APPARATUS FOR COUPLING BETWEEN THE ENDS OF TWO PIPE PIECES WITH A SELECTABLE ANGLE FORMED THEREBETWEEN
A connector joins two handrail ends to each other at a user selectable angle. This is accomplished by forming the connector to support attachment to the handrail ends while providing a pivoting joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount to one handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to mount to another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.
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This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/570,889 filed Dec. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hardware associated with handrail installations and more particularly to an apparatus for coupling the ends of two handrail members together with an installer selectable angle formed therebetween.
2. Description of Related Art
In many handrail installations, it is necessary to couple two handrail members together at an angle. An example of such an installation concerns the handrail where steps (or stairs) meet a landing or with the use of a ramp. At that location, the handrail must transition from a horizontal orientation associated with the landing to a non-horizontal orientation associated with the steps/ramp. This installation may typically be accomplished by in accordance with prior art techniques by bending the handrail to the angle needed for the horizontal to non-horizontal transition. Achieving the correct bend angle can be challenging. Alternatively, two separate handrail members may be angle cut and the angle cut ends attached to each other, for example by welding. Achieving the correct angle cuts can be challenging.
There is a need in the art for an easier way to couple the ends of two handrail members to each other at a selectable angle.
SUMMARYIn accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a first coupling member having a first pipe coupling end and a first interconnect end; a second coupling member having a second pipe coupling end and a second interconnect end; and means for coupling the first interconnect end to the second interconnect end in a manner which permits selection and setting of a coupling angle.
In an embodiment, a handrail ends are joined to each other at a user selectable angle by a connector apparatus that provides a pivoting joint between a first coupling member (configured to mount to one handrail end) and a second coupling member (configured to mount to another handrail end). The pivoting joint is provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint. The selective tightening operation is supported by a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft. The shaft passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.
In an embodiment, a connector configured to join ends of two tubular members at a user selectable angle comprises: a first coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a first one of the tubular members and having a second end including a concave socket surface and a threaded aperture formed in a center of the concave socket surface; a second coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a second one of the tubular members and a second end including a convex ball surface and a radial slot formed extending from a center of the convex ball surface; an interconnection member having a first end pivotally coupled to the second coupling member and a second end threadedly engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling member, the interconnection member extending through the radial slot.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Reference is now made to
The first coupling member 16 is formed of a generally cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 18 and an interconnect end 20. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 20. Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 12 such than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe member 12 to the first coupling member 16 may be accomplished. The outer surface of the pipe coupling end 18 is formed to include a plurality of axially extending ridges 22 with the outer surface of each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 18 and the ridges 22 supporting the function for interference or press fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the interconnect end 20 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe member 12 so as to support a flush surface interface between the pipe member 12 and the first coupling member 16.
The second coupling member 26 is formed of a generally cylindrically-shaped tube having a pipe coupling end 28 and an interconnect end 30. The outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 is smaller than the outer diameter of the interconnect end 30. Specifically, outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the pipe member 14 such than an interference or press fit attachment of the end of the pipe member 14 to the second coupling member 26 may be accomplished. The outer surface of the pipe coupling end 28 is formed to include a plurality of axially extending ridges 32 with the outer surface of each ridge defining the outer diameter of the pipe coupling end 28 and the ridges 32 supporting the function for interference or press fit attachment. Additionally, the outer diameter of the interconnect end 30 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipe member 14 so as to support a flush surface interface between the pipe member 14 and the second coupling member 26.
The first coupling member 16 and second coupling member 26 are coupled together in a ball-and-socket joint 40. Specifically, the interconnect end 20 of the first coupling member 16 defines a socket 42 and the interconnect end 30 of the second coupling member 26 defines the ball 44 (see,
Reference is now made to
As mentioned above,
Reference is now made to
Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- a first coupling member having a first pipe coupling end and a first interconnect end;
- a second coupling member having a second pipe coupling end and a second interconnect end; and
- means for coupling the first interconnect end to the second interconnect end in a manner which permits selection and setting of a coupling angle.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling comprises a ball and socket joint.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first interconnect end and second interconnect end are each adapted to support connection to a handrail end.
4. The apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the adaptation comprises each of the first interconnect end and second interconnect end having a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter sized substantially the same as an inner diameter of the handrail end.
5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the adaptation further comprises a plurality of axially extending ridges at the first interconnect end and second interconnect end.
6. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized to be interference fit within the handrail end.
7. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the outer diameter is sized to be press fit within the handrail end.
8. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for coupling comprises an interconnect shaft having a first end pivotally mounted to the first interconnect end and a second end threadedly mounted to the second interconnect end.
9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the means for coupling further comprises a slot opening formed in the first interconnect end through which the interconnect shaft passes and a threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end to which the through the second end of the interconnect shaft is threadedly connected.
10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the means for coupling comprises a ball surface formed at the first interconnect end and socket surface formed at the second interconnect end.
11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the ball surface and socket surface generally conform to each other.
12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein tightening of the threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end brings the ball surface and socket surface into contact with each other.
13. The apparatus as in claim 12, wherein untightening of the threaded connection of the second end of the interconnect shaft to the threaded opening formed in the second interconnect end releases contact between the ball surface and socket surface and permits the first end of the interconnect shaft to pivotally move while the interconnect shaft moves in the slot opening formed in the first interconnect end.
14. A connector for joining two handrail ends to each other at a user selectable angle, comprising:
- a first coupling member configured to mount to one handrail end;
- a second coupling member configured to mount to another handrail end;
- a pivoting joint formed between the first coupling member and second coupling member, said pivoting joint provided by a selectively tightenable ball and socket joint including a pivotally mounted threaded interconnect shaft that passes through a slot opening formed in the first coupling member at the ball portion of the ball and socket joint and is threadedly received in a threaded opening formed in the second coupling member at the socket portion of the ball and socket joint.
15. A connector configured to join ends of two tubular members at a user selectable angle, comprising:
- a first coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a first one of the tubular members and having a second end including a concave socket surface and a threaded aperture formed in a center of the concave socket surface;
- a second coupling member having a first end configured to be received within a second one of the tubular members and a second end including a convex ball surface and a radial slot formed extending from a center of the convex ball surface;
- an interconnection member having a first end pivotally coupled to the second coupling member and a second end threadedly engaging the threaded aperture of the first coupling member, the interconnection member extending through the radial slot.
16. The connector of claim 15, wherein a tightening of the interconnection member through the threaded engagement causes the convex ball surface to frictionally engage the convex socket surface.
17. The connector of claim 15, wherein a loosening of the interconnection member through the threaded engagement permits pivoting of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member.
18. The connector of claim 17, wherein said pivoting is made about the pivotally coupled first end of the interconnection member.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 12, 2012
Publication Date: Jun 20, 2013
Applicant: Fortress Iron, LP (Richardson, TX)
Inventor: Fortress Iron, LP (Richardson, TX)
Application Number: 13/712,196