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RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/946,614, entitled DECK RAILING COUNTERTOP SYSTEM, filed Jun. 27, 2007, hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to outdoor deck accessories, and more particularly, to a deck railing countertop system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many residential structures such as single-family homes, townhouses, apartment buildings, and other such residences, include an attached outdoor deck. A basic deck built to typical local standards minimally includes a deck platform and a railing system. Most deck platforms include a series of adjacent treads, or decking, with an understructure to support the platform. A typical railing system includes a series of support posts attached to the deck platform, a hand rail, and supporting intermediate posts. The railing system safely keeps occupants and belongings from falling off the deck platform. 
         [0004]    For many homeowners, the outdoor space provided by a deck becomes an integral part of their home, and they often place items such as tables, chairs, grills, decorative items, and so on, onto the deck platform for their use and enjoyment. All too often, though, the usable area of a deck platform may not comfortably accommodate multiple pieces of furniture, let alone leave room for social gatherings. The result may be that a homeowner compromises by limiting the number of items placed onto the deck platform. This may mean that space-consuming tables may be sacrificed in order to make room for higher priority items such as chairs or grills. 
         [0005]    If a homeowner desires table-like surfaces, options include building a larger deck, bringing a table onto, and off of the deck platform as needed, and so on. For many, the option of a larger deck may be expensive, impractical, or impossible. Regarding the use of a temporary table, lack of storage space and general inconvenience make this a non-ideal solution. Furthermore, tables placed upon a deck platform may be blown about during storms, causing damage to the table itself, the deck, or other items nearby. Therefore, a need exists for a system or apparatus that provides table-like surfaces for a deck, without sacrificing deck platform space. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention provides a deck rail countertop system that attaches to a deck railing system. The countertop system includes a mounting bracket, countertop, and fasteners. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket is a T-shaped bracket that attaches to the front side of a deck support post. In another embodiments, the T-shaped bracket attaches to the back side of a deck support post. The countertop provides a table-like surface and includes a recess and matching slot for receiving the top portion of the mounting bracket. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a deck rail countertop system that attaches to a deck railing system, and includes a mounting bracket that fits over the top of a support post. In this embodiment, a countertop rests on a support portion of the mounting bracket and is secured to the bracket via fasteners. The mounting bracket is secured to the support post using fasteners. In a related embodiment, the mounting bracket is an E-shaped bracket that fits over a hand rail, rather than a post, and supports a countertop via a support portion on the bracket. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a deck rail countertop system that attaches to a deck railing system via a snap-lock mounting bracket. The snap-lock mounting bracket includes a top bracket with snap-lock tabs that fit into recesses located in the sides of the bottom bracket. The bottom bracket is attached directly to a support post or multiple intermediate posts. In one embodiment, the top bracket includes a boss that fits into a recess in the countertop. The top bracket may be pressed into the countertop to create a press fit, or friction fit, securely holding the assembly together. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments include a variety of countertop mounting brackets, such as a T-shaped mounting bracket, an E-shaped hand rail mounting bracket, and a snap-lock mounting bracket. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the present invention may also include a method for connecting a countertop to a deck railing system that includes attaching a mounting bracket to a support post, sliding a countertop onto a bracket top portion, and securing the countertop to the bracket. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, a deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of a deck or balcony may generally include a plurality of mounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railing interface portion defining structure for receiving and coupling to a component of the railing, and an elongate countertop. The countertop presents a top surface, a bottom surface and a length dimension. The countertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting bracket have cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length dimension of the countertop. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion of each mounting bracket includes an over-post portion defining a cavity, the cavity dimensioned so as to receive an end of a post of the railing therein. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion includes a pair of horizontally oriented members, the members vertically spaced apart so as to define a slot therebetween adapted to receive a horizontal member of the railing. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the deck railing interface portion includes a first body portion and the countertop interface portion includes a second body portion separate from the first body portion, the first body portion and second body portion each having cooperating structure for removably operably coupling the first body portion and the second body portion. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for removably coupling the first body portion and the second body portion includes at least one selectively deflectable tab on one of the first body portion or the second body portion, and structure for receiving the selectively deflectable tab on the other of the first body portion or the second body portion. The structure for receiving the selectively deflectable tab may be an aperture. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop includes an elongate slot defined in the bottom surface of the countertop, the elongate slot oriented along the length dimension of the countertop, and a t-shaped portion of the countertop interface portion adapted to be slidably received in the elongate slot. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop includes a plurality of recess arrays, each recess array comprising a plurality of recesses, the recess arrays defined at spaced apart locations in the bottom surface of the countertop, and each countertop interface portion includes a plurality of apertures corresponding to the recesses of the recess array, the apertures of the mounting bracket disposed to be registerable with the recesses of each of the plurality of recess arrays to receive fasteners for fastening the mounting bracket to the countertop. 
         [0018]    In further embodiments, a deck system according to the invention includes a deck, a railing operably coupled with the deck, the railing comprising a plurality of upright posts and a horizontal rail operably coupling the upright posts, and a deck rail countertop system. The deck rail countertop system includes a plurality of mounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railing interface portion operably coupled to the railing, and an elongate countertop presenting a top surface, a bottom surface and a length dimension, the countertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting bracket having cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length dimension of the countertop. 
         [0019]    In other embodiments, a method of providing a deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of a deck or balcony includes providing a plurality of mounting brackets, each mounting bracket including a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interface portion, the deck railing interface portion defining structure for receiving and coupling to a component of the railing, providing an elongate countertop presenting a top surface, a bottom surface and a length dimension, the countertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting bracket having cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length dimension of the countertop, and providing instructions for attaching the mounting brackets to the railing and for attaching the countertop to the mounting brackets. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the method may further include packaging the plurality of mounting brackets and the countertop together in a kit. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the method may further include packaging the instructions with the kit. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the method may further include recording the instructions in a tangible medium. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0023]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a front-mount deck rail countertop system attached to a deck railing system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a front-post mounting bracket; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a front-mount deck rail countertop system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a front-mount deck rail countertop system attached to a deck railing system; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side view of one embodiment of a rear-mount deck rail countertop system attached to a deck railing system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of an over-post mounting bracket and deck railing system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hand-rail mounting bracket as attached to a deck railing system hand rail; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a snap-lock mounting bracket; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a top bracket of a snap-lock mounting bracket; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled snap-lock mounting bracket; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deck railing countertop system attached to a deck railing system by mounting to a support post and a pair of intermediate posts; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of one embodiment of a deck railing countertop system attached to a deck railing system by mounting to a support post and a pair of intermediate posts. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front-mount embodiment of the deck-railing countertop system  20  is connected to a deck railing system  22  of deck  24 . In this embodiment, deck-railing countertop system  20  generally includes front-post mounting bracket  26 , countertop  28 , and fasteners  30  (depicted in  FIG. 4 ). Deck railing system  22  includes posts  32 , hand rail  34 , and intermediate posts  36 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, front-post mounting bracket  26  is a generally “T” shaped bracket, and includes a body portion  38  and head portion  40 . Front-post mounting bracket  26  and countertop  28  may be made of any of a variety of materials including wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, composite materials, and other materials suitable for outdoor use. 
         [0039]    Head portion  40  generally includes front extension  42  with front end  44 , rear extension  46  with rear end  48 , top surface  50 , front bottom surface  52 , rear bottom surface  54 , and a plurality of optional holes  56 . The lengths of front extension  42  and rear extension  46  may be varied to accommodate the dimensions of countertop  28 , and to adjust the position of countertop  28  in relation to deck  24  and hand rail  34 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , front extension  42  is slightly longer than rear extension  46  such that rear end  48  is substantially in the same plane as the outside of post  32 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , rear extension  46  may be slightly longer than front extension  42 . 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , front end  44  includes a front surface  58 , while rear end  48  includes a rear surface  60 . In one embodiment, horizontal portion  40  is generally rectangular in shape and connected to, or integral with, body portion  38 . Front surface  58  and rear surface  60  may be curved as depicted, but in other embodiments, may be flat, depending on countertop  28  characteristics. In one embodiment, holes  56  extend through head portion  40  and are located at both front end  44  and rear end  48 . 
         [0041]    Body portion  38  includes a top end  62 , bottom end  64 , bottom side  66 , rear side  68 , a left side  70 , right side  72 , left-front edge  74 , right-front edge  76 , recess  78 , and width W. In one embodiment, rear side  68  and bottom side  66  are generally flat, while left-front edge  74  and right-front edge  76  are curved. Although not depicted, in one embodiment, rear side  68  includes mounting holes  80 . Recess  78  is substantially defined by bottom side  66 , rear side  68 , left side  70 , right side  72 , and head portion  40 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , countertop  28  generally includes a top side  80 , bottom side  82 , rear side  84 , front side  86 , recess  88 , slot  90 , and inner surface  92 . Countertop  28  may also include an optional lip  94  located at the corner of top side  80  and rear side  84 . In one embodiment, countertop  28  is a substantially rectangular shape, though countertop  28  may be square, curved, or otherwise shaped. In one embodiment, front end  86  forms an obtuse angle with top side  80  and has rounded edges. The shape of recess  88  generally matches the shape of head portion  40  as viewed from the side, such that head portion  40  may be inserted into recess  88 . As such, the width of slot  90  is slightly larger than width W. In one embodiment, slot  90  extends longitudinally along the entire length L of countertop  28 , in other embodiments, slot  90  extends longitudinally only along a portion of length L. 
         [0043]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, mounting bracket  26  is adapted to fit into recess  88  such that top surface  50 , front bottom surface  52 , rear bottom surface  54 , front surface  58  and rear surface  60 , contact countertop  28  inside surface  92 . In some embodiments, not all top portion  40  defined surfaces will contact inside surface  92 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , deck countertop system  20  may be mounted to a front side of deck railing system  22 . In the depicted embodiment, a pair of front-post mounting brackets  26  are inserted into countertop  28 . Each front-post mounting bracket  26  is connected to a post  32  using fasteners  30 . In one embodiment, fasteners  30  are screws, and a screwdriver or other tool is inserted into recess  78  and used to screw fasteners  30  through holes or slots (not shown) in brackets  26 , thereby securing mounting brackets  26  into posts  32 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , rear sides  68  of front-post mounting brackets  26  contact font sides of posts  32 , and mounting brackets  26  are flush with each end of countertop  28 . In other embodiments, a length of countertop  28  may be longer than the distance between posts  32 , and may also utilize more than two mounting brackets  26 . 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, rear side  84  of countertop  28  extends rearwardly over posts  32  and hand rail  34 . Front side  86  is located above the treads of deck  24 . Because countertop  28  is supported by mounting brackets  26  attached to posts  32 , and not supported by a separate support structure resting on deck  24 , the entire area of deck  24  remains open for use. 
         [0046]    Fasteners  30  may also be similarly used to secure countertop  28  to mounting brackets  26  via holes  56 . In other embodiments, fasteners  30  are not used so that countertop  28  may be more easily removed from brackets  26 . In some embodiments, countertop  28  may include lip  94  that prevents items placed on countertop  28  from easily falling off the rear side of the countertop. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , deck railing countertop system  20  may be of a rear-post mount type. In the rear-mount system as depicted in  FIG. 5 , rear-post mounting bracket  94  is substantially similar to previously described front-post mounting bracket  26 , and countertop  96  is substantially similar to countertop  28 . In this embodiment, front extension  42  is longer than rear extension  46 , and slot  90  is located closer to countertop  94  rear side  84 . This causes countertop  96  to extend further over deck  24 , as opposed to off the rear of deck  24 . 
         [0048]    As depicted, in this rear-mount embodiment, a front side  98  of mounting bracket  94  abuts post  32 , and is secured to the post with fasteners  30  similar to the manner previously described. Furthermore, rear-post mounting bracket  94  is positioned on post  32  such that an air gap is created between countertop  96  and post  32 . This enables easy placement of countertop  96  onto mounting bracket  94 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, deck railing countertop system  100  generally includes an over-post mounting bracket  102 , countertop  104 , and fasteners  30 . In this embodiment, mounting bracket  102  is an L-shaped bracket and includes an over-post portion  106 , support extension  108  with top surface  110 , post holes  112 , and extension holes  114 . Over-post portion  106  is generally hollow, or recessed, such that it fits over post  32 . In one embodiment, the over-post recess is dimensioned to fit over a standard nominal  4 ″× 4 ″ post  32 . In other embodiments, over-post portion  106  is adapted to fit over posts  32  of other dimensions and shapes. After being placed over post  32 , mounting bracket  102  may be secured to post  32  by inserting fasteners  30  through holes  112  and into post  32 . In some embodiments, mounting bracket  102  may include more than one support extension  108 , and may be rotatable about post  32 . 
         [0050]    Support portion  108  extends outwardly and away from over-post portion  106 , and in one embodiment forms a  90  degree angle with over-post portion  106 . Top surface  110  of support portion  108  is substantially flat such that countertop  104  may be placed onto, and supported by, top surface  110 . Fasteners  30  may be inserted through holes  114  and into countertop  104  in order to secure the countertop to support bracket  102 . Predrilled arrays of recesses (not depicted) may be provided in the bottom surface  118  of countertop  104 . In each array, the recesses are arranged in the same pattern and spacing as extension holes  114 . The arrays can be spaced apart at selected locations along the length of countertop  104  corresponding, for example, to various standard spacings of posts  32 . Upon installation of the system, the support brackets  102  can be secured to the posts  32 , and the countertop  104  placed over the support brackets with extension holes  114  of each support bracket  102  registered with the recesses of one of the recess arrays. Fasteners can then be driven through extension holes  114  and into the recesses to secure the countertop to the support bracket. Advantageously, these pre-defined recess arrays eliminate the need to drill countertop  104  in order to accommodate fasteners. 
         [0051]    In this embodiment, countertop  104  has a substantially flat, planar bottom surface  118  and top surface  116 . As described previously with respect to countertop  28 , countertop  104  similarly may be made of wood, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel, stone, or other similar materials suitable for outdoor use. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , countertop  104  may be substantially rectangular, but in other embodiments, may take other shapes in accordance with the particular functional and aesthetic features of deck  24 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment of deck railing countertop system  100 , the mounting bracket is an E-shaped mounting bracket  120  that connects to hand rail  34 . In this embodiment, mounting bracket  120  includes support extension  108 , vertical portion  122 , top hand rail extension  124 , bottom hand rail extension  126 , recess  128 , recess face  130 , and holes  132 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, support extension  108 , top hand rail extension  124  and bottom hand rail extension  126  are connected, or integral with, vertical portion  122 . These extensions may be positioned at a substantially ninety-degree angle with vertical portion  122 , depending on the particular hand rail  34  and desired pitch of countertop  104 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, support extension  108  is longer than, or extends outwardly further than, either top hand rail extension  124  or bottom hand rail extension  126  in order to adequately support countertop  104 . Top hand rail extension  124  is located atop hand rail  34 , while bottom hand rail extension  126  is located beneath hand rail  34 . In this embodiment, the distance between extensions  124  and  126  are such that only a minimal air gap between bottom hand rail extension  126  and hand rail  34  exists when extension  124  rests on hand rail  34 . 
         [0054]    Recess  128  and recess face  130  are located opposite extensions  108 ,  124 , and  126 , on the rear side of mounting bracket  120 . Recess face  130  may include one or more holes  132  located adjacent hand rail  34 . 
         [0055]    When assembled, mounting bracket  120  rests on, and is attached to hand rail  34 . Top hand rail extension  124  rests on the top side of hand rail  34 , and may be attached to hand rail  34  by inserting fasteners  30  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) through holes  134  and  132  and into hand rail  34 . At the same time, the two extensions  124  and  126 , along with vertical portion  122 , essentially form a clamp over hand rail  34 , substantially preventing bracket  120  from rotating about an axis along the length of hand rail  34 . Countertop  104  is attached to support extension  108 , resting on surface  110 , by way of fasteners  30  and holes  114 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in another embodiment, deck railing countertop system  100  utilizes a snap-lock mounting bracket  140  that includes a top bracket  142  and a bottom bracket  144 . Top bracket  142  generally includes a top boss  146 , top surface  148 , left side  150 , right side  152 , outer side  154 , inner side  156 , bottom side  157 , one or more snap-lock tabs  158 , channel  160 , holes  162  and holes  164 . 
         [0057]    Top boss  146  projects above top surface  148  and includes a boss surface  147 , and may also include multiple recesses  166 . In one embodiment, a countertop  104  includes a recess or receptacle adapted to receive top boss  146 , and top bracket  142  may be pressed into the recess of countertop  104 . In another embodiment, countertop  104  does not include a recess, and is located on top of top boss  146 , resting on boss surface  147 . Fasteners may be inserted through holes  164  and into countertop  104  to secure the countertop to top bracket  142 . Holes  162  in bottom side  157  allow a screwdriver to be inserted into top bracket  142  to facilitate the fastening process. 
         [0058]    Left side  150  and right side  154  may include a snap-lock tab  158 . The bottom of each snap-lock tab  158  is connected to its respective side, and normally projects upwards and slightly away from top bracket  142  at its top side. Each snap-lock tab  158  is adapted to flex inward towards top bracket  142  when pressure applied to an outside surface of the tab. 
         [0059]    As depicted in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , channel  160  is formed from a U-shaped center structure  168  projecting upwards from bottom side  157  of bottom bracket  142 , providing structural support. 
         [0060]    Referring again to  FIG. 8 , bottom bracket  144  includes left side  170 , right side  172 , inner side  174 , and holes  184 . Left side  170  and right sided  172  include left-side opening  176  and right-side opening  178 . In one embodiment, inner side  174  is substantially square and includes holes  180 . As depicted, left side  170  and right side  172  each form a right angle with inner side  174 . In one embodiment, openings  176  and  178  are rectangularly shaped and adapted to receive snap-lock tabs  158  of top bracket  142 . Bottom bracket  144  may be attached to any side of a post  32  using fasteners inserted through holes  180 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , top bracket  142  fits into bottom bracket  144  to form snap-lock mounting bracket  140 . Sliding top bracket  142  downwards into bottom bracket  144  initially causes snap-lock tabs  158  to flex inwards. When snap-lock tabs  158  fully align with openings  176  and  178 , the forces against tabs  158  are removed, and tabs  158  spring back to their at-rest position, thereby locking top bracket  142  into bottom bracket  144 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , snap lock mounting brackets  140  may support a countertop  104  and be attached to either a support post  32  or intermediate posts  36 . As depicted in  FIG. 12 , one snap-lock mounting bracket  140  is secured directly to a rear side of a support post  32 . Also depicted is a second snap-lock mounting bracket  140  attached to a pair of intermediate posts  36 . In this embodiment, an intermediate post bracket  182  is secured to the intermediate posts  36 , and the second snap-lock mounting bracket  140  is secured to the intermediate post bracket  182 . In other embodiments, all snap-lock mounting brackets may be attached directly to support posts  32 , or may all be attached to intermediate posts  36 . 
         [0063]    In further embodiments, the invention may include component kits generally including one or more brackets and a countertop supplied with instructions for installing the brackets and  6  countertop on a new or existing deck. The components may be pre-packaged or may be separately displayed so as to enable a user to select the desired type and number of components needed. The instructions may detail steps of installing the brackets and countertop to form a deck railing countertop as described above in exemplary embodiments. The instructions may be embodied in paper form or in other media such as computer readable media (CD, DVD, or internet delivered e-file), video, or audio. 
         [0064]    In further embodiments, the invention may include methods of delivering components and installation instructions. For example, components may be provided in pre-packaged form, and instructions as described above may be provided along with the package of components. In another example, the instructions may be made available separately from the components and the user may be instructed as to how to obtain the instructions from a separate source such as from an internet website. 
         [0065]    The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Summary:
A deck rail countertop system adapted to attach to a railing of a deck or balcony. The system includes a plurality of mounting brackets and a countertop. Each mounting bracket includes a deck railing interface portion and a countertop interface portion. The deck railing interface portion defines structure for receiving and coupling to a component of the railing. The countertop and countertop interface portion of each mounting bracket have cooperating structure for coupling the mounting brackets to the bottom surface of the countertop at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the length of the countertop.