# US 2014/0150188 A1 · Post and Hand Rail Assembly for Modular Ramp > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150188 A1 - Document ID: US20140150188A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/705,915 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: Prairie View Industries, Inc. - Applicants: Prairie View Industries, Inc. - Inventors: RICHARD ALLEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150188A1 ## CPC - E01D 15/12: Portable or sectional bridges (floating bridges E01D15/14) - E04F 11/002: {Ramps} - E04F 11/1817: {Connections therefor (E04F11/1812 and E04F11/1836 take precedence)} - E04F 11/1865: {Collapsible or portable balustrades} - E04F 2011/1821: {between balustrade posts and handrails} - Y10T 403/341: Three or more radiating members - Y10T 403/55: Member ends joined by inserted section - E01D: CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, {ELEVATED ROADWAYS} OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES (bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers B64F1/305; {tracks for special kinds of railways E01B25/00; culverts E01F5/005}) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A hand rail to post connector assembly for use with a modular ramp. The assembly includes a post cap configured for mounting to a post, a saddle that is received by a slot in the post cap, and a rail insert that is secured to the saddle. The post cap includes a support surface configured to support a hand rail, and the post cap substantially constrains the saddle from moving vertically. The rail insert has a clamping surface that engages an inner surface of the hand rail for clamping the hand rail between it and the saddle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hand rail to post connector assembly, comprising: a post cap configured for mounting to a post, wherein said post cap comprises a support surface configured to support a hand rail, and a slot positioned below said support surface; a saddle configured to be received by said slot such that said post cap substantially constrains said saddle from moving vertically; and a rail insert comprising a clamping surface configured to engage an inner surface of a hand rail, wherein said rail insert is configured to be secured to said saddle for clamping the hand rail between said rail insert and said saddle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said post cap comprises a locking structure that is coupled with and extends downward from said support surface, wherein said locking structure defines said slot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2, wherein said post cap comprises opposed side walls each coupled with said support surface, wherein said side walls are configured for mounting to a post. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said support surface is configured to prevent lateral and downward movement of the hand rail. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said support surface is curved for supporting a hand rail having a circular cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said slot is configured to slideably receive said saddle in a substantially horizontal direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said saddle comprises an opening that is configured to align with an opening in the hand rail, and wherein said rail insert comprises a protrusion that extends downward from said clamping surface and is received by the aligned openings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, wherein said protrusion comprises a threaded fastener which engages a first nut that abuts a lower surface of said saddle for clamping the hand rail between said rail insert and said saddle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein said saddle comprises an upper surface with a recess formed therein that surrounds said opening in said saddle, and further comprising a second nut that engages said threaded fastener and is received by said recess. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, wherein said saddle is longer than said post cap such that a portion of said saddle including said opening extends laterally from said post cap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said rail insert is configured to be received within a hand rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said clamping surface is curved for engaging the inner surface of a hand rail having a circular cross-section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second rail insert comprising a clamping surface configured to engage an inner surface of a second hand rail, wherein said second rail insert is configured to be secured to said saddle for clamping the second hand rail between said second rail insert and said saddle. ### Claim 14 A post and hand rail assembly, comprising: a post; a post cap mounted to said post, wherein said post cap comprises a support surface and a slot positioned below said support surface; an upper hand rail comprising an outer surface that is supported by said support surface and an inner surface; a saddle that is configured to be received by said slot such that said post cap substantially constrains said saddle from moving vertically; and a rail insert comprising a clamping surface engaging said inner surface of said upper hand rail, wherein said rail insert is secured to said saddle for clamping said upper hand rail between said rail insert and said saddle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The assembly of claim 14, wherein said post comprises opposed side walls each having an opening, and further comprising a lower hand rail that is received by said opening in each of said side walls. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a second post mounted to said post cap, wherein said second post comprises opposed side walls each having an opening, and further comprising a second lower hand rail that is received by said opening in each of said side walls of said second post. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a post channel coupled with said post and said lower hand rail via a first fastener that is received by aligned holes in said post channel, said post, and said lower hand rail, and wherein said post channel is coupled with said second post and said second lower hand rail via a second fastener that is received by aligned holes in said post channel, said second post, and said second lower hand rail. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a second upper hand rail comprising an outer surface that is supported by said support surface and an inner surface, and a second rail insert comprising a clamping surface engaging said inner surface of said second upper hand rail, wherein said second rail insert is secured to said saddle for clamping said second upper hand rail between said second rail insert and said saddle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein said saddle comprises a first opening that aligns with an opening in said upper hand rail and a second opening that aligns with an opening in said second upper hand rail, wherein said rail insert comprises a protrusion that extends downward from said clamping surface and is received by the aligned first opening and opening in said upper hand rail, and wherein said second rail insert comprises a protrusion that extends downward from said clamping surface and is received by the aligned second opening and opening in said second upper hand rail. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The assembly of claim 19, wherein said saddle is longer than said post cap such that a portion of said saddle including said first opening extends laterally from one end of said post cap and a portion of said saddle including said second opening extends laterally from another end of said post cap. ### Claim 21 A modular ramp assembly, comprising: a ramp comprising a substantially planar surface and a pair of frame rails each joined with one side of said planar surface; a post mounted to one of said frame rails; a post cap mounted to said post, wherein said post cap comprises a support surface and a slot positioned below said support surface; an upper hand rail comprising an outer surface that is supported by said support surface and an inner surface; a saddle that is configured to be received by said slot such that said post cap substantially constrains said saddle from moving vertically; and a rail insert comprising a clamping surface engaging said inner surface of said upper hand rail, wherein said rail insert is secured to said saddle for clamping said upper hand rail between said rail insert and said saddle.