Method of forming a barrier

Abstract

A rail is disclosed for use in forming a barrier system, such as a railing for a deck, porch, walkway or fence. The rail has a versatile configuration in that either a top or bottom side of the rail may be received in a rail cover. The rail may have side walls and a cross wall on the top or bottom side of the rail. A channel may be formed on the side of the rail opposite the cross wall. Upright members, such as pickets, planks, balusters, or walls may be received in either the top side or the bottom side of the rail, in the channel or through the cross wall. A cap having openings for receiving the upright member may be placed on the channel. The rail may be positioned on the top or bottom of the barrier system and the rail may be symmetrical to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A method of forming barriers, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a plurality of rails each having a longitudinal axis, a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;    (b) orienting one of said rails in a first orientation and placing a first boundary-defining barrier means in said channel;    (c) orienting another of said rails in a second orientation rotated substantially 180 degrees from said first orientation about said longitudinal axis;    (d) forming at least one hole in said cross wall; and    (e) placing a second boundary-defining barrier means in said at least one hole.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising placing a cap over said channel when said rail is in said first orientation.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising forming openings in said cap for receiving said first boundary-defining barrier means.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising attaching a cover to said rail when said rail is in said first orientation.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising attaching a cover to said rail when said rail is in said second orientation.  
     
     
         31 - 68 . (canceled)  
     
     
         69 . A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a rail having a channel on one side and a chamber on an opposing side, said chamber being defined in part by a cross wall;    (b) forming at least one hole in said cross wall;    (c) placing said channel in a rail cover; and    (d) placing a boundary-defining barrier means in said chamber through said at least one hole.    
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein step (b) comprises forming a plurality of holes in said cross wall.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising shaping and spacing said plurality of holes to correspond with said boundary-defining barrier means.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein step (c) comprises sliding said rail cover over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein step (c) comprises attaching said cover to said rail with an interference fit.  
     
     
         74 . A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a rail having a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;    (b) forming at least one opening in a cap;    (c) placing said cross wall in a rail cover;    (d) placing said cap over said channel; and    (e) placing a boundary-defining barrier means in said channel through said at least one opening.    
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (b) comprises forming a plurality of openings in said cap.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising shaping and spacing said plurality of openings to correspond with said boundary-defining barrier means.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (c) comprises sliding said rail cover over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (c) comprises attaching said cover to said rail with an interference fit.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (d) comprises sliding said cap over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (d) comprises attaching said cap to said rail with an interference fit.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (d) comprises deflecting said cap to attach said cap to said rail with a snap fit.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (d) further comprises inserting an edge of said cap in a slot in said rail.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein step (d) further comprises moving said cap with respect to said rail to adjust a position of said at least one opening.  
     
     
         84 - 85 . (canceled)  
     
     
         86 . A method of forming barriers, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a plurality of rails each having a longitudinal axis, a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;    (b) orienting one of said rails in a first orientation and placing a first boundary-defining barrier means in said channel;    (c) orienting another of said rails in a second orientation inverted from said first orientation;    (d) forming at least one hole in said cross wall; and    (e) placing a second boundary-defining barrier means in said at least one hole.    
     
     
         87 - 93 . (canceled)  
     
     
         94 . A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a rail cover configured for receiving a connection rail for attaching said rail cover to a boundary-defining barrier means;    (b) providing a rail configured for being received in said rail cover in a first orientation and an inverted orientation with respect to said rail cover; and    (c) using at least a portion of said rail to form at least one of a top rail and a bottom rail of said barrier.    
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein step (a) further comprises providing said rail cover in a configuration for obscuring said connection rail from view.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said top rail and using another portion of said rail to form said bottom rail.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said top rail without using said connection rail.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said bottom rail.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 94 , further comprising providing said rail having a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising placing a cap over said channel.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising forming holes in said cross wall for receiving said boundary-defining barrier means.