Tow hitch for vertical railing

Abstract

A bracket is attached to a support post by any suitable structure and includes an upwardly extending projection. The upwardly extending projection is configured to engage an aperture formed in an end of the rail. The rail can be either a top rail or a bottom rail or both.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A railing system comprising:
 a top rail, the top rail having a connection aperture associate therewith, the aperture extending in a generally vertical orientation;   a bottom rail;   a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail;   a bracket configured to be attached to a vertical support surface, the bracket including an upwardly extending projection; and   wherein the projection is positioned in the aperture to connect the top rail to the support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection engages the aperture in a friction fit manner. 
     
     
         3 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein a fastener is positioned in the projection so that tightening the fastener expands the projection to secure the bracket to the top rail. 
     
     
         4 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection has a first half and a second half. 
     
     
         5 . The rail system of  claim 4 , wherein the first half and the second half engage a fastener that expands the first and second halves away from one another to secure the projection to the top rail. 
     
     
         6 . The rail system of  claim 4 , wherein the first half includes a detent and the second half includes a detent, wherein the detents expand outwardly to secure the projection within the aperture of the top rail. 
     
     
         7 . The railing system of  claim 3 , wherein the projection includes wing sections that expand outwardly when the fastener is tightened. 
     
     
         8 . A quick-attach bracket for connecting a rail to a support post in a vertical railing system, the bracket comprising:
 a connection flange configured to be attached to the support post; and   a vertical projection extending from the connection flange and configured to engage an aperture formed in an end of the rail to secure the rail to the support post.   
     
     
         9 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical projection is configured to engage the aperture in a friction-fit manner. 
     
     
         10 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical projection includes a fastener positioned therein, and wherein tightening the fastener expands the vertical projection to secure the bracket to the rail. 
     
     
         11 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 10 , wherein the vertical projection includes wing sections that expand outwardly when the fastener is tightened. 
     
     
         12 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical projection comprises a first half and a second half. 
     
     
         13 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the first half includes a detent, and the second half includes a detent, and wherein the detents expand outwardly to secure the vertical projection within the aperture of the rail. 
     
     
         14 . The quick-attach bracket of  claim 8 , wherein the connection flange includes mounting apertures configured to receive fasteners for attachment to the support post. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing a railing system comprising:
 providing a bracket having a vertical projection;   attaching the bracket to a support post;   providing a rail having an aperture formed in an end thereof; and   positioning the vertical projection of the bracket into the aperture of the rail to connect the rail to the support post.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the vertical projection into the aperture comprises creating a friction fit between the vertical projection and the aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a step of tightening a fastener positioned within the vertical projection to expand the vertical projection and secure the bracket to the rail. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein tightening the fastener causes wing sections of the vertical projection to expand outwardly within the aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vertical projection comprises a first half and a second half, and wherein positioning the vertical projection into the aperture comprises compressing the first half and second half toward one another as they pass through the aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of the first half and second half includes a detent and further comprising a step of allowing the detents to expand outwardly after passing through the aperture to secure the vertical projection within the aperture.