DUAL-AXIS SWIVEL BRACKET

Abstract

A dual-axis swivel bracket for a deck railing section is disclosed. The bracket is simultaneously adjustable along a first axis and a perpendicular second axis. When one end of the bracket is attached to a post and the other is attached to a rail, the position of the rail may be moved through a wide range of motion to allow for a wide range of installation designs.

Claims

1. A dual-axis swivel bracket comprising a first connection member, a second connection member, and an articulation member; said articulation member being rotatably attached to the first connection member along a single axis of rotation; and said articulation member being rotatably attached to the second connection member along a single axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation between the articulation member and the first connection member.

2. A dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 1 wherein: the articulating portion comprises a first curved region having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis, and a second curved region having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first curved region; the first curved region comprising a connection point; and the second curved region comprising a connection point; said first connection member comprising an articulation face adapted to contact the outer surface of the first curved region of the articulating portion, and in which the second connection member comprises an articulation face adapted to contact the outer surface of the second curved region of the articulating portion, said articulation face for the first connection member further comprising a track having a path perpendicular to the axis of the first curved surface of the articulating portion, and said articulation face for the second connection member further comprising a track having a path perpendicular to the axis of the second curved surface of the articulating portion; said connection point of the first curved region of the articulating portion being adapted to interface with the track of the articulation face for the first connection member, said connection point of the second curved region of the articulating portion being adapted to interface with the track of the articulation face for the second connection member.

3. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 2 in which the first connection member is adapted to attach to a post having a longitudinal axis, and in which the second connection member is adapted to attach to a rail having a longitudinal axis.

4. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 3 in which the first curved surface of the articulating portion is adapted to move within a range of motion in respect to the first connection member in an arc on a plane, said plane being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post.

5. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 3 in which the first curved surface of the articulating portion is adapted to move in respect to the first connection member in an arc on a plane, said plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post.

6. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 4 in which the range of motion is less than 45.

7. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 5 in which the range of motion is less than 45.

8. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 4 in which the position of the first curved surface of the articulating portion is adapted to be fixed in position along the arc.

9. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 5 in which the position of the first curved surface of the articulating portion is adapted to be fixed in position along the arc.

10. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 3 in which said post is substantially comprised of wood.

11. The dual-axis swivel bracket of claim 10 in which said rail is substantially comprised of wood.

12. A method of constructing a railing section comprising: fixing a first post in position; affixing a first dual-axis swivel bracket to the first post; placing a second post in a position a distance away from the first post, said distance being approximately equal to the combined length of two dual-axis swivel brackets and a selected rail comprising a first and a second end, affixing a first dual-axis swivel bracket to the second post; affixing the first end of the rail to the first dual-axis swivel bracket; affixing the second end of the rail to the second dual-axis swivel bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first connection member.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second connection member.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an articulation member from the view of the first curved portion.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an articulation member from the view of the second curved portion.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a first connection piece coupled to the first curved portion of the articulation member.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a second connection piece coupled to the second curved portion of the articulation member.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the fully assembled bracketing system.

[0018] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the fully assembled bracketing system attached to a railing post.

[0019] The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts wherever possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Each reference number consists of three digits. The first digit corresponds to the figure number in which the referenced item is first or best shown. Reference numbers are not necessarily discussed in the order of their appearance in the figures. Drawings are not necessarily to scale. Most, if not all, suitable deck railing systems have a top rail and a bottom rail. As used herein, rail may mean any such rail.

[0021] A dual-axis swivel bracket is composed of a first connection member (101), a second connection member (301), and an articulation member (501).

[0022] The first connection member comprises an external face (102) and an internal face (103). Said internal face further comprises a concave invagination having a longitudinal axis (104) and defining an articulation face having a first flat side (105), a second flat side (106), and a rounded aspect (107). Said rounded aspect further comprises a track (108) having a path largely parallel to the first and second flat sides. A preferred embodiment further comprises a second track (109) having a path parallel to the path of the first track.

[0023] The second connection member comprises an external face (302) and an internal face (303). Said internal face further comprises a concave invagination having a longitudinal axis (304) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the concave invagination of the second connection member and defining an articulation face having a first flat side (305), a second flat side (306), and a rounded aspect (307). Said rounded aspect further comprises a track (308) having a path largely parallel to the first and second flat sides. A preferred embodiment further comprises a second track (309) having a path parallel to the path of the first track.

[0024] The articulation member is comprised of a top (502), a bottom (601), a front (503), a back (602), a side comprising a first curved portion (504), and a side comprising a second curved portion (603).

[0025] The first curved portion of the articulation member comprises an outer face (505), said outer face having a largely convex shape such that the curved portion has the shape of a segment of a cylinder bisected from one base of the cylinder (506) to the other base of the cylinder (507). Said curved portion having a longitudinal axis (508). The first curved portion comprises a connection point (509). A preferred embodiment further includes a second connection point (510).

[0026] The second portion of the articulation member comprises an outer face (604), said outer face having a largely convex shape such that the curved portion has the shape of a segment of a cylinder bisected from one base of the cylinder (605) to the other base of the cylinder (606). Said curved portion has a longitudinal axis (607) perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal axis of the first curved portion of the articulation member. The first curved portion comprises a connection point (608). A preferred embodiment further includes a second connection point (609).

[0027] The articulation face of the first connection member and the first curved portion of the articulation member are adapted to contact such that the connection point of the first curved portion of the articulation member is aligned with the track of the articulation face of the first connection member.

[0028] The articulation face of the second connection member and the second curved portion of the articulation member are adapted to contact such that the connection point of the second curved portion of the articulation member is aligned with the track of the articulation face of the second connection member.

[0029] In most highly preferred embodiments, the respective connection points are loosely connected to their paired tracks such that the curved portion of an articulation member in contact the articulation face of a connection member may rotate along the longitudinal axis of the curved portion while attached to said connection member. In certain other embodiments the connection points are adjustable, so the rotation is hampered or eliminated.

[0030] In another highly preferred embodiment, said connection points are located on the articulation face of the connection member or members, and the tracks are located on the curved portion or portion of the articulation member.

[0031] In a mostly highly preferred embodiment, the external face of the first connection member is adapted to attach to a post, and the external face of the second connection member is adapted to connect to a rail.

[0032] To assemble the dual-axis swivel bracket in the most highly preferred form, one would place the first curved portion of the articulation member (504) into the invagination of the internal face of the first connection member (105, 106, 107). With the connection point or points of the articulation member aligned with the tracks of the articulation face, the articulation member and the connection member are secured together by a suitable means such as i.e., a screw or rivet (e.g., 801), so that the articulation member is capable of rotating in relation to the connection member. One would then place the second curved portion of the articulation member (603) into the invagination of the internal face of the second connection member (305, 306, 307) and secure those two members with a suitable such as i.e., a screw or rivet (1100) as previously done with the first curved portion of the articulation member and the first connection member. Once assembled, to use the dual-axis swivel bracket the most anticipated application one would attach the external face of the first connection member to a first post (1201) already in position and attach the external face of the second connection member to the first rail (1202). Similarly, the end of the rail furthest from the first post can be attached to a second post via another dual-axis swivel bracket. The rail (1202) therefore, can be rotated along the longitudinal axis of the first connection member and rotated along the longitudinal axis of the second connection member in relation to the post.

[0033] In one highly preferred embodiment, a bracketing system comprises the dual-axis swivel bracket and a shielding member. Said shielding member fits over the assembled bracket covering the interface of the articulation member and the second connection member. In a preferred embodiment, the shielding member is a rectangular prism comprised of a first segment and a second segment. Each said segment having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first segment and second segment are adapted to attach to each other. Following the connection of a post and a rail as described, one could combine the first and second segments of the shielding member. Hence, the shielding member surrounds the area of the interface of the articulation member and the second connection member. The two segments of the shielding member are then connected to each other, and to the rail, improving the aesthetics of the bracketing system.

[0034] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application.