Fence rail support system

A fence system comprising:

• an inner structural vertical post, having upper and lower distal ends, the lower distal end comprising a base flange configured to be attached to a surface, the inner structural vertical post defining a vertical axis;
• a lower insert block having a first height and a coaxial bore, slidable over and around the inner structural vertical post to a position in contact with the base flange;
• an outer post having a coaxial bore, with upper and lower distal openings, dimensioned to insert over and around both the inner structural vertical post and the lower insert block, the outer post having an upper aperture proximate the upper distal opening, and a lower aperture positioned at a selected height above the lower distal opening, the selected height being substantially equal to the first height of the lower insert block;
• an upper insert block dimensioned to insert into the upper distal opening in the outer post;
• a first horizontal rail support insertable through the lower aperture in a direction substantially normal to the vertical axis, a first portion of the first horizontal rail support extending exterior of the outer post, and a second portion of the first horizontal rail support positioned in an interior of the outer post, the first horizontal rail support being held in position by an upward compressive force applied by the lower insert block to the second portion of the first horizontal rail support in the interior of the outer post;
• a second horizontal rail support insertable through the upper aperture in a first direction, a first portion of the second horizontal rail support extending exterior of the outer post, and a second portion of the second horizontal rail support positioned in the interior of the outer post, the second horizontal rail support being held in place by a downward compressive force applied by the upper insert block to the second portion of the second horizontal rail support in the interior of the outer post;
• and
• lower and upper horizontal rails having open ends insertable in place over and around the first and second horizontal rail supports, respectively.

A method of assembling a fence, comprising the steps of:

• attaching to a substantially horizontal surface an inner structural vertical post having upper and lower distal ends, the inner structure vertical post defining a vertical axis;
• inserting over the inner structural vertical post a lower insert block, having a first height and a coaxial bore, with upper and lower openings, the lower insert block moving over and around the inner structural vertical post to a position in contact with the substantially horizontal surface;
• providing an outer post having a coaxial bore, with upper and lower distal openings dimensioned to insert over and around both the inner structural vertical post and the lower insert block, the outer post having an upper set of apertures proximate the upper distal opening, and a lower set of apertures positioned at a selected height above the lower distal opening, the selected height being substantially equal to the first height of the lower insert block;
• inserting, through the lower and upper apertures, respectively, first and second horizontal rail supports in a first direction substantially normal to the vertical axis and substantially parallel to one another, such that a first portion of each horizontal rail support extends to an exterior of the outer post, and a second portion of each horizontal rail support is positioned in an interior of the outer post;
• sliding the outer post over and around the inner structure vertical post and the lower insert block, so that the inner structure vertical post extends upward within the bore of the outer post, and the lower insert block contacts, and applies an upward compressive force to the second portion of the first horizontal rail support;
• inserting an upper insert block into the upper distal opening of the outer post, such that the upper insert block contacts and applies a downward compressive force to the second portion of the second horizontal rail support;
• sliding open ends of upper and lower horizontal rails onto respective first and second horizontal rail supports;
• and
• locking the upper and lower horizontal rails in place against the upper and lower horizontal rail supports.