Abstract: A railing system for stairs comprises a plurality of pickets, a first rail, and a second rail. The first rail comprises a handle portion, an attachment portion, and a first cover. The attachment portion is attached to the pickets using fasteners. The first cover is adapted to cover the fasteners when the attachment portion is attached to the pickets. The second rail comprises a base member, a base sidewall, and a second cover. The base member comprises a plurality of base openings adapted to receive the pickets. The base sidewall is attached to the pickets using fasteners. The second cover is adapted to fit over the fasteners when base sidewall is attached to the pickets.

Abstract: A system for facilitating construction of a deck comprises a server, a client computer, and a database. A user inputs, through a graphical user interface on the display of the client computer, a configuration for the deck. The server receives the deck information from the client computer and determines, based on information in the database and the deck information, a parts list and instruction information. The instruction information includes information on the alterations to the parts needed to construct the deck. The parts list and the instruction information may be displayed on the user interface.

Abstract: A shelving system comprises four corner columns, a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams, and a plurality of beam braces. Each of the support beams extends between two of the four corner columns, and each support beam is paired with a corresponding second support beam to form pairs of support beams. Each of the beam braces extends between the support beams of one of the pairs of support beams and comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first and second end portions comprise substantially planar faces. The middle portion is between the first end portion and the second end portion and comprises first and second edges, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend away from the first and second edges, respectively, in opposite directions.

Abstract: A standing hook comprises a substantially hollow upright member, a cap, a support member, and a hook portion. The upright member comprises first and second ends, with the second end being configured to be inserted into the ground. The cap is attached to, and covers, the first end. The support member is rigidly attached to the upright member between the first and second ends. The hook portion extends from the upright member and comprises one or more structural portions. At least one of the structural portions comprises a hook for supporting one or more objects. The hook portion is substantially solid.

Abstract: A shelving system comprises four corner columns, a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams, and a plurality of beam braces. Each of the support beams extends between two of the four corner columns, and each support beam is paired with a corresponding second support beam to form pairs of support beams. Each of the beam braces extends between the support beams of one of the pairs of support beams and comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first and second end portions comprise substantially planar faces. The middle portion is between the first end portion and the second end portion and comprises first and second edges, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend away from the first and second edges, respectively, in opposite directions.

Abstract: A rail for a railing system with pickets comprises an elongated cover portion and an elongated side portion. The cover portion comprises an elongated top surface, one or more first connectors proximate to a lateral end of the top surface, a plurality of shelves interspersed between successive ones of the pickets, and one or more second connectors. Each of the shelves comprises a first end, and each of the second connectors extends from at least some of the first ends. The elongated side portion comprises one or more third connectors and one or more fourth connectors. The third connectors are adapted to engage with the one or more first connectors, and the fourth connectors are adapted to engage with the one or more second connectors. The side portion is secured to the cover portion by engagement of the third connectors with the first connectors and by engagement of the fourth connectors with the second connectors.

Abstract: A bracket for securing an accessory (e.g. a light strip) to a structure (e.g. a railing) comprises an attachment portion and a cover portion. The cover portion is removably attached to the attachment portion. When the two portions are attached together, a channel is formed for holding the accessory. The attachment portion comprises a planar portion with one or more openings adapted to receive fasteners for attaching the attachment portion to the structure.

Abstract: A railing system includes spacers for spacing apart railing pickets, and a rail which engages the spacers and secures the railing pickets. The spacers are made up of a planar top member, side members extending from longitudinal edges of the top member, and wings extending outwardly from a central position of the side members. The rail comprises a substantially elongated planar member and first and second substantially parallel elongated side-walls perpendicularly connected to the planar member. The side-walls each comprise first and second groove members, which are spaced apart to form grooves running substantially parallel to the elongated planar member. The grooves are adapted to receive the plurality of spacers such that the wings of the spacers abut against the first and second groove members when the spacers are assembled in the railing system.