A coupling device includes two coaxial shafts, namely a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft, capable of rotating about a reference axis; a wrap-around raceway formed on a first one of the coaxial shafts; an oblique raceway formed on the second coaxial shaft and a play take-up rail provided with a complementary raceway and movable relative to the second coaxial shaft parallel to a plane perpendicular to the reference axis. A row of balls is positioned to run parallel to the reference axis on the wrap-around raceway, the oblique raceway and the complementary raceway, to guide the two coaxial shafts relative to each other in translation.

A post for a fit together panel comprising at least one said post and at least one slat, the post comprising a base member and a cover member, the cover member comprising a pair of sidewalls and an interconnecting end wall, the interconnecting end wall containing a plurality of openings through which the end of a slat can pass, the sidewalls adapted for extension over the channel member, the base member comprising a base wall and opposed sidewalls, at least one sidewall comprising a clamping leg adapted for clamping engagement against the end of a said slat passing through a said opening in the cover member, and snap fitting means on the channel member and/or the cover member to enable the channel member and the cover member to be snap fitted together.

A hand rail system and associated methods. Newel posts of the hand rail system can be mounted in a top mount configuration or a lateral mount configuration. Mounts are receivable in a boot subassembly in a horizontal or vertical arrangement for anchoring the boot subassembly to substructure. After anchoring of the boot subassembly, a column subassembly may be installed and anchored. Openings in the boot and column subassemblies permit access to the interior of the newel post for anchoring the boot and column subassemblies and for connecting a hand rail to the column subassembly. Subsequent installation of covers on the boot subassembly and column subassembly closes the newel post and provides a finished appearance free of external indication that openings in the newel post existed and have been covered. Four-sided turned newels, newel panel retainers, and associated methods are also disclosed.

A railing assembly may include a first railing portion including a first channel and a second channel. The railing assembly may include a first retaining element disposed at least partially in the first channel. A second retaining element may be disposed at least partially in the second channel. A baluster may be disposed at least partially in the first railing portion. The first retaining element and the second retaining element may be configured to retain the baluster relative to the first railing portion. The railing assembly may include a second railing portion, and the baluster may be disposed at least partially in the second railing portion.

A railing or fencing assembly may include at least one rail with at least a first retaining element disposed at least partially therein. A baluster may be disposed at least partially in the at least one rail and the at least a first retaining element may be configured to retain the baluster. The railing assembly may include a second railing portion, and the baluster may be disposed at least partially in the second railing portion.

A rope connector includes a connecting part, a sleeve, a movable rod, an elastic member, and a clamping member. An end of the sleeve connects an end of the connecting part, and the other end is disposed with an opening communicating with an interior of the sleeve. An end of the movable rod is movably placed inside the sleeve after passing through the opening, and the other end connects the clamping member. The elastic member is placed inside the sleeve, an end abuts against an edge of the opening, and the other end connects one end of the movable rod. An end of the clamping member away from the movable rod is suitable for detachably connecting with a rope. The rope connector is convenient for rope connection and automatic adjustment of tension.

A picket for a railing system comprises an elongated body with one or more walls and first and second ends. The first and second ends engage the top and bottom rails, respectively, of the railing system. The picket also comprises one or more cutouts formed along one or more of the walls. Each of the cutouts engages one of the plurality of spacers. The cutouts are proximal to the first and second ends of the pickets.

A latch assembly includes a latch body having a longitudinal wall portion extending from a front wall portion to a rear hinge portion, first and second latch members assembled with the longitudinal wall portion and laterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket defines a mounting surface and is hingedly attached to the rear hinge portion of the latch body for angular adjustment of the latch body with respect to the mounting surface. When the latch body is oriented at a first angle, first and second mounting apertures in the front wall portion align with first and second mounting apertures in the hinge bracket, such that installation of mounting fasteners through the corresponding first and second mounting apertures of the front wall portion and the hinge bracket secures the latch body at the first angle.

Provided in this disclosure is a selectively replaceable spindle for a banister. The spindle includes a generally longitudinal body having first and second ends for respectively engaging recesses on opposing surfaces of a handrail and a lower rail of a banister. A securement mechanism is attached to either of the first or second ends of the body, for releasably securing the respective end to the respective recess. The securement mechanism includes a spring-biased clip extending from the respective end of the body that is urged into contact with the respective recess. A lever is attached to the spring-biased clip for compressing an internal spring and enabling retraction of the spring-biased clip from the respective recess. The lever thus releases the secured one of the first or second ends of the generally longitudinal body from the respective one of the first or second recesses, thereby permitting removal of the spindle.

A railing attachment clip to couple a guardrail to a rail topper, the clip including left and right portions with respective surfaces contoured to match the guardrail and the rail topper, and a central portion laterally coupled to the left and right portion. The central portion separates the left and right portions by a fixed distance. The matching contoured surfaces determine a position of the railing attachment clip on the guardrail, and determine a position of the rail topper on the railing attachment clip. In some embodiments, the central portion is removed after the railing attachment clip is attached to the guardrail, but before the rail topper is attached to the railing attachment clip.