Rail and ramp systems with adjustable fittings

• US 7,540,472 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suncor Stainless, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Suncor Stainless, Inc.
• Inventors: Storrer, James J., Striebel, Roman F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola; Daniel P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kennedy; Joshua T
• Application Number:
  US11/746,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 256 6501- 6503, 256/65.05, 256/65.07, 256/65.08, 256/65.11, 256/65.12, 256/65.15, 256/65.16, 256/67
• US Class Current: 256/67
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/1812 Details of anchoring to the wall or floor
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/1817 Connections therefor E04F11/1812 and E04F11/1836 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/1834 with adjustable angle, e.g. pivotal connections
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1819 between balustrade posts and horizontal or sloping balustrade members
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1821 between balustrade posts and handrails

Abstract

Modular railing and ramp systems having adjustable fittings to allow a multitude of rail configurations utilizing a series of mechanical connections.

Claims

1. A connector fitting system, comprising:

at least one support member having an end containing a slot and a first blind hole substantially transverse to said slot therein;

a connector bar having at least one end and a portion extending therefrom, said at least one end mountable within said slot;

a threaded fastener element;

said at least one end of said connector bar having a first threaded opening therein to receive said first threaded fastener element therein;

said first threaded fastener element capable of threadably engaging said first threaded opening in said at least one end of said connector bar through said first blind hole in order to secure said connector bar within said slot against an internal surface of said one end of said at least one support member; and

said connector bar having a second threaded opening displaced from said first threaded opening in said at least one end of said connector bar, said second threaded opening capable of receiving another threaded fastener element therein such that when said another threaded fastener element is tightened, said connector bar is pulled against the inside of a member for adjustable attachment of the connector bar to the member at a desired slope.

2. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 1 wherein the connector fitting system is an angularly adjustable rail connector fitting system and said at least one support member comprises a rail support member.

3. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 2 further comprises:

a tubular support member, said tubular support member containing a pair of opposed openings therein and a second blind hole in said tubular support member;

said connector bar capable of passing through said pair of openings for adjustable movement with respect to said pair of openings, and said second threaded opening therein capable of being aligned with said second blind hole of said tubular support member;

a second threaded fastener element;

wherein said second threaded fastener element of threadably engaging said second threaded opening in said connector bar in order to secure said connector bar against an internal surface of said tubular support member after adjustment of the connector bar with respect thereto.

4. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 3 further comprising:

a base member having a concave spherical surface, a key located within the concave spherical surface, and a threaded opening within said key;

said tubular support member having a convex spherical surface and a concave spherical surface at an end thereof, said convex spherical surface capable of adjustably engaging said concave spherical surface of said base member, and said convex spherical surface having a slot therein for receiving said key at least partially therethrough;

a fastener mechanism including a threaded fastener element for threadably engaging said threaded opening within said key; and

a washer having a spherical convex surface capable of being interposed between said fastener element of said fastener mechanism and said concave spherical surface of said tubular support;

wherein tightening of said fastener element of said fastener mechanism within said threaded opening within said key secures said tubular member to said base member after said tubular member has been angularly adjusted with respect to said base member.

5. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one support member has a weep hole therein.

6. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 2 further wherein said at least one support member comprises a pair of support members, each one of said pair of support members being connected to opposite ends of said connector bar.

7. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 1 further wherein said at least one support member comprises a pair of support members, each one of said pair of support members being connected to opposite ends of said connector bar.

8. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 2 wherein said angularly adjustable rail connector fitting system further comprises:

a tubular support member, said tubular support member containing a first opening therein and a second blind hole in said tubular support member;

said portion extending from said end of said connector bar passing through said first opening, and said portion of said connector bar having said second threaded opening therein capable of being aligned with said second blind hole of said tubular support member;

a second threaded fastener element;

wherein said second threaded fastener element threadably engaging said second threaded opening in said connector bar in order to secure said connector bar against an internal surface of said tubular support member after adjustment of the tubular support member with respect to said connector bar.

9. The connector fitting system as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

a base member having a concave spherical surface, a key located within the concave spherical surface, and a threaded opening within said key;

said support member having a convex spherical surface and a concave spherical surface at an end thereof, said convex spherical surface capable of adjustably engaging said concave spherical surface of said base member, and said convex spherical surface having a slot therein for receiving said key at least partially therethrough;

a fastener mechanism including a threaded fastener element for threadably engaging said threaded opening within said key; and

a washer having a spherical convex surface capable of being interposed between said fastener element of said fastener mechanism and said concave spherical surface of said tubular support;

wherein tightening of said fastener element of said fastener mechanism within said threaded opening within said key secures said support member to said base member after said support member has been angularly adjusted with respect to said base member.