Balustrade

Abstract

A balustrade arrangement according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of slats of monolithic toughened glass arranged in series substantially along a lateral direction. The slats each have a width in the lateral direction up to 300 mm from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of a slat. Adjacent slats are spaced apart from each other by a spacing gap of at least 6 mm, the spacing gap being smaller than the width of the slats. The slats are arranged so that, when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap in the lateral direction is at most 500 mm. Also disclosed is a balcony incorporating such a balustrade and a method for the installation of such a balustrade.

1 . A balustrade arrangement comprising a plurality of slats of monolithic toughened glass arranged in series substantially along a lateral direction, the slats each having a width in the lateral direction up to 300 mm from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of a slat, adjacent slats being spaced apart from each other by a spacing gap of at least 6 mm, the spacing gap being smaller than the width of the slats, the slats being arranged so that, when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap in the lateral direction is at most 500 mm. 
     
     
         2 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the slats have no enclosed holes formed through them. 
     
     
         3 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the slats are fixed in position via clamping means, the clamping means comprising bolts extending through the spacing gaps between adjacent slats. 
     
     
         4 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 1  where there are provided two or more rows of slats in the balustrade, the rows being offset from each other to be staggered in the forwards and rearwards direction. 
     
     
         5 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein the slats at least partially overlap with each other, so that when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap, when viewed in elevation, is less than the slat width. 
     
     
         6 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein a linear occupation ratio of the glass slats in the width direction of the balustrade, when the balustrade is viewed in elevation view, is not less than about 50% of the width of the balustrade. 
     
     
         7 . The balustrade arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the balustrade has a hand rail formed at its upper extremity, the glass slats supporting the hand rail without additional support. 
     
     
         8 . A balcony incorporating a balustrade, wherein the balustrade comprises a plurality of slats of monolithic toughened glass arranged in series substantially along a lateral direction, the slats each having a width in the lateral direction up to 300 mm from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of a slat, adjacent slats being spaced apart from each other by a spacing gap of at least 6 mm, the spacing gap being smaller than the width of the slats, the slats being arranged so that, when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap in the lateral direction is at most 500 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The balcony according to  claim 8 , further comprising a fascia arrangement, the fascia including an angled lip region, disposed to catch broken glass that would otherwise fall from the balcony from a broken slat. 
     
     
         10 . A method for the installation of a balustrade, wherein the balustrade comprises a plurality of slats of monolithic toughened glass arranged in series substantially along a lateral direction, the slats each having a width in the lateral direction up to 300 mm from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of a slat, adjacent slats being spaced apart from each other by a spacing gap of at least 6 mm, the spacing gap being smaller than the width of the slats, the slats being arranged so that, when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap in the lateral direction is at most 500 mm, and wherein the glass slats are supported and clamped at their lower end using a clamping arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The balcony according to  claim 8  wherein the slats have no enclosed holes formed through them. 
     
     
         12 . The balcony according to  claim 8  wherein the slats are fixed in position via clamping means, the clamping means comprising bolts extending through the spacing gaps between adjacent slats. 
     
     
         13 . The balcony according to  claim 8  where there are provided two or more rows of slats in the balustrade, the rows being offset from each other to be staggered in the forwards and rearwards direction. 
     
     
         14 . The balcony according to  claim 13  wherein the slats at least partially overlap with each other, so that when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap, when viewed in elevation, is less than the slat width. 
     
     
         15 . The balcony according to  claim 8  wherein a linear occupation ratio of the glass slats in the width direction of the balustrade, when the balustrade is viewed in elevation view, is not less than about 50% of the width of the balustrade. 
     
     
         16 . The balcony according to  claim 8  wherein the balustrade has a hand rail formed at its upper extremity, the glass slats supporting the hand rail without additional support. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the slats have no enclosed holes formed through them. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the clamping arrangement comprises bolts extending through the spacing gaps between adjacent slats. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 10  where there are provided two or more rows of slats in the balustrade, the rows being offset from each other to be staggered in the forwards and rearwards direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the slats at least partially overlap with each other, so that when one slat is removed from the balustrade to form a breakage gap between adjacent remaining slats, the width of the breakage gap, when viewed in elevation, is less than the slat width.