Balustrading

Abstract

A kit of parts for assembly into a balustrade ( 1 ), the kit comprising rails ( 3 ), baluster brackets ( 6 ), posts ( 2 ), connectors ( 5 ) for connecting the posts ( 2 ) to the rails ( 3 ) and rail-to-rail connectors ( 8 ) for connecting two rails ( 3 A, 3 B) in a parallel and spaced apart relationship. The baluster brackets ( 6 ) and/or the rails ( 3 ) are shaped so as to ensure that each bracket ( 6 ) is engagable with a rail ( 3 ) in a desired configuration. There is further disclosed a balustrade incorporating one or more of the above parts and a method of installing a balustrade ( 1 ) on a substrate ( 5 ).

1 . A kit of parts for a balustrade assembly, the kit comprising;
 A length of rail;   One or more baluster brackets;   A post; and   A connector for connecting the post to the rail;   
     wherein the baluster brackets and the rail are complimentarily shaped thereby to engage and retain the bracket and the rail in a desired configuration for subsequently securing a baluster to the bracket, the post and connector being complimentarily shaped thereby to engage the post and the connector such that upon engagement therebetween relative horizontal motion is restricted. 
   
   
       2 . A kit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second length of rail and a rail-to-rail connector for connecting the first and second lengths of rail in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship, the rail-to-rail connector having a portion shaped to engage one rail and a second portion shaped to engage the second rail, wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the connector are shaped to prevent relative rotation or pivotal motion between the connector and the rail. 
   
   
       3 - 37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail comprises a rebate. 
   
   
       39 . A kit according to  claim 38 , wherein the rebate extends along the entire length of the rail. 
   
   
       40 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the bracket or rail comprise an abutment to reduce, and preferably prevent, relative pivotal motion between the rail and the bracket inserted therein. 
   
   
       41 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises a plurality of shaped portions, for example two, three or four. 
   
   
       42 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaped portions are equidistantly spaced around the perimeter of the post. 
   
   
       43 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises at least one rebate and the first portion of the connector comprises a complimentary shaped extension. 
   
   
       44 . A kit according to  claim 43 , wherein the, one or each post rebate describes a major segment of a circle in cross section. 
   
   
       45 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises securing means operable to secure the connector to the post. 
   
   
       46 . A kit according to  claim 45 , wherein said securing means comprises at least one expansion fitting arranged to be expandable and contractable. 
   
   
       47 . A kit according to  claim 46 , wherein the connector is securable to the post with the expansion fitting in one of a relatively expanded or contract condition. 
   
   
       48 . A kit according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more balusters or panels. 
   
   
       49 . A kit of parts for a balustrade assembly, the kit comprising a length of rail and one or more baluster brackets, the or each baluster bracket comprising an elongate first portion, the elongate first portion and a portion of the rail being complimentarily shaped thereby to engage and retain the elongate first portion along its length to ensure correct orientation of the bracket relative to the rail for subsequently securing a baluster to the bracket, the or each bracket having a second portion to which a baluster or panel is securable. 
   
   
       50 . A kit according to  claim 49 , wherein the first portion of the bracket comprises one or more securing means. 
   
   
       51 . A kit according to  claim 49 , wherein said securing means comprises one or more expansion fittings arranged to be expandable and/or contractable. 
   
   
       52 . A kit according to  claim 49 , wherein the bracket is securable to the rail with said securing means in one of a relatively expanded or relatively contracted condition. 
   
   
       53 . A kit according to  claim 49 , wherein one or both of the rail portion and first portion of the bracket are shaped to prevent relative pivoting movement therebetween when engaged. 
   
   
       54 . A kit according to  claim 49 , wherein the rail comprises a rebate. 
   
   
       55 . A kit according to  claim 54 , wherein the rebate extends along the entire length of the rail. 
   
   
       56 . A kit of parts for a balustrade assembly, the kit comprising a length of rail and one or more baluster brackets, the rail having a portion shaped to engage a first portion of the or each baluster bracket to ensure correct orientation of the bracket in use, the first portion comprising securing means including an expansion fitting, the or each bracket having a second extension portion to which a baluster or panel is securable. 
   
   
       57 . A kit according to  claim 56 , wherein the bracket is securable to the rail with said securing means in one of a relatively expanded or relatively contracted condition. 
   
   
       58 . A kit according to  claim 56 , wherein said securing means are operable to prevent or restrict relative movement of the bracket in a direction along the rail. 
   
   
       59 . A kit of parts for a balustrade assembly, the kit comprising a newel post and a post-to-rail connector, the post having a portion which is complimentarily shaped with a first portion of the connector thereby to engage the post and the connector whereby, in use and when engaged, relative horizontal motion therebetween is restricted but pivotal motion therebetween is permitted, the connector having a second portion for connection to a rail. 
   
   
       60 . A kit according to  claim 59 , wherein one or both of the post and connector comprise an abutment arranged to limit the amount of relative pivotal motion. 
   
   
       61 . A kit according to  claim 60 , wherein the abutment is operable to limit the degree of relative pivotal motion to describe an angle of less than 90°, preferably from to 80°, more preferably 10 to 70° and most preferably 40 to 60°, say 52°. 
   
   
       62 . A kit according to  claim 59 , wherein the post comprises a plurality of shaped portions, for example two, three or four. 
   
   
       63 . A kit according to  claim 62 , wherein the shaped portions are equidistantly spaced around the perimeter of the post. 
   
   
       64 . A kit of parts for a balustrade assembly, the kit comprising a first rail, a second rail and a rail-to-rail connector for connecting the first and second rails in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship, the rail-to-rail connector having a portion shaped to engage one rail and a second portion shaped to engage the second rail, wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the connector are shaped to prevent relative rotation or pivotal motion between the connector and the rail. 
   
   
       65 . A kit according to  claim 64 , wherein the first and/or second part of the connector comprises a male part for engagement in a rebate located in one or other of the rails. 
   
   
       66 . A newel post for a balustrade, the post comprising an elongate section having one or more elongate shaped portions extending along at least a part of the length thereof for engagement with a connector. 
   
   
       67 . A post according to  claim 66 , wherein each shaped portion is a rebate. 
   
   
       68 . A post according to  claim 67 , comprising a plurality of rebates, preferably equidistantly spaced. 
   
   
       69 . A connector to interconnect an upright post to a horizontal rail, the connector comprising a first portion engageable with a correspondingly shaped portion of a post and a second portion engageable with a correspondingly shaped portion of a rail, wherein the second portion is shaped to prevent or at least restrict relative pivotal motion between the second portion and the rail. 
   
   
       70 . A rail for a balustrade, the rail comprising an elongate section having one or more elongate rebated portions extending along at least part of the length thereof, for engagement with a connector, wherein the or each rebated portion is arcuate in shape. 
   
   
       71 . A baluster bracket for a balustrade, the bracket comprising a first portion for engagement with a rail and a second portion for engagement with a baluster, the first portion comprising an elongate male part for engagement with a corresponding rebate in a rail. 
   
   
       72 . A baluster bracket for a balustrade, the bracket comprising a first portion for engagement with a rail and a second portion for engagement with a baluster, the first portion comprising a male part for engagement with a corresponding rebate in a rail, the male part comprising one or more expansion fittings arranged to be expandable and/or contractable for securing the bracket to the rail. 
   
   
       73 . A rail to rail connector for connecting two rails of a balustrade in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship, the connector comprising a first portion shaped for engaging a first rail and a second portion shaped for engaging a second rail, wherein one or both of the first and second parts are shaped to prevent relative rotational or pivotal motion between the connector and a rail, in use, engaged therewith. 
   
   
       74 . A kit of parts for a balustrading for outdoor use, the kit comprising one or more of the post of claim  31 , the connector of claim  34 , the rail of claim  35 , the bracket of claim  36  or  37  and the rail-to-rail connector of  claim 38 . 
   
   
       75 . A balustrade for outdoor use formed from a kit according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       76 . A method of installing a balustrade, the method comprising using one or more of the post of claim  31 , the connector of claim  34 , the rail of claim  35 , the bracket of claim  36  or  37  and the rail to rail connector of  claim 38  to form a balustrade.