Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
RAILING ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to railing assemblies and, in particular, to
reinforced railing
assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Railing assemblies have long been used for both safety and aesthetic
purposes.
Traditionally, railing assemblies have been constructed from wood because it
is relatively
inexpensive, easy to work with, and possesses suitable strength
characteristics. However, there
are disadvantages with constructing railing assemblies from wood, including
its tendency to
splinter, as well as its susceptibility to decay.
[0003] More recently, suitable material substitutes have been developed, such
as plastics,
to overcome these problems encountered when using wood materials. In order to
maintain low
material costs and low construction costs, while providing a suitably strong
product, railing
assemblies are often constructed from metal reinforced plastic components.
However, currently
available railing assembly products in the marketplace, with such metal
reinforced plastic
components, are, in some aesthetic and functional aspects, inferior to
corresponding products
made from wood materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of a
railing
assembly comprising: a reinforced rail member including: a reinforced rail
member shell section
defining a shell space, and including a cap member and a strut coupling
member; and a
reinforcement member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement
of the rail
member shell section; wherein the cap member is urged into a biased engagement
with the
reinforcement member by a biasing force, which thereby effects coupling of the
cap member to
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the reinforcement member; and a guard component section subassembly including:
a one of an
upper rail member or a lower rail member; and a strut extending between and
coupled to each
one of: (i) the one of an upper rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii)
the strut coupling
member; wherein the reinforced rail member defines the other one of an upper
rail member or a
lower rail member.
[0005] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: a reinforced rail member including: a rail member shell
section defining a
shell space, and including a cap member and a strut coupling member; and a
reinforcement
member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement of the rail
member shell section;
and a guard component section subassembly including: a one of an upper rail
member or a lower
rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of an upper
rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut coupling member;
wherein the reinforced
rail member defines the other one of an upper rail member or a lower rail
member; and wherein
the disposition of the cap member relative to the mounting member defines an
interrupted
exterior surface of the shell section, and wherein the interrupted exterior
surface is not visible
from each one of a plurality of lines of sight, wherein each one of a
plurality of lines of sight is
disposed as follows: (i) above the reinforced rail member, and (ii) in a
vertical plane in which is
disposed an axis normal to a side surface portion of the shell.
[0006] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: a reinforced rail member including: a rail member shell
section defining a
shell space, and including a cap member and a strut coupling member; and a
reinforcement
member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement of the rail
member shell section;
and a guard component section subassembly including: a one of an upper rail
member or a lower
rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of an upper
rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut coupling member;
wherein the reinforced
rail member defines the other one of an upper rail member or a lower rail
member; and wherein,
from the point of view of a plurality of lines of sight, the visible portions
of the combination of
the cap member and the strut coupling member define an uninterrupted exterior
surface, wherein
each one of the plurality of lines of sight is disposed as follows: (i) above
the reinforced rail
member, and (ii) in a vertical plane in which is disposed an axis normal to a
side surface portion
of the shell.
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[0007] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: a reinforced rail member including: a rail member shell
section defining a
shell space, and including a cap member and a strut coupling member; and a
reinforcement
member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement of the rail
member shell section;
and a guard component section subassembly including: a one of an upper rail
member or a lower
rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled to each one of (i) the
one of an upper
rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut coupling member;
wherein the reinforced
rail member defines the other one of an upper rail member or a lower rail
member; and wherein
the strut coupling member further includes a one of a locator element or a
receiving element; and
wherein the reinforcement member includes the other one of a locator element
or a receiving
element, wherein the other one of a locator element or a receiving element of
the reinforcement
member co-operates with the one of a locator element or a receiving element of
the strut
coupling member to effect positioning of the reinforcement member relative to
the strut coupling
member during construction of the railing assembly, and wherein the locator
element bears
against the receiving element and is thereby coupled to the receiving element.
[0008] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: a reinforced rail member including: a rail member shell
section defining a
shell space, and including a cap member and a strut coupling member; and a
reinforcement
member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement of the rail
member shell section;
And a guard component section subassembly including: a one of an upper rail
member or a lower
rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of an upper
rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut coupling member;
wherein the reinforced
rail member defines the other one of an upper rail member or a lower rail
member; and wherein
the disposition of the cap member relative to the strut coupling member
defines a fluid passage
which communicates with the shell space and is configured for draining any
liquid accumulating
within the shell space, and wherein the fluid passage includes an outlet port
disposed below the
shell space.
[0009] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a railing assembly
comprising: a
guard component section including: a reinforced rail member including: a rail
member shell
section defining a shell space, and including a cap member and a strut
coupling member; and a
reinforcement member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement
of the rail
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member shell section; and a guard component section subassembly including: a
one of an upper
rail member or a lower rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled
to each one of:
(i) the one of an upper rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut
coupling member;
wherein the reinforced rail member defines the other one of an upper rail
member or a lower rail
member; a railing assembly component including a reinforcement member joint
surface portion;
and a connector effecting coupling between the guard component section and the
railing
assembly component; wherein the reinforcement member is disposed substantially
flush relative
to the reinforcement member joint surface portion of the railing assembly
component.
[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a railing assembly
comprising: a
guard component section including: a reinforced rail member including: a rail
member shell
section defining a shell space, and including a cap member and a strut
coupling member; and a
reinforcement member disposed in the shell space and effecting reinforcement
of the rail
member shell section, and including an end portion, wherein the end portion
includes an end
surface; and a guard component section subassembly including: a one of an
upper rail member or
a lower rail member; and a strut extending between and coupled to each one of:
(i) the one of an
upper rail member or a lower rail member, and (ii) the strut coupling member;
wherein the
reinforced rail member defines the other one of an upper rail member or a
lower rail member; a
railing assembly component including a reinforcement member joint surface
portion; and a
connector effecting coupling between the guard component section and the
railing assembly
component; wherein a space is provided between the end surface of the
reinforcement member
and the reinforcement member joint surface portion, and wherein the maximum
spacing between
the end surface of the reinforcement member and the reinforcement member joint
surface portion
of the railing assembly component is less than about one-thirty second (1/32)
of an inch.
[0011] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: an upper rail member; a lower rail member; and a strut
extending between
and coupled to each one of the upper rail member and the lower rail member;
and a strut
reinforcement member effecting reinforcement of the strut and extending
between and coupled to
each one of the upper rail member and the lower rail member; wherein the strut
reinforcement
member is disposed relative to the strut such that rotational movement of the
strut reinforcement
member, relative to a longitudinal axis of the strut, is resisted.
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[0012] In another aspect, there is provided a section of a guard component of
a railing
assembly comprising: a shell portion including an upper rail member, a lower
rail member, and a
strut extending between and coupled to each one of the upper rail member and
the lower rail
member; a reinforcing skeleton including an upper rail member skeleton, a
lower rail member
skeleton, and a strut skeleton extending between and coupled to each one of
the upper rail
member skeleton and the lower rail member skeleton; wherein the shell portion
is coupled to the
reinforcing skeleton and disposed relative to the reinforcing skeleton such
that each one of the
upper rail member skeleton, the lower rail member skeleton, and the connector
skeleton is
configured to reinforce a respective one of the upper rail member, the lower
rail member, and the
strut skeleton.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will better be understood when consideration is given to
the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to
the annexed
drawings wherein:
[0014] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a railing assembly;
[0015] Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation view of the railing assembly of
Figure 1,
taken along lines A-A;
[0016] Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation view of the railing assembly of
Figure 1,
taken along lines B-B, where the connector has been removed for clarity;
[0017] Figure 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the railing assembly of
Figure 1;
[0018] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a section of the guard component
of the rail
assembly;
[0019] Figure 6 is an exploded side elevation view of the section of the guard
component
of the rail assembly illustrated in Figure 5; and
[0020] Figure 7 is top perspective view of the section of the guard component
of the rail
assembly illustrated in Figure 5, with a connector illustrated in exploded
form relative to the
guard component section.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] There is provided a railing assembly 10. The railing assembly 10 is
configured
for mounting to a foundation 12. For example, the railing assembly 10 is
mounted within poured
concrete disposed below ground. As a further example, and referring to Figure
1, the railing
assembly 10 is mounted to a platform, such as a deck.
[0022] The railing assembly 10 includes a pair of spaced apart posts 14.
Extending
between and connecting the posts 14 is a guard component 16. The guard
component 16
includes an upper rail member 18 and a lower rail member 20. For example, each
one of the
upper rail member 18 and the lower rail member 20 is connected to a respective
one of the posts
14 with mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, co-operating with respective
connectors 22 or
brackets. For example, each one of a respective longitudinal axis of each one
of the upper rail
member 18 and the lower rail member 20 is substantially horizontal. For
example, each one of
the respective longitudinal axis of each one of the upper rail member 18 and
the lower rail
member 20 is disposed in a respective vertical plane, and each one of the
respective vertical
plane of each one of the upper rail member 18 and the lower rail member 20 is
substantially co-
planar. Extending between and connecting the upper rail member 18 and the
lower rail member
20 is a plurality of spaced apart struts 24. For example, each one of a
respective axis of each
one of the struts 24 is substantially vertical.
[0023] For example, with respect to each one of the posts 14, each one of the
posts 14
includes a shel126 and a post reinforcement member, wherein the post
reinforcement member is
disposed within the shell. For example, with respect to the shell 26, the
material of the shell 26
includes plastic. As a further example, the material of the shell 26 is
extruded plastic. A suitable
plastic is polyvinyl chloride. For example, with respect to the reinforcement
member 28, the
material of the reinforcement member 28 includes a metalliferrous material. As
a further
example, the material of the reinforcement member 28 is a metalliferrous
material For example,
the metalliferrous material is steel. A suitable steel is galvanized steel.
For example, with
respect to each one of the connectors 20, the material of the connector 20
includes metalliferrous
material. As a further example, the material of the connector 20 is a
metalliferrous material. For
example, the metalliferrous material is galvanized steel.
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[0024] Referring to Figure 2 to 7, there is provided the guard component 16,
including a
section thereof,. The section of the guard component 16 includes a reinforced
rail member 30
and a guard component section subassembly 32.
[0025] The reinforced rail member 30 includes a reinforced rail member shell
section 34
and a reinforcement member 28. The reinforced rail member shell section 34
defines a shell
space 36, and includes a cap member 38 and a strut coupling member 40. The
reinforcement
member 28 is disposed in the shell space 36 and effects reinforcement of the
rail member shell
section 34.
[0026] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of an upper
rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20. The guard component section subassembly
32 also
includes a strut 24. The strut 24 extends between and is coupled to each one
of (i) the one of an
upper rail member 18 or a lower rail member 20 of the subassembly 32, and (ii)
the strut
coupling member 40. The reinforced rail member 30 defines the other one of an
upper rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20.
[0027] For example, with respect to the embodiment illustrated in the figures,
the
reinforced rail member 30 defines the upper rail member 18, and the lower rail
member 20 is
included as a portion of the guard component section sub-assembly 32.
[0028] For example, with further respect to the embodiment illustrated in the
figures, the
lower rail member 20 of the guard component section subassembly 32 is a
reinforced rail
member 31. The reinforced rail member 31includes a shell section 35 and a
reinforcement
member 29. The reinforced rail member shell section 35 defines a shell space
37, and includes a
cap member 39 and a strut coupling member 41. The reinforcement member 29 is
disposed in
the shell space 37 and effects reinforcement of the rail member shell section
35.
[0029] For example, each one of the respective strut coupling member 40, 41 is
coupled
to a respective one of the respective reinforcement member 28, 29. For
example, each one of the
respective strut coupling members 40, 41 is connected to a respective one of
the reinforcement
members 28, 29 with a fastener. For example, with respect to the fastener, the
fastener is a
threaded member, such as a screw. For example, each one of the respective
strut coupling
members 40, 41 is connected to a respective one of the reinforcement members
28, 29 with three
fasteners.
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[0030] For example, with respect to the coupling of each one of the strut
coupling
member 40, 41 to the strut 24, each one of the strut coupling member 40, 41 is
connected to the
strut 24 with one or more respective fasteners. For example, with respect to
the fastener, the
fastener is a threaded member, such as a screw. For example, in the
illustrated embodiment,
each one of the respective strut coupling members 40, 41 is connected to the
strut 24 with a
respective one of the two groups of three fasteners effecting connection
between the respective
one of the strut coupling members 40, 41 and the respective one of the
reinforcement members
28,29.
[0031] For example, either or both ends of each one of the upper and lower
rail members
18, 20 receives a respective connector 22 for effecting coupling of the
respective one of the
upper and lower rail members 18, 20 to a post 14 or, alternatively, a further
respective one of the
upper and lower rail members 18, 20 of another section. Each one of the
connectors 20 includes
a respective rail member connection portion 42 which is disposed over a
respective one of the
reinforcement members 28, 29 and includes holes to receive mechanical
fasteners. Mechanical
fasteners, such as screws, pass through the holes of the connector 22,
penetrate through the
respective one of the reinforcement members 28, 29, and penetrate through a
respective one of
the strut coupling members 40, 41, and thereby effect coupling of the
connector 22 to a
respective one of the rail members 18, 20. Each one of the connectors 22 also
includes an
external connection portion 44 for effecting connection of the respective rail
member 28, 29 to a
post 14 or a further respective one of the upper and lower rail members 18, 20
of another section.
[0032] For example, with respect to each one of the reinforced rail members
30, 31, each
one of the respective one of the cap member 38, 39, and the respective one of
the strut coupling
members 40, 41, and also with respect to the strut 24, the material of each
one of these
components includes plastic. As a further example, the material is extruded
plastic.
[0033] For example, with respect to each one of the reinforced rail members
30, 31, the
material of a respective one of the reinforcement members 28, 29 includes a
metalliferrous
material. As a further example, the material is a metalliferrious material.
For example, the
metalliferrous material is steel. A suitable steel is galvanized steel.
[0034] (A) COUPLING OF SHELL MEMBER TO REINFORCEMENT MEMBER
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[0035] In one aspect, there is provided the section of a guard component 16 of
a railing
assembly 10, as described above, wherein the cap member is urged into a biased
engagement
with the reinforcement member by a biasing force. The biased engagement
effects coupling of
the cap member 38 to the reinforcement member 28.
[0036] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figures 5, 6, and 7,
there is provided a
section of the guard component 16 of the railing assembly 10 including the
reinforced rail
member 30 and the guard component section subassembly 32.
[0037] The reinforced rail member 30 includes a reinforced rail member shell
section 34
and a reinforcement member 28. The reinforced rail member shell section 34
defines a shell
space 36, and includes a cap member 38 and a strut coupling member 40. The
reinforcement
member 28 is disposed in the shell space 36 and effects reinforcement of the
rail member shell
section 34. The cap member 38 is urged into a biased engagement with the
reinforcement
member 28 by a biasing force. The biased engagement effects coupling of the
cap member 38 to
the reinforcement member 28. For example, the coupling relationship between
the cap member
38 and the reinforcement member 28 is effected by snap-fit engagement between
the cap
member and the reinforcement member 28.
[0038] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of an upper
rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20. Also included is the strut 24 extending
between and
coupled to each one of: (i) the one of an upper rail member 18 or a lower rail
member 20, and (ii)
the strut coupling member 40. The reinforced rail member 30 defines the other
one of an upper
rail member 18 or a lower rail member 20.
[0039] For example, where the upper rail member 18 defines the reinforced rail
member
30, the cap member 38 is snap-fitted over the reinforcement member 28. In this
respect, for
example, the cap member 38 includes an upper portion 46 defining an upper
surface of the upper
rail member 18, and also includes spaced apart sidewalls 48a, 48b depending
downwardly from
the upper surface portion 46. The reinforcement member is closely spaced from
each one of the
sidewalls 48a, 48b. Extending inwardly from each one of the sidewalls 48a, 48b
is a respective
one of locking arms 50a, 50b. The reinforcement member 28 is disposed between
the upper
portion 46 and each one of the locking arms 50a, 50b. The locking arms 50a,
50b co-operate with
the upper portion 46 to limit movement of the cap member 38 relative to the
reinforcement
member 28 in a vertical direction, and also limit movement of the cap member
38 relative to the
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reinforcement member 28 in a sideways direction (ie. in a direction parallel
to an axis normal to
an inner surface of a sidewall portion of the cap member 38).
[0040] For example, where the lower rail member 20 defines the reinforced rail
member
31, the cap member 39 is urged into a biased engagement with the reinforcement
member 29 by
a biasing force. The biased engagement effects coupling of the cap member 39
to the
reinforcement member 29. For example, the coupling between the cap member 39
and the
reinforcement member 29 is effected by snap-fit engagement. As a further
example, the
coupling between the cap member 39 and the reinforcement member 29 is effected
by a friction
fit between the cap member and the reinforcement member 29. In this respect,
for example, the
cap member 39 includes a lower portion defining a lower surface of the lower
rail member 20,
and also includes spaced apart engagement arms 52a, 52b extending upwardly
from the lower
portion. Each one of the engagement arms 52a, 52b bears against a respective
one of inwardly
facing surface portions 291, 293 of the reinforcement member 29. The arms 52a,
52b co-operate
with the lower portion to limit movement of the cap member 39 relative to the
reinforcement
member 29 in a vertical direction, and also limit movement of the cap member
39 relative to the
reinforcement member 29 in a sideways direction (ie. in a direction parallel
to an axis normal to
an inner surface of a sidewall portion of the cap member 39).
[0041] For example, the rail member of the guard section component sub-
assembly 32 is
also a reinforced rail member 31. The reinforced rail member 31 includes a
reinforced rail
member shell section 35 and a reinforcement member 29. The reinforced rail
member shell
section 35 defines a shell space 37, and includes a cap member 39 and a strut
coupling member
41. The reinforcement member 29 is disposed in the shell space 37 and effects
reinforcement of
the rail member shell section 35. The cap member 39 is urged into a biased
engagement with the
reinforcement member 29 by a biasing force. The biased engagement effects
coupling of the cap
member 39 with the reinforcement member 29. For example, the coupling is
effected by way of
snap-fit engagement of the cap member with the reinforcement member 29.
[0042] (B) REINFORCED RAIL MEMBER CONFIGURED TO APPEAR AS
BEING OF A ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION
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[0043] In another aspect, there is provided the section of the guard component
16 of a
railing assembly 10, as described above, wherein the reinforced rail member 30
is configured to
appear as being of a one-piece construction.
[0044] In one configuration, the disposition of the cap member 38 relative to
the strut
coupling member 40 defines an interrupted exterior surface 100 of the shell
section 34. The
interrupted exterior surface 100 is not visible from each one of a plurality
of lines of sight 54.
Each one of a plurality of lines of sight 54 is disposed as follows: (i) above
the reinforced rail
member 30, and (ii) in a vertical plane in which is disposed an axis normal to
a side surface
portion 56 of the shell section 34.
[0045] In an alternative configuration, from the point of view of a plurality
of lines of
sight 54, the visible portions of the combination of the cap member 38 and the
strut coupling
member 40 define an uninterrupted exterior surface. Each one of the plurality
of lines of sight is
disposed as follows: (i) above the reinforced rail member 30, and (ii) in a
vertical plane in which
is disposed an axis 102 normal to a side surface portion 56 of the shell
section 34.
[0046] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figures 3 and 5, there
is provided the
section of the guard component 16 of the railing assembly 10. The guard
component section
includes the reinforced rail member 30 and the guard component section sub-
assembly 32.
[0047] The reinforced rail member 30 includes the reinforced rail member shell
section
34 and the reinforcement member 28. The reinforced rail member shell section
34 defines the
shell space 36, and includes the cap member 38 and the strut coupling member
40. The
reinforcement member 28 is disposed in the shell space 36 and effects
reinforcement of the rail
member shell section 34.
[0048] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of an upper
rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20. The guard component section sub-assembly
32 further
includes the strut 24 extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of an upper rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20, and (ii) the strut coupling member 40.
The reinforced rail
member defines the other one of an upper rail member 18 or a lower rail member
20.
[0049] In the first configuration referred to above, the disposition of the
cap member 38
relative to the strut coupling member 40 defines an interrupted exterior
surface 100 of the shell
section 34. The interrupted exterior surface 100 is not visible from each one
of a plurality of
lines of sight 54. Each one of a plurality of lines of sight 54 is disposed as
follows: (i) above the
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reinforced rail member 30, and (ii) in a vertical plane in which is disposed
an axis 102 normal to
a side surface portion 56 of the shell section 34. For example, each one of
the plurality of lines
of sight 54 is further constrained by the fact that each one of the plurality
of lines of sight 54 is
disposed at an acute angle "X" of greater than five (5) degrees relative to a
horizontal plane 104.
[0050] In the alternative configuration, from the point of view of a plurality
of lines of
sight 54, the visible portions of the combination of the cap member 38 and the
strut coupling
member 40 define an uninterrupted exterior surface. Each one of the plurality
of lines of sight is
disposed as follows: (i) above the reinforced rail member 30, and (ii) in a
vertical plane in which
is disposed an axis normal 102 to a side surface portion 56 of the shell
section 34. For example,
each one of the plurality of lines of sight 54 is further constrained by the
fact that each one of the
plurality of lines of sight 54 is disposed at an acute angle "X" of greater
than five (5) degrees
relative to a horizontal plane 104.
[0051] For example, the rail member of the guard section component sub-
assembly 32 is
also a reinforced rail member 31. The reinforced rail member 31 includes the
reinforced rail
member shell section 35 and a reinforcement member 29. The reinforced rail
member shell
section 35 defines the shell space 37, and includes the cap member 39 and the
strut coupling
member 41. The reinforcement member 29 is disposed in the shell space 37 and
effects
reinforcement of the rail member shell section 35. In the first configuration
referred to above,
the disposition of the cap member 39 relative to the strut coupling member 41
defines an
interrupted exterior surface 200 of the shell section 35. The interrupted
exterior surface 200 is
not visible from each one of a plurality of lines of sight 55. Each one of a
plurality of lines of
sight 55 is disposed as follows: (i) above the reinforced rail member 31, and
(ii) in a vertical
plane in which is disposed an axis normal to a side surface portion 57of the
shell section 35. For
example, each one of the plurality of lines of sight 55 is further constrained
by the fact that each
one of the plurality of lines of sight 55 is disposed at an acute angle "Y" of
greater than five (5)
degrees relative to a horizontal plane 204. In the alternative configuration,
from the point of
view of a plurality of lines of sight 55, the visible portions of the
combination of the cap member
39 and the strut coupling member 41 define an uninterrupted exterior surface.
Each one of the
plurality of lines of sight 55 is disposed as follows: (i) above the
reinforced rail member 31, and
(ii) in a vertical plane in which is disposed an axis normal to a side surface
portion 57 of the shell
section 35. For example, each one of the plurality of lines of sight 55 is
further constrained by
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the fact that each one of the plurality of lines of sight 55 is disposed at an
acute angle "Y" of
greater than five (5) degrees relative to the horizontal plane 204. In this
respect, each one of the
upper and lower rail members 18,20 includes a respective reinforced rail
members 30, 31, and
each one of the reinforced rail members 30, 31 is configured to appear as
being of a one-piece
construction.
[0052] (C) CONFIGURATION FOR FACILITATING ALIGNMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL PARTS DURING ASSEMBLY
[0053] In another aspect, there is provided the section of the guard component
16 of the
railing assembly 10, as described above, wherein the reinforced rail member 30
is configured so
as to facilitate alignment of its individual parts during construction. In
this respect, the strut
coupling member 40 further includes a one of a locator element 58 or a
receiving element 60.
Also, the reinforcement member 28 includes the other one of a locator element
58 or a receiving
element 60. The other one of a locator element 58 or a receiving element 60 of
the
reinforcement member 28 co-operates with the one of a locator element 58 or a
receiving
element 60 of the strut coupling member 40 to effect positioning of the
reinforcement member
28 relative to the strut coupling member 40 during construction of the railing
assembly 10.
[0054] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figure 6, there is
provided the section
of the guard component 16 of the railing assembly 10. The guard component
section includes
the reinforced rail member 30 and the guard component section sub-assembly 32.
[0055] The reinforced rail member 30 includes the reinforced rail member shell
section
34 and the reinforcement member 28. The reinforced rail member shell section
34 defines the
shell space 36, and includes the cap member 38 and the strut coupling member
40. The
reinforcement member 28 is disposed in the shell space 36 and effects
reinforcement of the rail
member shell section 34.
[0056] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of an upper
rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20. The guard component section sub-assembly
32 further
includes the strut 24 extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of an upper rail
member 18 or a lower rail member 20, and (ii) the strut coupling member 40.
The reinforced rail
member 30 defines the other one of an upper rail member 18 or a lower rail
member 20.
13
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
[0057] The strut coupling member 40 further includes a one of a locator
element 58 or a
receiving element 60. The reinforcement member 38 includes the other one of a
locator element
58 or a receiving element 60. The other one of a locator element 58 or a
receiving element 60 of
the reinforcement member 38 co-operates with the one of a locator element 58
or a receiving
element 60 of the strut coupling member 40 to effect positioning of the
reinforcement member
28 relative to the strut coupling member 40 during construction of the railing
assembly 10. The
locator element 58 is disposed in friction fit engagement with the receiving
element 60.
[0058] (D) CONFIGURATION FOR FACILITATING DRAINAGE OF ANY
MOISTURE INGRESS FROM REINFORCED RAIL MEMBER
[0059] In another aspect, there is provided the section of the guard component
16 of the
railing assembly 10, as described above, wherein the reinforced rail member 30
is configured so
as to facilitate drainage of any moisture ingress from within the reinforced
rail member 30. The
disposition of the cap member 38 relative to the strut coupling member 40
defines a fluid passage
62 which communicates with the shell space 36 and is configured for draining
any liquid
accumulating within the shell space 34. The fluid passage 62 includes an
outlet port 64 disposed
below the shell space 36. Moisture may gain access into the shell space 36 at
points of joinder
between the rail member 30 and the post 14, or between the rail member 30 and
another rail
member, or between the rail member 30 and the strut 24.
[0060] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figure 5, there is
provided the section
of the guard component 16 of the railing assemb1y10. The guard component
section includes the
reinforced rail member 30 and the guard component section sub-assembly 32.
[0061] The reinforced rail member 30 includes the reinforced rail member shell
section
34 and the reinforcement member 28. The reinforced rail member shell section
34 defines the
shell space 36, and includes the cap member 38 and the strut coupling member
40. The
reinforcement member 28 is disposed in the shell space 36 and effects
reinforcement of the rail
member shell section 34.
[0062] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of the upper
rail
member 18 or the lower rail member 20. The guard component section sub-
assembly 32 further
includes the strut 24 extending between and coupled to each one of: (i) the
one of the upper rail
14
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
member 18 or the lower rail member 20, and (ii) the strut coupling member 40.
The reinforced
rail member 30 defines the other one of the upper rail member 18 or the lower
rail member 20.
[0063] The disposition of the cap member 38 relative to the strut coupling
member 40
defines the fluid passage 62 which communicates with the shell space 36 and is
configured for
draining any liquid accumulating within the shell space 36. The fluid passage
62 includes an
outlet port 64 disposed below the shell space 36. For example, with respect to
the fluid passage
62, the fluid passage 62 includes a minimum diameter of at least one-sixty
fourth (1/64) of an
inch.
[0064] For example, the rail member of the guard section component sub-
assembly 32 is
also a reinforced rail member 31, and the reinforced rail member 31 is also
configured so as to
facilitate drainage of any moisture ingress from within the reinforced rail
member 31. In this
respect, the rail member of the guard section component sub-assembly 32 is the
reinforced rail
member 31. The reinforced rail member 31 includes the reinforced rail member
shell section 35
and the reinforcement member 29. The reinforced rail member shell section 35
defines the shell
space 37, and includes the cap member 39 and the strut coupling member 41. The
reinforcement
member 29 is disposed in the shell space 37 and effects reinforcement of the
rail member shell
section 35. The disposition of the cap member 39 relative to the strut
coupling member 41
defines a fluid passage 63 which communicates with the shell space 37 and is
configured for
draining any liquid accumulating within the shell space 37. The fluid passage
63 includes an
outlet port 65 disposed below the shell space 37. For example, with respect to
the fluid passage
63, the fluid passage 63 includes a minimum diameter of at least one-sixty
fourth (1/64) of an
inch. In this respect, each one of the upper and lower rail members 18, 20
includes a respective
one of the reinforced rail member 30, 31 configured so as to facilitate
drainage of any moisture
ingress from within the respective one of the reinforced rail members 30,31.
[0065] (E) CONNECTOR FOR REINFORCED RAIL MEMBER SO AS TO
EFFECT MINIMAL SPACING BETWEEN REINFORCED RAIL MEMBER AND OTHER
RAIL ASSEMBLY COMPONENT
[0066] In another aspect, there is a section of the railing assembly 10,
including the
section of the guard component 16, as described above, wherein the reinforced
rail member 30 is
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
coupled to the connector 22 to thereby effect connection to a railing assembly
component. The
spacing between the reinforced rail member 30 and the surface portion of the
railing assembly
component is minimal.
[0067] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figures 2, 4, and 7,
there is provided a
section of the guard component 16 of the railing assembly 10 including the
reinforced rail
member 30 and the guard component section subassembly 32.
[0068] The reinforced rail member 30 includes the shell section 34 and the
reinforcement
member 28. The shell section 34 defines the shell space 36, and includes the
cap member 38 and
the strut coupling member 40. The reinforcement member 28 is disposed in the
shell space 36
and effects reinforcement of the shell section 34.
[0069] The guard component section subassembly 32 includes a one of the upper
rail
member 18 or the lower rail member 20. Also included is the strut 24 extending
between and
coupled to each one of: (i) the one of the upper rail member 18 or the lower
rail member 20, and
(ii) strut coupling member 40. The reinforced rail member 30 defines the other
one of the upper
rail member 18 or the lower rail member 20.
[0070] The reinforced rail member 30 is coupled to a connector 22. The
connector 22 is
coupled to a railing assembly component. For example, the railing assembly
component is a post
14, or any other kind of a structural member. For example, the material of the
connector
includes a metalliferrous material. For example, the material of the connector
is a metalliferrous
material. For example, the metalliferrous material is galvanized steel.
[0071] For example, with respect to the coupling of the connector 22 to the
reinforced
rail member 30, the connector 22 is coupled to the reinforcement member 28.
For example, the
coupling is effected with at least one mechanical fastener. In this respect,
for example, the
connector includes at least one aperture, wherein each one of the at least one
aperture
corresponds to a respective one of the at least one mechanical fastener. Each
one of the at least
one mechanical fastener pass through the respective one of the at least one
aperture and engage
the reinforcement member 28 to effect coupling of the connector 22 to the
reinforcement
member 28. For example, each one of the at least one mechanical fastener
penetrates through the
reinforcement member 28.
[0072] For example, the connector 22 includes a rail member connection portion
42. The
connector 22 is coupled to the reinforcement member 28 with the rail member
connection
16
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
portion 42. For example, the rail member connection portion 42 includes each
one of the at least
one aperture for receiving the respective one of the at lest one mechanical
fastener. For example,
the rail member connection portion 42 is disposed over the reinforcement
member 28. For
example, the connection portion 42 is shaped to be fitted over the
reinforcement member 28. For
example, the connection portion 42 is shaped to be fitted over a surface of a
side of the
reinforcement member 38 which is seated on the strut coupling member 40. For
example, the
connection portion 42 is shaped to be fitted over and disposed substantially
flush relative to a
surface of a side of the reinforcement member 28 which is seated on the strut
coupling member
40. For example, the connection portion 42 includes a width, and the
connection portion 42 is
substantially continuous across the width..
[0073] For example, with respect to the coupling of the connector 22 to the
railing
assembly component, the railing assembly component includes a connector joint
surface portion
1422, and the connector 22 is coupled to the connector joint surface portion
1422. For example,
the coupling is effected with at least one mechanical fastener. In this
respect, for example, the
connector 22 includes at least one aperture, wherein each one of the at least
one aperture
corresponds to a respective one of the at least one mechanical fastener. Each
one of the at least
one mechanical fastener pass through the respective one of the at least one
aperture and engage
the railing assembly component, such as the post 14, to effect coupling of the
connector 22 to the
railing assembly component. For example, each one of the at least one
mechanical fastener
penetrates through the connector joint surface portion 1422 of the railing
assembly component.
[0074] For example, the connector 20 includes an external connection portion
44. The
connector 20 is coupled to the railing assembly component, such as the post
14, with the external
connection portion 44. For example, the external connection portion 44
includes each one of the
at least one aperture for receiving the respective one of the at lest one
mechanical fastener.
[0075] In one configuration, the reinforcement member 28 of the reinforced
rail member
30 is disposed substantially flush relative to a reinforcement member joint
surface portion 1428
of the railing assembly component.
[0076] For example, with respect to the reinforcement member 28, the
reinforcement
member 28 includes an end portion 281 including an end surface 2814, wherein
the end surface
2814 is disposed substantially flush relative to the reinforcement member
joint surface portion
1428 of the railing assembly component.
17
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
[0077] For example, the external connection portion 44 includes a connection
surface
441 which is disposed substantially flush relative to the connector joint
surface portion 1422 of
the railing assembly component, such as the post 14.
[0078] For example, the connector 42 and the reinforcement member 28 co-
operate with
the railing assembly component such that, when the connection 42 is coupled to
each one of the
railing assembly component, such as the post 14, and the reinforcement member
28, each one of
the connection surface 441 and the reinforcement member 28 is disposed
substantially flush
relative to a respective one of surface portions 1422, 1428 of the railing
assembly component.
For example, each one of the reinforcement member joint surface portion 1428
and the connector
joint surface portion 1422 is substantially co-planar. For example, each one
of the reinforcement
member joint surface portion 1428 and the connector joint surface portion 1422
is disposed in a
substantially vertical plane.
[0079] For example, with respect to the disposition of the external connection
portion 44,
the external connection portion 44 extends from the connection portion 42 such
that an axis of
the external connection portion 44 is substantially perpendicular relative to
an axis of the
reinforcement member connection portion 42. As a further example, the
connection surface 441
of the connection portion 44 is substantially co-planar relative to the end
surface 2814.
[0080] In another configuration, the reinforcement member 28 includes the end
portion
281 including the end surface 2814, and the railing assembly component, such
as the post 14,
includes a reinforcement member joint surface portion 1428, and with respect
to the disposition
of the end surface 2814 of the reinforcement member 28 relative to the
reinforcement member
joint surface portion 1428, a space 1430 is defined between the end surface
2814 and the surface
portion 1428, wherein the maximum spacing between the end surface 2814 and the
surface
portion 1428, within the space 1430, is less than one-thirtysecond (1/32) of
an inch. As a further
example, this maximum spacing is less than one-sixtyfourth (1/64) of an inch.
For example, with
respect to the disposition of the external connection portion 44, the external
connection portion
44 extends from the connection portion 42 such that an axis of the external
connection portion 44
is substantially perpendicular relative to an axis of the reinforcement member
connection portion
42. As a further example, the connection surface 441 of the connection portion
44 is
substantially co-planar relative to the end surface 2814 of the reinforcement
member 28.
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CA 02624235 2008-03-05
[00811 (F) REINFORCED STRUT
[0082] In another aspect, there is provided the section of the guard component
16 of the
railing assembly 10, as described above, wherein the strut 24 is reinforced by
a strut
reinforcement member 68, and wherein the strut reinforcement member 68 is
disposed relative to
the strut 24 such that rotational movement of the strut reinforcement member
68, about the strut
24, and more particularly about a longitudinal axis 70 of the strut 24, is
resisted. For example,
the rotational movement is substantially prevented.
[0083] In this respect, and referring particularly to Figures 4, 5, and 7,
there is provided
the section of the guard component 16 of the railing assembly 10 comprising
the upper rail
member 18, the lower rail member 20, the strut 24, and the strut reinforcement
member 68. The
strut 24 extends between and is coupled to each one of the upper rail member
18 and the lower
rail member 20. The strut reinforcement member 68 effects reinforcement of the
strut 24 and
extends between and is coupled to each one of the upper rail member 18 and the
lower rail
member 20. The strut reinforcement member 68 is disposed relative to the strut
24 such that
rotational movement of the strut reinforcement member 68, relative to a
longitudinal axis 70 of
the strut 24 , is resisted.
[0084] For example, with respect to the rotational movement, the rotational
movement is
substantially prevented.
[0085] For example, with respect to the disposition of the strut reinforcement
member 68
relative to the strut 24, the strut reinforcement member 68 is tightly fitted
into the strut 24, such
that the strut reinforcement member 68 is tightly fitted into the strut. For
example, the strut
reinforcement member 68 is disposed in slide-fit relationship with the strut
24. As a further
example, the strut reinforcement member 68 includes opposite edge portions
72a, 72b, wherein
each one of the opposite edge portions 72a, 72b is slide-fit into a respective
one of opposite
corners 74a, 74b provided within the strut 24.
[0086] (G) GUARD COMPONENT SECTION INCLUDING A REINFORCEMENT
SKELETON.
19
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
[0087] In another aspect, there is provided the section of the guard component
16 of the
railing assembly 10, wherein each one of the rail members 30, 31, and the
strut 24 is reinforced.
In this respect, there is provided the section of the guard component of the
railing assembly 10
including a shell portion 66 and a reinforcing skeleton 75.
[0088] The shell portion 66 includes the upper rail member 18, the lower rail
member 20,
and the strut 24 extending between and coupled to each one of the upper rail
member 18 and the
lower rail member 20.
[0089] The reinforcing skeleton 75 includes an upper rail member skeleton 76,
a lower
rail member skeleton 78, and a strut skeleton 80 extending between and coupled
to each one of
the upper rail member skeleton 76 and the lower rail member skeleton 78.
[0090] The shell portion 66 is coupled to the reinforcing skeleton 75 and is
disposed
relative to the reinforcing skeleton 75 such that each one of the upper rail
member skeleton 76,
the lower rail member skeleton 78, and the strut skeleton 80 is configured to
reinforce a
respective one of the upper rail member 18, the lower rail member 20, and the
strut 24.
[0091] For example, with respect to the upper rail member 18, the upper rail
member 18
includes the reinforced rail member shell section 34. The shell section 34
includes the cap
member 38 and the strut coupling member 40. The upper rail member skeleton 76,
which effects
reinforcement of the upper rail member 18, includes the reinforcement member
28. The
reinforcement member 28 effects reinforcement of the shell section 34. The
strut coupling
member 40 is coupled to the strut 24. For example, the strut coupling member
40 is connected to
the strut 24 with a fastener. For example, the cap member 38 is coupled or
mounted to the
reinforcement member, such as by way of snap-fit engagement, and the
reinforcement member
28 is coupled to the strut coupling member 40. For example, the reinforcement
member 28 is
fastened to the strut coupling member 40, such as by way of a fastener. For
example, the
fastener is a threaded member, such as a bolt.
[0092] For example, with respect to the lower rail member 20, the lower rail
member 20
includes the reinforced rail member shell section 35. The shell section 35
includes the cap
member 39 and the strut coupling member 41. The lower rail member skeleton 78,
which effects
reinforcement of the lower rail member 20, includes the reinforcement member
29. The
reinforcement member 29 effects reinforcement of the shell section 35. The
strut coupling
member 41 is coupled to the strut 24. For example, the strut coupling member
41 is connected to
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
the strut 24 with a fastener. For example, the cap member 39 is coupled or
mounted to the
reinforcement member, such as by way of snap-fit engagement, and the
reinforcement member
29 is coupled to the strut coupling member 41. For example, the reinforcement
member 29 is
fastened to the strut coupling member 40, such as by way of a fastener. For
example, the
fastener is a threaded member, such as a bolt.
[0093] For example, with respect to the strut 24, the strut 24 is coupled to
each one of the
upper rail member 18 and the lower rail member 20. For example, with respect
to the coupling
of the strut 24 to each one of the upper rail member 18 and the lower rail
member 20, and as
mentioned above, such coupling is effect by way of a respective one or more
fasteners. For
exa.mple, a suitable fastener is a threaded member, such as a bolt. For
example, the fasteners
effecting coupling of the strut 24 to the upper rail member 18 are the same
fasteners as those
used to effect coupling of the reinforcement member 28 to the strut coupling
member 40 of the
upper rail member 18. For example, the fasteners effecting coupling of the
strut 24 to the lower
rail member 20 are the same fasteners as those used to effect coupling of the
reinforcement
member 29 to the strut coupling member 41 of the lower rail member 20. The
strut skeleton 80,
which effects reinforcement of the strut 24, is coupled to the reinforcement
member 28 of the
upper rail member 18 and is also coupled to the reinforcement member 29 of the
lower rail
member 20. For example, with respect to the coupling of the strut skeleton 80
to the
reinforcement member 28 of the upper rail member 18, the strut skeleton 80 is
coupled to the
reinforcement member 28 by way of a fastener, such as the same fastener which
effects coupling
of the reinforcement member 28 to the strut coupling member 40. For example,
with respect to
the coupling of the strut skeleton 80 to the reinforcement member 29 of the
lower rail member
20, the strut skeleton 80 is coupled to the reinforcement member 29 by way of
a fastener, such as
the same fastener which effects coupling of the reinforcement member 29 to the
strut coupling
member 41. For example, with respect to the disposition of the strut skeleton
80 relative to the
strut 24, the strut skeleton 80 is disposed relative to the strut 24 such that
rotational movement of
the strut skeleton 80, relative to the longitudinal axis 70 of the strut 24,
is resisted. For example,
the rotational movement is substantially prevented. In this respect, for
example, the strut
skeleton 80 is disposed in press-fit engagement with the strut. For example,
the strut skeleton 80
is wedged into engagement with the strut 24. For example, each one of opposite
edge portions
21
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
72a, 72b of the strut skeleton 80 is press-fit or wedged into a respective one
of the opposite
corners 74a, 74b provided within the strut 24.
[0094] For example, with respect to each one of the upper rail member 18, the
lower rail
member 20, and the strut 24, each one of these components includes plastic. As
a further
example, the material is extruded plastic. For example, the material is
polyvinyl chloride.
[0095] For example, with respect to each one of the upper rail member skeleton
76, the
lower rail member skeleton 78, and the strut skeleton 80, the material of each
one of these
elements includes a metalliferrous material. As a further example, the
material is a
metalliferrous material. For example, with respect to the material of each one
of the upper rail
member skeleton 76 and the lower rail member skeleton 78, the material is
steel. A suitable steel
is galvanized steel. For example, with respect to the material of the strut
skeleton 80, the
material is aluminium.
[0096] (H) METHOD OF MAKING EMBODIMENT OF RAILING ASSEMBLY
[0097] An exemplary method for constructing an embodiment of the railing
assembly 10
is provided.
[0098] Initially, the required length of a guard component 16 of the railing
assembly 10
is determined. In some cases, depending on materials used, the total length of
the guard
component 16 should not exceed a predetermined length. For example, a
predetermined length
is seven (7) feet. The length of the guard component 16 determines the number
of struts 24. For
example, spacing between each one of the struts 24 is about 3-3/4 inches. Each
one of the struts
is then reinforced with a respective strut reinforcement member 68, by sliding
each one of the
reinforcement members 68 into the hollow passage of a respective one of the
struts 24.
[0099] Once each one of the struts 24 is reinforced, each one of struts 24 is
coupled to
some of the components of each one of the upper and lower rail member 18, 20
to form an
intermediate guard component. With respect to coupling of the struts 24 to
some of the
components of the upper rail member 18, the reinforcement member 28 and the
strut coupling
member 40 are cut to size and aligned relative to each one of the struts 24.
The reinforcement
member 28, the strut coupling member 40, and each one of the struts 24 are
fastened together
with mechanical fasteners, such as screws. For example, the mechanical
fasteners penetrate
through the strut coupling member 40. Similarly, with respect to coupling of
the struts 24 to
22
CA 02624235 2008-03-05
some of the components of the lower rail member 20, the reinforcement member
29 and the strut
coupling member 41 are cut to size and aligned relative to each one of the
struts 24. The
reinforcement member 29, the strut coupling member 41, and each one of the
struts 24 are
fastened together with mechanical fasteners, such as screws. For example, the
mechanical
fasteners penetrate through the strut coupling member 41. Connectors 20 are
then fastened to
each end of each one of reinforcement members 28, 29. For example, the
alignment and
coupling of the components of the upper and lower rail members 18, 20 and each
one of the
struts 24 is effected in a jig with alignment features for effecting
predetermined alignment and
support of each one of these elements during the fastening operation.
[00100] The intermediate guard component is then fastened, at each end
thereof, to a
structural member, such as a post 14. Once the intermediate guard component is
fastened, at
each end thereof, to a structural member, the cap member 38 is snap-fit
engaged with the
reinforcement member 28, and the cap member 39 is snap-fit engaged with the
reinforcement
member 29, to thereby form an embodiment of the railing assembly 10.
[00101] Although the disclosure describes and illustrates various embodiments
of the
invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these
particular embodiments.
Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the art
of headwear. For
full definition of the scope of the invention, reference is to be made to the
appended claims.
23
