Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MECHANICAL CONNECTION DEVICE
FOR ASSEMBLING A RAILING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to a device
for mechanically connecting, in a railing, the
horizontal and/or slanted rails to the vertical posts.
2. Brief description of the prior art:
Many prior art devices have been proposed
to secure the ends of the horizontal and/or slanted
rails to the adjacent vertical posts.
These prior art devices include
conventional L-shaped brackets screwed both to the
rail and post. These brackets are usually apparent to
affect the aesthetic of the railing. Also, they
frequently become loose; this results into a railing
lacking stiffness.
United States patent N 4,923,176 (Heinz)
issued on May 8, l990, and United States patent N
4,986,513 granted to Schultz et al. on January 22,
1991 disclose connector brackets for attaching the
ends of rails to adjacent posts while allowing
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selected orientation of a rail relative to a connector
bracket and a post on which the latter bracket is
installed. A drawback of these prior art connector
brackets is that they are apparent and affect the
aesthetic of the resulting railing.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is
therefore to provide a non apparent device for
connecting, in a railing, one end of a rail member to
a hollow post.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, in accordance with the
present invention, there is provided a device for
connecting one end of a generally elongated member to
a hollow member formed with a slot therein, comprising
first and second substantially flat sections separated
by a pair of lateral shoulders. The first section is
secured to the end of the elongated member, and the
second section comprises between the lateral shoulders
an outer semicircular edge surface extending over more
than 180 and being formed with a hole defining an
inner semicircular edge surface generally concentric
with the outer semicircular edge surface. The second
section is inserted in the slot to extend at least
partially inside the hollow member for enabling
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insertion, from the inside of the hollow member, of a
fastener resting on both the inner semicircular edge
surface and an inner surface of the hollow member to
secure the second section in the slot and therefore
the one end of the elongated member to the hollow
member.
As the second section is inserted in the
slot of the hollow member and is secured from the
inside of that hollow member, the device according to
the invention can be easily hidden to preserve the
aesthetic appearance of the assembly, for example a
railing.
Preferably, the connecting device is a
one-piece device stamped from a metal plate, the
lateral shoulders are slanted, the first section is
elongated and comprises longitudinal slots for
screwing it to the end of the elongated member, the
second section is made of a material that can be bent
to give to that second section the desired
orientation, and the fastener comprises means for
producing a pulling force to apply the end of the
elongated member to an outer surface of the hollow
member.
In accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the subject invention, the end of the
elongated member is cut obliquely with respect to its
longitudinal axis, and the inner semicircular edge
surface and the fastener form a mechanical connection
that is adjustable to apply the obliquely cut end of
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the elongated member to the outer surface of the
hollow member.
The present invention also relates to a
system for connecting one end of a generally elongated
member to a hollow member, comprising a slot in the
hollow member, and a connection device including first
and second substantially flat sections separated by a
pair of lateral shoulders. The first section is
secured to the end of the elongated member, and the
second section comprises between the lateral shoulders
an outer semicircular edge surface extending over more
than 180 and is formed with a hole defining an inner
semicircular edge surface generally concentric with
the outer semicircular edge surface, the second
section being inserted in the slot to extend at least
partially inside the hollow member. The system
further comprises a fastener mounted in the hole to
rest on both the inner semicircular edge surface and
an inner surface of the hollow member to thereby
secure the second section in the slot and therefore
the end of the elongated member to the hollow member.
Advantageously, the fastener comprises a
screw having a head and a threaded elongated body, the
screw being mounted in the hole with its head applied
to the inner surface of the hollow member, and with
its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner
surface of the hollow member and the inner
semicircular edge surface. The second section is
thereby firmly secured in the slot of the hollow
member. Also, the slot, the outer and inner
semicircular edge surfaces and the screw enable fast
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and precise connection of the elongated member to the
hollow member.
A particularly interesting application of
the device in accordance with the present invention is
to connect, in a railing, one end of an elongated rail
member to a hollow post.
The objects, advantages and other features
of the present invention will become more apparent
upon reading of the following non restrictive
description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by
way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device
according to the invention, for connecting in a
railing one end of an elongated rail to a hollow post
formed with an horizontal slot therein;
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Figures 2 and 3 are respectively side
elevational and top plan view of a first example of
assembly of one end of an elongated rail to a hollow
post by means of the device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a
second example of assembly of one end of an elongated
rail to a hollow post by means of the device of Figure
l;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of a third
example of assembly of one end of an elongated rail to
a hollow post by means of the device of Figure 1; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth
example of assembly of one end of an elongated rail to
a hollow post by means of the device of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Although the preferred embodiment of the
present invention will be described in relation to a
railing, it should be kept in mind that other
applications can be envisaged.
The preferred embodiment of the device
according to the present invention is illustrated in
Figure 1 and generally identified by the reference 10
throughout the accompanying drawings. This device 10
is flat and formed with first and second sections.
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The first section comprises an elongated body 11 while
the second section comprises a head 12.
The elongated body 11 is generally
5 rectangular and defines a pair of slanted shoulders 13
and 14. Two holes 15 and 16 are drilled through the
elongated body 11, the axes of these holes 15 and 16
being perpendicular to and intersecting the
longitudinal axis 17 of the device 10. The elongated
10 body 11 is further provided with a pair of
longitudinal slots 18 and 19 symmetrical about the
longitudinal axis 17.
The head 12 comprises a semicircular edge
15 surface 20 and a half-moon shaped hole 21 defining a
semicircular inner edge surface 22. The semicircular
edge surfaces 20 and 22 are concentric and present a
symmetry about the longitudinal axis 17 of the device
10 .
The flat device 10 is advantageously
produced at low cost by stamping an aluminum plate,
for example a 3 mm thick aluminum plate.
The example of Figures 2 and 3 of the
appended drawings shows one end of an horizontal,
elongated handrail 23 connected to a hollow, tubular
and vertical post 24 of an aluminum railing by means
of a device 10 as illustrated in Figure 1. As can be
seen in Figure 3, the post 24 has a square cross
section.
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The elongated body 11 of device 10 is
first secured to the handrail 23. This handrail 23
comprises a lower longitudinal portion 25 having a U-
shaped cross section and a flat bottom wall 26. The
width of the elongated body 11 is selected to fit
between the vertical walls of the U-shaped handrail
portion 25 when applied on the top face of the flat
bottom wall 26. The width and position of the slots
18 and 19 are selected to allow passage of the screws
27 and 28 fixing the upper end of a baluster 29 closer
to the hollow post 24. More specifically, the screws
27 and 28 pass through the slots 18 and 19, through
corresponding holes (not shown) drilled in the bottom
flat wall 26 and are driven into the upper end of the
baluster 29. As well known in the art of aluminum
railing, the baluster 29 is made of an aluminum
extrusion shaped to receive the screws 27 and 28.
As can be appreciated, the screws 27 and
28 will secure the body 11 to the lower handrail
portion 25 while fixing the upper end of the baluster
29 to that handrail portion 25. The slots 18 and 19
provide for longitudinal adjustment of the position of
the body 11 on the handrail portion 25 to enable
correct positioning of the head 12 of the device 10.
This adjustment is required as the distance between
the post 24 and baluster 29 may vary.
An horizontal slot 30 is then made in the
wall of the post 24, and the portion of head 12
extending from the end of the handrail portion 25 is
inserted in this slot 30. A screw 31 is then mounted
in the hole 21 of the head 12 with its head 46 applied
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to the inner surface 32 of the hollow post 24, and
with its threaded elongated body applied to both the
inner surface 32 and the inner semicircular edge
surface 22 of the head 12. The screw 31 is screwed
until the end of the handrail lower portion 25 is
applied to the outer surface 33 of the post 24.
Indeed, the screw 31 in combination with the edge
surface 22 produce a pulling force that firmly applies
the end of handrail portion 25 to the outer surface 33
of the post 24. Therefore, the screw 31 and the
semicircular edge surface 22 enable securement, from
the inside of the post 24, of the head 12 in the slot
30 to thereby secure the end of the handrail portion
25 to the post 24.
As the end of the lower handrail portion
25 is cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
that handrail portion, the latter extends
perpendicular to the post 24.
The last step consists of press fitting
an upper longitudinal portion 34 of the handrail 23 on
the lower handrail portion 25 as well known to those
skilled in the art of aluminum railings.
Figure 4 is an example in which one end
of a lower, slanted rail 35 is connected to a hollow,
tubular and vertical post 36 square in cross section.
This example corresponds to an aluminum railing of
stairs, in which post 36 is located at the upper end
of the stairs. Again, a device 10 as illustrated in
Figure 1 is used.
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The elongated body 11 of device 10 is
first secured to the lower, slanted rail 35. This
rail comprises a flat top wall 37 and a cross section
having the shape of an inverted "U". The width of the
elongated body 11 is selected to fit underneath the
flat top wall 37 between the two vertical walls of the
U-shaped rail 35. The width and position of the slots
18 and 19 are selected to enable passage of a pair of
screws such as 38 fixing the lower end of a baluster
39 to the rail 35. More specifically, the screws such
as 38 pass through the slots 18 and 19 and through
corresponding holes (not shown) drilled in the top
flat wall 37, and are driven in the lower end of the
baluster 39. As well known in the art of aluminum
railings, the baluster 39 is made of an aluminum
extrusion structured to receive the screws such as 38.
Accordingly, the screws such as 38 will
secure the elongated body 11 to the rail 35 while
fixing the lower end of the baluster 39 to that rail.
As can be appreciated, the slots 18 and 19 provide for
longitudinal adjustment of the position of the body 11
on the rail 35 whereby the head 12 can be positioned
as required to connect the end of the rail 35 to the
post 36. This adjustment is required as the distance
between the post 36 and the baluster 39 may vary.
An horizontal slot 40 is then made in the
wall of the post 36. As the lower rail 35 is slanted,
its end is cut obliquely with respect to its
longitudinal axis to fit on the outer surface 41 of
the post 36. The head 12 is bent at 42 to orient the
portion of this head 12 extending from the
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corresponding end of the rail 35 perpendicular to this
obliquely cut end. This portion of head 12 is then
inserted in the slot 40, and a screw 43 is mounted in
the hole 21 of the head 12 with its head 45 applied to
the inner surface 44 of the hollow post 36, and with
its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner
surface 44 and the inner semicircular edge surface 22
of the head 12. The screw 31 is screwed until the
obliquely cut end of the rail 35 is applied to the
outer surface 41 of the post 36. Indeed, the screw 43
in combination with the edge surface 22 produces a
pulling force that firmly applies the obliquely cut
end of the rail 35 to the outer surface 41 of the post
36.
As the end of the rail 35 is cut obliquely
with respect to the longitudinal axis of that rail,
the rail 35 extends obliquely from the post 35.
Figure 5 is a further example in which one
end of a rail 47 of an aluminum railing is connected
to a hollow, tubular and vertical post 48, square in
cross section, of the same railing. A device 10 as
illustrated in Figure 1 is still used to carry out
this connection.
The elongated body 11 of device 10 is
first secured to the rail 47 by means of a pair of
screws 49 and 50. The rail 47 comprises a flat top
wall 51 and a cross section having the shape of an
inverted "U". The rail 47 is also formed, on the
upper surface of the top wall 51, with a pair of
parallel flanges 52 and 53 defining a longitudinal
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channel 54 for receiving the edge portion of a plate
of tempered glass (not shown), used in the art of
aluminum railing to replace the balusters. The width
of the elongated body 11 is selected to fit underneath
the flat top wall 51 between the vertical walls of the
rail 47. Holes (not shown) are drilled in the flat
top wall 51 in the bottom of channel 54, and the
screws 49 and 50 are inserted in these holes and
respectively driven in the holes 15 and 16 to secure
the body 11 to the rail 47.
An horizontal slot (not shown) is then
made in the wall of the post 48. The end of the rail
47 is cut obliquely with respect to its longitudinal
axis so that when the obliquely cut end of the rail 47
is applied on the outer surface 55 of the post 48, the
rail 47 is lying in an horizontal plane but extends
obliquely from the outer sur~ace 55 of the square post
48. The portion of the head 12 extending from the
corresponding end of the rail 47 is then inserted in
the slot, and a screw 56 is then mounted in the hole
21 of the head 12 with the screw's head applied to the
inner surface 57 of the hollow post 48, and with its
threaded elongated body applied to both the inner
surface 57 and the inner semicircular edge surface 22
of the head 12. The screw 31 is screwed until the
obliquely cut end of the rail 47 is applied to the
outer surface 55 of the post 48. Indeed, the screw 56
in combination with the edge surface 22 produces a
pulling force that firmly applies the obliquely cut
end of the rail 47 to the outer surface 55 of the post
48.
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As shown in Figure 5, the semicircular
edge surfaces 20 and 22 allow the head 12 to
automatically adapt to the oblique orientation of the
rail 47. As the outer edge surface 20 is semicircular
over more than 180, relatively sharp oblique
orientations are enabled.
Finally, Figure 6 illustrates one end of
an aluminum rail 58 secured to a hollow, tubular and
vertical post square in cross section.
The elongated body 11 is first secured to
the rail 58. This rail is U-shaped in cross section
and formed with a flat bottom wall 63. The lower
surface of the bottom wall 63 is formed with a pair of
parallel flanges (not shown) defining a longitudinal
channel for receiving the upper edge portion of a
plate of tempered glass. The width of the elongated
body 11 is selected to fit on the upper surface of the
flat bottom wall 63 between the vertical walls 64 and
65 of the rail 58. Holes (not shown) are drilled
through the flat wall 63 in the bottom of the channel.
A pair of screws 60 and 61 pass through these two
holes, respectively, and are driven in holes 15 and 16
to secure the body 11 to the rail 58.
An horizontal slot 66 is then made in the
wall of the post 59. The end of the rail 58 is cut
obliquely with respect to its longitudinal axis so
that when the obliquely cut end of the rail 58 is
applied to the outer surface 67 of the post 59 the
rail 58 is oblique both vertically and horizontally
with respect to the outer planar surface 67 of the
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square post 59. The portion of the head 12 extending
from the end of the rail 58 is bent to enable
insertion thereof in the slot 66. A screw (not shown
is then inserted in the hole 21 of the head 12 to
firmly apply the end of the rail 58 to the outer
surface 67 of the post 59, in the same manner as
described hereinabove in relation to screw 31 (Figures
2 and 3), 43 (Figure 4) and 56 (Figure 5).
One skilled in the art will appreciate
that the concept of the present invention, consisting
of inserting a flat head in a slot, increases the rail
supporting surface and produces a better distribution
of the charge applied to the rail.
one skilled in the art will also
appreciate that the slot such as 30, 40 or 66, the
semicircular edge surfaces 20 and 22 and the screw
such as 31, 43 or 56 enable fast and precise assembly
of the railing.
Although the present invention has been
described hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment
thereof, this embodiment can be modified at will,
within the scope of the appended claims, without
departing from the spirit and nature of the subject
invention.
