Newel post support

Abstract

A support for the lower end of a newel post, comprising: a screw having a first screw thread at one end portion, a second screw thread at the other end portion and a third screw thread at an intermediate position along the screw; and a base plate having a centrally located threaded hole and auxiliary holes arranged around the periphery of the base plate; wherein the first screw thread is for engaging within a substrate for the newel post; the third screw thread is adapted to threadedly engage with the centrally located threaded hole to retain the base plate on the screw so that the base plate abuts the surface of the substrate engaged by the first screw thread; the other end portion of said screw is adapted to extend through a longitudinal passage in the lower end of the newel post and to terminate within an intersecting transverse opening spaced upwardly from the lower end of the newel post so that a nut screwed onto the second screw thread can apply a loading to the newel post to clamp the lower end against the base plate; and the auxiliary holes are for co-operating with auxiliary screws to fasten the base plate to the substrate.

Claims

1. A support for a lower end of a newel post, comprising: a screw having a first screw thread at one end portion, a second screw thread at an opposing end portion and a third screw thread at an intermediate position along the screw; and a base plate having a centrally located threaded hole and auxiliary holes arranged around a periphery of the base plate; wherein the first screw thread is for engaging within a substrate for the newel post; the third screw thread is adapted to threadedly engage with the centrally located threaded hole to retain the base plate on the screw so that the base plate abuts a surface of the substrate engaged by the first screw thread; the other end portion of said screw, including the second screw thread, is adapted to pass through the centrally located threaded hole of the base plate; the opposing end portion of said screw is adapted to extend through a longitudinal passage in the lower end of the newel post and to terminate within an intersecting transverse opening spaced upwardly from the lower end of the newel post so that a nut screwed onto the second screw thread can apply a loading to the newel post to clamp the lower end against the base plate; and the auxiliary holes are for co-operating with auxiliary screws to fasten the base plate to the substrate.

2. The support according to claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises a central spigot through which the centrally located threaded hole passes and including at least one pair of diametrically opposed flat faces adapted to being engaged by a tool to tighten the threaded engagement between the centrally located threaded hole and the third screw thread.

3. The support according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is substantially square with an auxiliary hole in each corner.

4. A support according to claim 1, wherein the screw comprises a shank between the second screw thread and the third screw thread.

5. A support according to claim 4, wherein the shank and the second screw thread each have a diameter smaller than the third screw thread so that the shank and second screw thread are adapted to pass through the centrally located threaded hole of the base plate.

6. A support according to claim 5, wherein the shank includes a section having at least one pair of diametrically opposed flat faces adapted to being engaged by a tool.

7. A support according to claim 4, wherein the shank includes a section having at least one pair of diametrically opposed flat faces adapted to being engaged by a tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a screw for a support of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1A shows a cross-section view of part of the first embodiment of a screw for a support of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2A shows a top view of a first embodiment of a base plate for a support of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 2B shows a side view of the first embodiment of a base plate for a support of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 3 shows a kit for a support according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D shows the steps of assembling a newel post using a support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a support of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 6A shows a top view of a second embodiment of a base plate for a support of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 6B shows a side view of the second embodiment of the base plate for a support of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 6C shows a side view of the main plate of the second embodiment of the base plate for a support of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the base plate for a support of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 7B shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the base plate for a support of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 7C shows a top view of the second embodiment of the base plate for a support of the present invention;

(15) FIG. 7D shows a partially assembled second embodiment of a kit for a support of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 7E shows an embodiment of a support of the present invention including the second embodiment of the base plate;

(17) FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F illustrate assembling an embodiment of the present invention including a curved washer; and

(18) FIG. 9 shows a front view of a geared nut and curved washer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

(20) As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

(21) The term “about” and the use of ranges in general, whether or not qualified by the term about, means that the number comprehended is not limited to the exact number set forth herein, and is intended to refer to ranges substantially within the quoted range while not departing from the scope of the invention. As used herein, “about” will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art and will vary to some extent on the context in which it is used. If there are uses of the term which are not clear to persons of ordinary skill in the art given the context in which it is used, “about” will mean up to plus or minus 10% of the particular term.

(22) In addition, where dimensions are described herein, it will be appreciated that plus or minus (±) typical manufacturing tolerances are applicable to those values. As appreciated by those in the art, manufacturing tolerances may be determined to achieve a desired mean and standard deviation of manufactured components in relation to the ideal component profile.

(23) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a screw 10 having a first screw thread 11 at one end portion, a second screw thread 12 at the other end portion and a third screw thread 13 at an intermediate position along the screw 10.

(24) The screw 10 is 273.8 mm long (dimension O1), with the first screw thread 11 being 140 mm long (dimension C1), the second screw thread 12 being 22 mm long (dimension G1) and the third screw thread 13 being 22 mm long (dimension L1). However, in an alternative embodiment, the first screw thread 11 can be 130 mm long (dimension C1).

(25) The first screw thread 11 has 6 TPI, a major diameter of 13.5 mm (dimension A1) and a minor diameter of 10.5 mm (dimension B1).

(26) In this embodiment, the screw 10 is intended for use with a geared nut (not shown) and, consequently, the second screw thread 12 is a left-hand thread. In some other embodiments, such as when the screw 10 is for use with an ungeared nut, the second screw thread will be a right-hand thread. The second screw thread 12 has about 20 TPI, with distance between peaks of 1.25 mm, and a major diameter of 9.85 mm (dimension HD.

(27) The third screw thread 13 has about 12 TPI, a major diameter of 14.2 mm (dimension K1) and a minor diameter of 12.3 mm (dimension J1). Thus, the third screw thread 13 is 9/16 inch thread (dimension N1) with 12 TPI. The distance between peaks of the thread of the third screw thread 13 is 2.12 mm (dimension M1). In some other embodiments, the third screw thread 13 has a major diameter of 14.14 mm (dimension K1).

(28) The screw 10 includes a hexagonal section 14 that can be engaged by a tool, such as a wrench, spanner or shifter, to rotate the screw to engage the first screw thread 11 within the substrate. The cross-section of the hexagonal section 14 is shown in FIG. 1A. The distance between the opposed faces of the hexagonal section 14 is 10 mm (dimension Q1) and the distance between the opposed vertices is 11.3 mm (dimension P1). The hexagonal section 14 is 19 mm long (dimension E1).

(29) Between the hexagonal section 14 and the second screw thread 12 there is a smooth circular section of shank 15 that is 9.9 mm in diameter (dimension I1). There is a second smooth circular section 16 between the third screw thread 13 and the hexagonal section 14.

(30) Dimension D1 of the screw 10 is 69.8 mm. However, in an alternative embodiment, dimension D1 of the screw 10 is 79.8 mm.

(31) Dimension F1 of the screw is 23 mm.

(32) FIGS. 2A and 2B show views of a first embodiment of a substantially square base plate 20. The centrally located threaded hole 21 has 12 TPI, a major diameter of 14.2 mm (dimension C2) and a minor diameter of 12.3 mm (dimension D2). Thus, it is adapted to threadedly engage the third screw thread 13 of screw 10.

(33) The base plate 20 includes a spigot 22 that generally has an external diameter of 19 mm (dimension B2). The spigot 22 includes a pair of diametrically opposed faces 23. The distance between faces 23 is 17 mm (dimension A2).

(34) The four auxiliary holes 24 of the plate 20 each include counterbored sections 25. The diameter of the hole 24 is 9.5 mm (dimension F2), with the counterbored section having a depth of 4.5 mm (dimension 12) and a diameter of 16 mm (dimension E2). The distance between the centers of adjacent holes 24 is 70 mm (dimension G2). The sides of the base plate are 89 mm (dimension H2) with a radius of 5 mm at each corner.

(35) FIG. 3 illustrates a kit including the screw 10, base plate 20 and a geared nut 30. The nut 30 has a tool engaging aperture 31 arranged perpendicular to an aperture (not shown) having an internal thread for threadedly engaging with the second screw thread 12. The nut 30 also includes a slot 32 to assist in locating the second screw thread 12 in the internally threaded aperture.

(36) FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate the steps of the method for assembling a newel post using the support of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are partial cutaway views illustrating the passage of the screw 10 through the substrate 50, the base plate 20 and the newel post 70.

(37) In FIG. 4A the first screw thread 11 of the screw 10 has been engaged within the substrate 50.

(38) The centrally located threaded hole 21 of the base plate 20 is then engaged with the third screw thread 13 as shown in FIG. 4B. So as to firmly secure the screw 10, the spigot 22 can be engaged by a tool to screw down the plate 20 so that it firmly abuts the substrate 50.

(39) Auxiliary screws (not shown) are then screwed into the substrate 50 through the auxiliary holes 24 to fasten the plate 20 to the substrate 50.

(40) Once the base plate 20 is fastened to the substrate 50, the newel post 70 is positioned over the screw 10 so that the upper end portion of the screw 10 extends through a longitudinal passage in the lower end of the newel post 70, as shown in FIG. 4C. The upper end of the screw (i.e., the end with the second screw thread 12) terminates within an intersecting transverse opening 71 spaced upwardly from the lower end of the newel post 70.

(41) The nut 30 is then inserted into the intersecting transverse opening 71, as shown in FIG. 4D, and screwed onto the second screw thread 12 to apply a loading to the newel post 70 to clamp the lower end against the plate 20. After the newel post 70 is securely clamped to the plate 20, the opening 71 can be closed with a plug.

(42) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the newel post support 100 that is not engaged with a substrate. The support 100 includes the screw 10, base plate 20, four auxiliary screws 60 and geared nut 30.

(43) FIGS. 6A and 6B show views of a second embodiment of a substantially square base plate 90 that is intended to be finished with an epoxy coating before use. The dimensions of the base plate 90 described herein relate to the uncoated base plate. The centrally located threaded hole 61 has 12 TPI, a major diameter of 14.4 mm (dimension C6) and a minor diameter of 12.7 mm (dimension D6). Thus, it is adapted to threadedly engage the third screw thread 13 of screw 10.

(44) The base plate 90 includes a spigot 62 that generally has an external diameter of 19 mm (dimension B2). The spigot 62 is hexagonal with three pairs of diametrically opposed faces 23. The distance between opposed vertices of the spigot 62 is 19.3 mm (dimension T6).

(45) The spigot 62 is formed as part of a lug 63 separate from the main plate 66 of the base plate 90. The main plate 66 is illustrated by FIG. 6C. The lug 63 is designed to be force fit into a cavity 661 of the main plate 66. In some embodiments, the lug 63 is also welded so as to be fixed in position.

(46) The lug 63 includes a lower portion 631 that is 5 mm high (dimension R6) and 25 mm across (dimension P6). An intermediate portion 632 of the lug 63 is designed to fit in the upper portion of the cavity 661 that has a diameter of 20 mm (dimension B6) and a height of 5 mm (dimension U6).

(47) The four auxiliary holes 64 of the plate 90 each include counterbored sections 65. The diameter of the hole 64 is 9.5 mm (dimension F6), with the counterbored section 65 having depth of 4.5 mm (dimension I6) and a diameter of 16 mm (dimension E6). The depth of each hole 64, excluding the counterbored section 65, is 5.5 mm (dimension Q6). The distance between the centers of adjacent holes 64 is 68 mm (dimension G6). The sides of the base plate are 89 mm (dimension H6). Dimension O6 is 10.5 mm and dimension N6 is 2.5 mm.

(48) The main plate 66 is 10 mm thick (dimension S6).

(49) Dimension J6 is a diameter of 25 mm, and dimension K6 is 23.5 mm. Dimension M6 is 6.54 mm and dimension L6 is 3.27 mm.

(50) FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show further views of the second embodiment of the base plate 90, with FIGS. 7B and 7C showing bottom and top views of the base plate 90, respectively. In this embodiment, the lower portion 631 of the lug 63 can be seen in FIG. 7B.

(51) FIG. 7D illustrates the partially assembled newel post support with the base plate 90 engaged with the third screw thread (not shown) of the screw 10 and the geared nut 30 screwed onto the second screw thread 12.

(52) FIG. 7E shows an embodiment of the newel post support 100 that is not engaged with a substrate. The support 100 includes the screw 10, base plate 90, four auxiliary screws 60 and geared nut 30.

(53) FIGS. 8A to 8F illustrate the use of a curved washer 80. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the curved washer 80 includes a slot 81 for accommodating the shank 15 of the screw 10. The washer 80 is curved and the slot 81 is formed so as to substantially align with the slot 32 of the nut 30 so that the washer 80 can be positioned underneath the nut 30 as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F. FIG. 8E shows the positioning of the washer 80 underneath the nut 30 without the newel post 70 being visible, while FIG. 8F shows a view of the washer 80 underneath the nut 30 through the intersecting transverse opening 71 of the newel post 70.

(54) When using the curved washer 80, the newel post can be assembled using the support as illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D. However, after the nut 30 is inserted into the intersecting transverse opening 71, but before it is fully screwed onto the second screw thread 12 to apply a loading to the newel post 70 to clamp the lower end against the plate 20, the curved washer is inserted into the intersecting transverse opening 71 so that the end of the screw 10 including the second screw thread 12 and shank 15 is located within the slot 81, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. When the washer 80 is in position, as shown in FIG. 8F, the nut can be screwed onto the second screw thread 12 to apply a loading to the washer 80. The washer 80 then distributes the clamping pressure onto the wood of the newel post. In this way, the washer 80 distributes the clamping force over a larger surface area than would be achieved by using the nut 30 alone. By distributing loading in this way, the washer may reduce or prevent crushing or indentation of the wood of the newel post 70 as the gear housing is tightened. This may prevent or minimize loosening of the clamping of the newel post 70 to the base plate 20 over time, which may otherwise occur if the wood surface in contact with the nut 30 (in the absence of the washer 80) indents over time.

(55) FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the curved washer 80 in contact with the geared nut 30. The external width of the washer 80 is 36.78 mm (dimension A9) and the internal width is 34 mm (dimension B9). The external curved surface 82 of the washer 80 has a radius of 19 mm (dimension D9), that is selected to substantially conform to the curved surface of the longitudinal opening in the newel post (not shown). The internal curved surface 83 of the washer 80 has radius of 17.5 mm (dimension E9), that is selected to substantially conform to the curved lower surface of the nut 30. The washer 80 is 1.5 mm thick (dimension C9).

(56) The illustrated embodiment of the curved washer 80 is adapted for use, together with the geared nut 30, in a newel post (not shown) having a circular transverse opening with a diameter of 38 mm.

(57) Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise,” and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

(58) The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

(59) Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

(60) Moreover, features and aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

(61) These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.