Fences – Rail – Connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-08
2001-07-17
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
Connection
C256S066000, C256SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260829
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to design enhancements in ornamental iron technology and particularly to a split design enhancement device used to enclose a post or similar structure therebetween that reduces the cost of decorative enhancements of posts, fences, and similar structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fences are used to enclose property and define the boundaries thereof In addition, railings and banisters are provided within and around houses as a safety device to prevent individuals from falling from uneven floor levels and as an aid in climbing stairs. In order to fit in with the aesthetics of their surroundings, railings and similar structures are adorned with aesthetic designs.
For aesthetic purposes, decorative designs and scrolls have traditionally been formed from the same material as the fence or post structure itself, usually metal. In addition, such decorative designs have traditionally also been welded to the structure. Therefore, the aesthetic designs have traditionally been incorporated into fences, posts, railings, and gates during the fabrication process and have substantially increased the cost of such structures. Furthermore, because of the increased weight of such structures after fabrication, it has made transportation and installation more costly and cumbersome.
Aesthetic designs that can be affixed to fence structures at a post-production stage have been contemplated in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,435 to Glass discloses a molded scroll design for fence structures that can be applied to existing structures. However, the scroll design of Glass has a complex attachment procedure that utilizes multiple parts. The device of Glass has a face plate and a back plate that need to be screwed into the scroll structure to affix the device to the fence structure. The multiplicity of parts makes the installation of Glass' device cumbersome and time consuming. Alternatively, Glass proposes a clip on apparatus that attaches to post structures. However, the clip on structure cannot sustain the weight of complex aesthetic designs and can easily be stolen by vandals.
The prior art does not address the need for a device that provides aesthetic designs for post structures that can easily be applied to pre-existing post structures in a durable yet removable fashion. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of aesthetic designs for post structures that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, sturdy, and efficient in its construction and use, and can quickly be installed onto a preexisting post structure in a sturdy fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post that is efficiently and easily attached in the field at a post production stage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that provides a variety of attachment means in binding the device to the post and similar structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that allows painting of the device to match the color of the post and to exude an expensive design impression at a substantially reduced cost.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that allows the use of an adhesive to securely attach the device to the post and similar structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that allows interconnection of a plurality of the devices and thus increase the variety of available designs.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that is economical and time saving in its construction and use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic enhancement device for enclosing a post and similar fence structures that is not comprised of numerous parts and has a simple yet sturdy attachment means.
In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique aesthetic enhancement device that is preferably constructed of two pieces accomplishes the aforementioned objects and advantages. However, it is to be understood that the device can be made of more than just two pieces and that the pieces may be asymmetrical. Each piece of the device has a top portion, middle portion, and a base portion, and a cavity that extends axially from the center of the top portion and through the base portion. When the two pieces of the device are joined, the cavity accommodates a post or similar structure. The post may be of symmetrical shape, asymmetrical shape, or any irregular shape and the device may be modified accordingly to accommodate the variety of post designs. The walls defining said cavity being of sufficient size to accommodate the post in a frictional fashion. For a more secure engagement, an adhesive means may be applied to the interface between the walls defining the cavity and the post.
Each of the devices has a first side and a second side, and each of the first and second sides attaches to the corresponding side on each of the devices. The attaching means is preferably comprised of a pin and hole arrangement where a pin on the first device is adapted to insert into a corresponding hole on the second device and vice versa. However, an adhesive means can also be used to attach the two pieces together by applying the adhesive means to the pin directly or applying the adhesive to the walls defining the hole. Furthermore, a plurality of projections may be aligned in a backward extending manner on the pin to increase the frictional engagement between the projections and the wall defining the hole. In an alternate embodiment, the attaching means may be made of a fossa and jutting portion arrangement, wherein the fossa of each member receives the jutting portion of the other member. The two piece arrangement of the present device allows the device to be applied to a post or a similar structure without the need for tools, such as a screw-driver, wrench, and hammer.
The outer surface of the device may be adorned with a variety of designs as contemplated by the user. In addition, a plurality of the devices may be interconnected by the varying design elements to enlarge the variety of designs that may be utilized.
Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2191444 (1940-02-01), Fleming
patent: 3023036 (1962-02-01), Taylor, Jr.
patent: 4022435 (1977-05-01), Glass
patent: 4035978 (1977-07-01), Bajorek et al.
patent: 4038802 (1977-08-01), Bajorek et al.
patent: 5141207 (1992-08-01), Meglino et al.
patent: 5503371 (1996-04-01), Bies
patent: 5575580 (1996-11-01), Parrish et al.
patent: 5611523 (1997-03-01), Parisien
patent: 5622356 (1997-04-01), Duggan
patent: 6017019 (2000-01-01), Erwin
Anderson Dale Shane
Anderson Dennis Ronald
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Keshishzadeh, Esq. Milord
Milord & Associates
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