Foot plate

7) A foot plate comprising:

• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• and
• an opening corresponding to a post having a bottom edge, wherein the opening fits around the post such that the foot plate is unable to rotate around the post, but the bottom edge of the post can be aligned with the bottom surface of the foot plate.

12) A method of securing a foot plate to a post comprising the steps of:

• providing the post, wherein the post has a first exterior side, a second exterior side, a third exterior side, a fourth exterior side, and a bottom edge;
• providing the foot plate, wherein the foot plate has a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening having a first interior side corresponding to the first exterior side of a post, a second interior side corresponding to the second exterior side of the post, a third interior side corresponding to the third exterior side of the post, and a fourth interior side corresponding to the fourth exterior side of the post;
• inserting the post through the opening, wherein the opening fits around the post such that the foot plate is unable to rotate around the post, but the bottom edge of the post can be aligned with the bottom surface of the foot plate;
• securing the bottom surface of the foot plate to the bottom edge of the post with one or more connections;
• securing the top surface of the foot plate to the post with a weld.