Apparatus and method for connecting two hollow posts in a line

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the rigid connection of two hollow posts (7′, 7″) in a line. The apparatus comprises an expandable load bearing body (4) together with a means for expanding the body laterally in two dimensions within the ends of two hollow posts (7′, 7″). In one embodiment, the expansion means comprise threaded bores (8), set screws (2′, 2″) and contact pads (5) configured to spread the expansive forces within the inside surface of hollow posts (7′, 7″) in two dimensions. Methods for connecting two hollow posts using the apparatus are also described.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for in-line connection of hollow posts with walls comprising:
 a. an expandable elongated load bearing body sized to fit snugly within an end of said hollow posts; and   b. a means for expanding said load bearing body laterally against the inside walls of said hollow posts when said body is inserted into said hollow posts.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated load bearing body expands laterally in two dimensions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated load bearing body expands substantially simultaneously, and with equal force, against the top, bottom, and both sides of the inside walls of said hollow posts. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated load bearing body comprises a first and second elongated portion that lie adjacent to one another, the first said portion drilled and tapped with at least two holes oriented laterally and with set screws received within each said hole such that, when said set screws are screwed from the outside inward to protrude beyond said first body portion, said set screws exert an opposing force on the inward facing surface of said second body portion expanding said elongated load bearing body laterally. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said elongated body further comprises elongated contact elements that lie lengthwise along the outside surfaces of said load bearing body and that function to redirect the lateral expansive force exerted by said load bearing body to the inside walls of said hollow posts in two dimensions. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said apparatus is used to connect rectangular posts in line and said contact elements are triangular in cross section such that, when said apparatus is inserted into the end of said posts, the apex of said triangular contact elements lies against the inside corners of said posts. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said apparatus is used to connect round posts in line and said contact elements are semi-circular in cross section such that, when said apparatus is inserted into the end of said posts, the rounded surface of said rounded contact elements lies against the rounded inside walls of said posts. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the means for expanding said load bearing body when said load bearing body is inserted within said hollow posts comprises one or more holes drilled through the ends of said post walls allowing access to said set screws, and a wrench inserted into said holes is used to tighten said set screws. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more elastomeric cinctures encircling the narrow portion of said load bearing body to provide a moisture barrier when said load bearing body is inserted into and secured within said post ends. 
     
     
         10 . A method for in-line connection of hollow posts with walls comprising:
 a. providing a connector having an expandable elongated load bearing body sized to fit snugly within an end of said hollow posts having a means for expanding said load bearing body laterally;   b. forming an access means within the walls of the ends of two available hollow posts that permits access to the connector after the connector has been inserted into said post end;   c. inserting one end of said expandable connector into the end of the first available hollow post;   d. inserting the opposing end of said expandable connector into the end of the second hollow post; and   e. activating the expanding means of said connector through said access means such that said expandable connector presses firmly outwards against the inside walls of said hollow posts,   whereby said two hollow posts will be connected firmly and securely in a line.   
     
     
         11 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 10 , wherein said connector expands laterally against the inside walls of said hollow posts in two dimensions. 
     
     
         12 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 10 , wherein said connector expands substantially simultaneously against the top, bottom, and both sides of the inside walls of said hollow posts. 
     
     
         13 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 10 , wherein said method is used to connect rectangular posts and said connector further comprises contact elements triangular in cross section that lie outside said load bearing body positioned such that, when said connector is inserted into the end of said post and expanded, the apex of said triangular contact elements lies against the inside corners of said posts and serves to redirect the expansive forces of said connector to said inside corners in two directions. 
     
     
         14 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 10 , wherein said method is used to connect round posts and said connector further comprises contact elements semi-circular in cross section that lie outside said load bearing body positioned such that, when said connector is inserted into the end of said post, the curved surface of said semi-circular contact elements lies against the rounded inside walls of said posts and serves to redirect the expansive forces of said connector to said inside surface in two directions. 
     
     
         15 . A method for in-line connection of hollow posts with walls comprising, providing a connector having an expandable elongated load bearing body sized to fit snugly within an end of said hollow posts and a means for expanding said load bearing body laterally, and instructing the user to perform one or more of the following steps:
 a. form an access means within the walls of the ends of two available hollow posts;   b. insert one end of said connector into the end of said first available hollow post;   c. insert the opposing end of said connector into the end of said second hollow post; and   d. activate the expanding means of said connector through said access means such that said connector presses firmly outwards against the inside walls of said hollow posts,   whereby said two hollow posts will be connected firmly and securely in a line.   
     
     
         16 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 15 , wherein said connector expands laterally against the inside walls of said hollow posts in two dimensions. 
     
     
         17 . The method for in-line connection of hollow posts of  claim 15 , wherein said connector expands substantially simultaneously against the top, bottom, and both sides of the inside walls of said hollow posts. 
     
     
         18 . A system for in-line connection of hollow posts with walls comprising:
 a. a connector having an expandable elongated load bearing body sized to fit snugly within an end of said hollow post and means for expanding said load bearing body laterally in two dimensions against the inside walls of said hollow posts when said body is inserted inside said hollow posts; and   b. hollow posts with access means formed in the ends thereof to allow access to the expansion means of said connector when said connector is fitted within said posts.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said connector expands substantially simultaneously against the top, bottom, and both sides of the inside walls of said hollow posts. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said system is used to connect rectangular posts in line and said expandable load bearing body includes contact elements triangular in cross section that extend out from each corner of said body such that, when said apparatus is inserted into the end of said posts, the apex of said triangular contact elements lies against the inside corners of said posts.