Channel Bracket Patents (Class 256/65.06)
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Patent number: 11549280Abstract: A fencing system and method includes: a first vertical post secured at least partially below ground; a second vertical post secured at least partially below the ground; a first rail member having a first slot attached to the first vertical post; a second rail member having a second slot attached to the second vertical post; a third rail member having a third slot; a fourth rail member having a fourth slot; a plurality of generally horizontally arranged cement composite slats positioned in a common plane formed by the first slot and the second slot forming a floating arrangement of horizontally positioned cement composite slats; and wherein the first rail member, the second rail member, the third rail member, and the fourth rail member form a frame for the floating arrangement of horizontally positioned cement composite slats.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Inventor: Steven Walker
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Patent number: 11492807Abstract: A guardrail assembly comprising a first bracket coupled to a first vertical surface and a second bracket coupled to a second vertical surface spaced from the first vertical surface. The first bracket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket supports a first horizontal rail and comprises a first support surface and two walls extending from the first support surface to define a gap therebetween to receive the first rail. The first socket defines an opening at an end of the two walls to allow the first horizontal rail to be removed from the first socket by lifting the rail. The second socket is similar to the first socket and supports a second rail. The second bracket is similar to the first bracket, with a third socket supporting a second portion of the first rail, and a fourth socket supporting a second portion of the second rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Inventor: Carlos Leon Perez
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Patent number: 10995518Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure one or more fence rails to a fence post. The present invention brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence or on a new fence. The invention includes a fence post brace member adapted to connect to one or more sides of a fence post and a fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence rail. The fence post brace member may form a vertical picket fastener slot for use in affixing a picket to the fence post. The fence post brace system may be adapted for use with alternative fence post arrangements such as those having a fence rail positioned above and supported by the fence post and those defining a single channel for receiving a fence rail.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10961743Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure one or more fence rails to a fence post. The present invention brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence or on a new fence. The invention includes a fence post brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence post and a pair of fence rail flanges for receiving one or more fence rails either in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. The fence rail flanges may form one or more picket fastening slots for use in affixing a picket to the fence rails. The fence post brace system may be adapted for use with corner fence post arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10731378Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure a fence rail to a fence post. This brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence. The present invention may also be installed on a new fence. The brace may be adapted to support fences with cylindrical fence posts or rectanguloid fence posts and rectanguloid fence rails. Optional embodiments include braces for fence corner pieces. The brace may further optionally be adapted to secure fences on a steep incline. The invention includes a first fence rail brace member adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of a first fence rail; the first fence rail brace member is fused to a first side of a fence post brace member, the fence post brace member being adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of the fence post.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10597898Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure a fence rail to a fence post. This brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence. The present invention may also be installed on a new fence. The brace may be adapted to support fences with cylindrical fence posts or rectanguloid fence posts and rectanguloid fence rails. Optional embodiments include braces for fence corner pieces. The brace may further optionally be adapted to secure fences on a steep incline. The invention includes a first fence rail brace member adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of a first fence rail; the first fence rail brace member is fused to a first side of a fence post brace member, the fence post brace member being adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of the fence post.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10597899Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure one or more fence rails to a fence post. The present invention brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence or on a new fence. The invention includes a fence post brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence post and a fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence rail. The fence post brace member may form a vertical picket fastener slot for use in affixing a picket to the fence post. The fence post brace system may be adapted for use with one or more fence posts positioned on a slope.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10577824Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure a fence rail to a fence post. This brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence. The present invention may also be installed on a new fence. The brace may be adapted to support fences with cylindrical fence posts or rectanguloid fence posts and rectanguloid fence rails. Optional embodiments include braces for fence corner pieces. The brace may further optionally be adapted to secure fences on a steep incline. The invention includes a first fence rail brace member adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of a first fence rail; the first fence rail brace member is fused to a first side of a fence post brace member, the fence post brace member being adapted to connect to 2 or more sides of the fence post.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10513869Abstract: The present invention comprises a brace adapted to secure a fence rail to a fence post. The present invention brace may optionally be installed onto an existing fence or on a new fence. The invention includes a first fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a first fence rail, a second fence rail brace member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a second fence rail, and a fence post member adapted to connect to two or more sides of a fence post. The fence post brace member may form a vertical picket fastener slot, the first fence rail brace member may form a first horizontal picket fastener slot, and the second fence rail brace member may form a second horizontal picket fastener slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Inventors: Fonda Crandall, Joseph Crandall
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Patent number: 10450758Abstract: A railing bracket system includes a cup that has a cup bottom wall and two opposed cup side walls. The cup is adapted to receive an end of a railing member. A cap has a first cap wall disposed between two opposed cap side walls and a tab extending from at least one side wall. The cap is adapted to cover the cup. The cup is configured to receive the cap in both of a first orientation wherein the cap is installed over the cup and a second orientation wherein the cap is installed under the cup bottom wall. The tab secures the cap to the cup in both the first orientation and the second orientation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Fortress Iron, LPInventors: Kevin T. Burt, Matthew Carlyle Sherstad, John David Irick
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Patent number: 10253524Abstract: A fence assembly includes a post anchored to a solid surface. The assembly also includes a bracket mounted on a coupling surface of the post. The assembly further includes a rail secured to the bracket. The rail includes a core member. The core member further includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a pair of opposite lateral sides extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The rail also includes a pair of flanges extending along the upper surface, each of the pair of flanges located on a corresponding opposite lateral side of the core member. The assembly also includes a deck board including a lower surface, wherein the upper surface of the core member of the rail and the pair of flanges of the rail are configured to support the lower surface of the deck board.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC.Inventors: Christopher Michael Schneider, Wayne Elbert Dixon
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Patent number: 9896864Abstract: A direct-insertion baluster connecting device, including a fence frame and a plurality of balusters uniformly arranged within the fence frame. The fence frame is a square frame jointly consisting of two vertical posts, an upper rail and a lower rail. The fence frame and the balusters are hollow tubes and a plurality of rivet nuts are arranged about the lower end of each vertical post. The disclosed direct-insertion baluster connecting device can be used for the installed fence frame formed by the vertical posts, upper rail and lower rail, and then it only needs to directly insert the balusters and make connection in a specified manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Suzhou Uni-Solutions Import and Export Company Ltd.Inventors: Jianzhong Zhu, Jianmin Gu
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Patent number: 9816286Abstract: A fencing system having a plurality of molded plastic members which function to provide the posts and nails of a fence and are configured to be assembled with connectors formed of molded plastic to attach the nails to the posts by snapping them together.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SNAPFENCE LLCInventor: John Cavanagh
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Patent number: 8844084Abstract: A hand rail to post connector assembly for use with a modular ramp. The assembly includes a post cap configured for mounting to a post, a saddle that is received by a slot in the post cap, and a rail insert that is secured to the saddle. The post cap includes a support surface configured to support a hand rail, and the post cap substantially constrains the saddle from moving vertically. The rail insert has a clamping surface that engages an inner surface of the hand rail for clamping the hand rail between it and the saddle.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Prairie View Industries, Inc.Inventor: Richard Allen
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Patent number: 8840091Abstract: An apparatus comprising a bracket, and a device for connecting to the bracket. The bracket may be one of a plurality of brackets for placing a plant box on. The device may have a first portion having an opening through which a fastener can be inserted to connect the device to the bracket. The device may have a second portion connected at an angle to the first portion. The device may be sized so that when connected to the bracket by inserting the fastener through the opening, the second portion of the device fits snugly within opposing sections of the bracket, such that the second portion has a length which is slightly less than a distance between the opposing sections of the bracket. The apparatus may further include a railing situated so that a cross section of the railing sits in between a space between the device and the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Inventor: Joseph N. Laurita
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Publication number: 20140264220Abstract: A shaped bracket having a multi section bent flat plate having an elevated abutment member having an oval cutout that permits projections or lugs on the post to be secured therewithin, such flat plate configured to fit the surface of the T-shaped post, and, thus, functions to enable a metal post bracket assembly configured to securely affix fence rails to T-shaped posts, more specifically, a single piece bracket that is easily attached and easy to install to the T-shaped post, provides neat or hidden appearance, and can be firmly secured to the steel posts capable of withstanding side winds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: John R. Doyle
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Patent number: 8561360Abstract: A sound barrier wall suitable for new installations and for retrofitting existing sound barrier walls includes a plurality of vertically extending posts and a plurality of wall sections disposed between pairs of the posts. The posts may have generally I-shaped cross sections with oppositely disposed channels defined by flanges on opposite sides of the posts. The sound barrier may further include post covers coupled with the respective posts. The post covers may have lip portions that are received over the flanges of the posts. The wall sections are received within the respective channels and may contact at least one of the lip portions of the post covers.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Inventor: Maxwell H. Corbin, Jr.
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Patent number: 8302937Abstract: Pedestrian barricade assembly includes a plurality of uprights and associated guide rails. Each upright includes a front section having one or more transversely extending channels. Each of the channels has a pair of laterally spaced semi-circular flanges in upper and lower side walls of the channels that are slidably engageable by upper and lower open notches adjacent end portions of the guide rails to provide hinge connections therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Plastic Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Mettler, Gregory H. Brown
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Patent number: 8282083Abstract: A corrosion resistant railing insert including a stainless steel upper body for insertion into a railing post and including channels for liquid drainage from the railing post, an elongated stainless steel mounting arm protruding from the upper body. The mounting arm has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upper body, which are integrally associated as a unitary device. The upper body is secured within a railing post while the mounting aim is inserted into a complimentary aperture or sleeve formed in a concrete substrate and secured therein with an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Poma & Sons, Inc.Inventor: Frank Poma
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Publication number: 20120235105Abstract: A quick assembly clip for a fence post has first and second walls substantially parallel to each other and a third wall which extends between the first and second walls of the body. The first wall of the body has first and second tabs extending from opposite edges of the first wall. The second wall of the body has at least a third tab extending from an edge of the second wall. The clip engages the first wall of the post. The first and second tabs engage an inner surface of the first wall of the post. A cap is installed on the post. The third and fourth tabs engage an inner surface of the cap thereby securing the cap to the post.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventor: Gregg Yasher
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Patent number: 8210504Abstract: A bracket for attaching a fence rail end to a fence post, the bracket having two upstanding sidewalls spaced for receiving the fence rail end therebetween and a rear wall connecting and extending between the two sidewalls. The rear wall is secured to the fence post. A bottom wall is provided between the two sidewalls and defines a support surface for supporting the rail end. One of these sidewalls is hinged to the rear wall for hinging this hinged sidewall outwardly to receive a fence rail end into the bracket from the side. Apertures are provided in the sidewall for securing it to the fence rail after it is received in the bracket with fasteners. The bottom wall which supports the rail end is securable to the rear wall whereby the bracket is adaptable to selectively provide either a left hand bracket or a right hand bracket. A unitary fence rail assembly may thus be installed from the front or side as opposed to having to lower and raise the entire panel for the full height of the fence.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Inventor: Anthony J. Skornickel
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Patent number: 8132792Abstract: A guard rail support and assembly is disclosed for use in providing a safe work area for workmen working at dangerous heights, particularly in the construction industry. The guard rail support assembly comprises a plurality of guard rail supports arranged in a spaced fashion and wooden guard rails extending between and attached on either end to each support. Each guard rail support comprises an attachment base having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the support to a ground surface of the site under construction, a plurality of rail supports having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the wooden guard rails and a fall-protection or tarp tie-off ring. Advantageously, a portable and lightweight guard rail assembly may be constructed with the guard rail supports in an expedient and efficient manner to provide safe, unobstructive protection against falls.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Safety In A Second Ltd.Inventor: Kevin Perris
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Publication number: 20110101296Abstract: Pedestrian barricade assembly includes a plurality of uprights and associated guide rails. Each upright includes a front section having one or more transversely extending channels. Each of the channels has a pair of laterally spaced semi-circular flanges in upper and lower side walls of the channels that are slidably engageable by upper and lower open notches adjacent end portions of the guide rails to provide hinge connections therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Charles M. Mettler, Gregory H. Brown
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Patent number: 7934699Abstract: A fence system having a post and a bracket. The post preferably has at least one longitudinal channel extending a length of the post, the channel being narrower at an opening of the channel than at an interior of the channel. The bracket preferably has an engagement member slidingly engaged with the channel of the post, and a rail receptacle housing adapted to support a rail. A method of assembling a fence comprising the steps of providing a post, inserting an end of a rail into a rail receptacle housing of a bracket, sliding an engagement member of the bracket into engagement with a dovetail-shaped channel extending the length of the post, and attaching the bracket to the post at a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Westech Building Products, Inc.Inventors: William R. Zell, John-Paul Braaten
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Publication number: 20100270525Abstract: A fence rail bracket assembly for mounting a fence rail to a fence post includes a mounting bracket and one or more push fasteners. The mounting bracket has two sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a rear wall. The bottom wall supports the weight of the rail. The rear wall includes one or more post-mounting apertures that receive one or more post-mounting push fasteners to mount the bracket to the post. And the two sidewalls receive the rail between them and include one or more rail-mounting apertures that receive one or more rail-mounting push fasteners to secure the rail to the bracket. Other aspects of the invention include a fence system including the fence rail bracket assembly, and a method of mounting a fence rail to a fence post using the fence rail bracket assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Ronald D. ERWIN
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Publication number: 20100270526Abstract: A fence rail bracket assembly for mounting a fence rail to a fence post includes a mounting bracket and at least one retainer clamp that locks to the bracket without using any tools. The mounting bracket mounts to the post, has a bottom wall that supports the rail, and has two sidewalls that receive the rail between them. At least one sidewall coupling element interlocks with at least one clamp coupling element to lock the clamp to the bracket and thereby secure the rail on the bracket. In example embodiments, the bracket assembly includes two clamps each having one coupling element, one clamp having two coupling elements, push-lock coupling elements, slide-lock coupling elements, and angular slide-lock coupling elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Ronald D. ERWIN
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Patent number: 7731160Abstract: A railing mounting assembly includes a U-shaped bracket having a pair of sidewalls and a bottom wall, the bottom wall comprising a pair of platform portions for supporting a railing, and a pair of recessed portions separated from one another by a channel, and a trim cover attached around the bracket, the trim cover having a slit and at least one locking member projecting through the channel of the U-shaped bracket.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Railing Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Terrels, Christopher Michael Schnieder, Jason Michael Werner
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Patent number: 7503550Abstract: An enclosed fence railing set includes a set of posts with tips and fixing components for an upper beam and lower beam on both sides thereof. The fence railing set also includes a set of beams including an upper beam and a lower beam wherein the upper beam and lower beam match the fixing components and wherein there are railings between the sets of beams. A set of stakes are provided for fixing the posts. Each of the stakes includes a tube extending upwardly from the stake and a plate separating the stake and tube with a number of holes in the plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Inventor: Norman William Liefke
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Patent number: 7500655Abstract: An adjustable gate bracket apparatus and system. The apparatus typically includes a front bracket portion and a rear bracket portion. The front bracket portion includes a generally first rectangular planar body pivotally connected to a second rectangular planar body integrally connected to a curved planar body. The rear bracket portion typically includes two rectangular planar bodies pivotally connected to each other at respective corners. The ends of uprights and rails are connected between the front and rear bracket portions and secured together with rivets, bolts or other suitable. An adjustable gate bracket is secured at each corner of the gate panel. The gate panel is then adjusted to a desired angular orientation on a hill or other contour. Once the desired configuration is attained, the front and rear portions are fixed so that they do not pivot and the gate retains its angular orientation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Inventors: Frederick L. Smith, Jimmy H. Smith
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Patent number: 7427055Abstract: A bracket assembly for securing a rail to a post. The bracket assembly includes a bracket that is secured to the post and a spring-biased cover plate. The cover plate includes a perimeter wall that includes a slot which extends from its front edge through to its back edge. A portion of the perimeter wall terminates adjacent either side of the slot. These portions of the perimeter are movable relative to each other. The bracket includes a back wall with a peripheral outer wall extending upwardly and outwardly away therefrom. The peripheral wall defines a rail receiving receptacle into which an end of a rail is placed. The rail is preferably secured in position by a plurality of fasteners inserted through the rail and into the housing. Once the end of the rail is retained in the bracket, the terminal portions of the perimeter wall are arcuately separated from each other and the cover plate is snap-fitted over the peripheral outer wall of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Inventor: Robert E. Platt
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Patent number: 7048259Abstract: A rail bracket mounting system, including a bracket that is attached to a post. The bracket is formed to support the notching of a rail. The end of a rail is then nested into the bracket, and is supported by the bracket. The rail is then secured to the bracket by fasteners such as screws, and a cover may then be placed over the bracket, housing the securing fasteners. The rail may be hollow or solid. A hollow rail may be reinforced along its entire length by the insertion of one or more reinforcing members through a hollow portion of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Kroy Building Products, Inc.Inventors: Randy R. Quaintance, Ronald R. West
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Patent number: 6874766Abstract: A deck railing section comprises synthetic posts held spaced from one another by top and bottom rail members. Each of the rail members has a multiple piece construction including first and second interlocking synthetic rail pieces and a metallic reinforcing insert. The insert has holes at post attachment locations along the insert. Each post has screw ports to opposite ends of the post. Rail members are secured to the posts by threaded attachment members passing through the holes in the inserts and into the screw ports of the posts. The first rail pieces are trapped between the posts and the inserts. The second rail pieces lock onto the first rail pieces hiding the reinforcing inserts internally of the rail members.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Royal Group Technologies LimitedInventor: Tony Curatolo
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Patent number: 6805335Abstract: A rail system for mounting on a vertical support includes a rail assembly having an end portion and including a reinforcement rail and a polymeric sleeve at least partly surrounding the reinforcement rail. A metal bracket defining a rail cavity adapted to receive the attachment end and adapted to secure the rail assembly to the vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventor: Robert M. Williams
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Publication number: 20040026680Abstract: A rail system for mounting on a vertical support includes a rail assembly having an end portion and including a reinforcement rail and a polymeric sleeve at least partly surrounding the reinforcement rail. A metal bracket defining a rail cavity adapted to receive the attachment end and adapted to secure the rail assembly to the vertical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: Robert M. Williams
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Publication number: 20030213947Abstract: A fence assembly including a post and interconnecting rails. The post includes an interior chamber structure defined by numerous compartments, an exterior wall structure and a plurality of inwardly projecting rail-receiving channels. The rail-receiving channels at least partially define the geometry of the interior chamber structure. The assembly may be made of extruded plastic material such that the post, rails and additional components, such as channel inserts, are generally hollow along their respective elongate dimensions. Each of the components within the assembly may be cut to user-defined lengths. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure, and is not to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Kyozaburo Takagi, Gordon Charles Dodson, Kazuhiko Kise
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Patent number: 6568657Abstract: A hand rail support 1, having a substantially cylindrical shaped containment portion 2, a face plate 3, and a flange 4. The face plate 3 and the flange 4 facilitate securing the hand rail support 1 to a building construction. The containment portion 2 can receive a baluster of a hand rail together with a settable substance, for example a suitable grout, so that the baluster is securely held in the containment portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Inventor: Anthony Robert Muir
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Patent number: 6557831Abstract: A fence mounting bracket for use with a fence, railing, or the like having upright posts, lateral rails extending between the posts, and upright picket boards extending between the rails. The bracket comprises a body having a peripheral wall defining a T-shaped opening including a rail opening portion for receiving an end of one of the rails and two picket opening portions for receiving an edge of one of the picket boards. The peripheral wall has opposing side walls that are slanted and/or inwardly flanged to receive the rails when they are positioned either horizontally or at an angle to horizontal. The picket opening portions extend through the side walls to permit the picket boards to seat flush against the upright posts so that little or nor gap remains therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Erwin Industries, Inc.Inventor: Ronald D. Erwin
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Patent number: 6543751Abstract: A rail bracket apparatus for connecting a first rail and a second rail which includes a back piece, a bottom piece, and a bottom support system. The back piece includes screw attachment openings and the edges of the bracket are adapted to facilitate installation of a supported rail. An offset spacer is attached to the back piece to allow for air circulation around said supported piece. The bottom piece can be curved to support rounded rails and may include a water passage opening to allow for drainage. The bottom support system includes an angle bracket and the bracket joints are strengthened with fillets. Side pieces are provided for supporting and holding the installed rail. The unit may be designed with an engineered failure mode to allow for bracket failure to occur before a rail failure would occur. A rail retaining system may be used to retain the rail in position. A rail slot extension may be used to support the bracket in association with a rail cutout.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventor: James F. Spruill