Rail crossover

Abstract

A railing assembly that, in one embodiment, includes a first rail, a second rail, and a post that are coupled with a rail crossover assembly. The rail crossover assembly may include a first end with a first flange configured to be received in a cavity of the first rail, a second end with a second flange configured to be received in a cavity of the second rail, and a post coupling member configured to be received in a cavity of the post. The first end, the second end and the third end of the rail crossover assembly are oriented so the post is substantially orthogonal with respect to the first rail and the second rail.

1 . A railing assembly comprising:
 a first rail defining a longitudinally extending cavity therein;   a second rail defining a longitudinally extending cavity therein;   a post defining a longitudinally extending cavity therein;   a rail crossover assembly including a first end with a first flange configured to be received in the cavity of the first rail, a second end with a second flange configured to be received in the cavity of the second rail, and a post coupling member configured to be received in the cavity of the post; and   wherein the first end, the second end and the third end of the rail crossover assembly are oriented so the post is substantially orthogonal with respect to the first rail and the second rail.   
   
   
       2 . The railing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first ridge extending into the cavity of the first rail and wherein the first flange defines a slot dimensioned to receive the first ridge. 
   
   
       3 . The railing assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a second ridge extending into the cavity of the second rail and wherein the second flange defines a slot dimensioned to receive the second ridge. 
   
   
       4 . The railing assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a second ridge extending into the cavity of the first rail and wherein the first flange defines a second slot dimensioned to receive the second ridge. 
   
   
       5 . The railing assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a third ridge extending into the cavity of the first rail and wherein the first flange defines a third slot dimensioned to receive the third ridge. 
   
   
       6 . The railing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the first rail and the rail crossover assembly has a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface contour when the first rail and the rail crossover assembly are coupled together. 
   
   
       7 . The railing assembly of  claim 6 , wherein an exterior surface of the second rail and the rail crossover assembly has a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface contour when the second rail and the rail crossover assembly are coupled together. 
   
   
       8 . The railing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail crossover assembly includes side walls extending between an upper wall and a lower wall. 
   
   
       9 . The railing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a platform extends from the lower wall for supporting the first rail. 
   
   
       10 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the platform defines an opening dimensioned to receive a fastener for coupling the first rail to the platform. 
   
   
       11 . The railing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the upper wall has an arcuate shape. 
   
   
       12 . The railing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the side walls and lower wall have a substantially planar shape. 
   
   
       13 . The railing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the side walls are substantially orthogonal with respect to the lower wall and upper wall. 
   
   
       14 . The railing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first flange includes a first segment extending between a second segment and a third segment. 
   
   
       15 . The railing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the first segment is arcuate in shape. 
   
   
       16 . The railing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first segment is substantially orthogonal with respect to the second segment and the third segment. 
   
   
       17 . The railing assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first segment and at least one of the second segment and the third segment include a slot for receiving a ridge extending from the first rail. 
   
   
       18 . A rail crossover assembly comprising:
 a rail coupling member with a first end configured to be coupled with a first rail and an opposing second end configured to be coupled with a second rail;   a base portion with a platform adapted to support the first rail and the second rail, wherein the platform extends from the first end and the second end of the rail coupling member; and   a post coupling member extending from the base portion and adapted to be coupled with a post.   
   
   
       19 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising a first flange extending from the first end of the rail coupling member and a second flange extending from the second end of the rail coupling member. 
   
   
       20 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first flange includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. 
   
   
       21 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the first segment is substantially orthogonal with respect to the second segment and the third segment. 
   
   
       22 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the first segment is arcuate in shape. 
   
   
       23 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of the second segment and the third segment are approximately planar in shape. 
   
   
       24 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first segment, the second segment and the third segment include a slot for receiving a portion of the first rail. 
   
   
       25 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a collar extending from the platform. 
   
   
       26 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the base portion includes a tapered portion between the platform and the collar. 
   
   
       27 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the platform defines a hole for receiving a fastener. 
   
   
       28 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the post coupling member includes tapered side walls. 
   
   
       29 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the side walls include a rib for providing a frictional fit with a post. 
   
   
       30 . The rail crossover assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a plate received by the post coupling member. 
   
   
       31 . A rail crossover assembly comprising:
 a rail coupling member with a first end configured to receive a first rail and an opposing second end configured to receive a second rail, wherein a first flange extends from the first end of the rail coupling member and a second flange extends from the second end of the rail coupling member, wherein the first flange includes an arcuate first segment that is substantially orthogonal with respect to a second segment and a third segment;   a base portion with a platform adapted to support the first rail and the second rail, wherein the platform extends from the first end and the second end of the rail coupling member, wherein the platform defines a hole for receiving a fastener; and   a post coupling member extending from the base portion, wherein the post coupling member includes tapered side walls.