U.S. patent application number 11/479718 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for post leveling assembly and fence post assembly incorporating the same.
Invention is credited to Robert E. Platt.
Application Number | 20060254195 11/479718 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34749750 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060254195 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Platt; Robert E. |
November 16, 2006 |
Post leveling assembly and fence post assembly incorporating the
same
Abstract
A post leveling assembly for indicating whether a fence or deck
post is vertical or not is disclosed. The assembly includes a base,
an arm pivotally mounted on the base and a marker disposed on the
base. An assigned point on the arm lines up with the marker if the
post is vertical and does not line up with the marker if the post
is not vertical. In order for an installer to install a vertical
post, the post is positioned initially in an approximately vertical
position, the installer moves the post to the left or right until
the assigned point on the arm aligns with the marker. The post is
then permanently fixed into place.
Inventors: |
Platt; Robert E.; (Mineral
Ridge, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SAND & SEBOLT
AEGIS TOWER, SUITE 1100
4940 MUNSON STREET, NW
CANTON
OH
44718-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
34749750 |
Appl. No.: |
11/479718 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10759703 |
Jan 15, 2004 |
|
|
|
11479718 |
Jun 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/832 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2011/1889 20130101;
E04F 2011/1897 20130101; E04H 17/20 20130101; G01C 9/16 20130101;
E04H 12/2284 20130101; E04H 17/1452 20210101; E04F 11/18
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/736.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/30 20060101
E04C003/30 |
Claims
1. A fence post assembly comprising: a core having two side walls
that meet at a right angled corner; a post leveling assembly
mounted on the core; said post level assembly comprising: a base
secured to one of the side walls of the core; an arm pivotally
mounted on the base; said arm being freely pivotable in a single
plane in response to changes in the orientation of the core during
installation of the same; an indicator on the arm; a marker on the
base; whereby alignment of the indicator on the arm with the marker
on the base indicates that the core is vertical, and non-alignment
of the indicator with the marker indicates that the core is not
vertical; and an elongated sleeve having a hollow bore
therethrough, said sleeve being slidably received over said core
once the core has been installed, such that said core extends
upwardly through the bore of the sleeve and said post leveling
assembly is positioned between said core and said sleeve.
2. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the post
leveling assembly is permanently attached to the core.
3. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the post
leveling assembly is attached to the core by one of an adhesive,
screws and rivets.
4. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the core
is manufactured from metal and the sleeve and post leveling
assembly are manufactured from vinyl.
5. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the base
includes a top edge, a bottom edge and front and back surfaces; and
the base defines an aperture in the front surface proximate the top
edge of the base; and wherein the arm is mounted onto the base by a
pin that is received in the aperture.
6. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
aperture extends from the front surface of the base through to the
back surface of the base.
7. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the
indicator on the arm comprises a V-shaped lower end of the arm that
terminates in an apex; and wherein the apex aligns with the marker
when the core is vertical and does not align with the marker when
the core is not vertical.
8. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein marker
comprises a detent that projects from the front surface of the
base.
9. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein the
detent includes a second apex and the apex of the arm aligns with
the second apex of the detent when the core is vertical and the
apex of the arm does not align with the second apex of the detent
when the core is not vertical.
10. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the
marker is selected from a group consisting of a groove, a ridge and
a symbol.
11. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the arm
is mounted on the base such that the arm is substantially parallel
to the front surface thereof; and the arm pivots in a plane
substantially parallel to the front surface of the base.
12. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein the
post leveling assembly is substantially L-shaped in cross-section
and includes a first and second leg.
13. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the
first leg of the post leveling assembly abuts a first one of the
two side walls of the core and the second leg abuts a second one of
the two side walls of the core.
14. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 13, further
comprising a second arm having a second indicator thereon; and
wherein the arm is pivotally mounted onto the first leg of the base
and the second arm is pivotally mounted onto the second leg of the
base.
15. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 14, further
comprising a second marker on the second leg of the base; whereby
alignment of the second indicator with the second marker indicates
that the core is vertical, and non-alignment of the second
indicator with the second marker indicates that the core is not
vertical.
16. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein the
second arm is mounted onto the second leg such that the second arm
is substantially parallel to a front surface of the second leg and
is mounted so as to pivot in a plane substantially parallel to the
front surface of the second leg.
17. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a mounting foot; and wherein the side walls of the core
extend upwardly from an upper surface of the mounting foot and
substantially at right angles thereto.
18. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising at least one spacer engaged around the core such that
the spacer is oriented substantially at right angles to the side
walls of the core.
19. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein an
outer peripheral wall of the spacer engages an interior surface of
the sleeve.
20. The fence post assembly as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a cap that engages an upper end of the sleeve and
thereby covers the upper end of the sleeve and the core
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/759,703, filed Jan. 15, 2004, the entire specification of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention generally relates to a post leveling
assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for
leveling vertical posts for vinyl fences or decks. Specifically,
the invention relates to a device that is fixed to the inner core
of a post and that has a pivoting arm that aligns with a marker to
enable the installer to visually determine whether the post is
vertical or not.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] One of the problems experienced when installing either a
fence or deck is that, in order for the structure to be both
aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound, the fence or deck
posts must be installed so that they are vertical. This can be
achieved by the installer using a common liquid leveling device.
The device is held against the post until an air bubble trapped in
the liquid within the level falls within a marked range. The use of
this device does, however, produce a problem for the installer
inasmuch as he needs both hands to install the post but must, at
the same time, use one of his hands to hold the level against the
post.
[0006] There is therefore a need in the art to provide a leveling
device that allows the installer to vertically align a fence or
deck post without unnecessarily occupying one of their hands to
hold the leveling device in place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The device of the present invention is a post leveling
assembly that is fixed to the post to be installed. The device
includes a base that has an arm that is able to swing about a pivot
point. The arm includes an indicator that aligns with a marker on
the base to show when the post is vertical. If the indicator on the
pivoting arm is not aligned with the marker on the base, then the
post is not vertical.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical post on a
deck;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the post leveling
assembly in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the post leveling
assembly;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the post leveling assembly;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the post leveling assembly;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of a metal core for a deck-post, with
the post leveling assembly being mounted on the core and the core
being off-center and tilted to the left;
[0015] FIG. 6a is an enlarged front view of the post leveling
assembly shown in FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of a metal core for a deck-post, with
the post leveling assembly being mounted on the core and the core
being off-center and tilted to the right;
[0017] FIG. 7a is an enlarged front view of the post leveling
assembly shown in FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 8 is front view of a metal core for a deck-post, with
the core being centered;
[0019] FIG. 8a is an enlarged front view of the post leveling
assembly shown in FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional front view a centered
core with the post leveling assembly mounted thereon and with the
vinyl sleeve mounted over it;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the
centered core of FIG. 9, showing a centered core with the post
leveling assembly mounted thereon and a vinyl sleeve mounted over
it.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a portion of a deck
10 that includes a post 12. Post 12 is mounted on deck boards 14
that are in turn supported on a joist 16. Horizontal rails 18, 20
are connected to post 12 and a plurality of balusters 22 are
positioned at intervals between rails 18, 20. A cap 24 is
positioned at the top of post 12 and a foot 26 is positioned about
the base of post 12.
[0023] The preferred embodiment of the invention is designed to be
preferably used in the installation of vinyl fences and decks.
Vinyl fences and decks have posts 12 that are made up from a number
of components. A core 28 (FIG. 6), usually made from metal, is
connected to boards 14 in a conventional manner. A spacer 30,
generally made of metal, is provided near the bottom of core 28 and
a second spacer 32, generally made of metal, is provided near or at
the top of core 28. A vinyl sleeve 31 (FIG. 9) is slipped over the
metal core 28. A foot 26, generally made of vinyl, is slipped
around sleeve 31 and brought into engagement with boards 14. Cap 24
26, generally made of vinyl, is slipped over the upper end 31a of
sleeve 31 (FIG. 9). It will be understood by those skilled in the
art that while the present invention is useful for aligning posts
for vinyl fences and decks, it may be used in conjunction with
other types of materials without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
[0024] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-5, there is shown a post
leveling assembly, generally referred to by the number 34. Assembly
34 includes an L-shaped base 36 having two legs 36a, 36b having an
outer surface 38, an inner surface 40, a top edge 42, a bottom edge
44 and side edges 46, 48. Base 36 is configured to engage the outer
corner and walls 52a, 52b (see FIGS. 9 & 10) of a substantially
square or rectangular core 28. The legs 36a, 36b of base 36 are
disposed generally at 90 degrees to each other. Each leg 36a, 36b
includes an aperture 54 (FIG. 4) proximate top edge 42. Apertures
54 may extend from outer surface 38 through to inner surface 40 or
may extend only part of the way from outer surface 38 toward inner
surface 40. A support 56 is installed into each aperture 54 and a
pin 58 secures an arm 60 to each support 56. When arm 60 is
pivotally connected to support 56, it is able to swing freely as
base 36 moves with core 28. The lower end 60a of arm 60 is V-shaped
so that its apex 62 points to the apex 64 of a raised detent or
marker 66 disposed proximate the bottom edge 44 of front surface 38
of base 36. While marker 66 is shown as extending outwardly from
front surface 38, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that indicators such as grooves or raised lines or inked lines,
diamond or triangular shapes could also be used without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0025] Base 36 is fixed to core 28 by any suitable means (not
shown). This may include adhesives, screws, rivets etc. As may be
seen from FIGS. 6 and 6a, when core 28 is positioned to the left of
vertical (indicated by the line V V'), arm 60 swings to the left of
marker 66. The apex 62 of arm 60 is then positioned to the left of
apex 64 of marker 66, thereby indicating that core 28 is not
vertical. In order to bring core 28 into vertical alignment, the
top 28a of core 28 must be moved slightly to the right in the
direction of arrow A (FIG. 6) Similarly, as is shown in FIGS. 7 and
7a, when core 28 is positioned to the right of vertical (indicated
by the line V V'), arm 60 swings to the right of marker 66. The
apex 62 of arm 60 is then positioned to the right of apex 64 of
marker 66, thereby indicating that core 28 is not vertical. In
order to bring core 28 into vertical alignment, the top 28a of core
28 must be moved to the left in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 7).
When core 28 is vertical, as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 8a, by the
line V V', the apex 62 of arm 60 points directly to the apex 64 of
marker 66. Therefore, it is easy for the installer to see if core
28 is vertical or not. If core 28 is not vertical, the installer
need only move core 28 to the left or right, as is indicated by
arrows C and D in FIG. 8, so that the apex 62 of arm 60 points
directly to the apex 64 of marker 66. Because base 36 is secured to
core 28, the installer can use both hands to mount the core on
boards 14 and can easily and quickly detect visually whether or not
the core 28 is being installed vertically. As may be seen from
FIGS. 9 and 10, when core 28 is vertical, the apex 62 of each arm
60 on each leg 36a, 36b points directly at the apex 64 of the
corresponding marker 66.
[0026] While it has been disclosed that arm 60 has an V-shaped end
with an apex 62, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that arm 60 may instead be provided with a line, ridge, groove,
symbol or other indicator to be referenced relative to apex 64 and
thereby indicate whether or not the core 28 is vertical without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0027] Once the core 28 is vertical and has been secured by
commonly known means to boards 14, or in the ground in the case of
a fence post, the sleeve 31 is slipped over core 28. Spacers 30, 32
provide support for sleeve 31. The foot 26 is slipped over sleeve
31 and then cap 24 is placed over the upper end of sleeve 31. It
should be noted that while the assembly 34 may be removed from core
28 after ensuring it is vertical, it is not necessary to do so and
is preferable to leave assembly 34 mounted to core 28 on a
permanent basis in case later realignment is needed.
[0028] In order to make it easier for the installer to quickly and
easily see if the apex 62 of arm 60 is pointing directly at the
apex 64 of marker 66, it is preferable to make the base 36 in one
color and the front surface of marker 66 and arm 60 in a strongly
contrasting second color. A good combination of colors is yellow
for the base 36 and black for the arm 60 and front face of the
marker 66.
[0029] Vinyl fence and deck posts can be installed vertically by
attaching post leveling assembly 34 to the core 28 of post 12. The
bottom 28b of core 28 is then placed in the location for
installation of the post. The top 28a of core 28 is moved to the
left or right until apex 62 of arm 60 aligns with the apex 64 of
marker 66. Core 28 is then fixed into position. The sleeve 31 is
then slipped over core 28 and cap 24 is clipped over sleeve 31.
[0030] While the post leveling assembly 34 has been disclosed as
including a base 36 onto which the support 56, arm 60 and marker 66
are mounted, it is also possible for a support 56, arm 60 and
marker 66 to be mounted directly onto two adjacent sides of the
core 28 of post 12. (This scenario has not been illustrated in the
drawings.) In this instance, when the post 12 is to be installed,
the installer can manipulate the core 28 in the manner previously
described until the apex 62 of arm 60 aligns with the apex 64 of
marker 66. Core 28 is then fixed into position and sleeve 31 and
cap 24 are slipped over core 28.
[0031] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0032] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *