Modular railing and bracket therefor

Abstract

A modular railing including a plurality of upright posts and a plurality of hand rails extending between adjacent ones of the upright posts is described. The handrails each include a plastic outer shell. A plurality of lower rails extend between the adjacent ones of the upright posts. At least one of the handrails or lower rails is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the post. A plurality of spindles extend between the handrails and the lower rails. At least one bowed connector couples the at least one obliquely oriented rail to at least one upright post. The bowed connector includes a bracketed end for mounting to a post and an angled end for receiving an end portion of the at least one obliquely oriented rail.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular railing comprising: 
 a plurality of upright posts;    a plurality of handrails extending between adjacent ones of the upright posts;    a plurality of lower rails extending between the adjacent ones of the upright posts, wherein at least one of the handrails or lower rails is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the post;    a plurality of spindles extending between the handrails and the lower rails;    at least one bowed connector coupling the at least one obliquely oriented rail to at least one upright post, wherein the bowed connector has a bracketed end for mounting to a post and an angled end for receiving an end portion of the at least one obliquely oriented rail.    
     
     
         2 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the angled end of the bowed connector has a non-rectangular shaped opening matching a cross-sectional profile of the handrails to allow the bowed connector to be slipped over end portions of the handrails.  
     
     
         3 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the angled end of the bowed connector is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the bracketed end of the bowed connector.  
     
     
         4 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handrails, lower rails, and bowed connector have a weather resistant exterior surface.  
     
     
         5 . A modular railing as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bracketed end of the bowed connector includes flanges to allow the brackets to be fastened to the upright posts with fasteners.  
     
     
         6 . In a modular railing of the type having a plurality of posts, a plurality of rails extending between adjacent ones of the upright posts, wherein at least one of the rails is positioned at an oblique angle relative to an adjacent post, the improvement therein comprising: 
 at least one bowed connector coupling the obliquely oriented rail to at least one post, wherein the bowed connector has a bracketed end and an angled end for receiving an end portion of the at least one obliquely oriented rail therein.    
     
     
         7 . The improvement as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the angled end of the bowed connector has a shaped opening matching a cross-sectional profile of the rails to allow the bowed connector to be slipped over end portions of the rails.  
     
     
         8 . The improvement of  claim 7  wherein the bowed connector includes a first portion and a second portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to said first portion.  
     
     
         9 . The improvement of  claim 8  wherein the bowed connector is made of a weatherable plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The improvement of  claim 6  wherein the bowed connector comprises an outer surface made of weatherable PVC.  
     
     
         11 . A plastic mounting bracket for securing a railing to an upright post, said plastic mounting bracket comprising: 
 a first portion adapted to be secured to the upright post; and    a second portion extending from the first portion at an oblique angle thereto, said second portion including a shaped opening for receiving an end of the railing therein.    
     
     
         12 . The plastic mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least an exterior surface of said plastic mounting bracket comprises a weatherable PVC.  
     
     
         13 . The plastic mounting bracket as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said first portion includes a mounting flange for mounting to the upright post.