JOINT CONNECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed is a joining technique to make handrails with stanchions that are the vertical supports that attach to the platform and/or stair stringer at their bottom and attach to the top rail at their top. The stanchions are usually welded or bolted on both ends

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/950,593 filed Jul. 18, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a joining technique. More specifically, the present invention relates a joining technique to make handrails.

The present invention may be used on stairs and handrails. Components on the present invention may be made of mirrored finished or brushed stainless steel, aluminum, brass, chrome, fiberglass or any other appropriate material. A main handrail or top rail is the portion that one actually grabs or holds as one walks up a stair or across a platform. The top rail usually has a pipe or round tube that may be one and one half to two inches in outside diameter. Shapes including oval, rectangle, and various other profiles may be used for top rails. The present invention works with all shapes but to save money square or rectangle tubing can be used. Industrial square tubing commonly comes in 20 foot lengths.

The present invention has stanchions that are the vertical supports that attach to the platform and/or stair stringer at their bottom and attach to the top rail at their top. The stanchions are usually welded or bolted on both ends. The present invention joining system employs an alpha connection or connection A to accomplish the joint at the top and bottom of the stanchion. An internal attachment fitting is properly positioned and securely welded on the inside to the underside of the top rail. An internal attachment fitting is properly positioned and securely welded on the inside to the topside of the platform stringer. The stanchion is lowered and placed in such a way that the welded in place internal attachment fitting on the topside of the platform stringer is inserted up into the stanchion. The stanchion is checked to insure plumb alignment and plug welded, bolted or attached by any other means to secure the stanchion bottom to the platform stringer.

The structural integrity of the unit is primarily dependent on the welding of the internal attachment fitting. The resulting joint is a clean precision joint with no welding globs showing. The present invention joining system employs a bravo connection or connection B to accomplish the joint at the mid rail attachment at both sides of the stanchion. The same or similar procedure may be used at each attachment point for all the different joint designs.

The present invention joining system employs a Charlie connection or connection C to accomplish the joints at the top and bottom of the stanchion. The same or similar procedure may be used at each attachment point for all the different joint designs. The present invention joining system employs a delta connection or connection D to accomplish the joints at changes in direction for the top rail design. The same or similar procedure may be used at each attachment point for all the different joint designs. An internal alignment connector can be properly positioned and securely held while both pieces to be joined are plug welded, bolted or attached by any other means to secure the top rail for changes in direction which is typically forty five degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with references to the following drawings.

FIG. 1a is a view of a connection A as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1a is a view of a connection A as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1a is a view of a connection A as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a view of a connection B as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a view of a connection B as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2c is a view of a connection B as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2d is a view of a connection B as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2c is a view of a connection B as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a view of a connection C as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b is a view of a connection C as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3c is a view of a connection C as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4a is a view of a connection D as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b is a view of a connection D as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4c is a view of a connection D as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5a is a view of a connection E as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b is a view of a connection E as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5c is a view of a connection E as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a view of a connection F as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b is a view of a connection F as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6c is a view of a connection F as in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6d is a view of a connection F as in one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6e is a view of a connection F as in one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1a, 1b and 1c, as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection A handrail 10, stanchion clip 12 and stanchion 14. The connection A handrail 10 may be square or rectangle one and three quarters eleven gauge handrail material. The connection A handrail 10 may be for platform hand rail connections. The stanchion 14 may have a plug weld hole 16 that may be five sixteenth in diameter on far and near sides. The stanchion 14 may be square or rectangle 11 gauge material one and one half.

Referring to FIG. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection B 24, a first stanchion clip 22 and first stanchion 20. A second stanchion clip 26 and a second stanchion 28 are shown. This connection B 24 system may be for a platform mid rail connection. Shown is an example without plug welds but plug may be used. First and second stanchion ay be one and one quarter inch eleven gauge material. First and second stanchion clips may be one inch and eleven gauge material.

Referring to FIG. 3a, 3b and 3c as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection C stair hand rail 30, a third stanchion clip 32 and third stanchion 34. Shown is a second plug weld hole 36 that may be five sixteenth inch in diameter. Connection C stair hand rail 30 may be one and three quarter square eleven gauge material. Third stanchion clip 32 may be one and one quarter square eleven gauge material. Third stanchion 34 may be one and one half square eleven gauge material.

Referring to FIG. 4a, 4b and 4c as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection D stair and hand rail junction 42, a stair hand rail 40 and platform hand rail 44. Shown are angles 46 and 48 that may be twenty two and one half degrees. Shown is a plug weld hole 49 that may be five sixteenth inch in diameter. The stair hand rail 40 may be one and three fourths inch square eleven gauge material. The connection D stair and hand rail junction 42 may be one and one half inch square eleven gauge material. The platform hand rail 44 may be one and three quarters inch square eleven gauge material. All cuts may be at twenty two and one half degrees.

Referring to FIG. 5a, 5b and 5c as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection E stair vertical and return hand rail junction 50, a hand rail return 52 and stair hand rail vertical 54. All cuts may be sixty six and one half degrees. Shown are a third angle 56 and a forth angle 58 that may be twenty two and one half. The connection E stair vertical and return hand rail junction 50 may be one and one half inch square eleven gauge material. Hand rail return 52 may be one and three fourths square eleven gauge material. Stair hand rail vertical 54 may be one and three fourths inch square eleven gauge material.

Referring to FIG. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e as in one embodiment of the present invention shown is a connection F stair stanchion 60, a first stair mid rail 62, a first mid rail clip 64, a second stair mid rail 66, a second mid rail clip 68. All cuts may be forty five degrees. The first and second stair mid rails may be one and one quarter inch square eleven gauge material. The first and second mid rail clip may be one inch square eleven gauge material. The connection F stair stanchion 60 may be one and one half inch square eleven gauge material.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one stanchion that are the vertical supports that attach to a selected one of a platform and stair stringer at their bottom and attach to the top rail at their top, the stanchions are usually a selected one welded and bolted on both ends, a connection A to accomplish the joint at the top and bottom of the stanchion, an internal attachment fitting is properly positioned and securely welded on the inside to the underside of the top rail, an internal attachment fitting is properly positioned and securely welded on the inside to the topside of the platform stringer, the stanchion is lowered and placed in such a way that the welded in place internal attachment fitting on the topside of the platform stringer is inserted up into the stanchion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion has plug welds.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection A.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection B.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection C.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection D.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection E.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the stanchion is joined using a connection F.