Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02448732 2003-11-19
CANADA
TITLE: POST MOUNTING SYSTEM
INVENTOR: RICHARD HAREYCHUK
CA 02448732 2003-11-19
v
FIE7.~1D OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to post mounting systems
for mounting vertical posts onto a support, and more particularly
to such post mounting systems for mounting vertical posts,
especially wooden posts, onto a horizontal top surface of a deck,
patio, or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many structures such as decks and patios, which are
commonly found in residential backyards and in public parks, have
railings or fences bordering a portion of their perimeter, for
reasons of safety, privacy, and aesthetics. Typically, a plurality
of vertical posts are mounted on the deck or patio. Usually, a
hand rail or top rail of some sort is secured across a number of
the vertical posts to form a continuous structure that acts as a
divider, fence, or the like.
[0003] Preferably, for structural reasons, each of the plurality
of posts is securely affixed to the top surface of the deck or
patio in order to have the weight of the post, and the weight of
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any structure or load borne by the post, directly supported by the
deck or patio.
[0004] There are various ways known in the prior art to secure
such vertical post to a deck or patio. Typically, on a deck such
as those commonly found in residential back yards, the vertical
posts comprise four inch by four inch wooden posts. The most
common way to secure such wooden posts to a deck is by means of a
metal mounting bracket that is secured to the bottom end of the
exterior of the wooden post typically by threaded fasteners or
nails. The metal mounting bracket extends laterally outwardly from
the bottom end of the wooden post. The metal bracket is also
secured to the deck by threaded fasteners or nails. Such metal
brackets are inexpensive, and are not only complicated to install;
however, there is a huge inherent disadvantage in using such metal
mounting brackets in that they are secured to the exterior of the
wooden post so as to be in full view, and accordingly are extremely
unsightly.
[0005] United States patent 6,336,620 issued January 8, 2002 to
Belli, discloses a Bracket for Retaining Post and Board Ends. A
bracket, which would typically be made from plastic, has a post
receiving tubular wall portion extending upwardly from an outwardly
extending base portion. The post receiving tubular wall portion is
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secured to a post, typically a wooden post, that is inserted into
the interior of the post receiving tubular wall portion, by means
of threaded fasteners. The outwardly extending base portion is
secured to a horizontal surface, such as a deck or a patio, also by
means of threaded fasteners. As discussed above a with general
reference to the prior art, the bracket disclosed in the Belli
patent is very unsightly, and therefore undesirable.
[0006] U.S. patent 6,141,928 issued November 7, 2000, to Platt,
discloses a post mount that is similar to that disclosed in the
Belli patent discussed above, but is even more complicated to
install. Further, the post mount disclosed in the Platt patent
requires that the underside of the deck or floor to which the post
is being mounted must be readily accessible. A post having an
internal cavity disposed at its bottom end is secured to a floor or
deck via and elongate bolt and nut. The compressive clamping force
generated by the bolt and nut are transmitted through a clamping
plate underneath the floor or deck and a bearing plate above the
floor or deck. The base of the post bears on an adjustment plate
that transmits the forces through adjustment bolts to the bearing
plate. Compression pins must initially be installed into the floor
or deck to transmit forces between the bearing plate and the
clamping plate. A base molding that provides an aesthetic
transition between the post and the floor or deck is disposed
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exteriorly to the post. As discussed above a with general
reference to the prior art and with reference to the Belli patent,
the bracket disclosed in the Platt patent is very unsightly, and
therefore undesirable.
[0007] It is also known in the prior art to manufacture posts
and rails from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, and the like;
however, such plastic posts and rails are generally considered
cheap and unsightly and are more prone to breaking than are wooden
posts and rails. Similarly, wooden posts having a plastic covering
are also known.
[0008] U. S. patent 6, 152, 428 issued November 28, 2000 to Simioni
discloses a fence system are in a post has an internal body and an
external vinyl cover. The internal body is secured to a deck, or
the like, by means of an "L"-shaped bracket and threaded fasteners,
and also a threaded bold depending from the bottom of the post.
The need for an external vinyl cover makes the overall post more
expensive than would be desirable, and also means that the natural
wood is hidden, which in many cases, such as backyard decks, is
undesirable.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
post mounting system for mounting vertical posts onto a support,
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t
such as a deck or a patio, which post mounting system produces an
aesthetically pleasing result.
[00010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a post mounting system for mounting vertical posts onto a support,
such as a deck or a patio, which post mounting system is
inexpensive to manufacture.
[00011] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a post mounting system for mounting vertical posts onto a support,
such as a deck or a patio, which post mounting system is simple to
use,
[00012] It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a post mounting system for mounting vertical posts onto a
support, such as a deck or a patio, which post mounting system
provides a substantially uninterrupted transition between the
vertical posts and the surface the vertical posts are mounted onto.
SU1~ARY OF THE INVENTION
[00013] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel post mounting system for mounting a post
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onto a support. The post has a bottom end and a top end and
defining an outer periphery extending between said top end and said
bottom end. The post mounting system comprises a mounting means
securable to a support and means for securing said mounting means
to the support. There are also means for securing the post to the
mounting means such that the mounting means is disposed
substantially between the post and the support.
[00014] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel mounting means for use in a
post mounting system for mounting a post onto a support. The
mounting means comprises a main body having top surface and a
bottom surface. A threaded fastener extends upwardly from the top
surface of the mounting means for securely engaging a post.
[00015] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel mounting plate for use in a
post mounting system for mounting a post onto a support. The post
has a bottom end, a top end and defining a periphery extending
between the top and bottom ends. The mounting plate comprises a
main body having top surface and a bottom surface and an outer
peripheral edge. There is also means for permitting mounting of
the main body to a support.
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[00016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel mounting means for mounting a
post onto a support. The mounting means comprises a post-engaging
member having an outer peripheral edge, a first threaded portion
and means for permitting the post-engaging member to be secured a
post. A support-engaging member has an outer peripheral edge, a
second threaded portion and means for permitting the
support-engaging member to be secured a support. The first
threaded portion of the post-engaging member threadibly engages the
second threaded portion of the support-engaging member so as to
secure together the post-engaging member and the support-engaging
member, thereby permitting a post to be mounted onto a support.
[00017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00018] The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the post mounting system according to the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of
operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof,
will be better understood from the following drawings in which a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood,
however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and
description only, and are not intended as a definition of the
limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[00019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment of the post mounting system according to the present
invention, showing several installations of the post mounting
system on a deck;
[00020] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of
the first preferred embodiment of the post mounting system of
Figure l;
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[00021] Figure 3 is an exploded enlarged perspective view of a
portion of the first preferred embodiment of the post mounting
system of Figure 1;
[00022] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the post mounting
system of Figure 1;
[00023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of
the post mounting system of Figure 1, taken along section line 5-5
in Figure 3;
[00024] Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the mounting plate
of the post mounting system of Figure 1, with a lag bolt being
inserted into place;
[00025] Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the mounting plate and
lag bolt of Figure 6, with the lag bolt having been inserted into
place;
[00026] Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the mounting plate
and lag bolt of Figure 7, with the mounting plate being secured to
a deck by threaded fasteners;
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[00027] Figure 9 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 8,
but with a post being retainably secured to the lag bolt that
extends upwardly from the mounting plate;
[00028] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of the post mounting system according to the present
invention;
[00029] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bottom end of a
post having a recess suitable for receiving the mounting plate of
Figure 10 therein;
[00030] Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the post of
Figure 11 secured to a deck;
[00031] Figure 13 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of the post of Figure 11 secured to a deck;
[00032] Figure 14 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of a third preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention;
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[00033] Figure 15 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of a fourth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention;
[00034] Figure 16 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of a fifth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention;
[00035] Figure 17 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of a sixth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention;
[00036] Figure 18 is a partially cut away side elevational view
of a seventh preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention; and,
[00037] Figure 19 is a side elevational view of a eighth
preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according to the
present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM80DIMENTS
[00038] Referring to Figures 1 through 19 of the drawings, it
will be noted that Figures 1 through 9 illustrate a first preferred
embodiment of the post mounting system according to the present
invention, Figures 10 through 13 illustrate a second preferred
embodiment of the post mounting system according to the present
invention, Figure 14 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of
the post mounting system according to the present invention; Figure
15 illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment of the post mounting
system according to the present invention; Figure 16 illustrates a
fifth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according to
the present invention; Figure 17 illustrates a sixth preferred
embodiment of the post mounting system according to the present
invention; Figure 18 illustrates a seventh preferred embodiment of
the past mounting system according to the present invention; and
Figure 19 illustrates an eighth preferred embodiment of the post
mounting system according to the present invention.
[00039] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 9, which
show a first preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention, as indicated by general
reference numeral 20. The post mounting system 20 is for mounting
a post onto a support, such as a deck or a patio. For the sake of
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convenience and clarity, a deck 22 is shown. The post mounting
system 20 comprises a post 30 having a bottom end 32 and a top end
34, and a defined outer periphery 36 at its bottom end 32. As
illustrated, the post 30 is wooden and is substantially square in
cross-section, with bevelled vertical edges. Posts of other shapes
could also be used.
[00040] A mounting plate 40 has a support-engaging bottom surface
42, a post-engaging top surface 44, and an outer peripheral edge
46, and is substantially square in cross-section. The mounting
plate 40 may be made from a suitable plastic, such as polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), nylonTM, high density polyethylene, or ABS plastic.
Preferably, the plastic is suitably coloured so as to appear close
to the colour of wood used for such decks 22 and posts 30, so as to
help make the mounting plate 40 less noticeable and blend in with
the wooden posts 30.
[00041] There is a means to secure the mounting plate 40 to a
support, such as a deck 22 or the like, such that the support-
engaging bottom surface 42 of the plate engages the deck 22. The
means to secure the mounting plate 40 comprises at least one
threaded fastener, and in the preferred embodiment, as illustrated,
comprises a plurality of threaded fasteners, specifically four wood
screws 50. Each of the four wood screws 50 extends through a
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respective co-operating aperture 48 in the mounting plate 40 and
threadibly engages the deck 22.
[00042] There is also means to secure the past 30 to the mounting
plate 40 such that the post-engaging top surface 44 engages the
post 30. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the means to
secure the post 30 to the mounting plate 40 comprises a ,
specifically a lag bolt 60. The lag bolt 60 projects upwardly
through a bore hole 47 and extends upwardly from the mounting plate
40 for securely engaging the post 30 at the bottom end 32 thereof.
As can be best seen in Figure 7, the hexagonal head 62 of the lag
bolt 60 is retained in a co-operating hexagonal recess 49 in the
bottom surface 42 of the mounting plate 40, so as to preclude the
lag bolt 60 from turning, as will be discussed in greater detail
subsequently.
[00043] As can be seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5, when the post 30 is
secured to the mounting plate 40, the outer peripheral edge 46 of
the mounting plate 40 is disposed within the boundary of the outer
periphery 36 of the post 30. More specifically, the outer
peripheral edge 46 of the mounting plate 40 matches the boundary of
the outer periphery 36 of the post 30, so as to help make the
mounting plate 40 less noticeable and blend in with the wooden
posts 30.
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[00044] The installation of the post 30 onto the deck 22 using
the post mounting system 20 according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to Figures 6 through 9. First, the
lag bolt 60 is inserted through the co-operating aperture 48 in the
mounting plate 40, as indicated by arrow "A" in Figure 6. As
discussed above, the hexagonal head 62 of the lag bolt 60 is
retained in the co-operating hexagonal recess 49 in the bottom
surface 42 of the mounting plate 40, as can be best seen in Figure
7, when the post 30 is secured to the lag bolt 60. The mounting
plate 40 complete with lag bolt 60 is secured to the deck 22 by
means of the four wood screws 50 (only two shown), as indicated by
arrows "B" in Figure 8. Finally, the post 30 is placed on the lag
bolt 60 as guided by a small starter hole centrally disposed in the
bottom end 32 of the post 30. The post 30 is then rotated, as
indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 9, so as to cause the lag bolt 60
to threadibly engage the post 30. The lag bolt is precluded from
rotating due too engagement of the hexagonal head 62 of the lag
bolt 60 in the co-operating recess 49 in the mounting plate 40.
The post 30 is rotated until it is snugly in place with its bottom
end 32 butting against the post-engaging top surface 44 of the
mounting plate 40. The post 30 is then rotated slightly further so
that the edges of the post 30 are properly aligned with the outer
peripheral edge 46 of the mounting plate 40. If the mounting plate
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40 and the post 30 axe the same type of wood, it is difficult to
notice that a mounting plate 40 has been used.
[00045] Reference will now be made to Figures 10 through 13, which
shows a second preferred embodiment of the post mounting system
according to the present invention. The second preferred embodiment
post mounting system, as indicated by the general reference numeral
200, is similar to the first preferred embodiment post mounting
system 20 in terms of its structure and its installation procedure,
except for two structural differences. The mounting plate 240 is
substantially circular in cross-section, as can be best seen in
Figure 10. A lag bolt 260 projects upwardly through a bore hole 247
and extends upwardly from the mounting plate 240 for securely
engaging the post 230. The diameter of the mounting plate 240 is
somewhat less than the width of the post 230, as can be best seen
in Figure 13. Further, the post 230 has a circular mounting member
receiving recess 238 disposed at the bottom end 232 of the post 230,
as can be best seen in Figure 11. As can be best seen in Figure 13,
the mounting plate 240 is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the
mounting member receiving recess 238. Further, the top surface 244
of the mounting plate 240 preferably does not quite contact the flat
surface 239 of the recess 238 in order to permit the bottom end 232
of the post 230 to engage the deck 222. Alternatively, the mounting
plate and the mounting member receiving recess may be any other
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suitable shape: however, a circular recess is easy to bore into the
post 230.
[00046] Reference will now be made to Figure 14, which shows a
third preferred embodiment of the past mounting system according to
the present invention. The third preferred embodiment post mounting
system, as indicated by the general reference numeral 300, is
similar to the first preferred embodiment post mounting system 20
in terms of its structure and its installation procedure, except for
the inclusion of a expandable metal anchor 302 securely retained
within a borehole 304 in the bottom end 332 of the post 330. The
threads of the lag bolt 360 securely threadibly engage the interior
surface 306 of the expandable metal anchor 302. The exterior
surface 308 of the expandable metal anchor 302 fractionally engages
the surface of the borehole 304. Preferably the expandable metal
anchor 302 is pre-installed in the borehole 304 during manufacture
so as to ensure proper and secure fitment. When the lag bolt 360
is turned into the expandable metal anchor 302, the serrations 310
of the expandable metal anchor 302 securely engage the surface of
the borehole 304, so as to preclude the post 330 from separating
from the expandable metal anchor 302, thus keeping the post in place
on the mounting plate 340. The mounting plate 340 is secured to a
deck 322 by means of threaded fasteners 324.
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[00047] Reference will now be made to Figure 15, which shows a
fourth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according
to the present invention. The fourth preferred embodiment post
mounting system, as indicated by the general reference numeral 400,
is similar to the second preferred embodiment post mounting system
200 in terms of its structure and its installation procedure, except
that there is no lag bolt. Instead, the circular mounting plate 440
has a thread 442 at its circumferential surface. The circular
mounting plate 440 is secured to a deck 422 by means of threaded
fasteners 424. The thread 442 on the circular mounting plate 440
mates with a co-operating thread 452 in a recess 454 in an insert
450 that is securely retained in a co-operating recess 431 in the
post 430 by means of a suitable adhesive 432 or threaded fasteners
(not shown). Preferably, the top surface 441 of the circular
mounting plate 440 is convex, and the circular mounting plate 440
is made from a slightly pliable material. Accordingly, when the
insert 450 is threaded completely onto the circular mounting plate
440, there is a biasing force between the thread 442 on the mounting
plate 440 and the thread 452 on the insert 450 against each other.
In this manner, the mounting plate 440 and the insert 450 are
fractionally retained together and thereby precluded from loosening.
[00048] Reference will now be made to Figure 16, which shows a
fifth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according to
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the present invention. The fifth preferred embodiment post mounting
system, as indicated by the general reference numeral 500, is
similar to the fourth preferred embodiment post mounting system 400
in terms of its structure and its installation procedure, except
that there are no threads on the circular mounting plate 540.
Instead, the circular mounting plate 540 has a tapered lower portion
541 and a head portion 542 that locks into a co-operating head-
receiving portion 554 of a recess 552 in an insert 550. The
circular mounting plate 540 is secured to a deck 522 by means of
threaded fasteners 524. The insert 550 is securely retained in a
co-operating recess 531 in the post 530 by means of a suitable
adhesive 532 or threaded fasteners (not shown). Either or both of
the circular mounting plate 540 and the insert 550 must be made of
a slightly pliable material in order to accommodate passage of the
head portion 542 into and out of the co-operating head-receiving
portion 554.
[00049] Reference will now be made to Figure 17, which shows a
sixth preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according to
the present invention. The sixth preferred embodiment post mounting
system, as indicated by the general reference numeral 600, is
similar to the second preferred embodiment post mounting system 200
in terms of its structure and its installation procedure, except
that the lag bolt has been replaced by a threaded shank 660
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permanently mounted in the circular mounting plate 640 for threaded
engagement into a post 630. The circular mounting plate 640 is
secured to a deck 622 by means of threaded fasteners 624.
[00050] Reference will now be made to Figure 18, which shows a
seventh preferred embodiment of the post mounting system according
to the present invention. The seventh preferred embodiment post
mounting system, as indicated by the general reference numeral 700,
is similar to the fourth preferred embodiment post mounting system
400 in terms of its structure and its installation procedure, except
that the circular mounting plate 740 has a wide lower portion 742,
a central portion 744, and a narrow threaded portion 746. The
circular mounting plate 740 is secured to a deck 722 by means of
threaded fasteners 724. The insert 750 is sunk one to two inches
into the recess 731 in the post 730. The narrow threaded portion
746 threadibly engages the co-operating threads 754 of the recess
752 in the insert 750. The insert 750 is securely retained in the
co-operating recess 731 in the post 730 by means of a suitable
adhesive 732 or threaded fasteners (not shown). Additionally, the
inner wall 734 of the recess 731 in the post 730 engages the wide
lower portion 742 of the circular mounting plate 740 in force
transmitting relation. In this manner, any lateral forces or moment
forces experienced by the post 730 are not only transmitted through
the insert 750 to the circular mounting plate 740, but are also
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transmitted directly from the post 730 to the circular mounting
plate 740, thus increasing the overall strength of the system.
(00051] Reference will now be made to Figure 19, which shows an
eighth preferred embodiment mounting plate 800 according to the
present invention. The mounting plate 800 has an angled top surface
844 and also two angled side surfaces 849, to permit the
installation of a post 830 in an angled, non-vertical orientation.
[00052] As can be understood from the above description and from
the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a post
mounting system for mounting vertical posts onto a support, which
post mounting system produces an aesthetically pleasing result, is
inexpensive to manufacture, is simple to use and provides a
substantially uninterrupted transition between the vertical posts
and the surface the vertical pasts are mounted onto, all of which
features are unknown in the prior art.
[00053] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent
to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and
such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention. For instance, the mounting plate could also be recessed
in a co-operating recess in the deck that a vertical post is mounted
on. Also, the lag bolt could be securely mounted in the post so as
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to extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the post. It is
also contemplated that the mounting plate could be secured to the
post or to the insert in the post, by means of a suitable adhesive
contained within a frangible container retained within the recess
in the post or insert, as the case may be. When the post is mounted
onto the mounting plate, the frangible container is broken and the
adhesive adheres to the post or insert and to the mounting plate,
thus forming a permanent connection.
j00054] Further, other modifications and alterations may be used
in the design and manufacture of the post mounting system of the
present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the
accompanying claims.
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