Abstract:
Provided are a system for clamping an object to a railing and a table and apparatus using the system. In one aspect, the system for clamping an object to a railing includes: a threaded bolt, a knob secured to a first end of the bolt, a first wing with an elongated body that is carried on the bolt, and a second wing with an elongated body that is threadedly engaged on the bolt. The first wing is positioned on the bolt between the knob and the second wing. In addition, the first and second wings are movable toward and away from the knob between a clamping and a non-clamping position.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/898,592, filed Jan. 31, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a system for clamping an object to a railing and a table or apparatus using the system, and more particularly to an adaptable system for clamping an object to a railing and a table or apparatus using the system for use with railings or other structures having similar horizontal or vertical supports. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, objects such as tables, shelves or benches confined by railings such as those on balconies are typically loose and may be light or easily blown away. Some systems for securing such objects to railings involve permanently welding fixtures onto railings and are either prohibited by building code or building management. Other systems are limited to use with railings with supports oriented in a particular direction or of a particular spacing. 
         [0004]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,993 discloses a device for clamping accessories to railings that is only applicable for railings having vertical supports. This device uses a clamping board on the outside of the railing and has precisely leveled bolt holes in the clamping board and assembly, and requires manipulation of tools outside the railing with the danger of dropping tools or the nuts of the bolts of the assembly off of the balcony. This clamping system could not secure a table to a railing with horizontal supports. In addition, the system is not adaptable for railings of differing support spacings. 
         [0005]    The invention disclosed herein overcomes the disadvantages of such systems. For example, the clamping system disclosed herein can be adapted for use with railing supports of varying orientation by changing the dimensions and spacing of the components of the clamping system. In addition, the components of the clamping system disclosed herein can be assembled before being moved to a railing to avoid the danger of dropping components off of the balcony during assembly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    To solve the above problems, provided are a system for clamping an object to a railing and a table using the system. The system can be adapted for use with various objects and railing support orientations, and its components can be assembled before being moved to a railing. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment, a system for clamping an object to a railing includes: a threaded bolt; a knob secured to a first end of the bolt; a first wing having an elongated body, the first wing being carried on the bolt; and a second wing having an elongated body, the second wing being threadedly engaged on the bolt. In this embodiment, the first wing is positioned on the bolt between the knob and the second wing, and the first and second wings are movable toward and away from the knob between a clamping and a non-clamping position. The system may further include: the bolt passing through a clamping panel, a set of holes for receiving the bolt, the second wing having a nut, wings of a certain length and a pin passing through the bolt. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a table for clamping to a railing includes: a threaded bolt; a clamping panel attached to an edge of the table and carried on the bolt; a first wing having an elongated body, the first wing being carried on the bolt; and a second wing having an elongated body, the second wing being threadedly engaged on the bolt. In this embodiment, the first wing is positioned on the bolt between the clamping panel and second wing, and the first and second wings are movable toward and away from the clamping panel between a clamping and a non-clamping position. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for clamping to a first and second vertical support, the first and second vertical supports being spaced from each other by a distance, includes: a clamping panel attached to the apparatus, at least part of the clamping panel being longer than the distance between the first and second vertical supports; a threaded bolt having a head at one end, the bolt passing through a hole in the clamping panel; and a wing having an elongated body and being threadedly engaged on the bolt. In this embodiment, the clamping panel is positioned on the bolt between the head of the bolt and the wing, and the wing is movable toward and away from the clamping panel between a clamping and a non-clamping position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a system for clamping to a railing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a table for clamping onto a railing using the clamping system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a left-side view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to horizontal rails; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to horizontal rails; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C illustrate alternative arrangements of holes in a clamping panel according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to vertical rails; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to horizontal rails; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates a rear view of the table shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to vertical rails. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    A clamping system for securing specially designed tables, shelves, benches, and other items to railings or other structures having similar vertical or horizontal supports is described herein. The clamping system, generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 12 , secures tables, shelves, benches, or other items to railings or other vertical or horizontal supports similar to those of railings. The system makes surfaces stable for dining, serving, writing, card or board games, or electronic devices such as radios, televisions, etc. The clamping system can be adapted to secure other items, e.g. grills, potted plants, flag poles or similar items. The various items that can be attached to railings are hereafter referred to as accessories. 
         [0024]    The clamping system is preferably used for accessories on outdoor balconies or decks. The system may be used on the railings of stairwells or adapted to secure accessories to wooden or metal railings of decks and porches or other structures. 
         [0025]    Railings prevent stepping or falling off and depending on different building codes are typically about 40″ or higher. Commonly, the top rails are supported by vertical posts approximately 4′ to 6′ apart and are anchored to the floor. The space between the top rail, the floor, and the vertical parts is made impassable by vertical spindles approximately 5″ apart or horizontal bars between the top rail and the floor approximately 5″ apart. Spindles are typically made of welded wrought iron or steel. The cross section of spindles and bars are square, oblong, or circular and measure from approximately ¾″ to 2″ in the level of the greatest dimension. Typically, railings are designed to minimally obstruct view and allow the free flow of air through them. As noted above, the clamping system disclosed herein can be used in any situation with suitably sturdy and spaced vertical or horizontal supports, and is not limited to use with only railings. 
         [0026]    Railings are necessarily strong and accessories attached to railings should be as secure from movement or displacement as the method for securing them is strong. Accessories are subject to displacement by movement of people, particularly in the crowded floor space of most apartment balconies, or by winds. Most apartments have limited storage space so the clamping system and accessories should be lightweight for moving and nearly flat for convenient storage. The clamping system described herein accommodates the various configurations of railings or other supports and the special conditions for securing accessories to them. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of the clamping system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clamping system  10  includes a threaded bolt  12  with a knob  14  at one end, a plastic washer  22 , a first wing  16 , a second wing  18  and a ring cotter pin  20 . The bolt  12  passes through the hole of the washer  22 , the hole  17  of the first wing  16  and the hole  19  of the second wing  18 . The hole of the second wing  18  has a nut  21  embedded in it. The ring cotter pin  20  is inserted in a hole near the end of the bolt  12  opposite to the knob  14 . 
         [0028]    The ring cotter pin  20  is used to prevent the first wing  16  and the second wing  18  from falling off of the bolt  12 . Other devices that serve the same function as the ring cotter pin  20 , such as a nut, cap, knob or regular cotter pin may also be arranged at the end of the bolt  12  to prevent the wings from coming off of the bolt. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the diameter of the knob  14  provides sufficient leverage for the clamp  10  to be tightened firmly. In an embodiment, the knob may be attached to a head of the bolt. In another embodiment, the knob may serve as the head of the bolt. As for the bolt  12 , typically, a ¼″ threaded rod (bolt) is sufficient for a clamp for smaller accessories and a 5/16″ bolt is sufficient for a clamp for larger accessories. Embodiments of the present invention may use knobs and bolts of various dimensions and are not limited to the dimensions mentioned herein. 
         [0030]    One or more washers may be disposed on the bolt  12  to reduce friction between the parts of the clamping system  10 , or between the clamping system  10  and an accessory. The clamp  10  includes a plastic (such as Lexon®) washer  22  to reduce the friction between the knob  14  and a clamping panel (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), which is described in detail below. In another embodiment, the washer may be disposed between the knob and a clamped accessory to reduce the friction between them. 
         [0031]    The clamping system  10  includes two wings: a wing  18  with a threaded nut  21  or plate embedded in it, and a wing  16  with a hole larger than the bolt  12  so it can slide easily on the bolt  12 . The wings  16  and  18  of the clamping system  10  are preferably strong, e.g., ¾″×¾″ or 1″×1″ oak. In an embodiment, the wings have a length of 7½″ and each has either an unthreaded hole or a hole with a threaded nut in the center. The length of 7½″ is preferably selected for use on standard railings, but may vary, especially for clamps to be used on other structures. 
         [0032]    In the clamping system  10  of  FIG. 1 , the hole  17  of the first wing  16  is large enough so that the first wing can easily slide on the bolt  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the hole  17  of the first wing  16  does not contain threads; however, the hole of the first wing may be threaded in other embodiments. In the clamping system  10  of  FIG. 1 , the hole  19  of the second wing  18  includes threads so that the second wing  18  can be screwed onto the bolt  12 . The hole  19  contains a threaded nut  21  to provide the threads. In another embodiment, the threaded wing does not contain a nut, but contains threads etched inside the hole of the wing. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a table  30  using the clamping system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The table  30  includes a clamping panel  32 . The clamping panel  32  serves to secure the table  30  to one or more clamps  10 . The clamping panel  32  also serves to keep objects from spilling or rolling off of the top  34  of the table  30  to the area behind a railing, such as off of the edge of a balcony and onto the ground below. If the table  30  were attached to rails or similar supports, the clamping panel  32  would typically be the component adjacent to the rails or supports. 
         [0034]    A clamping panel can have various configurations depending on what it secures. In an embodiment, the clamping panel may be constructed as part of a small serving table. In another embodiment such as the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the clamping panel  32  may be T-shaped and include a vertical component  36  perpendicular to the horizontal component of the clamping panel  32 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the clamping panel  32  may extend to the floor to support the hinged table  30 . The clamping panel  32  may also be attached to hinged gate legs  38  and  40  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, a clamping panel may be adapted for securing a grill or other object to a railing. In an embodiment, a clamping panel may include C-shaped supports attached to the panel, and a strap, a rope or a chain may secure an item such as a grill, a flower pot, etc. to the clamping panel using the C-shaped supports. The construction of a clamping panel can be of any material strong and rigid enough to accept the tightened clamps without crushing the other components of the accessory. 
         [0036]    On the front side of the clamping panel  32  is knob  14 . The knob  14  is attached to the front end of the clamp  10 . The table  30  shown in  FIG. 2  uses two clamps, one at the left side and one at the right side of the clamping panel  32 . However, other embodiments may use only 1 clamp or more than 2 clamps. The number of clamps used may correspond to the weight and size of the clamped accessory. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the table  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the clamping panel  32  of the table  30  includes multiple holes—hole  44 , hole  48 , and the hole behind knob  14  attached at the front of clamp  10 . In a preferred embodiment, depending on the size and configuration of the clamping panel, there can be two or more sets of holes, each set accommodating a clamp, and each set can include four to nine or more holes. Other embodiments may include elongated slots for accommodating the clamp. 
         [0038]    The holes  44 ,  48  and the hole behind knob  14  on the clamping panel are sized to receive the threaded bolt  12  of the winged clamp  10 . The holes  44 ,  48  and the hole behind knob  14  are larger than the threaded bolt  12  so that bolt  12  can slide easily through them. In another embodiment, the holes of the clamping panel may be threaded to engage the threads of the bolt. Embodiments of the present invention may use, for example, 5/15″ holes for ¼″ bolts, or 7/16″ for 5/16″ bolts. 
         [0039]    The holes may be arranged in many ways including in a linear arrangement as shown in  FIG. 3  or a rectangular arrangement. The holes  44 ,  48  and the hole behind knob  14  allow for the clamping system  10  to be flexibly arranged on the clamping panel  32  to accommodate various arrangements and spacing of rails. Preferably, the distance between holes of a set is approximately 1.5″ on center in both vertical and horizontal directions, and the distance between sets of holes on the length of the panels is 10″ or multiples of 10″ depending on the length of the clamping panel. This configuration of holes allows selection of vertical and horizontal distances which permit the wings of the clamps to pass through the open spaces between vertical spindles or horizontal bars to the outside of the railing and be turned at various angles to clasp the spindles or bars of the railing. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the vertical component of the clamping panel  32  and the gate legs  38  and  40  are adjustable in length. The length of the vertical component may be altered by screwing and unscrewing component  42  to accommodate various arrangements and spacing of rails. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the table  30 . As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the table  30  includes two bolts  12  and  12  passing through the clamping panel  32  and the threaded wings  18  and  18  of two clamps. At the end of each bolt  12  is ring cotter pin  20 . The winged clamps secure the clamping panel  32  to a railing (not shown). Usually, two clamps are used to secure a clamping panel to a railing. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, the clamping system functions as follows. The winged clamps are assembled on the clamping panel before the accessory is moved to the railing. As shown in the side view of table  30  in  FIG. 5 , a knobbed bolt  12  is passed through a hole in one set of holes on clamping panel  32  such that knob  14  is arranged on the front side of the clamping panel  32 ; similarly a second bolt (not shown) is passed through a hole in a 2nd set of holes (the same procedure would typically be used for a 3rd bolt if the clamping panel has 3 sets of holes and uses 3 bolts). Holes are preferably selected so that a bolt, after passing through a hole, will be approximately 2″ to 3″ from the nearest vertical spindle or horizontal bar of the railing. After the bolt  12  passes through the clamping panel  32 , the bolt  12  is passed through the unthreaded wing  16  and then screwed through the threaded wing  18 . A ring cotter pin  20  is inserted in a hole at the end of the bolt  12 . In an embodiment, a bolt may extend beyond the wing farthest from the knob approximately 1″. In other embodiments, the bolt may extend beyond the wing farthest from the knob by more or less than 1″. The accessory, table  30 , with the clamping system  10  is now ready to be moved and clamped to the railing. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of table  30  using clamping system  10 . The knobbed bolt  12  passes through a hole in the clamping panel  32  attached to the table  10 . The knob  14  is arranged on the front side of the clamping panel  32 , while the unthreaded wing  16 , threaded wing  18  and ring cotter pin  20  are arranged on the bolt  12  on the back side of the clamping panel  32 . The wings  16  and  18  are positioned in a substantially horizontal direction as they may be positioned if the table  30  were clamped to vertical rails. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the selection of the holes used for the clamps and the length of the wings assures that when the accessory is moved against a railing with vertical spindles, both wings, one against the other, can be turned 90 degrees to a horizontal position and be tightened by the knob of the bolt so that the wings clasp strongly the vertical spindles. In other embodiments, the wings may be turned at other angles greater than or less than 90 degrees. In this arrangement, the unthreaded wing may or may not be included on the clamp. For railings with horizontal bars, the unthreaded wing is preferably moved to the vertical position and remains next to the clamping panel while the threaded wing is moved to the horizontal position and is passed through the railing; the threaded wing is then moved to the vertical position. Typically, screwing the bolt tightens the wing against the railing. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of table  30  attached to a railing  50  with horizontal bars  50   a  and  50   b,  which are supported by vertical posts  50   c  and  50   d.  In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the vertical posts  50   c  and  50   d  are slightly larger than the horizontal bars  50   a  and  50   b.  In alternative embodiments, however, vertical posts may be the same size as, smaller than or larger than the horizontal bars of a railing. The clamping panel  32  of the table  30  is on the inside of the railing  50 , while the threaded wings  18  and  18  are on the outside of the railing. Ring cotter pins  20  and  20  are secured to the end of the bolts  12  and  12  on the outside of the railing. The threaded wings  18  and  18  and unthreaded wings  16  and  16  are turned about 90 degrees to a substantially vertical position, clamping horizontal rails  50   a  and  50   b.  In the alternative, if the table  10  were clamped to a railing with vertical rails, the threaded wings  18  and  18  and unthreaded wings  16  and  16  would be turned about 90 degrees to a substantially horizontal position. In this scenario, both the unthreaded wings  16  and  16 , and the threaded wings  18  and  18  could be positioned on the outside of the railing. The wings can be positioned in other directions as well and are not limited to horizontal and vertical positions for clamping. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of the table  30  attached to the railing  50 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the unthreaded wings  16  and  16  are on the part of bolts  12  and  12  on the inside of the railing  50 , while the threaded wings  18  and  18  are on the part of bolts  12  and  12  on the outside of the railing  60 . Ring cotter pins  20  and  20  are secured to the end of the bolts  12  and  12  on the outside of the railing. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C illustrate alternate arrangements for holes on a clamping panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 9A , a set  52  of five holes  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  and  48  is arranged in a cross-shaped pattern on the right side of table  30 . Similarly, a set  60  of five holes  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  is arranged in the same cross-shaped pattern on the left side of table  30 . In this embodiment, each set  52  and  60  of holes accommodates one clamp. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 9B , a set  70  of five holes  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67  and  68  is arranged in an X-shaped pattern on the right side of the table  30 , and a set  80  of five holes  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77  and  78  is arranged in the same X-shaped pattern on the left side of table  30 . 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 9C , a set of nine holes, including holes  82 ,  84  and  86  and a hole above and below each of holes  82 ,  84  and  86  are arranged in a rectangular pattern on the right side of table  30 . Similarly, a set of nine holes, including holes  92 ,  94  and  96  and a hole above and below each of holes  92 ,  94  and  96  are arranged in a rectangular pattern on the left side of table  30 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate that the clamping panel  32  of table  30  may include multiple holes so that the table  30  can be used with railings with varying orientations and spacing. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in the number or arrangement of holes for accommodating clamps. Typically, each set of holes accommodates one clamp. However, some embodiments may not use a clamp for each set of holes, i.e., there may be 4 sets of holes and only 2 clamps used. In this scenario, one may choose which sets of holes will be used. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the table  30  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to vertical rails  100   a  and  100   b.  In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , wings  16  and  18  are positioned horizontally so that they are substantially perpendicular to the vertical rails  100   a  and  100   b  of railing  100 . A ring cotter pin  20  is secured near the end of the bolt  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , both wings  16  and  18  are adjacent to each other and positioned on the side of the railing  100  opposite the table  30 . In this embodiment, the rails  100   a  and  100   b  are clamped between the wing  16  and clamping panel  32 . Alternatively, wing  16  could be removed from the clamping system such that rails  100   a  and  100   b  are clamped between wing  18  and clamping panel  32 . In another embodiment, wing  16  could be positioned on one side of rails  100   a  and  100   b  and wing  18  could be positioned on the other side of rails  100   a  and  100   b.    
         [0052]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the table  30  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to horizontal rails  102   a  and  102   b.  In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , wings  16  and  18  are positioned vertically so that they are substantially perpendicular to the horizontal rails  102   a  and  102   b  of railing  102 . In this embodiment, wing  16  is positioned on one side of the railing  102  and is adjacent to the clamping panel  32 , and wing  18  is positioned on the other side of the railing  102 . A ring cotter pin  20  is secured near the end of the bolt  12 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  illustrates a rear view of the table  30  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  clamped to vertical rails. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , threaded wings  18  and  18  are positioned horizontally so that they are substantially perpendicular to vertical rails  104   a,    104   b,    104   c  and  104   d  of railing  104 . Similar to the railing  50  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the railing  104  of  FIG. 12  has vertical support posts  104   e  and  104   f  ( 50   c  and  50   d  in  FIG. 7 ) that are slightly larger than the rails  104   a,    104   b,    104   c  and  104   d  ( 50   a  and  50   b  in  FIG. 7 ). In this embodiment, rails  104   a,    104   b,    104   c  and  104   d  may be clamped between wings  18  and  18  and the clamping panel  32 . Alternatively, rails  104   a,    104   b,    104   c  and  104   d  may be clamped between wings  18  and  18  and wings  16  and  16 . A ring cotter pin  20  is secured near the end of each bolt  12 . 
         [0054]    Using the embodiments described in  FIGS. 1 through 12 , accessories can be clamped securely to the railings, or other supports, regardless of the usual configuration of vertical spindles and horizontal bars. The procedure is done in the space protected by the railing without complex manipulation outside the railing. There is no danger to those securing the accessory or to people or property outside the railing from dropped tools or parts of the assembly. 
         [0055]    The clamping system can be constructed out of many different kinds of materials including: wood, fiberglass, marine or exterior plywood, melamine clad wood, fiberwood, metal, etc. The threaded bolts and nuts may be brass, bronze, or stainless steel. The wings of the clamp are preferably strong and stiff and can be constructed of hard wood, metal, or appropriate plastic. The longitudinal component of the clamping panel is preferably strong and stiff enough to withstand the pressure of the tightened clamp and dense enough where the holes pass through to not be crushed. The choice of material for constructing the clamping system depends on where it will be used. It is expected the clamping system will be used primarily outdoors and therefore should be constructed of materials resistant to water, weathering, freezing, and thawing. 
         [0056]    Although typical and preferred dimensions for various parts of the embodiments of the present invention are described herein, the present invention is not limited to those dimensions. 
         [0057]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.