Abstract: A baluster structure of handrail includes a steel-bar threaded central post, which is circumferentially enclosed by a plastic jacket and a plastic decorative portion. The steel-bar threaded central post has top and bottom respectively forming first and second joint sections. The second joint section is mounted to a stairway and the first joint section is mounted to an underside of the handrail to form a baluster. The threads of the upper and lower sections and the thread-free middle section of the steel-bar threaded central post are enclosed by the integrally formed plastic jacket and plastic decorative portion, whereby the plastic jacket and the plastic decorative portion are rotatably fixed. The baluster is mounted to the stairway to support a handrail. The baluster is of greater strength, does not deform and bend, is safe and corrosion resistant, has an extended life span, and is environmentally conservative.

Abstract: An environmentally responsible system and method of reusing discarded guardrail materials to provide affordable, high-strength barriers and fencing. Discarded guardrails, guardrail posts, and guardrail blockouts are resized and reconfigured to provide barriers for use in alternative applications, such as agrifencing, where the high-strength, durability, and low cost of these formerly DOT-approved guardrail materials provide superior performance to wood and thin metal barriers. The invention also greatly increases the return on investment of state DOTs by providing an aftermarket for used guardrail materials, thereby allowing state DOTs to recover much of the initial costs, which can then be used to offset future costs in order facilitate more highway improvement projects.

Abstract: A barrier, such as fence panel, is formed from a plurality of channel-shaped rails and plurality of upright members. Each upright member traverses the rail channels of the rails forming the barrier and is mechanically connected to the rail, such that the upright member is selectively tiltable with respect to the rail within an angular adjustment range. The mechanical connection between rail and upright member may be formed by a weld, such as a resistance weld, by a permanent adhesive, or with a fastener such as bolt or screw. A tab that extends from the rail web may be used to connect a rail to an upright member. The tab may depend from a bracket installed within the rail channel, or may be cut out and bent into the channel from the web. The tab is rotatable about an axis situated at or adjacent the web.

Abstract: A barrier such as a fence is formed by welding conductive upright members to conductive U-shaped rails by a projection resistance welding process. The rail includes at least one weld-forming region which projects within the rail channel, and may be formed wither as a ridge, or as a longitudinally spaced series of nipple-shaped projections. The upright member is transversely positioned within the rail channel in contact with the weld-forming region. A welding current transmitted between the upright member and the rail causes the weld-forming region to at least partially melt and form a weld within the rail channel.

Abstract: An improved gate section and base for a portable safety rail system which utilizes cast iron bases and hinged gate sections. The improved base includes four post receivers, recessed handles with smooth edges, and stacking recesses. The improved gate section incorporates a single pull double latching mechanism which includes two durable and robust latches each with its own manual operating tab but also a manual operating handle whereby both latches can be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A sturdy aluminum pedestrian and bicyclist safety railing that reduces the amount of welding required during construction, comprising top and bottom rigid bars, each having a longitudinal, radially extending exterior passage and a plurality of aluminum pickets mounted within said bar top and bottom channels and held apart by a plurality of spacer plugs that interlock and fit snugly within each top and bottom bar channel and act as spacers to separate the pickets. The top and bottom bars may be welded together at each end of the railing to hold the entire unit together, retaining the plurality of rigid pickets that are substantially perpendicular (or inclined) to the top and bottom bars. The pickets are supported in the top and bottom bar channels without welding for increased strength and reduced cost of construction.

Abstract: A picket privacy fence that is composed of a plurality of elongated interlocking pickets that form a continuous fencing surface. Top and bottom rails are run horizontally between upright support posts that are set in the ground at regularly spaced intervals. The elongated pickets are positioned vertically between the top and bottom rails. Each picket has a flange on both vertical edges so that adjacent pickets are interlocked using a lap joint thereby preventing any gaps between the elongated pickets. The regularly spaced upright support posts are located within a vertical shaft that passes through the elongated vertical pickets, thereby allowing the elongated interlocking vertical pickets to form a continuous fencing surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes at least two spaced apart vertical rails and two spaced apart horizontal rails, which engage the vertical rails and are positioned above the lower ends of the vertical rails. Multiple slip-on or slip-in structural fittings engage the horizontal rails with the vertical rails and include a security mechanism that secures the rails to the fittings. A plastic coating covers and seals the vertical and horizontal rails and the structural fittings.

Abstract: A rail bracket mounting system, including a bracket that is attached to a post. The bracket is formed to support the notching of a rail. The end of a rail is then nested into the bracket, and is supported by the bracket. The rail is then secured to the bracket by fasteners such as screws, and a cover may then be placed over the bracket, housing the securing fasteners. The rail may be hollow or solid. A hollow rail may be reinforced along its entire length by the insertion of one or more reinforcing members through a hollow portion of the rail.

Abstract: A fence rail clip for attaching a fence rail to a vertical fence post is disclosed. The rail clip has a bracket and a rail connector. The bracket may be secured to the vertical post. The rail connector has a rail receiving receptacle into which an end of a rail may be inserted and the connector is adapted to slidingly engage the bracket. When the position of the rail connector is altered by sliding the rail connector along the bracket, the angle of the rail receiving receptacle is altered, thereby changing the angle at which a rail may be attached to the post.

Abstract: A fence post with a quick connect latch for connecting a fence wire to it. The fence post is an elongated post (12) with a plurality of oblique studs (14) positioned in various combinations molded vertically on the fence post or connected together by a base bar (22) applied vertically to the fence post. Each oblique stud (14) protrudes outward, slanting, narrowing toward an outer edge (16) where a pin hole (18) is located. Further including a pin (20) elongated in shape and bent at one end.

Abstract: A modular fence system. The system includes fence planks designed for insertion into open channels of upper and lower fence rails. The fence rails are supported in a horizontal orientation between intermittent fence posts, with the open channels facing toward a vertical direction and with the fence planks extending vertically between the rails and into the channels. The planks preferably include resilient protrusions at their upper ends. The protrusions of the planks are designed to fit into internal passages formed in the open channels of the upper fence rail, into engagement with ledges defining the passages, to inhibit inadvertent removal of the planks from the upper rail. The fence rails can also be used in a different way and in a different position, in which the open channels face toward a horizontal direction, with an elongate cap coupled to the rail to cover the open channel. Plank members are coupled to the cap such that the cap resides between the plank members and the rail.

Abstract: The post and rail assembly comprises a post member, three rail members, two stiffening bars and a plurality of paling members. Post and rail members connect through openings on the inside faces of the post member and slotted projections at the ends of rail members. Rail members and paling members are connected by dropping the paling members through a plurality of openings in the rail members. The stiffening bars, post member and rail members are connected by inserting stiffening bars through post openings of a completed fence panel. Stiffening bars are entered into said rail member until they straddle one established batten member. Stiffening bars project an equal distance past the sides of the post member. The post members have three openings on each face. Openings can be staggered on each face to accommodate sloping sites. Stiffening bars may be adapted to pass through the rail and post members.

Abstract: A picket fence and rail mounting system that is easily transformable by the consumer into a variety of aesthetic styles is provided. The system comprises at least an upper and a lower elongate rail. Each rail has a hollow interior defining a substantially I-shaped cross-section including at least a first slot and a second slot. A plurality of pickets are transversely slidable through openings in an upper surface of the rails and a channel in a lower surface. The pickets each have at least a first notch or indentation near a first end and a second notch or indentation near a second end. The distance from the first end to the first notch or indentation is preferably shorter than the distance from the second end to the second notch or indentation. An elongate retaining rod slidable within at least one rail cooperates with a notch or indentation on each picket to secure the picket to the rail.

Abstract: A fencing system and method of manufacturing and installing a fencing system specifically designed to give the appearance of a traditional shadow box or privacy fence, wherein the system uses preformed non-corrosive, structurally sound corrugated panels, posts, posts mounts, channel mounts, and clips that mate and are securable using conventional fasteners.

Abstract: A composite handrail system comprising a plurality of upright posts; a plurality of composite rails extending between the adjacent upright posts at two points on the adjacent upright posts, the composite rails each having an internal reinforcing element, friction fit into a composite channel extending longitudinally inside said composite rail, and a composite cover friction fit over said composite channel. A plurality of composite sleeve-spindles extending between the composite rails and a plurality of connectors coupling the composite rails to the composite sleeve-spindles. The connectors being adapted to be mounted to the composite rails and adapted to receive and friction fit the composite sleeve-spindles.

Abstract: A plastic modular fence system having posts, a first rail, a second rail, and upright picket boards extending between the rails. A plurality of mounting brackets each have a T-shaped opening for receiving an end of one of the rails therein and an edge of a picket therein. The bracket opening extends through the peripheral wall in places to allow the edge of the picket to extend out of the bracket on opposite sides. Also, the rails have openings configured to receive the generally vertical picket boards when the rails are positioned either horizontally or at an angle to the horizon. For example, the openings in the intermediate rail have a generally trapezoidal shape with one opening end longer than the other opening end.

Abstract: A clip for securing a picket cap to a profile of a picket fence consists of a U-shaped thin piece of stainless steel, or other suitable material, for frictionally fitting onto opposing end tabs protruding from a bottom portion of the picket cap. A backface of the picket clip has a barb-like portion formed thereon, and bent into an interior portion thereof for permitting the clip to be pushed onto one of the opposing tabs of the picket cap, but preventing the removal of the clip therefrom by digging into the material of an inside wall portion of the associated tab if an attempt is made to remove the clip from the associated tab. One such clip is installed on the two opposing tabs.

Abstract: A clip for securing a picket cap to a vertical profile of a picket fence consists of a U-shaped thin piece of stainless steel, or other suitable material, for frictionally fitting onto opposing end tabs protruding from a bottom portion of the picket cap. A backface of the picket clip has a barb-like portion formed thereon, and bent into an interior portion thereof for permitting the clip to be pushed onto one of the opposing tabs of the picket cap, but preventing the removal of the clip therefrom by digging into the material of an inside wall portion of the associated tab if an attempt is made to remove the clip from the associated tab. One such clip is installed on the two opposing tabs. The front face of the clip includes a topmost barb portion bent away from the clip, for digging into an inside wall portion of a recess in the top of an associated vertical profile into which the tabs of the picket cap are inserted, to permit removal of the associated picket cap from the vertical profile.

Abstract: A connector for use in assembling railings. The connector includes a cylindrical shank for slip fit receipt inside a hollow section of a railing component. The shank has at least one groove having an abutment portion, a seating area, and a tapered portion. An O-ring with an outside diameter larger than the shank and larger than the inside diameter of the railing is set into the seating area of each tapered groove. Proximal movement of the railing component onto the shank of the connector during initial mounting presses the O-rings against the abutment portions and compresses them into the grooves. Subsequent distal movement of the railing component causes the O-rings to ride up the tapered portions of the grooves due to the friction with the inner surface of the railing component being mounted on the shank. The O-rings subsequently wedge between the outside surface of the shank and the inside surface of the railing component locking together the railing component and the connector.

Abstract: A fence rail and post construction is described wherein a metal tubular fence rail has one end thereof extending through an opening formed in one side of the post. A rail retainer is selectively removably secured to the fence rail outwardly of the post with the retainer engaging the post to limit longitudinal movement of the fence rail with respect to the post.