Safety Rail System

Abstract

A dual post receptor ( 30 ) of a safety rail system ( 10 ) has horizontal cross sections of an elongated shape with a width generally equal to and for slideable receipt of vertical posts ( 18 ) of conventional railings ( 12 ) and a length larger than double the diameters of the vertical posts ( 18 ). Elongated horizontal slots ( 38 ) are located in sides ( 34 a, 34 b ) of the receptor ( 30 ) for receiving locking pins ( 22 ) also inserted through holes ( 20 ) in the vertical posts ( 18 ). Mounting the receptor ( 30 ) can be accomplished in a variety of manners including secured to a planar, horizontal mounting plate ( 46 ) secured to the bottom edges of the enclosure, secured to a vertical mounting plate ( 50 ) having a horizontal securement plate ( 56 ), secured to a protrusion ( 64 ) for slideable receipt in sockets such as in a truck bed, secured to a C-shaped clamp system of a variety of constructions, or the like.

1 . Safety system comprising, in combination: at least a first railing including a vertical post, with the vertical post having a diameter; a post receptor defining an enclosure having cross sections of an elongated shape having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, with the enclosure having an open top parallel with the cross sections, with the width of the elongated shape being generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical post for allowing slideable receipt of the vertical post without binding, with the length of the elongated shape being generally larger than double the diameter of the vertical post, with the enclosure including first and second sides extending parallel to the length, with the first and second sides including slots elongated parallel to the cross sections, with the vertical post including an attachment hole; and a locking pin extending through the slots included in the first and second sides and through the attachment hole of the vertical post. 
     
     
         2 . The safety system of  claim 1  with the enclosure including first and second ends extending parallel to the width and extending between the first and second sides, with the first and second ends and the first and second sides being of a solid configuration except for the slots. 
     
     
         3 . The safety system of  claim 2  with the first end and the first side being bent as a single component, with the second end and the second side being bent as a single component, with the first end secured to the second side and the second end secured to the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The safety system of  claim 1  with the enclosure including first and second ends extending parallel to the width and extending between the first and second sides, with the slots extending to within one half diameter of each of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         5 . Safety system comprising, in combination: at least a first railing including a vertical post, with the vertical post having a diameter; a post receptor defining an enclosure having cross sections of an elongated shape having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, with the enclosure having an open top parallel with the cross sections, with the width of the elongated shape being generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical post for allowing slideable receipt of the vertical post without binding, with the length of the elongated shape being generally larger than double the diameter of the vertical post, with the enclosure including first and second sides extending parallel to the length, with the first and second sides including flanges extending outwardly from upper edges of each of the first and second sides; and a mounting plate extending between and secured to lower edges of each of the first and second sides, with the mounting plate being mounted to a supporting surface to mount the post receptor to the supporting surface. 
     
     
         6 . The safety system of  claim 5  with the mounting plate having a plate width considerably greater than the width of the cross sections and extending outwardly beyond the lower edge of each of the first and second sides, with the mounting plate having a plate length generally equal to the length of the cross sections and coextensive with the first and second sides, with the mounting plate being planar and of a constant thickness perpendicular to the cross sections, with the mounting plate including bores extending through the thickness. 
     
     
         7 . Safety system comprising, in combination: at least a first railing including a vertical post, with the vertical post having a diameter; a post receptor defining an enclosure having cross sections of an elongated shape having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, with the enclosure having an open top parallel with the cross sections, with the width of the elongated shape being generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical post for allowing slideable receipt of the vertical post without binding, with the length of the elongated shape being generally larger than double the diameter of the vertical post, with the enclosure including first and second sides extending parallel to the length, with the first and second sides including flanges extending outwardly from upper edges of each of the first and second sides; and a mounting plate extending generally parallel to but spaced from the first and second sides, with a free edge of the flange extending from the first side secured to the mounting plate, with a tongue bent perpendicularly to the mounting plate and having a free edge secured to the first side spaced from the flange extending from the first side. 
     
     
         8 . The safety system of  claim 7  further comprising, in combination: a securement plate extending perpendicularly from the mounting plate away from the enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . Safety system comprising, in combination: at least a first railing including a vertical post, with the vertical post having a diameter; a post receptor defining an enclosure having cross sections of an elongated shape having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, with the enclosure having an open top parallel with the cross sections, with the width of the elongated shape being generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical post for allowing slideable receipt of the vertical post without binding, with the length of the elongated shape being generally larger than double the diameter of the vertical post; and a protrusion extending from the enclosure generally perpendicular to the cross sections, with the protrusion adapted to be received in a socket. 
     
     
         10 . The safety system of  claim 9  with the enclosure including first and second sides extending parallel to the length and having lower edges, with the protrusion extending beyond the lower edges, with the lower edges abutting around the socket when the protrusion is received in the socket. 
     
     
         11 . Safety system comprising, in combination: at least a first railing including a vertical post, with the vertical post having a diameter; a post receptor defining an enclosure having cross sections of an elongated shape having a length and a width perpendicular to the length, with the enclosure having an open top parallel with the cross sections, with the width of the elongated shape being generally equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical post for allowing slideable receipt of the vertical post without binding, with the length of the elongated shape being generally larger than double the diameter of the vertical post; and an L-shaped member having a first leg secured to the enclosure and extending perpendicular to the cross sections and a second leg extending from the first leg below and spaced from the enclosure; and a tightening screw threadably engaged to a free end of the second leg. 
     
     
         12 . The safety system of  claim 11  further comprising, in combination: a brace, with the enclosure including first and second sides extending parallel to the length and having lower edges, with the first leg secured to the first side outwardly of the enclosure and extending beyond the lower edge of the first side, with the brace secured to the lower edge of the second side and extending outwardly of the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . Safety system comprising, in combination: a post receptor including a vertical enclosure for vertically slideably receiving a post of a railing; a flange extending outwardly from the enclosure; a mounting plate extending generally parallel to but spaced from the enclosure, with a free edge of the flange extending from the enclosure secured to the mounting plate, with a tongue bent perpendicularly to the mounting plate and having a free edge secured to the enclosure spaced from the flange.