Abstract:
An improved glass railing anchor system for multiple glass panels in high-rise buildings which can experience hurricane strength winds, and which includes an elongated base member having two hollow wall sections which create a channel for receiving the glass panels. Aligned with and beneath the hollow wall sections are integral keyways which receive T-shaped anchors that also elevate the base member to allow for drainage. The anchors are slidable and can be selectively positioned for easy and secure installation. The base member, hollow wall sections, keyway and drainage areas can be integrally incorporated into a unitary device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/602,662 filed on Feb. 24, 2012. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to an anchor system for glass railings, and more particularly, to a glass railing anchor system that uses two rows of adjustable anchor bolts along a glass railing anchor that are staggered along a two lines to distribute tensile and compressive loads on the anchor and anchor bolts allowing use of the glass railing anchor system in high velocity wind zones, such as high velocity hurricane zones (“HVHZ”). 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Conventional glass railing anchor systems known in the background art comprise surface or side mounted systems. With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a typical background glass railing anchor system  1  is shown and comprises a glass panel  2  supported in a bottom shoe base  3 . The bottom shoe base  3  comprises a U-shaped base that is anchored to a concrete substrate by a plurality of threaded rods or expansion anchors  4  that are anchored along a straight line throughout the length of the base  3 . A glass setting block  5  sits in the bottom of the channel formed by the U-shaped base  3  for receiving and supporting the glass panel  2 . A typical glass railing comprises a plurality of glass panels separated by a one inch (1.0″) glass joint or post  9 . The glass panel  2  is secured in the channel by a grouting or glazing agent  6  and, in some cases, further secured by a rubber gasket  7 . Typical glass rail anchor systems known also include a top rail glass cap  8   a  or vinyl cap  8   b . To improve the aesthetic appeal of the U-shaped base shoe  3 , some systems decorate it with a cover. 
     There are many disadvantages with conventional glass railing anchor systems, such as surface and flush installation systems. A primary disadvantage with existing glass railing anchor systems is that they are not designed for high wind hurricane zones (HVHZ) or other areas susceptible to high winds. This is because they are not properly shimmed or reinforced and are susceptible to bending along the centerline, where half the anchor is in tension and the other half in compression. This weakness results because the anchors  4  used to secure the base  3  to the concrete substrate are installed along a center line making them subject to bending and stress along the center line. 
     Known systems are also unable to drain water off balconies and they make direct contact with concrete or are embedded in grout causing corrosion of the base and coating. In surface or side mounted installations, the base is typically aluminum and in direct contact with concrete causing corrosion of the aluminum and failure of coating. In flush mounted installations, the entire base is embedded in grout in order to minimize the appearance of the base. However, most grouts are highly alkaline causing corrosion of the aluminum and failure of coating. These known attachment methods also do not provide a permanent waterproof seal of the anchor base or drainage, which permits water intrusion directly into the center of the concrete defeating most waterproofing techniques and promoting corrosion. In addition, typical base dimensions provide insufficient use of materials, wherein the base is up to three times heavier than necessary and more difficult to install. Moreover, conventional U-shaped bases typically have tall profiles and square shoulders giving them an artificial appearance, making them more difficult to conceal and facilitating the potential retention of water. 
     Another issue with existing glass rail anchoring systems is that the expansion anchors or threaded rods used cannot be relocated to avoid interference with reinforcement steel in the concrete without drilling new holes at the site and affecting the integrity of the substrate. Holes drilled in the field compromise the integrity of the aluminum coating system due to the unfinished edge, which can cause warranties to be reduced in half because of the field modifications. The use of expansion anchors can also cause undesirable internal stress within the concrete, especially at the edge of the balcony and induce undesirable compressive loads. These internal stresses can cause the concrete to spall creating structural problems, raising life safety concerns and accelerating corrosion, along with other problems. Accordingly, typical anchor placement and size prohibit placement of the system close to the balcony edge, if it can be used at all. 
     Conventional glass railing anchor systems have several other disadvantages. Traditional post mounted glass railing systems utilize posts and top caps, which obstruct the view through the glass. Glass railing anchor systems currently known rely on shims for leveling and supporting the system as they are not adjustable. The use of shims for leveling is cumbersome and creates an unsightly joint that must be covered to conceal the shims and joint. Most base mounted systems also rely upon a rubber gasket material for the retention of glazing. As a result, glass bears upon the rubber rather than structural grout reducing its bearing capacity. In addition, larger base shoes must be used in conventional systems to support glass because of inherent bearing capacity deficiencies. 
     Given the foregoing shortcomings in conventional glass railing anchor systems, there exists a need for a glass railing anchor system that is stronger to withstand the stresses, strains and compression realized in HVHZ and other high wind conditions; waterproof; adapted for installation in concrete along the edges without inducing undesirable compression loads; adapted for providing drainage to alleviate or eliminate corrosion from water accumulation and contact with concrete; designed to require less material; lighter; more aesthetically pleasing; adjustable; designed to not require pre-drilling of the base or drilling on location; and less costly. As there are no known devices or systems that provide a glass railing anchor system that adequately or effectively address these issues, there exists a need for such a device and system. It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. The instant invention addresses this unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing a glass railing anchor system as contemplated by the instant invention disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a glass railing system known in the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view from one end of the glass railing system known in the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross sectional view of a U-shaped shoe base known in the prior art. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side cross sectional views of top rail glass caps known in the prior art. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the glass railing system installed on a balcony in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of the glass railing system as installed on a balcony in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of the glass railing base in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the glass railing system showing the installation using the sliding anchor bolt assemblies in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the glass railing system with a glass panel as installed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  are cross sectional views of various top caps of the glass railing system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 5-10D  depict the preferred and alternative embodiments of the instant invention which is generally referenced as a glass railing anchor system and, or by numeric character  10 . The instant invention  10  comprises a glass railing anchor system that is designed to withstand the forces realized in high velocity hurricane zones (“HVHZ”) and comparable high wind zones. The glass railing anchor system  10  is adapted for installation on balconies of high rises, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The instant invention  10  may also be installed on balconies of buildings in high wind zones, such as on the beach or on decks. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the glass railing anchor system  10  generally comprises an aluminum base  12  and at least one panel  50  supported by the base  12 , and may also include a variety of caps  52 . The instant invention  10  is described in more detail herein below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 to 10D , the glass railing anchor system  10  comprises an elongated aluminum base  12  that is extruded to form two opposing, raised and parallel walls  16 ,  18  that define a glass panel receiving channel  20 , gasket receiving channels  15 , a gasket  70  for each side of a glass panel  50 , a hollow channel  28 ,  30  in each wall, and a pair of slidable anchor receiving keyways  22 ,  32  in the base  12  below the walls  28 ,  30 , on opposite sides of the base  12  for receiving and sliding T-bolt anchors  40 . The instant invention  10  may also include skirt receiving channels  25 ,  27 , a skirt  60  and, or at least one glass panel  50 . The keyways  22 ,  32  comprise continuous slots that extend along the length of the base  12 . The T-bolt anchors  40  uniformly distribute tension, compressive loads and rotational forces to meet specific wind loads realized along the base, glass panels and anchors. The glass railing anchor system  10  takes advantage of the tensile strength of the anchors  40  by staggering and spacing them to provide multiple lines of resistance. The anchors  40  are typically spaced 16 inches apart. If one area of a building has higher wind loads, the spacing between the anchors  40  can be reduced in order to resist the higher wind loads. The anchor  40  spacing may be adjusted to prevent contact with reinforcing bars in the concrete substrate, which avoids damage to the bars. The T-bolt anchors  40  can also adjust the height of the base  12  to eliminate contact with the concrete to prevent corrosion from alkali and water accumulation by defining a continuous space under the base  12  for positive water drainage so as to not allow water to pond between the aluminum base  12  and concrete. The T-bolt anchors  40  are set in high strength epoxy  25 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , which provides for a water proof anchor point and eliminates the stresses that traditionally used expansion anchors create. The T-bolt anchors  40  are also strategically placed so they are not visible from normal view. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5-10D , the elongated extruded base  12  defines the hollow walls  16 ,  18 , the wall channels  28 ,  30 , respectively, and the anchor keyways  22 ,  32 . The hollow walls  16 ,  18  eliminate unnecessary weight making the base  12  easier to move, set and anchor. With reference to  FIG. 9 , the gasket channel  15  is defined in the interior surface  16   a ,  18   a  of the walls  16 ,  18 , respectively, and extends continuously along the length of the walls  16 ,  18 . The gasket channels  15  slidably receive and support a gasket  70  on each side of the base  12  to provide a decorative finished trim that hides the epoxy adhesive glazing set material. The gasket  70  preferably comprises a vinyl extruded material. The walls  16 ,  18  are separated and joined by a center base  14  which forms the floor of the glass panel receiving channel  20  and an inside section of the keyways  22 ,  32 . The bottom surface of the base  12  below the walls  16 ,  18  may define skirt channels  25 ,  27 , respectively, extending continuously along the length of the base  12  for supporting a skirt  60  on each side of the base  12 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The skirt channels  25 ,  27  receive a flange  62  projecting from the upper side of the skirt  60  for a tongue-and-groove fit. The skirt  60  disguises unlevel slab conditions or surface depressions and enhances aesthetic appearance by hiding the base drainage space when installed. The base  12  is secured to a concrete substrate with the height adjustable anchors  40  that slide into the slots  22 ,  32 , secure the base and allow for adjustment of railing height, positioning of the anchors  40  and leveling which obviates the need to use unsightly leveling shims. Each slot  22 ,  32  defines an opening  24 ,  34 , respectively, for passing the threaded rods  44  of the anchors  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 8  each T-bolt anchor  40  comprises an upper plate  42 , a stainless steel threaded rod or bolt  44  depending from the plate  42 , and a stainless steel T-nut spacer  46  adjustably threaded to the threaded rod  44  below the upper plate  42  and base  12  for adjusting the height of the base  12  and securing the base  12  once in position. The T-bolt assembly  40  preferably comprises a stainless steel (SS) upper plate  42 , SS threaded rod  44  and SS T-nut  46  wherein the plate is preferably 5/16″×1″×1.75″. The bolts  44  are secured and set in a high strength epoxy, such as Adhesive Technologies Ultra Bond 2100, and mixed with sand filler in holes drilled in the concrete substrate. These dimensions may vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the instant invention  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  9 , the glass panels  50  are secured in the base channel  20 . A setting block  31  may be inserted and set in the base channel  20  on the floor  14  of the channel  20 . The interior walls of the base channel  20  include a plurality of bonding channels  27  along each side for enhancing the bonding between the channel walls  16   a ,  18   a  and bonding agent, such as high strength epoxy. Once a glass panel  50  is inserted and set in the channel  20 , gaps between the panel  50  and inner walls  16   a ,  18   a  of the channel  20  are filled with a high strength epoxy, such as Adhesive Technologies Ultra-Bond 2100. In an alternative embodiment, the glass panels  50  may be secured in the base channel  20  by a tapered wedge fit. The glass panels  50  preferably comprise a ¾ inch clear lamented glass, such as Sentryglass by Dupont®. The thickness of the glass panels  50  and width of the base channel  20  may vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the instant invention  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  10 A- 10 D, the glass panels  50  may include decorative caps  52  snapped to the upper edge of the panels  50 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9D , the caps  52  comprise various shapes. Referring to  FIG. 10A , the cap  52   a  comprises a horse shoe design preferably 1.225″ high, 0.875″ deep, 0.820″ wide opening and 0.194″ side wall thickness. Referring to  FIG. 10B , the cap  52   b  comprises a low profile circular design preferably 1.25″ high, 0.875″ deep, 0.820″ wide opening and 0.186″ side wall thickness. Referring to  FIG. 10C , the cap  52   c  comprises a high profile circular design preferably 1.788″ high, 0.875″ deep, 0.820″ wide opening, 1.90″ radius and 0.125″ side wall thickness. Referring to  FIG. 10D , the cap  52   d  comprises an oblong angular design preferably 1.875″ high along the right angled side, 0.100″ deep, 0.820″ wide opening, 3.50″ long along the top edge and 0.131″ wall thickness. The shapes and dimensions of the caps  52  may vary without departing from the instant invention. The use of caps  52  is optional and mostly for aesthetic purposes but also provide protection to and from the top edge of the glass panels  50 . 
     The instant invention  10  provides a wide base  12  with the opposing elongated keyways  22 ,  32  that accommodate two rows of anchors  40 , which increase the resistance to shearing wind forces such as those in HVHZ&#39;s and the structural integrity of the base anchor  12 . The slots  22 ,  32  also allow the anchors  40  to be moved which facilitates pre-coating and staggering, relocating and adjusting the anchor bolt assemblies  40  without requiring drilling in the field when an anchor  40  must be relocated to avoid contact with rebar in the concrete and allow closer placement to the concrete substrate&#39;s edges. The extruded design also reduces weight and offers flexibility in designing the base in various shapes and reduces costs in manufacturing. With reference to  FIG. 7 , the side walls  16 ,  18  comprise low profile angled top edges  17 ,  19 , respectively, which may also comprise rounded edges, that makes the glass panels  50  appear to float while facilitating water runoff. The design of the glass railing anchor system  10  facilitates the placement of the anchors in epoxy and closer to the edges of the concrete substrate without inducing undesirable compressive loads within the concrete to maintain their tensile pullout strength and prevent the fracturing and spalling of the concrete. The use of epoxy also serves to waterproof newly drilled holes and prevents water intrusion into the center of the slab. An additional advantage of the instant invention is that it does not require posts or caps that could obstruct the view through a glass railing and facilitates the use of glass having varying degrees of thickness. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.