Railing system and tensioned posts used therein

Abstract

One or more posts of a railing system are held securely in place by a hidden tensioning cable that extends through a cavity of the post along a longitudinal axis and is tensioned to securely fasten the post securely to a surface of a structure. Placement of the tensioning cable through the cavity allows cable receivers to be placed at desired spacing in one or more receiver channels of the post, the cable receivers operable to receive cable rails of the railing system. Base plates for the posts are mounted to the surface using securing elements. When the railing system is assembled, the tensioning cable and the securing elements are hidden from view.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A post assembly configured to enable a post to be secured to a surface, the post assembly comprising:
 a post having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the post from the top of the post to the bottom of the post;   a top plate configured to contact the top of the post;   a base plate configured to contact the bottom of the post;   a tensioning cable that passes through the cavity in the post and applies tension between the top plate and the bottom plate, such that the post is held against the base plate and a region of the base plate is hidden from view by the bottom of the post when the tensioning cabling is tensioned; and   a securing element that secures the base plate to the surface,   
       wherein the securing element is located in the region of the base plate that is hidden from view by the bottom of the post and the tensioning cable is hidden from view within the cavity when the assembly is assembled. 
     
     
         2 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , where the base plate comprises a raised portion sized to fit within the cavity of the post, such that the raised portion inhibits lateral motion of the post relative to the base plate. 
     
     
         3 . The post assembly of  claim 2 , where the base plate comprises a raised portion shaped to match a cross-sectional shape of the cavity of the post, such that the raised portion inhibits lateral motion of the post relative to the base plate. 
     
     
         4 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , where the securing element comprises one or more through-holes in the base plate, located within the region of the base plate that is hidden from view by the bottom of the post. 
     
     
         5 . The post assembly of  claim 4 , where the one or more through-holes in the base plate comprises a plurality of holes configured to receive one or more fastening elements. 
     
     
         6 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , where the securing element comprises a threaded through-hole in the base plate, the threaded through-hole located within the region of the base plate that is hidden from view by the bottom of the post. 
     
     
         7 . The post assembly of  claim 6 , where the threaded through-hole in the base plate is configured to receive a threaded stud embedded in the surface and further configured to receive an end of the tensioning cable. 
     
     
         8 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , where the tensioning cable comprises a rod. 
     
     
         9 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , where the base plate has a groove configured to receive the bottom of the post to inhibit lateral motion of the post relative to the base plate. 
     
     
         10 . The post assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of receiver channels oriented transverse the longitudinal axis of the post along one or more sides of the post, each receiver channel configured to receive a receiver into which a cable rail assembly is placed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a post to a surface without visible fasteners, the method comprising:
 providing a post having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the post from the top of the post to the bottom of the post;   securing a base plate to the surface using one or more fasteners;   locating the bottom of the post on the base plate, such that the one or more fasteners are hidden from view by the post; and   tensioning a cable between a top plate that contacts the top of post and the base plate such that the bottom of the post is held against the base plate and the tensioning cable is hidden from view.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the base plate to the surface using one or more fasteners comprises passing one or more fastening elements, through holes in the base plate located in a region of the base plate concealed by the post. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein securing the base plate to the surface using the one or more fasteners comprises:
 embedding a stud in the surface; and   attaching the base plate to the stud via a threaded hole in the base plate, wherein the threaded hole is located in a region of the base plate concealed by the post.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein tensioning the cable between the top plate that contacts the top of post and the base plate further comprises:
 attaching the cable to a threaded hole in the base plate, wherein the threaded hole is located in a region of the base plate concealed by the post.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein locating the bottom of the post on the base plate, such that the one or more fasteners are hidden from view by the post comprising installing the post in a groove in the base plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a top rail to the top of the post with the cable. 
     
     
         17 . A base plate for attaching a post of a railing assembly to a mounting surface, the base plate comprising:
 a lower plate have a lower surface for contacting the mounting surface and an upper surface for contacting a bottom end of the post and inhibiting lateral motion of the hollow post relative to the upper surface,   
       wherein a region of the upper surface is hidden from view by the post; and wherein the region of the upper surface that is hidden from view by the post contains one or more through holes that enable the base plate to be fastened to the mounting surface using fasteners that are hidden from view by the post. 
     
     
         18 . The base plate of  claim 17 , wherein the base plate contains a threaded receiver located in the region of the upper surface that is hidden from view, the threaded receiver configured to receive a tensioning cable that enables the post to be coupled to the base plate. 
     
     
         19 . The base plate of  claim 17 , wherein the upper surface of the lower plate has a raised portion sized to fit within the post. 
     
     
         20 . The base plate of  claim 17 , wherein the upper surface of the lower plate has a groove configured to receive the post.