PIVOT-LOAD VERTICAL RAILING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/680,955, filed on Aug. 8, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]Aspects hereof relate to a vertical railing system configured for easier installation.

BACKGROUND

[0003]A vertical railing is traditionally used in connection with decking and other surfaces as a barrier. Vertical railing is formed from a plurality of discrete balusters positioned between a top rail and a bottom rail. The assembly of individual vertical balusters between the top rail and the bottom rail is a tedious and labor-intensive task during installation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004]Aspects hereof provide for a railing barrier having vertical balusters maintained between a top rail and a bottom rail. The vertical balusters are positioned between the top rail and bottom rail in a side-load manner. The bottom rail and the top rail are positioned between two vertical railing posts. The bottom rail is secured between and to the vertical posts in any suitable manner. The top rail is also positioned between and to the vertical posts using brackets that allow pivoting of the top rail to secure the balusters in place. The top rail also has a plurality of apertures and/or slots that engage with the upper ends of the balusters. The top rail has a first position on the brackets that holds the top rail in a tilted position that exposes the apertures for side loading of the apertures. The top rail also has a second position on the brackets wherein the apertures fully engage the top ends of the balusters and wherein the top rail can be “snapped” into place on the brackets to secure the balusters in the railing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]The present disclosure is described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0006]FIG. 1 depicts an example of a side-loading railing having balusters installed, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof;

[0007]FIG. 2 depicts a section view of a side-loading railing with a baluster in an intermediate loading position, in accordance with aspects hereof;

[0008]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a top rail in its tilted position and the balusters partially held in the top rail apertures, in accordance with aspects hereof;

[0009]FIG. 4 depicts a section view of a top rail in its tilted position, in accordance with aspects hereof;

[0010]FIG. 5 depicts a section view of a post and the top rail in its tilted position, in accordance with aspects hereof;

[0011]FIG. 6 depicts a section view of the top rail in its final locked position, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof;

[0012]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a top bracket, in accordance with aspects hereof; and

[0013]FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the top bracket, in accordance with aspects hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]Aspects hereof provide apparatuses, systems, and/or methods directed to a side-load vertical railing structure. Specifically, a side-load vertical railing is comprised of a top rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The balusters are loaded into the structure by first positioning each baluster to a securing structure on the bottom rail and then pivoting the baluster into engagement with the top rails extending between adjacent vertical posts. The top rail has a structure that holds the balusters in a spaced horizontal relationship. The top rail has a first “tilted” position that allows the balusters to engage the holding structure of the top rail. The top rail also has a second “locked” position that locks the balusters into the railing system. The top rail is positioned between two brackets that allow the top rail to be held in its first “tilted”position and then pivoted to its second “locked”position.

[0015]Installation of traditional vertical railing is a labor-intensive process that includes initially mounting a bottom rail between two post members or other structures. The bottom rail typically has holes precut therein to receive the balusters. After the bottom rail is installed, the individual balusters are positioned in the holes on the bottom rail. The top rail is then positioned above the upper ends of the balusters positioned on the bottom rail. The top rail also has precut holes therein that will receive the top ends of the balusters. The top ends of the balusters will have to be aligned with the holes in the top rail as the top rail is put in place between the post members. The balusters during this process are often not maintained in exact vertical position and may in essence “flop” around in the holes on the bottom rail. This makes positioning the top rail difficult and labor-intensive, often requiring two people to do the installation. The above type of installation is referred to as a “stick build” type installation. Another type of traditional installation is a “lay flat” or prebuilt installation where the balusters are positioned between a top and bottom member or rail and secured thereto, before the railing section is positioned between the vertical posts. This is also a labor-intensive process where the entire railing framework needs to be lifted into place and secured to the posts. This can be particularly unwieldy as the rail sections can be anywhere from 6 to 10 feet long.

[0016]Aspects herein contemplate a side-load vertical railing including a top rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The balusters are loaded into the structure by first positioning each baluster to a securing structure on the bottom rail and then pivoting the baluster into engagement with the top rail extending between adjacent vertical posts. The top rail has a structure that holds the balusters in a spaced horizontal relationship. The top rail has a first “tilted” position that allows the balusters to engage the holding structure of the top rail. The top rail also has a second “locked” position that locks the balusters into the railing system. The top rail is positioned between two brackets that allow the top rail to be held in its first “tilted”position and then pivoted to its second “locked”position.

[0017]The aspects contemplated herein will be discussed in greater detail and with respect to the figures.

[0018]Turning to FIG. 1, the drawing depicts an example of a side-loading vertical railing system 100, in accordance with aspects hereof. Railing system 100 is comprised of a top rail 102, a plurality of balusters 104 and 106, and a bottom rail 108. The top rail 102 extends between the vertical posts 112 and 114 and engages the pivot brackets 110. The pivot brackets 110 allow the top rail 102 to be held in a first “tilted” position as shown in FIG. 1-5 and a second “locked” position as shown in FIG. 6. The brackets 110 are secured to the posts 112 and 114 via attachment apertures 116 formed in the bracket 110 and any suitable fastener, such as a screw, nail, or bolt. The bottom rail 108 can be connected to the posts 112 and 114 via any suitable bracket (not shown) utilizing any suitable fastener, such as a screw, nail, or bolt.

[0019]With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom rail 108 can have a plurality of horizontally spaced apertures 120 extending along a bottom rail top surface 122. The apertures 120 correspond to the laterally spaced locations of the balusters 104 and 106. The apertures 120 are configured to receive the bottom ends 124 of the balusters 104 and 106.

[0020]With reference to FIG. 1-7, the top rail 102 and its engagement with brackets 110 is described. The top rail 102 includes a top surface 126, a front wall 128, and a back wall 130. The back wall 130 includes a ledge 132 that is used to hold the top rail 102 in its tilted position, as will be more fully described below. The top rail has a longitudinally extending downward-facing channel 134 that is formed by front wall 128 and back wall 130. Also extending down the middle of channel 134 is a plurality of projection segments 136. Each projection segment 136 includes a lower generally cylindrical end 138 that is configured to hold the top rail 102 in its tilted position with the brackets 110 and to lock the top rail 102 to brackets 110, as will be more fully described below. A projection segment 136 cooperates with an adjacent projection segment, the front wall 128, and the back wall 130 to form slots 140 for receiving the upper ends 142 of the balusters 104 and 106. More specifically, channel 134 extends the entire length of the top rail 102. The projection segments 136 start and stop periodically along the length of channel 134. Between the adjacent projection segments 136 within channel 134 is where the slots 140 are formed. The gap between the adjacent projection segments 136 and the front wall 128 and back wall 130 forms the slots 140 for receiving the upper ends 142 of the balusters 104 and 106. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the brackets 110 include a longitudinally extending locking channel 144 for engaging the cylindrical end 138 of the projection segments 136 to lock the top rail 102 in its final “locked” position, as is shown in FIG. 6. The locking channel 144 includes longitudinally extending detents 146 that engage with the cylindrical end 138 of the projection segments 136 to “lock” and/or “snap” the top rail 102 into its final position. The brackets 110 also include a longitudinal extending ledge 148 for engaging the ledge 132 of the top rail 102 when the top rail 102 is in its “tilted” position to allow the positioning of the balusters 104 and 106, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The top rail 102 is held in its tilted position by engagement of the cylindrical end 138 of the projection segments 136 with a quarter circular groove 150.

[0021]During assembly, the bottom rail 108 is secured between the vertical support posts 112 and 114. The bottom rail 108 can be secured to the posts 112 and 114 via any suitable structure, such as a bracket (not shown) in conjunction with a fastener, such as a screw, nail or bolt, or any other attachment structure such as adhesive. The upper brackets 110 are then secured at their respective locations to posts 112 and 114 via the apertures 116 and any suitable fastener. The upper brackets 110 could also be secured via any other suitable attaching structure, such as an adhesive. Once the brackets 110 are secured to the posts 112 and 114, the top rail 102 can then be positioned on the brackets 110 in its “tilted” position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The top rail 102 is held in this “tilted” position by engagement of the ledge 132 of the top rail 102 with the ledge 148 of the brackets 110 and the engagement of the circular end 138 of the projection segment 136 with the circular groove 150 of the brackets 110.

[0022]Once the top rail 102 is in its temporary tilted position, the balusters 104 and 106, can then be loaded in a “side load” manner. The bottom ends 124 of the balusters 104 and 106 are positioned in the apertures 120 of the bottom rail 108. The balusters 104 and 106 are tilted upwardly such that the upper ends 142 of the balusters 104 and 106 are received in the slots 140 of the top rail 102, which are exposed when the top rail 102 is in its “tilted” position. This temporary tilted position allows the loading of the balusters 104 and 106 in a vertical position prior to the balusters being locked in place by pivoting the top rail 102 into its “locked” position. The top rail 102 is moved to its locked position by pivoting the top rail 102 about the ledge 148 of the bracket 110. As this is done, the cylindrical end 138 of the projection segment 136 is moved into channel 144, such that the end 138 passes over detents 146 to “snap” lock the top rail 102 to the brackets 110. With the pivoting of the top rail 102 into place, the front wall 128 of the top rail 102 passes over the top ends 142 of the balusters 104 and 106 such that the upper ends 142 are secured in slots 140. The upper ends 142 are secured in slots 140, which are defined by the front wall 128, the back wall 130, and the gaps between the projection segments 136. It is contemplated that the snapping of the projection segment 136 into channel 144 is sufficient to secure the top rail 102 to the brackets 110 and thus secure the balusters 104 and 106 in place. If desired, a suitable structure, such as a fastener, could be used to further secure the top rail 102 to the bracket 110.

[0023]Continuing, the top rail 102, the bottom rail 108, and the balusters 104 and 106 may be formed from any materials, such as aluminum, steel, wood, or any sort of plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, acrylic, and so forth). The rails and balusters may have any cross-section shape. For example, in some aspects the rails have a “U” cross-section shape, an “H” cross-section shape, a “T” cross-section shape, and the like. The balusters can also have any cross-section shape such as rectangular, circular, or oval. The rails and balusters may be any length (e.g., 4 ft. to 8 ft.). For example, the rails may come in standard lengths, such as 2 ft., 3 ft., 4 ft., 5 ft., 6 ft., 7 ft., 8 ft., 10 ft., 12 ft., or the like.

[0024]From the foregoing, it will be seen that this disclosure is one well-adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages that are obvious, and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

[0025]While specific elements and steps are discussed in connection to one another, it is understood that any element and/or steps provided herein are contemplated as being combinable with any other elements and/or steps regardless of explicit provision of the same while still being within the scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0026]As used herein and in connection with the claims listed hereinafter, the terminology “any of clauses” or similar variations of said terminology are intended to be interpreted such that features of claims/clauses may be combined in any combination. For example, an exemplary clause 4 may indicate the method/apparatus of any of clauses 1 through 3, which is intended to be interpreted such that features of clause 1 and clause 4 may be combined, elements of clause 2 and clause 4 may be combined, elements of clause 3 and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 1, 2, and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 2, 3, and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be combined, and/or other variations. Further, the terminology “any of clauses” or similar variations of said terminology are intended to include “any one of clauses” or other variations of such terminology, as indicated by some of the examples provided above.

[0027]The following clauses are aspects contemplated herein.

[0028]Clause 1. A railing system comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail; wherein the bottom rail has a plurality of securing structures horizontally securing a bottom portion of each baluster while allowing tilting of the baluster to a vertical position; wherein the top rail has a plurality of slots that receive the upper ends of the balusters when they are tilted into a vertical position during assembly; and wherein the top rail has a first position that allows the slots to engage the upper ends of the balusters and a second position that secures the balusters in the slots.

[0029]Clause 2. The railing system of clause 1, further comprising a pivot bracket secured to a vertical post and configured to engage the top rail to allow the top rail to move between its first position and its second position.

[0030]Clause 3. The railing system of clause 2, wherein the pivot bracket has a longitudinal detent, and the top rail has a projection segment with a cylindrical end, wherein the cylindrical end engages the longitudinal detent to secure the top rail to the pivot bracket when the top rail is in its second position.

[0031]Clause 4. The railing system of clause 3, wherein the pivot bracket includes a bracket ledge, and the top rail includes a rail ledge, wherein the rail ledge engages the bracket ledge to hold the top rail in its first position.

[0032]Clause 5. The railing system of clause 4, wherein the pivot bracket further comprises a circular groove that receives the cylindrical end of the projection segment when the top rail is in its first position.

[0033]Clause 6. The railing system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the plurality of securing structures comprise apertures formed in a top surface of the bottom rail, and wherein each aperture is configured to receive a bottom end of a respective baluster.

[0034]Clause 7. The railing system of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the top rail comprises a downward channel formed by a front wall and a back wall, and wherein the plurality of slots are formed within the downward channel between adjacent projection segments.

[0035]Clause 8. A pivot bracket for a railing system, comprising: a longitudinal channel configured to receive a projection from a top rail; a longitudinal detent within the longitudinal channel configured to engage the projection to secure the top rail in a locked position; a bracket ledge configured to support the top rail in a tilted position; and a circular groove configured to engage the projection when the top rail is in the tilted position.

[0036]Clause 9. The pivot bracket of clause 8, further comprising an attachment aperture configured to receive a fastener for securing the pivot bracket to a vertical post.

[0037]Clause 10. The pivot bracket of clause 9, wherein the longitudinal channel is configured as a locking channel that receives a cylindrical end of a projection segment from the top rail.

[0038]Clause 11. The pivot bracket of clause 10, wherein the longitudinal detent is positioned within the locking channel to create a snap-fit engagement with the cylindrical end when the top rail moves to the locked position.

[0039]Clause 12. The pivot bracket of clause 11, wherein the circular groove is positioned to maintain the cylindrical end in the tilted position while the rail ledge of the top rail rests on the bracket ledge.

[0040]Clause 13. The pivot bracket of any of clauses 8-12, wherein the pivot bracket is configured to allow the top rail to pivot from the tilted position to the locked position about the bracket ledge.

[0041]Clause 14. A method of assembling a railing system, comprising: securing a bottom rail between vertical posts, the bottom rail having a plurality of securing structures; positioning a top rail on brackets in a tilted position, the top rail having a plurality of slots; inserting bottom ends of balusters into the securing structures of the bottom rail; tilting the balusters to engage upper ends of the balusters with the slots of the top rail while the top rail is in the tilted position; and pivoting the top rail from the tilted position to a locked position to secure the balusters in the slots.

[0042]Clause 15. The method of clause 14, wherein the securing structures comprise apertures formed in a top surface of the bottom rail, and wherein inserting the bottom ends comprises placing each bottom end into a respective aperture.

[0043]Clause 16. The method of clause 14, wherein the brackets comprise pivot brackets secured to the vertical posts, and wherein positioning the top rail comprises engaging a rail ledge of the top rail with a bracket ledge of each pivot bracket.

[0044]Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein positioning the top rail in the tilted position further comprises engaging a cylindrical end of a projection segment of the top rail with a circular groove of each pivot bracket.

[0045]Clause 18. The method of clause 17, wherein pivoting the top rail to the locked position comprises moving the cylindrical end from the circular groove into a locking channel of each pivot bracket.

[0046]Clause 19. The method of clause 18, wherein moving the cylindrical end into the locking channel creates a snap-fit engagement between the cylindrical end and a longitudinal detent within the locking channel.

[0047]Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 14-19, wherein the slots are formed within a downward channel of the top rail between adjacent projection segments, and wherein pivoting the top rail to the locked position causes a front wall of the top rail to pass over the upper ends of the balusters to secure the balusters within the slots.