel, and the lower faces are flush against the top face of the or each cradle. The elongate gaskets provide an added support for the panel, applying limited resistance to the panel should the cross-section of the channel of the cradle and the external cross-section of the panel be slightly mismatched. In addition, the elongate gaskets cover the cradles and internal face of the elongate channel from view, thereby providing some protection from adverse weather conditions, as well as making the support more aesthetically appealing. 
     In addition, all parts of the support are simple to manufacture, thus keeping the overall cost of the device to a minimum. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an assembly of the support and panel; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the support and panel; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the elongate channel; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of a cradle (to a different scale as in  FIG. 3 ); and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the support from the end, with the panel inserted. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , a support and rigid panel assembly are indicated generally at  10 . Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the support includes an elongate channel  12 , and one or more cradles  14 . The cradles are designed to sit within the elongate channel  12 , being inserted into the channel from above or slid into the channel from either open end, and to be angularly adjustable about a central longitudinal axis. This enables a panel  16  to be mounted within the support and adjusted so as to align with other panels within a balustrade. In other words, the cradles  14  enable each panel  16  to be adjustably tilted in and out of a central vertical plane. The panel  16  may or may not have a separate rail or capping  16   a  along its upper edge. 
     The elongate channel  12  receives one or more cradles  14 . The cradles are locked into position with first  18  and second  20  bolts, which are accessible through a series of pre-drilled holes  22  in the elongate channel  12  (when the cradles  14  are correctly aligned with the holes). The pre-drilled holes  22  are covered by a plurality of cylindrical decorative caps  24 . The rigid panel  16  is received by the cradles  14 , and the panel is held in place with first  26  and second  28  elongate gaskets, positioned with the lower faces of the elongate gaskets flush with the upper faces of the cradles  14 , and the upper faces of the elongate gaskets flush with the upper face of the elongate channel  12 . The gaskets  26 ,  28  are somewhat flexible, so that where the cradles  14  have been angularly adjusted to tilt, each gasket  26 ,  28  is still substantially flush with the upper faces of the cradles  14  and the elongate channel  12 , maintaining the same aesthetic quality. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the internal cross-section of the elongate channel comprises a rectangular or substantially rectangular lower portion  38  extending into a concave upper section  36  on either side. On one side, there are a plurality of pre-drilled holes  22  enabling access to the locking means of the support. On the upper edge of the opposing internal face of the elongate channel, there is a semi-circular groove  34  extending along the length of the support for accepting the first gasket  26 , shown in  FIG. 2 . One or more holes  30  are provided through the base of the elongate channel for accepting a means. 
     On the internal face of the substantially rectangular lower portion  38  of the elongate channel with the pre-drilled holes  22 , the internal ends of the holes have an equivalent concave indentation  39 , for accepting and aligning the extruding end of the first bolt  18 . On the internal face of the substantially rectangular lower portion  38  of the elongate channel opposing the pre-drilled holes  22 , there is a slight concave indentation  40 , for accepting and aligning the extruding end of the second bolt  20 . Each indentation  39  or  40  is located to receive the extruding end of the respective bolt  18  or  20  irrespective of the tilt angle of the cradle, as angularly adjusted within the elongate channel  12  to correctly align a panel. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a cross-section of a cradle  14  is shown. The external cross-section of the or each cradle includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular lower portion  44  extending into a convex upper portion  42  on either side. The cradle  14  contains a first threaded aperture  48  extending into the substantially rectangular lower portion  44  from one side thereof. The cradle  14  also contains a second threaded aperture  50  with a smaller diameter than the first aperture  48 , extending from an internal end of the first aperture  48  to the other side of the substantially rectangular lower portion  44 . The rigid panel  16  rests in the cradle  14  within channel  46  which runs through the length of each cradle. The sides of the rigid panel  16  are flush or substantially flush with the internal faces of the channel  46 , so that the panel rests securely. The apertures  48 ,  50  meet at the centre of the or each cradle  14 . 
     To assemble a balustrade, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the elongate channel  12  is fixed to, for example a landing or balcony, using, for example, screw fixings through the holes  30  in the base of the elongate channel. Preferably a plurality of cradles  14  are placed into the elongate channel  12  along its length, with the convex upper portions  42  of each cradle being supported by the concave upper sections  36  of the elongate channel  12 . The curvature of the convex upper portions  42  is slightly greater than that of the concave upper sections  36 , enabling the cradle to be adjusted in a manner similar to a ball and socket joint (where the convex upper portion  42  acts as the ball and the concave upper section  36  acts as the socket). The first and second bolts  18 ,  20  are pre-located in the respective threaded apertures  48 ,  50  prior to locating the or each cradle  14  within the elongate channel  12 . 
     The cradles  14  are then secured in place when correctly aligned in the elongate channel  12  via tightening of the first  18  and second  20  bolts, accessible through the pre-drilled holes  22 . The first bolt  18 , closest to the pre-drilled holes  22  for adjustment and tightening, is hollow, thereby allowing access through its centre for actuation of the second bolt  20 . In other words, the head of the second bolt  20  is accessible through the first bolt  18 , enabling both bolts to be tightened from the same side of the panel  16 . The first elongate gasket  26  is inserted such that its lower edge rests flush against the upper face of the cradles  14 , its upper edge rests flush against the upper edge of the elongate channel  12 , and its shaped side fits into the semi-circular groove  34 . 
     The alignment of the channels  46  in the cradles  14  will now form an interrupted channel along the length of the elongate channel  12 , into which the rigid panel  16  can neatly rest. The alignment of the individual cradles  14  can be altered using first  18  and second  20  bolts in order to ensure that the channel  46  of each cradle  14  is aligned with the channels  46  of other cradles  14 . The rigid panel  16  can then be inserted into the cradles, from above or from either end of the channel  46 . The flat side of the first elongate gasket  26  will now rest against one face of the rigid panel  16 . The second elongate gasket  28  is then inserted into the gap formed between the rigid panel  16  and the upper internal face of the elongate channel  12  on the opposing face of the panel. The insertion of the two elongate gaskets  26 ,  28  will hold the panel in the cradles in addition to the close fit within each cradle  14 . 
     The alignment of the rigid panel  16 , either to the vertical or to another panel in a balustrade, can be adjusted by turning the heads of the first  18  and second  20  bolts on the or each cradle  14 . This is facilitated by the gap  32  between the substantially rectangular lower portion  38  of the elongate channel and the substantially rectangular lower portion  44  of each cradle, which allows adjustment of each cradle within the elongate channel  12 . Tightening the first bolt  18  will cause the cradle (and therefore upper edge of the panel) to tilt towards the installer, and tightening the second bolt  20  will cause the cradle (and upper edge of the panel) to tilt away from the installer. By carefully tightening the bolts on each individual cradle, the installer can make small adjustments at the level of the elongate channel  12 , through the pre-drilled holes  22 , to make large adjustments to the position of the upper edge of the panel, affording a relatively large degree of planar adjustment. Careful adjustment of the bolts in sequence allows the installer to align the full length of the panel  16  with a great degree of control. 
     Once the panel  16  is suitably aligned and locked by the bolts  18 ,  20 , then the decorative cylindrical caps  24  may be placed into the pre-drilled holes to hide them. Where provided, the separate rail or capping  16   a  may then be placed atop the panel to enhance its aesthetics. 
     The embodiment described above is provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.