Apparatus and method for attaching a rail and a post

Abstract

This invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for attaching a rail and a post. More particularly, the invention relates to novel brackets for attaching horizontal or diagonal rails to vertical posts. The bracket is fastened to the post and is inserted in an open end of a rail, and the rail is fastened to the bracket, including at various angles relative to the post. The present invention includes methods of attaching a rail to a post, railing systems comprising a rail fastened to a post, and kits including one or more brackets.

1 . A bracket for attaching a rail to a post, the bracket comprising a front face; first and second sides extending from the face; first and second flanges adapted for attaching the bracket to a post; wherein the first flange extends from the first side, and the second flange extends from the second side.  
   
   
       2 . The bracket of  claim 1  further comprising a bendable tab extending from the face, and the tab is free of the two sides.  
   
   
       3 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein the flanges are parallel to each other and define a flange plane.  
   
   
       4 . The bracket of  claim 3  wherein the flanges are substantially parallel to the face and substantially perpendicular to the sides.  
   
   
       5 . The bracket of  claim 3  wherein the flange plane is at an angle with respect to the face, and the angle is between about 20 and about 50 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein the flanges are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
   
   
       7 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein intersections of the face with the sides defines face-side angles, and the face-side angles are slightly greater than 90 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The bracket of  claim 1  wherein intersections of the sides with the flanges define side-flange angles, and the sum of the side-flange angles is about 180 degrees or about 270 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . A railing assembly for a deck or fence comprising: 
 at least two vertical posts;    one or more rails extending between the posts, the rails having open ends;    a plurality of brackets, each of the brackets comprising a front face; first and second sides extending from the face; first and second flanges adapted for attaching the bracket to a post; wherein the first flange extends from the first side, and the second flange extends from the second side;    wherein the face and sides of the brackets are within the open ends of the rails;    wherein the rails are fastened to the sides of the brackets; and    wherein the flanges of the brackets are fastened to the posts.    
   
   
       10 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the railing assembly is a stairway railing.  
   
   
       11 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of the brackets further comprises a bendable tab extending from the face, and the rails are fastened to the tabs.  
   
   
       12 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the brackets comprises flanges which are at an angle with respect to the face, and the angle is between about 20 and about 50 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the brackets has flanges substantially perpendicular to each other and is attached to a corner of one of the posts.  
   
   
       14 . The railing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the rails are hollow and plastic, and rail stiffeners are disposed inside the rails, the rail stiffeners having tabs adapted for hooking onto the brackets.  
   
   
       15 . A method of building a railing assembly for a deck or fence having at least one rail attached to a post, the method comprising the steps of: 
 erecting a vertical post;    fastening a bracket to the vertical post, wherein the bracket comprises a face, two sides extending from the face, and a flange extending from each of the sides; and    fastening a rail to the bracket.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising placing an escutcheon on the rail and attaching the escutcheon to one or both of the post and the rail, such that the escutcheon covers a junction between the rail and the post.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising fastening the bracket at a corner of the post.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of adjusting a tab on the bracket and fastening the rail to the tab.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tab is adjusted to reciprocate with an inside surface of the rail for a stairway.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the rail meets a face of the post at an angle.