Fences – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-07-10
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Miscellaneous
C256S065080, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257557
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cover shoes in ornamental iron technology and particularly to a split cover shoe used to enclose the junction between the mounting plate and the base of a post thereby eliminating the need for field welding thereof.
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. Furthermore, the more recent building codes require a minimal distance between the base of the post and the lowest railing that runs horizontally from one post to the next. The minimal distance therebetween prevents toddlers and small pets from slipping under the railing and falling.
Although the stricter building codes prevent injury to toddlers and small pets, it hinders installation of the unitary piece cover shoe of the prior art. As a result of the recent building codes, there is not enough room between the lowest railing and the mounting plate to allow the cover shoe to be slipped up the post far enough to allow screws or lag bolts to be driven into the mounting plate and into the floor. Usually, in the prior art, mounting plates are first attached to the floor, then a cover shoe is slipped onto a post, the post is then welded to the mounting plate while the cover shoe is precariously maintained above the welding site. After the welding is complete, the cover shoe is then lowered to enclose the junction between the mounting plate and the post. As can be ascertained from the description of the installation of the posts and mounting plates of the prior art, field welding provides a burn hazard to the installer. In addition, at the very least, field welding may cause damage to the floor of the building whereon the mounting plates are installed, and in the worst case scenario, start a fire.
The need for a cover shoe that can be affixed to the junction between a mounting plate and the base of a post, while eliminating the need for field welding, has not been addressed in the prior art. Post base covers have been addressed in the prior art which prevent water damage to the base of a wooden post as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,675 to Zuares. However, the post base cover of Zuares requires nailing of the cover to the post and is time consuming to install and cannot be used with metal posts. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,522 to Randolph, Jr. discloses a wooden post base cover that prevents damage to wooden posts as a result of yard maintenance tools. However, the Randolph post cover requires nailing or screwing of the cover to the post and is time consuming to install and cannot be used with metal posts. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,925 to Vargo also provides a post protector that is placed around the base of a post to prevent damage to the post. However, the protector of Vargo must be bolted to the ground and does not fully encompass the base of the post.
The prior art does not address the need for a cover shoe that can be applied to a post and mounting plate junction that eliminates the need for field welding. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of cover shoes that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, sturdy, and efficient in its construction and use, and can quickly be installed and removed from a post and mounting plate junction while eliminating the need for field welding and the dangers associated therewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a 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 a device for enclosing a post and a mounting plate junction that is efficiently and easily applicable in the field.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for enclosing a post and a mounting plate junction that eliminates the need for field welding of the post to the mounting plate. Thereby, the cover shoe device allows the attachment of the post to the mounting plate in the shop and decreases the time necessary for installing the mounting plate and post structure in the field.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover shoe device for enclosing a post and a mounting plate junction that is economical and time saving in its construction and use.
In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique cover shoe device that is preferably constructed of two pieces accomplishes the aforementioned objects and advantages. However, it is to be understood that the cover shoe can be made of more than just two pieces and that the pieces may be asymmetrical. Each piece of the cover shoe has a top portion, middle portion, and a base portion, and a cavity that extends axially from the center of the top portion to through the base portion. When the two pieces of the cover shoe are joined, the cavity accommodates a mounting plate and a post extending in a perpendicular fashion therefrom. The top portion holds the post portion and the base portion holds the mounting plate frictionally to prevent upward movement of the cover shoe.
Each of the cover shoes has a first edge and a second edge, and each of the first and second edges attaches to the corresponding edge on each of the cover shoes. The attaching means is preferably comprised of a pin and hole arrangement where a pin on the first cover shoe is adapted to insert into a corresponding hole on the second cover shoe and vice versa. However, an adhesive means can also be used to attach the two pieces together. The two piece arrangement of the present cover shoe allows the cover shoe to be applied to the mounting plate and post junction without the necessity for field welding.
Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting this 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: 1517846 (1924-12-01), Lewis
patent: 1999098 (1935-04-01), Hillyer et al.
patent: 3335534 (1967-08-01), Hester et al.
patent: 3915434 (1975-10-01), Lister
patent: 4035978 (1977-07-01), Bajorek et al.
patent: 4244156 (1981-01-01), Watts, Jr.
patent: 4269534 (1981-05-01), Ryan
patent: 5029818 (1991-07-01), Katz
patent: 5029820 (1991-07-01), Katz
patent: 5048229 (1991-09-01), Campbell
patent: 5143472 (1992-09-01), Reed et al.
patent: 5340086 (1994-08-01), Dorr
patent: 5369925 (1994-12-01), Vargo
patent: 5685522 (1997-11-01), Randolph, Jr.
patent: 5832675 (1998-11-01), Zuares
patent: 5899044 (1999-05-01), Jarrett
patent: 5992124 (1999-11-01), Robinson
Anderson Dale Shane
Anderson Dennis Ronald
Keshishzadeh, Esq. Milord
Kim Harry C.
Milord & Associates
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