Fences – Rail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-12-11
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Rail
C256S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328285
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a rail apparatus and more specifically to a rail apparatus that is attachable to a support surface such as a set of telescoping bleachers and is capable of being rotated to various positions and remaining attached to the support surface when the support surface is in either an extended, open position or a retracted, closed position.
2. Description of Prior Art
It is important, on various types of support structures from retractable bleachers in school gymnasiums to concrete outdoor steps, to provide hand rails or supports to aid people ascending and descending the support structure.
Traditionally, hand rails have been bolted directly to the support structures and are permanently attached in one position. Examples of these types of rails may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,964,215, 4,571,895, 4,014,522 and 4,014,523.
When the rails are permanently attached in one position, they either prevent collapsible support surfaces such as bleachers from being retracted into a closed position or they must be removed before closing the support surface.
One solution to this problem has been rail systems that incorporate an attachment system that allows the rail to be easily removed and stored in a separate location when the support structure is in a stored position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,663 exemplifies this solution.
Another solution to the problem present in collapsible bleacher systems that have rails is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,997,165, 4,006,564, 4,361,991, and 3,788,608 which all provide systems that allow the rails to swivel partially and either lay flat, lean at an angle from or abut against the bleacher system when it is in a retracted or closed position. However, all of these systems require the rail to be located at an outer edge of the support surface. None of the patented inventions allow for the rails to be located within the interior of the collapsible bleacher systems.
And yet, another example of a rail system that allows for the rails to be rotated from one position to another while still being attached to the support surface is that found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,110. This system also limits the rails to being located at the outer edges of the support surface and would not operate properly if it were relocated to the interior portion of the support surface.
It is therefore desirable to have a rail apparatus that is permanently attached to a collapsible support system and is rotatable so as to allow the handle portion of the rail apparatus to move between various positions and would allow for the support structure to be placed in a storage position without removing the rail apparatus. Such a rail apparatus would also be capable of being placed within the interior of the support surface, not just at the edges, so as to provide support to users ascending and descending the support structure in the middle thereof.
While the above stated devices are a fair representation of the current prior art, there remains room for improvement as defined by the currently claimed invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a rail apparatus that is capable of remaining in place on a retractable support structure, such as bleachers, when the support structure is in either an extended, open position as well as in a retracted, closed position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rail apparatus that can be moved to various positions, adding versatility to the rail apparatus while maintaining its ability to function properly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rail apparatus with various support attachments that add stability and strength to the rail apparatus.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a strong, supported rail apparatus that is versatile enough to be attached to the front, top or sides of a support structure as well as to a flat surface.
The aforementioned objectives will be accomplished by the rail apparatus that is attachable to a support surface having a P-shaped handle portion integral with a shaft element that extends down and is connected to the support surface or bleachers through a mounting system having a support socket and spring system. The support socket and spring system are connected to the support surface or bleachers either on the front, top or side of the support surface. The spring system is inside the lower portion of the shaft and provides a force that keeps the handle portion of the rail apparatus in place within the support socket, yet allows for the handle portion to be rotated to various other positions if desired. When the position of the rail apparatus is changed, the spring system is compressed, the rail apparatus moved and the spring system is then decompressed and allowed to once again apply pressure and keep the rail apparatus in the selected position within the support socket. The rail apparatus also has a rear support attachment that can be attached to the underneath side of the support surface as well as the support socket to provide added support and stability to the rail apparatus.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description. The description of the present invention discloses, in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate by way of example, the principles and objects of the invention.
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Charron Sports Services, Inc.
Hardaway, III John B.
Hardaway/Mann IP Group
Kim Harry C.
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