ARTICULATED RAIL MOUNT

Abstract

A fencing connector and fencing system utilizing fencing connectors. The fencing connectors include a swivel mount having a cavity configured to receive a first swivel assembly. The first swivel assembly is rotatable about a first axis within the swivel mount. A second swivel assembly is rotatably attached to the first swivel assembly. The second swivel assembly is rotatable about a second axis. The second swivel assembly further having a pocket configured to receive a structural member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a rail mount according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a swivel mount according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a first swivel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 show perspective views of a second swivel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show orthogonal elevational cross-sectional views of a second swivel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fencing system including the rail mount according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A fencing connector comprising: a swivel mount having a cavity configured to receive a first swivel assembly, the first swivel assembly being rotatable about a first axis within the swivel mount;a second swivel assembly rotatably attached to the first swivel assembly, the second swivel assembly being rotatable about a second axis, the second swivel assembly further comprising a pocket configured to receive a structural member.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the swivel mount, first swivel assembly, and second swivel assembly comprise a material selected from wood, vinyl, metal, composite, or combinations thereof.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the material is polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the pocket is configured to receive a structural member having a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rectangular cross-sections, triangular cross-sections, square cross-sections, oval cross-sections, circular cross-sections, mushroom cross-sections, bread-bun cross-sections, and “T” rail cross-sections.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the swivel mount further includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the swivel mount further includes a channel configured to engage a feature of the first swivel assembly to constrain rotation of the first swivel assembly about the first axis.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first swivel assembly and second swivel assembly comprise an opening configured to receive a pivoting member to constrain rotation of the second swivel assembly about the second axis.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the pivoting member is selected from the group consisting of a pin, a bolt, a rivet, a screw, and a rod.

9. A fencing system comprising: a fencing member;a fencing connector connected to the fencing member, the fencing connector comprising: a swivel mount having a cavity configured to receive a first swivel assembly, the first swivel assembly being rotatable about a first axis within the swivel mount;a second swivel assembly rotatably attached to the first swivel assembly, the second swivel assembly being rotatable about a second axis, the second swivel assembly further comprising a pocket configured to receive a structural member.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the swivel mount, first swivel assembly, and second swivel assembly comprise a material selected from wood, vinyl, metal, composite, or combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the material is polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the structural member has a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rectangular cross-sections, triangular cross-sections, square cross-sections, oval cross-sections, circular cross-sections, mushroom cross-sections, bread-bun cross-sections, and “T” rail cross-sections.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the swivel mount further includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the swivel mount further includes a channel configured to engage a feature of the first swivel assembly to constrain rotation of the first swivel assembly about the first axis.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the first swivel assembly and second swivel assembly comprise an opening configured to receive a pivoting member to constrain rotation of the second swivel assembly about the second axis.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the pivoting member is selected from the group consisting of a pin, a bolt, a rivet, a screw, and a rod.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the structural member is a rail.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the rail is a handrail for a stairway.

19. The system of claim 9, wherein the fencing member is a fence post.

20. The system of claim 9, wherein the structural member is at a non-perpendicular angle to the fencing member.