U.S. patent application number 11/035051 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for stairway system having a hidden fastener.
Invention is credited to Robert H. Green, Kurt Nielsen, Jack C. Phillips, James N. Trice.
Application Number | 20060150541 11/035051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36651797 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060150541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Robert H. ; et
al. |
July 13, 2006 |
Stairway system having a hidden fastener
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a stairway system
comprising: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail above
said treads comprising: a) at least two segments; b) a hidden
fastener joining said segments, said hidden fastener having an
axis; and at least one baluster between said treads and said
handrail. In the preferred embodiment, the handrail further
comprises a structure for preventing rotation about said axis of
said hidden fastener of one of said segments with respect to
another of said segments. Also in the preferred embodiment, the
stairway system comprises a lateral support for supporting the
handrail. A system for and method of joining a handrail having at
least two segments is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Green; Robert H.; (Lenoir,
NC) ; Nielsen; Kurt; (Wilkesboro, NC) ; Trice;
James N.; (Wilkesboro, NC) ; Phillips; Jack C.;
(Elkin, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACCORD MASON PLLC
300 N. GREENE STREET, SUITE 1600
P. O. BOX 2974
GREENSBORO
NC
27402
US
|
Family ID: |
36651797 |
Appl. No.: |
11/035051 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 47/28 20130101;
E04F 11/1836 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/184 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/00 20060101
E04F011/00; E04F 19/10 20060101 E04F019/10 |
Claims
1. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart
treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least
two segments; and ii) a hidden fastener joining said segments; and
(c) at least one baluster between said treads and said
handrail.
2. The stairway system according to claim 1, further including a
lateral support for supporting said handrail.
3. The stairway system according to claim 2, wherein said lateral
support is a newel.
4. The stairway system according to claim 3, wherein one end of
said newel is connected to said handrail and the other end of said
newel is anchored.
5. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is
connected to the ends of said handrail.
6. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is
vertically anchored.
7. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is
anchored to the floor of the structure.
8. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is
anchored to at least one tread.
9. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said
vertically anchored newel includes a bolt and a mounting
column.
10. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein one end of
said bolt is a wood screw for attaching to said newel.
11. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein said mounting
column further includes a mounting plate attached to said mounting
column.
12. The stairway system according to claim 11, wherein said
mounting plate includes a plurality of apertures for receiving
fasteners for attaching said plate to the floor of the
structure.
13. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced
apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching
said foot support surface to the structure.
14. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein the width of
said foot support surface is greater than the depth of said foot
support surface.
15. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means
for attaching said spaced apart treads to the structure is a
stringer.
16. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means
for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is by wall
mounting.
17. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced
apart treads are spaced at a uniform riser height.
18. The stairway system according to claim 17, wherein said uniform
riser height varies between about 6'' and 9''.
19. The stairway system according to claim 18, wherein said uniform
riser height is about 71/2''.
20. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart
treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least
two segments; ii) a hidden fastener joining said segments, said
hidden fastener having an axis; and iii) a structure for preventing
rotation about said axis of said hidden fastener of one of said
segments with respect to another of said segments; and (c) at least
one baluster between said treads and said handrail.
21. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said hidden
fastener includes at least two portions.
22. The stairway system according to claim 21 wherein one of said
portions resides in one of said segments.
23. The stairway system according to claim 22, wherein another of
said portions resides in said another of said segments.
24. The stairway system according to claim 23, wherein said
portions are complementary.
25. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said
structure is offset from said axis of said hidden fastener.
26. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said
structure comprises a dowel.
27. The stairway system according to claim 20 wherein said
structure is hidden.
28. The stairway system according to claim 20 wherein said
structure comprises an adhesive.
29. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart
treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least
two segments; ii) a hidden fastener joining said segments, said
hidden fastener having an axis; and iii) a structure for preventing
rotation about said axis of said hidden fastener of one of said
segments with respect to another of said segments; (c) at least one
baluster between said treads and said handrail; and (d) a lateral
support for supporting said handrail.
30. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said lateral
support is a newel.
31. The stairway system according to claim 30, wherein one end of
said newel is connected to said handrail and the other end of said
newel is anchored.
32. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel
is connected to the ends of said handrail.
33. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel
is vertically anchored.
34. The stairway system according to claim 33, wherein said newel
is anchored to the floor of the structure.
35. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel
is anchored to at least one tread.
36. The stairway system according to claim 33, wherein said
vertically anchored newel includes a bolt and a mounting
column.
37. The stairway system according to claim 36, wherein one end of
said bolt is a wood screw for attaching to said newel.
38. The stairway system according to claim 36, wherein said
mounting column further includes a mounting plate attached to said
mounting column.
39. The stairway system according to claim 38, wherein said
mounting plate includes a plurality of apertures for receiving
fasteners for attaching said plate to the floor of the
structure.
40. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said spaced
apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching
said foot support surface to the structure.
41. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein the width of
said foot support surface is greater than the depth of said foot
support surface.
42. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein said means
for attaching said spaced apart treads to the structure is a
stringer.
43. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein said means
for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is by wall
mounting.
44. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said spaced
apart treads are spaced at a uniform riser height.
45. The stairway system according to claim 44, wherein said uniform
riser height varies between about 6'' and 9''.
46. The stairway system according to claim 45, wherein said uniform
riser height is about 71/2''.
47. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said hidden
fastener includes at least two portions.
48. The stairway system according to claim 47 wherein one of said
portions resides in one of said segments.
49. The stairway system according to claim 48, wherein another of
said portions resides in said another of said segments.
50. The stairway system according to claim 49, wherein said
portions are complementary.
51. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said
structure is offset from said axis of said hidden fastener.
52. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said
structure comprises a dowel.
53. The stairway system according to claim 29 wherein said
structure is hidden.
54. The stairway system according to claim 29 wherein said
structure comprises an adhesive.
55. In a system for joining a handrail having at least two
segments, the system including a fixture comprising: (a) a fixed
position portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending downwardly for inserting a segment of the
handrail; (b) an adjustable portion attached to the fixed position
portion and movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the
adjustable portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending upwardly; and (c) a selectively movable hole
positioner attached to the fixed position portion.
56. The system according to claim 55, further including a hidden
fastener for joining the segments of the handrail, the hidden
fastener having an axis.
57. The system according to claim 56, further including a structure
for preventing rotation about said axis of said hidden fastener of
one of said segments with respect to another of said segments.
58. The system according to claim 55, further comprising a drill
for boring at least one hole in a segment of the handrail.
59. A fixture for a system for joining a handrail having at least
two segments, the fixture comprising: (a) a fixed position portion
having a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces extending
downwardly and having a distance there between for inserting a
segment of the handrail, wherein the distance between the surfaces
decreases along at least a portion of the downwardly extending
opposing surfaces; (b) an adjustable portion attached to the fixed
position portion and movable with respect to the fixed position
portion, the adjustable portion having a pair of opposing generally
parallel surfaces extending upwardly and having a distance there
between for inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the
distance between the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of
the upwardly extending opposing surfaces; and (c) a selectively
movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position portion and
comprising a stop and at least one hole guide, the hole positioner
for determining a position for boring at least one hole in a
segment of the handrail.
60. The fixture according to claim 59, wherein the hole guide is
defined by a cylindrical wall.
61. The fixture according to claim 59, wherein the hole positioner
comprises at least two hole guides.
62. The fixture according to claim 59, wherein the hole positioner
comprises a clamp for selectively setting the hole positioner.
63. The fixture according to claim 59, wherein the hole positioner
is movable with respect to the fixed position portion of the
fixture.
64. In a system for joining a handrail having at least two
segments, the system comprising: (a) a fixed position portion of a
fixture, the fixed position portion having a pair of opposing
generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly and having a
distance there between for inserting a segment of the handrail,
wherein the distance between the surfaces decreases along at least
a portion of the downwardly extending opposing surfaces; (b) an
adjustable portion of a fixture, the adjustable portion attached to
the fixed position portion and movable with respect to the fixed
position portion, the adjustable portion having a pair of opposing
generally parallel surfaces extending upwardly and having a
distance there between for inserting a segment of the handrail,
wherein the distance between the surfaces decreases along at least
a portion of the upwardly extending opposing surfaces; (c) a
selectively movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position
portion of the fixture and comprising a stop and at least one hole
guide, the hole positioner for determining a position for boring at
least one hole in a segment of the handrail; and (d) a hidden
fastener for joining the segments of the handrail, the hidden
fastener having an axis.
65. The system according to claim 64, further including a structure
for preventing rotation about said axis of said hidden fastener of
one of said segments with respect to another of said segments.
66. The system according to claim 64, further comprising a drill
for boring at least one hole in a segment of the handrail.
67. The fixture according to claim 64, wherein the hole guide is
defined by a cylindrical wall.
68. The fixture according to claim 64, wherein the hole positioner
comprises at least two hole guides.
69. The fixture according to claim 64, wherein the hole positioner
comprises a clamp for selectively setting the hole positioner.
70. The fixture according to claim 64, wherein the hole positioner
is movable with respect to the fixed position portion of the
fixture.
71. A method for joining a handrail using a fixture, the handrail
having at least two segments, the method comprising: (a) placing a
segment of the handrail against a fixed position portion of the
fixture, the fixed position portion of the fixture having a pair of
opposing generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly for
inserting a segment of the handrail; (b) placing an adjustable
portion of the fixture against the segment of the handrail, the
adjustable portion of the fixture attached to the fixed position
portion and movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the
adjustable portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending upwardly; and (c) setting a selectively movable
hole positioner, the selectively movable hole positioner attached
to the fixed position portion of the fixture.
72. The method according to claim 71, further including inserting a
hidden fastener for joining the segments of the handrail into a
segment of the handrail.
73. A method of joining a handrail using a fixture, the handrail
having at least two segments, the method comprising: (a) placing a
segment of the handrail against a fixed position portion of the
fixture, the fixed position portion of the fixture having a pair of
opposing generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly and
having a distance there between, wherein the distance between the
surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the downwardly
extending opposing surfaces; (b) placing an adjustable portion of
the fixture against the segment of the handrail, the adjustable
portion of the fixture attached to the fixed position portion and
movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the adjustable
portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces
extending upwardly and having a distance there between, wherein the
distance between the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of
the upwardly extending opposing surfaces; and (c) setting a
selectively movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position
portion and comprising a stop and at least one hole guide, the hole
positioner for determining a position for boring at least one hole
in the segment of the handrail.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to handrails and,
more particularly, to a handrail with at least two segments joined
by a hidden fastener.
[0003] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In stairway systems aesthetics and ease of construction are
very important. This applies not only to treads, balusters and
newels of a stairway system, but also to the handrail as well.
Currently, handrail segments are attached by several different
methods, each of which entails several disadvantages.
[0005] One such method involves boring, at an angle, two large
holes through two segments of a handrail. The shorter, smaller hole
serves to countersink a bolt that is placed in the hole in order to
join the two segments. At the other end of the hole drilled in the
second segment of the handrail, a nut is placed on the end of the
bolt. Hand tools are then used in order to tighten the nut and bolt
assembly, thus securing the two segments of the handrail. When this
is complete a wooden cap, of the same diameter as the hole, must
then be secured at the end of the drilled hole on each segment in
order to close the vacancy. This process, however, has proven to be
rather cumbersome. First, it is very time consuming and wearisome
because of the multiple procedures that must occur. Furthermore,
when the process is complete the handrail is aesthetically
imperfect because of the capped segments, which disrupt the
otherwise continuous grain of the wood. These two disadvantages
combine for a less than ideal process for joining members of a
handrail.
[0006] While a second method of connecting handrails has proven
more aesthetically pleasing, another disadvantage emerges. This
method involves manufacturing a rail consisting of a body and a
cap. The cap of the rail is generally a long, rectangular top
piece, which covers a cavity in the body of the rail when placed
into position. Meanwhile, the body of the rail includes a large
cavity as well as a hole for the placement of a bolt. Placing the
bolt into the hole, tightening the bolt, and attaching the large
cap segment of the rail to the body assemble the rail. The large
cavity in the body serves to allow the assembler to more easily
tighten the bolt. This process, however, is also much less than
ideal. Again, the process is quite time-consuming and the rail is
still fairly difficult to assemble. Furthermore, while the rail is
more aesthetically pleasing because of the large rectangular cap
rather than a small circular one, the cap and body approach still
leaves a rail without matching grains. In other words, the
continuity of the wood is lost.
[0007] Thus, there remains a need for a stairway and rail system
that may be easily installed in a timely fashion and may be
constructed in such a way so as to maintain the continuity of the
rail segments by utilizing hidden fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a stairway system
comprising: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail above
said treads comprising: a) at least two segments; b) a hidden
fastener joining said segments, said hidden fastener having an
axis; and at least one baluster between said treads and said
handrail. In the preferred embodiment, the handrail further
comprises a structure for preventing rotation about said axis of
said hidden fastener of one of said segments with respect to
another of said segments. Also in the preferred embodiment, the
stairway system comprises a lateral support for supporting the
handrail.
[0009] The present invention is further directed to a system for
joining a handrail having at least two segments, the system
comprising: a fixed position portion of a fixture, the fixed
position portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending downwardly and having a distance there between
for inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the distance
between the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the
downwardly extending opposing surfaces; an adjustable portion of a
fixture, the adjustable portion attached to the fixed position
portion and movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the
adjustable portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending upwardly and having a distance there between for
inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the distance between
the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the upwardly
extending opposing surfaces; a selectively movable hole positioner
attached to the fixed position portion of the fixture and
comprising a stop and at least one hole guide, the hole positioner
for determining a position for boring at least one hole in a
segment of the handrail. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the distance between the downwardly extending opposing
surfaces of the fixed position portion of the fixture decreases
along at least a portion of the downwardly extending opposing
surfaces. Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, the distance
between the upwardly extending opposing surfaces of the fixture
decreases along at least a portion of the upwardly extending
opposing surfaces. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the
selectively movable hole positioner comprises a stop and at least
one hole guide. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the
system includes a hidden fastener having an axis, the hidden
fastener for joining the segments of the handrail.
[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is directed to A method
for joining a handrail using a fixture, the handrail having at
least two segments, the method comprising: placing a segment of the
handrail against a fixed position portion of the fixture, the fixed
position portion of the fixture having a pair of opposing generally
parallel surfaces extending downwardly for inserting a segment of
the handrail; placing an adjustable portion of the fixture against
the segment of the handrail, the adjustable portion of the fixture
attached to the fixed position portion and movable with respect to
the fixed position portion, the adjustable portion having a pair of
opposing generally parallel surfaces extending upwardly; and
setting a selectively movable hole positioner, the selectively
movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position portion of
the fixture.
[0011] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to
provide a stairway system comprising: a plurality of spaced apart
treads; a handrail above said treads comprising: a) at least two
segments; and b) a hidden fastener joining said segments; and at
least one baluster between said treads and said handrail.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
stairway system comprising: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a
handrail above said treads comprising: a) at least two segments; b)
a hidden fastener joining said segments, said hidden fastener
having an axis; and c) a structure for preventing rotation about
said axis of said hidden fastener of one of said segments with
respect to another of said segments; and at least one baluster
between said treads and said handrail.
[0013] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide
a stairway system comprising: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a
handrail above said treads comprising: a) at least two segments; b)
a hidden fastener joining said segments, said hidden fastener
having an axis; and c) a structure for preventing rotation about
said axis of said hidden fastener of one of said segments with
respect to another of said segments; at least one baluster between
said treads and said handrail; and a lateral support for supporting
said handrail.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a system for
joining a handrail having at least two segments, the system
including a fixture comprising: a fixed position portion having a
pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly
for inserting a segment of the handrail; an adjustable portion
attached to the fixed position portion and movable with respect to
the fixed position portion, the adjustable portion having a pair of
opposing generally parallel surfaces extending upwardly; and a
selectively movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position
portion.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a fixture for
a system for joining a handrail having at least two segments, the
fixture comprising: a fixed position portion having a pair of
opposing generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly and
having a distance there between for inserting a segment of the
handrail, wherein the distance between the surfaces decreases along
at least a portion of the downwardly extending opposing surfaces;
an adjustable portion attached to the fixed position portion and
movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the adjustable
portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces
extending upwardly and having a distance there between for
inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the distance between
the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the upwardly
extending opposing surfaces; and a selectively movable hole
positioner attached to the fixed position portion and comprising a
stop and at least one hole guide, the hole positioner for
determining a position for boring at least one hole in a segment of
the handrail.
[0016] Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a system
for joining a handrail having at least two segments, the system
comprising: a fixed position portion of a fixture, the fixed
position portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending downwardly and having a distance there between
for inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the distance
between the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the
downwardly extending opposing surfaces; an adjustable portion of a
fixture, the adjustable portion attached to the fixed position
portion and movable with respect to the fixed position portion, the
adjustable portion having a pair of opposing generally parallel
surfaces extending upwardly and having a distance there between for
inserting a segment of the handrail, wherein the distance between
the surfaces decreases along at least a portion of the upwardly
extending opposing surfaces; a selectively movable hole positioner
attached to the fixed position portion of the fixture and
comprising a stop and at least one hole guide, the hole positioner
for determining a position for boring at least one hole in a
segment of the handrail; and a hidden fastener for joining the
segments of the handrail, the hidden fastener having an axis.
[0017] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method for joining a handrail using a fixture, the handrail having
at least two segments, the method comprising: placing a segment of
the handrail against a fixed position portion of the fixture, the
fixed position portion of the fixture having a pair of opposing
generally parallel surfaces extending downwardly for inserting a
segment of the handrail; placing an adjustable portion of the
fixture against the segment of the handrail, the adjustable portion
of the fixture attached to the fixed position portion and movable
with respect to the fixed position portion, the adjustable portion
having a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces extending
upwardly; and setting a selectively movable hole positioner, the
selectively movable hole positioner attached to the fixed position
portion of the fixture.
[0018] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the
following description of the preferred embodiment when considered
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stairway system
constructed according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handrail for the stairway
system;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of a fixture for
joining a handrail;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front view of a fixture for joining a
handrail;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a back view of a fixture for joining a handrail;
and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of a fixture for joining a
handrail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] In the following description, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such
terms as "forward," "rearward," "left," "right," "upwardly,"
"downwardly," and the like are words of convenience and are not to
be construed as limiting terms.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in
particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for
the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention
and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen
in FIG. 1, a stairway system generally designated 10, is shown
constructed according to the present invention. The stairway system
10 includes a plurality of spaced apart treads 12; a handrail 14
above the treads; and at least one baluster 16 between the treads
12 and the handrail 14.
[0027] The stairway system 10 may further include a lateral support
20 for supporting the handrail 14. The lateral support 20 may be a
newel. One end of the newel may be connected to the handrail 14 and
the other end of the newel may be anchored. The newel may be
connected to the ends of the handrail 14. The newel may be
vertically anchored. The newel may be anchored to a floor. The
newel may be anchored to at least one tread. The anchored newel may
include a bolt and a mounting column. One end of the bolt may be a
wood screw for attaching to the newel. The mounting column may
further include a mounting plate attached to the mounting column.
The mounting plate may include a plurality of apertures for
receiving fasteners for attaching the plate to the floor of the
structure.
[0028] The spaced apart treads 12 may include a foot support
surface 22 and means for attaching 24 the foot support surface to
the structure. The width of the foot support surface 22 may be
greater than the depth of the foot support surface 22. The means
for attaching 24 the spaced apart treads to the structure may be a
stringer. The means for attaching 24 the spaced apart treads to the
structure may be by wall mounting. The spaced apart treads 12 may
be spaced at a uniform riser height. The uniform riser height may
vary between about 6'' and 9''. The uniform riser height may be
about 71/2''.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the handrail 14 for the stairway system, which
may comprise at least two segments 15; a hidden fastener 17 joining
the segments, the hidden fastener 17 having an axis 18; and a
structure 19 for preventing rotation about the axis 18 of the
hidden fastener 17 of one of the segments 15 with respect to
another of the segments 15.
[0030] The hidden fastener 17 may include at least two portions 21.
One of the portions 21 may reside in one of the segments 15 of the
handrail and another portion 21 may reside in another segment of
the handrail 14. The portions 21 of the hidden fastener may be
complementary. In one embodiment, the hidden fastener may be a pair
of INVIS.RTM. joining elements available from Invis North America,
Inc. of Irvin, Calif. which is a subsidiary of Lamello AG, CH.
[0031] The structure 19 for preventing rotation about the axis 18
of the hidden fastener 17 of one of the segments 15 of the handrail
14 with respect to another of the segments 15 may be offset from
the axis 18 of the hidden fastener 17. The structure 19 may
comprise a dowel. The structure may be hidden. The structure may
comprise an adhesive.
[0032] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 shows a fixture 110 for a system for
joining a handrail having at least two segments 15. In one
embodiment, the fixture 110 comprises a fixed position portion 112
having a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces 120 extending
downwardly and having a distance 122 there between for inserting a
segment 15 of the handrail 14. The distance 122 between the
surfaces 120 decreases along at least a portion of the downwardly
extending opposing surfaces 120. Preferably, the fixed position
portion may also include a quick release 170, best seen in FIG.
6.
[0033] The fixture 110 may further comprise an adjustable portion
114 attached to the fixed position portion 112 and movable with
respect to the fixed position portion 112. The adjustable portion
114 may have a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces 140
extending upwardly and having a distance 142 there between for
inserting a segment of the handrail 14. The distance 142 between
the surfaces may decreases along at least a portion of the upwardly
extending opposing surfaces 140.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the fixture may further include
a selectively movable hole positioner 116 attached to the fixed
position portion 112 and comprising a stop 160 and at least one
hole guide 162. The hole positioner 116 may be for determining a
position for boring at least one hole in a segment 15 of the
handrail 14.
[0035] The hole guide of the hole positioner 116 of the fixture may
be defined by a cylindrical wall. The hole positioner 116 may
comprise at least two hole guides. The hole positioner 116 may
comprise a clamp 174 for selectively setting the hole positioner.
The hole positioner 116 may be movable with respect to the fixed
position 112 portion of the fixture 110. Also in the preferred
embodiment, screws 172 may be used to tighten and hold the hold
guides 116 in place to prevent rotation when a drill bit is used
therein.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2 and described above, the system may
further include a hidden fastener 17 for joining the segments 15 of
the handrail 14, the hidden fastener 17 having an axis 18. The
system may further include a structure 19 for preventing rotation
about the axis 18 of the hidden fastener 17 of one of said segments
15 with respect to another of said segments 15. The system may
further comprise a drill for boring at least one hole in a segment
15 of the handrail 14.
[0037] One method of assembling the handrail 14 involves placing
the fixed position bottom portion of the fixture on one end of a
segment 15 of the handrail 14. The adjustable top portion may then
also be placed against the segment 15 of the handrail 14. The hole
positioner may then be aligned and placed against segment 15. The
assembler may then bore a hole into the segment 15 and fasten the
fixture to the segment. In the preferred method, this would be done
by inserting a screw into the newly bored hole with the use of the
hole positioner. The assembler may then bore an additional hole in
the segment 15 for inserting a hidden fastener. The assembler may
repeat the above method steps with another segment 15. This may be
a segment 15 of the same or a different cross-sectional profile. It
is especially effective to use a single fixture capable of
positioning holes in handrails having different cross-sectional
profiles. This type of fixture is described above and its
capability of use with handrails having differing cross-sectional
profiles illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0038] A joining element may be placed in one or both of the holes
in the segment 15. The joining element may be a joining element
made by INVIS.RTM.. A structure meant to prevent rotation may be
attached to a segment 15. This structure may be inserted into one
of the bored holes in the segment 15 and may comprise a dowel.
Adhesive may also be a structure meant to prevent rotation or may
be an addition to the structure. Joining the hidden fasteners may
then join the segments of the handrail. This may be accomplished by
means of an actuator. The actuator may be an INVIS.RTM. actuator
also available from Invis North America, Inc. of Irvin, Calif.
which is a subsidiary of Lamello AG, CH. The method of joining the
segments of a handrail may be done for handrails of differing
cross-sectional profiles.
[0039] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By
way of example, while in the preferred embodiment, both the hidden
fastener and structure for preventing rotation are about the same
diameter, this is a matter of convenience to the installer and
other sizes could be substituted. It should be understood that all
such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for
the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the
scope of the following claims.
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