U.S. patent application number 11/829834 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for polymeric coated rails and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to S. R. SMITH, LLC. Invention is credited to James Bonander.
Application Number | 20080047056 11/829834 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39111967 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonander; James |
February 28, 2008 |
POLYMERIC COATED RAILS AND METHOD
Abstract
A rail for a swimming pool or the like is provided with an
exterior polymeric coating over the metal rail, enhancing wet
traction, providing electrical isolation, and coolness to the touch
feel.
Inventors: |
Bonander; James; (Sherwood,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENTTM.US
P. O. BOX 82788
PORTLAND
OR
97282-0788
US
|
Assignee: |
S. R. SMITH, LLC
1017 SW Berg Parkway
Canby
OR
97013
|
Family ID: |
39111967 |
Appl. No.: |
11/829834 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60820586 |
Jul 27, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/506 ;
4/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/506 ;
004/511 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/14 20060101
E04H004/14 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a railing, comprising: providing a rail
portion having at least a partial composition of metal; and coating
at least exterior portions of the rail portion with a polymeric
thermosetting or thermoplastic material.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said coating is
provided to substantially be at least 0.0005 inch thickness.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said coating is
provided to substantially between 0.0005 inch and 0.125 inch
thickness.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing
said coating with a pigment to give a desire color to the
coating.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said rail portion
comprises stainless steel.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said coating comprises
a polyvinylidene copolymer.
7. A swimming pool rail, comprising: a metal core rail portion; and
a polymeric exterior coating provided on an exterior of said metal
core rail portion.
8. The swimming pool rail according to claim 7, wherein said
polymeric exterior coating comprises a thermoplastic or
thermosetting material.
9. The swimming pool rail according to claim 8, wherein said
polymeric exterior coating has a thickness of at least 0.0005
inch.
10. The swimming pool rail according to claim 8, wherein said
polymeric exterior coating has a thickness of between 0.0005 inch
and 0.125 inch.
11. The swimming pool rail according to claim 7, wherein said
polymeric exterior coating comprises a polyvinylidene
copolymer.
12. The swimming pool rail according to claim 10, wherein said
polymeric exterior coating has a thickness of at least 0.0005
inch.
13. The swimming pool rail according to claim 7, wherein said metal
core rail portion comprises stainless steel.
14. A swimming pool, comprising: a water containing portion and a
deck portion adjacent at least a portion of the water containing
portion; and a swimming pool rail, comprising: a metal core rail
portion; and a polymeric exterior coating provided on an exterior
of said metal core rail portion.
15. The swimming pool according to claim 14, wherein said polymeric
exterior coating comprises a thermoplastic or thermosetting
material.
16. The swimming pool according to claim 15, wherein said polymeric
exterior coating has a thickness of at least 0.0005 inch.
17. The swimming pool according to claim 15, wherein said polymeric
exterior coating has a thickness of between 0.0005 inch and 0.125
inch.
18. The swimming pool according to claim 14, wherein said polymeric
exterior coating comprises a polyvinylidene copolymer.
19. The swimming pool according to claim 14, wherein said metal
core rail portion comprises stainless steel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to railing and more particularly to
swimming pool railings that are advantageously coated.
[0002] Railings, such as swimming pool rails, are typically made of
metal, such as stainless steel, to provide durability, long life
and ease of maintenance. However, metal railings can be slick when
wet, reducing the ability of a user to grip the rail and prevent
falling. Further, in hot weather, the metal railings can become
quite hot to the touch. Still further, over time, the elements (not
to mention the pool water) can degrade the metal railing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with the invention, swimming pool rails are
coated with a polymeric coating to provide advantages over the
prior art.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved swimming pool rail having a coating providing a
better grip against skin.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved coated railing that feels "cool" to the touch.
[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an improved pool rail with better gripping properties.
[0007] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of
this specification. However, both the organization and method of
operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a coated rail
in accordance with the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a pool rail
section in accordance with the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a representative view of an example rail installed
at a swimming pool; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of the coated rail and end
cap therefor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises a rail, such as a swimming pool rail, is coated with a
polymeric coating to provide better gripping and other
qualities.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic cross section of a pool
rail 10, suitably made of metal such as type 304 stainless steel,
is provided with at least an outer coating 12. Coating 12 is
preferably a polyvinylidene copolymer. The pool rail 10 is suitably
a cylindrical shape and typically hollow. Note that the thicknesses
of the coating and rail relative to one another and the diameter of
the rail are not to scale.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a pool rail
section in accordance with the invention, illustrating the relative
positions of the inner rail 10 and outer coating 12.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates placement of a coated rail 14 being of a
particular configuration adapted for use at the side of a pool. The
pool 18 may include a deck portion 16, and the rail may be mounted
to the deck and/or in the pool.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of the coated rail 10 with
coating 12, showing a cut away portion of coating. An end cap 20
may suitably be placed in the ends of the rail to provide a fully
encapsulated rail (when, for example, the interior of the rail is
substantially free of coating 12). In a particular embodiment, the
coating may suitably be employed on the outside of the rail only,
to minimize cost, the coating extending only slightly into the
interior of the rail ends. End cap 20 has an insert portion of
diameter to fit within the interior opening of the rail end,
providing a sealing to the rail end for a fully encapsulated
railing, considering the coating and the end caps (presuming 2 rail
ends).
[0017] The coating enhances wet traction by increasing the
coefficient of friction between the surface of the rail and the
epidermis of the person grasping the rail.
[0018] Since the rail is of metal, it is electrically conductive.
Accordingly, employing the coating encapsulates the conductive
surface of the rail, and since the preferred coating is
non-conductive, the use of the coating prevents the completion of
an electrical circuit in the event of some electrical problem,
reducing the likelihood of shock. This insulative property also
removes the need to bond a conductive substrate to the rail, as is
normally required with metal rails, for safety grounding.
[0019] The coating seals the metal surface of the rail from the
environment and slows the effects that degrade the prior art
rails.
[0020] The coating suitably has a hardness between shore A 20 and
Shore D 90. The Glass Transition temperature where the polymer
becomes amorphous is between -100.degree. C. and 125.degree. C.
[0021] As noted above, the coating is applied to the exterior of
the rail, and the suitable use is as a hand rail. The heat transfer
rate of the coated rail is substantially lower than that of bare
metal surfaces, resulting in a more pleasant feel that is cool to
the touch.
[0022] The coating may be pigmented to enable color variations
according to the application or user's taste.
[0023] The thickness of the coating can be varied as desired, but
an exemplary thickness is between 0.0005 and 0.125 inch. The
diameter and thickness of the wall of the metal rail portion can
vary depending on the application and user requirements. A typical
outer diameter is 1.9 inches. Wall thicknesses typically used are
0.065, 0.109 or 0.145 inch.
[0024] The coated rail in accordance with the invention provides a
surface that is softer than a powder coated or uncoated metal
rail.
[0025] The coating may be applied by dipping the railing into the
coating, or by other suitable application method such as spraying
or brush/roller application. While the illustrated embodiment shows
the coating on the outside of the rail only, in the case of dipping
the rails to coat, some configurations may also thereby be coated
on the interior of the rail.
[0026] Therefore, in accordance with the invention, an improved
rail for use in swimming pools, for example, is provided. The rail
provides a soft, cool to the touch rail that has better gripping
properties than a metal or powder coated metal rail, reducing
slipping and thereby improving safety by lessening the chance of
slipping injuries. The ability to pigment the coating adds an
ability to customize the color to uses or design themes or user's
preferences. The rail thereby provided eliminates corrosion in
extreme pool environments, reduces heat conduction via the rail in
high temperatures, and is easy to clean with off the shelf cleaning
products. The rail gives better traction when wet as compared to a
standard rail.
[0027] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that many changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended
claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and
modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *