Rail system having light assembly

Abstract

A rail system having a light assembly is provided including a rail for holding a panel and at least one column, wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel, wherein the rail and at least one column comprise a housing for the light assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rail system for holding a panel, comprising: 
 a rail; and    a light assembly;    wherein the rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel.    
     
     
         2 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein the rail comprises tubing.  
     
     
         3 . The rail system of  claim 2 , wherein the tubing includes an outer tube and an inner tube.  
     
     
         4 . The rail system of  claim 3 , wherein the tubing further includes ribs that connect the outer tube to the inner tube.  
     
     
         5 . The rail system of  claim 2 , wherein the tubing is made from a shatter-resistant transparent material.  
     
     
         6 . The rail system of  claim 3 , wherein the outer tube has a two-inch outside diameter.  
     
     
         7 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly includes rope lighting pulled through the rail, wherein the rope lighting illuminates the rail.  
     
     
         8 . The rail system of  claim 7 , wherein the rope lighting is colored to produce colored light.  
     
     
         9 . The rail system of  claim 2 , wherein the tubing is colored for producing colored light.  
     
     
         10 . A rail system for holding a panel, comprising: 
 a top rail;    a bottom rail;    at least two columns; and    a light assembly;    wherein the top rail includes a recess for attachment to an edge of the panel.    
     
     
         11 . The rail system of  claim 10 , wherein the each column includes a cover plate for accessing the light assembly during installation, repair and replacement.  
     
     
         12 . The rail system of  claim 11 , wherein each column includes a recessed region dimensioned to hold the cover plate so that it is flush with the column.  
     
     
         13 . The rail system of  claim 12 , wherein each column further includes at least one support plate for supporting the cover plate  
     
     
         14 . The rail system of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom rail comprises tubing.  
     
     
         15 . The rail system of  claim 14 , wherein the tubing includes an outer tube and an inner tube.  
     
     
         16 . The rail system of  claim 15 , wherein the tubing further includes ribs that connect the outer tube to the inner tube.  
     
     
         17 . The rail system of  claim 14 , wherein the tubing is made from a shatter-resistant transparent material.  
     
     
         18 . The rail system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer tube has a two-inch outside diameter.  
     
     
         19 . The rail system of  claim 10 , wherein the light assembly includes rope lighting pulled through the bottom rail for illuminating the bottom rail.  
     
     
         20 . The rail system of  claim 19 , wherein the rope lighting is colored to produce colored light.  
     
     
         21 . The rail system of  claim 10 , wherein the light assembly includes at least one light bulb within the at least two columns, wherein the at least one light bulb illuminates the bottom rail.  
     
     
         22 . The rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one light bulb is colored for producing colored light.  
     
     
         23 . The rail system of  claim 21 , wherein the top rail is a hollow tube that is a conduit for wiring for the at least one light bulb.  
     
     
         24 . The rail system of  claim 15 , wherein the inner tube includes an exterior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light.  
     
     
         25 . The rail system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer tube includes an interior surface having a plurality of triangular serrations for diffusing light.  
     
     
         26 . The rail system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer tube includes an exterior surface having a plurality of semicircular projections for diffusing light.