Side-load vertical railing

Abstract

A side load vertical railing is comprised of a top rail, a bottom rail, a spacer, and a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The balusters are loaded into the structure by first positioning each baluster to a securing structure on the bottom rail and then pivoting the baluster into engagement with the spacer extending between adjacent vertical posts.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A railing system comprising:
 a top rail;   a spacer positioned adjacent the top rail;   a bottom rail;   a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail;   wherein the bottom rail has a plurality of securing structures for horizontally securing a bottom portion of each baluster while allowing tilting of the baluster to a vertical position; and   wherein the spacer has a plurality of slots that receive the upper ends of the balusters when they are tilted into a vertical position during assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The railing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plugs positioned along the bottom rail and engaging a bottom portion of the balusters to allow the balusters to be tilted into a vertical position. 
     
     
         3 . The railing system of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom rail has a plurality of holes for engaging a first portion of the plugs. 
     
     
         4 . The railing system of  claim 3 , wherein each plug has a second portion for engaging a lower end of the baluster. 
     
     
         5 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein the top rail has a channel that engages the spacer along its length to hold the balusters in place. 
     
     
         6 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein the slots in the spacer are positioned along a front vertical sidewall of the spacer. 
     
     
         7 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein the balusters are of a circular cross section, and the railing system further comprises a buffer strip extending along the spacer to prevent rattling of the circular balusters. 
     
     
         8 . A round baluster spacer for use in a railing system, comprising:
 a retention body having a generally C-shaped cross-section forming a channel to receive a circular baluster, the retention body including a side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall;   an angled outer ridge and an inner ridge formed on the retention body; and   a retention insert configured to cooperatively engage with the retention body, the retention insert including a bottom flange extending along an inner surface of the bottom wall of the retention body, a side flange extending upward from the bottom flange, and a clip portion configured to engage between the inner ridge and the angled outer ridge of the retention body.   
     
     
         9 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 8 , wherein the retention body further comprises a baluster slot configured to receive the circular baluster. 
     
     
         10 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 9 , wherein the retention body further comprises a retention slot configured to receive the retention insert. 
     
     
         11 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 10 , wherein the clip portion of the retention insert is configured to snap-fit between the inner ridge and the angled outer ridge of the retention body. 
     
     
         12 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 11 , wherein the retention body and the retention insert are made of materials that allow for flexibility during assembly while maintaining structural integrity when in use. 
     
     
         13 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 12 , wherein the retention body is configured to interface with a top rail of the railing system, providing a transition between the circular baluster and the top rail. 
     
     
         14 . The round baluster spacer of  claim 13 , wherein the retention body and retention insert cooperatively form a secure mounting system for the circular baluster that allows for easy installation while ensuring a secure fit within the railing system. 
     
     
         15 . A square baluster spacer for use in a railing system, comprising:
 a top wall;   a vertical sidewall extending downward from the top wall;   a bottom wall extending horizontally from the sidewall and spaced apart from the top wall;   a plurality of horizontally spaced rectangular notches formed in the bottom wall; and   a downwardly extending flange on the top wall configured to engage a surface of a square baluster when the square baluster is in a vertical assembled position.   
     
     
         16 . The square baluster spacer of  claim 15 , further comprising an upwardly extending flange from the bottom wall. 
     
     
         17 . The square baluster spacer of  claim 16 , wherein the top wall, vertical sidewall, and bottom wall form a channel configured to engage with a corresponding channel in a top rail of the railing system. 
     
     
         18 . The square baluster spacer of  claim 17 , wherein the channel formed by the square baluster spacer is configured to provide a friction fit with the corresponding channel of the top rail. 
     
     
         19 . The square baluster spacer of  claim 18 , wherein the rectangular notches in the bottom wall are sized to allow positioning of the square balusters into their vertical positions via a side load action. 
     
     
         20 . The square baluster spacer of  claim 19 , wherein the downwardly extending flange on the top wall is configured to engage with the back surface of the square baluster when a top rail is snapped into place over the square baluster spacer.