Top-load vertical railing

Abstract

Aspects hereof provide apparatuses, systems, and/or methods directed to a top-load vertical railing structure. Specifically, a top-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 sliding each baluster through a corresponding aperture in the spacer towards the bottom rail. The bottom end of the baluster engages a securing structure on the bottom rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A railing system comprising:
 a top rail;   a spacer positioned adjacent the top rail;   a bottom rail; and   a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail;   wherein the bottom rail has a plurality of securing structures horizontally securing a bottom portion of each baluster; and   wherein the spacer has a plurality of apertures that receive upper ends of the balusters to allow the balusters to slide downwardly through the apertures and into engagement with the securing structures of the bottom rail.   
     
     
         2 . The railing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plugs positioned along the bottom rail and engaging the bottom portion of each baluster to secure the balusters to the bottom rail after top loading. 
     
     
         3 . The railing system of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom rail has a plurality of apertures 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 balusters have a square cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The railing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a buffer strip extending along the spacer to prevent rattling of the balusters. 
     
     
         8 . The railing system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a bottom wall, a back vertical sidewall, and a front vertical sidewall forming an inverted U-shape. 
     
     
         9 . The railing system of  claim 8 , wherein the back vertical sidewall and the front vertical sidewall each have an inwardly extending flange for engaging a bracket to hold the spacer between vertical supports. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a railing system including a bottom rail, a top rail, a spacer, and a plurality of balusters, the method comprising:
 passing a baluster through an aperture in the spacer in a downward motion toward the bottom rail;   securing the baluster to the bottom rail; and   positioning the top rail onto the spacer to secure the baluster.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising positioning plugs along the bottom rail to secure lower ends of the balusters. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plugs each comprise a cylindrical pin for engaging an aperture in the bottom rail and a rectangular protrusion for engaging a bottom aperture of a baluster. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each plug further comprises a laterally extending flange that rests on an upper surface of the bottom rail. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the spacer comprises a bottom wall, a back vertical sidewall, and a front vertical sidewall forming an inverted U-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising snapping the spacer into place between vertical supports by engaging flanges on the back vertical sidewall and front vertical sidewall with brackets attached to the vertical supports. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning an anti-rattle strip between the top rail and upper ends of the balusters when positioning the top rail onto the spacer. 
     
     
         17 . A railing system comprising:
 a top rail;   a bottom rail;   a spacer positioned between the top rail and the bottom rail;   a plurality of balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail; and   a plurality of plugs positioned along the bottom rail, each plug engaging a bottom portion of a baluster to secure the baluster to the bottom rail after top loading.   
     
     
         18 . The railing system of  claim 17 , wherein the spacer comprises a bottom wall, a back vertical sidewall, and a front vertical sidewall forming an inverted U-shape, and wherein the back vertical sidewall and the front vertical sidewall each have an inwardly extending flange for engaging a bracket to hold the spacer between vertical supports. 
     
     
         19 . The railing system of  claim 18 , wherein the top rail has a channel that engages the spacer along its length to hold the balusters in place and further comprising an anti-rattle strip positioned between the top rail and upper ends of the balusters. 
     
     
         20 . The railing system of  claim 19 , wherein each plug comprises a cylindrical pin for engaging an aperture in the bottom rail, a rectangular protrusion for engaging a bottom aperture of a baluster, and a laterally extending flange that rests on an upper surface of the bottom rail.