Patent ID: 7044448
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: E04F,F16B

Abstract:
1. A railing system having a top rail and a bottom rail, the top rail and the bottom rail being spaced apart and formed of wood containing a wood preservative, the railing system containing metal components, the wood preservative being electrolytically corrosive to the metal components of the railing system, the metal components of the railing system including tubular metal balusters extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, the tubular metal balusters having terminal ends, the terminal ends of the tubular metal balusters having protective fixtures thereon, each fixture having a hollow body with an exterior shaped to conform to an inner configuration of the tubular metal balusters and tapered towards a first end for snug force fit entry therein, said body having a hollow central cavity tapered towards a second end into a collar through which a shank of a fastener passes, said collar having an abutment shoulder against which a head of the fastener is stopped for joining the fixture to one of the top or bottom rails, said body having a flange at the second end of the hollow central cavity against which one of the terminal ends of the balusters is seated, said flange spacing the said one of the terminal ends of the tubular metal balusters out of contact with one of the top and bottom rails.