Railing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a railing system that is modular and can be interconnected in an easy manner. The railing system comprises a top elongated member having a downwardly opening channel and a bottom elongated member having an upwardly opening channel. A number of spaced apart vertical members span the distance between the top and bottom members, wherein one end of a vertical member is inserted into the channel in the top member and the opposite end is inserted into the channel provided in the bottom member. The orientation and position of the top and bottom members is provided by the interconnection of these elongated members to supports, or posts. Due to the spaced apart relation of the vertical members positioned in the channels, portions of the top and bottom channels are exposed. These exposed portions between the vertical members are enclosed by top and bottom spacers, which interconnect with the top and bottom members, respectively. A particular spacer is secured in a location within the cross section of the top member or the bottom member by one or more interconnection mechanisms. The interconnection mechanisms associated with the edges of the spacers, mate with interconnection mechanisms provided along the length of the top and bottom members that are located on the interior of a channel at the open face thereof. By providing interconnection mechanisms within the interior of a channel, the spacers may be more effectively secured to the top and bottom members thereby potentially limiting their accidental removal. In addition this method of interconnection within the cross section of a top or bottom member may enhance the structural integrity of the top and bottom members as well as possibly improve the aesthetics thereof.

1 . A railing system comprising: 
 a) a top member having a downwardly opening first channel having a bottom, a length and an interior, said top member having a first interconnection mechanism associated with the bottom of the first channel, said first interconnection mechanism provided in the interior of the first channel and along the length of the first channel;    b) a bottom member having an upwardly opening second channel having a top, a length and an interior, said bottom member having a second interconnection mechanism associated with the top of the second channel, said second interconnection mechanism provided in the interior of the second channel and along the length of the second channel;    c) a plurality of spaced apart vertical members having a top end in the first channel and a bottom end in the second channel;    d) a plurality of top spacers having opposite edges, said top spacers having a third interconnection mechanism associated with each edge thereof, the third interconnection mechanism capable of mating with the first interconnection mechanism, said top spacers enclosing an opening in the first channel located between the spaced apart vertical members; and    e) a plurality of bottom spacers having opposite edges, said bottom spacers having a fourth interconnection mechanism associated with each edge thereof, the fourth interconnection mechanism capable of mating with the second interconnection mechanism, said bottom spacers enclosing an opening in the second channel located between the spaced apart vertical members    wherein the top member, the bottom member, the spaced apart vertical members, the top and bottom spacers are secured between two vertical posts.    
   
   
       2 . The railing system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second interconnection mechanisms is a tongue of a tongue and grove type configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth interconnection mechanisms is a groove of a tongue and grove type configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein a first securing mount is positioned at one end of the top elongated member.  
   
   
       5 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein a second securing mount is positioned at one end of the bottom elongated member.  
   
   
       6 . A railing system comprising: 
 a) a top member having a downwardly opening first channel having a bottom, a length and an interior;    b) a bottom member having an upwardly opening second channel having a top, a length and an interior;    c) a plurality of spaced apart vertical members having a top end in the first channel and a bottom end in the second channel;    d) a plurality of top spacers having opposite edges, said top spacers having a third interconnection mechanism associated with each edge thereof, the third interconnection mechanism capable of mating with the first interconnection mechanism, said top spacers enclosing an opening in the first channel located between the spaced apart vertical members; and    e) a plurality of bottom spacers having opposite edges, said bottom spacers having a fourth interconnection mechanism associated with each edge thereof, the fourth interconnection mechanism capable of mating with the second interconnection mechanism, said bottom spacers enclosing an opening in the second channel located between the spaced apart vertical members;    f) a first sleeved member having an open channel having a bottom, a length and an interior, said first sleeved member having a third interconnection mechanism associated with the bottom of the first sleeved member, said third interconnection mechanism provided in the interior of the first sleeved member and along the length of the open channel, said first sleeved positioned within the downwardly opening channel; and    g) a second sleeved member having an open channel having a bottom, a length and an interior, said second sleeved member having a fourth interconnection mechanism associated with the bottom of the second sleeved member, said fourth interconnection mechanism provided in the interior of the second sleeved member and along the length of the open channel, said second sleeved member positioned within the upwardly opening channel    wherein the top member, the bottom member, the spaced apart vertical members, the top and bottom spacers are secured between two vertical posts.    
   
   
       7 . The railing system of  claim 6  wherein the first and second interconnection mechanisms is a grove of a tongue and grove type configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The railing system of  claim 6 , wherein the third and fourth interconnection mechanisms is a tongue of a tongue and grove type configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The railing system of  claim 6 , wherein a first securing mount is positioned at one end of the top elongated member.  
   
   
       10 . The railing system of  claim 6 , wherein a second securing mount is positioned at one end of the bottom elongated member.