Vertical cable rail barrier

Abstract

A vertical cable rail panel includes first and second rails, and each comprises a channel and a plurality of spaced apart through holes. An internal member is disposed within one of the channels and defines a bearing surface and a first opening. A rigid support member vertically extends between the first rail and the second rail. A vertical cable includes a cable member, a first swage fitting, and a second swage fitting. The first end of the vertical cable extends through one of the plurality of through holes in the first rail and extends through the first opening in the internal member. A swage fitting is secured to each end of the vertical cable. A threaded member is associated with one of the swage fittings and the internal member, and adjusting the threaded member adjusts a tension in the vertical cable.

1 . A vertical cable rail panel, comprising:
 a first rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first rail comprising a first web portion and a pair of first leg portions, the first web portion and the pair of first leg portions forming a first channel, the first web portion defining a plurality of first through holes spaced apart along the first web portion;   a second rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the second rail comprising a second web portion and a pair of second leg portions, the second web portion and the pair of second leg portions forming a second channel, the second web portion defining a plurality of second through holes spaced apart along the second web portion and aligned with the plurality of first through holes;   an internal member disposed within the first channel and defining a bearing surface spaced apart from the first web portion and further defining a first opening;   a rigid support member vertically extending between the first rail and the second rail and disposed between the first end of the first rail and the second end of the first rail;   a vertical cable comprising a cable member, a first swage fitting, and a second swage fitting, the vertical cable disposed adjacent the rigid support member and having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end of the vertical cable extending through one of the plurality of first through holes and extending through the first opening in the internal member, and the second end of the vertical cable extending through one of the plurality of second through holes disposed in vertical alignment with the one first through hole;   wherein the first swage fitting is swaged to the cable member at the first end, the first swage fitting having an outer shape corresponding to a shape of the first opening of the internal member;   wherein the second swage fitting is swaged to the cable member at the second end, and at least a portion of the second swage fitting being larger in size than the one second through hole such that the vertical cable is maintained through the one second through hole;   a threaded member associated with the first swage fitting and the internal member, wherein adjusting the threaded member adjusts a tension in the vertical cable; and   wherein each of the first and second ends of the first rail and the second rail are configured to be received by respective brackets.   
     
     
         2 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the threaded member is in threaded engagement with the first swage fitting. 
     
     
         3 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 2  wherein the threaded member is a nut. 
     
     
         4 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  further comprising a cap configured to couple to the first rail. 
     
     
         5 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the rigid support member is interchangeable with the vertical cable. 
     
     
         6 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein a first end of the rigid support member is secured to another one of the plurality of first through holes and a second end of the rigid support member is secured to another one of the plurality of second through holes. 
     
     
         7 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 6  further comprising a first threaded shaft received through the another one of the plurality of first through holes and in threaded engagement with the rigid support member. 
     
     
         8 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the internal member comprises a U-shaped channel. 
     
     
         9 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the internal member is welded within the first channel. 
     
     
         10 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the second swage fitting comprises a ball. 
     
     
         11 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 1  wherein the first rail, the second rail, the rigid support member, and the vertical cable are assembled into a panel before delivery to a job site. 
     
     
         12 . A vertical cable rail panel, comprising:
 a first rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first rail comprising a first web portion and a pair of first leg portions, the first web portion and the pair of first leg portions forming a first channel, the first web portion defining a plurality of first through holes spaced apart along the first web portion;   a second rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the second rail comprising a second web portion and a pair of second leg portions, the second web portion and the pair of second leg portions forming a second channel, the second web portion defining a plurality of second through holes spaced apart along the second web portion and aligned with the plurality of first through holes;   an internal member disposed within the first channel and defining a bearing surface spaced apart from the first web portion and further defining a first opening;   a rigid support member having a first end secured to a first one of plurality of first through holes and a second end of the rigid support member opposite the first end secured to a first one of the plurality of second through holes;   a vertical cable comprising a cable member, a first swage fitting, and a second swage fitting, the vertical cable disposed adjacent the rigid support member and having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end of the vertical cable extending through a second one of the plurality of first through holes and extending through the first opening in the internal member, and the second end of the vertical cable extending through a second one of the plurality of second through holes disposed in vertical alignment with the second one of the plurality of first through holes;   wherein the first swage fitting is swaged to the first end of the cable member, the first swage fitting having an outer shape corresponding to a shape of the first opening of the internal member;   wherein the second swage fitting is swaged to the second end of the cable member and at least a portion of the second swage fitting being larger in size than the one second through hole such that the vertical cable is maintained through the one second through hole;   a threaded member associated with the first swage fitting and the internal member, wherein adjusting the threaded member adjusts a tension in the vertical cable; and   wherein each of the first and second ends of the first rail and the second rail are configured to be received by respective brackets.   
     
     
         13 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 12  wherein the first rail, the second rail, the rigid support member, and the vertical cable are assembled into a panel before delivery to a job site. 
     
     
         14 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 12  further comprising a cap configured to couple to the first rail. 
     
     
         15 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 12  wherein the threaded member is in threaded engagement with the first swage fitting. 
     
     
         16 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 15  wherein the threaded member is a nut. 
     
     
         17 . The vertical cable rail panel of  claim 12  wherein the rigid support member is interchangeable with the vertical cable. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a barrier, comprising:
 positioning a first post spaced apart from a second post and a third post spaced apart from the second post;   supporting a first vertical cable panel with the first and second posts;   supporting a second vertical cable panel with the second and third posts;   wherein each of the first and second vertical cable panels, comprises:
 a first rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first rail comprising a first web portion and a pair of first leg portions, the first web portion and the pair of first leg portions forming a first channel, the first web portion defining a plurality of first through holes spaced apart along the first web portion; 
 a second rail defining a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the second rail comprising a second web portion and a pair of second leg portions, the second web portion and the pair of second leg portions forming a second channel, the second web portion defining a plurality of second through holes spaced apart along the second web portion and aligned with the plurality of first through holes; 
 an internal member disposed within the first channel and defining a bearing surface spaced apart from the first web portion and further defining a first opening; 
 a rigid support member vertically extending between the first rail and the second rail and disposed between the first end of the first rail and the second end of the first rail; 
 a vertical cable comprising a cable member, a first swage fitting, and a second swage fitting, the vertical cable disposed adjacent the rigid support member and having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end of the vertical cable extending through one of the plurality of first through holes and extending through the first opening in the internal member, and the second end of the vertical cable extending through one of the plurality of second through holes disposed in vertical alignment with the one first through hole; 
 wherein the first swage fitting is swaged to the cable member at the first end, the first swage fitting having an outer shape corresponding to a shape of the first opening of the internal member; 
 wherein the second swage fitting is swaged to the cable member at the second end and at least a portion of the second swage fitting being larger in size than the one second through hole such that the vertical cable is maintained through the one second through hole; 
 a threaded member associated with the first swage fitting and the internal member, wherein adjusting the threaded member adjusts a tension in the vertical cable; and 
 wherein each of the first and second ends of the first rail and the second rail are received by respective brackets. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of forming a barrier of  claim 18  wherein for each of the first and second vertical cable panels the first rail, the second rail, the rigid support member, and the vertical cable are assembled into a panel before delivery to a job site. 
     
     
         20 . The method of forming a barrier of  claim 18  wherein for each of the first and second vertical cable panels the threaded member is in threaded engagement with the first swage fitting.