Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Vertical structure with upper terminal bearing plate or cap – Shaft
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-04-03
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Vertical structure with upper terminal bearing plate or cap
Shaft
C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209276
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to protective coverings and, in particular, to a method of installing a sleeve over an elongated member such as a rigid vertical post, stanchion, or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,583 discloses and claims a sleeve which may be used to cover a rigid structure, thereby providing a more decorative appearance while protecting against exposure to the element and externally applied impacts. According to one physical implementation, such a sleeve has a closed, rounded top and an open bottom, allowing it to be slipped over an existing upright post, typically constructed of a rigid material such as steel or cast cement.
Depending upon the circumstances, sleeves of this kind may be placed over a vertical support without any fastening whatsoever. For example, if used indoors or in an area where theft or vandalism is precluded, attaching the sleeve to the post may be unnecessary or impractical. For many applications, however, including those which are used out-of-doors to cover posts around parking areas, and the like, it is preferred that the sleeve somehow be attached to the post that it is protecting.
Although an adhesive may be used to bond the sleeve to the post it is covering, this technique presents certain disadvantages. For one, adhesives tend to be messy, and flow down the outside of the post or inner wall of the sleeve and accumulate in an unsightly manner. In addition, the holding power of certain adhesives become compromised due to changes in temperature, humidity or exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and such conditions could easily change in an outdoor environment. The need remains, therefore, for an alternative method of installing sleeves of this kind onto posts and other elongated members. Ideally, such a method would be cleaner, while at the same time, providing adequate protection against removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly, and in general terms, the present invention utilizes trapped air to hold a sleeve onto an elongated member. The invention is applicable to sleeves of the type having a closed top and an open bottom and configured for installation onto a vertical post or pillar. In reading this specification, however, one of skill will realize that the invention has other applications, including the installation of sleeves onto non-vertical members, and that such members may be hollow or solid, so long as trapped air is used to provide sufficient holding power as described herein.
According to a method aspect of the invention, a sleeve is provided having an open end and a closed end, and an inner diameter which is at least slightly greater than the outside diameter of the member being covered. At least one spacer is provided circumferentially around the member, which is positioned proximate to the end over which the open end of the sleeve is placed for installation purposes. As the sleeve is subsequently urged over the member, air trapped between the end of the member including the spacer and the closed end of the sleeve is expelled past the spacer and out the open end of the sleeve between the outside wall of the member, such that when the sleeve is fully installed, a relatively small volume of air remains between the end of the member with the spacer and the closed end of the sleeve. With such a configuration, if one then attempts to pull the sleeve off the member, air movement past the spacer in the opposite direction is again very slow, preventing the sleeve from being pulled off the member without a substantial effort. Indeed, to most would-be thieves, the evacuative effect created by the trapped air makes it appear as though the sleeve is permanently bonded to the member, even though trapped air is used as opposed to an adhesive.
In the preferred embodiment, resilient adhesive tape is used to provide the spacer material. In particular, neoprene tape having a thickness on the order of ⅛″ is suitable, as are other thicknesses and compressibilities, depending upon the dimensions of the sleeve and member being covered. Although a single spacer may be used to practice the invention, in the preferred embodiment, at least two bands of spacer material are used, one placed close to each end of the member being covered with the sleeve. It has been found that the use of two or more spacers prevents rattling, particularly at the bottom of the sleeve, while providing further stability against lift off.
It has also been found that, to more readily facilitate installation at the sleeve, the spacer closest to the end over which the open end of the sleeve is placed preferably includes at least one gap as opposed to complete circumferential coverage. This gap enables air to more quickly escape while, particularly when more than one spacer is used lengthwise along the member, removal remains sufficiently difficult. In an alternative embodiment, as opposed to the spacer material being applied directly to the member being covered, the sleeve itself may be formed having one or more circumferential bands with an inside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the sleeve overall, thereby acting as tape-like spacers when the sleeve is installed over the member.
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patent: 6065268 (2000-05-01), Gump
Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski PC
Wilkens Janet M.
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