Method for connecting rails of various configurations to a support structure

Abstract

A bracket assembly for attaching rails of multiple configurations to a support structure. The bracket assembly may include a base piece having a plate with a pair of flanges extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. An insert may be configured to fit between the flanges and within the rail to provide support to the rail. A pin may be inserted through openings in the flanges, the insert, and the rail to attach the rail to the insert and the base piece. A cover may be placed over the base piece to provide a pleasing appearance to the bracket assembly. A single sized base piece, insert, and pin may be used to connect rails of different sizes and shapes to the support structure.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
     
     
         49 . A method of attaching a rail to a support structure, said rail having a hollow open end, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) attaching a base piece to the support structure, said base piece comprising a pair of flanges;    b) placing an insert within said hollow open end of said rail;    c) placing said rail and insert on said base piece between said flanges; and    d) inserting a pin through said rail, said insert, and said pair of flanges to attach said rail to said support structure.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein step (a) comprises inserting a bracket fastener through an opening in said base piece into said support structure.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of aligning an aperture in said rail, said insert and said base piece.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of attaching a cover over said base piece to conceal said base piece.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising inserting a tab on said cover into a groove on said base piece to attach said cover to said base piece.  
     
     
         54 . A method of attaching a rail to a support structure, said rail having a hollow open end, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) attaching a pair of flanges to the support structure;    b) placing an insert within said hollow open end of said rail for supporting said rail;    c) placing said rail between said flanges; and    d) removably attaching said insert to said flanges.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein step (a) further comprises providing a plate attached to said pair of flanges, said plate having an opening.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of inserting a bracket fastener through said opening and into said support structure.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising the step of aligning an aperture in said rail, said insert and said pair of flanges.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising inserting a pin in said aperture through said rail, said insert, and said pair of flanges.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising the step of attaching a cover over said pair of flanges to conceal said flanges.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further comprising providing a plate attached to said pair of flanges, said plate having a groove.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising providing a tab on said cover and inserting said tab into said groove on said plate to attach said cover to said plate.  
     
     
         62 . A method of attaching a rail to a support structure, said rail having a hollow open end, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a base piece for attaching to said support structure;    b) providing an insert for inserting into said hollow open end of said rail for supporting said rail;    c) constructing said base piece and said insert to meet a building standard requirement without regard to the rail; and    d) utilizing the base piece and insert to attach rails having different configurations to said support structure.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising providing a cover for concealing said base piece.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising attaching said cover to said base piece with a snap-fit.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein step (d) comprises attaching a rail having a substantially rectangular shape to said support structure.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein step (d) comprises attaching a rail having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein said upper portion is wider than said lower portion.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising aligning an aperture in said rail with an aperture in said base piece and an aperture in said insert.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising inserting a pin through said aperture in said base piece, said aperture in said rail and said aperture in said insert.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising inserting at least one bracket fastener through said base piece into said support structure.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising providing a different shaped cover to correspond with each of the different configurations of the rails.  
     
     
         71 - 72 . (canceled)  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein step (d) comprises inserting said pin through two apertures in said rail, two apertures in said insert, and two apertures in said base piece simultaneously.  
     
     
         74 . A method of attaching a rail to a support structure, said rail having a hollow open end, said method comprising: 
 a) attaching a base piece to the support structure, said base piece comprising a pair of flanges;    b) surrounding a perimeter of said rail with a cover;    c) placing said rail between said flanges of said base piece such that a top and a bottom of said rail is unbounded by said base piece; and    d) concealing said flanges with said cover.    
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising placing an insert within said hollow open end of said rail.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising inserting a pin through said rail, said insert, and said pair of flanges to attach said rail to said support structure.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein said base piece comprises a plate and said pair of flanges extend substantially perpendicular to said plate and parallel to each other.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein said pair of flanges have rounded upper ends.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein part (c) comprises placing said rail between said flanges of said base piece such that said pair of flanges face opposing sides of said rail.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 74 , wherein part (c) comprises placing said rail between said flanges of said base piece such that no portion of said pair of flanges resides vertically beneath any portion of said rail.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising inserting a screw through said rail and one of said pair of flanges to attach said rail to said support structure.  
     
     
         82 . A method of attaching a rail to a support structure, said rail having a hollow open end, said method comprising: 
 a) attaching a base piece to the support structure, said base piece comprising at least one flange;    b) placing a cover on a perimeter of said rail;    c) placing said rail adjacent said at least one flange of said base piece such that a top and a bottom of said rail is unbounded by said base piece; and    d) concealing said at least one flange with said cover.    
     
     
         83 . The method of claims  82 , wherein parts and (a) and (c) respectively further comprise: 
 a) attaching a base piece having a pair of flanges to the support structure; and    c) placing said rail between said flanges of said base piece such that a top and a bottom of said rail is unbounded by said base piece.