U.S. patent application number 14/671450 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for railing assembly with interference fit-based coupling.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sentinel Fence, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew J. Feeko, David Fuetterer.
Application Number | 20150300041 14/671450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54321558 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150300041 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Feeko; Matthew J. ; et
al. |
October 22, 2015 |
RAILING ASSEMBLY WITH INTERFERENCE FIT-BASED COUPLING
Abstract
A railing assembly includes a rail and one or more pickets. The
top rail includes engagement members configured to couple the rail
to each of the pickets using an interference fit. In certain
aspects, the railing assembly may also include a second rail with
engagement members configured to couple the second rail to each of
the pickets using an interference fit. A method for installing a
railing assembly includes providing a rail and a picket and
inserting the picket into a passage in the rail such that the
engaging members of the rail couple the rail to the picket using an
interference fit.
Inventors: |
Feeko; Matthew J.;
(Lumberton, NC) ; Fuetterer; David; (Lumberton,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sentinel Fence, LLC |
Lumberton |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54321558 |
Appl. No.: |
14/671450 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61980171 |
Apr 16, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/65.12 ;
256/65.11; 29/428; 29/525.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 2017/006 20130101;
E04H 17/1421 20130101; E04H 2017/1452 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14; E04H 17/20 20060101 E04H017/20 |
Claims
1. A railing assembly comprising: engaging members that are
oppositely positioned with respect to each other and that are
configured to couple a rail to a picket using an interference
fit.
2. The railing assembly of claim 1, further comprising the rail
that includes the engaging members and that is coupled to a clip
having an opening configured to allow the picket to pass through
the opening.
3. The railing assembly of claim 2, wherein the engaging members
are configured to couple the rail to a plurality of pickets using
the interference fit, and wherein the clip includes a plurality of
openings configured to allow the plurality of pickets to pass
through the plurality of openings.
4. The railing assembly of claim 2, wherein the engaging members
are further configured to receive the clip, the clip further having
clip tabs configured to couple the rail to the clip.
5. The railing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging members
are configured to couple the rail to the picket independent of any
other supporting hardware.
6. The railing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging members
are configured to couple the rail to a plurality of pickets using
the interference fit, the engaging members being in parallel and
extending the length of the rail..
7. The railing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging members
are further configured to form a passage for receiving the picket,
and wherein the rail includes a bracing member for preventing the
picket from progressing beyond the bracing member when the picket
is inserted into the passage.
8. The railing assembly of claim 1, further comprising a post and a
rail bracket that is coupled to the rail, wherein the post includes
a post cap and a post base.
9. The railing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging members
have bulbous ends and are curved to form a tapered passage.
10. The railing assembly of claim 1 further comprising second
engaging members that are oppositely positioned with respect to
each other and that are configured to couple the rail to the picket
using an interference fit.
11. The railing assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging members
are further configured to couple the rail to the picket by
mechanically locking the engaging members into slots in the
picket.
12. A railing assembly comprising: first engaging members that are
oppositely positioned with respect to each other and that are
configured to couple a top rail to a top end of a picket using a
first interference fit; and second engaging members that are
oppositely positioned with respect to each other and that are
configured to couple a bottom rail to a bottom end of the picket
using a second interference fit.
13. The railing assembly of claim 12 further comprising: the top
rail that includes the first engaging members and that is coupled
to a top clip having an opening configured to allow the picket to
pass through the opening; and the bottom rail that includes the
second engaging members and that is coupled to a bottom clip having
a second opening configured to allow the picket to pass through the
second opening.
14. The railing assembly of claim 12, wherein the first engaging
members are configured to couple to the top rail to a plurality of
pickets using the first interference fit; and wherein the second
engaging members are configured to couple the bottom rail to the
plurality of pickets using the second interference fit.
15. The railing assembly of claim 12, wherein the second engaging
members are further configured to receive the second clip, the
second clip further having second clip tabs configured to couple
the second rail to the second clip.
16. A method for installing a railing assembly comprising:
providing a rail and a picket, the rail including engaging members
and a passage; and inserting the picket in the passage such that
the engaging members couple the rail to the picket using an
interference fit.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a clip
that includes clip tabs and an opening; coupling the clip to the
rail using the clip tabs; and passing the picket through the
opening.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a second
rail that includes second engaging members and a second passage;
and inserting the picket into the second passage such that the
second engaging members couple the second rail to the picket using
a second interference fit.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a second
picket; and inserting the second picket into the passage such that
the engaging members couple the rail to the second picket using the
interference fit.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a post, a
post bracket, a post cap, and a post base; coupling the post
bracket to the rail; coupling the post bracket to the post;
coupling the post cap to the post; and coupling the post base to
the post.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 61/980,171, filed Apr. 16, 2014 and titled "Interference
Fit-Based Fence System," the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
Background
[0002] Railing and fence assemblies can include combinations of
vertical posts, horizontal rails (e.g., top and bottom rails), and
vertical pickets. Horizontal rails can extend between the posts
with vertical pickets that can be mounted between the posts,
secured by the rails. In such assemblies, supporting hardware
(e.g., screws, brackets, fasteners, nails, etc.) is often used to
secure the rails to each picket in the railing assembly. Depending
on the number of pickets in the railing assembly, the amount of
supporting hardware necessary to install a railing assembly can be
substantial. The use of a substantial amount of supporting hardware
increases the difficulty in assembling the railings and fences,
often making the assembly frustrating and time-consuming. Further,
the requisite inclusion of supporting hardware in railing and fence
assemblies increases the costs of such assemblies. Accordingly,
railing and fence assemblies, and methods for assembling railings
and fences requiring minimal supporting hardware are desirable that
are more efficient to assemble and less expensive to manufacture
and/or purchase.
SUMMARY
[0003] One aspect relates to a railing assembly in which a rail is
coupled to one or more pickets using an interference fit. The
interference fit is achieved by engaging members in the rail that
secure the rail to each picket after each picket is inserted in a
passage in the rail. The railing assembly may also include a second
rail having engaging members configured to couple the second rail
with the opposing end of each picket using an interference fit. One
or both of the rails may further include a clip having one or more
openings, each opening configured to allow a picket to pass through
prior to coupling with the rail. The railing assembly may further
include one or more posts.
[0004] Another aspect relates to a method for assembling an
interference-fit based railing assembly. The method includes
coupling a rail having engaging members to one or more pickets,
wherein the one or more pickets is coupled to the railing using an
interference fit.
[0005] These illustrative aspects are not mentioned to limit or
define the invention, but to provide examples to aid understanding
of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Other features and
aspects will become apparent upon review of the entire
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a cutaway end view of a railing assembly according
to one aspect.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a cutaway end view of a top rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cutaway end view of a top rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cutaway end view of a top rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cutaway end view of a bottom rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a top rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom rail of a railing
assembly according to one aspect.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rail clip according to one
aspect.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a post of a railing assembly
according to one aspect.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a rail bracket according to one
aspect.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a rail bracket according to one
aspect.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a post cap according to one
aspect.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a post base according to one
aspect.
[0019] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an example of a railing
assembly according to an aspect.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a railing assembly
according to an aspect.
[0021] FIG. 16A is a side view of a rail according to an
aspect.
[0022] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a rail according to an
aspect.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a cutaway end view of a railing assembly
according to an aspect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The present disclosure relates to an interference fit-based
interlocking fencing and railing assembly. For purposes of the
present disclosure, fencing assembly and railing assembly may be
used interchangeably. The railing assembly includes components that
can interlock via an interference fit to create a rigid and secure
assembly without the use of supporting hardware (screws, brackets,
fasteners, nails, etc.). An interference fit, also known as a press
fit or friction fit, can include coupling two components together
using a retaining force (e.g., friction). For some metal components
(e.g., extruded aluminum), the force that retains the parts
together may be greatly increased by one components compressing
against another. Other component materials, such as plastics, may
also be used. An interference fit can be achieved by shaping
complementary mating components so that one component (or both)
slightly bends or is compressed when joined together. The
interference fit of the components can allow the railing assembly
to be easy to assemble yet durable and difficult to disassemble
unintentionally.
[0025] The directional terms used in this disclosure (e.g., top,
bottom, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are for simplicity of
discussion to refer to examples of orientations of the railing
assembly or components thereof. The terms are not used to limit the
railing assembly or its components to any particular orientation.
For example, a "bottom" portion of the railing assembly can refer
to a portion of the railing assembly that is closest to the ground,
that is farthest away from the ground, or that is parallel to the
ground and on substantially the same plane with respect to the
ground as a "top" portion in connection with a horizontal
orientation. Generally, a "top" portion and a "bottom" portion can
be a first end portion and a second, opposing end portion of a
railing assembly.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a cut-away end view of a railing assembly 100
according to one aspect. The railing assembly 100 includes a top
rail 102 and a bottom rail 104 coupled by an interference fit to
opposing ends of a picket 106. The top rail 102 includes engaging
members 108a, 108b configured to couple the top rail 102 to the
picket 106 using an interference fit with one end of the picket
106. The bottom rail 104 includes engaging members 110a, 110b
configured to couple the bottom rail 104 to the picket 106 using an
interference fit with the opposing end of the picket 106. The
engaging members 108a, 108b and 110a, 110b can each be spaced,
shaped, and provided resiliency to apply a restraining force
against the picket 106 when the picket 106 is between the
respective engaging members 108a, 108b and 110a, 110b. The top rail
102 and the bottom rail 104 can be coupled using the picket 106
using an interference fit without the need for supporting hardware.
The picket 106 can include a substantially hollow structure defined
by four, equal-width sidewalls oriented at right angles. For
example, the picket 106 can include a square-shaped extruded
aluminum tube. In some aspects, the picket 106 is forcibly slid
between the engaging members 108a, 108b and 110a, 110b to couple
the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 to the picket 106. Railing
assemblies according to other examples may include a top rail or a
bottom rail (but not both) that can couple to a picket using an
interference fit.
[0027] The top rail 102 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The
top rail 102 includes a top cap 202 that forms the upper surfaces
of the top rail 102. The top rail 102 may also include a top clip
204. As described in FIG. 1, the top rail 102 may include engaging
members 108a, 108b. The engaging members 108a, 108b are positioned
to define a passage 206 sized to receive a picket. The passage 206
defined by the engaging members 108a, 108b may be tapered such that
increasing force is applied to the picket as it enters the passage.
The engaging members 108a, 108b may have thicker ends. The thicker
ends of the engaging members 108a, 108b may be shaped to provide
additional force to the picket once it enters the passage. For
example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate engaging members having bulbous
ends that provide additional force to the picket 106 in passage
206.
[0028] The engaging members 108a, 108b can be shaped to define
channels 208a, 208b for coupling with the top clip 204. The top
clip 204 may include clip tabs 210a, 210b that can be slidably
received by the channels 208a, 208b, respectively, for coupling the
top clip 204 to the top rail 102. The clip tabs 210a, 210b can be
prevented from decoupling from the top rail 102 after being
slidably received by the channels 208a, 208b.
[0029] In one example of coupling the top clip 204 to the top rail
102, the top clip 204 is slidably received by the top rail 102 by
horizontally sliding the top clip 204 into the channels 208a, 208b
at a first end of the top rail 102 until the top clip 204 reaches a
second end of the top rail 102. This may, alternatively, be
accomplished by vertically sliding the clip tabs 210a, 210b into
the channels 208a, 208b, respectively, starting from the bottom end
of the top rail 102 (e.g., the end of the top rail 102 opposite the
top cap 202). Coupling of the top clip 204 to the top rail 102 may
require the application of force using a tool (e.g., a mallet).
[0030] The top clip 204 can include an opening 212 sized for
allowing a picket to pass through the opening 212 and into the
passage 206. When inserted into the passage, the movement of the
picket can be substantially restricted by friction applied using an
interference fit from the engaging members 108a, 108b. The top rail
102 may also include a bracing member 214 that can provide
additional rigidity to the top rail 102 and prevent a picket from
progressing beyond the bracing member 214 when the picket is
inserted into the passage 206.
[0031] The top cap 202 of the top rail 102 can be decorative or
ergonomic, depending upon the application of the railing assembly
(e.g., fence, railing for stairs, etc.). The style of a top cap can
be independent of the structure and spacing of the engaging members
108a, 108b, the passage 206, and the channels 208a, 208b. In the
example shown in FIG. 2, the top cap 202 is shaped in a "Dixie"
style. There are other styles that can be used. FIG. 3 depicts an
example of a top rail 302 having a top cap 304 that is a "Round"
style. FIG. 4 depicts an example of a top rail 402 with a top cap
404 that is a "Mailbox" style.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the bottom rail 104 of FIG. 1 in greater
detail. The bottom rail 104 includes a bottom cap 504 that forms
the outer surfaces of the bottom rail 104.
[0033] The bottom rail may also include engaging members 110a, 110b
positioned to define a passage 506 sized to receive a picket. The
engaging members 110a, 110b may also be shaped to define channels
508a, 508b for coupling with a bottom clip 504. The bottom clip 504
may include clip tabs 510a, 510b that can be slidably received by
the channels 508a, 508b, respectively, for coupling the bottom clip
504 to the bottom rail 104. The clip tabs 510a, 510b can be
prevented from decoupling from the bottom rail 104 after being
slidably received by the channels 508a, 508b, respectively.
Coupling of the bottom clip 504 to the bottom rail 104 may be
accomplished in a manner similar to the coupling of the top clip
204 to the top rail 102.
[0034] The bottom clip 504 can also include an opening 512 sized
for allowing a picket to pass through the opening 512 and into
passage 506. When inserted into the passage, the movement of the
picket can be substantially restricted by friction applied using an
interference fit from the engaging members 110. Like the top cap
202 of the top rail 102, the bottom cap 502 of the bottom rail 104
can be decorative or ergonomic, depending upon the application of
or surface for the railing assembly. The style of a bottom cap can
be independent of the structure and spacing of the engaging members
110a, 110b, the passage 506, and the channels 508a, 508b.
[0035] In certain aspects, the railing assembly may include more
than one picket. In such aspects, the top rail or bottom rail (or
both) may be coupled to each picket using engaging members
configured to couple the rail(s) to the pickets using an
interference fit for each picket.
[0036] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a perspective view of the top rail 102
and bottom rail 104, respectively. The cross-sectional shape of the
top rail 102 and bottom rail 104 can be any desirable length. For
example, a die can be used to extrude the rail material to a
predetermined length. In one aspect, the rails can be manufactured
in a standard length, e.g., ten feet, and can later be reduced in
length at an on-site location for custom installation.
[0037] In at least one aspect where the railing assembly includes
the top rail 102 coupled to more than one picket, each picket may
be arranged in parallel with the others and perpendicular to the
top rail. The engaging members 108a, 108b of the top rail 102 (and
the passage 206) extend along the predetermined length of the top
rail 102 and are configured to couple the top rail to each picket
using an interference fit. Depending upon the application of or
surface for the railing assembly, or for other reasons (e.g., the
shape of the top rail), the arrangement of the pickets relative to
each other and to the top rail may vary. For example, where the
railing assembly is used as railings to a staircase, each picket
may be arranged in parallel with other pickets, but each picket may
be coupled to the top rail using an interference fit at an angle
corresponding to the slope of the staircase. In another example,
where the railing assembly is a fence used on a curved surface, the
pickets may be arranged perpendicular to the surface rather than
parallel to the other pickets.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a clip for a railing
assembly. The clip may be used as a top clip 204 or as a bottom
clip 504. The clip 204/504 includes multiple openings 212/512, each
opening configured to allow a picket to pass through. Where the
clip 204/504 is coupled to the top rail 102 or the bottom rail 104,
the rail 102/104 may be coupled to a picket by passing the picket
through the opening 212/512 in the clip 204/504 and passing the
picket through the passage 206/506. Use of a clip in the railing
assembly may provide enhanced stability to the assembly. Further,
the clip allows for easier installation of the railing assembly as
the spacing between the pickets is pre-defined by the openings in
the clip.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a post 900 that may be included in some aspects
of a railing assembly. The post 900 may be located at a first end
of a rail, at a second end of a rail, or at both ends of a rail. In
some aspects, the post 900 may be made of the same material as the
pickets of the railing assembly and may be similar in shape to the
pickets, though may have thicker sidewalls and a greater diameter
(or cross-section) and length than the pickets. In some aspects,
one or both ends of the post 900 may be configured to be coupled to
a rail using an interface fit. In such aspects, the diameter or
cross-section of the end(s) of the post may be of a different
diameter or cross-section than the other portions of the post. For
example, the post of a railing assembly may have one or both ends
identical in shape and size to the pickets of a railing assembly,
but the remainder of the post may have a greater diameter (or
cross-section), as illustrated by post 1514b in FIG. 15. In this
configuration, the end of the post may be slidably received by the
top rail.
[0040] FIGS. 10 and 11 show rail brackets 1000 and 1100. Rail
brackets may provide support for the rails in a railing assembly
and, further, provide enhanced stability for the railing assembly.
In some aspects, a rail may include a rail bracket 1000/1100
coupled to one or both ends of the rail. The rail bracket may
include a mating portion 1002/1102 and a back portion 1004/1104.
The mating portion 1002/1102 may be configured to join with the end
of a rail. For example, the mating portion 1002/1102 may be
slidably connected, adhered, or fastened to the end of a rail. The
back portion 1004/1104 may be configured to serve as a stopper for
a rail joined to the mating portion 1002/1102. The side of the back
portion 1004/1104 opposite the mating portion 1002/1102 may be left
bare or may be connected, adhered, or fastened to a post or to a
fixture to which the railing assembly is joined (e.g., a wall).
[0041] In FIG. 10, the mating portion 1002 of rail bracket 1000 is
shaped in the "Dixie" style complementary to the "Dixie" style of
the top cap 202 of the top rail 102 such that the rail bracket 1000
may be slidably connected, adhered, or fastened to the end of the
top rail 102. FIG. 11 shows a rail bracket 1100 configured to
couple to the end of bottom rail 104. The mating portion 1102 of
rail bracket 1100 is shaped such that the rail bracket 1000 may be
slidably connected, adhered, or fastened to the end of the bottom
rail 104.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows one aspect of a post cap 1200 that may be
included on a post 900. The post cap 1200 may be used to cover the
top end of a post and may be configured in a number of shapes. In
the aspect shown, the post cap 1200 includes sidewalls 1202 forming
a square shape and includes a pyramid-shaped upper portion 1204
connected to the sidewalls 1202. The post cap 1200 can prevent
rainwater or other items from entering inner portions a hollow post
900. The post cap 1200 may be shaped such that the post cap 1200
may be slidably connected, adhered, or fastened to the top end of a
post 900.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows one aspect of a post base 1300 for coupling to
a post 900. The post base includes post base engaging members
1302a, 1302b and a bottom portion 1304. The post base 1300 can be
used to mount or affix a post to another surface, such as the
ground or a concrete slab. The post base engaging members 1302a,
1302b may be positioned and shaped such that the post base 1300 may
be slidably connected, adhered, or fastened to the bottom end of a
post 900. In some aspects, the post base engaging members 1302a,
1302b may be positioned and shaped such that the post base 1300 may
be coupled to the bottom end of a post 900 using an interference
fit. The bottom portion 1304 may be shaped complementary to shape
of a post 900 such that the post base 1300 may cover the bottom of
the post 900. In some aspects, the bottom portion 1304 may be sized
such that a post 900 coupled to the post base 1300 may stand
vertically without supporting components.
[0044] FIG. 14 shows an exploded (or disassembled) view of a
railing assembly 1400 according to one aspect. In this aspect, the
railing assembly 1400 includes a top rail 1402, a bottom rail 1404,
multiple pickets 1406, a top clip 1408a having openings (not
shown), a bottom clip 1408b having openings (not shown), and two
posts 1410, each having post brackets 1412a, 1412b for the top rail
1402 and bottom rail 1404, a post cap 1414, and a post base 1416.
Assembling the components of a railing assembly may be accomplished
in any order.
[0045] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an assembled railing
assembly 1500 according to another aspect. In this aspect, the
railing assembly 1500 includes a top rail 1502, two bottom rails
1504a, 1508b, multiple pickets 1506, a top clip 1508a, two bottom
clips 1508a, 1508b, and three posts 1510a-c, each having post
brackets 1512a-e for the bottom rails and a post base 1514a-c.
[0046] In some aspects, the interference fit used to couple the top
rail 102 or bottom rail 104 to a picket may be reinforced by a
mechanical locking feature. For example, FIGS. 16A and 16B show a
picket 1600 having slots 1602. The slots 1602 may be grooved into
opposing surfaces of the picket 1600 and may be positionable to
align with the engaging members 108a, 108b of the top rail 102 when
the top rail 102 is coupled to the picket 1600 or with the engaging
members 110a, 110b of the bottom rail 104 when the bottom rail 104
is coupled to the picket 1600.
[0047] FIG. 17 shows a cutaway view of the top rail 102 coupled to
the picket 1600. The movement of the picket 1600 may be
substantially restricted by friction applied using an interference
fit from the engaging members 108a, 108b. In addition to the
interference fit, movement of the picket 1600 may be further
restricted by aligning the slots 1602 of the picket 1600 such that
the engaging member 108a of the top rail 102 is aligned with slot
1602a of the picket 1600 and engaging member 108b of the top rail
102 is aligned with slot 1602b of the picket 1600. The engaging
members 108a, 108b can be provided resiliency to apply a
restraining force against the picket 1600 to mechanically lock the
engaging members 108a, 108b into the slots 1602 of the picket
1600.
[0048] The foregoing description of the examples, including
illustrated examples, of the invention has been presented only for
the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof
can be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of this invention. The illustrative examples described
above are given to introduce the reader to the general subject
matter discussed here and are not intended to limit the scope of
the disclosed concepts.
* * * * *