Handrail insert

Abstract

An insert of this invention is attached to a post and secures an upper and/or lower rail to the post. The upper, lower rail is secured by disposing a bracket or extension within a reinforcing member, the reinforcing member present within a cavity defined in the upper or lower rail.

1 . A rail system, comprising:
 a generally vertical post;   a rail with a longitudinal rail cavity;   a plurality of balusters attached to said rail;   a reinforcing member disposed in said rail cavity; and   a bracket including
 a bracket insert at least partially disposed in said reinforcing member and attached to said reinforcing member; and 
 an attachment member extending from said insert and attached to said post. 
   
   
   
       2 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member generally transversely extends from said insert. 
   
   
       3 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said insert is attached to said reinforcing member with a fastener. 
   
   
       4 . The rail system of  claim 3 , wherein said fastener is a screw. 
   
   
       5 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member extends generally perpendicularly from said insert. 
   
   
       6 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said rail comprises a composite material. 
   
   
       7 . The rail system of  claim 6 , wherein said composite material comprises granulated paper sludge blended with a synthetic polymer resin. 
   
   
       8 . The rail system of  claim 7 , wherein said polymer resin comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon. 
   
   
       9 . The rail system of  claim 6 , wherein said granulated papermaking sludge includes paper fiber, kaolin clay, calcium carbonate, and titanium dioxide. 
   
   
       10 . The rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said insert comprises aluminum or steel. 
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a rail system, the rail system comprising a post, upper and lower rails, and a plurality of balusters secured between the upper and lower rails, and a reinforcing member disposed in a longitudinal cavity of each of the upper and lower rails, the method comprising:
 axially sliding an insert of a bracket to contact a surface of each of said reinforcing members;   securing said inserts to said reinforcing members; and   securing an attachment member of each of said brackets to said post.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each said reinforcing member comprises an upper member extending into a pair of lateral members, a slot defined between the upper and each of said lateral members and wherein a margin of each of the inserts is accommodated by the slots. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , in which each of the lateral members tapers from a maximum dimension proximate the upper member to a tip and in which cross sections of said reinforcing members generally conform to a corresponding cross sectional shape of each of the cavities within the upper and lower rails. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rail system further comprises a pair of collars and wherein the method further comprises securing each of the collars to the post as the attachment members are secured to the post. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein orifices present in each of said collars align with orifices present in said attachment members. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein fasteners are used to secure the collars to said post. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein screws are used to secure the collars to said post. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the upper rails and lower rails are attached to one of the inserts. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said upper and lower rails are attached using a fastener. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said upper and lower rails are attached using a screw.