Title of Invention

"LATCHING STAIR ROAD ASSEMBLY

Abstract The present invention relates to a latchable stair rod bracket. The said stair rod bracket comprises a separate mounting base component and upper bracket component. The mounting base is mounted to a stair riser and tread, preferably using two screws. The mounting base component is secured to the tread in any suitable manner and it includes an aperture or an open, elongate channel. The upper bracket component conforms to the shape of the mounting base component, so that, when they are mounted together, they define a single, integral bracket. Extending out from the upper bracket component is a latch that latchably engages into the opening or channel of the mounting base. A stair rod can be easily removed or installed by sliding the upper bracket to disengage it and then by lifting it away from the mounting base. Assembly and disassembly of a stair rod bracket according to the present invention is not impeded or made difficult by the framework of the stairs.
Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the carpeting and hardware industries and, in particular, to a latching stair rod bracket design that facilitates installation and assembly of the stair rod brackets and stair rod, as well as the removal of a stair rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many conventional stair rod bracket designs comprise hinged designs, where a top portion of the bracket is attached to a base portion via a hinge mechanism, A bracket having such hinge design is difficult to attach to the stair tread and corresponding riser because the top portion can be swung open only as far as the stair riser will allow, thus obscuring the attached base and interfering with the installation of the mounting screws in the base portion. Blackstone (U.S. Patent 6,338,179) shows one such design.
Another conventional stair rod bracket design is described in Zoroufy (U.S. Patent No. 5,960,516), which is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, this stair rod bracket design comprises a transversely interconnecting slidable stair rod bracket design. With this design, a stair rod bracket comprises, for example, a top portion and a bottom portion, a plurality of projections and complementary shaped channels for receiving the projections disposed on the top and bottom portions, for transverse engagement of the top and bottom portions, and a travel stop on the bottom portion for stopping the lateral travel of the top portion with respect to the bottom portion. With this lateral slidable design, removal of the stair rod may be difficult due to minimal clearance between the bracket and the sidewall (or stair stringer) of the stair. Further, with this design, it is not possible to slide the bracket away from the sidewall of the stairs because the stair rod and the bracket as thus designed prevent such movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a latchable stair rod bracket design that facilitates the installation procedure and the assembly and disassembly of the brackets and the removal of the stair rod. In one embodiment of the present invention, a stair rod bracket comprises a separate mounting base component and upper bracket component. The mounting base is mounted to a stair riser and tread, preferably using two screws. In the mounting base there is an open channel groove and the upper bracket has a latch that latchably engages into the channel groove of the mounting base.
Accordingly, the present invention comprises a stair rod bracket 22 for holding a stair rod 18 in place on a staircase 10, comprising: a first portion having a latch 44 extending therefrom; and a second portion having an opening into which said latch of said first portion capable of being removably retained, wherein said first and second portion capable of being moved vertically with respect to each other for engagement to each other and disengagement from each other, with the proviso such that the said stair rod bracket 22 has a means for holding said stair rod.
Accordingly, the present invention further comprises pair of stair rod brackets each of which is identical as above wherein the said stair rod brackets are mirror images of each other and oriented for the other side of the staircase to constitute a stair rod assembly device for securing a covering on a stair case 10 and a stair rod assembly device for securing a covering on a stair case 10 comprising a stair rod 18 resting on said covering; and stair rod brackets 22 holding said stair rod 18 in position on said covering; wherein each of said stair rod brackets 22 comprises a first portion having a latch 44 extending out therefrom; and a second portion having an opening for receiving said latch 44 of said first portion for vertical engagement 32 of said first and second portions; wherein said first and second portion are capable of being moved vertically with respect to each other for engagement to each other and disengagement from each other.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRiPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stair riser bar in position on a staircase, and
showing the latchable stair rod brackets of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a latchable stair rod bracket according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an inside side view of the mounting base component;
Figure 4 is a front view of the mounting base component;
Figure 5 is an outside side view of the mounting base component;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the mounting base component;
Figure 7 is a top view of the mounting base component;
Figure 8 is a bottom view of the mounting base component;
Figure 9 is an outside side view of the upper bracket component;
Figure 10 is a rear view of the upper bracket component;
Figure 11 is an inside side view of the upper bracket component;
Figure 12 is a front view of the upper bracket component;
Figure 13 is a top view of the upper bracket component;
Figure 14 is a bottom view of the upper bracket component; and
Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment, similar to Figure
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be

embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.
The present invention is directed to a latchable stair rod bracket design that facilitates the installation procedure and the assembly and disassembly of the stair rod bracket and the removal of a stair rod. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a latchable stair rod bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Carpeting, carpet runners and other floor covering are often used to cover the stairs of a staircase. Stair rods are frequently used, both for their decorative aspects, as well as their functional attributes in bearing against the covering on the stairs.
As shown in Figure 1, a standard staircase 10 may have any number of steps or treads 12 connected by risers 14. The specific number of treads and risers will depend on the location and size of the staircase, as is well known. For illustrative purposes, a carpet runner 16 is shown in place, and is stretched to exactly cover the tread and risers, as is known in the industry.
Stair rods 18 are then used for both decorative purposes, and also for securing the covering in place. As is well known, the ends 20 of the stair rod are held in the stair rod brackets 22. One way to do this is to use a finial 24, as taught in Zoroufy (U.S. Patent 5,960,516). The finial has an enlarged head with a threaded shaft. This threaded shaft passes through an opening in the bracket and its end is screwed into a threaded opening in the end of the stair rod. Alternatively, the opening in the bracket can be made to a suitable size so that the stair rod is held in place with a friction fit in the bracket.

The stair rod brackets 22 are mirror images of each other, and, therefore, only one of them will be described herein (see Figure 2). It may be appreciated that the other bracket is made in the same manner, but oriented for the other side of the staircase. The carpet rod is held in place by opposing blind openings in the left and right stair rod brackets. For aesthetic reasons, a finial may be attached to the bracket.
A mounting base component 26 and an upper bracket component 28 comprise the stair rod bracket 22. The mounting base component 26 has a horizontal segment or leg 30 secured to the stair tread 12 in any suitable manner, as by screws or adhesives. A vertical segment or leg 32 is secured to the stair riser. In the vertical leg 32 of the mounting base component 26 there is an aperture or an open, elongate channel 34. For reasons that will be hereinafter explained, on a top surface 38 of the horizontal segment 30, there is a threaded opening 40.
The upper bracket component 28 conforms to the shape of the mounting base component 26, so that, when they are mounted together, they define a single, integral bracket. Extending downward from the top 42 of the upper bracket component 28 is a latch 44 that latchably engages into the opening or channel 34 of the mounting base 26. As may be appreciated, it is only necessary for the opening or groove to be deep enough to securely hold the latch, and it is not necessary for the opening or groove to extend the entire length of the vertical leg 32 of the mounting base component 26.
Within the central region 46 of the upper bracket component 28, there is an opening 48 on the inside-facing surface to hold the ends of the stair rod, in one of the heretofore-mentioned manners. If a finial is used for aesthetic purposes, then it would be attached through an opening 49 on the outside-facing surface of the bracket.

To secure the mounting base component 26 and the upper bracket component 28 securely together, a screw device 50 is used. It may have an enlarged head 52 for gripping, and the surface may be knurled or slotted to facilitate handling. A threaded shaft 54 extends from the enlarged head. On the upper surface of the central portion of the upper bracket component 28 there is an opening 56 through which the threaded shaft 54 extends. The end of the threaded shaft 54 is screwed into the threaded opening 40 in the mounting base component 26. In this manner the pieces can be held securely together.
Advantageously, with this invention, the lower portion of the bracket (i.e., base) is readily installed with one screw to the stair riser and a second screw to the stair tread. This can be done quickly by the installer. Additionally the stair rod and upper portion of the bracket can easily be removed or installed (for cleaning or carpet replacement) by unscrewing the screw device and pulling the upper bracket up and away from the mounting base. Assembly and disassembly of a stair rod bracket according to the present invention is not impeded or made difficult by the framework of the stairs.
In some arrangements, it may be desirable to have the latch on the mounting base 26, and the opening or groove in the upper bracket component 28. Such a structure would work in the same basic manner. Another alternate embodiment is shown in Figure 15. Here the mounting base 126 has an opening 134 on its inner vertical surface. Extending out horizontally (not down) from the upper portion of the upper bracket component 128 is the latch 144. The latch fits into the opening and a slight hook or bend at the end of the latch holds the latch in the opening.
The particular size of the brackets will depend on the diameter of the stair rod. The greater the rod diameter, the larger the bracket needs to be. The length of the latch must be sufficient to enter the opening or groove sufficiently deeply that the pieces will hold together without separating.

As designed, the upper bracket component can only move vertically, as the latch prevents movement in any other direction. This prevents the upper bracket component from acting as a lever/fulcrum. Any stress placed on the screw device 50 will not ovenA/helm it, as the screw device is basically meant to be for finger tightening.
A stair rod bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention may be used with a stair rod comprising a 1/2 or 5/8 inch O.D. (outer diameter) tubular rod. The components of the stair rod bracket may be made of solid brass, coated to prevent tarnishing.
It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that other control methods and apparatuses can be derived from the combinations of the various methods and apparatuses of the present invention as taught by the description and the accompanying drawings and these shall also be considered within the scope of the present invention. Further, description of such combinations and variations is therefore omitted above. It should also be noted that the host for storing the applications include but not limited to a computer, printer or a multi function device.
Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are possible and are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.




I Claim
1. A stair rod bracket 22 for holding a stair rod 18 in place on a staircase 10, comprising: a first portion having a latch 44 extending therefrom; and a second portion having an opening into which said latch of said first portion capable of being removably retained, wherein said first and second portion capable of being moved vertically with respect to each other for engagement to each other and disengagement from each other, with the proviso such that the said stair rod bracket 22 has a means for holding said stair rod.
2. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means for holding said stair rod comprises an aperture in said first portion
3. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said second portion is secured to said staircase 10.
4. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said opening in said second portion comprises an elongate groove 34.
5. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said latch 44 extends out from said first portion in a vertical direction.
6. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said latch 44 extends out from said first portion in a horizontal direction.
7. A stair rod bracket 22 as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the said latch has a hook portion at the distal end.
8. A pair of stair rod brackets each of which is identical as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said stair rod brackets are mirror images of each other and oriented for the other side of the staircase to constitute a stair rod assembly device for securing a covering on a stair case 10.

9. A stair rod assembly device for securing a covering on a stair case 10 as claimed in claim 8 comprising a stair rod 18 resting on said covering; and stair rod brackets 22 holding said stair rod 18 in position on said covering; wherein each of said stair rod brackets 22 comprises a first portion having a latch 44 extending out therefrom; and a second portion having an opening for receiving said latch 44 of said first portion for vertical engagement 32 of said first and second portions; wherein said first and second portion are capable of being moved vertically with respect to each other for engagement to each other and disengagement from each other.
10. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claims 8 and 9 wherein the means for holding the said stair rod are properly aligned to hold the stair rod.
11. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in claims 8 to 10 wherein said means for holding said stair rod 18 comprises an aperture in said first portion of each bracket.
12. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claims 8 to 11, wherein said second portion of each bracket is secured to said staircase 10.
13. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claims 8 to 12 wherein said opening in said second portion of each bracket comprises an elongate groove 34.
14. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claim 8 to 13, wherein said latch extends out from said first portion of each bracket in a vertical direction.
15. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claims 8 to 14, wherein said latch 44 extends out from said first portion of each bracket in a horizontal direction.

16. A stair rod assembly device as claimed in Claims 8 to 15, wherein the
said latch of a bracket has a hook portion at the distal end.
17. A stair rod bracket as substantially herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
18. A stair rod assembly device as substantially herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.


Documents:

600-che-2003-abstract.pdf

600-che-2003-claims duplicate.pdf

600-che-2003-claims original.pdf

600-che-2003-correspondnece-others.pdf

600-che-2003-correspondnece-po.pdf

600-che-2003-description(complete) duplicate.pdf

600-che-2003-description(complete) original.pdf

600-che-2003-drawings.pdf

600-che-2003-form 1.pdf

600-che-2003-form 19.pdf

600-che-2003-form 26.pdf

600-che-2003-form 3.pdf

600-che-2003-form 5.pdf


Patent Number 196292
Indian Patent Application Number 600/CHE/2003
PG Journal Number 20/2006
Publication Date 19-May-2006
Grant Date 20-Dec-2005
Date of Filing 28-Jul-2003
Name of Patentee BENJAMIN I. KAUFMAN
Applicant Address SON OF MR. SAUL KAUFMAN AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS RESIDING AT 610 WILLIS AVENUE, WILLISTON PARK, NEW YOK 11596, USA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KAUFMAN I. BENJAMIN 610 WILLIS AVENUE, WILLISTON PARK, NEW YOK 11596, USA.
PCT International Classification Number A47G27/06
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA