U.S. patent application number 13/393271 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for barrier improvements.
This patent application is currently assigned to Donald Stewart Napier. Invention is credited to Donald Stewart Napier.
Application Number | 20120168703 13/393271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43498659 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120168703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Napier; Donald Stewart |
July 5, 2012 |
BARRIER IMPROVEMENTS
Abstract
A barrier having an upper elongate support and a lower elongate
support, and a two-wire tensioning assembly with two only
substantially vertical portions extending between the upper and
lower elongate supports, with two wires each attached through a
spreader, the spreader having a threaded aperture and a shaft
threadably engaging the aperture and being positioned to either
directly or indirectly engage a one of the elongate supports, where
rotation of the shaft relative to the spreader will effect a change
in tensioning of both substantially vertical portions of the wires
at the same time.
Inventors: |
Napier; Donald Stewart;
(Adelaide, AU) |
Assignee: |
Napier; Donald Stewart
Surrey Hills
AU
|
Family ID: |
43498659 |
Appl. No.: |
13/393271 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2010/000919 |
371 Date: |
February 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1842 20130101;
F16G 11/12 20130101; E04F 2011/1882 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/37 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/06 20060101
E04H017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2009 |
AU |
2009903388 |
Claims
1. A barrier comprising: an upper elongate support and a lower
elongate support which is parallel to the upper elongate support,
and a two-wire tensioning assembly with two only substantially
vertical portions extending between the upper and lower elongate
supports, there being either one wire being a separate length of
wire having a single length with thereby two respective ends, each
end anchored at a position which is spaced apart one from the
other, one end being secured directly or indirectly to a first of
the elongate supports and the other end being secured to the same
elongate support, one wire between its respective substantially
vertical portions providing a loop portion which is inter-engaging
with either a spreader which engages between the vertical portions
keeping them separate, or the support oppositely positioned to the
spreader, or there being two wires each being a separate length of
wire with one end secured either directly or indirectly to, in each
case, a one of the supports but spaced apart one from the other,
and in the case of the other end in each case, with the other
support either directly or indirectly, and where, by being
indirectly attached, is by being attached through the spreader, the
spreader in every case having a threaded aperture and a shaft
threadably engaging the aperture and being positioned to either
directly or indirectly engage a one of the elongate supports, where
rotation of the shaft relative to the spreader will effect a change
in tensioning of both substantially vertical portions of the wire
or wires at the same time.
2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein each wire at each respective end
is bulbous and as such, is inter-engaging with a respective
aperture either in a one or other of the supports or a one or other
of ends which are oppositely positioned of the spreader.
3. The barrier as in claim 2, wherein each wire is effected as
having a bulbous end by having a ferrule swaged at or close to a
respective end of the respective wire.
4. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the supports is
comprised of a hollow tube.
5. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein the threaded shaft includes at
least at one end, a shape adapted to provide for an interlocking
relationship with a rotation driver.
6. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein such a rotation driver is, in
one case, a spanner, or in another case a screwdriver.
7. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein the lower support is a tubular
member extending cross-wise to the otherwise vertical portions of
the wires, and there is provided a lower most aperture through
which the spreader is adapted to be located.
8. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein there is a pad where the shaft
may be expected to engage against the tube and exert pressure to
maintain the tension.
9. A barrier as in claim 7, wherein there is a guide which fits
within the tube and the spreader being a rectangular member with
elongate sides, has a relatively slidable fit up and down the sides
of the guide.
10. A barrier as in claim 9, wherein the guide is a member having a
U-shape cross-sectional shape and having a length substantially
that of the spreader and having heights of its sides sufficient
that its upper end will be adapted to engage respective inner
surfaces on each side of the pipe forming an either upper or lower
support.
11. A barrier as in claim 10, wherein the guide is held in position
either by rotatable inter-engagement with the shaft or by an
interference fit with an aperture into which it is introduced.
12. A barrier as in claim 1, wherein ends of the wires which are
themselves not inter-engaging with the spreader are effecting an
interlocking engagement with an oppositely positioned support where
there is at least one keyhole having a shape arranged where in one
position with respect to the keyhole, the bulbous end of a wire can
pass through, and in a further position within the keyhole, it is
intercepted from passing there through.
13. A method of effecting a barrier comprising an upper elongate
support and a lower elongate support which is parallel to the upper
elongate support, and a two-wire tensioning assembly with two only
substantially vertical portions extending between the upper and
lower elongate supports, there being either one wire being a
separate length of wire having a single length with thereby two
respective ends, each end anchored at a position which is spaced
apart one from the other, one end being secured directly or
indirectly to a first of the elongate supports and the other end
being secured to the same elongate support, one wire between its
respective substantially vertical portions providing a loop portion
which is inter-engaging with either a spreader which engages
between the vertical portions keeping them separate, or the support
oppositely positioned to the spreader, or there being two wires
each being a separate length of wire with one end secured either
directly or indirectly to, in each case, a one of the supports but
spaced apart one from the other, and in the case of the other end
in each case, with the other support either directly or indirectly,
and where, by being indirectly attached, is by being attached
through the spreader, the spreader in every case having a threaded
aperture and a shaft threadably engaging the aperture and being
positioned to either directly or indirectly engage a one of the
elongate supports, the method comprising: effecting inter-engaging
of the respective ends of the respective wires with the spreader;
and rotating the shaft relative to the spreader whereby to effect
an increase in tension of both substantially vertical portions of
the wire at the same time.
14. A barrier as in claim 8, wherein there is a guide which fits
within the tube and the spreader being a rectangular member with
elongate sides, has a relatively slidable fit up and down the sides
of the guide.
15. A barrier as in claim 9, wherein the guide is held in position
either by rotatable inter-engagement with the shaft or by an
interference fit with an aperture into which it is introduced.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a barrier, parts appropriate for a
barrier, and also a method of constructing a barrier
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I have previously described in patent applications which, to
the best of my knowledge have not become generally known, barriers
with tightening arrangements facilitating vertical wires being
used.
[0003] This invention relates to an improvement to such barriers
and especially to the tightening arrangement for these.
[0004] The advantages in relation to this invention are that it
facilitates an economic arrangement with positive control of a
spreader when effecting either tensioning or loosening of vertical
wires.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one form, the invention can be said to reside in a
barrier comprising or including an upper elongate support and a
lower elongate support which is parallel to the upper elongate
support, and a two-wire tensioning assembly with two only
substantially vertical portions extending between the upper and
lower elongate supports, there being either one wire being a
separate length of wire having a single length with thereby two
respective ends, each end anchored at a position which is spaced
apart one from the other, one end being secured directly or
indirectly to a first of the elongate supports and the other end
being secured to the same elongate support, one wire between its
respective substantially vertical portions providing a loop portion
which is inter-engaging with either a spreader which engages
between the vertical portions keeping them separate, or the support
oppositely positioned to the spreader, or there being two wires
each being a separate length of wire with one end secured either
directly or indirectly to, in each case, a one of the supports but
spaced apart one from the other, and in the case of the other end
in each case, with the other support either directly or indirectly,
and where, by being indirectly attached, is by being attached
through the spreader, the spreader in every case having a threaded
aperture and a shaft threadably engaging the aperture and being
positioned to either directly or indirectly engage a one of the
elongate supports, where rotation of the shaft relative to the
spreader will effect a change in tensioning of both substantially
vertical portions of the wire or wires at the same time.
[0006] In a further form, the invention can reside in a method of
effecting the barrier where the barrier comprises or includes the
characteristics as above stated and where the method includes
effecting inter-engaging of the respective ends of the respective
wires and then rotating the shaft relative to the spreader whereby
to effect an increase in tension of both substantially vertical
portions of the wire or wires at the same time.
[0007] In preference, each of the wire or wires at each respective
end is bulbous and as such, is inter-engaging with a respective
aperture either in a one or other of the supports or a one or other
of ends which are oppositely positioned of the spreader.
[0008] In preference, each wire is effected in having a bulbous end
by having a ferrule swaged at or close to a respective end of the
respective wire.
[0009] In preference, at least one of these supports is comprised
of a hollow tube.
[0010] In preference the hollow tube is selected from a one of
being circular, or square or rectangular in cross section.
[0011] In preference, the threaded shaft includes at least at one
end, a shape adapted to provide for an interlocking relationship
with a rotation driver.
[0012] In preference, such a driver can be in one case a spanner,
or in another case a screwdriver.
[0013] In preference, where the lower support is a tubular member
extending cross-wise to the otherwise vertical portions of the
wires, there is provided a lower most aperture through which the
spreader is adapted to be located.
[0014] One of the advantages of the arrangement described relates
to the problem of providing compact economical tensioning for a
barrier where this barrier is located adjacent a set of stairs.
[0015] The problem with stairs is that the angular relationship of
the rails and in this case elongate supports inclined to the
horizontal might be within the range of anything from 35-45% or
more and hitherto, techniques for providing tensioning of wires
defining a barrier have involved a substantial time and substantial
effort. With this invention the application to stairs is very
useful. If the angle of the stairs increase then the horizontal
distance between wires can be reduced e.g. normally 70 mm but can
be reduced to 60 mm for 40 degrees slope.
[0016] Such substantial time and substantial effort have been
reduced, significantly when using the invention according to its
description.
[0017] It would normally be expected that the threaded shaft that
can be rotated relative to the spreader can be accessed externally
of the elongate support whether this is the upper elongate support
or the lower elongate support. Further however, there is advantage
in providing that, in the case that the upper or lower support is a
tube of circular cross-sectional shape, that the bolt threadably
passing through the spreader will then, in order to effect a
tensioning of the vertical wires effect an engagement against an
inner surface of the tube relating to the spreader.
[0018] In preference, where the shaft may be expected to engage
against the tube and exert pressure to maintain the tension, it is
of advantage to provide a pad so that effectively the end of the
shaft will only indirectly engage against the tube so that the pad
can dissipate the pressure and thereby not necessarily cause any
localised distortion of the engaged surface.
[0019] A further issue however, is that when a spreader is attached
either to the respective ends of two wires by respective
interlocking thereby or by having the loop of a single wire passing
respectively from one side to the other, there can be some
difficulty when this is being subject to a rotational pressure by
rotation of the threaded shaft which in turn then threads and
thereby engages and screws through the spreader.
[0020] In order to restrict relative rotation within the pipe of
the spreader while it is being subject to such rotational pressures
while the bolt is being threaded through this, to effect a
tensioning, there is provided in a further preferred feature, a
guide which can fit and does fit within the tube and is such that
the spreader which will conventionally be a rectangular member with
elongate sides, will fit with a relatively slidable fit up and down
the sides of the guide.
[0021] In one preferred arrangement, the guide is a member having a
U-shape cross-sectional shape and having a length substantially
that of the spreader and having heights of its sides sufficient
that its upper end will be adapted to engage respective inner
surfaces on each side of the pipe forming an either upper or lower
support.
[0022] In preference, the guide can be held in position either/or
by rotatable inter-engagement with the shaft and by an interference
fit with an aperture into which it is introduced.
[0023] In preference, ends of the wires which are themselves not
inter-engaging with the spreader can be effecting an interlocking
engagement with an oppositely positioned support where there is one
or more keyholes where in one position of the keyhole, the bulbous
end of a wire can pass through, and in a further position within
the keyhole, it is intercepted from passing there through.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] For a better understanding of this invention it will now be
described with reference to embodiments which will be described
with the assistance of drawings wherein
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment where the
view shows and effectively transparent circular cross-section pipe
in which the spreader end hits assembly are located within the
pipe.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement as in
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a further embodiment in which
in this case there is no guide included.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an end view of the arrangement as in FIG. 3,
especially the lower part.
[0029] FIG. 5 is the same view as in FIG. 4 with the parts brought
into position within the pipe.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment in which the
elongate support in this case is a U-shaped section in this case
acting as the guide alone with in this case the shaft passing
freely through the guide but being restrained by reason of its head
shape.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates an assembly showing how the lower
elongate support is positioned using the system as shown in FIG. 6
beneath floor decking bopards and by reason of a slot in the upper
end of the shaft can be adjusted in tension by a screwdriver from
above.
[0032] FIG. 8 is the same system as in FIGS. 1 and 2 and there is
now shown in FIG. 9 using upper and lower elongate supports each in
this case tubes especially with the lower support being raised
above ground level. This is very useful for uneven surfaces such as
surrounds for swimming pools.
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a further arrangement in which the lower
tensioning arrangement includes a spreader bar only and there is an
upper elongate support which includes in the first instance a
U-shaped member having in its base a plurality of spaced apart
keyhole apertures, and there is covering this an upper railing.
[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate arrangement for the lower
support is of square cross-sectional shape and where there is an
insert of U-shaped cross-section.
[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates the way in which the lower elongate
support can in fact be secured under the decking boards and hidden
within the rebated floor joists. The wires appear to disappear.
[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates an arrangement which provides for the
tightening to be in an upper elongate support with the spreader end
threaded shaft with the spreader being appropriately threadably
engaging with the shaft, and a lower elongate support having the
keyhole engagements.
[0037] FIG. 14 shows the same arrangement.
[0038] FIG. 15 illustrates how the lower support can be beneath
slats or decking boards of a balcony.
[0039] FIG. 16 is the side elevation of the arrangement showing how
this applies in the case of stairs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Referring in detail to the embodiments and the drawings,
there is provided an upper elongate support and a lower elongate
support each of which can be either permanently supported or
adjustably supported.
[0041] Referring then to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a lower elongate
support 1 which is in the form of a hollow tube and there is
provided through an upper wall of this tube 1 apertures 2 and 3
through which a vertical wire 4 having vertical portions 5 and 6
pass.
[0042] Within the lower elongate member 1 there is a spreader plate
7 which is of rectangular shaped sides and where at each end shown
there is an aperture through which the respective wire 4 can with
respective bulbous portions, pass so that it extends from 1
vertical portion 5 through the aperture 8, beneath the spreader 7
and back through the aperture 9 through the upper aperture in the
lower elongate member 1 at 3 to then form the further vertical
portion 6.
[0043] Tightening or tensioning of the vertical portions 5 and 6 of
the wires is achieved by reason that the threaded bolt 11
threadably engages aperture 12 in the spreader 7 so that relative
rotation of the bolt 11 will effect by reason of relative screw
action between the respective bolt and the aperture, movement of
the spreader relative to the bolt 11.
[0044] The bolt 11 has at its upper end 13 a cowl 14 which is
comprised of a plastics material which has the effect of spreading
engaging pressure from the bolt 11 over a greater area of the wall
of the lower elongate member 1.
[0045] In order to achieve relative alignment of the spreader 7
with respect to the elongate direction E lower elongate member 1,
there is a guide 15 which has parallel side walls 16 and 17 and a
base 18.
[0046] An aperture 19 in the lower side of the elongate member 1
allows for positioning of this guide 15. A cover 20 has an
interlocking fit with the aperture 19 so that once the guide 15
with the remainder of the assembly of the tensioning equipment is
fitted within the tube of the lower elongate support 1, this can
then be effectively closed allowing however an aperture there
through for the bolt 11 and its head 21 to project there below for
access by a spanner in this case. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a
further embodiment where there is an upper elongate support 30, and
a lower elongate support 31.
[0047] The wire 32 has two vertical portions 33 and 34 which at
their upper end are caused to be bulbous by reason of having a
ferrule 35 in one case and 36 in the other assuaged around the
respective ends of the single length of wire 32.
[0048] This single length of wire with its assuaged ends 35 and 36
is located between respective upper elongate support 37 and lower
elongate support 38.
[0049] Each support 37 and 38 in this case are hollow tubes.
[0050] In the case of the upper elongate support 37, there are
keyhole apertures at 39 and 40 which allow in one position the
bulbous end of the single wire 32 to pass through the wall of the
tube of the upper elongate support 37 and then by lateral movement
enter a position where this will no longer then pass in that
position through the wall.
[0051] The tensioning of the single wire 32 in this case is now
further achieved by a threaded shaft 41 which threadably engages
with a spreader 42 which in turn has end apertures 43 and 44 by
which the single length of wire 32 is threaded and such that by
downward pressure on the spreader 42, this will exert tensioning
pressure on the respective vertical portions 33 and 34.
[0052] In this case, there is no guide as in the first embodiment
but the cap 45 fits with engaging fit the rectangular aperture 46
in the lower side of the lower elongate support 38.
[0053] As will now again be seen, relative rotation of the threaded
shaft which has a hexagonal head better shown perhaps in FIGS. 4
and 5, this will effect a relative movement of the spreader 42 with
respect to the cap 47.
[0054] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a further support arrangement in
which the lower elongate support is in the form of decking slates
50 and 51 leaving between them a slot 52.
[0055] Beneath this slot 52 is a rectangular channel 53 which has a
spreader bar 54 through which wire 55 is threaded and there is a
threaded shaft 56 which threadably engages the spreader 54.
[0056] A slot 57 is located in the top of the threaded shaft 56 to
enable adjustment of the arrangement by use of typically a
screwdriver through the slot 52.
[0057] In this case, there is a head 58 which is wider than an
aperture 59 so that relative rotation of the threaded shaft 56 can
result in lessening the distance between the head 58 and the
threaded aperture of the spreader 54 through which the threaded
shaft 56 is engaging.
[0058] The channel 53 in this case has a base 60 and sides 61 and
62 which are held by appropriate joists of a balcony system.
[0059] The whole assembly can now be seen generally in FIG. 7 where
there is an upper elongate member 63 and a corner post in this case
64.
[0060] In a further iteration of this arrangement, in FIG. 9 which
is a further embodiment, there is an upper elongate support 70, a
lower elongate support 71 and these are in turn kept separate by
intermediate posts 72 and 73 and by end posts 74 and 75.
[0061] In this case, as has been shown previously however, the
tightening arrangement is again as shown in FIG. 8 where there is a
spreader inter-engaging with a respective wire 77, the lower
elongate support 78 being a hollow tube and having a guide 79 with
a threaded shaft 80 threadably engaging the spreader 76. Various
embodiments within the general concept can be now incorporated for
instance as in FIG. 10, the upper elongate support in this case is
a U shaped tube 90 and in this case this is covered by a wooden
moulding 91.
[0062] In FIG. 11, the lower elongate support 92 which is raised
above a ground level includes a tube which is of square cross
sectional shape.
[0063] In this case there are a plurality of apertures shown
typically at 94 through an upper side 95 of the square cross
section tube 93.
[0064] In each case again, there is both for the embodiment shown
in FIG. 10 and in FIG. 11 vertical wire portions 96 which are
tensioned by a spreader 97 in which there is a central threaded
shaft 98 threadably engaging the spreader 97 and thereby exerting
effective tension for the reason that the vertical wire portions
are threaded in this case through the respective outer holes 99 of
the spreader 97.
[0065] Relative rotation of the threaded shaft 98 will effect
pressure against the upper end of the shaft against the upper side
of the lower elongate support 92.
[0066] FIG. 12 illustrates a further installation arrangement in
which the lower elongate support shown at 100 is affixed to extend
across and above the floor 101 of a balcony.
[0067] While we have shown hitherto in the embodiments the examples
in each case where the tensioning is effected by having the
tensioning system with the spreader in the lower elongate support,
it is appropriate in some cases to have this tensioning positioned
as a part of the upper elongate support.
[0068] FIG. 13 shows where an elongate member of U shape cross
section at 103 has the appropriate apertures by which the wire
portions shown typically at 104 can pass there through and a
threaded shaft 105 threadably engages a spreader 106. In this case
the threaded shaft 105 having a hexagonal head at its lower end at
107 which is indeed a hexagonal nut screwed onto a lower end of the
threaded shaft 105 with a screw thread oppositely handed to a
remainder of the thread where for instance it threadably engages
the spreader 106 so that an aperture in the base of the right angle
member 103 rotatably retains the threaded shaft 105.
[0069] It is in this way then, that by rotation of the hexagonal
nut acting as a head 107 can be rotated in a direction opposite to
that by which it would be unthreaded from the shaft, and this then
will effect tension through the spreader 106 to the respective
vertical wire portions 104.
[0070] Examples of the lower elongate member can include then 108
which is a circular tube with keyhole apertures shown typically at
109 which is positioned above a floor level by being secured at
each end to a post such as 110.
[0071] In a further instance this lower elongate member can be a
square cross sectional shape shown at 111, and in a further
instance, it can be positioned below flooring boards shown
typically at 112 in FIG. 15 by having the wire portions 113 pass
between a gap 114 into keyhole slots in upper side of the
rectangular cross sectional shaped cube 115. The concept of using a
positive threaded engagement of a spreader ensures that the control
of the spreader is more positive and it also is of assistance where
an upper and/or lower elongate support is not necessarily at right
angles to the alignment of the wire portions.
[0072] This is the case for instance where stairs might be involved
and in FIG. 16, we have the case where there are stairs 120 with an
upper elongate support 121 and a lower elongate support 122 both
being parallel to each other but being supported so as to be
inclined to horizontal alignment but being able to provide
tensioned and compact support for a plurality of vertically aligned
wires where the wire portions are shown typically at 123.
[0073] In each case shown schematically there is a spreader 124
which is positively threadably engaged by a threaded shaft and the
spreader itself holds the wire portions in a way that allows these
to be tensioned but maintains the advantages of the compactness and
economy of the tensioning system as generally previously
illustrated.
[0074] A spreader and threaded shaft can be positioned in either an
upper rail or a lower rail and for instance can be positioned in an
upper hollow stair rail as an example.
* * * * *