AU2020284129A1 - Quick deploy vertical cable railing - Google Patents

Abstract

A vertical cable railing having a configuration that allows for a more efficient installation. The vertical cable railing includes a top rail and a bottom rail pre-threaded with the cable forming the vertical cable segments of the railing. At installation, a tensioning member or bracket is adjusted to influence a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail, which translates into a tensioning of the individual cable segments.

Description

QUICK DEPLOY VERTICAL CABLE RAILING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects hereof relate to a vertical cable railing system configured for easier installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vertical cable railing is traditionally used in connection with decking and other surfaces as a barrier. Vertical cable railing is formed from a plurality of discrete cables individually tensioned between a top rail and a bottom rail. The assembly and tensioning of individual vertical cables is a tedious and labor intensive task during installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects hereof provide for a railing barrier having vertical cables maintained under tension between a top rail and a bottom rail. The vertical cables are formed from a plurality of cable sections having preset lengths that extend between the top rail and the bottom rail at the time of receipt by the installer. A distance between the top rail and the bottom rail is adjusted during installation to adjust a tension experienced by the plurality of cable sections. The distance between the top rail and the bottom rail may be adjusted based on an alteration of a length or position of a tensioning member that extends between the top rail and the bottom rail. Additionally, the distance between the top rail and the bottom rail may be adjusted based on manipulation of one or more brackets maintaining the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

This summary is provided to enlighten and not limit the scope of methods and systems provided hereafter in complete detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention is described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a vertical cable railing having a tensioning member, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof; FIG. 2 depicts a view of a vertical cable railing prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 3 depicts a view of a vertical cable railing after installation and tensioning, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG.4 depicts a vertical cable railing have a plurality of tensioning members, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 5 depicts a vertical cable member having a single tensioning member in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a post having adjustable brackets secured thereto for adjusting a length between a top rail and a bottom rail, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof;

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the post and adjustable brackets from FIG. 6 with the top rail and the bottom rail at a first offset distance, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the post and adjustable brackets from FIG. 6 with the top rail and the bottom rail at a second offset distance, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 9 depicts a cable management configuration with spools prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIG. 10 depicts a cable management configuration with consolidation packaging prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof;

FIGS. 11A-11B depicts pivoting brackets for a tensioning member, in accordance with aspects hereof; and

FIGS. 12A-12B depicts articulating brackets for a tensioning member, in accordance with aspects hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects hereof provide apparatuses, systems and/or methods directed to a quick deploy vertical cable railing structure. Specifically, a vertical cable railing is comprised of a top rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of cable segments extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The quick deploy aspect is achieved through an adjustable distance between the top rail and the bottom rail that translates into a tensioning of the cable segments there between. Installation of traditional vertical cable railing is a labor intensive process that includes initially mounting and securing the top rail and the bottom rail between two post members. Individual cable segments are then strung between the top rail and the bottom rail. The individual cable segments may then be individually tensioned through an adjustment of termination end on the individual cable segments. Those termination ends may also be individually secured to the ends to the cable segments during installation. This process of forming, stringing, and tensioning is performed for each of the cable segments. In an aspect, it is desired to have a vertical cable segment at least every 4 inches along the length of the top rail/bottom rail. As such, this process of installing a traditional vertical cable railing can be a laborious process.

Aspects herein contemplate providing the top rail and the bottom rail having the individual cable segments extending there between and at fixed lengths with termination ends already included prior to the time of installation on the structure intended to receive the vertical cable railing. As such, the installer, such as a contractor, property owner, employee, or the like, may secure one or more of the top rail and/or the bottom rail between two members (e.g., posts) with the vertical cable segments already incorporated with the rails. The vertical cable are already sized and secured (e.g., fixedly, slidable, removably) to the top rail and/or the bottom rail. The installer may then adjust a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail to bring the cable segments under sufficient tension. The distance between the top rail and the bottom rail may be adjusted with a tensioning member and/or bracket adjustments.

A tensioning member is a compressive-resistant structural member effective to apply a force between the top rail and the bottom rail that is resisted by the cable segments. The tensioning member by be a rod, post, or the like. The tensioning member may be a hollow or solid member having a desired cross-section shape (e.g., circular, rectilinear). Adjustment of the distance between the top rail and the bottom rail may be accomplished through an adjustment of the tensioning member length, adjustment of an exposed portion length between the top rail and the bottom rail, adjustment of a securement supporting the tensioning rod, and/or adjustment of a bracket securing the tensioning member to the top rail and/or bottom rail.

Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail may be adjusted to achieved a desired tension of the cable segments through one or more brackets securing the top rail and/or the bottom rail to a post or other support. For example, a bracket having a threaded support element contacting the maintained rail may be turned to adjust a position of the maintained rail relative to the post having the adjustable bracket. This change in position of the maintained rail can effectively adjust a tension experienced by one or more of the cable segments.

The aspects contemplated will be discussed in greater detail and with respect to the figures hereinafter.

Turning to FIG. 1, which depicts an example of a vertical cable railing 100 having a tensioning member 108, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof The vertical cable railing 100 is comprised of a top rail 102, a bottom rail 104, and a plurality of cable segments 106. In this example, the vertical cable railing 100 is also comprised of the tensioning member 108. The tensioning member 108 is secured with the top rail through a bracket 126 and to the bottom rail through a bracket 128. The tension generated at the plurality of cable segments 106 may be adjusted by manipulation of the tensioning member 108 through a threaded feature 122 and a nut 124 operating in conjunction. The top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 extend between two posts 110, 112. The top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 are secured with the two posts, 110, 112, such as through a bracket, like brackets 114, 116. Each of the cable segments include a termination 118 and a termination 120.

hi more detail, the rails (e.g., top rail 102, bottom rail 104) may be formed from any materials, such as aluminum or steel. The rails may include multiple portions, such as a structural member through which one or more of the cable segments extend. The rails may also include a cover (e.g., cap) portion that covers the structural portion and/or obscures the terminations (e.g., termination 118) of the cable segments 106. The rails may be solid or hollow. The rails may have any cross-section shape. The rails may be any length (e.g., 4 ft. to 8 ft.). The rails may include holes extending through a top surface and a bottom surface that allow a cable segment to pass through. The holes are sized to receive a cable segment, and in some aspects, allow the cable segment to easily thread through the hole. The holes in the top rail 102 and the holes in the bottom rail 104 are positioned to allow the cable segments to extend in a vertical direction there between when the rails are installed in a horizontal configuration. Stated differently, the holes in the rails coordinate in location and spacing to allow the cable segments to be installed in a vertical manner.

The tensioning member 108 is solid element that is resistant to compression and therefore effective to generate tension in the plurality of cable segments 106 extending between the rails. The tensioning member 108 may be formed from any suitable material, such as aluminum, steel, polymeric composition, and the like. The tensioning member 108 may be hollow or solid and it may have any cross-section shape. The tensioning member 108 may be a fixed length or it may be an adjustable length.

An adjustable length of the tensioning member may be accomplished through a variety of manners. For example, it is contemplated that the tensioning member 108 may be comprised of a first segment and a second segment that is slidably received within the first segment. For example, the first segment may be a hollow cylinder having an inside diameter effective to receive the second segment having an outer diameter less than the inside diameter of the first segment. As such, the first segment and the second segment may telescope to adjust a length of the tensioning member. In this example of a telescoping configuration, any number of mechanisms may be leveraged to maintained a selected length. For example, a spring biased protrusion and a receiving aperture may work in coordination to lock a selected position of the first segment and the second segment. A friction lock that compresses a portion of the first segment and the second segment to mechanically engage and secure the first segment and second segment in a set length may also be leveraged. One or more threaded portions may be implements to allow a rotational movement to set and secure a length of the tensioning member is also contemplated. For example, a first segment may be threaded with a male thread pattern and the second segment may be threaded with a female thread pattern such that a rotation of the first and/or second segments relative to each other adjusts a combined length of the joined first and second segments.

An adjustment to a length between the rails may also be accomplished with the tensioning member 108 and one or more of the brackets securing the tensioning member 108 to the rail(s). For example, the bracket 126 secures the tensioning member 108 with the top rail 102 may be configured to receive the tensioning member in a slidable engagement. For example, the bracket 126 may be sized to receive an end of the tensioning member 108 or the bracket 126 may be sized to be received in the tensioning member 108. In both configurations, a threaded element either on the bracket 126 or the tensioning member 108 (as depicted in FIG. 1) allows a threaded nut to be rotated to adjust an amount of the bracket 126 or the tensioning member 108 received in the other element. This adjustment allows for a variable distance between the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 to be achieved and maintained. A similar configuration is contemplated at the bracket 128 in connection with the bottom rail 104.

The plurality of cable segments 106 may be formed from any material, such as steel, aluminum, polymeric composition, organic fibers, and the like. A cable is a collection of strands intertwined, braided, or otherwise twisted to form a single tensile element. A cable may also be a monofilament in an example. Each of the plurality of cables 106 may be discrete segments that are sized to a predetermined length prior to receipt by the installer, such as at a factory or distribution facility. The length of a cable segment may be controlled with a first terminator on a first end and a second terminator on a second end of the cable section. A terminator, such as the terminations 118, 120, may be any element effective to maintain the cable section at an intended length. Examples of a terminator include, but are not limited to a crimped component, a compression fitting, a welded component, a threaded component, and the like. For example, a crimped element may have a shank or other receiving portion into which the terminal end of a cable section is inserted. Following the insertion of the cable segment, the shank or other receiving portion of the terminator may be subjected to focused or localized compression causing a deformation of the shank or receiving portion around the terminal end of the cable. This mechanical engagement (e.g., crimp) results in a securing of the cable segment terminal end within a portion of the terminator. Similarly, it is contemplated that a compression fitting that allows for the insertion of the cable terminal end into a receiving portion is gripped by the terminator and allows movement of the terminal end in a first direction

(e.g., into the terminator) and not in an opposite direction (e.g., out from the terminator). The compression fitting may also comprise one or more threaded components that when rotated compress the cable terminal end to secure the cable terminal end with the terminator.

In general, a terminator has a cross-sectional shape and/or size that is not conducive for passing through the top rail 102 and/or the bottom rail 104 under expected tensions experienced by the cable. As such, it is contemplated that the terminator on at least a second end of a cable segment is not attached to the cable until the cable extends through the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104. The terminator is effective to resist the pulling of the cable segments through the rails when the cables are placed under tension.

Any combination of brackets, tensioning members), cable sections, rails, and/or posts may be implemented as contemplated to achieve a quick deploy vertical cable railing barrier.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of a vertical cable railing prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof. Specifically, the vertical cable railing of FIG. 2 is“collapsed” in that it is not installed with the vertical cable segments 106 are under tension. Instead, the cable segments 106 extend through the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104, but a distance D1 between the rails is less than a distance D2 as will be shown in FIG. 3. Stated differently, the collapsed configuration of FIG. 2 has the plurality of cable segment 106 under less tension (e.g., minimal tension) than when installed, as depicted in FIG. 3.

In the example of FIG. 2, the cable is threaded through an aperture of the top rail 102 and is able to freely move through the aperture (e.g., hole) such that a portion 202 of the cable segment 106 is beyond the top rail 102 as opposed to being positioned between the top rail 102 and the bottom rail. As will be depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, this sliding engagement of the cable through a rail allows for collection and securement of the portion 202 when the railing is in a collapsed configuration. This collection and securement of the excess cable while in a collapsed state can allow for cable management, reduced damage to components of the railing during transportation and storage, decrease installation time, and other advantages. However, while the cable segment 106 is able to slide or move through the railings, it is contemplated that the terminators (e.g., 118, 120) prevent the terminal ends of the cable section from passing through a respective rail.

It is contemplated that D1 can be any distance, even a near zero distance allowing for the abutment of the two rails while in the collapsed configuration. Stated differently, it is contemplated that an amount of cable 204 and excess cable 202 may vary depending on a degree of collapsed state. While the excess cable 202 is depicted as extending from the top rail 102, it is contemplated that excess cable may extend from the bottom rail 104 additionally or alternatively. Further, it is contemplated that a first terminal end of a cable segment is fixedly secured to a first rail and the other terminal end of the cable is freely moveable through/from the other rail.

FIG. 3 depicts a view of the vertical cable railing of FIG.2 after installation and tensioning, in accordance with aspects hereof. In this example, a distance D2 is depicted as existing between the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104. D2 of FIG. 3 is greater than D1 of FIG. 2. The use of distance between the rails, in some examples, serves as a visual proxy of tension as experienced by the cables extending between the rails. An installed vertical cable railing may instead be characterized by a tension experienced by the cables. Additionally, an installed vertical cable railing may be defined by the ability to prevent a 4” spherical object from passing between cables with minimal force applied to the spherical object.

In FIG. 3, the majority of the cable extends between the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 as cable 302. It is contemplated that the D2 is equivalent to the cable length 302 in FIG. 3. Each of the terminators are depicted as static length terminators (e.g., meaning the length of the cable is set by the location of the terminators). However, it is contemplated that one or more of the terminators may be adjustable, such as a threaded element that in response to rotational movement can adjust a length of the cable and therefore adjust a tension of the individual cable when installed.

FIG.4 depicts a vertical cable railing have a plurality of tensioning members 402, 404, in accordance with aspects hereof. This is in contrast with FIG. 5 that depicts a vertical cable member having a single tensioning member 502, in accordance with aspects hereof. As such, it is contemplated in a first aspect that multiple tensioning members are used in combination for a single top rail and bottom rail combination. While in another example, a single tensioning member may be implemented for a single top rail and bottom rail combination. In some examples, the tensioning member is located in a first third of a total longitudinal length of the top rail 102. In another example, the tensioning member is positioned in a second third of the total length of the top rail 102. hi yet another example the tensioning member is positioned in a third third of the total length of the top rail 102. The location of the tensioning member may be adjusted based on a length of the top rail, an intended tension to be achieved on the cables, a material selection for the rails and/or the tensioning member, and the like.

The tensioning members in FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a threaded portion having a threaded nut-like element that when rotated, adjusts the distance D2. Alternative or additional tensioning members as provided herein may be implemented in alternative examples.

FIGS. 6-8 depict an additionally contemplated configuration for adjusting a tension of the cable and to quickly deploy the vertical cable railing, in accordance with aspects hereof. FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a post 602 having adjustable brackets 604, 606 secured thereto for adjusting a length between a top rail and a bottom rail, in accordance with exemplary aspects hereof. Each of the brackets are depicted as a“U” channel bracket; however, any shape may be implemented. In this configuration, the top rail and the bottom rail may be inserted into their respective bracket that provide lateral (e.g., left-to-right as depicted in FIG.6) support while allowing adjustment in the vertical direction. Adjustment of the rails within the brackets may be accomplished through a threaded element 608 that when rotated, moves in a vertical direction relative to the bracket cross member through which the threaded element passes. In this example, a contacting surface 610 and a contacting surface 614 are depicted. The contacting surfaces engage with the rail to transfer a force from the threaded elements 608 and a threaded element 612, respectively. The threaded elements may be a bolt-like element and the cross member of the bracket may include a complementary threaded element (e.g., a bolt) that converts the rotational energy applied to the threaded elements into a vertical translation. The threaded elements are effective in effectively converting rotational energy into a vertical tensioning force that may be maintained, in an example.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the post and adjustable brackets from FIG. 6 with the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 at a first offset distance, D3 in accordance with aspects hereof. This is in contrast to FIG. 8 that depicts a side view of the post and adjustable brackets from FIG. 6 with the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 at a second offset distance D4, in accordance with aspects hereof. When comparing FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen how the threaded element 608 and the threaded element 612 can be rotated to effectively adjust a distance between the rails. This rotation of the threaded elements is effective to adjust a tension of the cables. For example, in FIG. 7, an excess amount of cable 702 is shown. However, after adjusting a distance between the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 as depicted in FIG. 8, the cable is depicted without excess and extending as tensioned cable 802 there between (and through in this example).

In this example, both a top bracket and a bottom bracket are depicted as providing distance adjustments. It is also contemplated that just one of the top or the bottom rail may be adjusted. For example, to maintain uniformity of a top rail position on both sides of a post having a vertical railing on both sides, it is contemplated that a static upper bracket may be implemented and an adjustable lower bracket may be leveraged as a discrepancy between a first lower side and a second lower side of a railing relative to a post may be less noticeable than a discrepancy in consecutive top rail positions on the same post, in some examples. Additionally, while the threaded element is depicted as extending through the bracket to the rail, is it contemplated that threaded element may extend through the rail to the bracket. Additionally, while a threaded element is discussed and depicted, it is contemplated that any adjustment mechanism may be used. For example, a ratchet-like set up may be used in the alternative.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict cable management solutions contemplated herein. Specifically, FIG. 9 depicts a cable management configuration with spools 904 prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof. In a collapsed state, the cable segment 106 may have an excess portion 902 that extends beyond the top rail 102 and/or the bottom rail 104. This excess portion 902 can become tangled or otherwise interfere with the other excess cable portions. Additionally, the excess portion 902 may damage (e.g., scratch) components, such as the rails during transportation and storage. As such, a cable management solution is included for the excess portion of the cable that extends from one or more of the rails, hi an example, the cable is wound about a spool, such as the spool 904. While discrete spools for each cable are depicted, it is contemplated that a common spool may be used for two or more cable portions. Upon installation, the excess portion 902 passes through the rail and forms a portion of the tensioned cable of a vertical railing. The excess portion may be unspooled from the spool 904 in a controlled manner to simplify installation.

FIG. 10 depicts a cable management configuration with consolidation packaging 1006 prior to installation, in accordance with aspects hereof. The consolidation packaging may be any containment structure, such as a box, bag, tape, strap, tie, or the like. In this example, multiple excess cable portions 1002, 1004 may be contained in a common consolidation packaging. Alternatively, each cable may have a discrete consolidation package. Similar to FIG. 9, the advantages of the consolidation packaging ease installation and prevent damage caused by the excess cable to other components during shipping and storage. During installation, the used portion 1000 absorbs the excess cable portion 1004, which may withdraw the cable from the consolidation packaging, in an example.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict pivoting brackets for a tensioning member, in accordance with aspects hereof. Specifically, a pivoting bracket assembly is depicted in FIGS. 11A-11B. This adjustable angle bracket configuration allows a vertical cable railing to be assembled at an angle, such as at a stairway or ramp without requiring a special top rail or bottom rail for that installation portion. The top rail 102 includes a pivot bracket 1102 and the bottom rail 104 includes a pivot bracket 1104. A tensioning member 1100 extends between the pivot bracket 1102 and the pivot bracket 1104 and pivotally secured at 1106 and 1108, respectively. As depicted in FIG. 11A an angle 1110 between the tensioning member 1100 and the top rail 102 is depicted as a perpendicular relationship. The same configuration as shown in FIG. 1 IB allows an angle 1112 to be formed through a pivoting motion between at the pivot points 1106 and 1108. It should be noted that the top rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 are maintained in a parallel relationship by cables of a similar length on both sides of the tensioning member 1100. As such installation is quickly implemented even when done on an angle, such as a stairway.

FIGS. 12A-12B depict articulating brackets for a tensioning member, in accordance with aspects hereof. Specifically a ball-and-socket- style join is formed between the rails and the tensioning member. In FIG. 12A, a ball 1202 extends from the top rail 102 and a socket extends from the tensioning member 1200. A ball 1204 extends from the bottom rail 104 and a socket 1208 extends from the tensioning member 1200. The ball and socket junction is another example of an articulating and adjustable junction between a tensioning member and a rail to provide convenience and ease of assembly in a variety of application for concepts contemplated herein. While the balls are depicted as extending from the rails, it is contemplated that the socket portion may alternatively extend from the rails with the ball extending from the tensioning member. A difference in angle 1210 and 1212 is possible with an articulating bracket as depicted in FIGS. 12A-12B.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well-adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

While specific elements and steps are discussed in connection to one another, it is understood that any element and/or steps provided herein is contemplated as being combinable with any other elements and/or steps regardless of explicit provision of the same while still being within the scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

As used herein and in connection with the claims listed hereinafter, the terminology“any of clauses” or similar variations of said terminology is intended to be interpreted such that features of claims/clauses may be combined in any combination. For example, an exemplary clause 4 may indicate the method/apparatus of any of clauses 1 through 3, which is intended to be interpreted such that features of clause 1 and clause 4 may be combined, elements of clause 2 and clause 4 may be combined, elements of clause 3 and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 1, 2, and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 2, 3, and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be combined, and/or other variations. Further, the terminology“any of clauses” or similar variations of said terminology is intended to include“any one of clauses” or other variations of such terminology, as indicated by some of the examples provided above.

The following clauses are aspects contemplated herein. Clause 1. A vertical cable railing comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; a plurality of cable sections extending between the top rail and the bottom rail; and a tensioning member extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, wherein the tensioning member is adjustable between at least a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length, wherein the plurality of cable sections are under a first tension at the first length of the tensioning member and the plurality of cable sections are under a second tension at the second length of the tensioning member, the second tension is greater than the first tension.

Clause 2. The vertical cable railing of clause 1, wherein the tensioning member is comprised of a first segment and a second segment, the first segment is slidably received in the second segment.

Clause 3. The vertical cable railing of clause 2, wherein the tensioning member is further comprised of a friction lock, the friction lock limits slidable movement between the first segment and the second segment when engaged.

Clause 4. The vertical cable railing of clause 2, wherein the first segment or the second segment is comprised of a threaded portion.

Clause 5. The vertical cable railing of clause 4, wherein the tensioning member is further comprised of a threaded nut engaged with the threaded portion, wherein rotation of the threaded nut about the threaded portion adjusts the tensioning member between the first length and the second length.

Clause 6. The vertical cable railing of clause 2, wherein the first segment is comprised a protrusion extending axial outward and the second segment is comprised of a receiving aperture configured to receive the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and the receiving aperture mechanically engage to maintain the tensioning member at the second length.

Clause 7. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the tensioning member is comprised of a threaded portion proximate the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

Clause 8. The vertical cable railing of clause 7, wherein the tensioning member is slidably engaged with the top rail and/or the bottom rail, such that a threaded nut on the threaded portion is configured to adjust a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Clause 9. The vertical cable railing of clause 7, wherein the tensioning member is slidably engaged with the top rail or the bottom rail through a bracket fixedly secured to the top rail and/or the bottom rail. Clause 10. The vertical cable railing of clause 7, wherein the tensioning member is removeably engaged with the top rail or the bottom rail through a bracket fixedly secured to the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

Clause 11. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the top rail and/or the bottom rail comprise a bracket for securing the tensioning member, wherein the bracket is comprised of a threaded arrangement effective to adjust a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail as maintained by the tensioning member.

Clause 12. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the plurality of cable sections are moveably secured to at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail.

Clause 13. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-12, wherein a cable section of the plurality of cable sections is a fixed length.

Clause 14. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-12, wherein a cable section of the plurality of cable sections is an adjustable length.

Clause 15. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-14, wherein a cable section of the plurality of cable sections extends through at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail and terminates with a dimensional size that does not extend through the at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail through which the cable section of the plurality of cable sections extends.

Clause 16. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-15, wherein the top rail has a length extending between a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the top rail, and the tensioning member is positioned in a middle third of the length the between the first end and the second end.

Clause 17. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-16, wherein the top rail has a length extending between a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the top rail, and the tensioning member is positioned in a first third of the length the between the first end and the second end, wherein the first third of the length starts at the first end.

Clause 18. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-17 further comprising a second tensioning member extending between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Clause 19. The vertical cable railing of clause 1 further comprising a second tensioning member extending between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Clause 20. The vertical cable railing of any of clauses 1-17, wherein the tensioning member is adjustably coupled with at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail. Clause 21. The vertical cable railing of clause 20, wherein the tensioning member is perpendicular to the top rail.

Clause 22. The vertical cable railing of clause 20, wherein the tensioning member is non-perpendicular to the top rail.

Clause 23. A vertical cable railing comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; a plurality of discrete cable sections extending between the top rail and the bottom rail; a top rail bracket; and a bottom rail bracket, wherein at least one of the top rail bracket or the bottom rail bracket includes a threaded element that separates the top rail from the bottom rail a first distance when rotated in a first direction and separates the top rail from the bottom rail a second distance when rotated in a second direction.

Clause 24. A method of installing a vertical cable railing, the method comprising: supporting a top rail between a first post and a second post; supporting a bottom rail between the first post and the second post; extending a plurality of discrete cable sections between the top rail and the bottom rail, wherein each of the plurality of discrete cable sections extend through the top rail and the bottom rail prior to supporting the top rail and prior to supporting the bottom rail; and increasing a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail to increase a tension of the plurality of discrete cable sections.

Clause 25. The method of clause 24 further comprising unspooling one or more of the plurality of discrete cable sections prior to supporting the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

Clause 26. The method of any of clauses 24-25 further comprising receiving the top rail and the bottom rail with the plurality of discrete cable sections extending there through.

Clause 27. The method of any of clauses 24-26, wherein the increasing of the distance between the top rail and the bottom rail comprises adjusting a length of a tensioning member extending between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Clause 28. The method of any of clauses 24-27, wherein the increasing of the distance between the top rail and the bottom rail comprises adjusting a top rail bracket and or a bottom rail bracket.

Claims (1)

1. What is claimed is:

   1. A vertical cable railing comprising: a top rail; a bottom rail; a plurality of cable sections extending between the top rail and the bottom rail; and a tensioning member extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, wherein the tensioning member is adjustable between at least a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length, wherein the plurality of cable sections are under a first tension at the first length of the tensioning member and the plurality of cable sections are under a second tension at the second length of the tensioning member, the second tension is greater than the first tension.

   2. The vertical cable railing of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning member is comprised of a first segment and a second segment, the first segment is slidably received in the second segment.

   3. The vertical cable railing of claim 2, wherein the tensioning member is further comprised of a friction lock, the friction lock limits slidable movement between the first segment and the second segment when engaged.

   4. The vertical cable railing of claim 2, wherein the first segment or the second segment is comprised of a threaded portion.

   5. The vertical cable railing of claim 4, wherein the tensioning member is further comprised of a threaded nut engaged with the threaded portion, wherein rotation of the threaded nut about the threaded portion adjusts the tensioning member between the first length and the second length.

   6. The vertical cable railing of claim 2, wherein the first segment is comprised a protrusion extending axial outward and the second segment is comprised of a receiving aperture configured to receive the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and the receiving aperture mechanically engage to maintain the tensioning member at the second length.

   7. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the tensioning member is comprised of a threaded portion proximate the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

   8. The vertical cable railing of claim 7, wherein the tensioning member is slidably engaged with the top rail and/or the bottom rail, such that a threaded nut on the threaded portion is configured to adjust a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail.

   9. The vertical cable railing of claim 7, wherein the tensioning member is slidably engaged with the top rail or the bottom rail through a bracket fixedly secured to the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

   10. The vertical cable railing of claim 7, wherein the tensioning member is removeably engaged with the top rail or the bottom rail through a bracket fixedly secured to the top rail and/or the bottom rail.

   11. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the top rail and/or the bottom rail comprise a bracket for securing the tensioning member, wherein the bracket is comprised of a threaded arrangement effective to adjust a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail as maintained by the tensioning member.

   12. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cable sections are moveably secured to at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail. is. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein a cable section of the plurality of cable sections is an adjustable length.

   14. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein a cable section of the plurality of cable sections extends through at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail and terminates with a dimensional size that does not extend through the at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail through which the cable section of the plurality of cable sections extends.

   15. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the top rail has a length extending between a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the top rail, and the tensioning member is positioned in a middle third of the length the between the first end and the second end.

   16. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the top rail has a length extending between a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the top rail, and the tensioning member is positioned in a first third of the length the between the first end and the second end, wherein the first third of the length starts at the first end.

   17. The vertical cable railing of claim 1, wherein the tensioning member is adjustably coupled with at least one of the top rail or the bottom rail.

   18. The vertical cable railing of claim 17, wherein the tensioning member is non-perpendicular to the top rail.

   19. A method of installing a vertical cable railing, the method comprising: supporting a top rail between a first post and a second post; supporting a bottom rail between the first post and the second post; extending a plurality of discrete cable sections between the top rail and the bottom rail, wherein each of the plurality of discrete cable sections extend through the top rail and the bottom rail prior to supporting the top rail and prior to supporting the bottom rail; and increasing a distance between the top rail and the bottom rail to increase a tension of the plurality of discrete cable sections.

   20. The method of claim 19 further comprising unspooling one or more of the plurality of discrete cable sections prior to supporting the top rail and/or the bottom rail.