U.S. patent application number 10/647155 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for mounting system for mounting a support to a rail of a deck.
Invention is credited to Cohen, Warren.
Application Number | 20050045785 10/647155 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34216465 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050045785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen, Warren |
March 3, 2005 |
Mounting system for mounting a support to a rail of a deck
Abstract
A mounting system for mounting an object to the railing of a
deck. The mounting system includes a base structure having a top
side and a bottom side, wherein the base structure lay across the
top of the deck rail. A support post extends upwardly from the base
structure. The base structure of the mounting system engages the
top rail using two opposing elements that extend from the base
structure down along the sides of the top rail. Each of the
opposing elements defines a plurality of stepped surfaces that are
generally parallel to the base structure. However, each of the
stepped surfaces on the opposing elements are at different
distances from the bottom of the base structure. The stepped
surfaces are positioned at points that correspond to common
thicknesses of the lumber used in the construction of deck
rails.
Inventors: |
Cohen, Warren;
(Philadelphia, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAMORTE & ASSOCIATES P.C.
P.O. BOX 434
YARDLEY
PA
19067
US
|
Family ID: |
34216465 |
Appl. No.: |
10/647155 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/214 ;
248/228.3; 248/231.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 9/01 20180801; F16B
2/12 20130101; E04F 11/1812 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/214 ;
248/228.3; 248/231.41 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mounting system for mounting an object to the railing of a
deck, said mounting system comprising: a base structure having a
top side and a bottom side; two opposing elements extending from
said bottom side of said base structure, wherein each of said
opposing elements define a plurality of stepped surfaces that are
generally parallel to said bottom side of said base structure at
different distances from said base structure; and an adjustment
mechanism for selectively adjusting a distance between said
opposing elements.
2. The system according to claim 1, further including a support
pole that extends from said top surface of said base structure.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base structure
defines a track.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said
opposing elements engages said track and is slidably adjustable
within said track.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein both of said opposing
elements engage said track and are slidably adjustable in position
within said track.
6. The system according to claim 4, further including bolts for
selectively locking said at least one of said opposing elements
into said track at a fixed position.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a stepped surface approximately three quarters of
an inch below said bottom surface of said base structure.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a second stepped surface approximately one inch
below said bottom surface of said base structure.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a third stepped surface approximately one and a
half inches below said bottom surface of said base structure.
10. A mounting device for a engaging a wooden rail, said device
comprising: a flat structure; two opposing elements that extend
from said flat structure, wherein each of said opposing elements
define a plurality of stepped surfaces that are generally parallel
to said flat structure but are at different distances from said
flat structure.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said opposing
elements are positionally adjustable to create a selected distance
between said opposing elements.
12. The device according to claim 10, wherein a track is disposed
on said flat structure and at least one of said opposing elements
is selectively positionable along said track.
13. The device according to claim 10, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a stepped surface approximately three quarters of
an inch below said flat structure.
14. The device according to claim 10, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a second stepped surface approximately one inch
below said flat structure.
15. The device according to claim 10, wherein each of said opposing
elements defines a third stepped surface approximately one and a
half inches below said flat structure.
16. The device according to claim 10, further including a support
pole extending at a perpendicular from said flat structure.
17. A universal mounting device for mounting to a 3/4 inch plank, a
one inch plank or a one and a half inch plank, said device
comprising: a flat structure; two opposing elements that extend
from said flat structure, each of said opposing elements defining a
plurality of stepped surfaces that are generally parallel to said
flat structure, wherein a first stepped surface is approximately
three quarters of an inch below said flat structure, a second
stepped surface is approximately one inch below said flat surface
and a third stepped surface is approximately one and a half inches
below said flat surface.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein said opposing elements
are a predetermined distance apart and said predetermined distance
is selectively adjustable.
19. The device according to claim 17, further including a pole
extending from said flat structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] In general, the present invention relates to mounting
systems for mounting objects onto horizontal surfaces. More
particularly, the present invention relates to mounting systems for
mounting support poles to the top railing of a wooden outdoor
deck.
[0003] 2. Prior Art Description
[0004] Many modern homes have outdoor decks. Decks enable
homeowners to have a comfortable area outside the confines of the
home that is elevated off the ground and does not require
landscaping. Many decks are built at the same level as one of the
floors of the home. As such, to reach the deck, a homeowner need
only open a door of the home to step out directly onto the deck. In
good weather, a deck may serve as an extra room of the house,
wherein a homeowner may pass many times between the deck and the
interior of the house.
[0005] Since decks are so convenient in many homes, homeowners
often store many outdoor items on their decks to make the deck a
functional part of the home. Such outdoor items commonly include
outdoor furniture, barbeques, outdoor lamps, candles, electronic
bug killers and the like. Accordingly, decks are also often
decorated for aesthetics. As such, many decks contain wind chimes,
flags, planters and other outdoor decorations.
[0006] Although many homeowners prefer their decks to be as open as
possible, most local building codes require that all elevated decks
contain railings. The railing prevents a person from accidentally
stepping or falling off the deck. Although railings come in a
variety of different styles and shapes, most railing configurations
share common features. For example, most railings contain rigid
posts that are firmly connected to the structure of the deck.
Between these rigid posts are disposed horizontal spindles. Most
commonly, two horizontal rails are used. Those horizontal rails
typically include a base rail and a top rail. The horizontal rails
are used to support vertical spindles. The base rail passes across
the vertical spindles near the surface of the deck. The top rail
passes across the tops of the vertical spindles, thereby providing
a continuous smooth railing around the entire rail structure.
[0007] Many commercial companies make specialty top rails for use
around decks and along exterior stairways. Many of these top rails
have unique cross sectional shapes. The different shapes provide
homeowners with choices in how the overall railing of their deck
appears.
[0008] As has been previously mentioned, people often place
decorative objects on their decks. Many items, such as flags, wind
chimes, lights, torches, bug killers and the like work best if
placed in an isolated and elevated position. Furthermore, by
placing such objects in elevated positions, such objects are kept
out of the reach of any child that may be on the deck. Since decks
typically are open, they do not have a ceiling or other high
structures from which objects can be hung. The top rail is
therefore often the highest part of the deck. However, for both
safety and aesthetics, homeowners typically do not want to balance
items like torches, bug killers and the like on the narrow top rail
of a deck.
[0009] To solve this problem of object placement on a deck, many
commercial items that are intended for use on decks come with
support posts that mount to the deck. Many such support posts
terminate with some type of clamp that can be used to engage the
spindle or top rail of the deck. Such, prior art support posts are
exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,651 to Dolan, entitled Mounting
Device For Flagpoles, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,826, to Galloway
entitled Supporting System For Patio Deck Accessories.
[0010] A problem associated with such prior art support posts is
that the clamp used to attach the support post to the deck can only
engage certain shaped deck elements. Most commonly, these elements
must be either circular or rectangular in shape. However, as has
been previously mentioned, decks with top rails that are unusually
shaped are becoming increasingly common. If a prior art support
post clamp is attached to a contoured top rail, the clamp would
contact the top rail only at certain points. As the clamp is
tightened, this concentrates the force of the clamp at the points
of contact, which often causes crushing damage to the top rail.
Alternatively, if the support post clamp is not tightened enough,
the support post may remain loose and the object the support post
holds may fall over if the wind blows or if the support post is
inadvertently touched.
[0011] A need therefore exists for an improved support post
mounting system that can engage the top rail of a deck and make a
strong non-damaging contact with the top rail even if the top rail
has an unusually contoured shape. This need is met by the present
invention as described and claimed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a mounting system for mounting an
object to the railing of a deck. The mounting system includes a
base structure having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the
base structure lay across the top of the deck rail. A support post
extends upwardly from the base structure, so that the support post
can support an object above the top rail of the deck. The base
structure of the mounting system engages the top rail using two
opposing elements that extend from the base structure down along
the sides of the top rail. Each of the opposing elements defines a
plurality of stepped surfaces that are generally parallel to the
base structure. However, each of the stepped surfaces on the
opposing elements are at different distances from the bottom of the
base structure. The stepped surfaces are positioned at points that
correspond to common thicknesses of the lumber used in the
construction of deck rails. In this manner, the contours of the
opposing elements can engage different types of rails.
[0013] An adjustment mechanism is also provided for selectively
adjusting the distance between the opposing elements. In this
manner, the width of the mounting system can be adjusted to receive
railings of different widths. Accordingly, a universal mounting
system is provided that conforms to the shape of many different
deck rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following description of an exemplary
embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention mounting system;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
shown engaging a horizontal rail;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
mounting system of FIG. 1 shown engaging a plank of standard
decking lumber;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
mounting system of FIG. 1 shown engaging a full one inch thick
plank;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
mounting system of FIG. 1 shown engaging a framing stud; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the
mounting system of FIG. 1 shown engaging a molded rail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Although the present invention mounting system can be used
to attach any elongated support to most any piece of lumber, in any
orientation, it is particularly well suited to attach a vertical
support pole to a horizontal rail. Accordingly, by way of example,
the present invention mounting system is described in an
application where it is being used to mount a vertical support pole
to the horizontal top rail of an outdoor deck. It will be
understood that such an application is merely exemplary and is
presented only to set forth one of the most common applications
contemplated for the present invention.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the mounting system
10 includes a base structure 12. The base structure 12 has a flat
top surface 14. A support pole 16 is located in the center of the
top surface 14 of the base structure 12. The support pole 16
extends at a perpendicular from the plane of the base structure 12.
The support pole 16 and the base structure 12 can be welded
together or otherwise manufactured as a unistructural construction.
Alternatively, the support pole 16 may engage the base structure 12
with a threaded connection or similar detachable mechanical
interconnection.
[0024] The support pole 16 can be any length and may terminate at
its top in many different configurations. The support pole can be
used to hold a flag, plant, bug killer, wind chimes, torch or any
other such object that is traditionally held in an elevated
position.
[0025] The base structure 12 has side walls 18 that hook under the
flat top surface 14. Accordingly, the side walls 18 of the base
structure 12 and the underside of the top surface 14 combine to
define an open track 20. Bolt holes 22 pass through the top surface
14 of the base structure 12 and into the track 20. The purpose of
the bolt holes 22 is later described.
[0026] Two brackets 24 are provided that are used to clamp the base
structure 12 onto a piece of lumber. Each of the brackets 24 is
identical in form. Each of the brackets 24 contains a flat section
26. The flat sections 26 of the brackets 24 are sized to slide into
the track 20 on the bottom of the base structure 12. Each flat
section 26 is only half as thick as the track 20 is tall. In this
manner, the flat sections 26 of both the brackets 24 can pass over
one another in a lap joint while within the confines of the track
20. The track 20 on the underside of the base structure 12 engages
the flat sections 26 of the brackets 24 and confines the movement
of the brackets 24 to one direction in a single plane. Accordingly,
the brackets 24 can only move towards and away from each other in
the directions of arrows 27.
[0027] Slots 28 are formed in each of the flat sections 26 of the
brackets 24. The slots 28 are formed in the center of the flat
sections 26, wherein the slots 28 pass directly under the bolt
holes 22 in the base structure 12. Accordingly, when the flat
sections 26 of the brackets 24 are in the track 20 of the base
structure 12, the bolt holes 22 and the slots 28 of both brackets
24 align.
[0028] Each of the brackets 24 also contains a contoured section 30
that extends from one end of the flat section 26. The contoured
section 30 of the brackets 24 enables the brackets 24 to firmly
engage lumber of different shapes and sizes, as will later be
described.
[0029] Flat head bolts 23 extend upwardly through slots 28 in the
flat sections 26 of the brackets 24. The shanks of the flat head
bolts 23 also extend through the bolt holes 22 in the base
structure 12. The shank of the flat head bolts 23 are engages by
threaded nuts 25. The threaded nuts 25 can be a regular hex-nut.
However, wing nuts or knob nuts are preferred so that the threaded
nut 25 can be tightened and loosened by hand.
[0030] When the threaded nut 25 is tightened on the shank of the
flat head bolts 23, base structure 12 and the flat sections 26 of
the brackets 24 are compressed between the threaded nut 25 and the
head of the bolt 23. This locks the brackets 24 in place with the
base structure 12.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the full mounting system 10 is shown
engaging a horizontal rail 33. To place the mounting system 10 on
the horizontal rail 33, the brackets 24 are separated until the
contoured sections 30 of each bracket 24 are far enough apart to
pass around the sides of the horizontal rail 33. Once around the
horizontal rail 33, the brackets 24 are moved toward one another
until the contoured sections 30 of the brackets 24 abut against the
sides of the horizontal rail 33. Once the contoured sections 30 of
the brackets 24 are in abutment with the sides of the horizontal
rail 33, the threaded nuts 25 are tightened on the flat head bolts
23. This locks the base structure 12 to the brackets 24 at the set
position. Accordingly, the brackets 24 become locked in place and
cannot be moved until the threaded nuts 25 are loosened.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the elements that
are the contoured sections 30 of each of the brackets 24 contain a
series of stepped surfaces 40, 42, 44, wherein each of the stepped
surfaces 40, 42, 44 is a different distance from the base structure
12. The first stepped surface 40 is a first distance D1 from the
bottom of the base structure 12. That first distance D1 is
approximately three-quarters of an inch .+-.{fraction
(1/16)}.sup.th of an inch. The second stepped surface 42 is a
second distance D2 from the bottom of the track 20. The second
distance D2 is approximately one inch .+-.{fraction (1/16)}.sup.th
of an inch. The third stepped surface 44 is a third distance D3
from the bottom of the track. The third distance D3 is
approximately one and a half inches .+-.{fraction (1/8)}th of an
inch.
[0033] Between each of the stepped surfaces 40, 42, 44 is a bend.
Accordingly, since three stepped surfaces 40, 42 and 44 are shown
in the exemplary embodiment, multiple bends are present in the
contoured section 30 of each bracket 24 to create the different
stepped surfaces 40, 42, 44.
[0034] Each of the stepped surfaces 40, 42, 44 is generally
parallel to the base structure 12. That is, they are within a few
degrees of being parallel. The contoured sections 30 of both the
brackets 24 may be tilted inwardly a few degrees to provide the
contoured sections 30 with a slight spring bias that presses the
contoured sections 30 against the rail when the contoured sections
30 are pressed against the rail.
[0035] There are many types of lumber that carpenters and
contractors use to create the top rail of a deck. Some of the most
common types of lumber are decking lumber, such as 1".times.6"
planks, framing lumber, such as 2".times.4" and 2".times.6" studs
and molded rails. Referring to FIG. 4, a piece of standard,
1".times.6" decking lumber 50 is shown. The actual dimensions of
standard 1.times.6 decking is 3/4".times.51/2". Such standard sized
decking lumber 50 fits between the bottom of the base structure 12
and the first stepped surface 40 of the bracket 24. Accordingly,
when the brackets 24 are moved against a piece of standard decking
lumber 50, the first stepped surface 40 passes under the bottom of
the decking lumber 50. This fit prevents the support post 16 from
being moved laterally and provides a strong mechanical engagement
with the decking lumber 50.
[0036] Some decking is also made to be truly one inch thick. Such
decking lumber is commonly known as full one inch decking lumber.
Referring to FIG. 5, a piece of full one inch decking lumber 52 is
shown. Such decking lumber 52 fits between the bottom of the base
structure 12 and the second stepped surface 42 of the bracket 24.
Accordingly, when the brackets 24 are moved against a piece of full
one inch decking lumber 52, the second stepped surface 42 passes
under the bottom of the decking lumber 52. This provides a strong
mechanical engagement between the mounting device 10 and the
decking lumber 52.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 6, a 2".times.4" framing stud 54 is shown.
The real dimensions of standard 2".times.4" framing studs are
13/4.times.31/2". Such standard sized framing studs 54 fit between
the bottom of the base structure 12 and the third stepped surface
44 of the bracket 24. Accordingly, when the brackets 24 are moved
against a standard framing stud 54, the third stepped surface 44
passes under the bottom of the framing stud 54. This provides a
strong mechanical interconnection.
[0038] It will also be understood that framing studs also come in
2".times.6" and 2".times.8" dimensions. The mounting system 10
would engage such framing lumber in the same manner as shown in
FIG. 6, except the brackets 24 would be spread farther apart to
accommodate the wider lumber.
[0039] Some decking rails are also made from molded railing lumber.
Such molded lumber typically has a curved top edge that prevents
water from collecting in the top. Referring to FIG. 7, a piece of
molded rail lumber 56 is shown. Such molded rail lumber 56 fits
between the bottom of the base structure 12 and the first stepped
surface 40 of the brackets 24. Accordingly, when the brackets 24
are moved against a piece of molded rail lumber 56, the first
stepped surface 40 passes under the top edge of the lumber 56.
Similarly, the second stepped surface 42 and the third stepped
surface 44 of the bracket 24 may also engage parts of the molded
rail lumber 56, depending upon its configuration.
[0040] It will be understood that horizontal rails do exist that
are not illustrated within this specification. Provided that such
railings have a thickness or an indent at the 3/4" mark, 1" mark
and/or 11/2" mark, the brackets 24 of the present invention
mounting system 10 will engage the railing and prevent the mounting
from detaching from the railing if a lateral force is experienced
by the support pole. It will also be understood that the
embodiments of the present invention mounting system that are
described and illustrated herein are merely exemplary and a person
skilled in the art can make many variations to the embodiment shown
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, there are many sliding lap joint configurations that can
be used to interconnect the base structure of the mounting system
to the sliding brackets. Furthermore, there are many ways that
sliding lap joints can be locked in place with screws. All such
variations, modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to
be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *