Vertical pipe end connector

The pipe-mounted coupler enables industry standard hooks on horizontal rods and other accessories to rest at such a height as to provide uniform appearance to the top of drape walls. The pipe-mounted coupler mounts on a pipe or rod vertical end to allow one or more accessory connections to be affixed to the vertical pipe. The pipe-mounted coupler includes a locking protrusion that is insertable into a slotted opening on the pipe end to allow the pipe-mounted coupler to be secured onto the pipe end allowing minimal vertical movement or horizontal twisting.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to couplers for drape rods of the type typically found in exhibit booths. In even greater particularity, the present invention relates to a coupler adaptor to affix to an end of a vertical pipe to allow accessories to be mounted.

BACKGROUND

In the prior art, exhibit booths and the like are constructed using a tubular framework supporting drapes as walls and or covers. Many of these booths are constructed using a hook-and-slot system, which utilize upright aluminum poles with slots formed near the top regions thereof for receiving hooks secured to and extending from the ends of horizontally-positioned tubular rods. Draping material is placed over the horizontal rods to form booths or partitions as may be required. Pipe and drape walls traditionally have a bumpy appearance due to the height difference of the vertical members in relation to the top of horizontally disposed connecting rods. Additionally, the steel hooks on industry standard horizontal drape rods have a tendency to “tear” the aluminum vertical uprights in a “can opener” effect when the steel hooks are inserted in the existing slots in the uprights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present pipe-mounted coupler enables industry standard hooks on horizontal rods and other accessories to rest at such a height as to provide uniform appearance to the top of drape walls. A further object is to allow a pipe-mounted coupler to mount on a pipe or rod vertical end to allow one or more accessory connections to be affixed to the vertical pipe. The pipe-mounted coupler includes a locking protrusion that is insertable into a slotted opening on the pipe end to allow the pipe-mounted coupler to be secured onto the pipe end allowing minimal vertical movement or horizontal twisting.

A further object is to allow multiple horizontal rods to be mounted in parallel from a single vertical pipe. The pipe-mounted coupler prevents the steel hooks on industry standard horizontal drape rods from “tearing” into the support pipes. The pipe-mounted coupler allows accessories for the industry standard hooks to be inserted at a wider angle of insertion and to allow easier connection as compared to the narrow industry standard slots. The pipe-mounted coupler accomplishes the foregoing benefits using industry standard fasteners or hooks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The example embodiments described herein provide a pipe-mounted coupler40that supports a coupler10for connecting substantially orthogonally disposed rods to vertical support pipes in a pipe and drape exhibit booth construction. The “Pipe and Drape” industry, is a subset of exhibition and convention services in which frameworks are constructed from horizontally and vertically disposed members in such a fashion to allow draperies or curtains to hang and create division of space in convention halls or other similar areas by arranging drapery walls and booths. The pipe-mounted coupler40is designed to provide an improvement to form and function over the industry standard hook and slot technology, yet allowing users of existing systems to continue using their inventory of components.

The pipe-mounted coupler40allows accessories, such as coupler10, to be affixed to the end of the vertical pipe. The accessories might allow a coupler10to be affixed to the pipe-mounted coupler40in an offset position. The accessories might allow a second and third coupler10be affixed to the pipe-mounted coupler40in offset positions to allow additional rods to be vertically supported. The couplers10may be mounted in series extending from the pipe-mounted coupler40, in parallel on different sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40, or in any other suitable configuration. The pipe-mounted coupler40allows additional rods to be connected to the top of a single vertical pipe. In examples herein, when one coupler10is being described, other examples that include two or more couplers10in any configuration may be envisioned to operate substantially similarly.

FIG.1provides a perspective view of the pipe-mounted coupler40, which is used to construct the aforesaid pipe and drape booths. Because the steel terminal hooks traditionally used on the transverse rods to connect to the vertical member are used to connect to the instant coupler10or other attached accessory, the steel hooks are not illustrated. The pipe-mounted coupler40includes features such as a locking protrusion44, a connection bridge43, a stop rim45, a stop rim opening46, an opening47, and an accessory, such as coupler10. Preferably, pipe-mounted coupler40will be made from durable reinforced polymer material, ABS plastic, Delrin, polyurethane, or some other suitable material that has sufficient strength and rigidity to effectuate the connection.

The pipe-mounted coupler40fits onto a vertically configured pipe, rod, or other member. The pipe, such as pipe30inFIG.7, fits into the circular body of pipe-mounted coupler40because the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40is greater than the outer diameter of the pipe. The pipe may slide substantially to the top of the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40until the pipe meets the stop rim45. The stop rim45has a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the pipe, and thus the stop rim45prevents the pipe from protruding past the stop rim45and out of the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The stop rim45includes a stop rim opening46. The stop rim opening46is a break in the circular body of the stop rim45. The stop rim opening46is located above the one or more locking protrusions44. The stop rim opening46allows a mold or other manufacturing device to more easily release the locking protrusion44during manufacturing.

The locking protrusion44of the pipe-mounted coupler40protrudes into an opening of the pipe that is slightly larger than the locking protrusion44. The opening may be a conventional slot in a pipe end for receiving industry standard hooks or other connection accessories. The pipe end may have multiple openings, such as an opening on one, two, or four sides of the pipe end. In an example, the pipe end has four openings located at each of four cardinal directions around the pipe end.

The locking protrusion44may be in a single position on one side of the pipe-mounted coupler40or may be in two positions on opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40. In an example, the locking protrusion44protrudes farther in the middle of the locking protrusion44than on the ends. That is, the locking protrusion44may create a ramp or slope with the center of the locking protrusion44sloping downward towards each opposing end of the locking protrusion44. The locking protrusion44, when protruding into the opening of the pipe, prevents the pipe-mounted coupler40from spinning on the round pipe end. The locking protrusion44, when protruding into the opening of the pipe, also prevents the pipe-mounted coupler40from sliding vertically upwards or downwards on the pipe. In an example, a locking protrusion44is positioned on opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40.

In an example, the locking protrusion44is constructed of a material that is a semi-rigid plastic or similar material. In an example, because the distance between two locking mechanism44on opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40is less than the outer diameter of the pipe end, the pipe-mounted coupler40will not slide over the pipe end without at least one element deforming or flexing. The locking protrusion44and/or the pipe-mounted coupler40may flex or deform to allow the pipe-mounted coupler40to fit over the pipe end. In this example, the pipe is rigid and does not deform, but the pipe-mounted coupler40flexes to create a larger diameter until the locking protrusion44slides into the opening. When the locking protrusion44slides into the opening of the pipe end, the pipe-mounted coupler40returns to the undeformed state because the locking protrusion44is no longer forcing the pipe-mounted coupler40to expand around the pipe end. When the locking protrusion44is in the opening, the pipe-mounted coupler40fits over the pipe end without deforming. In an alternate example, the pipe end deforms to allow the rigid pipe-mounted coupler40to slide over the pipe end. In an alternate example, both the pipe end and the pipe-mounted coupler40are semi-rigid and deform or flex when the pipe-mounted coupler40is slid over the pipe end.

The connection bridge43supports one or more accessories. The accessories may be a coupler10, as illustrated inFIG.1. The accessory may alternatively be any other type of accessory, such as a different type of hanger or support. The connection bridge43may be constructed out of the same material as the pipe-mounted coupler40or any other suitable material. In an example, the pipe-mounted coupler40has two or more connection bridges43. For example, the connection bridges43may extend from opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40.

The accessory, such as the coupler10, is supported by the connection bridge43to allow a hook and rod or other element to be affixed to the pipe. The coupler10may be at a height that is level with the openings in the pipe end. In another example, the coupler10is raised or lowered by the connection bridge43to be at a different height than the openings in the pipe end. In an example, the coupler10is raised by the connection bridge43to be higher than the openings on the pipe end, which allows drapes or other materials to be displayed in a layered format with one set of drapes being higher than the other.

The pipe-mounted coupler40includes an opening47. As illustrated, the opening47is a semicircular, arched opening in the side of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The opening47allows a user to have access to the pipe or rod that is inserted into the pipe-mounted coupler40, such as pipe30fromFIG.7. In an example, the pipe has openings on each of four cardinal directions near the end of the pipe. The opening47allows a hook and rod or other element to be affixed to the pipe at the same time that the pipe-mounted coupler40is mounted to the pipe. The opening47may be located on opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The opening47may be located 90 degrees from the locking protrusion44. In alternate examples, the opening47is only on one position of the pipe-mounted coupler40. In alternate examples, the opening47is on three positions of the pipe-mounted coupler40. In alternate examples, the pipe-mounted coupler40does not have any openings. In this example, the pipe-mounted coupler40may have four locking protrusions44at the four cardinal points of the pipe-mounted coupler40.

FIG.2is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The illustration includes the locking protrusion44, the connection bridge43, the stop rim45, one or more openings47, and the accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. An opening47is shown as being on two opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40and each located 90 degrees in each direction from the locking protrusion44.

FIG.3is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The illustration includes the locking protrusion44, the connection bridge43, the opening47, and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The locking protrusion44is illustrated with the vertical center of the locking protrusion44protruding farther away from the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40than the top and bottom ends of the locking protrusion44. The locking protrusion44slopes at an angle from the center of the locking protrusion44to either end of the locking protrusion44. When inserted into an opening, the center portion of the locking protrusion44will insert farther into the opening than the top and bottom ends of the locking protrusion44.

FIG.4is a side view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The illustration includes one or more openings47and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. An opening47is shown as being on two opposing sides of the pipe-mounted coupler40and each located 90 degrees from the locking protrusion44(not shown).

FIG.5is a side view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The illustration includes the connection bridge43, the opening47, locking protusions44, and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. A locking protrusion44is illustrated on opposing sides of the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40. In the example, only the center portions of the locking protrusion44are shown because the center portions protrude farther away from the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40than the top and bottom ends of the locking protrusion44.

FIG.6is a top view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40. The illustration includes the locking protrusion44, the connection bridge43, the stop rim45, and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The locking protrusion44is illustrated on opposing sides of the body of the pipe-mounted coupler40.

FIG.7is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40affixed to a vertical mount pipe30. The illustration includes the locking protrusion44, the connection bridge43, the stop rim45, the opening47, and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The pipe-mounted coupler40is illustrated as being mounted on a pipe30. The pipe30is positioned inside the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40, up to the stop rim45. The stop rim45prevents the pipe30from sliding further into the pipe-mounted coupler40. The pipe30is illustrated with the pipe opening31in at least two positions of the pipe. The two pipe openings31are illustrated as being 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the pipe30. One pipe opening31is illustrated as being positioned adjacent to the locking protrusion44such that the locking protrusion44protrudes into the adjacent pipe opening31. The locking protrusion44is visible through the unused opening31. The protrusion locks the pipe-mounted coupler40in place and prevents the pipe30from turning inside the pipe-mounted coupler40.

FIG.8is a side view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40affixed to a vertical mount pipe30. The illustration includes one or more openings47, and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The pipe-mounted coupler40is illustrated as being mounted on a pipe30. The pipe30is illustrated with the pipe opening31positioned to mate with the locking protrusion44(not shown).

FIG.9is a side view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler40affixed to a vertical mount pipe30. The illustration includes the connection bridge43and an accessory, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The pipe-mounted coupler40is illustrated as being mounted on a pipe30. The pipe30is illustrated with the pipe opening31. A second, third, or fourth pipe opening31may be positioned every 90 degrees around the circumference of the pipe30or in any other suitable configuration. For example, a pipe opening31may be positioned to mate with one or more locking protrusions44(not shown).

FIG.10is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pipe-mounted coupler affixed to a vertical mount pipe. The illustration includes the locking protrusion44, two connection bridges43, the stop rim45, the opening47, and two accessories, such as coupler10, as described with reference toFIG.1. The pipe-mounted coupler40is illustrated as being mounted on a pipe30. The pipe30is positioned inside the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40, up to the stop rim45. The stop rim45prevents the pipe30from sliding further into the pipe-mounted coupler40. The pipe30is illustrated with the pipe opening31in at least two positions of the pipe. The two pipe openings31are illustrated as being 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the pipe30. One pipe opening31is illustrated as being positioned adjacent to the locking protrusion44such that the locking protrusion44protrudes into the adjacent pipe opening31. The locking protrusion44is visible through the unused opening31. The protrusion locks the pipe-mounted coupler40in place and prevents the pipe30from turning inside the pipe-mounted coupler40.

In an example using an industry standard drape rod or pipe, the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40is 0.030 inches larger than the outer diameter of the pipe30. In the example, the outer diameter of a standard pipe30is 1.482 inches and the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40is 1.522 inches. The locking protrusion44protrudes 0.04 inches outward from the inner diameter of the pipe-mounted coupler40. In the example, the locking protrusion44has a three-degree slope from the edge to the center of the locking protrusion44.