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EP 0 263 600 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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24.04.1991 Bulletin 1991/17 |
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Date of filing: 09.09.1987 |
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Spiral staircase
Wendeltreppe
Escalier en spirale
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE FR GB IT NL |
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Priority: |
07.10.1986 GB 8624055
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Date of publication of application: |
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13.04.1988 Bulletin 1988/15 |
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Proprietor: LEWES DESIGN CONTRACTS LIMITED |
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Glynde
Lewes
Sussex BN7 8SS (GB) |
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Inventor: |
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- Kenndy, Tyl O'Brien
Glyne
East Sussex (GB)
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Representative: Boyes, Kenneth Aubrey et al |
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Frank B. Dehn & Co.
179 Queen Victoria Street GB-London EC4V 4EL GB-London EC4V 4EL (GB) |
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References cited: :
EP-A- 0 195 666 DE-A- 2 259 211 DE-A- 3 406 944 GB-A- 1 428 959 US-A- 4 193 585
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CH-A- 598 447 DE-A- 2 623 483 FR-A- 2 206 771 US-A- 3 401 910
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] This invention relates to spiral staircases.
[0002] Conventionally handrails for spiral staircases are of two forms. Firstly steel or
aluminium core rails are known which are welded or bolted to the tops of the balusters
and capped with various thermo-plastic cappings, the capping being heated to soften
the plastics material and then fitted onto the core rail. The making of such core
rails is a slow operation and the appearance of the finished plastic rail is not very
pleasing.
[0003] Also known are tubular metal rails which are favoured for their comfort in use but
are notoriously difficult to form and fix neatly. Usually the tubular handrail is
bent in rollers, the shape being judged by eye, or in a mock-up jig, then the underside
of the rail has to be accurately marked out for the position of each junction with
a baluster, the connections being made by bolting or welding. This procedure is very
time consuming and requires great skill to achieve a professional result.
[0004] A flexible tubular handrail clamped to a baluster is also known from DE 2259211.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a handrail for a spiral staircase
which is easy to shape and to fit to the balusters.
[0006] Thus according to the invention there is provided a handrail for a spiral staircase,
said handrail being of tubular flexible construction able to assume its required shape
without preforming, together with clamping means mountable to the ends of the balusters
of a spiral staircase and engageable with the flexible tubular handrail at any desired
position along its length to clamp the handrail in position to the balusters characterised
in that the handrail comprises a flexible spirally-wound metal tube having a narrow
spiral groove and that each clamping means includes a loop of wire or cable accommodatable
by passing over or around the handrail within the narrow spiral groove in the handrail
and tensionable by suitable means to clamp the handrail in position.
[0007] The invention thus avoids the need to preform handrails to the required shape and
accurately to mark out the underside of the rails for each junction with a baluster.
Furthermore, use of a loop of wire or cable accommodatable within a narrow spiral
groove in the handrail enables clamping to be achieved without creating any obstruction
to a hand passing over the surface of the handrail and a neat and attractive fixing
can be obtained.
[0008] The handrail according to the invention may comprise multiple tubular members one
sliding within the other. Thus, for example, the handrail preferably comprises a flexible
spirally-wound metal tube of essentially known construction e.g. that used in car
exhausts or shower hand sets, although made to the desired size and stiffness, and
reinforced with an inner flexible plastic tube e.g. an ALCATHENE (Trade Mark) tube.
Indeed, over any straight run of the flexible tubular handrail it may be reinforced
with a rigid metal tube. The ends of the tube can be capped to provide a neat appearance.
[0009] The clamping means may take various forms. Preferably the clamping means include
supports, each mountable to the end of a baluster as by bolts or screws so as to be
pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the baluster and
to the axis of the tubular rail.
[0010] Preferably each support defines a cradle to receive and locate the tubular handrail.
Thus each support may comprise two angled brackets, positionable back-to-back on opposite
sides of the end of a baluster to define a generally Y-shaped support.
[0011] Tubular balusters may be provided, the ends to which the clamping. means are to be
mounted being flattened and drilled to take a fixing bolt or screw also serving as
a pivot.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment the clamping means is so constructed that the act of mounting
the clamping means to the baluster serves to tension the aforesaid elongate flexible
member around the handrail. Thus, for example with a support formed of two angled
brackets and a closed cable loop engageable with both brackets and passable over or
around the handrail, the length of the loop is such that upon the brackets being bolted
or screwed to the baluster the cable loop already in position is put under tension
and the fixing is complete.
[0013] The handrail being flexible and in need of alignment it is desirable that the connection
between the vertical baluster and the outer ends of the stair treads provide for vertical
adjustment of the balusters relative to the stair treads. One suitable form of baluster
mounting bracket is discussed in our European Patent Application No. 86302032.7 dated
19th March 1986 in connection with an embodiment of the present invention described
hereinafter.
[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-
Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a section of handrail, the upper
end of a baluster and the clamping means,
Figure 2 is an end elevation of handrail, clamping means and baluster and also illustrating
in partial cross-section the interconnection between the baluster and the tread of
a staircase, and
Figure 3 is a scrap plan view partially in section illustrating the connection between
the baluster and tread.
Figures 4 and 5 are side elevation views of an alternative interconnection between
the baluster and tread.
Figure 6 is a plan view, in cross section, of the alternative interconnection between
baluster and tread.
[0015] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a handrail 1, clamping
means 2, baluster 3, tread 4 and mounting bracket 5 connecting the baluster to the
tread. As will be described hereafter the connection between the mounting bracket
5 and the tread 4 readily allows for vertical adjustment of the baluster thus enabling
the handrail 1 to be correctly aligned after having been connected to the balusters
3.
[0016] The handrail 1 is a spirally-wound metal tube of known construction and sold in different
sizes for different purposes under the name "Tubelock" by TI Flexible Tubes Limited.
For this purpose the tube is made of a size suitable to serve as a handrail and is
reasonably stiff, consistent with being able to take up the required spiral shape
without difficulty. This construction has a narrow spiral groove 6 on the outer surface
and this is utilised by the clamping means 2 as described hereafter. Also illustrated
is an inner stiffening sleeve or tube 7 for the handrail 1. The tube 7 is a sliding
fit within the outer spirally-wound handrail 1.
[0017] The clamping means 2 comprises a support 8 and an endless loop 9 of stainless steel
cable. The support 8 comprises two angle brackets 10 positionable on opposite sides
of a flattened end 11 of a baluster 3 and drilled, as is the baluster, to enable the
brackets to be screwed together and pivotably mounted to the end of the baluster 3.
So assembled the brackets define a generally Y-shaped cradle or support which receives
and locates the handrail 1.
[0018] On the inner faces of the outwardly angled arms of the brackets 10 are provided pairs
of headed studs 12. The loop 9 is looped around the studs 12 of each bracket 10 and
is passed over the handrail 1, the two runs of the loop being located in the groove
6. The cable loop 9 therefore does not stand proud of the outer surface of the handrail.
The length of the loop is such that as the brackets 10 are presented on opposite sides
of the end 11 of the baluster 3 and screwed together and to the baluster, the cable
is automatically pulled tight and forces the handrail into place on the cradle support
8 provided by the clamping means 2.
[0019] Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the interconnection between the balusters 3 and the
treads 4 will be described. Each tread 4 is provided with nosing or lipping 25. This
lipping has a generally T-shaped channel formed therein as is clearly visible in Fig.
2. The lipping 25 includes a projecting rib 26 which engages a mating slot cut in
the tread whereby the lipping 25 can be firmly secured to the tread 4. The mounting
bracket 5 for attaching each baluster 3 to a tread 4 comprises two parts 31, 32 cut
from an extruded profile and a grub screw 33. A circular hole 34 is formed in each
of the parts 31, 32 to provide collars which are a sliding fit with the end of a baluster
5. Each mounting bracket part 31, 32 is also provided with a machined slot 35 which
is formed in the rectangular end thereof so that with the parts positioned one above
the other the slots, in use, respectively receive one of two engaging portions 36,
37 of the T-shaped channel in the lipping 25 and are then slidable together in the
channel. The part 31 which is to be disposed uppermost in use is also provided with
a tapped hole 38 which receives the grub screw 33.
[0020] In order to secure a baluster 3 to a tread 4, the two metal parts 31, 32 are placed
one above the other with their respective holes 34 aligned and their respective machined
slots 35 facing oppositely. The baluster 3 extends through both collars. The grub
screw 33 is partially screwed into the hole in the upper part 31, but not sufficiently
for it to extend completely therethrough. The slotted ends of the parts 31, 32 when
overlying one another are trapped within the channel of the lipping 25 but can be
slid along the channel. The grub screw 33 is then turned to force the two parts 31,
32 apart.
[0021] The movement apart of the rectangular portions of the parts 31, 32 will be limited
by the channel in the lipping 7, and continued tightening of the grub screw will cause
the collars to diverge and thus wedge on the baluster 3. Sufficient tightening of
the grub screw will cause the baluster to be friction held in the collars of the parts
31, 32 and thus prevented from vertical movement.
[0022] It will be appreciated that by slackening off the grub screw 33 the height of the
baluster is readily adjustable. Thus the flexible handrail can be correctly aligned
without difficulty.
[0023] The aforesaid interconnection between the balusters 3 and the treads 4 is as described
in our European patent application No. 86302032.7 dated March 19, 1986. This application
also describes an advantageous means of attaching the spiral staircase treads or their
mounting brackets to a central support column of a spiral staircase although of course
other conventional means may be used for this purpose.
[0024] An alternative interconnection between the balusters 3 and treads 4 is illustrated
in Figures 4, 5 and 6. A rail 41 of an all metal stair tread, formed with a generally
T-shaped channel, is attached to the outer edge of the tread 4. The baluster mounting
bracket includes an elongate member 40 comprising a T-shaped end part 40a, a central
collar part 40b and an opposite apertured end part 40c and clamping means in the form
of a screw or bolt 42 and a nut or threaded block 43. T-shaped end part 40a slidably
engages the T-shaped channel and extends substantially perpendicular to the rail 41,
the curved collar part 40b embraces the baluster 3, and end part 40c extending parallel
to rail 41 has a hole 44 therethrough into which a screw or bolt 42 is inserted and
which engaged with threaded block 43 slidably trapped within rail 41.
[0025] In order to secure a baluster 3 to a tread 4, the nut or block 43 is inserted into
the end of the rail 41 and moved along into the required position. The T-shaped end
part 40a of member 40 is engaged with the rail, whilst collar part 40b embraces the
baluster and the screw or bolt 42 can be inserted through the hole 44 in the end part
40c to be received by the nut or threaded block 43. As the screw or bolt 42 is tightened
the nut or block 43 is brought up into contact with inner rim of the channel while
the straight section of the collar 40 is brought nearer into contact with the rail
41, clamping the baluster 3 to the tread 4.
[0026] Slackening of the screw or bolt 42 releases the baluster 3, and allows the height
to be easily and simply adjusted. Similarly the position of the baluster and mounting
bracket along the edge of the tread 4 may be adjusted upon slackening.
[0027] This arrangement is potentially more robust than the previous interconnection described,
and may be used in cases where greater stresses may be anticipated as for example
with spiral staircases designed for outside use.
1. A handrail (1) for a spiral staircase, said handrail being of tubular flexible
construction able to assume its required shape without preforming, together with clamping
means (2) mountable to the ends of the balusters (3) of a spiral staircase and engageable
with the flexible tubular handrail (1) at any desired position along its length to
clamp the handrail (1) in position to the balusters (3) characterised in that the
handrail (1) comprises a flexible spirally-wound metal tube having a narrow spiral
groove (6) and that each clamping means (2) includes a loop of wire or cable (9) accommodatable
by passing over or around the handrail within the narrow spiral groove (6) in the
handrail and tensionable by suitable means (8,10) to clamp the handrail in position.
2. A handrail as claimed in claim 1, comprising multiple tubular members (1,7), one
slidable within the other.
3. A handrail as claimed in claim 2 comprising an external spirally-wound metal tube
(1) reinforced with an inner flexible plastic tube (7).
4. A handrail as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said clamping means includes
supports (8) each mountable to the end of a baluster (3) so as to be pivotable about
an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the baluster and to the axis of
the handrail.
5. A handrail as claimed in claim 4 wherein each support (8) defines a cradle to receive
and locate the handrail.
6. A handrail as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein each support (8) comprises two angled
brackets (10), positionable back-to-back on opposite sides of the end of a baluster
to define a generally Y-shaped support.
7. A handrail as claimed in any preceding claim so constructed that the act of mounting
the clamping means (2) to a baluster (3) serves to tension the loop of wire or cable
(9) around the handrail (1).
8. A spiral staircase having a handrail as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7.
9. A spiral staircase as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a baluster mounting
bracket (40), said bracket including an elongate member comprising an end part (40a)
adapted to be slidably mounted in a channel or groove provided in the outer edge of
a stair tread (4), a central collar part (40b) slidably engagable with a vertical
baluster (3), the other end part (40c) of said member being adapted to be clamped
to said channel or groove, and clamping means (42,43,44) for clamping said other end
part of said elongate member to said channel or groove thereby to clamp said baluster
(3) to the stairtread (4).
1. Rampe (1) d'escalier en colimaçon, la rampe ayant une construction tubulaire flexible
et pouvant prendre la configuration nécessaire sans mise en forme préalable, en coopération
avec un dispositif de serrage (2) destiné à être monté aux extrémités des balustres
(3) d'un escalier en colimaçon et à coopérer avec la rampe tubulaire flexible (1)
à un emplacement voulu quelconque de sa longueur afin que la rampe (1) soit serrée
en position sur les balustres (3), caractérisée en ce que la rampe (1) comprend un
tube métallique flexible spiralé ayant une étroite gorge hélicoïdale (6), et en ce
que chaque dispositif de serrage (2) comporte une boucle de fil métallique ou de câble
(9) destinée à passer autour de la rampe ou sur celle-ci dans l'étroite gorge hélicoïdale
(6) formée dans la rampe et destinée à être tendue par un dispositif convenable (8,
10) qui assure le serrage de la rampe en position.
Rampe selon la revendication 1, comprenant plusieurs organes tubulaires (1, 7) qui
peuvent glisser l'un dans l'autre.
Rampe selon la revendication 2, comprenant un tube métallique externe spiralé (1)
renforcé par un tube flexible interne (7) de matière plastique.
Rampe selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle le dispositif
de serrage comprend des supports (8) destinés chacun à être monté à l'extrémité d'un
balustre (3) afin qu'il puisse pivoter autour d'un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal
du balustre et à l'axe de la rampe.
Rampe selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle chaque support (8) forme un berceau
destiné à loger et positionner la rampe.
Rampe selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans laquelle chaque support (8) comprend deux
pattes de support (10) pliées destinées à être placées dos à dos de part et d'autre
de l'extrémité d'un balustre afin qu'elles délimitent un support ayant une forme générale
en Y.
Rampe selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, réalisée de manière que
l'axe de montage du dispositif de serrege (2) sur un balustre (3) assure la mise sous
tension de la boucle de fil ou de câble (9) autour de la rampe (1).
Escalier en colimaçon ayant une rampe selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 7.
Escalier en colimaçon selon la revendication 8, comprenant en outre un support (40)
de montage de balustre, ce support comportant un organe allongé comprenant une partie
d'extrémité (40a) destinée à être montée par coulissement dans un canal ou une gorge
formé au bord externe d'une marche d'escalier (4), une partie centrale (40b) de collier
destinée à coopérer par coulissement avec un balustre vertical (3), l'autre partie
d'extrémité (40c) de l'organe étant destinée à être serrée contre le canal ou la gorge,
et un dispositif (42, 43, 44) de serrage de l'autre partie d'extrémité de l'organe
allongé sur le canal ou la gorge afin que le balustre (3) soit serré contre la marche
d'escalier (4).
1. Handlauf (1) für eine Wendeltreppe, der rohrförmig flexibel ausgebildet ist, um
ohne Vorformung eine geforderte Gestalt annehmen zu können, wobei eine an den Enden
von Geländerpfosten (3) der Wendeltreppe montierbare Klemmeinrichtung (2) an jeder
gewünschten Stelle längs des flexiblen rohrförmigen Handlaufes (1) mit diesem in Eingriff
zu treten vermag, um den Handlauf (1) in seiner Stellung an den Geländerpfosten (3)
zu halten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Handlauf (1) ein flexibles, spiralförmig
gewundenes Metallrohr mit einer schmalen Spiralnut (6) umfaßt, und daß jede Klemmeinrichtung
(2) eine Draht-oder Kabelschleife (9) enthält, die auf dem Handlauf in die schmale
spiralförmige Nut (6) einsetzbar und zur Festklemmung des Handlaufs in seiner Stellung
durch eine geeignete Einrichtung (8, 10) spannbar ist.
2. Handlauf nach Anspruch 1 mit Mehrfachrohrelementen (1, 7), die ineinander gleiten
können.
3. Handlauf nach Anspruch 2 mit einem externen, spiralförmig gewundenen Metallrohr
(11), das durch ein inneres flexibles Kunststoffrohr (7) verstärkt ist.
4. Handlauf nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 3, bei dem die Klemmeinrichtung Halterungen
(8) enthält, die jeweils an einem Ende eines Geländerpfostens (3) so montierbar sind,
daß sie um eine zur Längsachse des Geländerpfostens und zur Achse des Handlaufs senkrechter
Achse schwenkbar ist.
5. Handlauf nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Halterungen (8) jeweils eine Gabel zur Aufnahme
und zum Einstellen des Handlaufes definieren.
6. Handlauf nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, bei dem die Halterungen (8) jeweils zwei abgewinkelte
Bügel (10) umfassen, die auf entgegengesetzten Seiten des Endes eines Geländerpfostens
zur Bildung einer generell Y-förmigen Halterung mit ihren Rückseiten zueinander einstellbar
sind.
7. Handlauf nach den vorhergehenden Ansprüchen, der so ausgebildet ist, daß die Montage
der Klemmeinrichtung (2) an einem Geländerpfosten (3) zur Spannung der Draht- oder
Kabelschleife (9) auf dem Handlauf (1) dient.
8. Wendeltreppe mit einem Handlauf nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 7.
9. Wendeltreppe nach Anspruch 8 mit einer Geländerpfosten-Montageklammer (40), die
folgende Komponenten aufweist: ein langgestrecktes Element mit einem Endteil (40a),
das gleitend in einem Kanal bzw. einer Nut in der Außenseite einer Treppenstufe (4)
montierbar ist, eine gleitend mit einem vertikalen Geländerpfosten (3) in Eingriff
tretende zentrale Schelle (40b), eine Einklemmöglichkeit des anderen Endteils (40c)
des Elementes in den Kanal bzw. die Nut und eine Klemmeinrichtung (42, 43, 44) zum
Einklemmen des anderen Endteils des langgestreckten Elementes in den Kanal bzw. in
die Nut zwecks Anklemmens des Geländerpfostens (3) an die Treppenstufe (4).
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