US20060001015A1 - Method of forming a barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A rail is disclosed for use in forming a barrier system, such as a railing for a deck, porch, walkway or fence. The rail has a versatile configuration in that either a top or bottom side of the rail may be received in a rail cover. The rail may have side walls and a cross wall on the top or bottom side of the rail. A channel may be formed on the side of the rail opposite the cross wall. Upright members, such as pickets, planks, balusters, or walls may be received in either the top side or the bottom side of the rail, in the channel or through the cross wall. A cap having openings for receiving the upright member may be placed on the channel. The rail may be positioned on the top or bottom of the barrier system and the rail may be symmetrical to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,333, filed Jan. 23, 2004, entitled “MULTI-POSITION RAIL FOR A BARRIER,” which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/473,535, filed May 26, 2003, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced applications.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
• 1. The Field of the Invention
• The present disclosure relates generally to rails, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to rails that can be used in various positions and orientations as part of a barrier system.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Rails are known in the art for use in decks, porches, stairs, and fences for example. Such rails are useful in providing a secure barrier and adding to the aesthetic appearance of structures. Rails are commonly used with upright members such as pickets, planks or balusters of various sizes, configurations and spacing. Moreover, rails are often used as support members on the bottom of the barrier and towards the top of the barrier. The configuration of bottom rails is often different than the configuration of top rails. Thus, rails of multiple designs are often required in a single barrier system.
• Also, it is common to use a particular style of rail with different types of upright members in different settings. Therefore, manufacturing and installation of barrier systems often requires the use of tools and machinery to form the rails to the desired configuration to be compatible with the particular upright members to be used.
• Rails made of durable materials often have a more attractive appearance, but may be more difficult to cut or otherwise shape into condition for use with a particular upright member. Moreover, cutting of the rails to accommodate the upright members may weaken the rails.
• The use of a different design for top rails as compared to bottom rails may increase the difficulty in providing proper inventory of barrier components. Also, the need to accommodate upright members of various different shapes and spacings may increase the amount of inventory of components required, and may also increase the difficulty and cost of installing the barrier.
• The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.
• The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective break-away view of a barrier system of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective break-away view of a rail in a first orientation with a cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective break-away view of a rail in a second orientation with a cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 4 is an end view of a rail with a cap attached thereto;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective break-away view of the rail ofFIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective break-away view of an alternative barrier system with the rail of the present disclosure on the bottom, and an alternative rail on the top;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rail in a first orientation with an alternative embodiment cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rail in a second orientation with the alternative embodiment cover ofFIG. 7 attached thereto;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rail in a first orientation with a further alternative embodiment cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rail in a second orientation with the alternative embodiment cover ofFIG. 9 attached thereto;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rail in a first orientation with an additional alternative embodiment cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rail in a second orientation with the alternative embodiment cover ofFIG. 11 attached thereto;
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rail in a first orientation with another alternative embodiment cover attached thereto;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rail in a second orientation with the alternative embodiment cover ofFIG. 13 attached thereto;
• FIG. 15 is a perspective break-away view of another alternative embodiment barrier system; and
• FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a rail, rail cover, and post.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.
• It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
• In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.
• As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
• “Interference fit” as used herein shall refer to the concept of a connection between two members in which a portion of one member abuts some portion of the other member in a manner that contactibly blocks the separation of the two members.
• Referring now toFIG. 1, an exemplary perspective break-away view is shown of a barrier system of the present disclosure, indicated generally at10. Thebarrier system10 may form a railing system for use with decks, porches, stairs, or walkway, or a fence for use in defining a property boundary, for example.
• Thebarrier system10 may include one ormore rails12 configured to be supported in a laterally extending orientation. Therails12 may be positioned at an upper portion and at a lower portion of thebarrier system10. Alternatively, it will also be appreciated that thebarrier system10 may utilize asingle rail12.
• Thebarrier system10 may also include a boundary-defining barrier means14. The boundary-defining barrier means14 may include upright members such as pickets, planks, balusters, or walls for example, of any of a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, for defining a boundary. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the boundary-defining barrier means14 extends between therails12 to form part of abarrier system10. It will be understood that the boundary-defining barrier means14 may include a plurality of upright members.
• Thebarrier system10 may also include arail cover16 for receiving arail12. Therail cover16 may be positioned on the top of thebarrier system10 and may be shaped in various different styles and configurations to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Examples of some of the various different styles of covers are depicted inFIGS. 7-14, designated byreference numerals16a-16d. Therail cover16 may also be configured so as to provide a gripping surface such that therail cover16 can be grasped to provide support to a person. Also, therail cover16 may have an exterior appearance similar to a solid wood rail. Therail cover16 may cover only a portion of therail12 such that part of therail12 may remain visible even when therail cover16 is attached. Ends of thebarrier system10 may be supported by a structure or post17, as shown inFIG. 16, for example. It will be appreciated that the certain embodiments of thebarrier system10 may be formed with therail cover16, whereas other embodiments of thebarrier system10 may be formed without therail cover16.
• Details of therail12 will now be explained with particular reference toFIGS. 2-5. Therail12 may include afirst side wall18 forming a first side of therail12, and asecond side wall20 forming a second side of therail12. Therail12 may also have across wall22 extending between thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20. As shown inFIG. 2, thecross wall22 may extend between thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20 at atop side24 of therail12. However, it will be appreciated that therail12 may be oriented such that thecross wall22 may be on abottom side28 of therail12.
• Therail12 may also have one ormore brace members28 extending between thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20. Thebrace member28 may be a continuous wall or it may be formed as a series of discrete members positioned along the length of therail12 to help provide strength to therail12. Thebrace member28 may be centrally located between thetop side24 and thebottom side26 of therail12. However, it will be appreciated that thebrace member28 may be spaced at any distance between thetop side24 and thebottom side26, and that any number ofbrace members28 may be used.
• Achamber30 may be defined by thefirst side wall18, thesecond side wall20, thecross wall22, and thebrace member28. Similarly, achannel32 may be defined by thefirst side wall18, thesecond side wall20, and thebrace member28. It will be appreciated that the boundary-defining barrier means14 may be received in thechamber30 or thechannel32 as discussed more fully below.
• Thebrace member28 may have one ormore ridges34 for providing support to thebrace member28, for contacting the boundary-defining barrier means14, or for locating and supportingbrackets35, as shown inFIG. 16, for attaching therail12 to apost17 or support structure, for example. Thebrackets35 may be formed in any manner known to those skilled in the art and may be attached to therail12 with screws or any other variety of fasteners known in the art. Theridges34 may extend along a length of thebrace member28. Thebrace member28 may also includegrooves36 for locating a center of thebrace member28 for receiving the screws or drill bits for making openings for the screws. Thegrooves36 may also extend along the length of thebrace member28. It will be understood that embodiments of thebrace member28 may be formed without theridges34 orgrooves36, or that the quantity, shape and location of theridges34 andgrooves36 may vary within the scope of the present disclosure.
• In one embodiment, therail12 may be formed in a one-piece unitary manner such that thecross wall22 may be formed integrally with therail12 so as to be inseparable from thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20. Accordingly, no joints or seams may be formed between thecross wall22 and thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20, or between thebrace member28 and thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20, in this embodiment. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of therail12 may be constructed in separable components within the scope of the present disclosure.
• Therail12 may also include means38 for engaging with therail cover16 to attach therail12 to therail cover16. The engaging means38 may be in the form of protrusions extending away from therail12. In one embodiment, thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20 may have exteriorplanar portions40 and the engagingmeans38 may be formed as protrusions that extend beyond the plane defined by theplanar portions40. The engaging means38 may be curved and may have a radius defining a rounded configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the engagingmeans38 may have various different shapes and configurations within the scope of the present disclosure. The engaging means38 may be received in therail cover16 to form an interference fit to prevent therail12 from being pulled out of therail cover16.
• It will be appreciated that thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20 may have various different configurations, such as curved or angular shapes, and need not have theplanar portions40. Therail12 may be inserted into an end of therail cover16 such that the engagingmeans38 may be received in receiving means42 formed in therail cover16. The receiving means42 may be shaped to abut with the engaging means38 to hold therail12 in place with respect to therail cover16. However, therail12 may slide with respect to therail cover16 in a direction along alongitudinal axis44 of therail12 to locate therail12 in a desired position.
• Alternatively, it will be appreciated that therail12 and/orrail cover16 may be formed with flexible elastic properties that allow therail12 and/orrail cover16 to deflect. Therail12 can therefore be inserted into therail cover16 along the length of therail cover16 rather than at the end of therail cover16. Therail12 andrail cover16 may thus be configured to be connected together with a snap fit.
• The engaging means38 may be formed on both thetop side24 and thebottom side26 of therail12. Accordingly, as can be seen by inspection ofFIGS. 2 and 3, therail12 may be attached to therail cover16 such that thecross wall22 may be positioned within therail cover16, as shown inFIG. 2. Alternatively, therail12 may be rotated by substantially 180 degrees with respect to therail cover16, about thelongitudinal axis44, such that thechannel32 may be positioned within therail cover16, as shown inFIG. 3. In other words, therail12 may be placed in a first orientation, as shown inFIG. 2, or therail12 may be inverted to a second orientation as shown inFIG. 3.
• Attachment of the barrier means14 to therail12 will now be described. The barrier means14 may be received within thechannel32 as shown inFIG. 1. The barrier means14 may contact thebrace member28 at theridges34 to be supported in an upward position. Thefirst side wall18 and thesecond side wall20 may support the barrier means14 in a lateral direction.
• To further support the barrier means14 in a lateral direction along the length of therail12, acap46 may be placed over thechannel32 as shown inFIGS. 4-5. Thecap46 may haveopenings48 for receiving the barrier means14. Theopenings48 may be formed in thecap46 by any manner known in the art such as using a router, or punching, stamping or cutting for example. As such, theopenings48 may be placed in thecap46 during manufacturing of thecap46, such that theopenings48 have predetermined spacings, sizes and shapes. Alternatively, theopenings48 may be formed in thecap46 at the time of assembling thebarrier system10, such that the spacing, size and shape of theopenings48 can be custom made. Placing theopenings48 in thecap46 may provide an advantage in that theopenings48 need not be formed in therail12. Forming openings in therail12 may weaken therail12 when therail12 is formed of certain composite materials for example.
• Thecap46 may be made of any suitable material known in the art such as vinyl, metal, or composite materials, for example. Thecap46 may have attachingmeans50 that may include a shaped portion of thecap46 configured for receiving the engagingmeans38. Thus, thecap46 may be attached to therail12 with an interference fit. The shape of the attachingmeans50 may correspond to the shape of the engaging means38 on therail12 to provide an aesthetically pleasing and tight fitting connection that may not create a protruding ledge that may be prone to snagging or accumulating debris. It will be appreciated that other attaching means such as fasteners or adhesives may also be used to attach thecap46 to therail12 within the scope of the present disclosure.
• Similar to therail cover16, thecap46 may be attached to therail12 by sliding thecap46 over an end of therail12, or by deflecting thecap46 to snap thecap46 onto therail12. Thecap46 may also includeledges52 to facilitate aligning thecap46 on therail12, and holding thecap46 in position with respect to therail12. Moreover, therail12 may includeslots54 for receiving an edge portion of thecap46 so that the connection between thecap46 and therail12 may be more secure and aesthetically pleasing.
• With thecap46 secured to therail12, the barrier means14 may be placed through theopenings48 such that thecap46 may assist in providing proper spacing and support for the barrier means14. The position of thecap46 may be moved with respect to therail12 so that theopenings48 can be positioned as desired and the orientation of the barrier means14 may be adjusted. Thus, assembly of the barrier system may be facilitated.
• In an alternative orientation of therail12, as shown inFIGS. 3, 6,8,10,12, and14, a portion of the barrier means14 may be received within thechamber30.Holes56 may be formed in thecross wall22 to accommodate the barrier means14, as best shown inFIG. 6. Similar to theopenings48 in thecap46, theholes56 may be formed in any manner known in the art, either as therail12 is manufactured, or as thebarrier system10 is assembled. Thus, thecross wall22 may be used to support the barrier means14 when therail12 is oriented with thecross wall22 in contact with the barrier means14. It will be understood that in this orientation, thecap46 may not be required.
• Accordingly, thecross wall22 and thecap46 may collectively form a supporting means for (i) supporting a first boundary-defining barrier means14 in position with respect to therail12 when therail12 is disposed in a first orientation, and (ii) supporting a second boundary-defining barrier means14 in position with respect to therail12 when therail12 is disposed in a second orientation, wherein the second orientation is rotated about thelongitudinal axis44 by substantially 180 degrees from the first orientation.
• It will be appreciated that therail12 may be configured to be versatile to be used in various positions and orientations in thebarrier system10 within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, therail12 may be used as part of the top rail and the bottom rail within thebarrier system10. Moreover, embodiments of therail12 may be positioned in a central portion of thebarrier system10. Various different shapes and styles of rail covers16 may be accommodated by therail12. An alternative embodiment barrier system10a, is shown inFIG. 6, in which therail12 may be used for only a bottom rail, and a different variety of rail, such as a connection rail or U-rail58, may be used for a top rail. Similarly, therail12 may be used for only the top rail. Also, therail12 may be oriented such that the barrier means14 may be received in thechannel32, or in thechamber30.
• In one embodiment, the U-rail58 may include recesses60. Therecesses60 may be configured to receive fasteners for attaching the U-rail58 to the barrier means14. It will be understood that the barrier means14 may be substantially hollow and may have a central bore extending along a length of the barrier means14. The bore may be defined by interior brace structure and the bore may be used for receiving fasteners to attach the U-rail to the barrier means14. Alternatively, the barrier means14 may be solid such that fasteners may be located as desired. Therecesses60 may be located in the top of the U-rail58 and/or the sides of the U-rail. Accordingly, when a fastener is placed in therecess60, thecover16 may slide over the U-rail58 without the fastener contacting thecover16 to interfere with the sliding movement between thecover16 and the U-rail58. It will also be understood that recesses60 may be formed in therail12 in a similar manner.
• The engaging means38 may be configured, in one aspect of the disclosure, to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Therail12 may be formed to be symmetrical, such that the external appearance of therail12 may be similar regardless of whether therail12 is oriented with thechannel32 on the top, or thecross wall22 on the top.
• The components of thebarrier system10 may be formed of various different suitable materials within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, components of thebarrier system10 may be formed of a PVC material, and/or a metal material. Also, the barrier system may be formed of a composite material made from materials such as a blend of wood flour and PVC resin, for example, and the components may have an extruded PVC vinyl top coating. The components of the present disclosure may also be formed of a composite of polypropylene or polyethylene and wood. Some embodiments may include inserts made of metal, such as aluminum, for added strength. Also, the barrier system components may be made from a pultrusion process with fiber reinforced material made from a blend of fiberglass and PVC resin, for example, with an extruded acrylic top coating, or any other suitable material known in the art may also be used to form the components of thebarrier system10.
• As used herein, the term “pultrusion” refers to a process for manufacturing reinforced profiles wherein a set of fibers is pulled through a resin bath and then through a heated die giving the profile its shape. After the profile passes through the die the profile may be cooled by air or water and cut into desired lengths. The resin used may be of various materials such as polyesters, vinyl esters, and epoxies for example. Furthermore, various types of fibers may be added in the pultrusion process to produce profiles having different characteristics, such as different strengths, hardnesses, or elasticities. The fiber may be either a fiber mat or a series of continuous fibers, or any other suitable fiber reinforcement. The pultruded fiber reinforced material may provide components having high hardness and strength characteristics and an attractive high quality appearance.
• Reference will now to made toFIG. 15 to describe another alternative embodiment barrier system, indicated generally at10b. As previously discussed, the presently disclosed embodiments illustrated herein are merely exemplary of the possible embodiments of the disclosure, including that illustrated inFIG. 15. It will be appreciated that the alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15 contains many of the same structures represented inFIGS. 1-14 and only the new or different structures will be explained to most succinctly explain the features of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15.
• The alternativeembodiment barrier system10bmay include a rail12a. The rail12amay include a first side wall18a, a second side wall20a, and a cross wall22a. The first side wall18aand the second side wall20amay be characterized by an absence of protrusions. Moreover, the rail12amay not include openings in the cross wall22a, and the rail12amay be utilized without a cap. A cover16emay be configured to receive the rail12a, and the rail12amay be oriented in two positions. For example, the rail12amay be oriented such that the cross wall22ais be on the top to form a top rail, or the rail12amay be oriented such that the cross wall22ais on the bottom to form a bottom rail.
• It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for engaging (or engaging means), and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for engaging which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for engaging, including those structures, apparatus or systems for engaging which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for engaging falls within the scope of this element.
• Similarly, it will be appreciated that the structures and apparatus disclosed herein are merely exemplary of a boundary-defining barrier means, receiving means, supporting means, and attaching means, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a boundary-defining barrier means, receiving means, supporting means, or attaching means, including those structures, apparatus or systems which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a boundary-defining barrier means, receiving means, supporting means, and attaching means falls within the scope of these elements, respectively.
• In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of forming barriers includes the steps of:
• • (a) providing a plurality of rails each having a longitudinal axis, a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;
  • (b) orienting one of the rails in a first orientation and placing a first boundary-defining barrier means in the channel;
  • (c) orienting another of the rails in a second orientation rotated substantially 180 degrees from the first orientation about the longitudinal axis;
  • (d) forming at least one hole in the cross wall; and
  • (e) placing a second boundary-defining barrier means in the hole.
• Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a rail and barrier system that is simple in design and manufacture. Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide such a rail that is versatile to be used in various orientations and positions within the carrier system, such that inventory of barrier system components may be reduced. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide such a rail that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance and which allows for assembly with or without cutting holes in the rail.
• In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in single embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of the foregoing disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.
• It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.

Claims (33)

1-25. (canceled)

26. A method of forming barriers, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of rails each having a longitudinal axis, a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;

(b) orienting one of said rails in a first orientation and placing a first boundary-defining barrier means in said channel;

(c) orienting another of said rails in a second orientation rotated substantially 180 degrees from said first orientation about said longitudinal axis;

(d) forming at least one hole in said cross wall; and

(e) placing a second boundary-defining barrier means in said at least one hole.

27. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising placing a cap over said channel when said rail is in said first orientation.

28. The method ofclaim 27, further comprising forming openings in said cap for receiving said first boundary-defining barrier means.

29. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising attaching a cover to said rail when said rail is in said first orientation.

30. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising attaching a cover to said rail when said rail is in said second orientation.

31-68. (canceled)

69. A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a rail having a channel on one side and a chamber on an opposing side, said chamber being defined in part by a cross wall;

(b) forming at least one hole in said cross wall;

(c) placing said channel in a rail cover; and

(d) placing a boundary-defining barrier means in said chamber through said at least one hole.

70. The method ofclaim 69, wherein step (b) comprises forming a plurality of holes in said cross wall.

71. The method ofclaim 70, further comprising shaping and spacing said plurality of holes to correspond with said boundary-defining barrier means.

72. The method ofclaim 69, wherein step (c) comprises sliding said rail cover over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.

73. The method ofclaim 69, wherein step (c) comprises attaching said cover to said rail with an interference fit.

74. A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a rail having a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;

(b) forming at least one opening in a cap;

(c) placing said cross wall in a rail cover;

(d) placing said cap over said channel; and

(e) placing a boundary-defining barrier means in said channel through said at least one opening.

75. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (b) comprises forming a plurality of openings in said cap.

76. The method ofclaim 75, further comprising shaping and spacing said plurality of openings to correspond with said boundary-defining barrier means.

77. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (c) comprises sliding said rail cover over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.

78. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (c) comprises attaching said cover to said rail with an interference fit.

79. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (d) comprises sliding said cap over an end of said rail along a longitudinal axis of said rail.

80. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (d) comprises attaching said cap to said rail with an interference fit.

81. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (d) comprises deflecting said cap to attach said cap to said rail with a snap fit.

82. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (d) further comprises inserting an edge of said cap in a slot in said rail.

83. The method ofclaim 74, wherein step (d) further comprises moving said cap with respect to said rail to adjust a position of said at least one opening.

84-85. (canceled)

86. A method of forming barriers, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of rails each having a longitudinal axis, a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side;

(b) orienting one of said rails in a first orientation and placing a first boundary-defining barrier means in said channel;

(c) orienting another of said rails in a second orientation inverted from said first orientation;

(d) forming at least one hole in said cross wall; and

(e) placing a second boundary-defining barrier means in said at least one hole.

87-93. (canceled)

94. A method of forming a barrier, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a rail cover configured for receiving a connection rail for attaching said rail cover to a boundary-defining barrier means;

(b) providing a rail configured for being received in said rail cover in a first orientation and an inverted orientation with respect to said rail cover; and

(c) using at least a portion of said rail to form at least one of a top rail and a bottom rail of said barrier.

95. The method ofclaim 94, wherein step (a) further comprises providing said rail cover in a configuration for obscuring said connection rail from view.

96. The method ofclaim 94, wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said top rail and using another portion of said rail to form said bottom rail.

97. The method ofclaim 94, wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said top rail without using said connection rail.

98. The method ofclaim 94, wherein step (c) comprises using said at least a portion of said rail to form said bottom rail.

99. The method ofclaim 94, further comprising providing said rail having a channel on one side and a cross wall on an opposing side.

100. The method ofclaim 99, further comprising placing a cap over said channel.

101. The method ofclaim 99, further comprising forming holes in said cross wall for receiving said boundary-defining barrier means.

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