Hidden connector system for railings

Abstract

A hidden connector system ( 10 ) for railing constructions including a basic railing unit ( 11 ) including an elongated hollow tubular railing member ( 20 ), the interior surface of which is provided with a generally C-shaped central core element ( 21 ) that is supported within the interior of the railing member ( 20 ) by a pair of opposed struts ( 22 ) ( 22 ) wherein, the exterior surface of the railing member ( 20 ) may be provided with opposed elongated channels ( 23 ) and/or opposed cylindrical recesses ( 25 ) that are offset by 90° from the opposed struts ( 22 ) ( 22 ) and wherein a plurality of railing members ( 20 ) ( 20 ′) etc. may be connected to one another by conventional fasteners ( 50 ) alone or in combination with diverse connector members ( 60 ) ( 70 ) and ( 80 ).

I claim:  
     
         1 . A hidden connector system for railing constructions comprising a basic railing unit including an elongated hollow tubular railing member the interior of which is provided with a generally tubular central core element that is suspended within the interior of the tubular railing member by a pair of opposed struts.  
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1;  wherein, the central core element has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2;  wherein, the central core element and the pair of struts extend along the entire length of the railing member.  
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 2;  wherein, the central core element and the pair of struts are recessed from the opposed ends of the railing member.  
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 3;  wherein, at least one of the opposite ends of the railing member terminates in a straight line.  
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 4;  wherein, at least one of the opposite ends of the railing member terminates in a straight line.  
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 3;  wherein, at least one of the opposite ends of the railing member terminates in a contoured curve.  
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 4;  wherein, at least one of the opposite ends of the railing member terminates in a contoured curve.  
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 5;  wherein, both of the ends of the railing member terminate in a straight line.  
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 6;  wherein, both of the ends of the railing member terminate in a straight line.  
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 7;  wherein, both of the ends of the railing member terminate in a contoured curve.  
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 8;  wherein, both of the ends of the railing member terminate in a contoured curve.  
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 1;  wherein, the external surface of the railing member is provided with a pair of elongated opposed channels.  
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 13;  wherein, the opposed channels are offset by 90° from the opposed struts.  
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 1;  wherein, the external surface of the railing member is provided with at least one pair of opposed cylindrical recesses.  
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 15;  wherein, the at least one pair of opposed cylindrical recesses is offset by 90° from the opposed struts.  
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 2;  wherein, the external surface of the railing member is provided with a pair of elongated opposed channels.  
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 17;  wherein, the opposed channels are offset by 90° from the opposed struts.  
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 2;  wherein, the external surface of the railing member is provided with at least one pair of opposed cylindrical recesses.  
     
     
         20 . The system as in  claim 19;  wherein, the at least one pair of opposed cylindrical recesses is offset by 90° from the opposed struts.