Handrails and Fabrication Methods
Arrangements including pressing arrangements of dies are provided as well as processes for pressing a contour into tubular material. Handrails and docks having a handrail thereon are provided. Processes for disembarking/embarking between a floating vessel and a dock are provided.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/926,378 which was filed on Apr. 26, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to railing fabrication methods and more particularly to handrails, and metal fabrication methods.
BACKGROUNDHandrails are utilized on a daily basis for negotiation of stairs and ramps. Typically, handrails are outdoors and they must suffer with the elements of outdoors, standing the test of time through winter, summer, and fall. As such, it is desired that handrails are durable, and at the same time provide a surface that can be easily grasped and released. The present disclosure provides handrails heretofore unknown in the art, as well as methods for producing rails and tubular bodies that can be used for other purposes beyond traditional handrail use.
SUMMARYArrangements of dies are provided that can include a first die and a second die, the dies having adjoining surfaces complimentary to one another, wherein each of the dies further define opposing openings configured to receive material for pressing; and wherein a first surface of the opposing opening of the first die defines a different shape than a second surface of the opposing opening of the second die.
Pressing arrangements of a plurality of dies are provided with the arrangement including: a plurality of first dies aligned across from a plurality of second dies, the dies having adjoining surfaces complimentary to one another, wherein each of the dies further define opposing openings configured to receive material for pressing; and wherein the plurality comprises a first group of first and second dies having first surfaces of the opposing openings of the first dies defining a different shape than second surfaces of the opposing openings of the second dies.
Processes for pressing a contour into tubular material are provided that can include aligning the tubular material between two sets of dies, one of the sets comprising substantially planar pressing surface in relation to a relatively non-planar pressing surface of the other set; and pressing one set toward the other set to form a contour on the exterior of the tubular material.
Handrails are provided that can include both vertical and horizontal portions, the vertical portion supporting the horizontal portion, wherein the at least one of the portions comprises peripheral exterior surfaces, one of the surfaces being relatively planar in comparison to another surface in one cross section.
Docks having a handrail thereon are provided with, the handrail comprising both vertical and horizontal portions, the vertical portion supporting the horizontal portion, wherein the at least one of the portions comprises peripheral exterior surfaces, one of the surfaces being relatively planar in comparison another surface in one cross section.
Processes for disembarking/embarking between a floating vessel and a dock are provided, with the process including stabilizing oneself with a handrail extending from the dock and transitioning between the dock and the floating vessel.
Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
Example embodiments of the rail assemblies and metal fabrication methods including methods of manufacturing rail assemblies are described with reference to
According to an embodiment, upper dies A can be formed from a blank piece of tool steel, the blank having similar size as the blank used to form lower die B. These dies can be approximately 4″ wide and approximately 4″ tall and on average about 1″ in depth, for example. Alternative sizes of the dies, depending, for example, on the material to be processed or the desired processing, are contemplated. According to an example embodiment, die piece A can have an opening formed in the middle approximately 1.5″ in diameter and be split longitudinally across the opening. Lower dies B can have an opening approximately 1.375″ in diameter formed in the center, and then split through the opening to form two pieces as in upper die A, for example. Upper die A be configured to press material into lower die B.
Referring to
Die A may define an opening 28 and die B can define opening 26 with both openings 28 and 26 configured to receive material for pressing. As such the openings can oppose one another when operatively aligned. As an example, opening 28 can have a surface 29 and opening 26 can have a surface 30. Surface 29 can define a different shape than surface 30. Surface 29 can be relatively planar when compared to surface 30. As an example, surface 29 can be a sheer, flat opening that extends from the lateral face of die A to the other lateral face. Surface 30, for example, such as surface 30 of die B can have a contour to the interior wall of its opening, such as a convex contour.
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According to another implementation, both horizontal and one vertical portion can include interior contours. In a depicted embodiment, the horizontal portion can extend relatively normally from the vertical portion. According to example implementations, rail 111 can have vertical heights of 8, 16, or 32 inches relating to the vertical portions, and widths of 12 inches relating to the horizontal portions. According to exemplary embodiments, connecting portion 112 can provide at least a 7″ distance between extending portions 110. To the extending portions 110 a flange 114 can be provided to connect the rail assembly to a substrate.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In accordance with an example implementation, rail 111 may be utilized to assist during the docking of watercraft and/or rail 111 may be utilized to assist watercraft passengers during embarking and/or disembarking. According to example implementations, between a floating vessel and dock 116 a person may stabilize themselves with rail 111. Upon stabilizing oneself, the person can transition between dock 116 and the floating vessel, for example. Rail 111 can be configured to extend from the upper surface of the dock without extending beyond the outer perimeter of the dock. An advantage of at least one embodiment of rail 111 is that it can allow a watercraft to approach a dock having rail 111 attached thereto without rail 111 damaging the exterior of the watercraft.
According to another implementation, the vessel may be stabilized proximate dock 116. As an example, a vessel occupant, upon approaching dock 116 may grasp rail 111 and retrieve the vessel toward or proximate dock 116.
Referring now to
Claims
1. An arrangement of dies comprising:
- a first die and a second die, the dies having adjoining surfaces complimentary to one another, wherein each of the dies further defines opposing openings configured to receive material for pressing; and
- wherein a first surface of the opposing opening of the first die defines a different shape than a second surface of the opposing opening of the second die.
2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first surface is planar relative to a non-planar second surface.
3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the adjoining surfaces are relatively planar to one another.
4. (canceled)
5. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the non-planar second surface is convex in one cross section.
6. A pressing arrangement of a plurality of dies, the arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of first dies aligned across from a plurality of second dies, the dies having adjoining surfaces complimentary to one another, wherein each of the dies further defines opposing openings configured to receive material for pressing; and
- wherein the plurality comprises a first group of first and second dies having first surfaces of the opposing openings of the first dies defining a different shape than second surfaces of the opposing openings of the second dies.
7. The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the arrangement further comprises a second group of first and second dies, the first and second dies of the second group having different surfaces of the opposing openings than the surfaces of the opposing openings of the second group.
8. (canceled)
9. The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the dies of the second group are arranged on the periphery of the dies of the first group.
10. A process for pressing a contour into tubular material comprising:
- aligning the tubular material between two sets of dies, one of the sets comprising a substantially planar pressing surface in relation to a relatively non-planar pressing surface of the other set; and
- pressing one set toward the other set to form a contour on the exterior of the tubular material.
11. The process of claim 10 wherein the contour comprises sets of peaks and valleys in one cross-section.
12. The process of claim 10 wherein portions of the tubular material are non-linear in relation to one another.
13. The process of claim 12 further comprising pressing one of the portions to form the contour in the one portion and rotating the material through the dies then pressing another portion to form the contour in the other portion.
14-20. (canceled)
21. A dock having a handrail thereon, the handrail comprising both vertical and horizontal portions, the vertical portion supporting the horizontal portion, wherein at least one of the portions comprises peripheral exterior surfaces, one of the surfaces being relatively planar in comparison to another surface in one cross section.
22. (canceled)
23. The dock of claim 21 wherein the handrail is aligned relatively normal to the edge of the dock.
24. A process for disembarking/embarking between a floating vessel and a dock, the process comprising:
- stabilizing oneself with a handrail extending from the dock; and
- transitioning between the dock and the floating vessel.
25. The process of claim 24 wherein the dock is floating.
26. The process of claim 24 further comprising stabilizing the vessel proximate the dock, the stabilizing of the vessel comprising a vessel occupant grasping the handrail and retrieving the vessel toward the dock.
27. The process of claim 26 wherein the handrail comprises both vertical and horizontal portions, the vertical portion supporting the horizontal portion, wherein at least one of the portions comprises peripheral exterior surfaces, one of the surfaces being relatively planar in comparison to another surface in one cross section.
28. The process of claim 27 wherein the vessel occupant grasps the other surface of the handrail.
29. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 28, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Inventors: Marty Long (Spokane, WA), Dawnmarie Long (Spokane, WA)
Application Number: 12/597,741
International Classification: B63B 35/44 (20060101); B21D 37/02 (20060101); B21D 15/00 (20060101); B21D 37/10 (20060101); B63B 17/00 (20060101); E04H 17/14 (20060101);