Fascia Rail System

Abstract

A fascia rail system includes: an angle profile component including a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface; a clamping profile component including a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face; a panel inserted into the groove of the clamping profile component; and a cover overlying the angle profile component and the clamping profile component. The angle profile component is mountable to an edge of a flooring structure at the mount surface. The second upper support of the clamping profile component is attached to the first upper support of the angle profile component. Methods for installing a fascia rail system are also described.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/404,221, filed Sep. 7, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to rail systems, and in particular to a fascia rail system that is easily installed from the surface of a floor/slab and that can be installed flush with the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many conventional guardrail systems for balconies, roofs, and other surfaces include pillars secured to the balcony/roof slab and glass panels attached to the pillars. The pillars are unsightly and interrupt the clean look of the glass surface. In many cases installation requires scaffolding, which is time consuming and expensive to set up. Some systems require slab edge covers to cover unfinished concrete and hardware. To ensure adequate water drainage, pillars must be used to raise the system off the slab and allow water to drain underneath; alternatively balcony/roof drains must be used. In addition, conventional railing systems allow for only minimal adjustments, minimizing their flexibility.

These and other shortcomings are addressed by aspects of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a fascia rail system including: an angle profile component including a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface; a clamping profile component including a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face; a panel inserted into the groove of the clamping profile component; and a cover overlying the angle profile component and the clamping profile component. The angle profile component is mountable to an edge of a flooring structure through the mount surface. The second upper support of the clamping profile component is attached to the first upper support of the angle profile component.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for installing a fascia rail system to a flooring structure, the fascia rail system including (1) an angle profile component including a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface, (2) a clamping profile component including a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face, (3) a panel, and (4) a cover. The method includes: (a) installing the angle profile component to an edge of the flooring structure through the mount surface; (b) installing the panel into the groove of the clamping profile component; (c) mounting the clamping profile component to the first upper support of the angle profile component; and (d) installing the cover over the angle profile component and the clamping profile component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various aspects discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1A is a front side perspective view of a fascia rail system according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view the fascia rail system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front side perspective view of an angle profile component according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the angle profile component of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a flooring structure with an embed according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a front view of a flooring structure with embeds according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a front side perspective view of an angle profile component and clamping profile component according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the angle profile component and clamping profile component of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top view of the angle profile component and clamping profile component of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fascia rail system according to aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A-5, aspects of the disclosure relate to a fascia rail system 10 including: an angle profile component 100 including a first upper support 110, a lower support 120, and a mount surface 130; a clamping profile component 200 including a second upper support 210, a front face 220, and a groove 230 between the second upper support 210 and the front face 220; a panel 300 inserted into the groove 230 of the clamping profile component 200; and a cover 400 overlying the angle profile component 100 and the clamping profile component 200. The angle profile component 100 is mountable at an edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 through the mount surface 130. The second upper support 210 of the clamping profile component 200 is attached to the first upper support 110 of the angle profile component 100.

In some aspects the angle profile component 100 includes notches 150. The notches 150 provide access to the mount surface 130 to mount the angle profile component 100 to the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500. In this manner, the angle profile component 100 may be installed to the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 from above, i.e., while working on the flooring surface 500. This eliminates the need for ladders and/or scaffolding to install the fascia rail system 10 from the outside of the building/structure. The notches 150 may also provide a path for water drainage through the fascia rail system 10, as further described below.

In certain aspects the clamping profile component 200 includes weep holes 240 to facilitate drainage of water through the fascia rail system. As further demonstrated in FIG. 5, water may flow through the notches 150 and onto the lower support 120 of the angle profile component. From there, water flows through the weep holes 240 in the clamping profile component 200 and off the building/structure. It is also noted that with the cover 400 installed there is a gap 410 between the cover 400 and the flooring structure to allow water to flow under the cover and through the notches 150. The drainage feature represents an improvement over conventional drainage systems which require the panel to be secured above the level of the flooring structure (so that water can flow underneath the panel) or that rely on drains in the flooring structure to remove water.

In further aspects the clamping profile component 200 includes a plurality of adjustment screws 250. The adjustment screws 250 allow for adjustment 310 of the panel 300 within the groove 230 and secure the panel 300 within the groove 230.

In some aspects the clamping profile component 200 includes at least one gasket 260 installed between the panel 300 and the groove 230 of the clamping profile component 200. The at least one gasket 260 prevents water from passing between the clamping profile component 200 and the panel 300; water instead preferably travels along the path described above. In addition, the at least one gasket 260 closes the gap between the clamping profile component 200 and the panel 300 to enhance the visual appearance of the system. The at least one gasket may be silicone or other suitable material.

In certain aspects one or more shims or spacers 270 are included between the clamping profile component 200 and one or both sides of the panel 300. The shims/spacers 270 may be plastic or other suitable material.

The components described herein, and in particular the angle profile component 100, the clamping profile component 200, and the cover 400 may be cast from aluminum or another material that provides the components with sufficient strength to support the panel 300.

The panel may be formed of any suitable structural material, such as but not limited to glass, polymers, metal or a combination thereof.

The flooring structure described herein may in some aspects be a concrete, metal, or wood slab or floor. The flooring structure may function as a patio, a deck, a terrace, a walkway, a balcony, a porch or a roof of a building/structure.

While the fascia rail system described herein is shown as a linear system, it will be recognized that the components (including the panel) may be curved, angled (at, for example, a 45 degree or a 90 degree angle), or have any other contour that corresponds to the contour of the flooring structure or the desired contour of the fascia rail system.

The fascia rail system 10 described herein has improved features as compared to conventional railing systems. Water drainage is one such feature, as described above. As further described herein, the fascia rail system 10 can be installed from the flooring structure without the need for ladders or scaffolding along the edge of the building/structure. The front face 220 of the clamping profile component covers the edge of the flooring structure (e.g., concrete slab) and the fascia rail components, giving the edge a clean look. Further, the fascia rail system 10 can be installed flush with the flooring structure, reducing visual interference from both sides of the fascia rail system 10 as compared to conventional railing systems. Another benefit is that the panel 300 may be installed to the clamping profile component 200 off-site (e.g., at the point of manufacture) and then easily attached to the angle profile component on the jobsite. Further, multiple adjustment components allow for ease of installation.

Methods for Installing a Fascia Rail System

Aspects of the disclosure further relate to methods for installing a fascia rail system 10 to a flooring structure 500. The fascia rail system 10 includes (1) an angle profile component 100 including a first upper support 110, a lower support 120, and a mount surface 130, (2) a clamping profile component 200 including a second upper support 210, a front face 220, and a groove 230 between the second upper support 210 and the front face 220, (3) a panel 300, and (4) a cover 400. The method includes

• • (a) installing the angle profile component 100 to an edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 through the mount surface 130;
  • (b) installing the panel 300 into the groove 230 of the clamping profile component 200;
  • (c) mounting the clamping profile component 200 to the first upper support 110 of the angle profile component 100; and
  • (d) installing the cover 400 over the angle profile component 100 and the clamping profile component 200.

The fascia rail system 10 installed according to the method described herein may include the components of the fascia rail system 10 described above. In particular aspects step (a) of installing the angle profile component 100 to the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 includes inserting a plurality of fasteners 140 through the mount surface 130 of the angle profile component 100 into the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500. With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4C, the plurality of fasteners 140 may be installed into embeds 520 (e.g., concrete embeds) in the flooring structure 500. In other aspects the angle profile component 100 is installed against the edge 510 of the flooring structure using fasteners according to the engineering requirements of the specific project. As used herein, fasteners include screws, bolts, or other suitable and conventional fastener components.

As described herein, the angle profile component 100 may include notches which provide access to the mount surface 130 to mount the angle profile component 100 to the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 from above.

The step (a) of installing the angle profile component 100 to the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500 may include using a serrated washer 160 with each of the fasteners 140. The serrated washer 160 prevents the fastener 140 from loosening from the edge 510 of the flooring structure 500.

In further aspects the step (b) of installing the panel 300 into the groove 230 of the clamping profile component 200 includes installing at least one gasket 260 between the panel 300 and the groove 230 of the clamping profile component 200. The gasket 260 prevents water from passing between the clamping profile component 200 and the panel 300; water instead preferably travels along the path described above.

In some aspects the fascia rail system described herein satisfies the ICC-ES AC439, “Acceptance Criteria for Glass Railing and Balustrade Systems.” The methods for installing the fascia rail system may result in a fascia rail system that satisfies the ICC-ES AC439 standard.

Various combinations of elements of this disclosure are encompassed by this disclosure, e.g., combinations of elements from dependent claims that depend upon the same independent claim.

Moreover, it is to be understood that unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

Aspects of the Disclosure

In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to and includes at least the following aspects.

Aspect 1. A fascia rail system comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of:

• • an angle profile component comprising a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface;
  • a clamping profile component comprising a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face;
  • a panel inserted into the groove of the clamping profile component; and
  • a cover overlying the angle profile component and the clamping profile component, wherein
  • the angle profile component is mountable to an edge of a flooring structure through the mount surface, and
  • the second upper support of the clamping profile component is attached to the first upper support of the angle profile component.

Aspect 2. The fascia rail system according to Aspect 1, wherein the panel comprises a glass panel, a polymeric panel, a metal panel, or a combination thereof.

Aspect 3. The fascia rail system according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the flooring structure is a concrete, wood, or metal slab or floor of a patio, a terrace, a walkway, a deck, balcony a porch, or a roof.

Aspect 4. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the angle profile component comprises notches, wherein the notches: (a) provide access to the mount surface to mount the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure; (b) provide a path for water drainage through the fascia rail system; or (c) a combination thereof.

Aspect 5. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the clamping profile component comprises weep holes to facilitate drainage of water through the fascia rail system.

Aspect 6. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the clamping profile component comprises a plurality of adjustment screws, wherein the plurality of adjustment screws allow for adjustment of the panel within the groove and secure the panel within the groove.

Aspect 7. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the flooring structure has a top surface, the panel has lower surface, and the panel is configured to be installed such that the lower surface of the panel is below the top surface of the flooring structure.

Aspect 8. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the clamping profile component further comprises at least one gasket installed between the panel and the groove of the clamping profile component.

Aspect 9. The fascia rail system according to any of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein one or more of the angle profile component, the clamping profile component, and the cover comprise aluminum.

Aspect 10. A method for installing a fascia rail system to a flooring structure, the fascia rail system comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of (1) an angle profile component comprising a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface, (2) a clamping profile component comprising a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face, (3) a panel, and (4) a cover, the method comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of.

• • (a) installing the angle profile component to an edge of the flooring structure through the mount surface;
  • (b) installing the panel into the groove of the clamping profile component;
  • (c) mounting the clamping profile component to the first upper support of the angle profile component; and
  • (d) installing the cover over the angle profile component and the clamping profile component.

Aspect 11. The method according to Aspect 10, wherein step (a) of installing the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure comprises inserting a plurality of fasteners through the mount surface of the angle profile component into the edge of the flooring structure.

Aspect 12. The method according to Aspect 11, wherein the angle profile component comprises notches which provide access to the mount surface to mount the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure from above.

Aspect 13. The method according to Aspect 11 or 12, wherein step (a) of installing the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure further comprises combining each of the plurality of fasteners with a serrated washer which prevents the plurality of fasteners from loosening.

Aspect 14. The method according to any of Aspects 10 to 13, wherein step (b) of installing the panel into the groove of the clamping profile component further comprises installing at least one gasket between the panel and the groove of the clamping profile component.

Aspect 15. The method according to any of Aspects 10 to 14, wherein the clamping profile component comprises a plurality of adjustment screws for adjusting of the panel within the groove and securing the panel within the groove.

Aspect 16. The method according to any of Aspects 10 to 15, wherein one or more of the angle profile component, the clamping profile component, and the cover comprise aluminum.

Aspect 17. The method according to any of Aspects 10 to 16, wherein the panel comprises a glass panel, a polymeric panel, a metal panel, or a combination thereof.

Aspect 18. The method according to any of Aspects 10 to 17, wherein the flooring structure is a concrete slab or a metal floor of a patio, a terrace, a walkway, a deck, a porch, or a roof.

Definitions

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising” can include the aspects “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In this specification and in the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined herein.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a gasket” includes aspects including two or more gaskets.

As used herein, the term “combination” is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from one value (first value) to another value (second value). When such a range is expressed, the range includes in some aspects one or both of the first value and the second value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent ‘about,’ it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

As used herein, the terms “about” and “at or about” mean that the amount or value in question can be the designated value, approximately the designated value, or about the same as the designated value. It is generally understood, as used herein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in the claims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Unless otherwise stated to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect at the time of filing this application.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other aspects can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or aspects, with each claim standing on its own as a separate aspect, and it is contemplated that such aspects can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A fascia rail system comprising:

an angle profile component comprising a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface;

a clamping profile component comprising a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face;

a panel inserted into the groove of the clamping profile component; and

a cover overlying the angle profile component and the clamping profile component, wherein

the angle profile component is mountable to an edge of a flooring structure through the mount surface, and

the second upper support of the clamping profile component is attached to the first upper support of the angle profile component.

2. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a glass panel, a polymeric panel, a metal panel, or a combination thereof.

3. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the flooring structure is a concrete, wood, or metal slab or floor of a patio, a terrace, a walkway, a deck, balcony a porch, or a roof.

4. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the angle profile component comprises notches, wherein the notches: (a) provide access to the mount surface to mount the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure; (b) provide a path for water drainage through the fascia rail system; or (c) a combination thereof.

5. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the clamping profile component comprises weep holes to facilitate drainage of water through the fascia rail system.

6. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the clamping profile component comprises a plurality of adjustment screws, wherein the plurality of adjustment screws allow for adjustment of the panel within the groove and secure the panel within the groove.

7. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the flooring structure has a top surface, the panel has lower surface, and the panel is configured to be installed such that the lower surface of the panel is below the top surface of the flooring structure.

8. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein the clamping profile component further comprises at least one gasket installed between the panel and the groove of the clamping profile component.

9. The fascia rail system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the angle profile component, the clamping profile component, and the cover comprise aluminum.

10. A method for installing a fascia rail system to a flooring structure, the fascia rail system comprising (1) an angle profile component comprising a first upper support, a lower support, and a mount surface, (2) a clamping profile component comprising a second upper support, a front face, and a groove between the second upper support and the front face, (3) a panel, and (4) a cover, the method comprising:

(a) installing the angle profile component to an edge of the flooring structure through the mount surface;

(b) installing the panel into the groove of the clamping profile component;

(c) mounting the clamping profile component to the first upper support of the angle profile component; and

(d) installing the cover over the angle profile component and the clamping profile component.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) of installing the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure comprises inserting a plurality of fasteners through the mount surface of the angle profile component into the edge of the flooring structure.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the angle profile component comprises notches which provide access to the mount surface to mount the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure from above.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein step (a) of installing the angle profile component to the edge of the flooring structure further comprises combining each of the plurality of fasteners with a serrated washer which prevents the plurality of fasteners from loosening.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein step (b) of installing the panel into the groove of the clamping profile component further comprises installing at least one gasket between the panel and the groove of the clamping profile component.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the clamping profile component comprises a plurality of adjustment screws for adjusting of the panel within the groove and securing the panel within the groove.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein one or more of the angle profile component, the clamping profile component, and the cover comprise aluminum.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the panel comprises a glass panel, a polymeric panel, a metal panel, or a combination thereof.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the flooring structure is a concrete slab or a metal floor of a patio, a terrace, a walkway, a deck, a porch, or a roof.