U.S. patent application number 13/712196 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for apparatus for coupling between the ends of two pipe pieces with a selectable angle formed therebetween.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fortress Iron, LP. The applicant listed for this patent is Fortress Iron, LP. Invention is credited to Kevin T. Burt.
Application Number | 20130153844 13/712196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48609194 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130153844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burt; Kevin T. |
June 20, 2013 |
APPARATUS FOR COUPLING BETWEEN THE ENDS OF TWO PIPE PIECES WITH A
SELECTABLE ANGLE FORMED THEREBETWEEN
Abstract
A connector joins two handrail ends to each other at a user
selectable angle. This is accomplished by forming the connector to
support attachment to the handrail ends while providing a pivoting
joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount to one
handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to mount to
another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a
selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective
tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded
interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed
in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and
socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening
formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the
ball and socket joint.
Inventors: |
Burt; Kevin T.; (Dallas,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fortress Iron, LP; |
Richardson |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Fortress Iron, LP
Richardson
TX
|
Family ID: |
48609194 |
Appl. No.: |
13/712196 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61570889 |
Dec 15, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1834 20130101;
E04F 11/1836 20130101; E04F 11/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/65.01 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/18 20060101
E04F011/18 |
Claims
1. Apparatus, comprising: a first coupling member having a first
pipe coupling end and a first interconnect end; a second coupling
member having a second pipe coupling end and a second interconnect
end; and means for coupling the first interconnect end to the
second interconnect end in a manner which permits selection and
setting of a coupling angle.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling
comprises a ball and socket joint.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first interconnect end
and second interconnect end are each adapted to support connection
to a handrail end.
4. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the adaptation comprises
each of the first interconnect end and second interconnect end
having a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter sized
substantially the same as an inner diameter of the handrail
end.
5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the adaptation further
comprises a plurality of axially extending ridges at the first
interconnect end and second interconnect end.
6. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized
to be interference fit within the handrail end.
7. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized
to be press fit within the handrail end.
8. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling
comprises an interconnect shaft having a first end pivotally
mounted to the first interconnect end and a second end threadedly
mounted to the second interconnect end.
9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the means for coupling
further comprises a slot opening formed in the first interconnect
end through which the interconnect shaft passes and a threaded
opening formed in the second interconnect end to which the through
the second end of the interconnect shaft is threadedly
connected.
10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the means for coupling
comprises a ball surface formed at the first interconnect end and
socket surface formed at the second interconnect end.
11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the ball surface and
socket surface generally conform to each other.
12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein tightening of the
threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to
the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end brings
the ball surface and socket surface into contact with each
other.
13. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein untightening of the
threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to
the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end releases
contact between the ball surface and socket surface and permits the
first end of the interconnect shaft to pivotally move while the
interconnect shaft moves in the slot opening formed in the first
interconnect end.
14. A connector for joining two handrail ends to each other at a
user selectable angle, comprising: a first coupling member
configured to mount to one handrail end; a second coupling member
configured to mount to another handrail end; a pivoting joint
formed between the first coupling member and second coupling
member, said pivoting joint provided by a selectively tightenable
ball and socket joint including a pivotally mounted threaded
interconnect shaft that passes through a slot opening formed in the
first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket
joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in
the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and
socket joint.
15. A connector configured to join ends of two tubular members at a
user selectable angle, comprising: a first coupling member having a
first end configured to be received within a first one of the
tubular members and having a second end including a concave socket
surface and a threaded aperture formed in a center of the concave
socket surface; a second coupling member having a first end
configured to be received within a second one of the tubular
members and a second end including a convex ball surface and a
radial slot formed extending from a center of the convex ball
surface; an interconnection member having a first end pivotally
coupled to the second coupling member and a second end threadedly
engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling member, the
interconnection member extending through the radial slot.
16. The connector of claim 15, wherein a tightening of the
interconnection member through the threaded engagement causes the
convex ball surface to frictionally engage the convex socket
surface.
17. The connector of claim 15, wherein a loosening of the
interconnection member through the threaded engagement permits
pivoting of the first coupling member relative to the second
coupling member.
18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said pivoting is made about
the pivotally coupled first end of the interconnection member.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application for Patent No. 61/570,889 filed Dec. 15, 2011, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to hardware
associated with handrail installations and more particularly to an
apparatus for coupling the ends of two handrail members together
with an installer selectable angle formed therebetween.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In many handrail installations, it is necessary to couple
two handrail members together at an angle. An example of such an
installation concerns the handrail where steps (or stairs) meet a
landing or with the use of a ramp. At that location, the handrail
must transition from a horizontal orientation associated with the
landing to a non-horizontal orientation associated with the
steps/ramp. This installation may typically be accomplished by in
accordance with prior art techniques by bending the handrail to the
angle needed for the horizontal to non-horizontal transition.
Achieving the correct bend angle can be challenging. Alternatively,
two separate handrail members may be angle cut and the angle cut
ends attached to each other, for example by welding. Achieving the
correct angle cuts can be challenging.
[0006] There is a need in the art for an easier way to couple the
ends of two handrail members to each other at a selectable
angle.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a
first coupling member having a first pipe coupling end and a first
interconnect end; a second coupling member having a second pipe
coupling end and a second interconnect end; and means for coupling
the first interconnect end to the second interconnect end in a
manner which permits selection and setting of a coupling angle.
[0008] In an embodiment, a handrail ends are joined to each other
at a user selectable angle by a connector apparatus that provides a
pivoting joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount
to one handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to
mount to another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a
selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective
tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded
interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed
in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and
socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening
formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the
ball and socket joint.
[0009] In an embodiment, a connector configured to join ends of two
tubular members at a user selectable angle comprises: a first
coupling member having a first end configured to be received within
a first one of the tubular members and having a second end
including a concave socket surface and a threaded aperture formed
in a center of the concave socket surface; a second coupling member
having a first end configured to be received within a second one of
the tubular members and a second end including a convex ball
surface and a radial slot formed extending from a center of the
convex ball surface; an interconnection member having a first end
pivotally coupled to the second coupling member and a second end
threadedly engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling
member, the interconnection member extending through the radial
slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of
the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following
Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying Drawings wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1-5 are perspective views of an apparatus for coupling
between the ends of two pipe members with a selectable angle formed
therebetween;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1-5 at a first orientation angle;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in the
configuration shown by FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1-5 at a second orientation angle;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in the
configuration shown by FIG. 8;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective phantom illustration of the
apparatus; and
[0017] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate use of the apparatus for
coupling between the ends of two pipe members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which shows a perspective
view of an apparatus 10 for coupling between the ends of two pipe
members 12 and 14 (shown in phantom) with a selectable angle formed
therebetween. The apparatus 10 comprises a first coupling member 16
and a second coupling member 26. FIGS. 11A and 11B shown more
details concerning the coupling operation performed by the
apparatus between the ends of two pipe members 12 and 14 (shown in
phantom) with a selectable angle formed therebetween.
[0019] The first coupling member 16 is formed of a generally
cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 18 and an
interconnect end 20. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18
is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 20.
Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 is
substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 12 such
than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe
member 12 to the first coupling member 16 may be accomplished. The
outer surface of the pipe coupling end 18 is formed to include a
plurality of axially extending ridges 22 with the outer surface of
each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18
and the ridges 22 supporting the function for interference or press
fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the
interconnect end 20 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of
the pipe member 12 so as to support a flush surface interface
between the pipe member 12 and the first coupling member 16.
[0020] The second coupling member 26 is formed of a generally
cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 28 and an
interconnect end 30. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28
is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 30.
Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 is
substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 14 such
than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe
member 14 to the second coupling member 26 may be accomplished. The
outer surface of the pipe coupling end 28 is formed to include a
plurality of axially extending ridges 32 with the outer surface of
each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28
and the ridges 32 supporting the function for interference or press
fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the
interconnect end 30 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of
the pipe member 14 so as to support a flush surface interface
between the pipe member 14 and the second coupling member 26.
[0021] The first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26
are coupled together in a ball-and-socket joint 40. Specifically,
the interconnect end 20 of the first coupling member 16 defines a
socket 42 and the interconnect end 30 of the second coupling member
26 defines the ball 44 (see, FIGS. 4-6). FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the
ball-and-socket joint 40 in an un-tightened state (which permits
the user to set the angle between the first coupling member 16 and
second coupling member 26), while FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the
ball-socket joint 40 in a tightened state where the angle between
the first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 has been
set).
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the apparatus 10 at
orientations different from that shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is also a perspective view of an apparatus 10, with
an orientation that facilitates viewing of the socket 42. FIG. 4
additionally shows a portion of an interconnect member 50 which is
used in coupling and tightening first coupling member 16 and second
coupling member 26 together.
[0024] FIG. 5 is also a perspective view of an apparatus 10, with
an orientation that facilitates viewing of the ball 44. FIG. 5
additionally shows a portion of the interconnect member 50 which is
used in coupling and tightening first coupling member 16 and second
coupling member 26 together. The ball 44 surface includes a slot 52
through which the interconnect member 50 passes. The angular extent
of the slot 50 defines a permitted range of angular movement of the
first coupling member 16 relative to the second coupling member 26.
In a preferred embodiment, the slot 52 extends over 40-60 degrees
of the ball 44 surface.
[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a
cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 at a first orientation
angle. This cross-sectional illustration shows the setting of a 180
degree angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second
coupling member 26, and further shows the ball-and-socket joint 40
in a tightened state. Associated with the socket 42 of the first
coupling member 16 is a socket collar 60. An axial bore 62 is
formed in the socket collar 60 and that bore 62 is threaded to mate
with a threaded end of the interconnect member 50. Associated with
the ball 44 of the second coupling member 26 is a ball collar 64.
The slot 52 is formed in the ball collar 64. The ball collar 64
further includes a means for pivotally securing a first end of the
interconnect member 50. The interconnect member 50 has an L-shape.
A first leg 66 of the interconnect member 50 in a preferred
implementation is not threaded and is retained with a retention
slot 68 of the ball collar 64. A second leg 70 of the interconnect
member 50 in a preferred implementation is threaded to present the
threaded end of the interconnect member 50 that mates with the
threaded bore 62 of the socket collar 60.
[0026] As mentioned above, FIG. 6 shows the ball-socket joint 40 in
a tightened state. When in the tightened state, the ball 44 surface
is in contact with the socket 42 surface, and this frictional
contact relationship resists change in the orientation angle
between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member
26. To un-tighten the ball-and-socket joint 40, the first coupling
member 16 is rotated relative to the second coupling member 26 so
as to un-screw the threaded end of the interconnect member 50
within the threaded bore 62. There is no need to completely remove
the threaded end of the interconnect member 50 from the threaded
bore 62. Rather, it will suffice to simply loosen the attachment
between the first coupling member 16 and the second coupling member
26 until the frictional contact is released. Once the
ball-and-socket joint 40 is loosened to the un-tightened state, the
user may manipulate the angle between the first coupling member 16
and the second coupling member 26. The first leg 66 of the
interconnect member 50 will pivot within the retention slot 68 of
the ball collar 64 and the second leg 70 of the interconnect member
50 will move along the slot 52 is formed in the ball collar 64
(see, also, FIG. 10). Once a desired angular orientation is
selected, the user may then rotate the first coupling member 16
relative to the second coupling member 26 so as to screw the
threaded end of the interconnect member 50 within the threaded bore
62.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 in the
configuration shown by FIG. 6 with the first coupling member 16
illustrated in phantom. The relationship between the slot 52 and
the ball 44 surface is more clearly shown. Additionally, the
angular extent of the slot 50 which defines the permitted range of
angular movement of the first coupling member 16 relative to the
second coupling member 26 is more clearly shown.
[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 further show an alternative implementation for
the outer surfaces of the pipe coupling ends 18 and 28 of the first
and second coupling members 16 and 26 as smooth surfaces (i.e.,
there is no use of ridges 22 and 32 as in FIG. 1).
[0029] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates a
cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 at a second orientation
angle. This cross-sectional illustration shows the setting of an
obtuse angle between the first coupling member 16 and the second
coupling member 26, and further shows the ball-and-socket joint 40
in a tightened state. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the
apparatus 10 in the configuration shown by FIG. 8 with the first
coupling member 16 illustrated in phantom. FIG. 10 shows the full
apparatus in phantom.
[0030] Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus
of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth and defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *