Modular railing, fence, gate, and security bars

Abstract

The present invention includes modular fence, gate, railing, and security bar systems that can be easily prefabricated of a minimal number of parts, assembled at the installation site without the need for specialized skills or tools, and having a semi-customizable ornamental appearance that can be changed subsequent to the initial installation. A method of connecting the components by aligning holes formed in the rails with similar holes formed in pickets, balusters, and tabs; inserting a connecting bolt through the holes; and fastening nuts to the bolts is claimed. To add strength to the systems' connections, the pickets and/or balusters are formed to have flattened parts with a hole centered therein; the flattened part formed to fit between two rails. Another unique feature is the detachable head on the nut used to secure the connections. Once the head is detached, the connecting bolt and nut remaining have the appearance of a rivet.

1 ) a method of connecting components of a modular system by aligning holes formed in one or more rails with similar holes formed in pickets, balusters, and tabs, inserting a connecting bolt through the holes and fastening nuts to the bolts.  
   
   
       2 ) A plurality of pickets and balusters formed to have one or more flattened parts with a hole centered therein and optionally, one or more ornamental parts; the flattened part formed to fit between two flat rails to provide more secure attachment to the rails.  
   
   
       3 ) Said nuts in  claim 1  having a detachable head that when detached, leaves the remaining portion of the nut and connected bolt looking similar to a rivet.  
   
   
       4 ) A modular fence and gate comprising: 
 a. A plurality of posts arranged in parallel, said posts having one or more tabs disposed at predetermined elevations, said tabs which are formed with holes or slots to accommodate the attachment of the fence rail to the post in accordance with  claim 1;     b. A gate frame fabricated with one or more tabs disposed at predetermined elevations, said tabs which are formed with holes or slots to accommodate the attachment of the gate rail to the gate frame in accordance with  claim 1;     c. One or more flat rails formed to have a plurality of holes centered on the width of the rail and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the rail. Said rail may have an ornamental design on one or more sides.    d. A plurality of pickets arranged parallel to posts ( 4   a ), that when assembled, attach to or between said rails ( 4   c ) and are secured with bolts inserted through the holes in the rails and nuts attached to the bolts in accordance with  claim 1 .    
   
   
       5 ) A modular railing comprising: 
 a. One or more upper, flat rail members formed to have a plurality of holes centered on the width of the rail and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the rail. Said rail may have an ornamental design on one or more sides. The rail member has a cap or handrail, connected perpendicular to the upper rail member(s).    b. Optionally, one or more lower, flat rail members formed to have a plurality of holes centered on the width of the rail and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the rail and may have an ornamental design on one or more sides.    c. A plurality of balusters arranged at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the upper rail ( 5   a ) and optional lower rail ( 5   b ) that when assembled, attach to or between said rails and are secured with bolts inserted through the holes in the rails and nuts attached to the bolts in accordance with  claim 1 .    d. The ends of the railings ( 5   a  and  5   b ) are anchored to a structure using posts or anchors which have a predetermined arrangement of tabs; said tabs which are formed with holes or slots to accommodate the attachment of the rail members to the post or anchor, secured with bolts inserted through the holes in the rails and nuts attached to the bolts in accordance with  claim 1 .    
   
   
       6 ) Modular security bars comprising: 
 a. One or more upper, flat rail members formed to have a plurality of holes centered on the width of the rail and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the rail and may have an ornamental design on one or more sides.    b. One or more lower, flat rail members formed to have a plurality of holes centered on the width of the rail and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the rail and may have an ornamental design on one or more sides.    c. A plurality of pickets attached to or between said rails, secured with bolts inserted through the holes in the rails and nuts attached to the bolts in accordance with  claim 1 .    d. The ends of the railings are anchored to a structure using anchors that have a predetermined arrangement of tabs; said tabs which are formed with holes or slots to accommodate the attachment of the rail members to the anchor. The rails are secured to the anchors with bolts inserted through the holes in the rails and anchors; and nuts attached to the bolts in accordance with  claim 1.