Patent ID: 6860472

Claim:
A modular railing system comprising: at least one substantially vertical post having a preselected outer dimension; at least one substantially horizontal rail extending at an end thereof from said at least one substantially vertical post; and a connecting fixture for attaching said at least one substantially horizontal rail to said at least one substantially vertical post, said connecting fixture including: a first connective fitting having an end shaped to mate with the outer dimension of said at least one substantially vertical post and a means for aligning said first connecting fitting to said at least one substantially vertical post and which increases vertical and horizontal shear strength between said first connective fitting and said at least one substantially vertical post during connection therebetween, a second connective fitting capable of connecting to said at least one substantially horizontal rail on one end thereof and having a recessed underside at another end thereof, said recessed underside receiving said first connective fitting therein, a side wing portion at said another end of said second connective fitting shaped to an inner dimension capable of mating with said outer dimension of said at least one substantially vertical post, such that when said recessed underside of said second connective fitting receives said first connective fitting therein, said first connective fitting fits substantially therein, and means for removably attaching said first connective fitting to said second connective fitting.