Cone Bracket

Abstract

The cone bracket is the preferred connection between round/oval posts and the top rail tubing. It has a modern design as a cone shape, giving a sturdy connection, and can be apply in most cases, straight or at an angle.

Description

The cone bracket was motivated by a need of a part used to connect a round post, or tube to the top rail used in handrail and guardrail, and can be applied for all applications, whether on a flat ground (balcony, mezzanine), or on an angle (stair).

The cone bracket has the shape of a cone, connects a round or an oval shaped post/tube to the upper tube railing (Top Rail). The top rail can have either a flat or rounded bottom.

The bracket has two main parts. The bottom part has the shape of a cone, with a recessed part to connect to the post, or tube. The top part, called the saddle, can have either flat surface to adapt the square, or rectangular tube, or round surface to adapt a round, or an oval tube. The saddle connects to the bottom part by a screw that allows it to swivel or pivot at an angle in order to accommodated vertical post with inclined top rail.

The cone shape of the bottom part gives it superior stability and rigidity and its shape allows it to swivel. It solves the problem of connecting round/oval posts to curved or flat top rail bottom on straight or inclined railing's run (i.e. stairs, handicap ramps, etc.) while keeping a sturdy connection that creates a better stability for safer guardrail, whether cable, glass, rod or other systems.

The bracket can be either a separate item from the railing post that the bracket mounts on top by compression fitting and using epoxy or similar glue or it can be part of the post itself by welding it on top of the post then grinding and polishing the material if needed like in the case of stainless steel.

The cone shaped top post bracket applies to any size of round or oval tubing posts made of any kind of solid material (i.e. stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.)

FIG. 1: 2D diagram showing the different parts of the bracket includes the front view, the side view, and the isometric view of the bracket. The bracket has the cone shape, with the recessed part to connect to the post/tube.

FIG. 1 is a side view

FIG. 2 is a cut view

FIG. 3 is an isometric view

FIG. 2: 3D rendered diagram showing the bracket mounted on a round post.

FIG. 3: 3D rendered showing an application on stair for the cone.

Claims

1. The cone bracket is used to connect either a round or an oval shaped post to the upper railing (Top Rail). The top saddle can have a flat surface for square or rectangular shaped tube, or a round surface to support a round tube top rail.

2. The bottom cone part connects to the saddle by a screw, which allows the saddle to swivel or pivot at any angle. This makes the cone bracket applicable in straight run (a balcony, a mezzanine, etc.) and in any stair (with any degree of angle).

3. The cone bracket can be either a separate item that connects to a post, or a tube using epoxy, glue, or it can be a part of a post, itself when the post is pre-casted, pre-welded with a cone shape on top.