Adjustable Fencing System

Abstract

A fencing system includes two spaced-apart post assemblies each including a post member having a bottom receiving space, a core element inserted into the bottom receiving space, and an adjustable press plate disposed transversely on and pressing the core element against a mounting surface. The core element has a through hole extending in top and bottom ends thereof. A fixing bolt has a top end portion extending into the through hole and the press plate. A locking element is connected to the top end portion, and is movable toward or away from the press plate so as to press the press plate against the core element or to release the press plate. At least one of the press plate and the core element is movable transversely of the fixing bolt so that a distance between the post members of the post assemblies can be adjusted.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fencing system, more particularly to a fencing system having two adjustable post assemblies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional fencing system includes two post assemblies 2, and a railing assembly 1 connected between the post assemblies 2. The railing assembly 1 includes an upper rail 3, a lower rail 4, a plurality of balusters 5 connected between the upper and lower rails 3, 4, and a handrail 6 connected to the upper rail 3. Each post assembly 2 includes a post member 201 and a plurality of screws 202. A bottom end of the post member 201 is provided with a flange 203 that abuts against a mounting surface 7. The screws 202 extend through the flange 203 and into the mounting surface 7, thereby fixing the post member 201 to the mounting surface 7.

Although the conventional fencing system can achieve its intended purpose, it has the following drawbacks:

1. To assemble each post assembly 2, the mounting surface 7 must be bored with holes first for receiving the screws 202. This is a difficult and time-consuming process. Further, when the holes for one of the post assemblies 2 are spaced apart incorrectly from the holes in the other post assembly 2, the railing assembly 1 cannot be connected smoothly between the post assemblies 2.

2. The balusters 5 and the upper and lower rails 3, 4 must be welded first in the factory to form the railing assembly 1, after which the railing assembly 1 is transported to the site where the railing assembly 1 is to be connected between the post assemblies 2. However, during transport, the railing assembly 1 occupies a substantial space, so that transport of the railing assembly 1 is very inconvenient and costly. Further, such a pre-assembled structure of the railing assembly 1 does not allow the balusters 5 to be replaced with different designs as desired.

3. The handrail 6 is fixed on top of the upper rail 3 by using an adhesive, and cannot be replaced as desired. Further, when the fencing system is assembled outdoors, the adhesive is easily affected by the weather, so that, in some circumstances, the handrail 6 is prone to separate from the upper rail 3.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a fencing system that has two post assemblies that are adjustable so as to permit smooth connection of a railing assembly between the post assemblies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fencing system that can be conveniently transported, that can be easily assembled, and that has baluster units which can be easily replaced as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fencing system that has a handrail which can be easily replaced as desired.

According to one aspect of this invention, a fencing system is adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface, and comprises two spaced-apart post assemblies, a railing assembly including upper and lower rails connected between the post assemblies, and a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between the upper and lower rails. Each of the post assemblies includes a post member having a bottom receiving space, a core element inserted into the bottom receiving space, an adjustable press plate disposed transversely on the core element within the bottom receiving space and pressing the core element against the mounting surface, a fixing bolt, and a locking element. The core element has a bottom end adapted to abut against the mounting surface, a top end, and a through hole extending in the top and bottom ends. The fixing bolt has a bottom end portion adapted to be fixed inside the mounting surface, and a top end portion extending into the through hole and the press plate. The locking element is connected to the top end portion, and is movable toward or away from the press plate so as to press the press plate against the core element or to release the press plate. At least one of the press plate and the core element is movable transversely of the fixing bolt so that a distance between the post members of the post assemblies can be adjusted.

According to another aspect of this invention, a fencing system is adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface, and comprises two spaced-apart post assemblies adapted to be fixed on the mounting surface, and a railing assembly including upper and lower rails, and a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between the upper and lower rails. Each of the upper and lower rails has two opposite ends connected respectively to and disposed between the post assemblies. The upper rail has a longitudinal upper mounting wall, a plurality of upper apertures provided in and spaced apart along a length of the upper mounting wall, and a plurality of upper positioning elements provided on and protruding downwardly from a bottom face of the upper mounting wall. Each of the upper positioning elements surrounds a respective one of the upper apertures. The lower rail has a longitudinal lower mounting wall, a plurality of lower apertures provided in and spaced apart along a length of the lower mounting wall, and a plurality of lower positioning elements provided on and protruding upwardly from a top face of the lower mounting wall. Each of the lower positioning elements surrounds a respective one of the lower apertures. Each of the baluster units includes a baluster and two screws. The baluster has a top end portion abutting against the bottom face of the upper mounting wall, a top groove that extends downwardly from the top end portion, that has a shape similar to a respective one of the upper positioning elements, and that receives the respective one of the upper positioning elements, a top screw hole provided below the top groove, a bottom end portion abutting against the top face of the lower mounting wall, a bottom groove that extends upwardly from the bottom end portion, that has a shape similar to a respective one of the lower positioning elements, and that receives the respective one of the lower positioning elements, and a bottom screw hole provided above the bottom groove. Each of the screws extends through a respective one of the top and bottom grooves, and engages a respective one of the top and bottom screw holes.

According to still another aspect of this invention, a fencing system is adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface, and comprises two spaced-apart post assemblies adapted to be fixed on the mounting surface, and a railing assembly including upper and lower rails, a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between the upper and lower rails, and a handrail mounted on the upper rail. Each of the upper and lower rails has two opposite ends connected respectively to and disposed between the post assemblies. The upper rail has a longitudinal upper mounting wall, and two lateral walls extending upwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of the upper mounting wall. Each of the lateral walls has a longitudinal retaining end. The handrail has a longitudinal top wall facing the upper mounting wall, and two sidewalls extending downwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of the top wall. Each of the sidewalls has a longitudinal engaging end engaged to the retaining end. One of the engaging end and the retaining end has a recess. The other one of the engaging end and the retaining end has a projection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional fencing system in a state of use;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the conventional fencing system taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a fencing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state of use;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a post assembly of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the post assembly in an assembled state;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the post assembly taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating how the post assembly may be adjusted;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a railing assembly of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the railing assembly in an assembled state;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an upper rail and a handrail of the railing assembly of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the upper rail and the handrail of the railing assembly of the preferred embodiment in an assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 3, a fencing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown to comprise two spaced-apart post assemblies 100 adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface 300, and a railing assembly 200 connected between the post assemblies 100. The mounting surface 300 may be the ground or a flooring of a construction building.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, each of the post assemblies 100 includes a post member 10, a core element 20, an adjustable press plate 30, and a plurality of fixing units 40.

The post member 10 is hollow, and defines a bottom receiving space 11 that has a rectangular shape and that extends through a bottom portion thereof, and two aligned holes 12 respectively formed in two opposite sidewalls of the post member 10.

The core element 20 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, and metal. The metal may be iron or aluminum. The core element 20 has a rectangular cross section, and is inserted fittingly into the bottom receiving space 11. The core element 20 has a bottom end 21 adapted to abut against the mounting surface 300, a top end 22 opposite to the bottom end 21 along a vertical direction (Z), a through hole 23 extending through the top and bottom ends 22, 21, and two aligned screw holes 201 formed in two opposite sidewalls of the core element 20. Two fixing screws 13 extend respectively through the holes 12 in the post member 10, and engage threadedly and respectively the screw holes 201 in the core element 20, thereby fastening the post member 10 to the core element 20.

The adjustable press plate 30 has a rectangular shape, and is disposed transversely on the top end 22 of the core element 20 within the bottom receiving space 11. The press plate 30 has a first dimension, i.e., a length (L1), that is substantially the same as a length (L2) of the core element 20 in a first direction (X) which is transverse to the vertical direction (Z), and a second dimension, i.e., a width (W1), that is smaller than a width (W2) of the core element 20 in a second direction (Y) which is transverse to the first direction (X) and the vertical direction (Z). As such, the press plate 30 and the core element 20 are permitted to undergo relative movement along the second direction (Y). The press plate 30 has an oblong hole 31 that is in spatial communication with the through hole 23 and that is elongated in the first direction (X).

Each of the fixing units 40 includes a fixing bolt 41 and a locking element 42. The fixing bolt 41 has a bottom end portion 411 that is threaded and that is adapted to be fixed inside the mounting surface 300, a top end portion 413 that is threaded and that is opposite to the bottom end portion 411 along the vertical direction (Z), and a non-threaded intermediate portion 412 between the top and bottom end portions 413, 411 and disposed within the through hole 23. In this embodiment, the top end portion 413 extends out of the through hole 23 and the oblong hole 31, and into the bottom receiving space 11. The locking element 42 is a nut connected threadedly to the top end portion 413, and is operable to move toward or away from the press plate 30. When the locking element 42 is moved toward the press plate 30, it presses the press plate 30 against the core element 20, such that the core element 20 is pressed against the mounting surface 300. When the locking element 42 is moved away from the press plate 30, the press plate 30 is released and does not press the core element 20, so that the press plate 30 is movable transversely of the fixing bolt 41 in the first direction (X), and the core element 20 is movable transversely of the fixing bolt 41 and press plate 30 in the second direction (Y). As such, a distance between the post members 10 can be adjusted accordingly.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 11, in combination with FIG. 3, the railing assembly 200 includes upper and lower rails 50, 60, a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units 70, and a handrail 80.

The upper rail 50 has a longitudinal upper mounting wall 51 extending along the first direction (X), and two lateral walls 52 extending upwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of the upper mounting wall 51. The upper mounting wall 51 and the lateral walls 52 cooperatively define a groove 53 having an opening that faces upwardly. The upper mounting wall 51 has a plurality of upper apertures 511 that are spaced apart from each other along the length thereof, and a plurality of upper positioning elements 512 provided on and protruding downwardly from a bottom face of the upper mounting wall 51. In this embodiment, the upper mounting wall 51 is stamped so as to form the upper apertures 511 and the positioning elements 512. Each upper positioning element 512 is configured as a rectangular plate surrounding one of the upper apertures 511. Each of the lateral walls 52 has a longitudinal retaining end 521. In this embodiment, the retaining end 521 has a projection 5211 projecting outwardly from and extending longitudinally along the length of the respective lateral wall 52. The projection 5211 has a rounded projecting surface. Preferably, the upper rail 50 further has a pair of L-shaped mounting brackets 54 (see FIGS. 3 and 8) disposed respectively in two opposite ends of the groove 53.

The lower rail 60 has a longitudinal lower mounting wall 61 extending along the first direction (X), and two lateral walls 62 that cooperate with the lower mounting walls 61 to define a groove 63 having an opening that faces downwardly. The lower mounting wall 61 has a plurality of lower apertures 611 provided in and spaced apart along the length of the lower mounting wall 61 and aligned respectively with the upper apertures 511, and a plurality of lower positioning elements 612 provided on and protruding upwardly from a top face of the lower mounting wall 61. Each lower positioning element 612 is configured as a rectangular plate surrounding one of the lower apertures 611.

Preferably, the fencing system of the present invention further comprises two fixing elements 400 for fixing the lower rail 60 between the post assemblies 100. The fixing elements 400 include a pair of L-shaped mounting brackets 430 (see FIG. 3) which are fixed respectively to two opposite transverse ends 610 of the lower rail 60, and a pair of inverted-L shaped bracket-engaging members 410 (see FIG. 3) which are fastened to and which protrude from the post members 10, respectively. Each of the bracket-engaging members 410 has an engaging groove 440. Each of the mounting brackets 430 has an engaging leg 450 extending into the engaging groove 440. In this embodiment, prior to connection of the lower rail 60 to the respective post members 10, the bracket-engaging members 410 are fixed to bottom portions of the respective post member 10 by using screw-and-nut fasteners 420, while the engaging plates 430 are welded to the respective transverse ends 610 of the lower rail 60.

Each of the baluster units 70 includes a baluster 71, a top fastening plate 72, a bottom fastening plate 73, and two screws 74, 74′. The baluster 71 extends along the vertical direction (Z), and has a top end portion 711 abutting against the bottom face of the upper mounting wall 51, a top groove 713 that extends downwardly from the top end portion 711, that has a shape similar to that of the respective upper positioning element 512, and that receives the respective upper positioning element 512, a top screw hole 721 provided below the top groove 713, a bottom end portion 712 abutting against the top face of the lower mounting wall 61, a bottom groove 714 that extends upwardly from the bottom end portion 712, that has a shape similar to that of the respective lower positioning element 612, and that receives the respective lower positioning element 612, and a bottom screw hole 731 provided above the bottom groove 714. The top fastening plate 72 is fixed below the top groove 711, and is provided with the top screw hole 721. The lower fastening plate 73 is fixed above the bottom groove 714, and is provided with the bottom screw hole 731. The screw 74 extends through the upper aperture 511 and the top groove 713, and engages the top screw hole 721. The screw 74′ extends through the lower aperture 611 and the bottom groove 714, and engages the bottom screw hole 731. The screws 74, 74′ fix the respective baluster 71 between the upper and lower mounting walls 51, 61 of the upper and lower rails 50, 60.

The handrail 80 is mounted on the upper rail 50, and has a longitudinal top wall 81 extending along the first direction (X) and facing the upper mounting wall 51, and two sidewalls 82 extending downwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of the top wall 81. The top wall 81 and the sidewalls 82 cooperatively define a receiving space 83 having an opening that faces downwardly. Each of the sidewalls 82 has a longitudinal engaging end 821 engaged to the retaining end 521. In this embodiment, the engaging end 821 has a recess 8211 with a rounded recess surface. The recess 8211 extends longitudinally in an inner face of the respective sidewall 82 so as to receive the projection 5211. Each sidewall 82 further has a longitudinal blocking portion 822 disposed above the recess 8211 and abutting against the projection 5211. The sidewalls 82 extend over the lateral walls 52, so that the lateral walls 52 are fitted between the sidewalls 82.

To assemble the fencing system of the present invention, the two post assemblies 100 are first mounted on the mounting surface 300, after which the railing assembly 200 is connected between the post assemblies 100. The distance between the post assemblies 100 is decided based on the length of the railing assembly 200.

Since the mounting method of the two post assemblies 100 on the mounting surface 300 is similar, only the mounting method of one of the post assemblies 100 will be described herein. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixing bolt 41 is first fixed on the mounting surface 300 by screwing the bottom end portion 411 thereof into the mounting surface 300, after which the core element 20 is disposed around the fixing bolt 41, and the press plate 30 is disposed on the top end 22 of the core element 20 around the fixing bolt 41. The top end portion 413 of the fixing bolt 41 thus extends through the oblong hole 31 in the press plate 30. Afterward, the locking element or nut 42 is engaged threadedly to the top end portion 413 of the bolt 41 in a manner such that the nut 42 is not tightened against the press plate 30. In this state, the core element 20 is not pressed against the mounting surface 360 by the nut 42.

With reference to FIG. 7, if the initial position of the fixing bolt 41 is incorrect, the core element 20 and the press plate 30 are moved relative to the fixing bolt 41 along the first direction (X), and the core element 20 is moved relative to the press plate 30 along the second direction (Y). Hence, the core element 20 is moved from an initial position shown in phantom lines to a correct position shown in solid lines, so that the distance between the two core elements 20 is equal to the length of the railing assembly 200 (see FIG. 3). The nut 42 is then tightened so as to press the press plate 30 against the core element 20, thereby fixing the core element 20 against the mounting surface 300. Finally, the post member 10 is sleeved onto the core element 20, and the fixing screws 13 are engaged respectively to the screw holes 201 in the core element 20 after passing through the holes 12 in the post member 10.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 11, prior to connection of the railing assembly 200 between the post assemblies 100, the baluster units 70 and the upper and lower rails 50, 60 are first assembled. Since the connection of each baluster unit 70 between the upper and lower rails 50, 60 is similar, only the connection of one of the baluster units 70 between the upper and lower rails 50, 60 will be described herein. The top and bottom fastening plates 72, 73 of the baluster 71 are first welded to the baluster 71 at positions below the top groove 713 and above the bottom groove 714, respectively. The top groove 713 is then brought to receive the respective upper positioning element 512, after which the screw 74 is engaged to the top screw hole 721 after passing through the upper aperture 511 and the top groove 713, thereby fixing the top end portion 711 of the baluster 71 to the upper rail 50. Afterwards, the bottom groove 714 is brought to receive the respective lower positioning element 612, and the screw 74′ is engaged to the bottom screw hole 731 after passing through the lower aperture 611 and the bottom groove 714, thereby fixing the bottom end portion 712 of the baluster 71 to the lower rail 60.

After all the balusters 71 are connected between the upper and lower rails 50, 60, the mounting brackets 430 at the transverse ends 610 of the lower rail 60 are engaged respectively to the bracket-engaging members 410 of the post members 10 by extending the engaging legs 450 thereof to the respective engaging grooves 440, thereby connecting the lower rail 60 to and between bottom portions of the post members 10. Afterwards, the mounting brackets 54 of the upper rail 50 are screwed fixedly and respectively to top portions of the post members 10, thereby connecting the upper rail 50 to and between the top portions of the post members 10, as best shown in FIG. 3.

Finally, the handrail 80 is connected to the upper rail 50 with the opening of the receiving space 83 facing the opening of the groove 53 in the upper rail 50. The sidewalls 82 of the handrail 80 are slid downwardly and respectively along outer surfaces of the lateral walls 52 until the blocking portions 822 abut respectively against the projections 5211 and the projections 5211 are retained respectively in the recesses 8211, thereby stably positioning the handrail 80 on top of the upper rail 50. To separate the handrail 80 from the upper rail 50 for replacement, the handrail 80 is simply pulled upwardly and away from the upper rail 50.

The advantages of the present invention may be summarized as follows:

1. Even if each fixing bolt 41 is not precisely positioned on the mounting surface 300, through the core element 20 and the press plate 30 which are movable relative to the bolt 41, the post members 10 can be adjusted to a correct position, so that assembly and operation of the fencing system of the present invention are simple.

2. The baluster units 70 can be easily and quickly disassembled and re-assembled between the upper and lower rails 50, 60, and the handrail 80 can be easily and quickly disassembled and re-assembled with the upper rail 50. Hence, the railing assembly 200 can be transported in a disassembled state so as not to occupy a substantial space, and the baluster units 71, the upper and lower rails 50, 60, and the handrail 80 can be easily assembled after reaching the site. Moreover, the balusters 71 may be replaced as desired.

3. The handrail 80 can be replaced as desired. So, for example, if the railing assembly 200 is disposed outdoors, the handrail 80 can be replaced any time it experiences wear, discoloration, etc., due to such outdoor placement, and hence, the service life of the railing assembly 200 is not affected by weather change.

It is noted that when the dimensions of each post member 10 are enlarged, the number of press plates 30 and fixing units 40 may be increased so as to enhance stability of the post member 10. For example, two press plates 30 may be disposed on one core element 20, and the oblong hole 31 of each press plate 30 may accommodate one or two fixing units 40.

It is worth mentioning that the cross section of each projection 5211 on the respective lateral wall 52 of the upper rail 50 may be rectangular or triangular, and the cross section of each recess 8211 in the respective sidewall 82 of the handrail 80 may be rectangular or triangular to complement such a shape of the projection 5211. Further, the post assemblies 100 may not necessarily be disposed at the same height. Moreover, each of the upper and lower rails 50, 60 may not be straight. For example, the upper rail 50 may have an inverted-V shape, i.e., a middle portion thereof may be higher than end portions thereof. Additionally, the upper and lower positioning elements 512, 612, which are formed by stamping in the preferred embodiment, may, in other embodiments, be separately made into rectangular plates, after which they are welded to the top and bottom faces of the respective upper and lower mounting walls 51, 61.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A fencing system adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface, comprising:

two spaced-apart post assemblies;

a railing assembly including upper and lower rails connected between said post assemblies; and

a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between said upper and lower rails;

each of said post assemblies including a post member having a bottom receiving space; a core element inserted into said bottom receiving space and having a bottom end adapted to abut against the mounting surface, a top end, and a through hole extending in said top and bottom ends; an adjustable press plate disposed transversely on said core element within said bottom receiving space and pressing said core element against the mounting surface; a fixing bolt having a bottom end portion adapted to be fixed inside the mounting surface, and a top end portion extending into said through hole and said press plate; and a locking element connected to said top end portion and movable toward or away from said press plate so as to press said press plate against said core element or to release said press plate; said core element being movable transversely of said fixing bolt so that a distance between said post members of said post assemblies can be adjusted.

2. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein said press plate is movable transversely of said fixing bolt in a first direction, and said core element is movable transversely of said fixing bolt and said press plate in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

3. The fencing system of claim 2, wherein said core element is inserted fittingly into said bottom receiving space, said press plate having a first dimension in the first direction that is substantially the same as a dimension of said core element in the first direction, and a second dimension in the second direction that is smaller than a dimension of said core element in the second direction so that said press plate and said core element are permitted to undergo relative movement along the second direction.

4. The fencing system of claim 3, wherein said press plate has an oblong hole that is elongated in the first direction so that said press plate is movable relative to said fixing bolt along the first direction.

5. The fencing system of claim 3, wherein said bottom receiving space has a rectangular shape, and said core element has a rectangular cross section.

6. The fencing system of claim 1, where in said top end portion of said fixing bolt is threaded, and said locking element is a nut connected threadedly to said top end portion.

7. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein said core element is made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, and metal.

8. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein each of said post assemblies has a fixing screw fastening said post member to said core element.

9. The fencing system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of mounting brackets which are fixed respectively to two opposite transverse ends of said lower rail, and a pair of bracket-engaging members which are fastened to and which protrude from said post members, respectively, each of said bracket-engaging members having an engaging groove, each of said mounting brackets having an engaging leg extending into said engaging groove.

10. A fencing system adapted to be fixed on amounting surface, comprising:

two spaced-apart post assemblies adapted to be fixed on the mounting surface; and

a railing assembly including upper and lower rails, and a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between said upper and lower rails, each of said upper and lower rails having two opposite ends connected respectively to and disposed between said post assemblies, said upper rail having a longitudinal upper mounting wall, a plurality of upper apertures provided in and spaced apart along a length of said upper mounting wall, and a plurality of upper positioning elements provided on and protruding downwardly from a bottom face of said upper mounting wall, each of said upper positioning elements surrounding a respective one of said upper apertures, said lower rail having a longitudinal lower mounting wall, a plurality of lower apertures provided in and spaced apart along a length of said lower mounting wall, and a plurality of lower positioning elements provided on and protruding upwardly from a top face of said lower mounting wall, each of said lower positioning elements surrounding a respective one of said lower apertures, each of said baluster units including a baluster and two screws, said baluster having a top end portion abutting against said bottom face of said upper mounting wall, a top groove that extends downwardly from said top end portion, that has a shape similar to that of a respective one of said upper positioning elements, and that receives the respective one of said upper positioning elements, a top screw hole provided below said top groove, a bottom end portion abutting against said top face of said lower mounting wall, a bottom groove that extends upwardly from said bottom end portion, that has a shape similar to that of a respective one of said lower positioning elements, and that receives the respective one of said lower positioning elements, and a bottom screw hole provided above said bottom groove, each of said screws extending through a respective one of said top and bottom grooves and engaging a respective one of said top and bottom screw holes.

11. The fencing system of claim 10, wherein each of said upper and lower positioning elements has a rectangular cross section.

12. The fencing system of claim 10, wherein each of said baluster units further includes a top fastening plate fixed below said top groove, and a bottom fastening plate fixed above said bottom groove, said top screw hole being provided in said top fastening plate, said bottom screw hole being provided in said bottom fastening plate.

13. The fencing system of claim 10, further comprising a pair of mounting brackets which are fixed respectively to two opposite transverse ends of said lower rail, and a pair of bracket-engaging members which are fastened to and which protrude from said post members, respectively, each of said bracket-engaging members having an engaging groove, each of said mounting brackets having an engaging leg extending into said engaging groove.

14. A fencing system adapted to be fixed on a mounting surface, comprising:

two spaced-apart post assemblies adapted to be fixed on the mounting surface; and

a railing assembly including upper and lower rails, a plurality of spaced-apart baluster units connected between said upper and lower rails, and a handrail mounted on said upper rail, each of said upper and lower rails having two opposite ends connected respectively to and disposed between said post assemblies, said upper rail having a longitudinal upper mounting wall, and two lateral walls extending upwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of said upper mounting wall, each of said lateral walls having a longitudinal retaining end, said handrail having a longitudinal top wall facing said upper mounting wall, and two sidewalls extending downwardly and respectively from two opposite longitudinal ends of said top wall, each of said sidewalls having a longitudinal engaging end engaged to said retaining end, one of said engaging end and said retaining end having a recess, the other one of said engaging end and said retaining end having a projection.

15. The fencing system of claim 14, wherein said retaining end has said projection that projects outwardly from and that extends longitudinally along a length of the respective one of said lateral walls, and said engaging end has said recess that extends longitudinally in an inner face of a respective one of said sidewalls so as to receive said projection, each of said sidewalls further having a longitudinal blocking portion disposed above said recess and abutting against said projection.

16. The fencing system of claim 15, wherein said projection has a rounded projecting surface, and said recess has a rounded recess surface.

17. The fencing system of claim 14, further comprising a pair of mounting brackets which are fixed respectively to two opposite transverse ends of said lower rail, and a pair of bracket-engaging members which are fastened to and which protrude from said post members, respectively, each of said bracket-engaging members having an engaging groove, each of said mounting brackets having an engaging leg extending into said engaging groove.