초록

A system and method for tensioning cables for use in railings includes anchor bodies positioned in posts to receive terminal ends of cables and tensioner members that apply force to the terminal ends of the cables.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A railing system comprising, a plurality of posts,a plurality of cables extending between the plurality of posts, each cable having first and second terminal ends, anda plurality of tensioning anchors each coupling the cables to at least one of the plurality of posts, each of the tensioning ancho

1. A railing system comprising, a plurality of posts,a plurality of cables extending between the plurality of posts, each cable having first and second terminal ends, anda plurality of tensioning anchors each coupling the cables to at least one of the plurality of posts, each of the tensioning anchors including an anchor body positioned in at least one of the plurality of posts and including first and second conjoined holes only partially overlapping one another, the first conjoined hole sized to receive the first terminal end of one of the plurality of cables, anda tensioner member sized to be received in the second conjoined hole and fixed to a respective cable relative to the first terminal end, such that movement of the tensioner member within the second conjoined hole moves the first terminal end of the respective cable relative to the anchor body during tensioning of the cable. 2. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner member is positioned in the anchor body. 3. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the anchor body has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a face of at least one of the plurality of posts in which the anchor body is positioned. 4. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the exterior of the anchor body is threaded. 5. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner member is threaded into the anchor body. 6. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner member has a hole configured to receive a tool bit. 7. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner member comprises a lobed washer that receives the cable and is sized to be received in the first conjoined hole, anda lobe extension sized to be received in the second conjoined hole. 8. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the cable has the first terminal end positioned in the anchor body and bends at a location outside and adjacent to the anchor body. 9. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the tensioner is positioned substantially closer to the first terminal end than the second terminal end of a respective one of the plurality of cables. 10. The railing system of claim 1, wherein the first and second conjoined holes define respective longitudinal axes which are substantially parallel and offset. 11. A tensioning anchor, the tensioning anchor comprising, a cable tensioner having an axis of rotation, andan anchor body, the anchor body including a first void sized to receive a terminal end of a cable, the axis of rotation of the cable tensioner configured to be positioned parallel to and spaced away from a longitudinal axis of the cable when the terminal end of the cable is received in the void, anda second void conjoined with the first void, the second void being sized to receive the cable tensioner during tensioning of the cable, the first and second conjoined voids only partially overlapping one another. 12. The tensioning anchor of claim 11, further comprising a post, wherein the anchor body is configured to be positioned directly adjacent to the post when anchored to the post. 13. The tensioning anchor of claim 11, wherein the anchor body is capable of being screwed into a post. 14. The tensioning anchor of claim 11, wherein the tensioner member is configured to be positioned substantially closer to a first terminal end of a cable when the tensioning anchor is coupled to the cable than to a second terminal end of the cable. 15. A method for assembling a rail comprising, providing a plurality of posts, at least one cable, and a tensioning anchor,securing the tensioning anchor into a face of one of the plurality of posts,positioning a terminal end of the cable into a first bore formed in the tensioning anchor so the cable extends outwardly from the face of the post, the first bore defining a first longitudinal axis,positioning a tensioner member into a second bore formed in the tensioning anchor, the tensioner member fixed to the at least one cable,the second bore defining a second longitudinal axis offset from the first longitudinal axis, such that the first and second bores at least partially overlap one another, andadvancing the tensioner member into the second bore such that the terminal end of the cable also advances relative to the tensioning anchor to tension the cable. 16. The method for assembling a rail of claim 15, wherein the step of advancing the terminal end of the cable includes moving the cable inwardly from the face of the post. 17. The method for assembling a rail of claim 15, wherein the tensioner member is fixed to the at least one cable by a step of crimping the tensioner member onto the cable. 18. The method for assembling a rail of claim 15, wherein the step of advancing the terminal end of the cable includes driving the tensioner member of the tensioning anchor into an anchor body of the tensioning anchor. 19. The method for assembling a rail of claim 15, further comprising a step of bending a portion of the cable adjacent to and outside of the tensioning anchor.