Panel support and adjustment mechanism

A mechanism for the adjustment of the vertical alignment of a panel member contained within an elongated channel section comprising; one or more means of clamping the panel member with an adjustable force; and one or more support means for supporting the panel member within the channel section; wherein the one or more means of clamping the panel member is arranged to adjustably tilt and secure the panel member so as to be maintained substantially vertically aligned even when the elongated channel section is secured to a surface which is not substantially horizontal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a panel support and adjustment mechanism. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to a panel support and adjustment mechanism for glass balustrades, partitioning, glass staircases and safety barriers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to support panel members for use in a balustrade system in an elongated channel section that is bolted to the floor or any other suitable structure. The glass balustrade panel is inserted into the channel section and retained in position by the use of casting with a setting resin, clamping with bolts or with the use of wedges.

All of these methods have disadvantages. Casting in place with a setting resin has the disadvantage of making it difficult to move or replace the glass in the event of damage either during installation or during the subsequent lifetime of the balustrade. Additionally it takes a while for the resin to set and during this time the member must be supported by an additional means. Clamping with bolts or wedges requires the channel section to be bolted to the supporting structure with absolute alignment accuracy. This is to ensure that the glass balustrade is substantially vertical. Very small angular errors in the vertical alignment of the channel section as a result of an uneven floor surface or supporting structure can result in large displacements at the top of the balustrade.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least partially mitigate the disadvantages of known panel member support and alignment methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mechanism for the adjustment of the vertical alignment of a panel member contained within an elongated channel section comprising;

one or more means of clamping the panel member with an adjustable force; and

one or more support means for supporting the panel member within the channel section;

wherein the one or more means of clamping the panel member is arranged to adjustably tilt and secure the panel member so as to be maintained substantially vertically aligned even when the elongated channel section is secured to a surface which is not substantially horizontal.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that they provide a means to adjust the vertical alignment of the panel member, regardless of the orientation of the channel section to the supporting structure.

Embodiments of the invention have the additional advantage that the panel member can be removed or replaced at any time with the use of a simple tool.

Embodiments of the invention have a yet further advantage that they can also accommodate panel members comprising a range of different thicknesses.

In at least one embodiment, the support means is a support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the present inventionFIG. 1shows a schematic drawing of a channel extrusion profile2with a glass panel1in place.

A support plate3is attached to each side of the glass or panel. This support plate3can be of varying thickness to accommodate glass or panels of a range of different thicknesses.

The assembly of the glass or panel member1, and support plate3is placed into the channel section extrusion2where it wedges into the substantially V shaped profile at the base of the channel section extrusion. It is to be understood that this locates the lower edge of the glass or panel assembly and also centres the glass or panel in the channel extrusion2.

Two threaded clamping extrusions comprising of parts4, with threaded fasteners5are placed on each side of the glass or panel member assembly and are also located in grooves running along each side of channel extrusion2. It is to be understood that the invention would also function without the requirement of the use of locating grooves.

As the fasteners5are wound out of clamping extrusion4they create a wedging action against the angled ramps6of the support plate profiles3. This opposing wedging action clamps the glass or panel member in position in the channel extrusion2. By adjusting the fasteners5each side of the glass or panel assembly, the glass or panel member can be set at a range of angles relative to channel section extrusion2.

Due to the angle of the ramps6on the side of support plate3, this side clamping force also generates a downward component9that forces the glass or panel assembly into the substantially V shaped profile8at the base of channel section extrusion2. This clamps the lower edge of the glass or panel member assembly at the same time.

The clamping extrusions4with fasteners5will self align with support plate3, depending on the angle the glass or panel member assembly has been positioned.

FIG. 2shows a schematic drawing of the angular movement possible by adjusting the fasteners5on each side of the glass or panel member1and support plate3assembly.

Once the glass panel1is adjusted to the position required, fasteners both sides are tightened equally to generate the full clamping force required to keep the glass panel1in position.

This clamping force also generates the downward component that wedges the lower edge of the glass or panel member assembly into the V shaped profile11of the channel section extrusion2.

Clamping extrusion4with fasteners5will self align in the radius groove10of channel section extrusion2depending on the angle glass or panel member1is clamped.

FIG. 3shows a perspective exploded view of a section of the various components of the system. Shown is clamping extrusion4with tapped holes positioned at intervals along the section. Threaded fasteners are inserted into these tapped holes and when wound out of the extrusion4, generate the adjustment and clamping force required on the glass or panel member1and support plate3assembly.

FIG. 4shows a perspective view of the various components of the system. Glass or panel member1channel section extrusion2and support plate3.

FIG. 5shows a perspective view of a section of clamping extrusion4showing fasteners5in position.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the clamping force is generated by the use of expanding wedges instead of threaded fasteners.

The core principal of the invention, generating a downward component from the side clamping force, by having the clamping force from each side of the panel angled down towards the panel centre, is retained. This downward component wedges the panel assembly into the substantially V shaped profile in the base of the channel section, this results in a clamping force being generated over the full depth of the panel assembly retained in the channel section.

Detailed Description of an Alternative Embodiment

FIG. 6shows a schematic drawing of a channel extrusion profile12with a glass or panel member1in place.

A support plate extrusion13is attached to each side of the glass or panel member. This support plate extrusion13can be of varying thickness to accommodate glass or panels of a range of different thicknesses.

The assembly of glass or panel member1, and support extrusion extrusions13, is placed into the channel section extrusion12, where it wedges into the substantially V shaped profile at the base of the channel section extrusion. This locates and clamps the lower edge of the glass or panel member assembly and also centres the glass or panel member in the channel section extrusion12. Two assemblies of expanding wedges16are placed in angled grooves in support plate extrusions13on each side of the glass or panel member assembly. As the wedges expand they press against the sides of channel extrusion12and support plate extrusions13. This opposing wedging action clamps the glass or panel member in position in the channel extrusion12. By adjusting the wedges16, each side of the glass or panel member assembly, the glass or panel member can be set at a range of angles relative to channel section extrusion12. The angled clamping force also generates the downward component that clamps the lower edge of the glass or panel member in the substantially V shape profile of channel extrusion12.

FIG. 7shows a schematic drawing of the angular movement possible by adjusting the expanding wedges16on each side of the glass or panel member1and support plate extrusion13assembly.

Once the glass or panel member1is adjusted to the position required, wedge assemblies both sides are tightened equally to generate the full clamping force required to keep the glass or panel member1in position. This clamping force also generates the downward component that wedges the lower edge of the glass or panel member assembly into the V profile of the channel section extrusion12.

FIG. 8shows a perspective view of a section of the various components of the system. Shown is channel extrusion12with glass or panel member1and support plate extrusions13each side. Shown are two nuts at the end of the expanding wedge assemblies. Tightening these nuts expands the wedges and generates the side clamping force required on the glass or panel member1and support plate extrusion13assembly.

FIG. 9shows a perspective exploded view of a section of the various components of the system. Shown are expanding wedge assemblies17glass or panel member1support plate extrusions13and channel section extrusion12.

FIG. 10shows an expanding wedge assembly. As the nut15on the threaded rod14are tightened, the various segments of extrusions16are squeezed together. This results in the segments sliding in opposite directions as shown by the arrows18and generating a side force on channel section extrusion12and support plate extrusion13.

It is to be understood that alternative embodiments of the invention could make the clamping extrusion4and support plate extrusion13parts from a process other than extrusion such as but not limited to machined or injection moulded processes.

It is to be understood that alternative embodiments of the invention could use panel members made from other rigid body materials such as but not exclusively wood, steel, plastic, plywood, or plasterboard.

Other arrangements are also useful.