U.S. patent application number 11/449375 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for fixture for joining a handrail.
Invention is credited to Robert H. Green, James N. Trice, Richard W. Turner.
Application Number | 20070283638 11/449375 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820470 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070283638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Robert H. ; et
al. |
December 13, 2007 |
Fixture for joining a handrail
Abstract
A stairway system including a plurality of treads, a handrail
including a fastener, and a handrail support. A fixture for joining
a handrail having at least two segments.
Inventors: |
Green; Robert H.; (Lenoir,
NC) ; Trice; James N.; (Wilkesboro, NC) ;
Turner; Richard W.; (Mooresville, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACCORD MASON PLLC
300 N. GREENE STREET, SUITE 1600, P. O. BOX 2974
GREENSBORO
NC
27402
US
|
Family ID: |
38820470 |
Appl. No.: |
11/449375 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 47/28 20130101;
E04F 11/1836 20130101; E04F 2011/1887 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/187 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/00 20060101
E04F011/00 |
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, each of the segments having an end wall having a hole
formed therein in the surface of the end wall and each of the holes
concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall
in the other segment; and ii) a fastener received by the aligned
holes joining said segments; and (c) at least one handrail
support.
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, each of the segments having an end wall having a hole
formed therein in the surface of the end wall and each of the holes
concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall
of the other segment; ii) a fastener received by the aligned holes
joining said segments, said fastener having an axis; and iii) a
structure for preventing rotation about said axis of said fastener
of one of said segments with respect to another of said segments;
and (c) at least one handrail support.
21. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said
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 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 fastener received by the aligned holes for
joining said segments, said fastener having an axis; and iii) a
structure for preventing rotation about said axis of said fastener
of one of said segments with respect to another of said segments;
(c) at least one handrail support; 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
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 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. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from
at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to
be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the
other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving
an end of one segment and subsequently an end of the other segment;
and (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner for
receiving a hole forming device, whereby a hole is formed therein
in the surface of the end wall of each of the segments and each of
the holes are concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface
of the end wall in the other segment.
56. The fixture according to claim 55, further including a take-up
mechanism for securely positioning the end wall of a segment
adjacent to the surface of the base prior to forming a hole
therein.
57. The fixture according to claim 56, wherein the take-up
mechanism is connected to the base of the fixture.
58. The fixture according to claim 57 wherein the take-up mechanism
includes an aperture in the base for inserting a fastener to engage
the end wall of a segment.
59. The fixture according to claim 56 wherein the take-up mechanism
includes a clamp device.
60. The fixture according to claim 59 wherein the clamp device
includes a compressor.
61. The fixture according to claim 60 wherein the compressor is
selected from the group including screws, cams, elastic chords, and
combinations thereof.
62. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from
at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to
be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the
other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving
the end of first one segment and subsequently the end of the other
segment; and (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner,
the base having a wear resistant bushing for receiving a hole
forming device, whereby a hole is formed therein in the surface of
the end wall of each of the segments and each of the holes are
concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall
in the other segment.
63. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the base includes a
substantially planar surface.
64. A fixture according to claim 63 wherein the planar surface
includes a portion generally conforming to the cross section of the
end wall of each of the segments.
65. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the bushing is formed
from a wear resistant metal.
66. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the bushing is
removable from the base.
67. A fixture according to claim 66 further including an axial
clamp for removably retaining the bushing in the base.
68. A fixture according to claim 67 wherein the axial clamp
includes a thumbscrew.
69. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the aligner is
configured to substantially surround an end of the segment.
70. A fixture according to claim 69 wherein the aligner includes a
receiving opening having a depth measured from an end of the
aligner to the base and is configured to receive a segment having a
height measured from a bottom surface of the segment to a top
surface.
71. A fixture according to claim 70 wherein the ratio of the depth
to the height is between about 11/2 to 1 and about 1/2 to 11/2.
72. A fixture according to claim 62 further wherein the aligner
includes a resilient member for positioning the segment within the
aligner.
73. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member
includes a flexible arm.
74. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member
includes an inner wall coating.
75. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member
includes an elastic band.
76. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the fixture is
configured to receive both a straight segment and a segment having
a radius of curvature between about 61/2 and about 91/2 inches.
77. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from
at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to
be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the
other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving
the end of first one segment and subsequently the end of the other
segment; (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner, the
base having a wear resistant bushing for receiving a hole forming
device, whereby a hole is formed therein in the surface of the end
wall of each of the segments and each of the holes are
concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall
in the other segment; and. (c) a take-up mechanism for securely
positioning the end wall of a segment adjacent to the surface of
the base prior to forming a hole therein.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a stairway system
including a handrail having at least two segments, and a fixture
for joining segments of a handrail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stairway system
constructed according to the present invention;
[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handrail for the stairway
system;
[0004] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of a fixture for joining a
handrail;
[0005] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a fixture for joining
a handrail;
[0006] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fixture for joining a handrail;
and
[0007] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a fixture for joining a
handrail.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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 generally designated 10, is shown constructed
according to an embodiment of the system. The stairway system 10
shown includes a plurality of spaced apart treads 12; a handrail 14
above the treads; and at least one handrail support 16.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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''.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the handrail 14 for the stairway system, which
may comprise at least two segments 15; a fastener 17 joining the
segments, the fastener 17 having an axis 18; and a structure 19 for
preventing rotation about the axis 18 of the fastener 17 of one of
the segments 15 with respect to another of the segments 15. Each of
the segments 15 may include an end wall 11 having a hole 13 for
alignment with a hole in the other segment 15.
[0013] The 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 fastener may be
complementary. In one embodiment, the 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 A G, CH. The
fastener may be a screw, a rail bolt and/or a dowel.
[0014] The structure 19 for preventing rotation about the axis 18
of the 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 fastener 17. The structure 19 may comprise a dowel.
The structure 19 may be hidden. The structure 19 may comprise an
adhesive.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of a fixture 110 for
joining a handrail having at least two segments. In the illustrated
embodiment, the fixture 110 includes an aligner 120; a base 140
connected to the aligner 120, and a take-up mechanism 150. The base
140 includes a housing 144 and a wear-resistant bushing 142. The
take-up mechanism 150 also includes a bushing 152 in the base 140
for inserting a fastener to engage a face of a segment. In some
embodiments, the take-up mechanism 150 includes a clamp device
including a compressor. The compressor may include one or
combinations of screws, cams and elastic chords configured to
engage a segment of the handrail with the base 140. The fixture may
be generally constructed of a thermoplastic material.
[0016] In FIG. 3, the base 140 of the fixture 110 includes a planar
edge 146 (also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The planar edge 146
includes a portion 147 generally conforming to the cross section of
the handrail segments. The wear-resistant bushing 142 of the
fixture 110 may include a wear-resistant metal, another
wear-resistant material, and combinations of metal and another
wear-resistant material, and be removably retained in the fixture
110 with an axial clamp 141, such as a thumbscrew.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the fixture 110
showing the aligner 120 configured to substantially surround an end
of a segment of the handrail. The aligner 120 has a depth measured
from a front end 121 of the aligner 120 to the base 140 and is
configured to receive a segment having a height measured from a
bottom surface of the segment to a top surface (shown in FIG. 5).
The aligner 120 includes a resilient member 128 for positioning a
segment of the handrail. The resilient inner member shown in FIG. 4
is a flexible arm 128. In embodiments of the fixture, the resilient
member may include a flexible inner coating in the aligner, and/or
an elastic band surrounding the segment.
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the fixture 10 being configured to
receive both a straight segment 175 and a segment 160 having a
radius of curvature of between about 61/2 inches and 91/2 inches.
The ratio of the depth of the aligner 120 to the height of the
segment measured from a bottom surface 162 of a segment 160 to a
top surface 164 may be between about one and a half to about one
and about one to about one and a half.
[0019] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By
way of example, the fixture is shown having a particular shape to
accommodate a handrail having a matching profile. However, the
shape of the fixture may be adjusted, of course, to match the shape
of a handrail having a different profile. All such modifications
and improvements have not been included herein for the sake of
conciseness and readability but may properly fall within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *