U.S. patent application number 10/252939 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for hidden connector system for railings.
Invention is credited to Calverley, Everette D..
Application Number | 20040056241 10/252939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31993054 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040056241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calverley, Everette D. |
March 25, 2004 |
Hidden connector system for railings
Abstract
A hidden connector system (10) for railing constructions
including a basic railing unit (11) including an elongated hollow
tubular railing member (20), the interior surface of which is
provided with a generally C-shaped central core element (21) that
is supported within the interior of the railing member (20) by a
pair of opposed struts (22) (22) wherein, the exterior surface of
the railing member (20) may be provided with opposed elongated
channels (23) and/or opposed cylindrical recesses (25) that are
offset by 90.degree. from the opposed struts (22) (22) and wherein
a plurality of railing members (20) (20') etc. may be connected to
one another by conventional fasteners (50) alone or in combination
with diverse connector members (60) (70) and (80).
Inventors: |
Calverley, Everette D.;
(High River, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STURM & FIX LLP
206 SIXTH AVENUE
SUITE 1213
DES MOINES
IA
50309-4076
US
|
Family ID: |
31993054 |
Appl. No.: |
10/252939 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1812 20130101;
E04F 11/1851 20130101; E04F 11/1814 20130101; E04F 11/1853
20130101; E04F 2011/1819 20130101; E04F 2011/1829 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/065.02 |
International
Class: |
E04H 017/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A hidden connector system for railing constructions comprising a
basic railing unit including an elongated hollow tubular railing
member the interior of which is provided with a generally tubular
central core element that is suspended within the interior of the
tubular railing member by a pair of opposed struts.
2. The system as in claim 1; wherein, the central core element has
a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
3. The system as in claim 2; wherein, the central core element and
the pair of struts extend along the entire length of the railing
member.
4. The system as in claim 2; wherein, the central core element and
the pair of struts are recessed from the opposed ends of the
railing member.
5. The system as in claim 3; wherein, at least one of the opposite
ends of the railing member terminates in a straight line.
6. The system as in claim 4; wherein, at least one of the opposite
ends of the railing member terminates in a straight line.
7. The system as in claim 3; wherein, at least one of the opposite
ends of the railing member terminates in a contoured curve.
8. The system as in claim 4; wherein, at least one of the opposite
ends of the railing member terminates in a contoured curve.
9. The system as in claim 5; wherein, both of the ends of the
railing member terminate in a straight line.
10. The system as in claim 6; wherein, both of the ends of the
railing member terminate in a straight line.
11. The system as in claim 7; wherein, both of the ends of the
railing member terminate in a contoured curve.
12. The system as in claim 8; wherein, both of the ends of the
railing member terminate in a contoured curve.
13. The system as in claim 1; wherein, the external surface of the
railing member is provided with a pair of elongated opposed
channels.
14. The system as in claim 13; wherein, the opposed channels are
offset by 90.degree. from the opposed struts.
15. The system as in claim 1; wherein, the external surface of the
railing member is provided with at least one pair of opposed
cylindrical recesses.
16. The system as in claim 15; wherein, the at least one pair of
opposed cylindrical recesses is offset by 90.degree. from the
opposed struts.
17. The system as in claim 2; wherein, the external surface of the
railing member is provided with a pair of elongated opposed
channels.
18. The system as in claim 17; wherein, the opposed channels are
offset by 90.degree. from the opposed struts.
19. The system as in claim 2; wherein, the external surface of the
railing member is provided with at least one pair of opposed
cylindrical recesses.
20. The system as in claim 19; wherein, the at least one pair of
opposed cylindrical recesses is offset by 90.degree. from the
opposed struts.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of mechanical
connector systems in general and in particular to a hidden
connector system to provide railings with a clean exterior
appearance.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,952,092; 6,203,233; 5,054,953; 5,370,368; and, 5,364,077, the
prior art is replete with myriad and diverse hidden connector
systems for handrails and the like.
[0006] While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are
more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which
they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient
with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and
practical arrangement wherein, a basic railing unit forms the basis
for connecting a plurality of basic railing units together using
conventional fasteners deployed in a generally concealed
fashion.
[0007] Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of railing
constructions which, while imminently functional, are sorely
deficient in their aesthetic appearance due to the visible presence
of welds, conventional couplers and the like.
[0008] As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has
existed a longstanding need among railing designers for a new and
improved hidden connector system for railing constructions that
provides a clean, modern and aesthetically pleasing appearance; and
the provision of such an arrangement forms the stated objective of
the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Briefly stated, the hidden connector system for railings
relies almost exclusively upon a basic railing unit wherein, a
plurality of basic railing units may be joined together in a
variety of different combinations and configurations relying
primarily upon the use of conventional fasteners as well as some
customized connector members wherein the juncture between the
plurality of basic railing units is virtually seamless to the
casual observer.
[0010] As will be explained in greater detail further on in the
specification, the basic railing unit comprises an elongated hollow
tubular railing member, the interior surface of which is provided
with a generally C-shaped central core element flanked by a pair of
opposed struts that suspend the central core element within the
interior of the tubular railing member.
[0011] In addition, the exterior surface of the tubular railing
member may be optionally provided with opposed channels or opposed
cylindrical recesses that are adapted to suspend decorative panels
between spaced railing members or connect a plurality of railing
members together in a perpendicularly aligned fashion.
[0012] Furthermore, the central core element is specifically
designed to be threadedly engaged by a plurality of conventional
fasteners used either alone or in combination with a plurality of
diverse connector elements and/or customized connector members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other attributes of the invention will become more
clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the
best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when
reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handrail structure
incorporating the hidden connector system of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the middle portion of the
handrail structure;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lower portion
of one of the handrail stanchions;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the components depicted in
FIG. 4 in their assembled relationship;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one version of a
vertical connector arrangement;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another version of
a vertical connector arrangement;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial cut away view of a T-connector;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion
of a vertical railing connection; and,
[0023] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of both the upper and lower
portions of a vertical railing connection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in
particular to FIG. 1, the hidden connector system for railings that
forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by
the reference number 10. The connector system 10 comprises in
general a basic railing unit 11 and a plurality of diverse coupling
units designated generally as 12. These units will now be described
in seriatim fashion.
[0025] As shown throughout the drawing figures, the basic railing
unit 11 comprises a generally hollow tubular railing member 20 the
interior of which is provided with a generally C-shaped central
core element 21 that extends along the axis of the tubular railing
member 20 and which is suspended within the interior of the tubular
railing member 20 by a pair of diametrically opposed struts 22 22
that provide structural rigidity to the tubular railing member
20.
[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 3, it can be seen that in one
version of the preferred embodiment, the tubular railing member 20
is further provided with a plurality of elongated diametrically
opposed channel elements 23 having a pair of opposed recesses 24
formed on their interior walls; wherein, the channel elements 23
are offset 90.degree. from the struts 22 for reasons that will be
explained presently.
[0027] In this version of the preferred embodiment, one of the
channel elements 23 is designed to captively engage an elongated
cap element 30 which matches the finish of the tubular railing
member 20 to conceal the presence of the channel elements 23
wherein protrusions 31 on the exterior of the cap element 30 engage
the recesses 24 in one of the channel elements 23. Furthermore, the
other channel element 23' is designed to cooperate in a similar
fashion to captively engage the protrusions 41 formed on one of a
pair of connectors 40 provided on the top and bottom of a
decorative panel 45 that is suspended between a pair of vertically
spaced railing members 20 20'.
[0028] In another version of the preferred embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 9 and 10, the tubular railing member 20 is provided with a
pair of diametrically opposed cylindrical recesses 25 that are
offset from the struts 22 90.degree.. In this version, the recesses
25 are dimensioned to receive generally cylindrical connector
elements 51 that join a vertical railing strut member 20" to a pair
of horizontally disposed railing members 20 20'wherein, the
opposite ends of the vertical railing strut member 20" have an
arcuate recess 26 formed therein; and, the cylindrical connector
elements 51 are provided with a central aperture (not shown) that
is dimensioned to receive a conventional fastener 50 that is
adapted to threadedly engage the central core 21 of the vertical
railing strut member 20" in a well recognized fashion.
[0029] In addition, as can best be appreciated by reference to
FIGS. 4 through 7, each end of the railing member 20 can be
specially contoured to accommodate different structural
requirements. For instance, in FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that
the vertical railing member 20 has an unaltered lower end that is
dimensioned to be slidably received in the hollow central hub
portion 61 of a base connector member 60, wherein, the floor 62 of
the hub portion 61 of the base member 60 is provided with a central
aperture 63 that is dimensioned to receive a conventional fastener
50 that will threadedly engage the central core element 21 of the
tubular vertical railing member 20 for securing the base member 60
to the vertical railing member in a well recognized fashion.
[0030] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that both the
central core element 21 and the opposed support struts 22 22 of the
tubular railing member 20 may be removed in a straight line
indented fashion relative to the ends of the tubular railing member
20 to accommodate different connector members 70 and 80. A shown in
FIG. 6, the end of the railing member 20 is provided with a curved
contoured cut that will accommodate a single fastener connector
member 70 having a generally flat top surface 71 that is
countersunk to receive the head 51 of a conventional fastener 50
and having a concave bottom surface 72 that conforms to the arcuate
contoured end of the tubular railing member 20.
[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when a multiple fastener
connector member 80 is employed, the straight recessed edge
arrangement of the central core element 21 and the struts 22 22
allow a central conventional fastener 50 to be inserted in an
inverted fashion through the concave bottom surface 82 of the
connector member 80 to engage the central core element 21 of the
railing member 20 while a pair of flanking conventional fasteners
50 50 extends through the top surface 81 and projects beyond the
concave bottom surface 82 to attach the connector member 80 to
another substrate (not shown); wherein, the heads 51 of the
downwardly facing conventional fasteners 50 are spaced from the
recessed ends of the central core element 21 and struts 22 22 in a
well recognized fashion.
[0032] As can also be seen by reference to FIG. 8, two opposed
tubular railing members 20 20 can be operatively connected to one
another by a double ended threaded fastener 150 that engages the
central core element 21 of each railing member 20 20 such that the
opposed railing members 20 20 can engage and be supported by a
third railing member 20 in a generally Y-shaped configuration.
[0033] Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has
been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of
this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the
following claims.
[0034] Having thereby described the subject matter of the present
invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions,
modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in
light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that
the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited
to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.
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