Modular composite railing

Abstract

A modular railing including a plurality of upright posts and a plurality of composite hand rails extending between adjacent ones of the upright posts. The composite handrails each include a plastic outer shell and an internal metal reinforcing element extending longitudinally within the plastic shell. A plurality of lower rails extend between adjacent ones of the upright posts and a plurality of composite spindles extend between the lower rails and the handrails. A plurality of brackets couple the handrails and the lower rails with the upright posts. The brackets are adapted to be slipped over end portions of the handrails and over end portions of the lower rails and to be fastened to the upright posts. Preferably the brackets are made of metal and have a shaped opening matching a cross-sectional profile of the handrails to allow the brackets to be slipped over the end portions of the handrails. The brackets include flanges to allow the brackets to be fastened to the upright composite posts with fasteners. One of the handrails is oriented at an oblique angle relative to one of the upright posts and one of the brackets has an elongated shaped opening, relative to the other shaped openings in the other brackets, to receive the obliquely oriented handrail therein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.