US3707276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simplified relatively heavy duty railing construction
Assignee: Superior Aluminum Products Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-05
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1991-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Relatively heavy duty aluminum top and base rail extrusions are disclosed for railing constructions. Each extrusion includes an intermediate top portion and a pair of spaced and downwardly extending first and second side flanges. A pair of vertically spaced and inwardly extending rib-like jaws having internal serrated gripping teeth are continuously formed during the extrusion process on the first side flanges. and a plurality of openings are formed in the second side flanges diametrically opposed to the teeth of the first side flanges. Pickets are pivoted to the rails at their upper and lower ends by bolts extending through the pickets from the openings in the second side flanges into the teeth on the first side flanges.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas V Francis
- 👤 Edward L Borchers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:24
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F11/00; E04F11/18; E04F11/181; E04F11/1817; E04F11/1834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A siMplified railing construction comprising an aluminum top rail extrusion having a top portion and spaced apart and depending first and second side flanges, an aluminum base rail extrusion having a top portion with at least one aperture therein and spaced apart and depending first and second side flanges, means forming longitudinally continuous and inwardly extending gripping means on said first side flanges, means forming at least one opening on said second side flanges transversely aligned with said gripping means, at least one picket having upper and lower ends with transverse holes therethrough, said upper end being disposed between said side flanges of said top rail extrusion and said lower end being inserted through said aperture and disposed between said side flanges of said base rail extrusion, and bolts extending through said holes in said picket and retained on said first side flanges by said gripping means and on said second flanges by said openings to define at least two pairs of transversely spaced points of support for pivotally supporting said picket between said top and base rail extrusions and for providing for ease of assembly and inexpensive manufacture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A siMplified railing construction comprising an aluminum top rail extrusion having a top portion and spaced apart and depending first and second side flanges, an aluminum base rail extrusion having a top portion with at least one aperture therein and spaced apart and depending first and second side flanges, means forming longitudinally continuous and inwardly extending gripping means on said first side flanges, means forming at least one opening on said second side flanges transversely aligned with said gripping means, at least one picket having upper and lower ends with transverse holes therethrough, said upper end being disposed between said side flanges of said top rail extrusion and said lower end being inserted through said aperture and disposed between said side flanges of said base rail extrusion, and bolts extending through said holes in said picket and retained on said first side flanges by said gripping means and on said second flanges by said openings to define at least two pairs of transversely spaced points of support for pivotally supporting said picket between said top and base rail extrusions and for providing for ease of assembly and inexpensive manufacture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The railing of claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a pair of longitudinally continuous and vertically spaced rib-like jaws, said jaws including facing gripping teeth, and wherein said bolts include threaded ends for forming a rigid threaded connection with said jaws when in threaded engagement with said teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The railing of claim 1 wherein said picket is severed square at its upper end, and said top rail extrusion has an enlarged top portion accommodating said squared upper end and permitting said upper end to pivot within said extrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The railing of claim 1 wherein said picket is an aluminum extrusion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The railing of claim 1 including a plurality of said pickets, bolts for pivotally mounting said pickets on said top and base rail extrusions, and longitudinally spaced openings in said second side flanges for accommodating said bolts, said openings forming with said gripping means on said first side flanges a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely aligned points of support for pivotally supporting said pickets between said top and base rail extrusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The railing of claim 1 including at least one hinge assembly for attaching one of said rails at an adjustable angle to a supporting structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
In railing construction of the type including a top rail, a base rail, and a plurality of pickets extending between said top and base rails, the improvement comprising spaced apart side flanges on each of said top and base rails, a continuous vertically spaced and inwardly extending rib-like jaw on a first side flange of each rail and having facing gripping teeth thereon, a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings in a second side flange of each rail, each rail including an intermediate top portion between said side flanges and said base rail top portion having a plurality of longitudinally elongated apertures therein corresponding to the number of openings in the second side flange thereof, and a plurality of transverse bolts extending through said pickets and retained on said first side flanges by said jaws and on said second side flanges within said openings to provide an adjustable structure for use on horizontal surfaces and capable of pivoting on said bolts for use on inclined surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
In railing construction of the type including a top rail, a base rail, and a plurality of pickets extending between said top and base rails, the improvement comprising spaced apart side flanges on each of said top and base rails, a continuous vertically spaced and inwardly extending rib-like jaw on a first side flange of each rail and having facing gripping teeth thereon, a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings in a second side flange of each rail, each rail including an intermediate top portion between said side flanges and said base rail top portion having a plurality of longitudinally elongated apertures therein corresponding to the number of openings in the second side flange thereof, and a plurality of transverse bolts extending through said pickets and retained on said first side flanges by said jaws and on said second side flanges within said openings to provide an adjustable structure for use on horizontal surfaces and capable of pivoting on said bolts for use on inclined surfaces.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |