PRIORITY CLAIM

[1] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Application for Patent No. 61/979,055 filed April 14, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

[2] The present invention relates generally to barriers (such as railings or fences) and in particular to a barrier panel utilizing cables as vertical barrier members.

Description of Related Art

[3] It is common to form a barrier for railing or fence applications made, for example, of a plurality of panel members, with each panel member supported between and attached to a pair of post members. Each panel generally comprises a bottom rail extending between two posts and a top rail also extending between those same two posts. A plurality of vertical support members (also referred to in the art as pickets or balusters) extend between the bottom rail and the top rail. The bottom rail, top rail and vertical support members are made of a metal material (such as steel or aluminum). In an embodiment, first ends of the vertical support members are fixedly attached to the bottom rail (for example, through bolts, brackets or welding) and second ends of the vertical support members are fixedly attached to the top rail (again, for example, through bolts, brackets or welding).

[4] The panel may be pre-assembled before delivery to a job site. In such a case, the installer may simply install the pair of posts with a separation substantially equal to a length of the panel. The installed posts should have an exposed height that is greater than a height of the panel. Brackets mounted on each post accept and retain ends of the bottom and top rails.

SUMMARY

[5] In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a bottom rail member including a plurality of first openings spaced apart along a length of the bottom rail member; a top rail member including a plurality of second openings spaced apart along a length of the top rail member; at least one vertical support member mounted to and extending between the bottom rail member and top rail member; and a plurality of vertical cables mounted to and extending between the first rail member and second rail member, wherein a first end of each vertical cable is secured within one of the first openings and a second end of each vertical cable is secured within an opposite one of the second openings.

[6] In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a rail member including: an outer U-shaped channel; and an inner U-shaped channel; wherein said inner U-shaped channel is mounted within the outer U-shaped channel with open ends of the inner and outer U-shaped channels facing each other; inner openings spaced apart along the length of the inner U- shaped channel; and outer openings spaced apart along the length of the outer U-shaped channel; wherein each inner opening is aligned with a corresponding outer opening; and a plurality of cables mounted to said rail member, wherein an end of each cable is secured within aligned inner and outer openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[7] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be acquired by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: [8] Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a cable rail panel;

[9] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bottom rail;

[10] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom rail;

[1 1] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a top rail;

[12] Figure 5 A illustrates a first end of a cable;

[13] Figure 5B illustrates a second end of a cable;

[14] Figures 6A-6D illustrate cable installation on the bottom and top rails;

[15] Figure 7 is a broken away side view showing a means for attaching vertical support members;

[16] Figure 8 illustrates an end view of a cap member;

[17] Figure 9 illustrates installation of the cap member; and

[18] Figure 10 illustrates an alternative cap member; and

[19] Figures 1 lA-1 IE illustrate an implementation of the cable rail panel useful in a stair or sloped installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[20] Reference is now made to Figure 1 which illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a cable rail panel 10 (configured to be installed between two post members

18). The panel 10 includes a bottom rail 12 and a top rail 14 that are spaced apart from each other by a pair of vertical support members 16 (extending between the bottom and top rails) which are spaced apart from each other along the lengths of the bottom and top rails. The bottom rail 12, top rail 14 and vertical support members 16 are made of a metal material

(such as steel or aluminum). First ends of the vertical support members are fixedly attached

(for example, by bolts, welding or brackets) to the bottom rail 12. Second ends of the vertical support members are fixedly attached (also, for example, by bolts, welding or brackets) to the top rail 14. The panel 10 further includes a plurality of vertical cables 19 spaced apart from each other along the lengths of the bottom and top rails and extending between the bottom and top rails. The means for cable attachment will be discussed in more detail herein. Each end of the bottom and top rails is configured for attachment to the post member 18, for example, through the use of a bracket mechanism as known in the art.

[21] In an embodiment, the vertical support members 16 are hollow tubular members having a desired cross-section including, for example, square, rectangular, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical support members 16 are solid bar members having a desired cross-section including, for example, square, rectangular, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like. In either case, a threaded opening may be provided at each end of the member 16 to accept a mounting bolt for attachment of the vertical member to the top and bottom rails.

[22] Reference is now made to Figure 2 which illustrates a perspective view of the bottom rail 12 and further to Figure 3 which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the top rail 14. The bottom rail is formed of a first U-shaped channel member 20 and a second U-shaped channel member 22. The channel members 20 and 22 are made of a metal material, such steel or aluminum, and are fixedly attached to each other (for example, by welding) with the first channel member 20 fitting within the second channel member 22 and the open ends of the two channel members oriented facing each other. The welded attachment may, for example, comprise welding edges or surfaces of the channel member 20 to inner surfaces of the channel member 22. Spot or resistance welding techniques may be used in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred implementation, evidence of the welding would not be visible on an outer surface of the channel member 22. [23] Each channel member 20 and 22 is formed of a web member and an opposed pair of leg members extending generally perpendicularly from the web member. The space between the leg members defines the open end of the channel member. The web member for the first channel member 20 includes a plurality of first openings 26 and the web member for the second channel member 22 includes a plurality of second openings 28. When the channel members 20 and 22 are fixedly attached to each other, the first and second openings 26 and 28 align with each other. Furthermore, with reference once again to Figure 1, the aligned first and second openings are provided at locations along the lengths of the channel members 20 and 22 which corresponding to the desired locations of vertical cables 19 (and also the desired locations of the vertical support members 16 in a certain embodiment). Indeed, as will be discussed in more detail below, the first and second openings 26 and 28 are provided in connection with supporting the attachment of first ends of the plurality of vertical cables 19 to the bottom rail 12 (and perhaps attachment of first ends of the vertical support members 16).

[24] The openings 26 and 28 may have any desired shape, but in a preferred implementation the openings have square or rectangular cross-sectional shapes.

[25] The first channel member 20 functions to provide reinforcement or stiffness to the assembly with the second channel member 22 to form the bottom rail 12. The first channel member 20 further functions in connection with supporting bottom rail 12 for retention of first ends of the plurality of vertical cables 19.

[26] Reference is now made to Figure 4 which illustrates a perspective view of the top rail 14 (the cross-section of top rail being similar to that of the bottom rail shown in Fig. 3). The top rail is formed of a first U-shaped channel member 30 and a second U-shaped channel member 32. The channel members 30 and 32 are made of a metal material, such steel or aluminum, and are fixedly attached to each other (for example, by welding) with the first channel member 30 fitting within the second channel member 32 and the open ends of the two channel members oriented facing each other. The welded attachment may, for example, comprise welding edges or surfaces of the channel member 30 to inner surfaces of the channel member 32. Spot or resistance welding techniques may be used in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred implementation, evidence of the welding would not be visible on an outer surface of the channel member 32.

[27] Each channel member 30 and 32 is formed of a web member and an opposed pair of leg members extending generally perpendicularly from the web member. The web member for the first channel member 30 includes a plurality of first openings 36 and the web member for the second channel member 32 includes a plurality of second openings 38. When the channel members 30 and 32 are fixedly attached to each other, the first and second openings 36 and 38 align with each other. Furthermore, with reference once again to Figure 1, the aligned first and second openings are provided at locations along the lengths of the channel members 30 and 32 which corresponding to the desired locations of vertical cables 19 (and also the desired locations of the vertical support members 16 in a certain embodiment). Indeed, as will be discussed in more detail below, the first and second openings 36 and 38 are provided in connection with supporting the attachment of second ends of the plurality of vertical cables 19 to the top rail 14 (and perhaps attachment of second ends of the vertical support members 16).

[28] The openings 36 and 38 may have any desired shape, but in a preferred implementation the openings have square or rectangular cross-sectional shapes.

[29] The first channel member 30 functions to provide reinforcement or stiffness to the assembly with the second channel member 32 to form the top rail 14. The first channel member 30 further functions in connection with supporting top rail 14 retention of second ends of the plurality of vertical cables 18.

[30] Reference is now made to Figure 5 A which illustrates a first end of a vertical cable 19. The cable 19 is formed of a cable member 40 that is made of metal, for example, stainless steel. The cable member 40 may be of a wound, woven or solid (rod) type as desired and is to some degree flexible along its length. At the first end, a ball swage fitting 42 is attached. The ball swage fitting 42 includes a ball member 44 and a shank member 46. The shank member 46 is a hollow tubular member sized to receive the end of the cable member 40 which is fixedly attached within the shank member 46. The shank member 46 may, for example, have an outer shape in the form of a square or rectangle generally conforming to the size and shape of the openings 26 and 28 provided in the bottom rail 12 (or alternatively the openings 36 and 38 of the top rail 14). The ball member 44 is sized larger than the openings 26 and 28 (or 36 and 38).

[31] Reference is now made to Figure 5B which illustrates a second end of a vertical cable 19. The cable 18 is formed of the cable member 40 as described above. At the second end, a threaded swage fitting 52 is attached. The threaded swage fitting 52 includes a threaded member 54 and a shank member 56. The shank member 56 is a hollow tubular member sized to receive the end of the cable member 40 which is fixedly attached within the shank member 56. The shank member 56 may, for example, have an outer shape in the form of a square or rectangle generally conforming to the size and shape of the openings 36 and 38 provided in the top rail 14 (or alternatively the openings 26 and 28 provided in the bottom rail 12). The threaded member 54 likewise is sized to fit through the openings 36 and 38 (or 26 and 28). A nut 58 is provided to be installed on the threaded member 54 and it is sized larger than the openings 36 and 38 (or 26 and 28). [32] Reference is now made to Figure 6A which illustrates an end view of top rail 14 with an installed ball swage fitting 42. The ball member 44 is sized larger than the opening 36 in the first channel member 30 and the shank member 46 is sized for press fit through the openings 36 and 38 in the channel members 30 and 32. Figure 6C shows a perspective view of the installed ball swage fitting 42 extending through the openings 28 in the top rail 14. It will be understood that alternatively the fitting 42 could be used in connection the bottom rail 12.

[33] Reference is now made to Figure 6B which illustrates an end view of bottom rail 12 with an installed threaded swage fitting 52. The nut 58 is sized larger than the opening 26 in the first channel member 20 and the shank member 56 and threaded member 54 are sized to pass freely through the openings 26 and 28 in the channel members 20 and 22. Tightening of the nut 58 on the threaded member 54 permits adjustments to be made as to the tensioning of the cable 19. Figure 6D shows a perspective view of the installed threaded swage fittings 52. It will be understood that alternatively the fitting 52 could be used in connection the top rail 14 (see, for example, Figures 9 and 10).

[34] Reference is now made to Figure 7 which illustrates a means for attaching the vertical support members 16 to the bottom rail 12 and top rail 14. Figure 7 shows a rail member 60 which may comprise either a bottom rail 12 or a top rail 14. The rail member 60 has a configuration like that shown in Figures 2 and 4 and thus includes a plurality of aligned openings 62 and 64 in channel members used for supporting installation of the swage fittings. Instead of fixedly attaching the vertical support member 16 by means of welding, the vertical support member 16 may instead be secured to the rail member 60 at any of the opening 62/64 locations using mounting hardware 66. In an embodiment, the mounting hardware 66 may, for example, comprise a bolt, screw or other threaded connector as known in the art. The shaft of such hardware passes through the openings 62/64 and engages a threaded opening provided in the end of the vertical support member. The head of such hardware engages with the inner channel member. An advantage of this assembly is that the vertical support members 16 can be installed at any opening along the length of the top and bottom rail members. Thus, rail members can be cut to desired length at the job site and the one or more vertical support members 16 provided at desired locations along that length. One end of each of the plurality of cables 19 is then installed in the remaining openings 62/64 to complete assembly of the panel as shown in Figure 1 wherein the ends of each cable are supported with opposite openings in the rails 12 and 14.

[35] Reference is now made to Figure 8 which illustrates an end view of a cap member 90 that is configured for installation over the top rail 14. Figure 9 illustrates the cap member 90 in an installed position. The cap member 90 is formed of one or more U-shaped channel members 92 which may comprise a base member 92a and an ornamental member 92b. The base member 92a is designed for press or interference fit over the channel member 32. The ornamental member 92b is secured to the base member 92a through any suitable means (including, for example, welding, adhesion, hardware like screws, etc.) and includes ornamental features 94 as desired (only one non-limiting example of such ornamentation being shown).

[36] In an alternative embodiment, the open end of the top rail 14 may be closed or covered using other means. For example, Figure 10 illustrates the use of a wooden member 96 which can be secured to the top rail 14 using any suitable means (including, for example, a clip mechanism and hardware attachment).

[37] Although the ball end of the swage fitting may be configured for mounting to openings in the bottom rail, it will be understood that this is a matter of installation choice and instead the ball end of the swage fitting could be mounted to openings in the top rail. Although the threaded end of the swage fitting may be configured for mounting to openings in the top rail, it will be understood that this is a matter of installation choice and instead the threaded end of the swage fitting could be mounted to openings in the bottom rail.

[38] There may exist certain installations, such as with stairs or other sloped terrain, where a perpendicular panel configuration like that shown in Figure 1 is not preferred. In such cases, it would be preferred to install a panel that is configured to have the top and bottom rails and cables of the panel run parallel to the slope as shown in Figure 11A.

[39] The panel 10 is accordingly configured to support racking so as to follow undulating terrain, stairways or ramps. For example, the panel may be racked to an angle up to about 35°. In this configuration, the connection between the vertical support members 16 and both the bottom rail 12 and top rail 14 permits other than perpendicular mounting. Additionally, the brackets used to attach the ends of the bottom rail 12 and top rail 14 to the posts 18 permits other than perpendicular mounting. More detail is provided below and in connection with Figures 1 lB-1 IE.

[40] To support this installation, the panel includes a hinge 140 for connecting the ends of the vertical support members 16 to each of the rails 12 and 14. See, Figure 11B. The hinge 140 provides a pivot point 142 between a rail bracket 144 and a support bracket 146. In the illustrated configuration, the support bracket 146 includes a pair of opposed flanges 148 and the rail bracket 144 includes a tab member 150 that is inserted between and pivotally coupled to the flanges 148. The rail bracket 144 may be attached to the rail 12/14 using the openings 26/28 or 36/38 and mounting hardware. The support bracket 146 may be attached to an end of the support member 16 using mounting hardware, or alternatively may be integrally formed at the end of the support member 16. [41] In order to support angled attachment of the ends of the cable, the top and bottom rails 12/14 are configured such that an angled tab 172 is cut out from the web member 174 of the first channel member 20/30 at each opening 26/36. See, Figures 1 lC-1 IE. A first end of the angled tab 172 remains attached to the web member 174 while a second end of the angled tab 172 is bent inwardly towards the web member 176 of the second channel member 22/32. In an embodiment, the second end of the angled tab 172 is engaged (for example, by welding) against the inner surface of the web for the second channel member 22/32 (as shown at reference 180). The opening 26/36 still aligns with the opening 28/38 on the second channel member 22/32 and receives the fitting 178 which is attached to the cable end (see, Figures 5A-5B for examples of the fittings). The angle with which the tab 172 is bent may, in a preferred embodiment, be equal to about 30-40°. It will be understood that the angle of the tab 172 may be selected to account for the slope of the stairs or sloped terrain at which the panel is to be installed. The alignment of the openings 26/36 and 28/38 is made in accordance with a range of permitted slope installations. To support such a range, the opening 28/38 in the second channel member is oversized with respect to the fitting.

[42] Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.