Railing system

Abstract

There is provided a railing system having a first rail member, a second rail member, and at least one locator space-insertable barrier member. Each space-insertable barrier member is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members. At least one of the first rail member and the second rail member includes at least one locator structure. The locator structure defines a locator space for receiving insertion of at least one locator space-insertable barrier member and thereby effecting positioning of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member relative to the rail member whose locator structure is effecting the positioning.

1 . A railing system comprising:
 a first rail member;   a second rail member; and   at least one locator space-insertable barrier member, wherein each one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members;   wherein at least one of the first rail member and the second rail member includes at least one locator structure, wherein the locator structure defines a locator space for receiving insertion of at least one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member and thereby effecting positioning of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member relative to the rail member whose locator structure is effecting the positioning, such that, when at least one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member is received within the locator space, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member, a corresponding visible exterior surface portion of the received locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed outside of the locator space for receiving a fastener and effecting connection, with the fastener, of the received locator space-insertable barrier member to the positioning-effecting rail member such that the connection of the received locator space-insertable barrier member to the positioning-effecting rail member is a locator-assisted connection, and such that after the locator-assisted connection is effected, the received locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed adjacent to a first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member;   such that, when any one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, wherein the connection of the locator space-insertable barrier member to at least one of the first and second rail members is the locator-assisted connection, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented in a vertically spaced-apart relationship relative to one another, the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member, to which the locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed in adjacent relationship, is an exterior surface portion on an exterior side surface of the positioning-effecting rail member.   
     
     
         2 . The railing assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein at least one of the at least one locator space-insertable barriers is connectable to both of the first and second rail members to effect joinder of the first and second rail members by connection to each one of the first and second rail members with the locator-assisted connection.   
     
     
         3 . The railing assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member:
 the received locator space-insertable barrier member is positioned in opposition to the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member, such that the received locator space-insertable barrier member is connectable to the positioning-effecting rail member by a fastener penetrating: (i) through the received locator space-insertable barrier member, and (ii) through the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member. 
   
     
     
         4 . The railing assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member:
 the received locator space-insertable barrier member is positioned in opposition to the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member, such that the received locator space-insertable barrier member is connectable to the positioning-effecting rail member by a fastener penetrating: (i) in through the corresponding visible surface portion of the received locator space-insertable barrier member, and (ii) out through a surface portion of the received locator space-insertable barrier member that is opposite to the visible surface portion, and (iii) in through the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member. 
   
     
     
         5 . The railing assembly as claimed in  claim 3 ;
 wherein the first exterior surface portion is any surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member that is opposing the surface portion of the received locator space-insertable barrier member that is opposite to the corresponding visible surface portion.   
     
     
         6 . The railing assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein each one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member includes a maximum width of less than 0.375 inches.   
     
     
         7 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member, the received locator space-insertable barrier member is connectable to the other one of the rail members with another fastener, and such that after the connection of the received locator space-insertable barrier member to the other one of the rail members is effected, the received locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed adjacent to a second exterior surface portion of the other one of the rail members;   such that, when any one of the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, wherein the connection of the locator space-insertable barrier member to one of the first and second rail members is the locator-assisted connection, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented in a vertically spaced-apart relationship relative to one another, the second exterior surface portion of the other one of the rail members, to which the locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed in adjacent relationship, is an exterior surface portion on an exterior side surface of the other one of the rail members.   
     
     
         8 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member, after the locator-assisted connection is effected, the received locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed in abutting contact with the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member.   
     
     
         9 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member, after the locator-assisted connection is effected, the received locator space-insertable barrier member is disposed in contact engagement with the first exterior surface portion of the positioning-effecting rail member;   
     
     
         10 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the locator space includes a recess.   
     
     
         11 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the locator structure includes a frangible member that is positioned to interfere with insertion of any one of the locator space-insertable barrier members into the locator space, and wherein the frangible member is breakable, upon application of a manual force to the frangible member, so as to permit the insertion.   
     
     
         12 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the at least one locator structure includes a wider barrier member-locator structure and a thinner barrier member-locator structure;   wherein each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member that is received by the wider barrier member-locator structure is wider than any one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member that is received by the narrower barrier member-locator structure.   
     
     
         13 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 12 ;
 wherein each one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member that is received by the wider barrier member-locator structure is a multiple of at least 1.2 wider than any one of the at least one received locator space-insertable barrier member that is received by the narrower barrier member-locator structure.   
     
     
         14 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 12 ;
 wherein the wider barrier member-locator structure is disposed on a side of the rail member that is opposite to the side on which the narrower barrier member-locator structure is disposed.   
     
     
         15 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein each one of the rail members includes plastic material.   
     
     
         16 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 14 ;
 wherein each one of the rail members is an extruded lineal.   
     
     
         17 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member includes a plurality of substantially identical locator space-insertable barrier members of a first set of locator space-insertable barrier members.   
     
     
         18 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 wherein the at least one locator space-insertable barrier member further includes a plurality of substantially identical locator space-insertable barrier members of a second set of locator space-insertable barrier members;   and wherein the locator space-insertable barrier members of the first set of locator space-insertable barrier members are characterized by a different shape in comparison to the locator space-insertable barrier members of the second set of locator space-insertable barrier members.   
     
     
         19 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 further comprising a set of locator space-uninsertable barrier members defined by a plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, wherein each one of the locator space-uninsertable barrier members is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members;   such that, when any one of the at least one locator space-uninsertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented such that the first rail member is disposed vertically above the second rail member, the locator space-uninsertable barrier member extends from a third exterior surface portion on a lower exterior side surface of the first rail member and also extends from a fourth exterior surface portion on an upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         20 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 further comprising a set of locator space-uninsertable barrier members defined by a plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, wherein each one of the locator space-uninsertable barrier members is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members;   such that, when any one of the at least one locator space-uninsertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented such that the first rail member is disposed vertically above the second rail member, the longitudinal axis of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is oriented so as to intersect a third exterior surface portion on a lower exterior side surface of the first rail member and so as also to intersect a fourth exterior surface portion on an upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         21 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein the third exterior surface portion on the lower exterior side surface of the first rail member opposes the fourth exterior surface portion on the upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         22 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 21 ;
 wherein an axis normal to any one of the first and second exterior surface portions is disposed in a transverse relationship to an axis normal to any one of the third and fourth exterior surface portions.   
     
     
         23 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 21 ;
 wherein an axis normal to any one of the first and second exterior surface portions is orthogonal to an axis normal to any one of the third and fourth exterior surface portions.   
     
     
         24 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 further comprising a set of locator space-uninsertable barrier members defined by a plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, wherein each one of the locator space-uninsertable barrier members is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members;   and also further comprising a plurality of coupling adaptors connectable to either one of the first and second rail members, wherein, for each one of the coupling adaptors, after the coupling adaptor has been connected to the rail member, the coupling adaptor is configured to effect connection of one end of a locator space-uninsertable barrier member to a one of the rail members by interference fit engagement of one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to the coupling adaptor;   wherein, for each one of the plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the first rail member, and a second end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the second rail member, so as to effect the connection of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to both of the first and second rail members;   such that, for any one of the at least one locator space-uninsertable barrier member, when a one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is disposed in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that is connected to the first rail member and is also disposed in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that is connected to the second rail member, such that the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, the assembly of the interference fit engaged coupling adaptors and the locator space-uninsertable barrier member, to which the coupling adaptors are interference fit engaged, defines a modified locator space-uninsertable barrier member, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented such that the first rail member is disposed vertically above the second rail member, the modified locator space-uninsertable barrier member extends from a third exterior surface portion on a lower exterior side surface of the first rail member and also extends from a fourth exterior surface portion on an upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         25 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 17 ;
 further comprising a set of locator space-uninsertable barrier members defined by a plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, wherein each one of the locator space-uninsertable barrier members is connectable to both of the first and second rail members so as to occupy space between the first and second rail members and thereby interfere with movement of matter between the first and second rail members;   and also further comprising a plurality of coupling adaptors connectable to either one of the first and second rail members, wherein, after the coupling adaptor has been connected to the rail member, each one of the coupling adaptors is configured to effect connection of one end of a locator space-uninsertable barrier member to a one of the rail members by interference fit engagement of one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to the coupling adaptor;   wherein, for each one of the plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the first rail member, and a second end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the second rail member, so as to effect the connection of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to both of the first and second rail members;   such that, for any one of the at least one locator space-uninsertable barrier member, when a one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is disposed in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that is connected to the first rail member and is also disposed in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that is connected to the second rail member, such that the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is connected to both of the first and second rail members and thereby effects joinder of the first and second rail members, the assembly of the interference fit engaged coupling adaptors and the locator space-uninsertable barrier member, to which the coupling adaptors are interference fit engaged, defines a modified locator space-uninsertable barrier member, and when the joined first and second rail members are oriented such that the first rail member is disposed vertically above the second rail member, the longitudinal axis of the modified locator space-uninsertable barrier member is oriented so as to intersect a third exterior surface portion on a lower exterior side surface of the first rail member and so as also to intersect a fourth exterior surface portion on an upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         26 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 24 ;
 wherein, for each one of the plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the first rail member and is disposed in contact engagement with the third exterior surface portion, and a second end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the second rail member and is disposed in contact engagement with the fourth exterior surface portion.   
     
     
         27 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 24 ;
 wherein, for each one of the plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, one end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the first rail member with a fastener that penetrates through the coupling adaptor and the third exterior surface portion, and a second end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a coupling adaptor that has been connected to the second rail member with a fastener that penetrates through the coupling adaptor and the fourth exterior surface portion.   
     
     
         28 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 24 ;
 wherein the third exterior surface portion on the lower exterior side surface of the first rail member opposes the fourth exterior surface portion on the upper exterior side surface of the second rail member.   
     
     
         29 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 28 ;
 wherein an axis normal to any one of the first and second exterior surface portions is disposed in a transverse relationship to an axis normal to any one of the third and fourth exterior surface portions.   
     
     
         30 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 28 ;
 wherein an axis normal to any one of the first and second exterior surface portions is orthogonal to an axis normal to any one of the third and fourth exterior surface portions.   
     
     
         31 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 29 ;
 wherein each one of the first and second rail members includes a respective plurality of connecting regions, wherein each one of the connecting regions is formable into a locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess for receiving an end of any one of the locator space-uninsertable barrier members such that an interference fit relationship is provided between the locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess and the locator space-uninsertable barrier member;   and wherein, for each one of the plurality of substantially identical locator space-uninsertable barrier members, a first end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess that has been formed within the first rail member, and a second end of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess that has been formed within the second rail member, so as to effect the connection of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to both of the first and second rail members.   
     
     
         32 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 31 ;
 wherein for each one of the plurality of substantially identical first locator space-uninsertable barrier members, a first protuberance is provided proximate to a first end of the first locator space-uninsertable barrier member and a second protuberance is provided proximate to a second end of the first locator space-uninsertable barrier member, wherein the first protuberance is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess that has been formed within the first rail member, and the second protuberance is engageable in an interference fit relationship with a locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess that has been formed within the second rail member, so as to effect the connection of the locator space-uninsertable barrier member to both of the first and second rail members.   
     
     
         33 . The railing system as claimed in  claim 31 ;
 wherein, for each one of the connecting regions of each one of the first and second rail members, the connecting region is formable into the locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess by cutting the connecting region to effect exposure of a cavity provided within the respective rail member, wherein the locator space-uninsertable barrier member receiving recess includes the exposed cavity.