Railings

Abstract

An upper closure member 11 for a tubular vertical railing member 10, or associated post member, comprising, an upper viewable portion 12, when located on the tubular vertical member 10 or a railing or associated post, in use. A lower portion 13 sized to be accommodated within the tubular vertical member 10 or associated post member. The lower portion 13 comprises an expandable member 16 located to, or formed with, the lower surface of the upper portion, a bolt member 14 attached in screwthreaded engagement with a lower part 13 of the upper portion 12, whereby actuation of the bolt member 14 via the interior of the tubular vertical member 10 or associated post member causes expansion of the expandable member 16 to positively locate the expandable member 16 within the vertical railing member 10 or associated post member. A washer 15 of solid material may be located beneath the lower surface of the lower portion 16 and above the upper surface of the head of the bolt 14 to ensure expansion of the expandable member 16 with actuation of the bolt member 14.

1 . An upper closure member for a tubular vertical railing member, or associated post member, comprising, an upper viewable portion, when located on the tubular vertical member of a railing or associated post, in use, a lower portion sized to be accommodated within the tubular vertical member or associated post member, such lower portion comprising an expandable member located to, or formed with, the lower surface of the upper portion, a bolt member attached in screwthreaded engagement with a lower part of the upper portion, whereby actuation of the bolt member via the interior of the tubular vertical member or associated post member causes expansion of the expandable member to positively locate the expandable member within the vertical railing member or associated post member.  
     
     
         2 . An upper closure member as claimed in    claim 1    wherein a washer of solid material is located beneath the lower surface of the lower portion and above the upper surface of the head of the bolt to ensure expansion of the expandable member with actuation of the bolt member, in use.  
     
     
         3 . An upper closure member as claimed in    claim 1    or    claim 2   , wherein the material of the expandable member comprises rubber, a metallically expandable material, such as lead, or an expandable synthetic plastics material.  
     
     
         4 . A method of providing a closure for the upper end of a tubular vertical railing or associated post member, comprising locating a closure member as claimed in    claim 1   ,    2    or  3  within the upper open end of such tubular vertical railing member or associated post member and subsequently actuating the bolt member from within the railing or post member ot expand the expandable member to positively locate the expandable member within the vertical railing member or associated post member.  
     
     
         5 . A railing section comprising a plurality of vertical tubular railing members having their upper open ends closed by closure members as claimed in    claim 1   ,    2    or  3  or by the method as claimed in    claim 4   .  
     
     
         6 . An upper closure member for a tubular railing member, or post member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.