Patent ID: 8777186
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: E04H,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A protection kit, comprising: at least one hollow post comprising at least one side opening formed through a portion of a side wall of the post, the side opening comprising a tooth on a periphery of the opening and extending toward a center of the opening; at least one rail having an outer diameter; and at least one tubular sleeve having opposing first and second ends and defining an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rail, the sleeve further comprising at least one deformable tab formed at the first end of the sleeve, the tab comprising a portion of a side wall of the sleeve formed between cut-out sections of the side wall, such that a first end of the tab is connected to the sleeve and an opposing second end is radially deflectable, the tab having a unbiased state wherein the tab extends substantially parallel to the side wall of the sleeve and an inwardly biased state wherein the second end of the tab is deflected towards a center of the sleeve, the second end of the sleeve being configured to receive the at least one rail within its interior and the first end of the sleeve being configured to enter the at least one side opening; wherein said at least one tab comprises a hole configured to receive said tooth and located between the first and second ends of the tab; wherein the insertion of the first end of the sleeve into the at least one side opening of the post engages the second end of the at least one tab with the tooth and moves the at least one tab to the inwardly biased state to deform the tab until said tooth is located in the hole of the tab; and wherein the insertion of the at least one rail into the second end of the sleeve moves the at least one tab to the unbiased state with the tooth fully engaged in the hole, thereby locking the sleeve, the post and the rail to each other.