Patent Application
20190301167
There are no related patent applications.
The invention described herein was not made pursuant to a government agency grant or contract. No government funds were utilized in the described invention.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow members in a line, specifically railing or handrail posts.
A railing is a fencelike barrier with one or more horizontal rails supported by widely spaced upright posts. A handrail is a rail that is designed to be grasped by the hand so as to provide stability or support. Handrails are typically supported by vertical posts or poles mounted directly to walls or floors. Railings and handrails are commonly used near stairways, balconies, and decks in order to prevent injurious falls.
The vertical posts of railings and handrails are often made of metal materials that can corrode and lose their structural integrity. A typical method for fixing handrail posts that have corroded includes: (a) cutting the posts a few inches above the ground; (b) sandblasting the removed posts; (c) coating the removed posts with a powder coat; (d) heating the powder coated posts in an oven; and (e) reconnecting the treated and fixed posts to the original post stumps that were left in step (a).
There are several methods for reconnecting the fixed posts. One common method uses a fishplate, which is a metal plate that is bolted to the ends of the two rail posts or welded to join the two posts back together. However, when the above method is employed to connect two posts, it becomes difficult for the post to be taken apart in case the posts need to be further replaced or fixed. Additionally, the metal fishplate method does not always result in a sufficiently strong and lasting bond and is not aesthetically pleasing.
Another method of reconnecting the posts is by using screws or pins. However, this method also does not always result in a sufficiently strong and lasting bond and pins or screws that are exposed to the outside air can further corrode and lose their structural integrity.
The present invention overcomes the above stated drawbacks by providing an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts in a line using expansion forces supplied by a pair of set screws. The proposed invention is simple in design, safer and structurally superior to currently available methods, quick to install, inhibits corrosion, requires minimal alterations to the outsides of the posts, and does not require welding.
One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts in a line for replacing or fixing railing or handrail posts.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that provides structurally superior rigid and strong connections for two hollow posts.
A further object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus for connecting two hollow posts that inhibits further corrosion.
A further object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts that is easy to install.
A further object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts that is removable and reusable.
A further object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts that requires minimal alterations to the outside surface of handrail or railing posts.
A further object of the current invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts that does not require welding.
Other objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In accordance with the invention, an apparatus for connecting two hollow posts in a line comprises an elongated main load bearing body, a means for expanding the main load bearing body, contact pads that serve to redirect the forces along the inside surfaces of the hollow posts, and an optional elastomeric seal which helps align the apparatus body within the posts and prevents moisture from entering the posts.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main load bearing structural body is comprised of two parts. One of these parts is drilled and threaded to accept two set screws which generate the separating force when torque is applied with a hex key wrench. When the set screws are torqued the spreading force is transferred to the contact pads through the structural body. The main structural body has bevelled edges that engage and force apart the contact pads, creating a locking force within the hollow posts. When the contact pads are locked into corresponding sections of appropriately sized posts, the two posts are locked together in an extremely strong and rigid connection. The use of the reversible set screws as the expansion force allows the posts to be locked together and also unlocked at a later time.
An optional elastomeric seal is provided to assist with the alignment of the two posts and to secure the two posts together. The elastomeric seal also acts as a barrier against moisture entering the posts.
While the preferred embodiment shown is designed for elongated posts with a square cross section, the shape of the apparatus and, in particular, the contact pads can be modified to accommodate posts of varying shapes and sizes including tubular posts having a circular cross section.
To use the apparatus, a hole is drilled towards the end of each of the two posts to be connected, one end of the elongated device body is inserted into the drilled end of the first post until the first set screw aligns with the hole made in the first post, the first set screw is rotated until the contact pads within the first post press against the inside surface of the first post, the opposing end of the elongated device body is inserted into the end of the second post until the second set screw aligns with the hole made in the second post, and the second set screw is rotated until the contact pads within the second post press against the inside surface of the second post, connecting the two posts in a strong and rigid manner.
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Two-part main load bearing body 4 supports contact pads 5, which are the points of contact with the insides of the posts being connected. Once the ends of the apparatus are inserted inside the two posts, two-part load bearing body 4 is caused to expand using set screws 2′ and 2″ until contact pads 5 are pressed outwards against the inside surface of the posts.
Referring to
The means for expanding the main load bearing body shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has eight contact pads 5 each of which exhibit a triangular prism shape.
To assemble the apparatus shown in
An optional elastomeric seal 13 is placed in the middle of the apparatus such that half of the two-part main load bearing body 4, one set screw 2′ or 2″, and four of the eight contact pads 5 are on each side of elastomeric seal 13. The optional elastomeric seal 13 is provided to better align and additionally secure the posts being connected in line, as well as act as a barrier to prevent moisture from entering the posts once the posts are connected using the apparatus.
When torque is applied to set screws 2′ and 2″ using a wrench (shown in
Due to the configuration of contact pads 5 relative to bevel 1, the lateral forces being directed by set screws 2′ and 2″ in one direction are transformed such that each contact pad 5 exerts a force upon the inside surfaces of the posts in two dimensions, each force being lateral to the length of the posts.
In the preferred embodiment shown in
While the preferred embodiments shown in
To prevent corrosion to the apparatus, the apparatus may be coated in a protective coating or corrosion inhibitor material such as Cosmoline.
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is made with a rigid material such as steel, hard plastic, wood, or other metals. The contact pads 5 and elastomeric seal 13 can, alternatively, be fabricated using materials different from the materials used to make parts 4a and 4b, such as, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, hard plastics, and other materials. In addition, the invention also anticipates expanding the load bearing body other than as illustrated. By way of example, and not limitation, the load bearing body can be made of more then two parts, and can be expanded through means other than the use of set screws 2′ and 2″, as for example, a pair of compression springs.
In addition, the load bearing body can exert lateral expansive forces outwards against the inside of the posts to be connected directed 90 degrees one from the other, or some angle between 0 and 90 degrees one from the other, or a plurality of lateral forces that are directed at a variety of angles between 0 and 90 degrees one from the other.
A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention for using the apparatus for connecting two posts together in a straight line is illustrated with respect to
In the second step, as illustrated in
In the third step, as shown in
In the fourth step, the second half of the apparatus is inserted into the end of second post 7″ such that elastomeric seal 13 is flush with the edge of post 7″ and the hole of second post 7″ aligns with second set screw 2″ of the apparatus. If no elastomeric seal 13 is used, as shown in
In the fifth step, as illustrated in
As an optional sixth step, first set screw 2′ may need to be further rotated by wrench 10 through the hole in first post 7′ to ensure that the in line connection between posts 7′ and 7″ is rigid and secure.
As an optional final step, a rubber seal or plug is inserted into the holes of the two posts after the apparatus is installed to help prevent moisture from seeping in.
In addition, the order of the steps illustrated in
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers, dimension, materials and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being examples and not limitations, and in any event, not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims.
The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar references used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claim. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein.
Accordingly, the claims include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is contemplated, and method steps may be performed in any order, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. For example, alternative means for expanding load bearing body 4, and alternative means for spreading the expansive forces across the cross-section of the inside of posts 7′ and 7″, will be obvious to those skilled in the art and such alternative means are encompassed within the subject invention. Similarly, means for accessing set screws 2 through posts 7′ and 7″ other than holes are contemplated, as are alternative embodiments of load bearing body 4 and contact pads 5 sized and shaped to accommodate railing posts of varying configurations. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the claims. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the claims. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative embodiments may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the claims are not limited to embodiments precisely as shown and described.
