US3910562A

US3910562A - Wrought iron railing

Info

Publication number: US3910562A
Application number: US550813A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arlen Helterbrand
Original assignee: ATO Inc
Current assignee: Scott Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1975-02-18
Filing date: 1975-02-18
Publication date: 1975-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-07

Abstract

In combination in a wrought iron railing assembly, a post having a fitting containing a pair of outwardly extending male-type connector elements, a rail element formed along its length with a pair of interior recesses or sockets adapted to frictionally receive such male-type connectors whereby to secure the rail element generally to the post, and a clip or clamp assembly for mounting to the rail element following the connection of the same to the post, said clip assembly comprising a first plate or arched construction adapted to be mounted in the rail element above and in bridging relation to the male-type connectors, a second plate of rectilinear construction designed to be mounted to the underside of the rail element in bridging relation with a pair of flange-like extensions formed in the rail element to the inboard side of said recesses or sockets, and a nut and bolt type fastener means for connecting said first and second plates together, said fastener means being operative as it is tightened in place to draw the plates into firm clamping relation with said male-type connectors and said rail element.

Description

United States Patent [191 Helterbrand Oct. 7, 1975 WROUGHT IRON RAILING [75] Inventor: Arlen l-Ielterbrand, Assumption, Ill.

[73] Assignee: A-T-O Inc., Willoughby, Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1975 211 Appl. No.: 550,813

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-David l-I. Corbin Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn K. Crump [57] ABSTRACT In combination in a wrought iron railing assembly, a

post having a fitting containing a pair of outwardly extending male-type connector elements, a rail element formed along its length with a pair of interior recesses or sockets adapted to frictionally receive such maletype connectors whereby to secure the rail element generally to the post, and a clip or clamp assembly for mounting to the rail element following the connection of the same to the post, said clip assembly comprising a first plate or arched construction adapted to be mounted in the rail element above and in bridging relation to the male-type connectors, a second plate of rectilinear construction designed to be mounted to the underside of the rail element in bridging relation with a pair of flange-like extensions formed in the rail element to the inboard side of said recesses or sockets, and a nut and bolt type fastener means for connecting said first and second plates together, said fastener means being operative as it is tightened in place to draw the plates into firm clamping relation with said male-type connectors and said rail element.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 7,1975

WROUGHT IRON RAILING This invention relates to ornamental wrought iron railing and more particularly relates to wrought iron railing which incorporates a novel form of no-drill type connector means for permitting railing installation to fixed supports, such as newel posts, by relatively unskilled or inexperienced personnel.

In order to facilitate the installation of wrought iron railing in and around residences, offices, stores and the like, the top and bottom rail elements of the individual railing section or rails" are normally configured to accept or receive special no-drill or clamp-on type connector means designed to eliminate the need for assembly holes or apertures in the rail elements for connecting the same and the section as a whole to the newel post or other support. With this type of connector means, the individual rail elements of the rails may be cut at the site of installation to attain correspondence between the length of the rails and the spacing of the posts or other supports which are to receive the same without giving rise to the concomitant necessity of an on-site drilling of the rail elements for the assembly thereto of the connector means. The installation of the railing normally can, as a consequence of this feature of the connector means, be effected by relatively inexperienced personnel, using only commonly available hand tools.

In one such no-drill type connector, and which is particularly adapted for relatively heavy gauge railing units, the upper rail element of the section or rail is contoured cross-sectionally in the manner of an invertcd U, the side legs of which have inwardly twined or rolled free edges defining a pair of longitudinally extending, opposed recesses or sockets within the rail. The post or other support is provided with a fitting conforming generally in cross-sectional construction to the upper rail element and carrying a pair of male-type connector elements, such as rods or prongs, adapted to be frictionally received in the recesses or sockets of the rail element in the assembly of the section to the post or other support whereby to secure the top rail element to the latter.

The lower rail element of the rail is, in accordance with this proposal, essentially of a C- or channel crosssectional construction and the post or other support is provided with a second bracket or fitting of generally U-shaped design adapted to be received in the end of the rail element and to clampingly engage therewith through means of a set screw which opthates between the separate legs of the bracket to expand the same outwardly against the rail element.

While this particular arrangement or technique for assembling the rails in place has proven generally satisfactory, it is necessary, particularly in the case of the upper connection, to maintain relatively close tolerances between the fittings and the portions of the rail element which are to receive the same in order to provide a rigid, tight connection between the rails and the posts or other support means. While from a fabrication standpoint this presents no particular problems, any deformation or damage to the ends of the rail element of any rail during handling or in installation may preclude or considerably complicate the installation of such section to the fittings of the posts and may also result in the forming of a loose, generally unattractive connection between the rail elements and posts in the final railing assembly. For this same reason, care must be taken to remove any burrs or irregularities occurring in the ends of the rail elements during any cutting of the rail elements in the preliminary preparation of the rails for as i I sembly to the posts or other support means.

Moreover, with this type of construction and again having particular reference to the upper fitting, it is essential that the fitting be received fully within the end of the rail element so as to avoid the presence in the final railing assembly of an unsightly gap or crack between the railing element and the post or the fitting itself. Where proper tolerances are not maintained in manufacture, this relationship is not attainable and the overall appearance of the railing will be adversely affected as a result thereof.

A further drawback of this type of connector means stems from the lack of a ready means for retightening the rail elements to the posts after initial installation of the rails and thus if looseness or play develops in and between the parts of the railing during use it may be impossible to restore the posts to their original tightness short of completely dis-assembling the railing and either reforming or replacing one or more of the elements contributing to such looseness or play."

With the aforegoing in mind, it may be stated that the primary object of the present invention is to provide improvements in present form of no-drill type connector means for wrought iron railings whereby to facilitate the installation of such railings while adding to the appearance and overall rigidity of the final railing asse'mbly.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a means for connecting a wrought iron rail to a post or the like which while including male-type members for frictionally engaging within the ends of the rail obviates the necessity of maintaining close tolerances between such members and the rail elements to achieve a rigid, aesthetically pleasing connection therebetween.

A still further objective of the invention is the provision of a no-drill type connector means for wrought iron rails which in addition to the above features and characteristics is capable of being adjusted after installation to take-up for any play or looseness developing in and between the rails and the posts or other supports during use of the railing.

Another objective of the invention is the provision of such a no-drill or adjustable type connector means for rails which, while relatively inexpensive of manufacture, is extremely dependable in use or in operation.

Generally, the above and other objects and advantages of the invention are attained by the provision in a wrought iron rail having a top rail element containing recesses or sockets for accepting male-type connector elements carried by a conventional fitting which is secured to a post or other support, of a special clip or clamp assembly to co-act with the top rail element and the male-type connector elements following the receipt of the latter in the top rail element to augment the holding action of such elements with respect to the upper rail element. The clip or clamp assembly includes a main clamping plate of arched construction adapted to be adjustably received in the railing element above and in bridging relation to the end portion of the male-type connector elements to present a-first clamping surface in the rail element above such connector elements. A second plate of generally rectilinear construction is included in the clip or clamp assembly and mounts between the inner edge portion of the connector elements on a bearing surface presented by a pair of inwardly extending flange-like members which are formed integrally with the sides of the rail element whereby to form a second clamping surface in the rail element between the connector elements and below the first such clamping surface. The plates are provided with center apertures and are connectible through means of a nut and bolt type fastener which as it is tightened into place causes the plates to be drawn relatively toward one another to effect a simultaneous downward pressing in the recessed portions of the rail element of the maletype connectors and an outward movement towards such connectors of the innermost sections of the recess forming wall portions of the rail element, the net effect of which is to cause a pinching or squeezing of the connector elements of the rail element. An extremely rigid connection between the rail element and post is produced as a result of this action of the clip assembly. The clip assembly further serves to draw the rail ele ment into precise longitudinal alignment with the fit ting of the post to provide an aesthetically appearing final railing assembly.

It is to be noted that with the construction of the invention, the recess-defining wall portion of the rail ele ment will tend to be reformed to adapt to the contour of the male-type connector elements as the clip assembly is tightened in place. Accordingly, with the pro posed fastening technique, the upper rail elements of the rails may be manufactured to afford a rather generous clearance between the male-type connectors and the recess forming portions of the rail element so as to insure full acceptance by the rail element of the maletype connectors and the forming of a corresponding crack-free connection between the rail elements and the post.

It is a further particular feature of the present construction that any play or looseness which may develop in and between the rails and posts can readily be eliminated by a simple, in place tightening of the fastening bolt of the clamping clip. The proposed connector means also provides, among other advantages and features, relative ease of installation, an unobtrusive appearance, being substantially completely unobservable in the installed railing unit, and a relatively simple, yet rugged, overall construction, capable of providing dependable operation over extended periods of time.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a representative railing assembly embodying the improvement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the railing assembly of FIG. 1, showing particulars of the connector means for attaching the upper rail elements of the rails to the intermediate post of the railing assembly;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing details of the fitting on the upper end of the posts;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the lines 44 of FIG. 2, depicting details of the top rail element as finally secured to a post through the novel connector means of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the railing assembly of FIG. 1, showing details of the connector means for attaching the lower rail elements of the rails to the intermediate post of the railing assembly, and;

FIG. 6 is a section on the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5, illustrating further details of the manner in which the lower rail element of the rails attaches to the support posts.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, an adjustable railing assembly incorporating the improvements of the invention is shown to include a level or porch rail 2 and a rake or step rail 4 connected to and between sets of upright support posts 6 to form an installed railing unit extending along a stepped entryway 8 of a residence, office or the like. The

rails

2 and 4 each include a top and

bottom rail element

10 and 12 respectively, connected in spaced apart, paralleling relation by a series of spindles or pickets 14 located at uniformly spaced intervals to one another along the length of the

elements

10 and 12. The step or rake rails is fabricated with a predetermined pitch angle for mounting along steps, such as in the present instance, or along ramps or other inclined or angled structures and, in most instances, there will be no need for adjusting the pitch of the rail at the installation site. The pickets of the rails are, however, joined to the rail ing elements in a manner as to permit a limited yielding movement therebetween whereby to permit some adjustment to be made in the pitch of the rail should same become necessary or advisable in the course of installing the rail to the posts.

The

rails

2, 4 are secured to the posts through special no-drill type fastener or connector means fitting between the posts 6 and the ends of the upper and

lower rail elements

10 and 12 and it is particularly to these fasteners and the particular manner in which they interact with the rail elements to form secure, aesthetically pleasing rail to post attachments that the present invention is directed. The details of the fastener means for the upper rail elements and designated herein generally by the reference numeral 16 are brought out in FIGS. 2 to 4 representing views, on an enlarged scale, of the railing assembly at the juncture of the

rails

2 and 4 with the upper end of the intermediate support post. As shown therein, the post is provided with a fitting (18) which comprises a plate-like member 20 of a modified U-shape'd cross-sectional construction, being formed with an upper web portion (22) and opposed, depending wall portions 24 which are turned inwardly of the plate on a radius to define a pair of longitudinally extending, opposed sockets or recesses 26 within the plate member. The sockets contain male-type connector elements in the form of rods or prongs 28 shaped to provide an interference fit with the recesses so as to be secured tightly therein through friction. The prongs, in the present instance, project outwardly of both ends of the plate 20 as indicated at 30 for purposes of connection with the upper rail element of a corresponding of the railing sections. The upper rail element conforms substantially to the plate-like member in crosssectional construction, being formed with an upper web or wall portion 32 and a pair of depending wall portions 34 which are contoured to form a pair of recesses or sockets 36 therein for accepting the end portions 30 of the prongs 28 of the post fitting.

It is imperative in a prong/socket arrangement such as this that the end portions of the prongs be accepted fully within the sockets or recesses of the rail element in the assembled railing unit not only to preclude the forming of an unsightly gap or space between the ends of the rail element and the plate portion of the fitting but also to insure proper fit of the section between the posts since in determining the initial length of the sections, it is assumed that the rail elements will abut the plate-like members. This can be achieved without any particular difficulty in any railing design simply by maintaining a relatively generous tolerance between the sockets of the rail element and the prong connector elements. It can be appreciated, however, that any such solution to the problem of achieving proper registration of the upper rail element with the fittings would compromise the rigidity and overall structural integrity of the installed railing assembly and this thus does not represent a satisfactory or feasible approach to the particular problem which has been alluded to above. It is now proposed to surmount this problem while at the same time simplifying assembly or installation procedures and adding to the overall rigidity and strength of the final railing unit by incorporating into the fastener means 16 a special clip or clamp assembly 38 designed to be installed to the top rail elements following the initial assembly of a rail to the posts or other supports. The clip, according to the invention, includes a pair of separate clamping elements, a first of which is in the form of an arched plate 40 adapted to be mounted transversely in the rail element above and in bridging relation to the end portions 30 of the prongs 28 which are seated in the sockets of such rail element.

The other of the clamping elements is in the form of a generally rectilinear plate 42 designed to be received along the underside of the rail element below and in bridging or spanning relation to a pair of inwardly extending flange-like members 44 which are formed as an integral part of the arcuately shaped wall portions of the side legs.

The clamping plates 40 and 42 contain suitable central apertures for receiving a bolt 46 of a fastener means pursuant to the plates 40, 42 being installed in the rail element in positions of substantial vertical registry with one another, the bolt preferably being assembled between the plate with its head portion above the plate 40 and dimensioned to extend below the plate 42 to provide for the mounting thereto of a suitable nut 48. The opening in the upper plate is preferably squared or provided with one or more flats 50 to co-act with similar flats in the portion of the bolt immediately below the head to retain the bolt against rotation in the plates 40, 42 as the nut is tightened in place. With the plates thus positioned, the tightening of the nut to the bolt will cause the upper of the plates 40 to expand in the direction of its length thereby to force the prong type connector elements 28 relatively outwardly in the sockets 36 and into firm, frictional contact with the edge portions of the rail element. At the same time, the lower of the plates 42 will be drawn upwardly in the rail element to force the inner portion of the wall segment relatively outwardly against the prong-type elements. As a result of the above, the prong-type connectors are subjected to a pinching" or squeezing" action by the rail element and thus become securely locked in place in the rail element.

It is a particular feature of the present construction that the clip in being tightened to the rail element will tend to force the inboard segment of the rail element side walls outwardly against the prong-type connector elements, thereby to, in effect, cause reforming of such side walls to the general contour of the prong elements in the final assembly of the rails to the posts. Because of this reforming of the rail element in the critical area of the sockets or recesses, there is no necessity of maintaining a close tolerance between such portion of the rail element and the prongs in the initial manufacture of the rail elements. Accordingly, it is possible to attain a tight or secure connection between the rail elements and posts and yet provide a relatively generous initial tolerance between the sockets and the prongs so that in the initial assembly of the rails to the posts the rail elements may be readily brought up into crack-free, abutting contact with the edge of the plate portion of the corresponding post fittings. It will be appreciated that the'tightening of the clip assembly to the upper rail element will result in the rail element being brought into precise longitudinal alignment with fitting 18 thereby compensating for minor inaccuracies in the assembly and/or the manufacture of the railing components so as to provide a highly professional look to the finally installed railing assembly.

It is to be noted that the upper or center leg portion of the rail element is formed along its length with an upstanding rib which serves to add to the overall aestheticness of the railing assembly while at the same time affording additional clearance within the rail for the receipt therein of the arched plate 40 and the fastening bolt 46. The plate portion 20 of the upper fitting on the post is provided with a similar such rib so as to maintain uniformity in the surface contour between the rail elements l0 and fittings 18.

Generally, the fastener means in the case of the lower rail elements, herein designated at 52, are of a conventional or known construction and will therefore suffice to describe the same only generally herein. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 representing a view of the juncture of the

rails

2, 4 with the lower end portion of the intermediate support post of the railing assembly of FIG. 1, it will be seen that the post is provided adjacent its lower end with a fitting 54 comprising a C-section plate 56 containing a central aperture for the receipt of post 6 and secured to the latter as by welding. Mounted within the opposed ends of theplate are U-shaped brackets or fittings 58 disposed with the separate legs 60 thereof projecting outwardly of the post in a horizontal plane. The lower rail element is of a C- or channel cross-sectional configuration and is adapted to be received over the fitting in substantially full subscribing relation with the legs 60. The lower of the legs contains a threaded opening 62 receiving a set screw 64 which is operative as it is drawn progressively into the leg to force the legs relatively apart and into firm clamping engagement with the inner, circumscribing wall portions of the rail element, thus securing the same to the post whereby to complete the attachment of one end of the rail in question to the post.

The structure employed for connecting the opposed ends of the

rails

2 and 4 to the corresponding end posts of the assembly is substantially identical to that set forth above and a specific showing and description of such additional connectorsmay therefore be omitted. Attention, however, is drawn to the fact that in the case of the right-hand post of the railing assembly the platelike element 20 of the fitting 18 is provided with a single outwardly projecting end portion whereas in the case of the fitting for the middle post the corresponding plate-like member projects from both sides of the post, as previously mentioned. Further, the upper fitting of the left-hand post in the illustrated instance is like that of the right-hand post, projecting but from one side of the post. A similar arrangement is followed in the posts for the lower fittings 54, such fittings extending from both sides of the post in the case of the intermediate post and extending from one side only of the post in the case of the end posts. The posts and fittings are sold commercially as a unit in these basic configurations, The user or customer selects the posts which fit his particular needs. The posts are also normally available in a number of other styles or configurations, including a corner style with the upper fitting having two extensions in 90 relation with one another and with two lower fittings also in 90 relation with one another being provided.

Further, it will be observed that in the case of a pitched rail such as rail 4 the particular extensions of the upper fittings 18 which are to receive such rail are required to be provided with a conforming pitch angle in order to properly connect with the same during installation. In order to achieve this without at the same time requiring a customized manufacture of the posts, the fittings are notched at opposed positions along the sides thereof as indicated at 66 to form a transverse bend line in the fitting coincident with the inner end portion of the extension for purposes of enabling the latter to be bent to a desired pitch angle at the site of installation by striking the extension with a mallet or hammer as often and with as much force as is required to attain the required angularity. The plates 56 of the lower fittings 54 are similarly designed to be pitched to the posts as required in the installation of the railing by striking the same with a hammer or the like.

It is believed readily apparent from the above that the present invention provides an improved, no-drill or adjustable type connector means for use in assembling wrought iron rails to posts or other desired support structure and which, while greatly simplifying the attainment of a professionally appearing, customized installation, provides increased structural integrity in and between the rails and its supports. The connector means of the invention taken in conjunction with the conventional type expandable bracket or fitting utilized to secure the lower rail element of a railing section to a post or other support structure result in a finished railing unit having no external manifestations of fastener means tending to detract from the ornamental qualities or aestheticness of such unit.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject-matter regarded as the nature of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a wrought iron railing assembly comprising a rail element of a modified U-shaped cross-sectional construction adapted to be connected with a post or other support through means of male-type connector elements extending from such post to within arcuately shaped recesses formed in the opposed side leg portions of said rail element, the improvement of an inwardly extending edge on each of the opposed side leg portions of said rail element, said edges disposed in inboard relation with the recesses formed in said side legs, and a clip for assembly to the rail element following the receipt therein of the male-type connector elements, said clip comprising a first plate mounted within the rail element above and in bridging relation to the end portions of the male-type connector elements which are received therein, a second plate adapted to be received along the underside of the rail element in engaging relation with said inwardly extending extensions, said plate being located directly opposite said first plate, and a nut and bolt means for connecting said first and second plates, including a bolt adapted to be inserted through apertured portions provided Within said plates and a nut threadably engageable with one end of the bolt and operative when drawn up on said bolt to draw the plates relatively toward one another to place the portions of said rail element which are in receipt of said male-type connector elements in tension against said elements.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said first plate is of an arched construction and is adapted to expand lengthwise in the rail element upon the nut portion of said nut and bolt means being threaded progressively,

up onto the bolt portion thereof whereby to enhance the clamping action of said plates upon said rail element and connector elements.

3. The construction of claim 1 wherein the apertured portion of said first plate is non-circular in shape and wherein said bolt includes a shank having a noncircular portion complementary to said apertured portion of said first plate and eo-actible therewith to restrain the bolt against rotation to said platesas said nut is drawn up in place on said bolt.

4. In a wrought iron rail which is adapted to be connected with a vertically extending support through means of a pair of male-type connector elements associated with a fitting on the upper end of said post and which includes a top rail element of inverted, generally U-shaped section with the opposed legs thereof being turned arcuately inwardly of the rail element to define a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending recesses within the rail element for receiving said male-type connector elements upon the assembly of said section to said support, the improvement which comprises a pair of opposed, inwardly extending flanges formed integrally with the side legs of said top rail element in inboard, paralleling relation with said recesses, a clip adapted for mounting to an end of said rail element following the initial assembly of the rail to said support to more affirmatively secure said rail to said support, said clip including a first clamping member adapted to be slidably received within said rail element above and in bridging relation to the positions of said connector elements received in the recesses of said top rail element, a second clamping member adapted to be slidably received along the underside of said rail element below and in bridging relation with the flanges of the opposed legs of said rail element, and a threaded type fastener means for connecting said first and second clamping members to one another, said fastener means being operative when tightened to draw said clamping members relatively into firm clamping relation with the interengaging portions of said connector elements and said rail element whereby to secure said element against movement relatively of said support when said railing section is assembled thereto, said second clamping member adapted to co-act with the flanges of said rail element as said fastening means is tightened in place to move the arcuately, inwardly extending portions of the opposed legs of said rail element relatively from an initial position in loose fitting relation with said connector elements into a final position thereto with the portions of said opposed legs in closely conforming, intimate relation with said connector elements.

5. The construction of claim 4 wherein one of said clamping members is of an arcuate construction and wherein said members are adapted to be mounted to said rail element with the arcuately formed one of the members located with its are opening toward the other of said clamping members and operable through a yielding action therein when the fastening means is progressively tightened in place to draw the interengageable portions of said rail element and connector elements into increasingly firm, clamping engagement with one another.

6. The construction of claim 4 wherein said threaded type fastener means comprises a nut and bolt and said clamping members are provided with apertures for receiving said bolt upon said clamping members being mounted to said rail element in predetermined, opposed relation to one another, the aperture of the clamping member which is mounted in the uppermost position in the rail element being provided with at least one rectilinear edge portion and the bolt having a head end portion seating in said aperture and formed with a rectilinear edge portion adapted to co-act with said rectilinear edge portion of said aperture to retain the bolt against rotation upon the assembly thereto of the nut.

7. The construction of claim 6 wherein said bolt includes a shank portion formed adjacent the head of the bolt with a multiple sided construction and wherein the enlarged aperture in the one of said multiple sided shank portions of said bolt and co-acting therewith to hold said bolt against rotation relatively of said clamping members when said nut is assembled thereto.

8. In combination in a railing assembly, a post provided at one end with a plate-like fitting containing a pair of male-type connector elements projecting outwardly from at least one side of the post, an elongated rail element having an inverted, generally U-shaped cross-sectional construction defining a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending recesses within the interior of the rail element for receiving the male-type connector elements of said plate-like fitting whereby to secure the rail element loosely to the post, a clip for forming a rigid, final connection between the rail element and post comprising first and second clamping plates, said first clamping plate adapted to be received within said rail element above and in bridging relation to the portions of said male-type connector elements received in said rail element, said rail element formed with a pair of opposed, inwardly extending wall segments positioned in inboard, paralleling relation to said recesses and said second clamping plate adapted to be mounted to the underside of said rail element in bridging, engaging relation with said wall segments to define with said first plate a pair of opposed clamping surfaces on said rail element, said clamping plates being provided with assembly holes and said clip further including a threaded fastener means for connecting said plates as an assembly and operative when tightened in place to draw said plates into firm, clamping relation with the inter-fitting portions of said rail element and male-type connector elements thereby to attach the rail element securely to said post concomitantly while urging said rail element into relative longitudinal alignment with said male-type connectors.

9. In combination in a wrought iron railing assembly, a top rail element of modified U-section having an upper wall portion and opposed, depending wall portions turned arcuately inwardly of the rail element to form a pair of longitudinally extending recesses within said element, said wall portions being extended inwardly of the recesses and terminating in free edge portions disposed in paralleling relation with the upper wall portion of said rail element, a support post secured through its upper end to a plate-like fitting carrying a pair of prong-type connector elements adapted to be frictionally received in the recesses of said top rail element whereby to secure the latter generally to said support post, a connector clip for mounting to the rail element following its assembly to said support post to augment the holding action of said connector elements with respect to said rail element, said clip including a first plate of arcuate contour adapted to be mounted within the top rail element above and in bridging relation between the portions of the connector elements received in said recesses whereby to form a first clamping surface in the rail element, a second plate of rectilinear construction adapted to be mounted along the underside of said rail element below and in bridging relation between the free edge portions of said rail element whereby to define a second clamping surface in said rail element directly opposite to and in spaced relation with said first clamping surface, and a threaded fastener means for connecting said first and second plates to one another, said fastener means including a bolt adapted to extend through and between said plates when assembled to the rail element and a nut threadably engageable with an end of said bolt and operative when drawn-up on said bolt to draw said plates into firm clamping engagement with the interfitting portions of the connector elements and said rail element.

Claims

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said first plate is of an arched construction and is adapted to expand lengthwise in the rail element upon the nut portion of said nut and bolt means being threaded progressively up onto the bolt portion thereof whereby to enhance the clamping action of said plates upon said rail element and connector elements.

3. The construction of claim 1 wherein the apertured portion of said first plate is non-circular in shape and wherein said bolt includes a shank having a non-circular portion complementary to said apertured portion of said first plate and co-actible therewith to restrain the bolt against rotation to said plates as said nut is Drawn up in place on said bolt.

5. The construction of claim 4 wherein one of said clamping members is of an arcuate construction and wherein said members are adapted to be mounted to said rail element with the arcuately formed one of the members located with its arc opening toward the other of said clamping members and operable through a yielding action therein when the fastening means is progressively tightened in place to draw the interengageable portions of said rail element and connector elements into increasingly firm, clamping engagement with one another.