Pivoting Railing-End Bracket With Concealed Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brackets for attaching railing ends to vertical members are limited to horizontal and perpendicular orientations, and conventional techniques require skilled labor and result in visible mounting hardware, increasing installation costs and aesthetic concerns.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable-angle railing bracket with a cup and hinge assembly that allows user-selectable vertical or horizontal angular positioning, featuring a cap to conceal mounting hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional bracket is used to attach the railing end to the vertical member, then the attachment is simple and easy to accomplish, but the bracket only supports horizontal and perpendicular orientations, limiting adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the cup to rotate relative to the vertical member, transforming the static bracket into a dynamic one that can adapt to multiple orientations. This enables the same bracket to accommodate both horizontal/perpendicular installations and angled installations without requiring different bracket types.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed to perform multiple functions: it can attach railings in horizontal/perpendicular orientations like traditional brackets, and simultaneously support angled orientations through the pivoting mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate bracket types for different installation scenarios.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional installation techniques are used to achieve aesthetically pleasing results with concealed hardware, then the aesthetics are improved, but the installation requires skilled labor and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket's pivoting mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting during installation. The installer simply needs to position the railing at the desired angle, and the mechanism naturally accommodates the angle without requiring precise measurements or specialized skills. The cap then conceals the hardware automatically, providing aesthetic results without skilled labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves as an intermediary element that conceals the mounting hardware and pivoting mechanism. By placing the cap over the hardware, the ugly mechanical components are hidden, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of the pivoting attachment mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bracket with pivoting mechanism is used to enable user selectable angular positioning, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: the mounting plate that attaches to the vertical member, the cup that receives the railing end, and the pivoting mechanism that connects them. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while the combination provides the complex pivoting functionality needed for angular positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism is nested within the bracket structure, with the cup positioned to rotate around the mounting plate. The cap is nested over the hardware to conceal it. This nesting approach allows the pivoting functionality to be integrated into the compact bracket design without excessive complexity or size.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cap is installed over the top of the cup, then the mounting hardware is concealed from above, but the cap orientation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with dynamic orientation capability, allowing it to be installed in multiple orientations (over the top, under the bottom, or at angles) depending on the specific installation requirements. This flexibility ensures that the hardware remains concealed regardless of the railing's angular position or the viewing direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A railing bracket includes a generally cube-shaped cup formed of a first sheet metal, the cup includes a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall disposed opposite the first side wall. A bend is formed at the junction of certain of the walls. The first side wall defines a countersunk through hole configured to receive a fastener. A cap is formed of a second sheet metal and includes a first cap side wall extending perpendicularly from the cap wall and a first cap bend disposed between the cap wall and the first cap side wall, and a second cap side wall extending perpendicularly from the cap wall and a second cap bend disposed between the cap wall and the second cap side wall, the cap further comprising at least one tab and a flange portion extending inwardly from each of the cap wall, the first cap side wall and the second cap side wall. The cup is configured to receive an end of a railing member that contacts the cup bottom wall, and the cup is configured to receive the cap such that the cap wall is disposed over the end of the railing member and the at least one tab is received by the at least one notch and the side wall covers the countersunk through hole.