Connector for railing systems

Abstract

A connector secures together a first member and a second member, wherein each of the first and second members of has an aperture and a wall thickness at the point ofjoining. The connector includes a body portion having a generally circular cross-section taken along a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. The connector is secured to the first member in the aperture by an attachment being rigidly joined to the body portion.

1 . A connector for securing together a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having an aperture and a wall thickness at the point of joining, the connector comprising:
 a body portion having a generally circular cross-section taken along a plane that is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the body portion; and   means for securing the connector to the first member in the aperture, the securing means being rigidly joined to the body portion.   
   
   
       2 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion and the securing means is of unitary construction. 
   
   
       3 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises:
 a grommet for being received within the aperture of the first member, and   at least one resilient arm extending from a sidewall of the grommet toward the body portion.   
   
   
       4 . The connector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the grommet comprises a reduced outside diameter relative to the diameter of the body portion. 
   
   
       5 . The connector as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one resilient arm comprises a free end including a retaining end surface adapted for having close proximity to a first side of and surrounding the aperture of the first member. 
   
   
       6 . The connector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the free end of the at least one resilient arm tapers outwardly from the grommet of the securing means and is resiliently inwardly moveable by camming contact with the periphery of the aperture in the first member as the at least one resilient arm passes through the aperture of the first member whereby when the retaining end surface moves free of the aperture of the first member, the at least one resilient arm moves outwardly to a position where a bottom portion of its retaining end surface opposes and engages a portion of an inside face of the first member extending inward from an edge portion of the associated aperture, for captively retaining the entire wall thickness of the aperture of the first member between the body portion and the retaining edge portion of the securing means. 
   
   
       7 . The connector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the securing means further comprises a means for preventing rotation of the connector by mating with a notch formed in the aperture of the first member, the rotation preventing means radially extending from the securing means. 
   
   
       8 . The connector as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the rotation preventing means comprises at least one ear protrusion radially extending from the securing means and proximate to the body portion so that the at least one ear protrusion is located within the notch portion of the aperture when the securing means is affixed to the first member. 
   
   
       9 . The connector as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one ear protrusion comprises a pair of opposing ear protrusions. 
   
   
       10 . The connector as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the securing means further comprises an insertion guide attached to the end of each of the at least one ear protrusion and extending in a direction away from the body portion, the insertion guide of the at least one ear protrusion extending over the at least one resilient arm. 
   
   
       11 . The connector as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one resilient arm comprises a pair of opposing arms. 
   
   
       12 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises a flange forming a transverse interior end of the body portion, an interior end of the securing means being rigidly joined to the flange, wherein the flange includes an internal diameter surface that is flush with an internal diameter surface of the securing means and having an external diameter surface flush with at least a portion of an external diameter surface of the body portion. 
   
   
       13 . The connector as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the securing means is less than the diameter of the flange. 
   
   
       14 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the securing means and the body portion are formed from polymeric material. 
   
   
       15 . The connector as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       16 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises at least a section having a flat side. 
   
   
       17 . The connector as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one flat side section comprises a pair of opposing flat side sections. 
   
   
       18 . The connector as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one flat side section is located on opposite sides of the body portion so as to be flush and abut at least one surface of a periphery of the aperture of the second member. 
   
   
       19 . The connector as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one flat side section of the body portion is oriented about a plane that is perpendicular to the first member when the connector is secured to the first member. 
   
   
       20 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is dimensioned so as to be able to be received into the aperture of the second member. 
   
   
       21 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises at least two sections spaced apart from each other, the at least two sections define at least one slot in the body portion. 
   
   
       22 . The connector as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the at least two sections comprises four sections in the body portion so that the at least one slot comprises three slots in the body portion. 
   
   
       23 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion has at least a portion having a substantially cylindrical shape. 
   
   
       24 . The connector as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cylindrically-shaped portion of the body comprises at least two sections spaced apart from each other, the at least two sections define at least one slot in the body portion. 
   
   
       25 . The connector as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the substantially cylindrical shape of the connector is chamfered so as to be inserted into an internal cavity having a generally round cross-section. 
   
   
       26 . The connector as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising adhesive disposed in the at least one slot. 
   
   
       27 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion has a truncated spherical shape. 
   
   
       28 . The connector as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising adhesive attached to the body portion. 
   
   
       29 . A connector for securing together a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having an aperture and a wall thickness at the point of joining, the connector comprising:
 a first body portion comprising:
 a grommet for being received within the aperture of the first member, 
 an ear protrusion for mating with a notch formed in the aperture of the first member, thereby preventing rotation of the connector, the ear protrusion extending radially from the grommet, and 
 at least one resilient arm for securing the first body portion to the first member, the at least one resilient arm connected to the grommet; 
   a second body portion having a generally circular cross-section taken along a plane that is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the body portion; and   a flange forming a transverse interior end of the second body portion, an interior end of the first body portion being rigidly joined to the flange, wherein the flange including an internal diameter surface flush with an internal diameter surface of the first body portion and having an external diameter surface flush with at least a portion of an external diameter surface of the second body portion, and wherein the external diameter of the flange is greater than a diameter of the grommet,   wherein the at least one resilient arm is formed in and extends from a sidewall of the first body portion toward an outer face of the flange, the at least one resident arm having a free end including a retaining end surface adapted for having close proximity to a first side of and surrounding the aperture of the first member, the free end of the at least one resilient first arm being tapered outwardly from the sidewall and being resiliently inwardly movable by camming contact with the periphery of the aperture in the first member as the at least one resilient arm passes through the aperture in the first member whereby when the retaining end surface moves free of the aperture, the at least one resilient arm moves outwardly to a position where a bottom portion of its retaining end surface opposes and engages a portion of an inside face of the first member extending inward from an edge portion of the associated aperture, for captively retaining the entire wall thickness of the aperture of said first member between the internal diameter surface of the flange and the retaining end surface of the at least one resilient arm.   
   
   
       30 . The connector of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one resilient arm of the first body portion comprises a pair of opposing arms. 
   
   
       31 . The connector of  claim 29 , wherein the second body portion comprises a generally cylindrical shape. 
   
   
       32 . A railing system comprising:
 at least one rail having an internal cavity and a wall that defines an aperture;   at least one picket having at least one open end and abutting the rail at the aperture; and   a connector for securing together the at least one rail and the at least one picket, the connector comprising:
 a body comprising:
 a body portion having a generally circular cross-section taken along a plane that is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the body portion; and 
 means for securing the connector to the rail in the aperture, the securing means being rigidly joined to the body portion, 
 
   wherein the securing means is of a reduced diameter relative to the body portion,   wherein the securing means is dimensioned so as to fit within the internal cavity of the rail, and   wherein the body portion is dimensioned so as to fit within the open end of the picket.   
   
   
       33 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the securing means of the connector comprises a grommet for being received in the aperture of the rail, and at least one resilient arm, wherein the grommet comprises a reduced outside diameter relative to the body portion. 
   
   
       34 . The railing system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the at least one resilient arm comprises a free end including a retaining end surface adapted for having close proximity to a first side of and surrounding the aperture through the rail wall. 
   
   
       35 . The railing system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the free end of the at least one resilient arm tapers outwardly from the grommet of the securing means and is resiliently inwardly moveable by camming contact with the periphery of the aperture in the first member as the at least one resilient arm passes through the aperture of the rail whereby when the retaining end surface moves free of the aperture of the first member, the at least one resilient arm moves outwardly to a position where a bottom portion of its retaining end surface opposes and engages a portion of an inside face of the rail extending inward from an edge portion of the associated aperture, for captively retaining the entire wall thickness of the aperture of the rail between the body portion and the retaining edge portion of the securing means. 
   
   
       36 . The railing system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the width of the free end is less than the diameter of the rail aperture, but greater than a chord of the rail aperture. 
   
   
       37 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the body portion and the securing means are formed from polymeric material. 
   
   
       38 . The railing system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       39 . The railing system as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the securing means further comprises at least one protrusion extending radially from the grommet for mating with a notch formed in the aperture of the rail, thereby preventing rotation of the connector. 
   
   
       40 . The railing system as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises two protrusions for mating with two notches formed in the aperture of the rail so as to prevent rotation of the connector. 
   
   
       41 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the second portion comprises at least one flat side section that abuts and is flush with an interior surface of the open end of the picket. 
   
   
       42 . The railing system as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the at least one flat side section comprises two flat side sections. 
   
   
       43 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the second portion further comprises a flange forming a transverse interior end of the body portion, an interior end of the securing means being rigidly joined to the flange, wherein the flange includes an internal diameter surface that is flush with an internal diameter surface of the securing means and having an external diameter surface flush with at least a portion of an external diameter surface of the body portion. 
   
   
       44 . The railing system as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the diameter of the flange is greater than the diameter of at least a portion of the aperture. 
   
   
       45 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the body of the second portion comprises at least two sections that define at least one slot in the body portion. 
   
   
       46 . The railing system as recited in  claim 45 , further comprising adhesive disposed in the at least one slot of the body portion. 
   
   
       47 . The railing system as recited in  claim 32 , further comprising adhesive attached to the body portion of the connector and the picket. 
   
   
       48 . A method for assembling a railing system, the method comprising:
 providing a rail including a wall defining an aperture, the circumference of the aperture having a wall thickness;   providing a picket comprising an open end;   providing a connector for securing together the rail and the picket at the rail aperture, wherein the connector comprises:
 a body portion having a generally circular cross-section taken along a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body portion; and 
 means for securing the connector to the rail, the securing means being rigidly joined to the body portion; 
   wherein the securing means is of a reduced diameter relative to the body portion;   securing the connector to the rail; and   securing the picket to the connector.   
   
   
       49 . The method as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the step of securing the connector to the rail comprises inserting the securing means of the connector to the aperture of the rail. 
   
   
       50 . The method as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the securing means comprises a grommet for being received within the rail aperture and at least one resilient arm, and wherein the step of inserting the securing means of the connector to the aperture of the rail comprises:
 a. inserting a portion of the grommet into the aperture;   b. forcing a free end of the at least one resilient arm to move inwardly by camming contact with the periphery of the aperture in the rail as the at least one resilient arm passes through the aperture; and   c. forcing the at least one resilient arm completely past the aperture into an interior cavity of the rail so that the at least one resilient arm moves outwardly to a position where the free end capitively retains the entire wall thickness of the aperture of the rail between the body portion and the free end of the at least one resilient arm.   
   
   
       51 . The method as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the step of securing the picket to the connector comprises moving the open end of the picket toward the body portion of the connector until the open end of the picket has received the body portion of the connector. 
   
   
       52 . The method as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the step of securing the picket to the connector comprises securing the picket substantially perpendicular to the rail. 
   
   
       53 . The method as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the step of securing the picket to the connector comprises securing the picket to the rail at an angle other than 90° relative to the rail. 
   
   
       54 . The method as recited in  claim 48 , wherein the securing means comprises a grommet and at least one resilient arm and wherein the grommet comprises a reduced outside diameter relative to the second portion. 
   
   
       55 . The method as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the step of securing the connector to the rail comprises mounting the connector to the rail so that at least one ear extending from the grommet mates with a notch formed the aperture so as to prevent the connector from rotating. 
   
   
       56 . A connector for securing together a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having an aperture and a wall thickness at the point of joining, the connector comprising:
 a portion having a shape that allows the first member to be secured to the second member at a non-perpendicular angle; and   means for securing the connector portion to the first member in the aperture, the securing means being rigidly joined to the connector portion.   
   
   
       57 . The connector as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the securing means comprises:
 a grommet for being received within the aperture of the first member, and   at least one resilient arm extending from a sidewall of the grommet toward the connector portion.   
   
   
       58 . The connector as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the connector portion comprises at least a section having a flat side. 
   
   
       59 . The connector as recited in  claim 58 , wherein the at least one flat side section comprises a pair of opposing flat side sections. 
   
   
       60 . The connector as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the securing means further comprises means for preventing rotation of the connector by mating with a notch formed in the aperture of the second member, the rotation preventing means radially extending from the securing means. 
   
   
       61 . The connector as recited in  claim 60 , wherein the rotation preventing means comprises at least one ear protrusion radially extending from the securing means and proximate to the connector portion so that the at least one ear protrusion is located within the notch in the aperture when the securing means is affixed to the first member. 
   
   
       62 . The connector as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the connector portion comprises at least three sections spaced apart from each other, the at least three sections define at least two slots in the connector portion, said at least two slots defining at least two openings, each of the at least two openings facing in the same direction. 
   
   
       63 . The connector as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the shape of the connector portion comprises one of a spherical, pyramidal, polygonal, truncated sphere, truncated cylinder, chamfered cylinder and crescent shape.