Fences – Rail – Connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-09-18
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
Connection
C256S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290213
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to safety barriers, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for constructing modular rail assemblies for decks or raised platforms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a wide variety of railings that are used to create safety barriers for balconies or other raised platforms. These railings commonly consist of posts and rails. The railings are typically connected to the posts using welded joints, bolted attachments, or threads. Assembling these connections is difficult and time consuming, and they are not easily altered for different configurations.
Portable railings are railings that can be installed or removed in a short period of time. These railings are often used at construction sites, in commercial buildings, or any other place with an elevated platform. Portable railings must be capable of quick disassembly and reassembly at a different location. A portable railing provides the safety and flexibility to use a raised platform for a variety of purposes.
The most important feature of a portable railing is the connection between the rail and the post. The connection determines the ease with which the railing can be assembled or disassembled. Prior art rail assemblies use conventional connections, such as welded joints, bolts, or threaded connections. These connections are undesirable because of the amount of time and effort required to install or uninstall the rail assembly.
Welding creates a permanent connection that is not easily taken apart. Welded joints also require expensive equipment on site to create them, and a certain level of skill to operate the equipment. Welding may be acceptable for permanent railings, but does not suit the needs of a portable railing.
Bolted and clamped connections require extra tooling such as wrenches or pliers. The greatest limitation of bolt and clamp connections is the bolt holes or the marks left behind after the railing is disassembled. Bolt and clamp connections usually contact the surface of the rail and post and damage the paint or finish at the points of contact. These clamps also require extra clamping parts in addition to the rail and post. These additional parts are easily lost when the railing is disassembled and moved to a different location.
Threaded connections require special couplings for the joints between the rails and the posts. These couplings must be preformed with threads before the railing can be installed. The rails must also be threaded to connect with the couplings and posts. This type of railing can only be installed in predetermined lengths because the rail must end at each post. This limitation greatly reduces the versatility of threaded connection railings. The threads on the rails are also easily damaged when moving the railing, and may not fit back into the coupling when the railing is reinstalled.
In light of the problems and limitations of the prior art described above, a need exists for a modular rail assembly that is versatile, can be quickly assembled or disassembled with minimal use of tools, and can be assembled in a variety of different configurations. Each preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The modular rail assembly of the present invention includes a post, a rail, a cap, and a low friction sleeve. The post is attached near the surface or stairway the railing is bordering. A sleeve is placed through holes in the post and cap, and the rail is inserted through the sleeve. Set screws in the post and cap are tightened into the sleeves to secure the rail.
In this invention the rail extends through the sleeve and post or sleeve and cap. The post can be placed at different points along the length of the rail. The distance between posts is not dependent on the length of the rail section. Sliding the rail through the sleeve and post creates a stronger, more attractive connection than existing procedures for creating portable rail assembles. This modular rail assembly connecting a rail to a post provides easy installation on site without the need for extra tools or welded joints. The railing is strong and sturdy, yet easy to disassemble and install at a different location. It possesses the versatility and adaptability of a temporary rail assembly with the functionality and appearance of a permanent structure.
The post preferably consists of a tube extending upward and set screws. In the preferred embodiment the post is a square tube that preferably mounts to the floor, stairs, ramp, or adjacent wall structure with bolts. Preferably, the square tube post has circular holes cut on opposite sides directly across from one another. Preferably, the square tube post has circular holes cut on opposite sides directly across from one another. These holes allow a rail and sleeve to be inserted through the post.
A low friction sleeve is utilized to prevent the post from scratching the rail. The sleeve preferably has an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rail, an outer diameter slightly smaller than the holes in the post, and a length extending at least the width of the post. The inner surface of the plastic sleeve allows the rail to slide through the sleeve, and the outer surface is small enough to slide into the circular holes on the square post. The post preferably has a set screw that is tightened to hold the rail in place. The set screw can apply pressure to the sleeve, which in turn compresses the sleeve around the rail to keep the rail stationary. The set screw and sleeve preferably hold the rail in place without damaging the surface of the rail.
One or more posts are mounted on the edge of the surface to be bordered. When multiple posts are used, the holes on these posts are aligned, and the rail is slid through the plastic sleeves and the holes on the respective posts until the rail extends the length of the surface edge. Because the rail finish is not damaged, the sleeve allows the rail to be inserted through a post in a variety of locations without revealing unpainted or scratched surfaces.
A separate piece is used for the formed cap on the posts. The bottom of the cap preferably has a mating surface that connects to the top end of the post The cap has a through hole that can allow a rail and sleeve to be slid through it. Preferably, there is also a set screw in the cap that holds the rail in place. The set screw in the cap preferably works the same as the set screw in the post by putting pressure on the sleeve, which compresses on the rail. In the preferred embodiment, the rail through the cap serves as the top rail in the railing assembly.
The value of this invention lies in its interchangeability. This handrail assembly can be easily installed on a balcony and then quickly disassembled with no damage and installed somewhere else with no need for repainting. This feature is useful in manufacturing plants, warehouses, or other commercial buildings that use balconies to maximize space and frequently change their layout.
Still other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.
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patent: 4656721 (19
Brooks Mark A.
D'Addario Robert
Laird Ralph H.
Noll Kevin L.
Thomas Michael R.
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Wildeck Mezzanines, Inc.
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