Vertical stabilizer apparatus for railing systems

Abstract

Embodiments of railing systems are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a horizontal wood deck, first and second vertical wood posts mounted to the wood deck, a horizontal wood hand railing mounted to the posts and over the deck, and a vertical metal stabilizer apparatus. The vertical metal stabilizer apparatus has (a) a plurality of horizontal metal bars, each of the bars having an elongated body with first and second ends mounted to the first and second vertical wood posts, respectively; and (b) a vertical metal stabilizer having an elongated body with first and second ends, the body having a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures receiving a respective one of the bars, the first and second ends having first and second attachment means respectively that secure the stabilizer to the deck and hand railing, respectively.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A railing system, comprising:
 a generally planar horizontal wood deck;   first and second vertical wood posts mounted to the wood deck;   a horizontal wood hand railing mounted to the posts and over the deck; and   a vertical metal stabilizer apparatus having:
 a plurality of horizontal metal bars, each of the bars having an elongated body with first and second ends mounted to the first and second vertical wood posts, respectively; and 
 a vertical metal stabilizer having an elongated body with first and second ends, the body having a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures receiving a respective one of the bars, the first and second ends having first and second attachment means respectively that secure the stabilizer to the deck and hand railing respectively. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second attachment means comprises (a) respective first and second tabs extending horizontally outwardly from the respective first and second ends of the vertical metal stabilizer and (b) at least one of screws and nails securing the first and second tabs to the deck and hand railing respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for attaching the bars to the vertical metal stabilizer. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body of the vertical metal stabilizer has first and second planar sides spanning between the first and second ends as well as spanning between first and second longitudinal edges, the plurality of apertures commencing at the first longitudinal edge, each of the apertures having a channel commencing at the first longitudinal edge and extending inwardly and downwardly within a central part of the first and second planar sides. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the apertures has a periphery that is partially defined by a bendable crimp tip that impinges upon a part of the outer surface of a respective bar to secure the respective bar in the respective aperture. 
     
     
         6 . A railing system, comprising:
 a horizontal wood deck;   first and second vertical wood posts mounted to the wood deck;   a horizontal wood hand railing mounted to the posts and over the deck; and   a vertical metal stabilizer apparatus having:   a plurality of horizontal metal bars, each of the bars having an elongated body with first and second ends mounted to the first and second vertical wood posts, respectively;   a vertical metal stabilizer having an elongated body with first and second ends, the body having a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures receiving a respective one of the bars, the first and second ends having first and second attachment means respectively that secure the stabilizer to the deck and hand railing respectively;   wherein the elongated body of the vertical metal stabilizer has first and second planar sides spanning between the first and second ends as well as spanning between first and second longitudinal edges, the first longitudinal edge having the plurality of apertures, each of the apertures having a channel commencing at the first longitudinal edge and extending inwardly and downwardly within a central part of the first and second planar sides.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein a part of the elongated body that defines each aperture has been bent inwardly at the first longitudinal edge to impinge upon a respective one of the bars in order to it to the vertical metal stabilizer. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for use as a vertical stabilizer in wood deck railing systems, comprising:
 a metal bar having an elongated body with first and second ends, the elongated body having first and second planar sides spanning between the first and second ends as well as spanning between first and second longitudinal edges, the first longitudinal edge having the plurality of apertures, each of the apertures having a channel commencing at the first longitudinal edge and extending inwardly and downwardly within a central part of the first and second planar sides;   first and second tabs extending horizontally outwardly from the respective first and second ends of the longitudinal body of the metal bar; and   at least one hole in each of the first and second tabs, the at least one hole having a sufficient size and shape to enable passage of a screw or nail.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a part of the elongated body that defines each aperture is capable of being bent inwardly at the first longitudinal edge in order to confine a part of the channel that extends downwardly.