# US 5,350,156 A · Mechanical connection device for assembling a railing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,350,156 A - Document ID: US5350156A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/034,814 - Filed: 1993-03-19 - Granted: 1994-09-27 - Earliest claimed: 1993-03-19 - Inventors: Ravnald Cote; Victor Cote - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350156A ## CPC - E04F 11/1834: {with adjustable angle, e.g. pivotal connections} - E04H 17/1417: {with vertical cross-members} - E04H 17/1447: {Details of connections between rails and posts} - E04H 17/1452: {the ends of the rails are fixed on the lateral sides of the posts} - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A device for connecting, in a railing, one end of an elongated rail to a hollow, tubular and vertical post formed with an horizontal slot therein. The device is flat and comprises an elongated body to be screwed to the end of the rail, and a head to be inserted in the slot to extend at least partially inside the hollow post. The head comprises an outer semicircular edge surface, and is formed with a hole defining an inner semicircular edge surface concentric with the outer edge surface. A screw is mounted in the hole with its head applied to the inner surface of the hollow post, and with its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner surface of the post and the inner semicircular edge surface. The screw secures, from the inside of the hollow post, and flat head in the slot and the therefore the end of the rail to the post. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for connecting one end of a generally elongated member to a hollow member formed with a slot therein, comprising: first and second substantially flat sections separated by a pair of lateral shoulders; said first section to be secured to said one end of the elongated member; and said second comprising between said lateral shoulders an outer semicircular edge surfaces extending over more than 180.degree. and being formed with a hole defining an inner semicircular edge surface generally concentric with said outer semicircular edge surface, said second section to be inserted in said slot so that said second section extends at least partially inside said hollow member for enabling insertion, from the inside of said hollow member, of a fastener resting on both said inner semicircular edge surface and an inner surface of said hollow member to secure the second section in said slot and therefore said one end of the elongated ember to the hollow member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises means for producing a pulling force that applies said one end of the elongated member to an outer surface of said hollow member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated member defines a longitudinal axis, said one end of the elongated member is cut obliquely with respect to said longitudinal axis, and said inner semicircular edge surface and said fastener form a mechanical connection that is adjustable to apply said obliquely cut end of the elongated member to an outer surface of said hollow member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said second section is made of a material that can be bent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first section is elongated and comprises longitudinal slots for screwing it to said one end of the elongated member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device is one-piece device stamped from a metal plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1, in which said lateral shoulders are slanted. ### Claim 8 A device for connecting, in a railing, one end of a generally elongated rail member to a hollow post formed with a slot therein, comprising: first and second substantially flat sections separated by a pair of lateral shoulders; said first section to be secured to said one end of the rail member; and said second section comprising between said lateral shoulders an outer semicircular edge surface extending over more than 180.degree. and being formed with a hole defining an inner semicircular edge surface generally concentric with said outer semicircular edge surface, said second section to be inserted in said slot so that said second section extends at least partially inside said hollow post for enabling insertion, from the inside of said hollow post, of a fastener in said hole, said fastener resting on both said inner semicircular edge surface and an inner surface of said hollow post to secure said second section in said slot and therefore said one end of the rail member to the hollow post. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device as recited in claim 8, wherein said fastener comprises a screw having a head and a threaded elongated body, said screw being mounted in said hole with its head applied to the inner surface of the hollow post, and with its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner surface of the hollow post and said inner semicircular edge surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A device as recited in claim 8, wherein said second section is made of a material that can be bent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A device as recited in claim 8, wherein said first section is elongated and comprises longitudinal slots for screwing it to said one end of the rail member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A device as recited in claim 8, in which said lateral shoulders are slanted. ### Claim 13 A system for connecting one end of a generally elongated member to a hollow member, comprising: a slot in said hollow member; a connection device including first and second substantially flat sections separated by a pair of lateral shoulders, said first section secured to said on end of the elongated member, and said second section comprising between said lateral shoulders and outer semicircular edge surface extending over more than 180.degree. and being formed with a hole defining an inner semicircular edge surface generally concentric with said outer semicircular edge surface, said second section inserted in said slot to extend at least partially inside said hollow member; and a fastener mounted in said hole to rest on both said inner semicircular edge surface and an inner surface of said hollow member to thereby secure said second section in said slot and therefore said one end of the elongated member to said hollow member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system as recited in claim 13, wherein said fastener comprises a screw having a head and a threaded elongated body, said screw being mounted in said hole with its head applied to the inner surface of the hollow member, and with its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner surface of the hollow member and said inner semicircular edge surface. ### Claim 15 A system for connecting, in a railing, one end of a generally elongated rail member to a hollow post, comprising: a slot in said hollow post; a connection device including first and second substantially flat sections separated by a pair of lateral shoulders, said first section secured to said one end of the rail member, and said second section comprising between said lateral shoulders and outer semicircular edge surface extending over more than 180.degree. and being formed with a hole defining an inner semicircular edge surface generally concentric with said outer semicircular edge surface, said second section inserted in said slot to extend at least partially inside said hollow post; and a fastener mounted in said hole to rest on both said inner semicircular edge surface and an inner surface of said hollow post to thereby secure said second section in said slot and therefore said one end of the rail member to said hollow post. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A system as recited in claim 15, wherein said fastener comprises a screw having a head and a threaded elongated body, said screw being mounted in said hole with its head applied to the inner surface of the hollow post, and with its threaded elongated body applied to both the inner surface of the hollow post and said inner semicircular edge surface.