GB2444781A

GB2444781A - Screed rail junction post and assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2444781A
Application number: GB0625023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Ronald Eve
Original assignee: METAL SCREED
Current assignee: METAL SCREED
Priority date: 2006-12-15
Filing date: 2006-12-15
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-15
Also published as: GB0625023D0; GB2444781B

Abstract

The invention relates to a screed rail junction post and comprises an upright post 1 having a plurality of mounting blocks 17 each adapted to engage with an end of a screed rail (19 figure 2). In this way, one or more screed rails are arranged to abut substantially against the junction post in a predetermined angular configuration. A plurality of dowels 13 extend laterally from the upright post 1 in a predetermined angular configuration whereby each laterally extending dowel 13 is located so as to be intermediate each angularly adjacent pair of screed rails (19 figure 2). The purpose of the dowels 13 is to support the junction post 1 to prevent it sinking as the concrete sets. The mounting block 17 may be offset from a plane passing through the axis of the post 1 such that the screen rail (19 figure 2) is aligned with the axis of the post 1. The screen rail (19 figure 2) may be connected to the post mounting blocks 17 by fasteners passing through holes in the blocks 17 and screed rail (19 figure 2).

Description

SCREED RAIL JUNCTION POST AND ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a screed rail junction post which may be used as a termination post for a screed rail and which can be used to facilitate a T-junction, right-angle junction or a crossroads of a screed rail assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a screed rail junction post comprising: an uptight post having a plurality of portions each adapted to engage with an end of a screed rail whereby one or more screed rails may be arranged to abut substantially against the junction post in a predetermined angular configuration; and a plurality of members extending laterally from the upright post in a predetermined angular configuration whereby each laterally extending member is located so as to be intermediate each angularly adjacent pair of screed rails.

The post may be a hollow tube, for example of circular cross-section.

The engaging portions of the post may be provided on a plate at an upper end of the tube. The plate may be square, the edges of the plate forming the engaging portions. The distance between opposing sides of the plate may be substantially the same as the lateral dimension, such as diameter, of the post.

The post may incorporate an additional removable portion at the upper end thereof, the removable portion including a post portion and a plurality of engaging portions corresponding to the first-mentioned engaging portions.

The laterally extending members may comprise dowels. The laterally extending members may be provided intermediate upper and lower ends of the post, for example substantially mid-way along the post. The laterally extending members may extend at an acute angle, for example substantially 45 degrees, to an elongate direction of a screed rail. The laterally extending members may include a covering of plastics material.

Mounting means may be provided on the post for securing a screed rail to the post. Only a single mounting means may be provided. The mounting means may extend in an axial direction of the post. The mounting means may be offset in a plane parallel to a centre plane of a screed rail. The mounting means may include means, for example one or more apertures, for securing a plurality of alternative screed rails to the post.

The present invention also provides a combination of a screed rail junction post as defined hereinbefore together with at least one screed rail. The laterally extending members may be arranged atsubstantially45 degrees to the elongate direction of the at least one screed rail.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a screed rail junction post according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a screed rail for use with the junction post of Figure 1.

The screed rail junction post shown in Figure 1 comprises a post or tube I of circular cross section, for example made of steel and having an outer diameter of about 63.5 mm, a wall thickness of about 3.25 mm and a length of about 132 mm. A square plate 3 is secured to an upper end of the tube and may have a side length substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube, that is about 63.5 mm. That is, the distance between opposing sides of the plate 3 is substantially the same as the lateral dimension (diameter) of the tube 1. The plate 3 may be made of steel and may be secured to the upper end of the tube by any suitable means, such as by welding.

A threaded aperture is provided in the centre of the plate 3, the aperture being adapted to received a threaded fastener 5 which secures an optional extension 7 to the upper surface of the plate 3. The extension 7 comprises a relatively short length of tube 9, for example about 22 mm, having a plate 11, corresponding in dimensions to the plate 3, secured to the upper end thereof.

The fastener 5 passes through an aperture in the centre of the upper plate and is threaded into the lower plate to secure the extension 7 to the plate 3. The upper plate may be countersunk so as to receive a countersunk fastener 5 without protruding substantially above the level of the upper plate. The upper plate 11 is arranged with its edges parallel to the lower plate 3. The extension 7, when provided, serves to adapt the junction post to screed rails of different height. If desired, extensions of differing height may be provided to adapt the junction post to alternative screed rails having different heights.

Four dowels 13 extend from the tube 1, the dowels being arranged substantially at right angles to the axis of the tube. The dowels 13 are secured to the tube 1 by any convenient means, for example they may be threaded into the tube or welded to the tube, and they may be made, for example, of steel. The dowels are covered with a sleeve 15 of plastics material, although for convenience only one such sleeve is shown in Figure 1. The dowels are conveniently of circular cross-section and may have a length of about 90 mm. The dowels are arranged in a plane and substantially at right angles to each other, the plane being approximately mid-way along the length of the tube, for example about 50 mm from the top of the tube 1. The dowels are arranged such that, when viewed in plan, they extend beneath the apices of the square plate 3. In practice, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter, the dowels extend in use substantially at 45 degrees to the elongate direction of the screed rail(s).

A mounting block 17 is secured to the outer surface of the tube I and extends in the axial direction of the tube. The mounting block 17 is provided for securing a screed rail to the junction post. The mounting block is offset from a plane passing through the axis of the tube to the extent this may be necessary for the screed rail to be substantially aligned with the axis of the post. The mounting block is provided with a number of apertures in order that one or more fasteners can be inserted through one or more apertures in the mounting block and through one or more apertures in the screed rail so as to secure the screed rail to the mounting block. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures are substantially circular and are positioned towards the top, bottom and middle of the mounting block. The various apertures may be provided to adapt the junction post to a number of different screed rails. To this end, apertures in one or both of the junction post and the screed rail may be elongate in the axial direction of the post to facilitate adaptation to different screed rails. In order to align a centre line of a screed rail with the axis of the tube I of the junction post the mounting block 17 may be offset in a plane parallel to and spaced from a line passing through the axis of the tube and at right angles to an edge of the plate 3 and/or 6 adjacent to the mounting block.

Part of one form of screed rail is shown in Figure 2 and essentially comprises an upright wall 19 for retaining a concrete screed with a lower transverse wall 21 and an upper transversewall 23. The upright wall l9is provided with two upright elongate apertures 25 and 27 which are conventionally used to secure the screed rail to a support, but which can in the present case serve to secure the screed rail to the mounting block 17 of the junction post. In use of the screed rail and the junction post, the end of the upper transverse wall 23 of the screed rail abuts against one of the edges of the plate 3 or 11 of the junction post and therefore has an elongate direction which is at substantially 45 degrees to the dowels 13.

It will be appreciated that the screed rail could take other forms. For example, the screed rail may have different relative dimensions for different screed thicknesses. Moreover, the upper transverse wall may have, for example, a further layer adapted to bridge any gap that might arise between adjacent sections of screed. The elongate apertures may take other forms and/or may be in a portion 29 of the upright wall 19 which is offset by varying amounts relative to the remainder of the wall as shown in Figure 2 depending on the screed rail concerned.

The purpose of the dowels 13 isto support the junction post as the concrete sets and shrinks, that is to prevent the junction post from sinking into the concrete as and after it sets. It has been found that the alignment of the dowels 13 relative to the screed rail is important for minimising cracking of the screed as the concrete sets and shrinks and for providing ongoing support for the junction post.

In situations where the dowels run generally parallel and/or at right angles to the screed rail it has been found that the dowels can give rise to cracks in the concrete slab, particularly across the corner of a slab, while where the axes of the dowels are at an acute angle to the elongate direction of the screed rail(s) shnnkage of the concrete is more readily accommodated without the formation of cracks. * S

Claims

1. A screed rail junction post comprising: an upright post having a plurality of portions each adapted to engage with an end of a screed rail whereby one or more screed rails may be arranged to abut substantially against the junction post in a predetermined angular configuration; and * S** a plurality of members extending laterally from the upright post in a

S

* predetermined angular configuration whereby each laterally extending member S....

is located so as to be intermediate each angularly adjacent pair of screed rails. **.S

S *..

2. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post is a hollow tube.

3. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hollow tube is of circular cross-section. *

4. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging portions of the post are provided on a plate at an upper end of the tube.

5. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plate is square, the edges of the plate forming the engaging portions.

6. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 5, wherein the distance between opposing sides of the plate is substantially the same as the lateral dimension of the post.

7. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 6, wherein the distance 1*** between opposing sides of the plate is substantially the same as the diameter

S.. S

S *5*S

of the post.

I..... * S

P.S'S.

* 8. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the S. post incorporates an additional removable portion at the upper end thereof, the S..

removable portion including a post portion and a plurality of engaging portions corresponding to the first-mentioned engaging portions.

9. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the laterally extending members comprise dowels.

10. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the laterally extending members are provided intermediate upper and lower ends of the post.

11. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 10, wherein the laterally extending members are provided substantially mid-way along the post.

12. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the laterally extending members extend at an acute angle to an elongate direction of a screed rail.

13. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 12, wherein the laterally p. extending members extend substantially 45 degrees to an elongate direction of a screed rail.

I..... * .

S

p.....

5.:

14. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the laterally extending members include a covering of plastics material. S..

15. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein mounting means is provided on the post for securing a screed rail to the post.

16. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 15, wherein only a single mounting means is provided.

17. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the mounting means extends in an axial direction of the post.

18. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the mounting means is offset in a plane parallel to a centre plane of a screed rail.

19. A screed rail junction post as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the mounting means includes means for securing a plurality of alternative screed rails to the post.

20. A screed rail junction post as claimed in claim 19, wherein the mounting means includes one or more apertures for securing a plurality of alternative screed rails to the post. *.. * *

. S...

21. A screed rail junction post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. S..

S

22. A combination of a screed rail junction post as claimed in any preceding claim together with at least one screed rail.

23. A combination as claimed in claim 22, wherein the laterally extending members are arranged at substantially 45 degrees to the elongate direction of the at least one screed rail.