BRACKET, RAILING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A RAILING SYSTEM

Abstract

A bracket, railing system including the same, and a method of assembling a railing system. The railing system may include first and second structural posts, a top rail, a bottom rail, an infill panel, and a first bracket. The first and second structural posts are spaced from one another. The top and bottom rails extend from the first structural post to the second structural post. The infill panel extends from the first structural post to the second structural post and from the top rail to the bottom rail. The first bracket receives the infill panel and secures the top rail to the first structural post. The first bracket has a first receiving channel configured to receive the infill panel, a second receiving channel configured to receive the infill panel, and a bridge separating the first and second receiving channels.

Claims

1. A railing system comprising: a first structural post extending from a bottom end to a top end; a second structural post extending from a bottom end to a top end, the second structural post spaced from the first structural post; a top rail configured to extend between the first structural post and the second structural post at a position that is proximate to the top ends of the first and second structural posts; a bottom rail configured to extend between the first structural post and the second structural post at a position that is proximate to the bottom ends of the first and second structural posts; an infill panel assembly configured to be positioned between the first and second structural posts and between the top and bottom rails; and a first bracket configured to secure the top rail to the first structural post, the first bracket comprising: a first receiving channel configured to receive a first portion of the infill panel assembly; a second receiving channel configured to receive a second portion of the infill panel assembly; and a bridge separating the first receiving channel from the second receiving channel.

2. The railing system according to claim 1 wherein the infill panel assembly comprises first, second, third, and fourth channel members, first, second, third, and fourth gaskets located within respective ones of the first, second, third, and fourth channel members, and an infill member with first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edges, each of the first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edges located within respective ones of the first, second, third, and fourth channel members.

3. The railing system according to claim 2 wherein the first bracket is attached to a bottom surface of the top rail and to the first structural post, the first channel member is located within the first receiving channel, and the third channel member is located within the second receiving channel.

4. The railing system according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of the first brackets, a first one of the first brackets configured to couple the top rail to the first structural post and a second one of the first brackets configured to couple the top rail to the second structural post.

5. The railing system according to claim 1 wherein the first bracket comprises a first transverse finger and a second transverse finger that are spaced apart from one another to form the first receiving channel.

6. The railing system according to claim 5 wherein the first and second transverse fingers are coplanar with the bridge.

7. The railing system according to claim 5 wherein the first bracket comprises a first vertical finger and a second vertical finger that are spaced apart from one another to form the second receiving channel.

8. The railing system according to claim 7 wherein the first and second transverse fingers and the first and second vertical fingers are symmetrical about a vertical plane, the vertical plane extending through the bridge.

9. The railing system according to claim 1 wherein the first bracket is configured to be fastened to a bottom surface of the top rail and to the first structural post.

10. The railing system according to claim 1 wherein the bridge comprises a fastener hole that is configured to receive a fastener that extends through the fastener hole of the bridge and into the top rail to attach the first bracket to the top rail.

11. The railing system according to claim 1 wherein the infill panel assembly has a recess, and wherein the bridge of the first bracket is configured to nest within the recess.

12. A bracket for coupling a rail of a railing system to a post of the railing system while providing support for an infill panel assembly, the bracket comprising: a first transverse finger and a second transverse finger that are spaced apart from one another to form a first receiving channel, the first receiving channel configured to receive a first portion of the infill panel assembly; a bridge joining the first and second transverse fingers; a first vertical finger and a second vertical finger that are spaced apart from one another to form a second receiving channel, the second receiving channel configured to receive a second portion of the infill panel assembly; and wherein the bracket is a monolithic, unitary component.

13. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the first transverse finger is joined to the first vertical finger at a first bend and the second transverse finger is joined to the second vertical finger at a second bend.

14. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the first and second transverse fingers are coplanar with the bridge.

15. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the first and second transverse fingers and the bridge comprise fastener holes that are configured to receive fasteners for coupling the bracket to the rail of the railing system.

16. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the bridge comprises a front edge and a rear edge, the first and second transverse fingers extending from the front edge of the bridge and being coplanar with the bridge, and the first and second vertical fingers extending downwardly from the bridge.

17. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the first and second vertical fingers comprise fastener holes configured to receive fasteners for coupling the bracket to the post of the railing system.

18. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein the bracket is L-shaped, and wherein the bracket is symmetric about a vertical plane extending through the bridge.

19. A method of assembling a barrier between a first post and a second post, the method comprising: mounting a bottom rail between the first and second posts; fastening first and second transverse fingers of a bracket to a top rail, the first and second transverse fingers defining a first receiving channel therebetween, the bracket comprising first and second vertical fingers extending downwardly relative to the first and second transverse fingers and defining a second receiving channel therebetween; joining a first channel member to the top rail so that the first channel member at least partially nests within the first receiving channel of the bracket; coupling a second channel member to the bottom rail; coupling a third channel member to the first post; positioning a lower portion of an infill member into the second channel member and a first side portion of the infill member into the third channel member; positioning the top rail between the first and second posts so that the third channel member engages a bridge of the bracket and nests within the second receiving channel of the bracket and a top portion of the infill member nests within the first channel member; and installing one or more fasteners through at least one of the first and second vertical fingers of the bracket to couple the bracket to the first post.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the bracket is a monolithic, unitary, component, and wherein the bridge of the bracket nests within a recess in the infill panel assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The features of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, where like elements are labeled similarly, and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a railing system mounted to a support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a railing section of the railing system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the railing system of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3A is a partial cross-section view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;

[0012] FIG. 3B is a partial cross-section view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of another portion of the railing system of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4A is a partial lower perspective view of the portion of the railing system of FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of the railing system of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 5;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 5;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the bracket of FIG. 5;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a front view of another railing section of the railing system of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an acute first bracket of the railing section of FIG. 9;

[0021] FIG. 11 is a front view of the acute first bracket of FIG. 9;

[0022] FIG. 12 is a top view of the acute first bracket;

[0023] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the acute first bracket;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an obtuse first bracket of the railing section of FIG. 9;

[0025] FIG. 15 is a front view of the obtuse first bracket of FIG. 9;

[0026] FIG. 16 is a top view of the obtuse first bracket;

[0027] FIG. 17 is a right side view of the obtuse first bracket;

[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a first bracket as may be used in the railing section of FIG. 9;

[0029] FIG. 19 is a front view of the first bracket;

[0030] FIG. 20 is a top view of the first bracket; and

[0031] FIG. 21 is a right side view of the first bracket.

[0032] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts given a reference numerical designation in one figure may be considered to be the same parts where they appear in other figures without a numerical designation for brevity unless specifically labeled with a different part number and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and described herein by reference to exemplary (example) embodiments. This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features.

[0034] In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as lower, upper, horizontal, vertical,, above, below, up, down, top and bottom as well as derivative thereof (e.g., horizontally, downwardly, upwardly, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as attached, affixed, connected, coupled, interconnected, and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0035] Referring first to FIG. 1, a railing system 10 is illustrated installed on a support structure 20. The support structure 20 may be a deck, a patio, a balcony, a staircase, or any other support structure or surface on which it is desired to have a railing for safety, aesthetics, or for any other reason. The railing system 10 may comprise a plurality of posts 30 and a plurality of railing sections 100. Specifically, the posts 30 may be positioned along the support structure 20 in a spaced apart manner, and the railing sections 100 may be connected to the posts 30 and extend between adjacently positioned ones of the posts 30. The railing sections 100 may form a barrier to prevent a user from falling off of the support structure 20 and may also form a support so that a user can lean on the railing section 100. The railing sections 100 are depicted in FIG. 1 as having wire mesh infill panels, but alternatives may be used in other embodiments such as slats, cables, opaque panels, translucent panels, transparent panels, or the like. Various different types of the railing sections 100 may be used with the railing system 10.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of one of the railing sections 100 is provided along with a pair of posts 30. The posts 30 are structural posts, which are configured to support the railing sections 100. The posts 30 extend along a longitudinal axis A-A from a bottom end 32 to a top end 34. The posts 30 further have side surfaces 36 extending from the bottom end 32 to the top end 34. Optionally the posts 30 may have four side surfaces 36 or greater or fewer side surfaces 36. The railing sections 100 may be joined to the posts 30 at one or more of the side surfaces 36.

[0037] The railing sections 100 have a top rail 110, a bottom rail 120, an infill panel assembly 130, a pair of first brackets 170, and a pair of second brackets 190. The top rail 110 extends from a first one of the posts 30 to a second one of the posts 30. The top rail 110 is proximate the top ends 34 of the posts 30. The bottom rail 120 extends from the first one of the posts 30 to the second one of the posts 30 and is proximate the bottom ends 32 of the posts 30. The infill panel assembly 130 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110 to a top surface 124 of the bottom rail 120 and from a first one of the side surfaces 36 of the first post 30 to a first one of the side surfaces 36 of the second post 30.

[0038] The infill panel assembly 130 comprises an infill member 138, a first channel member 140, a second channel member 141, a third channel member 142, a fourth channel member 143, a first gasket 144, a second gasket 145, a third gasket 146, and a fourth gasket 147. The infill member 138 comprises first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edges 148-151. The first perimeter edge 148 forms a top edge of the infill member 138, the second perimeter edge 149 forms a bottom edge of the infill member 138, the third perimeter edge 150 forms a left side edge of the infill member 138, and the fourth perimeter edge 151 forms a right side edge of the infill member 138. The first and third perimeter edges 148, 150 intersect at a first corner (top left corner) of the infill member 138, the first and fourth perimeter edges 148, 151 intersect at a second corner (top right corner) of the infill member 138, the second and third perimeter edges 149, 150 intersect at a third corner (bottom left corner) of the infill member 138, and the second and fourth perimeter edges 149, 151 inserted at a fourth corner (bottom right corner) of the infill member 138.

[0039] The first, second, third, and fourth channel members 140-143 each comprises or defines a channel. In an embodiment, each of the channel members 140-143 comprises three walls that form a structure with a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional area that defines a channel with an elongated bottom (or top) opening. The channel member 140-143 may be open at the opposing ends thereof, or there may be closure walls closing the ends of the channel members 410-143.

[0040] Each of the first, second, third, and fourth gaskets 144-147 is configured to be positioned within the channel of a respective one of the first, second, third, and fourth channel members 140-143. That is, the first gasket 144 is located in the channel of the first channel member 140, the second gasket 145 is located in the channel of the second channel member 141, the third gasket 146 is located in the channel of the third channel member 142, and the fourth gasket 147 is located in the channel of the fourth channel member 143. The first, second, third, and fourth channel members 140-143 engage the first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edges 148-151 of the infill member 138 respectively, with the first, second, third, and fourth gaskets 144-147 securing the first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edges 148-151 of the infill member 138 within the first, second, third, and fourth channel members 140-143. In an embodiment, the gaskets 144-147 may help to prevent movement of the infill member 138 within the channel members 140-143, while the channel members 140-143 provide mechanical stability of the infill member 138 by engaging the perimeter edges 148-151.

[0041] The infill panel assembly 130 may be coupled to the top and bottom rails 110, 120 via the first and second channel members 140, 141. The first channel member 140 may be fastened to the bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110 and the second channel member 141 may be fastened to the top surface 124 of the bottom rail 120 using fasteners such as screws or bolts. Optionally, the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 may be fastened to the side surfaces 36 of the posts 30 if desired. This secures the infill member 138 to the top and bottom rails 110, 120 and optionally to the posts 30. The top and bottom rails 110, 120 are then secured to the posts 30 via the pairs of first and second brackets 170, 190. The first and second brackets 170, 190 are secured to the top and bottom rails 110, 120 and the posts 30 via fasteners such as screws or bolts.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B, a portion of the railing system 10 is illustrated to highlight the functioning of the first brackets 170. The first brackets 170 are coupled both to one of the side surfaces 36 at the top end 34 of the post 30 and to the bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110. The brackets 170 are secured to both the post 30 and the top rail 110 by fasteners 104. In this example, the fasteners 104 are screws, but bolts, rivets, pins, or any other known fasteners may be utilized.

[0043] The first brackets 170 extend from a front side 131 of the infill panel assembly 130 to a second side 132 of the infill panel assembly 130 through a recess 133 formed by the third and fourth channel members 142, 143. In particular, the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 do not extend an entirety of the distance from the bottom rail 120 to the bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110. Rather, the top ends of the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 are recessed relative to the top end of the first channel member 140 and relative to the bottom surface of the top rail 112. As such, a gap exists between the bottom surface of the top rail 112 and the top edge of the third and fourth channel members 142, 143. This results in the formation of the recesses (or gaps) 133 between the top rail 110 and each of the third and fourth channel members 142, 143. Specifically, one of the recesses 133 is a gap that exists between the top rail 110, the third channel member 142, the first channel member 140, and the post 30. The other one of the recesses 133 is a gap that exists between the top rail 110, the fourth channel member 143, the first channel member 140, and the post 30.

[0044] As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first bracket 170 comprises a bridge 171 extends through the recess 133 from the first side 131 to the second side 132 of the infill panel assembly 130. This allows the first bracket 170 to be formed from a single, unitary, monolithic piece of material. Preferably, the first bracket 170 is formed of a sheet metal material such as steel or aluminum, but in alternate embodiments the first bracket 170 may be formed of plastic or another material. The first bracket 170 may be formed by bending or may be molded, printed, machined, or formed via any other known method.

[0045] In an embodiment, the first gasket 144 may extend beyond the first channel member 140 into the third and fourth channel members 142, 143. This beneficially prevents light from passing through the gap between the first channel member 140 and the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 and minimizes the appearance of the gap between the channel members 140, 142, 143. The same configuration may be used for the second gasket 145, which may extend beyond the second channel member 141 into the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 if desired.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the gaskets 144-147 nest within the channel members 140-143, with the gaskets 144-147 having protuberances 148 that mate with recesses 149 in the channel members 140-143 to retain the gaskets 144-147 in the channel members 140-143. The channel members 140-143 may also incorporate protrusions 155 to provide a stop surface for the gaskets 144-147. A slot 159 may also be provided in the channel members 140-143 to provide room for the heads of the fasteners 104. Optionally, a V notch 152 may be provided on the floor 153 of the slot 159 to aid in locating the fastener 104 during assembly.

[0047] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the railing section 100 is illustrated separately from the posts 30. Optionally, the railing section 100 may be pre-assembled prior to installation between the posts 30, or at least a portion of the railing section 100 may be pre-assembled prior to installation between the posts 30. In other methods, the railing section 100 may be installed to the posts 30 in stages.

[0048] In a first step of one method of assembling the railing section to the posts 30, the bottom rail 120 may be mounted between the posts 30 using a pair of the second brackets 190 and fasteners 104. Second, the third channel member 142 may be coupled to the first one of the posts 30 using fasteners 104 while the fourth channel member 143 may be coupled to the second one of the posts 30 using fasteners 104. The third gasket 146 is installed into the third channel member 142 and the fourth gasket 147 is installed into the fourth channel member 143. Third, the second channel member 141 is joined to the top surface 124 of the bottom rail 120 and the second gasket 145 is inserted into the second channel member 141.

[0049] Fourth, the pair of first brackets 170 are fastened to the bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110 using fasteners 104. Fifth, the first channel member 140 is joined to the bottom surface 112 of the top rail 110 using fasteners 104. The first channel member 140 nests within the first receiving channels of the first brackets 170 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The first gasket 144 is inserted into the first channel member 140. Sixth, the infill member 138 is slid or pressed or otherwise moved into the third and fourth channel members 142, 143 until the infill member 138 nests within the second channel member 141. The second, third, and fourth gaskets 145-147 receive the respective second, third, and fourth perimeter edges 149-151 when the infill member 138 is installed into the second, third, and fourth channel members 141-143.

[0050] The gaskets 144-147 deflect to compress and secure the perimeter edges 148-151 of the infill member 138 in place, preventing undesired movement or vibration. Optionally, the infill member 138 may be a wire mesh panel or it may be another of the panel types as discussed above (e.g., a glass panel, horizontal slats, vertical balusters). Preferably, the gaskets 144-147 are formed of a plastic or elastomeric material which permits deflection and does not plastically deform when the infill member 138 is inserted into the channel members 140-143. In one embodiment, the gaskets 144-147 may be formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0051] Seventh, the top rail is positioned between the first and second ones of the posts 30 so that the third channel member 142 nests within second receiving channels of the first brackets 170 and the infill member 138 nests within the first channel member 140 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Eighth, fasteners 104 are installed through the first and second vertical fingers of the first brackets 170 to couple the first brackets 170 to the posts 30 as will be discussed in greater detail below. It is possible to perform some of the steps in different orders than those listed above and still assemble the railing section 100 as illustrated.

[0052] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the first bracket 170 in greater detail. The first bracket 170 comprises the bridge 171, first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 that extend from the bridge 171 in a spaced apart manner to form or define a first receiving channel 174, and first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 that extend from the bridge 171 in a spaced apart manner to form or define a second receiving channel 177. The bridge 171 may have a front edge and a rear edge. The first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 extend outwardly from the front edge of the bridge 171 and the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 extend downwardly from the rear edge of the bridge. The first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 preferably extend transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A when the first bracket 170 is installed in the railing system 10 but need not be precisely perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A and may also have a vertical component in addition to the transverse component. The first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 may also extend slightly transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A, but the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 are substantially vertical when the bracket is installed.

[0053] The first receiving channel 174 is configured to receive the first channel member 140 and the second receiving channel 177 is configured to receive one of the third and fourth channel members 142, 143. The first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 are joined by the bridge 171 and a bend 178 joins the first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 to the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176. The first and second receiving channels 174 terminate at the bridge 171. Optionally, the bend 178 may span the second receiving channel 177. In other optional configurations, the bend 178 may extend through the bridge 171, instead of the bend 178 extending through the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 as illustrated. The bend 178 may have an angle of 90 degrees, or it may have an angle greater or less than 90 degrees. That is, the transverse fingers 172, 173 and the vertical fingers 175, 176 may be oriented perpendicular to one another.

[0054] Each of the bridge 171, first and second transverse fingers 172, 173, and the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 have a fastener hole 179 which allows securing the first bracket 170 to the top rail 110 and the post 30. The first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 may have an L shaped configuration to permit installation of fasteners 104 into the post 30 once the first bracket 170 is assembled with the infill panel assembly 130. The first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 may be substantially coplanar. Similarly, the first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 are preferably substantially coplanar. In addition, the bridge 171 is preferably substantially coplanar with the first and second transverse fingers 172, 173. Where the bend 178 extends through the bridge 171, at least a portion of the bridge 171 is substantially coplanar with the first and second transverse fingers 172, 173.

[0055] Preferably, the first bracket 170 is formed of sheet material such as sheet steel or sheet aluminum, with the first bracket 170 being formed from a monolithic, unitary, piece of material. The first bracket 170 is preferably not welded, bolted, or otherwise joined together from multiple component pieces, but instead is formed from a single piece of material. The bridge 171 joins the first transverse finger 172 to the second transverse finger 173, and by extension, the bridge 171 also joins the first vertical finger 175 to the second vertical finger 176. This allows the first bracket 170 to span the thickness of the infill panel assembly 130, providing support for the infill panel assembly 130 to prevent movement of the infill panel assembly 130 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the infill panel assembly 130. Preferably, the first brackets 170 are symmetrical about a vertical plane P-P defined by the plane of the infill panel assembly 130.

[0056] The first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 may incorporate chamfers or other features to aid in the aesthetic appearance of the first bracket 170 while also limiting risk of user injury by eliminating sharp edges. Similarly, the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 may also incorporate chamfers or other features to eliminate sharp edges. The fastener holes 179 in the first and second vertical fingers 175, 176 preferably have a greater spacing than the fastener holes 179 in the first and second transverse fingers 172, 173 to give more clearance for installation tools when the first bracket 170 is secured to the post 30.

[0057] As best shown in FIG. 3, an end portion of the first channel member 140 is located within the first receiving channel 174 of the first bracket 170 and the fourth channel member 143 is located within the second receiving channel 177 of the first bracket 170. Thus, the first and fourth channel members 170, 174 meet at an interface that is aligned with the first bracket 170. The first bracket 170 supports the top rail 110 while also allowing for two of the channel members (the first and the fourth channel members 140, 143 in FIG. 3, but it could be any two adjacent channel members) to meet and form a visually cohesive joint. Furthermore, the existence of the bridge 171 allows the first bracket 170 to remain as one piece. That is, the first and second receiving channels 174, 177 are not connected, but are instead separated by the bridge 171. This makes the first bracket 170 stronger and adds an additional fastener location within the bridge 171.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate implementation of the railing section 100. In this implementation, the railing section 100 is illustrated as being installed on a stair or other sloped surface, rather than on a flat support structure 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The railing section 100 is illustrated as having the same reference numerals except as noted. The railing section 100 is illustrated as being mounted to a pair of posts 30. The railing section 100 incorporates a top rail 110, a bottom rail 120, an infill panel assembly 130, an acute first bracket 270, an obtuse first bracket 370, and a pair of second brackets 190. The assembly process discussed above is substantially the same, except that the infill panel assembly 130 may be cut to conform to the shape required to span the space between the posts 30 and the top rail 110, bottom rail 120, and channel members 140-143 may need to be mitered to suit the angles required for the railing section 100.

[0059] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the acute first bracket 270 as may be used in the railing section 100 of FIG. 9. The acute first bracket 270 is substantially identical to the first brackets 170 with the primary exception of the angle being less than 90 degrees to accommodate the downwardly sloping railing section 100. The acute first bracket 270 is typically used to couple the upper one of the posts 30 to the rest of the sloped railing section 100 to allow for easy installation of the railing section 100 without field modification of the first brackets 170. Similarly, the obtuse second brackets 370 are typically used to couple the lower one of the posts 30 to the rest of the sloped railing section 100 and avoid the need for field modifications.

[0060] The acute first bracket 270 has first and second transverse fingers 272, 273 which form a first receiving channel 274. The acute first bracket 270 has first and second vertical fingers 275, 276 which form a second receiving channel 277. The first and second transverse fingers 272, 273 are transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A when the acute first bracket 270 is installed in the railing system 10, forming an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A. The first and second vertical fingers 275, 276 may also extend slightly transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A, but the first and second vertical fingers 275, 276 are substantially vertical. The transverse fingers 272, 273 and the vertical fingers 275, 276 may be oriented at an acute angle relative to one another.

[0061] A bridge 271 connects the first and second transverse fingers 272, 273 and the first and second vertical fingers 275, 276. The first and second transverse fingers 272, 273 and the first and second vertical fingers 275, 276 are symmetric about a vertical plane P-P. Preferably, the angle is less than 90 degrees, with the angle formed by a bend 278. Fastener holes 279 are formed in the bridge 271, the first and second transverse fingers 272, 273 and the first and second vertical fingers 275, 276. The first and second vertical fingers 275, 276 have an L-shape as with the first bracket 170.

[0062] As best shown in FIGS. 14-17, the first obtuse bracket 370 has first and second transverse fingers 372, 373 which form a first receiving channel 374. The obtuse first bracket 370 has first and second vertical fingers 375, 376 which form a second receiving channel 377. The first and second transverse fingers 372, 373 are transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A when the obtuse first bracket 370 is installed in the railing system 10, forming an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A. The first and second vertical fingers 375, 376 may also extend slightly transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A, but the first and second vertical fingers 375, 376 are substantially vertical. The transverse fingers 372, 373 and the vertical fingers 375, 376 may be oriented at an obtuse angle relative to one another.

[0063] A bridge 371 connects the first and second transverse fingers 372, 373 and the first and second vertical fingers 375, 376. The first and second transverse fingers 372, 373 and the first and second vertical fingers 375, 376 are symmetric about a vertical plane P-P. Preferably, the angle is greater than 90 degrees, with the angle formed by a bend 378. Fastener holes 379 are formed in the bridge 371, the first and second transverse fingers 372, 373 and the first and second vertical fingers 375, 376. The first and second vertical fingers 375, 376 have an L-shape as with the first bracket 170.

[0064] FIGS. 18-21 illustrate another embodiment of a first bracket 470 which is hinged about an axis B-B to permit movement of the first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 relative to the first and second vertical fingers 475, 476. This is done by incorporating a barrel hinge 478 into the first bracket 470 to permit the angle to be adjusted to any desired angle without restriction, rather than relying on fixed angles which are pre-formed. Thus, the bend is omitted and replaced by the hinge 478. As before, the first bracket 470 has first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 which form a first receiving channel 474. The first bracket 470 has first and second vertical fingers 475, 476 which form a second receiving channel 477. The first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 are transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A when the first bracket 470 is installed in the railing system 10, but the exact angle may vary with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A. The first and second vertical fingers 475, 476 may also extend slightly transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A, but the first and second vertical fingers 475, 476 are substantially vertical.

[0065] A bridge 471 connects the first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 and the first and second vertical fingers 475, 476. The first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 and the first and second vertical fingers 475, 476 are symmetric about a vertical plane P-P. Fastener holes 479 are formed in the bridge 471, the first and second transverse fingers 472, 473 and the first and second vertical fingers 475, 476. The first and second vertical fingers 475, 476 have an L-shape as with the first bracket 170.

[0066] While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes described herein may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the embodiments may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles described herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents.