This instant disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for connecting one or more balusters/pickets to a rail of a railing and/or a fence.
Conventional railing designs often require a discrete fastener, such as a bolt or a screw to connect a baluster to a rail or a fence. Relative to a design that does not require a discrete fastener, assembling and/or manufacturing railings or fences that require such discrete fasteners may require additional time, cost, larger shipping containers/packaging, and/or effort, which may be associated with centering components, measuring distances between balusters, locating drilling locations, drilling holes, and/or driving fasteners into the holes. A design that may eliminate and/or simplify one or more of the above activities from an assembly process may be desirable.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, first retaining elements 60, 80, 160, 180, 260, 280 may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example, and without limitation, first retaining elements (e.g., elements 60, 80) may be configured as a resilient tube, such as a polyethylene, vinyl, or polymer tube, and/or may be referred to herein as tubes 60, 80, but are not so limited. In embodiments, first retaining elements (e.g., elements 160, 180) may include a generally K-shaped configuration, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, first retaining elements 260, 280 may include a C-shaped configuration (see, e.g.,
Retaining elements 260, 280 may include protrusions 262, 264, 282, 284 that may extend radially outward. Protrusions 262, 264, 282, 284 may be configured to help maintain retaining elements 260, 280 in a railing portion 230, 240. For example, and without limitation, first protrusions 262, 282 may be configured to engage protrusions 234A, 244A of railing portions 230, 240, and/or second protrusions 264, 284 may be configured to engage protrusions 234B, 244B of railing portions 230, 240. First protrusions 262, 282 and second protrusions 264, 284 may be disposed at a distance from each other, such as about 180 degrees from each other. In embodiments, second protrusions 264, 284 may be disposed at or about gaps 266, 286.
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, first retaining elements 60, 160, 80, 180, 260, 280 may be configured to bias and/or apply a force to a baluster 50 in a direction generally parallel to axis 24 (e.g., toward a second retaining element 70, 90) once the baluster 50 has been inserted into an aperture 32, 42. For example, and without limitation, a diameter of first retaining elements 60, 80, 260, 280 may be sufficiently large such that at least a portion of first retaining elements 60, 80, 260, 280 may extend out of channels 34, 44, (and/or channels 234, 244 of railing portions 230, 240 of
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, tabs 72, 92 may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example, and without limitation, tabs 72, 92 may each include a generally triangular shape. In embodiments, an angled wall 72A, 92A (e.g., angled relative to horizontal and vertical directions) of a tab 72, 92 may be disposed such that a baluster 50 may initially contact the angled wall 72A, 92A upon insertion. In embodiments, a generally horizontal wall 72B, 92B of a tab 72, 92 may be disposed adjacent to an angled wall 72A, 92A such that the tab 72, 92 includes an end/point 72C, 92C that may contact a baluster 50 once the baluster 50 has been inserted a sufficient distance. Horizontal wall 72B, 92B may not be completely horizontal and/or may be disposed at an oblique angle relative to a horizontal direction, such as, for example, a five degree angle. In embodiments, pressure inserts 70, 90 may include a generally rectangular shape and/or tabs 72, 92 may extend inward toward a middle of first railing portion 30 and/or a middle of second railing portion 40. In embodiments, pressure inserts 70, 90 may be slid into the channels 36, 46 from ends of the first railing portion 30 and/or the second railing portion 40.
In embodiments, a railing assembly 20 may include a top cover 100 that may be decorative and/or configured for a user to hold, such as when using stairs. Top cover 100 may be connected (e.g., coupled and/or snapped) to a railing portion (e.g., first railing portion 30). In embodiments, top cover 100 may be disposed about a railing portion such that it covers some or all of the railing portion. Top cover 100 may be connected internally to the railing portion. For example, and without limitation, top cover 100 may include protrusions 100A, 100B that may extend toward the railing portion (e.g., vertically) and/or may be configured to engage with inwardly extending flanges of the railing portion (e.g., flanges 38A, 38B of first railing portion 30). Additionally or alternatively, a railing assembly 20 may include a bottom cover 102 that may be coupled and/or snapped to a railing portion (e.g., second railing portion 40). In embodiments, cover 102 may slide into a railing portion such that cover 102 is connected with the railing portion internally. For example, and without limitation, bottom cover 102 may include protrusions 102A, 102B that may extend toward the railing portion (e.g., vertically) and/or may be configured to engage with inwardly extending flanges of the railing portion (e.g., flanges 48A, 48B of second railing portion 40).
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, insertion of a baluster 50 into a corresponding aperture 32, 42 may include a first retaining element (e.g., one or more of elements 60, 160, 260, 80, 180, 280) and a pressure insert 70, 90 applying opposing forces to the baluster 50 (e.g., retaining forces that may result from and/or increase friction between the baluster 50 and the first retaining element 60, 160, 260, 80, 180, 280 and/or pressure insert 70, 90). First retaining elements 60, 160, 260, 80, 180, 280 may be configured to bias and/or apply a force to the baluster 50 in a direction of the pressure inserts 70, 90. Additionally or alternatively, first retaining elements 60, 160, 260, 80, 180, 280 may be sufficiently flexible to allow an inserted baluster 50 to rotate to a desired stair angle (e.g., from an initial angle of 0 degrees, relative to vertical, to a desired stair angle that may be between 0 degrees and 40 degrees).
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one of more of a variety of advantages. For example, and without limitation, railing assemblies 20 may be shipped with an assembled first railing portion 30 (e.g., with a top cover 100, retaining element 60, 160, or 260 and/or pressure insert 70), an assembled second railing portion 40 (e.g., with a bottom cover 102, retaining element 80, 180, or 280 and/or pressure insert 90), and one or more balusters 50. Initially (e.g., during shipping, upon delivery, etc.), the assembled first railing portion 30, the assembled second railing portion 40, and the one or more balusters 50 may not be assembled or operatively connected to each other (see, e.g.,
In embodiments, an assembled first railing portion 30, an assembled second railing portion 40, and one or more balusters 50 may be assembled together relatively quickly in the field. For example, and without limitation, balusters 50 may be inserted into and retained by first and second railing portions 30, 40 without any tools or fasteners because the retaining force provided by the first retaining elements (e.g., elements 60 and 80, elements 160 and 180, or elements 260 and 280) and/or pressure inserts 70, 90 may be sufficient to hold balusters 50 in place. Additionally or alternatively, elongated apertures 32, 42 may allow for all of the balusters 50 to be inserted into a second railing portion 40 and/or a first railing portion 30 without regard for the angle of assembly (e.g., the stair angle). In embodiments, once the balusters 50 have been inserted into the first railing portion 30, the railing assembly 20 may be angled to match the stair angle without individual adjustment of the balusters 50, the first railing portion 30, or the second railing portion 40.
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, first railing portion 230 may include one or more apertures 232, a channel 234 (e.g., a generally horizontal channel), which may be defined by protrusions 234A, 234B, and/or a channel 236, which may be defined by protrusion 236A, 236B. Channel 234 may be configured to receive first retaining elements 60, 80, 160, 180, 260, and/or 280. Channel 236 may be configured to receive second retaining elements 70 and/or 90. In embodiments, channels 234, 236 may include the same or similar configurations and may both be configured to receive first retaining elements 60, 80, 160, 180, 260, 280 and/or second retaining elements 70, 90.
In embodiments, second railing portion 240 may include one or more apertures 242, a channel 244 (e.g., a generally horizontal channel), which may be defined by protrusions 244A, 244B, and/or a channel 246, which may be defined by protrusion 246A, 246B. Channel 244 may be configured to receive first retaining elements 60, 80, 160, 180, 260, and/or 280. Channel 246 may be configured to receive second retaining elements 70 and/or 90. In embodiments, channels 244, 246 may include the same or similar configurations and may both be configured to receive first retaining elements 60, 80, 160, 180, 260, 280 and/or second retaining elements 70, 90.
In embodiments, first railing portion 30 may be configured the same or substantially similarly to second railing portion 40. In an assembled configuration, first railing portion 30 and second railing portion 40 may be disposed in a generally mirrored configuration. In embodiments, first railing portion 230 may be configured the same or substantially similarly to second railing portion 240. In an assembled configuration, first railing portion 230 and second railing portion 240 may be disposed in a generally mirrored configuration.
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in
It should be understood that references to a single element are not so limited and may include one or more of such element. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
Various embodiments are described herein to various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of embodiments.
Although only certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements, relative movement between elements, and/or various types of connections. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” throughout the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure.
This application is a Continuation of (a) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/682,500, filed Nov. 13, 2019, now allowed, which is a Continuation of (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/786,292, filed Oct. 17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,487,534, issued Nov. 26, 2019, which is a Continuation of (c) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,992, filed Aug. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,797,158, issued Oct. 24, 2017, which is a Continuation-in-part of (d) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/041,663, filed Feb. 11, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,482,028, issued Nov. 1, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,004, filed Feb. 11, 2015, further U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,992 is a Continuation-in-part of (e) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/639,570, filed Mar. 5, 2015, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/948,523, filed Mar. 5, 2014, and further U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,992 is a Continuation-in-part of (f) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/639,562, filed Mar. 5, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/948,545, filed Mar. 5, 2014. All of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties as though fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62115004 | Feb 2015 | US | |
61948523 | Mar 2014 | US | |
61948545 | Mar 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16682500 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 17850434 | US | |
Parent | 15786292 | Oct 2017 | US |
Child | 16682500 | US | |
Parent | 15246992 | Aug 2016 | US |
Child | 15786292 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15041663 | Feb 2016 | US |
Child | 15246992 | US | |
Parent | 14639570 | Mar 2015 | US |
Child | 15246992 | US | |
Parent | 14639562 | Mar 2015 | US |
Child | 15246992 | US |