The self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket is a device that is adapted to attach onto and support itself perpendicularly with respect to a fence picket or baluster. Moreover, the self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket is adapted to interface with the fence picket or baluster provided the fence picket or baluster is vertically oriented. The self-supporting fence or baluster shelf bracket includes a shelf-supporting arm and a back support member that are parallel with one another, and translate relative to one another via a pair of lever arms. Installed, the fence picket or baluster is adapted to be sandwiched between the shelf-supporting arm and the back support member. The shelf-supporting arm is elongated and able to receive and support a shelf member thereon and at a perpendicular orientation with respect to the fence picket or baluster.

Apparatus and methods for coupling an item to a mount are disclosed. One such apparatus includes a holder for holding an item. The holder is attached to a first top piece that rests on the mount. A second top piece is attached to the first top piece through a hinge. The hinge is for transferring a first downwards force applied at the holder to an upwards force at a bearing end extending underneath the mount and a second downwards force at a portion of the second top piece and for generating a twisting force on the mount due to one of the portion of the second top piece and the bearing end being closer than the other to an axis that is perpendicular to the second top piece and passes through the hinge when the apparatus is installed on the mount, causing the apparatus to clamp onto the mount.

A bracket for a railing structure includes a bottom portion comprising an inner surface that is formed in a shape that conforms to a profile of a top surface, first side surface, and second side surface of the railing structure so that the bracket can be flexibly attached to and detached from the railing structure. The inner surface is also formed in a shape that permits the bracket to slide in a longitudinal direction of the railing structure while being held firmly in a lateral direction of the railing structure. A mounting platform is positioned on a top surface of the bottom portion.