US3756567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Longitudinally adjustable interlocking railing construction
Assignee: CRANEVEYOR CORP A CA CORP
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Filing: 1972-04-10
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An interlocking construction for metal railings which is adjustable for variations in designed spacing between vertical walls. The construction includes a top rail which comprises a locking bar supported at both ends by angle clips bolted to the walls, a top rail which snaps onto grooves in the locking bar, and expansion filters inside both ends of the top rail which extend to the walls and are held in place by the spring tension of the top rail. The construction also includes an adjustable bottom rail with adjustable supporting deck brackets, and vertical, spaced, tubular members extending between the top and the bottom rail.
Inventors
- 👤 R Murdock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:43
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F11/00; E04F11/18; E04F11/181; E04F2011/1868; E04F2011/187; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/40; F16B2200/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an interlocking construction for railings and the like, an easily extendable fastening assembly for joining the ends of a pair of longitudinally aligned members to vertical supporting means disposed generally normal to the ends of said pair of members in a tamper proof and rattle free manner, comprising a pair of angle brackets each having a vertical portion fastened to said vertical supporting means, and a horizontal portion for slidably engaging a longitudinal, horizontal slot in the first of said pair of members, expansion filler means slidably housed within the second of said pair of members, to slidably extend from the ends of said second member to flush relationships with said vertical support means, said expansion filler means comprising a pair of open mouthed channel members each having a locking tap depending vertically from the interior transverse portion of said open mouth channel members at the ends adjacent said vertical support means, said vertical portions of said angle brackets lockingly receiving said locking tabs to secure the expansion filler means in flush relationship with the vertical support means and in covering relationships with said angle brackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an interlocking construction for railings and the like, an easily extendable fastening assembly for joining the ends of a pair of longitudinally aligned members to vertical supporting means disposed generally normal to the ends of said pair of members in a tamper proof and rattle free manner, comprising a pair of angle brackets each having a vertical portion fastened to said vertical supporting means, and a horizontal portion for slidably engaging a longitudinal, horizontal slot in the first of said pair of members, expansion filler means slidably housed within the second of said pair of members, to slidably extend from the ends of said second member to flush relationships with said vertical support means, said expansion filler means comprising a pair of open mouthed channel members each having a locking tap depending vertically from the interior transverse portion of said open mouth channel members at the ends adjacent said vertical support means, said vertical portions of said angle brackets lockingly receiving said locking tabs to secure the expansion filler means in flush relationship with the vertical support means and in covering relationships with said angle brackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The interlocking construction of claim 1 wherein the first of said pair of members comprises a locking bar having upwardly projecting side portions having a longitudinal horizontal slot therebetween, said second of said pair of members comprises an elongated open mouthed channel upper rail member having inwardly projecting reentrant flanges adjacent the mouth thereof, said locking bar side portions and said reentrant flanges having cooperating shoulders and grooves adapted to lockingly engage in a non-removable snapping fit to rigidly secure said upper rail member to said locking bar and said expansion filler means inside said upper rail member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
The interlocking construction of claim 2 further including a lower rail member spaced uniformly apart and below said pair of members, a plurality of uniformly spaced vertical bars secured to said locking bar and said lower rail member, said lower rail member comprising an elongated open mouthed channel rail member having inwaRdly projecting reentrant flanges, and shoulder and groove portions adjacent the mouth thereof, a pair of grooved expansion bars adapted to slidably extend from within the ends of said lower rail member, to a flush relationship with said vertical support means, said expansion bars each having a longitudinal seating slot opening downwardly, and seating pin means, secured to said vertical support means and received by said seating slots, to support said lower rail member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The interlocking construction of claim 3, further including a pair of wedges to frictionally engage said grooves of said expansion bars and said reentrant flanges of said lower rail member to prevent movement of said expansion bars from said flush relationship with said vertical support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The interlocking construction of claim 3, further including a plurality of T-shaped deck brackets, each of said brackets having an elongated foot with a hole therethrough for securing said bracket to a horizontal surface, the upper, horizontal portion of said bracket having bevelled and lipped edges cooperating with said shoulder and groove portions of said lower rail member to lockingly engage in a nonremovable snapping fit to rigidly secure said deck bracket to said lower rail member in a supporting relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The interlocking construction of claim 2, further including a reinforcing bar adapted to fit inside said upper rail member and to extend the length of said upper rail member, said reinforcing bar being held securely in place by said snapping fit of said upper rail member to said locking bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an interlocking construction for railings and the like, an easily-extendable cosmetic fastening assembly for joining the free ends of a longitudinally extending handgrip member to vertical supporting means disposed generally normal to said ends of said hand-grip member in a tamperproof and rattle-free manner, and such that no rough edges or fitting means are exposed, said assembly comprising a locking bar subjacent to, coterminous with, and longitudinally-extending in contact with said hand-grip member, said assembly further comprising a pair of right-angle brackets having their vertical portions fastened by fastening means to said vertical supporting means, and their horizontal portions for slidably engaging a longitudinal, horizontal slot in said locking bar, a pair of expansion filler means slidably housed within said hand-grip member to slidably extend from the ends of said hand-grip member to flush relationships with said vertical support means, said fastening means being hidden from view by said expansion filler means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an interlocking construction for railings and the like, an easily-extendable cosmetic fastening assembly for joining the free ends of a longitudinally extending handgrip member to vertical supporting means disposed generally normal to said ends of said hand-grip member in a tamperproof and rattle-free manner, and such that no rough edges or fitting means are exposed, said assembly comprising a locking bar subjacent to, coterminous with, and longitudinally-extending in contact with said hand-grip member, said assembly further comprising a pair of right-angle brackets having their vertical portions fastened by fastening means to said vertical supporting means, and their horizontal portions for slidably engaging a longitudinal, horizontal slot in said locking bar, a pair of expansion filler means slidably housed within said hand-grip member to slidably extend from the ends of said hand-grip member to flush relationships with said vertical support means, said fastening means being hidden from view by said expansion filler means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The interlocking construction of claim 7 wherein said expansion filler means comprise open-mouthed channel members having locking tabs depending vertically from the interior transverse portions of said open mouth channel members at the ends adjacent said vertical support means, said vertical portions of said angle brackets lockingly receiving said locking tabs to secure said expansion filler means in flush relationships with said vertical support means and in covering relationships with said angle brackets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
The interlocking construction of claim 8 wherein said hand-grip member comprises an elongated open-mouthed channel upper rail member having inwardly projecting reentrant flanges adjacent the mouth thereof, and wherein said locking bar has upwardly projecting side portions having a longitudinal slot therebetween, said side portions and said flanges having co-operating shoulders and grooves to lockingly engage in a non-removable snapping fit to rigidly secure said upper rail member to said locking bar and said expansion filler means inside said upper rail member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
The interlocking construction of claim 9 further including a lower rail member spaced uniformly apart and below said hand-grip member and said locking bar, a plurality of uniformly-spaced vertical spindle bars secured to said locking bar and said lower rail members, said lower rail member comprIsing an elongated open-mouthed channel rail member having inwardly-projecting reentrant flanges, and shoulder and groove portions adjacent the mouth thereof, a pair of grooved expansion bars adapted to slidably extend from within the ends of said lower rail member to flush relationships with said vertical support means, said expansion bars each having a longitudinal seating slot opening downwardly, and seating pin means, secured to said vertical support means and received by said seating slots, to support said lower rail member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The interlocking construction of claim 10, further including a pair of wedges to functionally engage said grooves of said expansion bars and said reentrant flanges of said lower rail member to prevent movement of said expansion bars from said flush relationships with said vertical support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The interlocking construction of claim 10, further including a plurality of T-shaped deck brackets, each of said brackets having an elongated foot with a hole therethrough for securing said bracket to a horizontal surface, the upper, horizontal portion of said bracket having bevelled and lipped edges cooperating with said shoulder and groove portions of said lower rail member to locking engage in a nonremovable snapping fit to rigidly secure said deck bracket to said lower rail member in a supporting relationship.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The interlocking construction of claim 9, further including a reinforcing bar adapted to fit inside said upper rail member and to extend the length of said upper rail member, said reinforcing bar being held securely in place by said snapping fit of said upper rail member to said locking bar.
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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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |