Railing post blocking systems and methods

Abstract

A deck frame includes at least one perimeter support member that supports a plurality of support joists. A post blocking assembly is disposed between adjacent support joists and supports a railing post. The post blocking assembly includes an angle bar, a first side plate secured to a first end of the angle bar and a second side plate secured to a second end of the angle bar opposite the first end. A first nut is threaded to a first bolt that extends through the first side plate, and a second nut is threaded to a second bolt that extends through the second side plate. The first side plate defines a first anti-rotation through hole and the second side plate defining a second anti-rotation through hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deck frame, comprising:
 at least one perimeter support member supporting a plurality of support joists; and   a post blocking assembly disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of support joists and supporting a railing post, the post blocking assembly comprising an angle bar, a first side plate secured to a first end of the angle bar and a second side plate secured to a second end of the angle bar opposite the first end, a first nut in threaded engagement with a first bolt extending through the first side plate and a second nut in threaded engagement with a second bolt extending through the second side plate, the first side plate defining a first anti-rotation through hole and the second side plate defining a second anti-rotation through hole.   
     
     
         2 . The deck frame of  claim 1  further comprising a deck surface supported by the plurality of support joists. 
     
     
         3 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the first nut is welded to the first side plate and the second nut is welded to the second side plate. 
     
     
         4 . The deck frame of  claim 1  wherein the angle bar includes an upper wall and a lateral wall and the railing support post includes a base plate defining a plurality of through holes aligned with the angle bar. 
     
     
         5 . The deck frame of  claim 1  further comprising a first anti-rotation screw received by the first anti-rotation through hole and a second anti-rotation screw received by the second anti-rotation through hole. 
     
     
         6 . A deck frame, comprising:
 at least one perimeter support member;   a first support joist supported by the perimeter support member;   a second support joist supported by the perimeter support member; and   a post blocking assembly supporting a railing post, the post blocking assembly disposed between the first support joist and the second support joist and comprising an angle bar, a first side plate secured to a first end of the angle bar and a second side plate secured to a second end of the angle bar opposite the first end, a first weld nut in threaded engagement with a first bolt extending through the first side plate and a second weld nut in threaded engagement with a second bolt extending through the second side plate, the first side plate defining a first anti-rotation through hole and the second side plate defining a second anti-rotation through hole, the post blocking assembly further comprising a first anti-rotation screw received by the first anti-rotation through hole and a second anti-rotation screw received by the second through hole.   
     
     
         7 . The deck frame of  claim 6  wherein the angle bar comprises an upper wall welded to a lateral wall. 
     
     
         8 . The deck frame of  claim 6  wherein the angle bar is extruded. 
     
     
         9 . The deck frame of  claim 6  wherein a piece of sheet metal is bent approximately 90 degrees to form an upper wall and a lateral wall of the angle bar, the angle bar further comprising a rounded inner edge disposed at a junction of the upper wall and the lateral wall. 
     
     
         10 . The deck frame of  claim 9  wherein the angle bar further comprises a rounded outer edge disposed at a junction of the upper wall and the lateral wall. 
     
     
         11 . The deck frame of  claim 6  wherein the angle bar includes an upper wall and a lateral wall and the railing support post includes a base plate defining a plurality of through holes aligned with the upper wall. 
     
     
         12 . A post blocking assembly, comprising:
 an angle bar comprising an upper wall and a lateral wall disposed generally orthogonally to the upper wall;   a first side plate secured to the angle bar, the first side plate defining a first bolt receiving through hole and a first anti-rotation through hole;   a second side plate secured to the angle bar opposite the first side plate and defining a second bolt receiving through hole and a second anti-rotation through hole;   a first weld nut secured to the first side plate and aligned with the first bolt receiving through hole; and   a second weld nut secured to the second side plate and aligned with the second bolt receiving through hole.   
     
     
         13 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the upper wall is welded to the lateral wall. 
     
     
         14 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the upper wall and the lateral wall are portions of an extrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first side plate is welded to the angle bar and the second side plate is welded to the angle bar. 
     
     
         16 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first side plate includes a chamfer. 
     
     
         17 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first anti-rotation through hole is offset vertically and horizontally from the first bolt receiving through hole. 
     
     
         18 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the angle bar is formed of steel. 
     
     
         19 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 18  wherein the steel has a thickness of approximately 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The post blocking assembly of  claim 12  wherein the angle bar comprises a rounded inner edge disposed at a junction of the upper wall and the lateral wall.