Fences – Rail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-11-06
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
C256S019000, C256S065080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311956
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to decking and fencing products, and in particular to spindles and balusters for decking and fencing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Outdoor decks and fences are extremely popular in residential home construction. Homes and apartments, as well as a variety of other buildings, often incorporate exterior decks and fences into their design. Additionally, decks and fences are commonly added onto existing structures and landscapes. These decks and fences provide convenient spaces for a variety of outdoor activities, including cookouts, dining and sunbathing, as well as other leisure activities. Moreover, decks typically are provided with a railing or perimeter fence to keep people from falling over the edge of the deck.
Wood products have traditionally been the primary source of materials for use in decking construction. However, wood products are becoming increasingly scarce due to the harvesting of trees at ever faster rates and the rather limited rate at which timber resources can be replenished. Also, environmental concerns and regulations directed to conservation or preservation of forests tend to restrict the availability of timber resources, wood products are becoming increasingly expensive. There is, therefore, a substantial need for long lasting substitute construction materials that can lessen the need to harvest timber resources.
One potential approach to addressing the above need is to provide substitute decking and fencing products made of plastic, rather than wood. However, because the deck and fencing products must be capable of sustaining certain loads, the replacement products need to be stable and rigid. The material should also be capable of economical manufacture, and be relatively inexpensive. It also needs to be easily fabricated and used in the field.
Many traditional spindles have a turned middle section, that is to say that they have a circular cross-section. This is a very popular design. Such traditional wooden turn spindles are typically made on a wood lathe wherein a roughly square blank is turned into a round spindle. To replace this product with a plastic substitute spindle presents something of a challenge in providing sufficient strength. An example of a good, strong substitute plastic spindle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,331 of Erwin. A reason that it can be problematical to replace a round, hollow wooden spindle with simply a round plastic spindle is that the round, hollow plastic spindle does not bear bending loads very well.
Accordingly, it can be seen that a need yet remains for a plastic spindle which has the appearance of a turned spindle, but which exhibits increased strength to resist bending. It is to the provision of such a spindle that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, in a preferred form the present invention comprises a hollow spindle for use in a fence, railing, decking, or the like. The spindle is hollow and elongate and molded from plastic. The spindle has first and second ends opposite each other and four (4) non-planar (from top to bottom) sides extending between the first and second ends.
Preferably, the non-planar sides are provided such that at any cross-sectional view taken through the spindle between the ends (perpendicular to an axis of elongation), the cross-section of the spindle is rectangular. Most preferably, the rectangular cross-section is a square cross-section.
Preferably, edges are formed at the junctures of the four (4) non-planar sides and these edges are curvilinear.
The present invention allows the hollow plastic spindle to have a turned-like appearance, while providing excellent strength. (It is noted that the spindle's appearance is much like, but not exactly like, a turned spindle.) This arrangement provides two pairs of generally parallel sides, providing excellent strength. This is so because the width of the sides can be arranged to be parallel and perpendicular to the direction of typical lateral forces. By comparison, a hollow round plastic spindle really doesn't have sides that can be oriented parallel to the typical lateral force, resulting in a very weak structure. The present invention thus represents a substantial improvement over the known prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 373833 (1996-09-01), Lapp, Jr.
patent: D. 420152 (2000-02-01), Erwin
patent: 4027855 (1977-06-01), Lauzier
patent: 4035978 (1977-07-01), Bajorek et al.
patent: 5149060 (1992-09-01), Boes
patent: 5626331 (1997-05-01), Erwin
patent: 5876021 (1999-03-01), Spence et al.
patent: 6017019 (2000-01-01), Erwin
patent: 6039307 (2000-03-01), De Zen
patent: 6126148 (2000-10-01), Lesenskyj
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Erwin Industries, Inc.
Gardner Groff Mehrman & Josephic P.C.
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