Patent Abstract:
A bracket assembly for securing a rail to a post. The bracket assembly includes a bracket that is secured to the post and a spring-biased cover plate. The cover plate includes a perimeter wall that includes a slot which extends from its front edge through to its back edge. A portion of the perimeter wall terminates adjacent either side of the slot. These portions of the perimeter are movable relative to each other. The bracket includes a back wall with a peripheral outer wall extending upwardly and outwardly away therefrom. The peripheral wall defines a rail receiving receptacle into which an end of a rail is placed. The rail is preferably secured in position by a plurality of fasteners inserted through the rail and into the housing. Once the end of the rail is retained in the bracket, the terminal portions of the perimeter wall are arcuately separated from each other and the cover plate is snap-fitted over the peripheral outer wall of the bracket.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     This invention generally relates to fencing systems. More particularly, the invention relates to mounting brackets useful for installing horizontal rails to vertical posts. Specifically, the invention relates to a bracket for mounting a rail to a post in confined spaces and to a cover plate that snaps around the bracket once the rail has been retained within the bracket.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     It has become more common in recent years to use either vinyl or plastic products for constructing fences for yards or deck railings. While vinyl fencing is aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain, the material poses somewhat of a problem for the contractor who must connect the various components together. It is especially problematic to connect horizontal vinyl rails to vertically extending posts in confined spaces.  
         [0005]     There is therefore a need in the art for an improved bracket assembly for attaching horizontal rails to vertical posts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The mounting bracket assembly of the present invention comprises a bracket that is secured to a vertical fence post and a cover plate that is snap-fitted over the bracket after the rail has been retained within the bracket. The bracket is preferably substantially U-shaped and is mounted in such a way that it is open at a top end. The rail is dropped into the U-shaped bracket and fasteners are used to secure the rail within the bracket. The cover plate is snap fitted over the bracket after the rail has been retained therein so as to conceal the fasteners. The cover plate provides an aesthetically pleasing finish to the connection between the post and rail. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a deck railing incorporating the mounting bracket assembly of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a rail secured to a post using a first embodiment of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the rail and post shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the cover plate being snap-fitted over the bracket;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the bracket and cover plate through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the cover plate and bracket;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is an enlargement of the highlighted area of the cover plate and bracket from  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top view through line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional front view of a post with two rails connected thereto by way of bracket assemblies in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of bracket assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the bracket assembly shown in  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the bracket of the bracket assembly of  FIG. 11 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1&amp;2 , there is shown a section of a deck railing  10  including a post  12 , mounted to deck planking  14 , and having a plurality of rails  16  secured thereto. A plurality of balusters  18  extend between the upper and lower rails  16 . Rails  16  are secured to post  12  by way of mounting bracket assemblies in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at  20 .  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 3-9 , there is shown a rail  16  connected to a post  12  by way of the mounting bracket assembly  20  in accordance with the present invention. Bracket assembly  20  comprises a bracket  22  and a cover plate  24 .  
         [0023]     In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, bracket  22  has a back wall  26 , a peripheral outer wall  28  extending outwardly away from the back wall  26  and having an opening  30  formed therein. Opening  30  preferably extends entirely across one end of bracket  22 . Peripheral outer wall  28  is substantially U-shaped with the opening  30  therein extending from side section  28   a  across to side section  28   b  ( FIG. 3 ). Back wall  26  of bracket  22  is also substantially U-shaped. Back wall  26  and peripheral outer wall  28  of bracket  22  substantially define a U-shaped receptacle  27  into which rail  16  may be received. Bracket  22  is complementary shaped and sized to receive an end of rail  16  therein. The distance between side sections  28   a  and  28   b  is therefore substantially equal to the width “A” of rail  16 ; and the distance between end section  28   c  and edge  29  is substantially equal to the height “B” of rail  16 . It should, however, be understood that the bracket could alternatively be sized and shaped to receive rail  16  therein when it is turned through 90 degrees. In that instance, the distance between side sections  28   a  and  28   c  would have to be substantially equal to the height “B” of rail  16  and the distance between end section  28   c  and edge  29  would have to be substantially equal to the width “A” of rail  16 . No matter which way rail  16  is to be oriented, an end of rail  16  is received within receptacle  27  in bracket  22 . So, as is shown in  FIG. 3 , rail may be dropped or slid vertically into receptacle  27  through opening  30  (i.e., in the direction of arrow “C”) or, if space provides, may be slid horizontally into receptacle  27  in the direction of arrow “D”. Bracket  22  has a longitudinal axis “E-E” that runs substantially parallel to post  12  and a horizontal axis “F-F” that runs perpendicular to post  12 .  
         [0024]     Back wall  26  of bracket  22  defines a plurality of first apertures  32  therein. A plurality of first fasteners  34  are received through first apertures  32  to secure bracket  22  to a side wall  36  of post  12 . Peripheral outer wall  28  defines a plurality of second apertures  38  therein. Second apertures  38  are provided to receive second fasteners  40  therethrough in order to secure rail  16  in shear within bracket  22 . Side sections  28   a ,  28   b  of peripheral outer wall  28  preferably are also each provided with a flange  42  which extends from an outer edge  44  of bracket  22  through to a short distance inwardly from back wall  26  thereof. Flanges  42  preferably taper forwardly from back wall  26  through to outer edge  44  ( FIG. 3 ). Outer edge  44  of peripheral outer wall  28  is preferably beveled and the beveling may include a front end  42   a  of flanges  42 . End section  28   c  ( FIG. 4 ) of peripheral outer wall  28  may also be provided with a pair of spaced apart ridges  46  thereon and a pair of notches  48  are provided at a top end of back wall  26 . The purpose of ridges  46  and notches  48  will be described hereinafter.  
         [0025]     Cover plate  24  is complementary shaped to surround bracket  22  and, more specifically, to encompass peripheral outer wall  28  thereof, including spanning the opening  30  between side sections  28   a  and  28   b . Consequently, because bracket  22  is substantially U-shaped, cover plate  24  is substantially rectangular in shape. Cover plate  24  comprises a perimeter wall  50  that has a top end  50   a , a bottom end  50   b  and sides  50   c  and  50   d  which together define an interior cavity  52  into which bracket  22  is received. The exterior surface of perimeter wall  50  may be provided with a decorative profile so as to give railing  10  a more decorative appearance. A slot  54  extends from a front edge  56  of cover plate  24  through to a back edge  58  thereof. The cover plate  24  is manufactured in such a way that it can flex and sides  50   c  and  50   d  can be pulled apart from each other as shown in  FIG. 4 . Tabs  60  are provided on each of sides  50   c ,  50   d  proximate back edge  58  thereof. As may be seen from  FIG. 5 , tabs  60  are positioned so that when cover plate  24  is snap-fitted over bracket  22 , tabs  60  slide behind flanges  42 . Tabs  60  will then be positioned between flanges  42  and side wall  36  of post  12 . Cover plate  24  also has a lip portion  62  extending inwardly a short distance perimeter wall  50 . Outer edge  44  of bracket  22  abuts lip portion  62  when cover plate  24  is snap-fitted around bracket  22 . A pair of tapered tabs  64  are also provided on bottom end  50   c  alongside slot  54 , with the widest part of tabs  64  being positioned proximate back edge  58  of cover plate  24 . Tabs  64  are positioned to interlock with ridges  46  on bracket  22 . Second tabs  66  are disposed on the interior surface of top end  50   a  of being positioned proximate back edge  58  of cover plate  24 . Each second tab  66  further includes a downwardly extending projection  68  disposed proximate back edge  58 .  
         [0026]     Bracket assembly  20  is used to connect rail  16  to post  12  in the following manner. The installer selects the position on side wall  36  of post  12  where he wishes to install bracket  22 . Back wall  26  is placed in abutting contact with side wall  36 , preferably with opening  30  being position at the top of bracket  22 . Fasteners  34 , which are preferably stainless steel screws, are used to secure bracket  22  to post  12 .  
         [0027]     Rail  16  is then dropped into receptacle  27  defined by bracket  22  peripheral outer wall  28 . The end  70  ( FIG. 10 ) of rail  16  preferably is pushed into abutting contact with rear wall  26  of bracket  22 . Second fasteners  40 , which are preferably stainless steel screws, are then used to secure rail  16  within bracket  22 .  
         [0028]     Cover plate  24  is then positioned around bracket  22 . In order to do this, side sections  50   c  and  50   d  of cover plate  24  are pulled apart ( FIG. 4 ) and then cover plate  24  is moved downwardly over bracket  22 . As the inner surface of the top end  50   a  of cover plate  24  engages edge  29  of bracket  22 , projections  68  on cover plate  24  slide into notches  48  on bracket  22 . The installer releases side sections  50   c ,  50   d , which then snap inwardly toward each other and around bracket  22 . When this occurs, tabs  60  slide behind flanges  42 . The installer then engages side sections  50   c  and  50   d  of cover plate  24  proximate bottom end  50   b  and gently pushes side sections  50   c ,  50   d  inwardly toward each other. This causes tabs  64  to slide over ridges  46 , thereby locking cover plate  24  in place. It should be noted that when in this position, cover plate  24  cannot slide outwardly away from post  12  and along rail  16 . This is because projections  68  are engaged in notches  48  and tabs  60  are disposed behind flanges  42 . Furthermore, side sections  50   c  and  50   d  cannot easily be moved outwardly away from each other because the tabs  64  are interlocked with ridges  46 . Back edge  58  of cover plate  24  lies in abutting contact with side wall  36  of post  12 , and lip  62  is in abutting contact with front edge  56  of bracket  22 . All fasteners,  34  and  40  are hidden from view by cover plate  24  and the connection between rail  16  and post  12  is aesthetically pleasing. As may be seen from  FIG. 10 , a second bracket  22  and its associated cover plate  24  may be secured to one of the other side walls of post  12 .  
         [0029]     When cover plate  24  is positioned around bracket  22 , cover plate  24  lies substantially at right angles to the horizontal axis “F-F” of bracket  22  and substantially axially aligned with longitudinal axis “E-E” of bracket  22 .  
         [0030]     In order to unlock tabs  64  from ridges  46  a thin object, such as the end of a flathead screwdriver can be inserted between a bottom wall of rail  16  and the inner surface of lip  62  and a small downward force is applied. Once tab  64  is disengaged from bracket  22 , then side sections  50   c  and  50   d  are moved arcuately outwardly away from each other so that tabs  60  slide outwardly from behind flanges  42 . Cover plate  24  is then slid slightly upwardly so that projections  68  slide out of slots notches  48 . Cover plate  24  is then completely disengaged from bracket  22 , each one of bottom sections  50   b  needs to be individually lifted over substantially prevents this arcuate motion from occurring without a reasonable amount of force being applied thereto.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , there is shown a second embodiment of bracket assembly in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at  120 . Bracket assembly  120  is adapted to be used in association with a rail  116 . Rail  116  is substantially T-shaped in cross-section and is adapted to be received within a bracket  122  mounted on a post  112 . Bracket  122  includes a substantially T-shaped back wall  126  and a substantially U-shaped peripheral outer wall  128  which terminates in a flange  172  at the base of the crossbar  174  of the “T” shape on the back wall  126 . All other components of bracket assembly  120  are substantially the same as those of bracket assembly  20 . Bracket  122  is secured to post  112  by fasteners  134 . Rail  116  gets dropped into the opening  130  between side sections  128   a  and  128   b . The underside  176   a  of the flanges  176  on rail  116  abuts flange  172  on bracket  122 . Fasteners (not shown) are then screwed into the side walls  116   a  of rail  116 . Cover plate  124  is then snap fitted around bracket  122  by pulling the side sections  150   c  and  150   d  apart from each other and moving cover plate  124  downwardly until the interior surface of top end  150   a  engages upper edge  129  of bracket  122 . Cover plate  124  interlocks and is secured to bracket  122  in the same manner as cover plate  24  and bracket  22 .  
         [0032]     It will be understood that while the figures illustrate bracket  22  secured to side wall  36  of post  12  with the opening  30  at the top so that rail  16  may be slid vertically into bracket  22  in the direction of arrow C, bracket  22  may be placed in any other desired orientation, e.g. with opening  30  effectively facing the front or back of the railing, or at an angle to the vertical, or even downwardly. The latter orientation is the least favored only for the reason that the end section  28   c  of bracket  22  assists in carrying the load of rail  16  and if opening  30  is disposed facing the deck planking  14 , then the load of rail  16  is effectively carried by the fasteners  40 , instead of a combination of the fasteners  40  and end section  28   c.    
         [0033]     Furthermore, while a generally rectangular shaped rail and bracket assembly; and a generally T-shaped rail and bracket assembly have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the complementary bracket and rail assembly can be of any desired shape and configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0034]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0035]     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4