Multi-position rail for a barrier

Abstract

A rail is disclosed for use in forming a barrier system, such as a railing for a deck, porch, walkway or fence. The rail has a versatile configuration in that either a top or bottom side of the rail may be received in a rail cover. The rail may have side walls and a cross wall on the top or bottom side of the rail. A channel may be formed on the side of the rail opposite the cross wall. Upright members, such as pickets, planks, balusters, or walls may be received in either the top side or the bottom side of the rail, in the channel or through the cross wall. A cap having openings for receiving the upright member may be placed on the channel. The rail may be positioned on the top or bottom of the barrier system and the rail may be symmetrical to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

1 . A rail for use in forming at least part of a barrier system, said rail comprising: 
 a first side wall forming a first side of said rail;    a second side wall forming a second side of said rail;    a top side;    a bottom side;    a cross wall formed at one of said top side and said bottom side; and    means for engaging with a cover to attach said rail to said cover in a first orientation in which said cover is disposed on said top side, and a second orientation in which said cover is disposed on said bottom side.    
     
     
         2 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging are located toward both said top side and said bottom side.  
     
     
         3 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging are located on both said first side and said second side.  
     
     
         4 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall each define a planar portion.  
     
     
         5 . The rail of  claim 4 , wherein said means for engaging are configured as protrusions extending away from said rail beyond said planar portions to attach said cover with an interference fit.  
     
     
         6 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging form a curved surface.  
     
     
         7 . The rail of  claim 6 , wherein said means for engaging form a radiused surface defining a rounded configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said rail further comprises a brace member extending between said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         9 . The rail of  claim 8 , wherein said rail defines a chamber between said first side wall, said second side wall, said brace member and said cross wall.  
     
     
         10 . The rail of  claim 8 , wherein said brace member comprises at least one ridge.  
     
     
         11 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said rail defines a channel between said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         12 . The rail of  claim 11 , wherein said channel is disposed on said rail on another of said top side and said bottom side opposite said cross wall.  
     
     
         13 . The rail of  claim 1 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are symmetrical.  
     
     
         14 . The rail of  claim 1 , further comprising a slot for receiving a portion of a rail cap.  
     
     
         15 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . A rail for use in forming at least part of a barrier system, said rail comprising: 
 a first side wall forming a first side of said rail;    a second side wall forming a second side of said rail;    a top side;    a bottom side;    a cross wall integrally formed on said rail at one of said top side and said bottom side;    a brace member extending between said first side wall and said second side wall; and    a protrusion on at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall, said protrusion extending away from said at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall and configured for forming an interference fit with a cover and a cap.    
     
     
         32 . The rail of  claim 31 , wherein said protrusion forms a curved surface.  
     
     
         33 . The rail of  claim 31 , wherein said rail defines a chamber between said first side wall, said second side wall, said brace member and said cross wall.  
     
     
         34 . The rail of  claim 31 , wherein said rail defines a channel between said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         35 . The rail of  claim 31 , wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are symmetrical.  
     
     
         36 . A rail for use in forming at least part of a barrier system, said rail comprising: 
 a first side wall forming a first side of said rail;    a second side wall forming a second side of said rail;    a top side;    a bottom side;    a cross wall integrally formed on said rail at one of said top side and said bottom side, said cross wall having at least one hole for receiving a boundary-defining barrier means therethrough; and    a brace member extending between said first side wall and said second side wall.    
     
     
         37 . The rail of  claim 36 , further comprising means for engaging with a cover to attach said rail to said cover in a first orientation in which said cover is disposed on said top side, and a second orientation in which said cover is disposed on said bottom side.  
     
     
         38 . The rail of  claim 37 , wherein said means for engaging are located on both said first side of said rail and said second side of said rail.  
     
     
         39 . The rail of  claim 37 , wherein said means for engaging are located on both said top side of said rail and said bottom side of said rail.  
     
     
         40 . The rail of  claim 37 , wherein said means for engaging are configured as protrusions extending away from said rail to attach said cover with an interference fit.  
     
     
         41 . The rail of  claim 36 , wherein said rail defines a chamber between said first side wall, said second side wall, said brace member and said cross wall.  
     
     
         42 . The rail of  claim 36 , wherein said rail defines a channel between said first side wall and said second side wall.  
     
     
         43 . The rail of  claim 36 , wherein said brace member comprises at least one ridge.  
     
     
         44 . The rail of  claim 36 , wherein said brace member comprises a groove for receiving a fastener or drill bit.  
     
     
         45 - 83 . (canceled)  
     
     
         84 . A rail for use in forming at least part of a barrier system, said rail comprising: 
 a first side wall forming a first side of said rail;    a second side wall forming a second side of said rail;    a top side;    a bottom side;    a cross wall formed at one of said top side and said bottom side; and    means for engaging with a cover to attach said rail to said cover;    wherein said engaging means are located at both said top side and said bottom side such that said rail is configured to be attached to said cover in a first orientation in which said cover is disposed on said top side, and a second orientation in which said cover is disposed on said bottom side;    wherein said means for engaging are located on both said first side and said second side;    wherein said first side wall and said second side wall each define a planar portion;    wherein said means for engaging are configured as protrusions extending away from said rail beyond said planar portions to attach said cover with an interference fit;    wherein said means for engaging form a curved surface;    wherein said means for engaging form a radiused surface defining a rounded configuration;    wherein said rail further comprises a brace member extending between said first side wall and said second side wall;    wherein said brace member is a continuous wall centrally located between the top side of the rail and the bottom side of the rail;    wherein the brace member comprises a groove for positioning a fastener;    wherein said brace member comprises at least one ridge for locating and supporting a bracket;    wherein said rail defines a chamber between said first side wall, said second side wall, said brace member and said cross wall;    wherein said rail defines a channel between said first side wall and said second side wall;    wherein said channel is disposed on said rail on another of said top side and said bottom side opposite said cross wall;    wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are symmetrical;    wherein said first side wall and said second side wall comprise a slot for receiving a portion of a rail cap.    
     
     
         85 - 101 . (canceled)