Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BALUSTRADES
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector for
connecting a wire to a balustrade rail. The present
invention also relates to a method for forming balustrades
and a balustrade kit.
Background of the Invention
Balustrades may be formed with tensioned wires
(usually of a high tensile strength metal such as
stainless steel) extending vertically or horizontally
between top and bottom rails or side rails respectively.
Constructing the balustrades with the tensioned wires is a
time consuming process. Typically it requires pushing one
wire at a time trough an aperture in the upper rail or one
of the side rails until the wire extends out the end of
that rail, attaching a connector to the end of the wire
having a head portion of greater diameter than the
diameter of the aperture and drawing the wire back through
the aperture until the connector head portion abuts the
inner surface of the rail about the aperture. This process
is repeated for all the wires. The wires are then each cut
to length and connected to the opposing bottom or side
rail in a similar manner. Once connected to the rails, the
wires are subsequently tensioned by spacing apart the
rails.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a connector for connecting a
wire to a balustrade rail, the connector comprising:
a tubular body for receipt therein of a wire end
portion and for positioning in the rail through a rail
aperture;
an opening in the tubular body for the wire to
extend from the connector when the wire end portion is
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located in the tubular body; and
a deflector for deflecting the wire at an angle
to the wire end portion which is held in the tubular body,
when the wire is under tension.
In an embodiment, the tubular body is
cylindrical.
However, in other embodiments, the tubular body
may be square or rectangular in cross-section or any other
shape as desired.
The tubular body may be open or may be closed at
its ends.
Preferably, the tubular body has a diameter which
is less than the diameter of the rail aperture.
Preferably, the tubular body has a length which
is greater than the diameter of the rail aperture.
In an embodiment, the tubular body is straight.
In another embodiment, the tubular body is bent.
in an embodiment, the tubular body comprises a
first portion and a second portion.
In an embodiment, the first and second portions
are axially aligned.
In another embodiment, the second portion is bent
with respect to the first portion.
In an embodiment, the second portion is curved.
In an embodiment, the tubular body also comprises
a middle portion, the first and second portions arranged
either side of the middle portion.
In an embodiment, the first portion defines a
closed space in which the wire end portion may be
received.
The opening is preferably a lateral opening in
the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the opening is formed at least
in part, in the middle portion.
In an embodiment, the opening comprises an
aperture.
In an embodiment, the connector aperture is
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formed in a middle portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the first and second portions
of the tubular body are located on either side of the
connector aperture.
In another embodiment, the opening comprises a
cut-away portion of the tubular body.
in an embodiment, the cut-away portion extends
between an end of the tubular body and the middle portion
of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the cut-away portion is formed
at least in part in the second portion of the tubular
body.
In an embodiment, the deflector deflects the wire
at least 301, more preferably at least 60 , more
preferably approximately perpendicular to the wire end
portion when the wire is under tension.
in an embodiment, the deflector also deflects the
wire at an angle which is preferably at least 30 , more
preferably at least 60 , more preferably approximately
perpendicular to the first portion of the tubular body
when the wire is under tension.
In an embodiment, the deflector is located in
the middle portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the deflector comprises the
edge of the opening.
In an embodiment, the deflector comprises the rim
of the connector aperture.
In another embodiment, the deflector comprises
the edge of the cut-away portion at the middle portion of
the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the connector also comprises a
retainer for retaining the wire end portion in the tubular
body.
in an embodiment, the retainer comprises a
deformable portion of the tubular body.
Preferably, the deformable portion is enabled to
deform about the wire end portion.
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in an embodiment, at least a part of the first
portion of the tubular body comprises the deformable
portion.
In an embodiment, the deformable portion is
deformable under a crimping action.
In another embodiment, the wire end portion is
retained in the tubular body by formation of a bond
between the wire end portion and the tubular body.
The bond may be formed by application of an
adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering such as silver
soldering or by any other suitable method.
in an embodiment, the bond may be formed by
deforming, preferably by crimping, a deformable portion of
the tubular body.
Application of an adhesive, welding, brazing,
soldering may occur in combination with deformation of the
deformable portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the deflector also comprises a
guide for guiding deflection of the wire by the deflector,
when the wire is under tension.
In an embodiment, the guide is located proximate
to the opening in the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the guide comprises a
projection, projecting from the tubular body.
Preferably, the projection provides a surface
along which a portion of the wire which is adjacent to the
wire end portion may abut when the wire is under tension.
In an embodiment, the surface of the projection
along which the wire abuts is at least in part curved,
preferably in the direction of deflection.
in an embodiment, the projection is locatable in
the rail aperture after the tubular body has been
positioned in the rail.
In an embodiment, the connector is formed of a
metal, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium or any
other suitable metal.
In another embodiment, the connector is formed of
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a plastic, preferably a hard plastic.
According to a second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a connector for connecting a
wire to a balustrade rail, the connector comprising:
a tubular body for receipt therein of a wire end
portion and for positioning in the rail through a rail
aperture;
an opening in the tubular body for the wire to
extend from the connector when the wire end portion is
located in the tubular body; and
at least one protrusion, protruding from the
tubular body for abutting an internal surface of the rail
to act against the connector being removed from the rail
when the wire is under tension.
In an embodiment, the at least one protrusion
protrudes laterally from the tubular body.
In another embodiment, the connector comprises
one protrusion which protrudes parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the connector comprises two
protrusions, protruding laterally from either side of the
tubular body, preferably perpendicular to the tubular
body.
The at least one protrusion may be of any shape
as desired.
Where the connector comprises more than one
protrusion, they may have the same shape and size, but may
not be.
The at least one protrusion is located toward an
end of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the opening is a lateral
opening in the tubular body.
in another embodiment, the opening comprises an
end aperture located in an end of the tubular body.
In this embodiment, the at least one protrusion
is preferably located towards the opening.-
In an embodiment, the connector also comprises a
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projection, projecting from the tubular body and locatable
in the rail aperture after the tubular body has been
positioned in the rail.
In an embodiment, the projection is formed
proximate to the opening.
In an embodiment, the projection projects
laterally from the tubular body.
In another embodiment, the projection projects
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the projection has a curved
inner surface against which the wire under tension may
abut. In this embodiment, the projection provides a guide
for guiding any deflection of the wire, when the wire is
under tension.
In an embodiment, the connector also comprises a
retainer for retaining the wire end portion in the tubular
body.
In an embodiment, the retainer comprises a
deformable portion of the tubular body.
Preferably, the deformable portion is enabled to
deform about the wire end portion.
in another embodiment, the wire end portion is
retained in the tubular body by formation of a bond
between the wire end portion and the tubular body.
The bond may be formed by application of an
adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering such as silver
soldering or by any other suitable method.
In an embodiment, the bond may be formed by
deforming, preferably by crimping, a deformable portion of
the tubular body.
Application of an adhesive, welding, brazing,
soldering may occur in combination with deformation of the
deformable portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the connector is formed of a
metal, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium or any
other suitable metal.
In another embodiment, the connector is formed of
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a plastic, preferably a hard plastic.
According to a third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a balustrade kit comprising:
at least two rails;
a plurality of wires for extending between, the
rails; and
a plurality of connectors for connecting the
wires to the rails, wherein at least oxy,e of the connectors
is a connector according to either the first or second
aspect of the present invention.
Preferably, some of the connectors are connectors
according to the first and/or second aspects, more
preferably most of the cora,nectors, most preferably all of
the connectors.
In an embodiment, the rails are top and bottom
rails. Thus, in this embodiment, the wires are arranged
vertically when the balustrade is formed.
In another embodiment, the rails are opposing
side rails. Thus, this embodiment, the wires are arranged
horizontally when the balustrade is formed.
in an embodiment, each rail has a plurality of
apertures formed therein.
Preferably, each connector is to be inserted
through one of the rail apertures to connect one of the
wires to one of the rails.
In an embodiment, each rail has a space therein
for receipt of the connectors through the rail apertures,
and preferably with one of the wires connected to each of
the connectors.
In an embodiment, each rail comprises a tubular
member. The tubular members may be circular, square,
rectangular or any other shape as desired in cross-
section.
In another embodiment, each rail comprises a U-
shaped member, wherein the space in which the connectors
are received is readily accessible.
In this embodiment, each rail also comprises a
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cover plate for engaging the U-shaped member to form a
tube.
Each cover plate may slideably engage its
respective U-shaped member.
Each cover plate may have a snap-fit engagement
with its respective U-shaped member.
in an embodiment, the balustrade kit also
comprises at least one post for the rails to be mounted
to.
According to a fourth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for forming a
balustrade, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting a wire end portion into the tubular
body of a connector according to the first aspect of the
present invention prior to;
(b) retaining the wire end portion in the tubular
body prior to;
(c) inserting the tubular body, with the wire end
portion inserted and retained therein, into a balustrade
rail through an aperture in the rail prior to;
(d) providing a tensioning force on the wire.
In an embodiment, the step of inserting the wire
end portion into the tubular body comprises inserting the
wire end portion through the lateral opening in the
tubular body.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
using the retainer to retain the wire end portion in the
tubular body.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body about
the wire end portion.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
crimping a portion of the tubular body about the wire end
portion, preferably the deformable portion.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
forming a bond between the wire end portion and the
tubular body.
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Forming the bond may involve applying an
adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering such as silver
soldering or any other suitable method.
In an embodiment, forming the bond comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, forming the bond comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body in
combination with any one or more of applying an adhesive,
welding, brazing or soldering.
In an embodiment, the step of inserting the
tubular body into the balustrade rail comprises inserting
the tubular body into a space in the rail.
Preferably, the space in the rail is of
sufficient size to enable the length of the tubular body
to be inserted into the rail through the rail aperture.
in an embodiment, during the step of inserting
the tubular body into the balustrade rail, the
longitudinal extent of the wire is substantially parallel
to the longitudinal extent of the tubular body, in
particular the first portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, during the step of inserting
the tubular body into the balustrade rail, the
longitudinal extent of the wire is substantially axially
aligned with the longitudinal extent of the tubular body,
in particular the first portion of the tubular body.
In the embodiment where the opening in the
tubular body comprises an aperture, the step of inserting
the tubular body into the balustrade rail may comprise
holding a portion of the wire against an outer surface of
a portion of the tubular body during this step.
In the embodiment where the opening comprises a
cut-away portion of the tubular body, the step of
inserting the tubular body into the balustrade rail may
comprise holding a portion of the wire against a surface
of the cut-away portion during this step.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes portions of the
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tubular body to abut an inner surface of the rail,
preferably the first and second portions either side of
the rail aperture, respectively.
In another embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the second portion to
abut an inner surface of the rail, either side of the rail
aperture.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the wire to be
deflected by the deflector at an angle to the wire end
portion.
in an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the wire to be
deflected by the deflector at an angle to the longitudinal
extent of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the guide to be
located in the rail aperture.
In an embodiment, the method also comprises the
step of adjusting the length of the wire.
In an embodiment, the step of adjusting the
length of the wire comprises cutting the wire to the
required length.
The step of adjusting the length of the wire may
occur before or after steps (a) to (d).
In an embodiment, the method also comprises
repeating steps (a) to (d) for a plurality of wires and
for two or more rails, using a plurality of connectors
according to the first aspect of the present invention to
form the balustrade.
According to a fifth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for forming a
balustrade, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting a wire end portion into the tubular
body of a connector according to the second aspect of the
present invention prior to;
(b) retaining the wire end portion in the tubular
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body prior to;
(c) inserting the tubular body, with the wire end
portion inserted and retained therein, into a balustrade
rail through an aperture in the rail prior to;
(d) providing a tensioning force on the wire.
In an embodiment, the step of inserting the wire
end portion into the tubular body comprises inserting the
wire end portion through the opening in the tubular body.
in an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
using the retainer to retain the wire end portion in the
tubular body.
in an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body about
the wire end portion.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
crimping a portion of the tubular body about the wire end
portion, preferably the deformable portion.
In an embodiment, the step of retaining comprises
forming a bond between the wire end portion and the
tubular body.
Forming the bond may involve applying an
adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering such as silver
soldering or any other suitable method.
In an embodiment, forming the bond comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body.
In an embodiment, forming the bond comprises
deforming the deformable portion of the tubular body in
combination with any one or more of applying an adhesive,
welding, brazing or soldering.
In an embodiment, the step of inserting the
tubular body into the balustrade rail comprises inserting
the tubular body into a space in the rail.
Preferably, the space in the rail is of
sufficient size to enable the length of the tubular body
to be inserted into the rail through the rail aperture.
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in an embodiment, the step of inserting
comprises rotating the tubular body to enable the at least
one protrusion to clear the rail aperture.
Rotating the tubular body may cause bending of
the wire end portion with respect to the wire.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the at least one
protrusion to abut an inner surface of the rail,
preferably close to the rail aperture.
Where the connector comprises two protrusions,
the step of providing a tensioning force on the wire
preferably cause the protrusions to abut the inner surface
of the rail either side of the rail aperture.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the projection to be
located in the rail aperture.
In an embodiment, the step of providing a
tensioning force on the wire causes the tubular body to be
moved such that its longitudinal extent is substantially
aligned with the longitudinal extent of the wire.
In an embodiment, the method also comprises the
step of adjusting the length of the wire.
In an embodiment, the step of adjusting the
length of the wire comprises cutting the wire to the
required length.
The step of adjusting the length of the wire may
occur before or after steps (a) to (d).
In an embodiment, the method also comprises
repeating steps (a) to (d) for a plurality of wires and
for two or more rails, using a plurality of connectors
according to the first aspect of the present invention to
form the balustrade.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, which:
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Figures 1 to 4 are schematic views of a connector
for connecting a wire to a balustrade rail according to an
embodiment of the invention shown sequentially through
Figures 1 to 4 in a method for forming a balustrade;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a connector for
connecting a wire to a balustrade rail according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 6 to 9 are schematic views of a connector
for connecting a wire to a balustrade rail according to a
further embodiment of the invention shown sequentially
through Figures 6 to 9 in a method for forming a
balustrade;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connector
for connecting a wire to a balustrade rail according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a connector
for connecting a wire to a balustrade rail according to a
still further embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, a connector
10 for connecting a wire 11 to a balustrade rail 12
according to an embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The connector 10 comprises a tubular body 13 for
receipt therein of a wire end portion. The tubular body 13
as shown in the Figures is cylindrical and has open ends.
However, the tubular body may be square or rectangular in
cross-section or any other shape as desired and may be
closed at its ends.
Notably, the tubular body 13 has a diameter which
is less than the diameter of a rail aperture 30, but a
length which is greater than the diameter of the rail
aperture 30. This enables the tubular body 13 to be
positioned in the rail 12 through the rail aperture 30 as
shown in particular in Figures 3 and 4.
The tubular body 13 comprises first and second
portions 15, 16 respectively and a middle portion 17. The
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first and second portions 15, 16 are arranged either side
of the middle portion 17, with the first portion 15 being
arranged to receive therein the wire end portion as shown
in Figure 2 for example. The first and second portions 15,
16 are axially aligned, providing for a straight tubular
body 13. The second portion 16 may be considered to be a
protrusion from the first portion 15 (or more particularly
from the middle portion 17).
The wire end portion is retained in the tubular
body 13, preferably by forming a bond between the wire end
portion and the tubular body 13. In the embodiment shown
in Figures 1 to 4, the connector 10 comprises a retainer
in the form of a deformable portion 21 for retaining the
wire end portion in the tubular body 13. The deformable
portion 21 is enabled to deform about the wire end
portion, typically by crimping the deformable portion 21.
The deformable portion 21 is generally formed, at least in
part, by the first portion 15 of the tubular body 13.
Deformation of the deformable portion 21 in this way
creates a strong mechanical interlock between the tubular
body 13 and the wire end portion. This may occur in
combination with the application of an adhesive, welding,
brazing or soldering such as silver soldering or any other
suitable method. In other embodiments not shown in the
Figures, the bond between the wire end portion and the
tubular body may be formed by the application of an
adhesive, welding, brazing or soldering without any
deformation of the tubular body.
The connector 10 also comprises an opening in the
tubular body 13, shown in the Figures in the form of a
lateral cut-away portion 20, for the wire 11 to extend
from the connector 10 when the wire end portion is located
in the tubular body 13. The cut-away portion 20 is formed
in the second portion 16 of the tubular body 13, extending
between an end of the tubular body 13 and the middle
portion 17 of the tubular body.
In a variation not shown in the Figures, the
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opening may be in the form of an aperture. The aperture is
formed laterally in the middle portion 17 of the tubular
body 13 and the first and second portions 15, 16 of the
tubular body 13 are located on either side of the
aperture.
Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, the connector
also comprises a deflector 22 for deflecting the wire
11 at an angle which is approximately perpendicular to the
wire end portion when the wire 11 is under tension (as
10 shown in Figure 4). The wire 11 is also deflected at an
angle which is approximately perpendicular to the tubular
body 13 by the deflector 22, when the wire 11 is under
tension. The deflector 22 is located in the middle portion
17 of the tubular body 1. and comprises the edge of the
opening. Thus, the deflector 22 as shown in the Figures
comprises the edge of,the cut-away portion 20 at the
middle portion 17 of the tubular body 13. However, in the
variation discussed above where the opening is in the form
of an aperture, the deflector comprises the rim of the
aperture.
The connector 10 is typically formed of a metal,
such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium or any other
suitable metal. However, the connector 10 may be formed of
a plastic, preferably a hard plastic.
Referring now to Figure 5, a connector 110
according to another embodiment of the present invention
is shown. The connector 110 is similar to the connector
shown in Figures 1 to 4. Similar features of the connector
110 have therefore been designated with the same reference
number but have been prefixed with the numeral 1.
The deflector 122 shown in Figure 5 also
comprises a guide for guiding deflection of the wire by
the deflector 122, when the wire is under tension. The
guide is located proximate to the opening in the tubular
body 113 and in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is shown
in the form of a projection 125, projecting from the
tubular body 113. The projection 125 provides a surface
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126 along which a portion of the wire which is adjacent to
the wire end portion may abut when the wire is under
tension. The surface of the projection 125 along which the
wire abuts may be curved in the direction of deflection of
the wire so as to guide bending (ie. deflection) of the
wire in a way which minimises any localised parts of the
bent wire being of increased tensile stress. The
projection 125 is also locatable in the rail aperture
after the tubular body 113 has been positioned in the
rail.
The connectors 10, 110 shown in Figures 1 to 4
and 5 may form part of a balustrade kit. Such a kit may
also comprise at least two rails 12, a plurality of wires
11 for extending between the rails 12 and at least one
post for the rails to be mounted to.
The rails 12 may be arranged as top and bottom
rails with the wires 11 arranged vertically when the
balustrade is formed. However, the rails 12 may also be
arranged as opposing side rails with the wires 11 arranged
horizontally when the balustrade is formed.
Each rail 12 has a plurality of apertures formed
therein such as the aperture 30 shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Each connector 10, 110 in the kit is to be inserted
through one of the rail apertures 30 into the rail space
31 to connect one of the wires 11 to one of the rails 12.
Each rail 12 comprises a tubular member which may
be circular, square, rectangular or any other shape as
desired in cross-section. in a variation, each rail may
comprise a U-shaped member, wherein the rail space 31 in
which the connectors are received is readily accessible.
In this variation, each rail 12 also comprises a cover
plate for engaging the U-shaped member to form a tube.
The cover plates may slideably engage their respective U-
shaped member or they may have a snap-fit engagement with
their respective U-shaped member.
Constructiora, of a balustrade using the connector
10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 will now be described:
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Referring firstly to Figure 2, the wire end
portion of the wire is inserted into the tubular body 13
of the connector 10 by inserting the wire end portion
through the opening and into the tubular body 13,
specifically the first portion 15 of the tubular body 13.
Subsequent to this the retainer is used to retain the wire
end portion in the tubular body 13. This step generally
involves deforming the deformable portion 21 of the
tubular body 13 about the wire end portion, typically by
crimping the deformable portion 21. This deformation of
the deformable portion 21 about the wire end portion forms
a strong mechanical interlock between the tubular body 13
and the wire end portion. In combination or variation to
retaining the wire end portion in the tubular body 13 in
this way, a bond may be formed between the wire end
portion and the tubular body 13 by application of an
adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering such as silver
soldering or any other suitable method.
Figure 3 shows the next step of the method, in
which the tubular body 13, with the wire end portion
inserted and retained therein, is inserted into the
balustrade rail 12 through an aperture 30 in the rail 12
and into the space 31 inside the rail 12. Notably, the
space 31 in the rail 12 is of sufficient size to enable
the length of the tubular body 13 to be inserted into the
rail 12 through the rail aperture 30 and to subsequently
rotate into the position shown in Figure 4.
During the step of inserting the tubular body 13
into the balustrade rail 12, the longitudinal extent of
the wire 11 is substantially parallel to and axially
aligned with the longitudinal extent of the tubular body
13. As the tubular body 13 is inserted into the balustrade
rail 12, a portion of the wire is held against a surface
of the cut-away portion 20 of the tubular body 13. This is
to ensure that the tubular body 13 with the wire end
portion inserted and retained therein can pass through the
rail aperture 30.
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It is noted that in the variation not shown in
Figures but described above where the opening in the
tubular body of the connector comprises an aperture, the
step of inserting the tubular body into the balustrade
rail comprises holding a portion of the wire against an
outer surface of a portion of the tubular body during this
step. This is also to ensure that the tubular body with
the wire end portion inserted and retained therein can
pass through the rail aperture 30.
Referring now to Figure 4, once the tubular body
13 of the connector 10 has been inserted into the
balustrade rail 12, a tensioning force is applied on the
wire. This causes the tubular body 13 to rotate inside the
rail space 31 into a position where the first and second
portions 15, 16 of the tubular body 13 abut an inner
surface of the rail, either side of the rail aperture 30.
in doing so, the wire 11 is deflected by the deflector 22
approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent
of the tubular body 13 and to the wire end portion
retained therein.
It is noted that where the connector 110
according to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is used, the
step in this method of providing a tensioning force on the
wire also causes the guide 125 to be located in the rail
aperture.
Once the above steps have occurred, the length of
the wire may be adjusted as required, typically by cutting
the wire to the required length. However, it is noted that
this step of adjusting the length of the wire may occur at
any suitable point in time during the method.
The above steps are repeated for a plurality of
wires 11 and for two or more rails, using a plurality of
the connectors 10 (or 110) to form the balustrade.
Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, a connector 210
according to a further embodiment of the present invention
is shown. The connector 210 is similar to the connector
shown in Figures 1 to 4. Similar features of the connector
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210 have therefore been designated with the same reference
number but have been prefixed with the numeral 2.
A significant difference between the connector
210 shown in Figures 6 to 9 and the connector 10 shown in
Figures 1 to 4, is that the second portion 216 of the
tubular body 113 of the connector 210 is bent with respect
to the first portion 215. The second portion 216 is bent
in a curve. The bent second portion 216 is to enable the
connector 210 to be used with less flexible wires. As
shown, in particular in Figure 9, when the tubular body
213, with the wire end portion inserted and retained
therein, is inserted into the balustrade rail 212 and a
tensioning force is applied to the wire 211, the wire 211
is deflected by the deflector 222 at an angle which is
less than perpendicular to the wire end portion and less
than perpenda.cular to the first portion 215 of the tubular
body 213. The angle at which the wire 211 is deflected is
at least 30 with respect to the first portion 215 of the
tubular body 213 and to the wire end portion retained
therein but may be more or less. Notably, as shown in
Figure 9, the step of providing the tensioning force on
the wire causes the second portion 216 to abut the inner
surface of the rail 212, either side of the rail aperture
230. The first portion 216 when the connector 210 is in
this position projects into the rail space.
This lesser deflection of the wire 211 when using
the connector 210, advantageously readily enables the
connection of very inflexible wires to balustrade rails
without the need for providing high tensioning forces on
the wires which could risk breaking them.
Referring now to Figure 10, a connector 310
according to a yet further embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The connector 310 is similar to the
connector shown in Figures 1 to 4. Similar features of the
connector 310 have therefore been designated with the same
reference number but have been prefixed with the numeral
3.
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The connector 310 comprises a tubular body 13 for
receipt therein of a wire end portion and which is for
positioning in a rail through a rail aperture. The
connector 310 also comprises an opening in the tubular
body for the wire to extend from the connector 310 when
the wire end portion is located in the tubular body 313.
As shown in Figure 10, the opening is in the form of an
end aperture 340 located in an end of the tubular body
313.
The connector 310 also comprises at least one
protrusion 341. The at least one protrusion 341 protrudes
from the tubular body 313 and is for abutting an internal
surface of the rail so as to act against the connector 310
being removed from the rail when the wire is under
tension. Although the protrusion 341 is shown in Figure 10
as having a cut-away hollow cylindrical shape, the
protrusion may be of any shape such as a plate, block or
wedge for example. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10,
the connector 310 has only one protrusion. In a further
embodiment shown in Figure 11, a similar connector 410 is
shown comprising two protrusions 441. Notably, the
protrusions 441 of the connector 440 shown in Figure 11
are different in size and shape, although the protrusions
in other embodiments could be the same size and shape. It
is also noted that in further embodiments, the connector
may comprise more than two protrusions.
The protrusions 341, 441 protrude laterally from
the tubular bodies 313, 413 of the respective connectors
310, 410. In the case of the connector 410 shown in Figure
11, the two protrusions 441 protrude from either side of
the tubular body 413. The protrusions 341, 441 are located
towards the end of the tubular body 313, 413 at which the
opening in the form of an end aperture 340, 440 is
located.
Referring only to Figure 10 for convenience, the
connector 310 also comprises a projection 325 projecting
from the tubular body 313. The projection 325 is locatable
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in the rail aperture after the tubular body has been
positioned in the rail. The projection is formed proximate
to the opening in the form of the end aperture 340 and
projects parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular
body 313. The projection 325 has a curved inner surface
against which the wire under tension may abut. The
projection 325 thus provides a guide for guiding any
deflection of the wire, when the wire is under tension.
The connectors 310, 410 shown in Figures 10 and
11 are also particularly advantageous for use with very
inflexible wires as in use, when the wire is under
tension, the connectors 310, 410 require minimal or no
bending of the wire. Some bending of the wire may occur
when the tubular body 313, 413 is inserted into the rail
as the tubular body is generally required to rotate to
enable the protrusions 341, 441 to clear the rail
aperture. However, once a tensioning force is applied to
the wire, the protrusions 341, 441 are caused to abut an
inner surface of the rail, generally close to the rail
aperture which subsequently results in the tubular body
313 being moved into a position where its longitudinal
extent is substantially aligned with the longitudinal
extent of the wire. Importantly, providing a tensioning
force on the wire also results in the projection 325, 425
being located in the rail aperture. Furthermore, if any
bending (ie. deflection) of the wire under tension is
required, the curvature of the inner surface of the
projection 325 helps guide this bending, reducing the
possibility of tensile stresses building up in any
particular part of the bent wire.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description of the invention, except where the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as
"comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense,
ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not
to preclude the presence or addition of further features
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in various embodiments of the invention.
