TITLE OF INVENTION

Modular Reconfigurable Table

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular, reconfigurable table assembly system.

In the field of office furniture and home furniture, the assembly of a stracture for the purposes of including further functions or implements is common, for example, interconnected table legs so that a slab stracture may be placed atop in order to form a table.

However, many structures are non-modular, not reconfigurable, difficult or inconvenient to assemble and often require the use of screws, nails, glue or similar means of affixation. Such means of affixing often result in slow and cumbersome assembly. Further, where such means of affixing is dependent on the skill of the workman setting up the structure, and if not executed in a proper manner, the resultant assembly may be inherently unstable or may not be fully able to bear the weight and properly support its load. There are numerous other systems which also involve modular,

reconfigurable tables, but may either involve non-rapid assembly or lack the level of stability provided by this present invention.

There is a need for an assembly wherem rapid, simple, reconfigurable and convenient assembly is possible. Further, there is a need for a stable assembly capable of bearing its load as w ^r ell as requisite load for further implements without the need for additional support, such as additional table legs, which may obstruct or get in the way of the user when moving around the assembled table.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular, reconfigurable table. A further object is to provide such a table for office use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular,

reconfigurable table which may be assembled easily and rapidly when compared with the common construction of conventional tables.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular,

reconfigurable table stably supported by posts and supports on its further sides so that there is no necessity for any legs to be placed at the front mid-sectio of the table, thus allowing unhindered movement of the user around the front, mid-section of the table. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows one configuration of the invention when assembled and show's panels 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905 and 906, table tops 400 and 401, support bracket 100, lateral beam 300, legs 420, bracket 700, railing posts 500, triangular configuration 550 and height adjusters 410.

Fig. 2 shows an underside perspective view of a configuration of the invention when assembled. Fig. 2 shows panels 900, 902, 903, 906, 907 and 908, table tops 400 and 401, support brackets 100, brackets 200, lateral beams 300, leg* 420, support bracket 600, bracket 700, railing posts 500 and height adjusters 410.

Fig. 3 shows assembled a support bracket 100, lateral beam 300 with holes 305 within channel 306, and end member 230. Fig. 3 further shows the invention with a plurality of brackets 200 duly assembled, each bracket 200 with surface 201, holes 202, top surface 206, tapered section 207 and lateral section 204.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of one part of the invention and shows lateral beam 300 with holes 305 within channel 306, member 130 with holes 131 and guiding post 132, L-shaped member 110 which has vertical support 118, holes 117, trunk 115, one section 120 and open protrusion 111 with holes 112. Fig. 4 further shows intermediary member 140 with hooks 141 and holes 142, support member 160 with sections 163 and 164, hook 161 and holes 162, a plurality of brackets 200 each with surface 201, and an end member 230 which has a section 120 and a hollow protrusion 23 1. Within Fig. 4, each section 120 (one extending from end member 230 and one extending from L-shaped member 110) has a side surface 122, a hole 123, a top surface 121 and a channel 124.

Fig. 5 shows a front view of a part of the present invention and shows bracket 200 assembled to section 120 of support bracket 100. Bracket 200 has hook 208, ami of hook 209, tapered section 207, surface 201 and lateral section 204.

Fig. 6 shows support bracket 100, lateral beam 300, height adjuster 410 and brackets 200, one of which is assembled to section 120 of support bracket 100 and a further assembled to section 120 of leg 420. Leg 420 further has section 428.

Fig. 7 shows support bracket 100, lateral beam 300, leg 420, section 428, height adjuster 410 and a plurality of brackets 200.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a part of the present invention and shows lateral beam 300, height adjuster 410 and member 130 with holes 131 and guiding post 132. Fig. 8 further shows leg 420 having open protrusion 111 and sections 120 and 428.

Fig. 9 is a top view of a part of the invention with shaded regions indicating cross-sectional representations. Fig. 9 shows L-shaped member 1 10 and vertical support 118. Fig. 9 further shows a cross-sectional representation of support member 160, intermediary member 140 and hooks 141 and 161. Fig. 9 further shows a cross-sectional representation of railing post 500 having sides 501, chamiels 505 and 506, sections 511, 512, 514, 520 and 521, and a central section 510 with surface 517. Further, each section 514 has surface 516.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of part of the invention and shows primary arm 710 having a vertical section 713 with a cavity 714 and a plurality of holes 715, a tapered section 718 with a tapered surface 712, hole 717, underside surface 719, surface 711, indentation 720 and hook 716. Fig. 10 further shows a member 740 with a hook 741, comer 743 and hole 742, and shows L-shaped arm 730 with a vertical section 735, cavity 736, holes 737, lateral section 731, holes 732 and top surface 733. Fig. 10 further shows beam 810 with protrusions 811, indentations 812 and sides 814.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of part of the assembled invention and shows bracket 700 which comprises L-shaped arm 730, primary arm 710 and member 740; L-shaped arm 730 has top surface 733, lateral section 731 and vertical section 735; primary arm 710 has vertical section 713, tapered section 718, tapered surface 712, surface 711, indentation 720 and hook 716; member 740 has corner 743 and hook 741. Fig. 11 further shows one end of beam 810 which has central section 815, sides 814, indentations 812 and protrusions 811.

Fig. 12 shows support bracket 600, winch comprises a first member 610 having through holes 611 and hook 618, a second member 620 having hook 628. Fig. 12 further shows support 800, which has vertical arm 804, lateral arm 803, holes 802 and surface 801.

Fig. 13 shows railing posts 500 in a triangular configuration 550 with central section 510 affixed to wide cover 599, top caps 526, bottom caps 530, triangular cap 527 and height adjuster 410.

Fig. 14 shows a plurality of railing posts 500 in a square configuration 560 affixed to narrow cover 590, top caps 526, bottom caps 530, square cap 528 and height adjusters 410.

Fig. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of brackets 200 affixed to section 120. Brackets 200 each has a hook 208, holes 202 and 203; section 120 has side holes 123. Fig. 16 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in Fig. 13 and shows railing posts 500 each with a section 515 and a plurality of holes 525 on respective central section 510. Fig. 16 further shows top caps 526, triangular cap 527, bottom caps 530, narrow cover 590, wide cover 599, a plurality of members 580 and brackets 570, and height adjusters 410 each with a base 412 and threaded bolt 411.

Fig. 17 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in Fig. 14 and shows railing posts 500 each with a section 515 and a plurality of holes 525 on respective central section 510. Fig. 17 further shows top caps 526, square cap 528, bottom caps 530, narrow covers 590, height adj usters 410 and a plurality of brackets 570.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of bottom cap 530, which has a base 531, side protrusions 532 with ridges 533, central protrusion 536 with major cavity 535 and minor cavity 534.

Fig. 19 is a side view of bottom cap 530 wit base 531, side protrusion 532 with ridges 533, central protrusion 536 with minor cavity 534.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of member 580, which has a base 581, hooks 582, stem 583, inferior branches 584, superior branches 585, vertical sections 586 and hooks 587 each with an inferior side 588. Fig. 21 is a top view of a part of the assembly and shows railing posts 500, members 580, bracket 570, protrusions 532, central protrusions 536, narrow cover 590, wide cover 599 and height adjusters 410. Fig. 21 further shows wide cover 599 having a central section 598 and sections 595, 596 and 597.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention showing four tables assembled and square configuration 560.

Fig. 23 is a top view of a portion of the assembly and shows member 540 with a hole 541, base 542, a mid-section 543 and a section 544. Fig. 23 further shows railing post 500 with a central section 510, sections 520, 521 , 5 11, 512 and hook section 513.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly and shows panel 900, members 540, holes 545 and railing posts 500.

Fig. 25 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the assembly and shows a portion of panel 900, a top portion of member 540 with indentation 546, sides 547 and holes 545 and 541. Fig. 25 further shows panel fastener 820 with hole 821 and sides 822. The preferred embodiments of a modular, reconfigurable table is shown in Figs. 1 to 14, where like numerals illustrate like portions and parts of the invention.

In Fig. 13, railing post 500 is a long vertical post with a generally uniform cross section except for a plurality of holes within central section 510. With reference to Fig. 9, the cross-section of railing post 500 is laterally symmetrical and comprises a lateral central section 510 extending at each of its ends diagonally upwards to section 520 extending outwardly and laterally to section 521 extending vertically to section 51 1 extending outwardly to section 512, which has a channel 505, extending inferiorly to side 501 extending inwardly and superiorly to channel 506 extending inferiorly to F-shaped section 514 and wherein each is a mirror image of its corresponding other. From the view offered in Fig. 9, sections 514 comprises an upside down F shape; the superior protrusion of each F-shaped section 514 has a superior surface 516; central section 510 has an inferior surface 517. With reference to Fig. 23, railing post 500 further comprises a hook section 513 first extending laterally from a top portion of section 51 1 opposite to that of section 512, then extending downward and generally vertically. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, support bracket 100 comprises L-shaped member 110, intermediary member 140 and support member 160.

L-shaped member 110 has a vertical support 1 18 upon which are one or more through holes 1 17; intermediary member 140 has through one or more holes 140 on its primary slab-shaped corpus and extending perpendicularly from said corpus are one or more hooks 141. The corpus of support member 160 has a generally L-shaped cross-section with a first section 163 upon which are one or more blind threaded holes 162, and a second section 164 extending perpendicularly from said section 163 and ending in hook 161.

With reference to Fig. 9, when assembled, hooks 141 and 161, of intermediary member 140 and support member 160 respectively, engages with channels 505 and 506 respectively of railing post 500; hole(s) 117 are aligned with hole(s) 142 and also aligned with hole(s) 162 so that vertical support 118, intermediary member 140 and support member 160 are affixed by screwing or bolting means and combmatorially clamp over and around side 501, and by this means affixing to railing post 500.

Extending laterally and generally perpendicularly from vertical support 118 is trunk 115 and further extending to a section 120 which than extends to open protrusion 111, which comprises a generally U-shaped cross-section forming an open channel at the internal base of which are one or more blind holes 112 and a blind indentation shaped and configured to receive guiding post 132. Not shown in the figures, the position, shape and configuration of said blind indentation and blind holes 1 12 are combinatorially configured so that they would be in alignment with guiding post 132 and holes 131 respectively of member 130. Section 120 of L- shaped member 110 will be described in further detail in a subsequent part of this description.

In Figs. 3 and 4, lateral beam 300 is a tube shaped, hollow beam with a generally trapezoidal cross-section. Running lengthwise along the top side of lateral beam 300 is channel 306 with one or more through holes 305 located on the base of said channel 306. One or more through holes 305 are configured and placed so that they are directly superior to and aligned with holes 112 when assembled. Further, the hollow of lateral beam 300 is shaped and configured to firmly receive open protrusion 111 of L-shaped member 110.

Member 130 is slab-shaped with one or more threaded through holes 13 1 on its corpus and a guiding post 132 protruding from its underside.

One process by which support bracket 100 may be affixed to lateral beam 300 follows: member 130 is fitted into the internal base of the channel formed by open protrusion 111 and so that guiding post 132 is fitted into said indentation in

I I open protrusion 111 and holes 131 are in alignment with corresponding holes 112; a headless, tlireaded screw is inserted into each of threaded through holes 131; open protrusion 111, now fitted with member 130 and said screws, is firmly inserted into the hollow of lateral beam 300 and so that one or more holes 305 are in generally vertical alignment with holes 131 and 112; each of said screws is accessed through its corresponding aligned hole 305 and rotated so that member 131 is lifted from the internal base of open protrusion 111 until the superior surface of member 131 clamps firmly against the internal superior surface of the hollow of lateral beam 300 and the base of each said screw is firmly engaged in its corresponding blind hole 1 12.

In Fig. 4, end member 230 comprises an irregularly shaped end section 238 extending to a section 120 and further extending to a hollow protrusion 231 which is tubed-shaped with a trapezoidal cross-section with a generally flat superior side and which is shaped and configured to finning fit into the hollow of one end of lateral beam 300.

When assembled, hollow protrusion 231 is fitted firmly into a hollow end of lateral beam 300, and is so affixed by tight fit.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 6, each section 120 is a polyhedron in general shape and has a generally trapezoidal cross-section but with a short channel 124 at its top next to top surfaces 121. Section 120 has a through hole 123 running through to opposing side surfaces 122.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 8, Sections 120 of L-shaped member 1 10, end member 230 and leg 420 are all identical and are shaped and configured to firmly receive hook 208 within channel 124 so that bracket 200 may be affixed to section 120 as described in a subsequent section of this description.

With reference to Fig 5, bracket 200 comprises a tapered section 207 extending superiorly to a lateral section 204 and further extending laterally to arm of hook 209 and inferiorly to hook 208. in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, lateral section 204 has top surface 206 and one or more throug holes 202 which are configured and positioned so that bracket 200 may be affixed to table tops 400 and/or 401 by screwing means through holes 202 and into the underside of table tops 400 and/or 401. In an alternate embodiment, bracket 200 is affixed to table tops 400 and/or 401 by bolting means through holes 202 and to corresponding holes at the underside of table tops 400 and/or 401.

In Fig. 5 again, tapered section 207 has an inward facing surface 201 which is shaped and configured to engage firmly with either of the side surfaces 122 of sectio 120; the dimensions of arm of hook 209 and hook 208 are so as to provide for hook 208 to hook firmly into channel 124 over one side of top surface 122; cross-sectionally, the concave comer formed at the junction of surface 201 and the underside surface of arm of hook 209 engages firmly with the convex corner formed at the junction of side surface 122 and top surface 121; and all with the combinatorial effect that when assembled, bracket 200 is affixed firmly to one side of section 120,

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show that different parts of the invention may be configured so that one bracket 200 may be affixed to one side of a section 120 or two brackets 200 may be affixed to either side of a section 120. For example, with reference to Fig. 2, for puiposes of added support, it would be appropriate to affix only one bracket 200 to a section 120 on its inward facing side where such section 120 is located near or at the side of the table structure. In contest, it would be appropriate for purposes of added support to affix two brackets 200 to each section 120 located otherwise.

With reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, leg 420 primarily comprises a vertical tube shaped corpus at the top of which extends laterally to a section 428 extending to a section 120 extending to an open protrusion 111. Open protrusion 111 of leg 420 is identical in shape, dimensions and configuratio to open protrusion 1 11 of L-shaped member 1 10 and is thus adapted to fit firmly into either hollow end of lateral beam 300. As such, open protrusion 11 1 of leg 420 may be affixed to lateral beam 300 in an identical or similar manner as that of protrusion 111 of L-shaped member 110 to one end of lateral beam 300 as previously described and involving member 130.

In Figs. 10 and 11, lateral beam 810 is a long, tubular member with a generally uniform cross-section symmetrical along its central vertical axis. Said cross-section may be seen by looking at one end of beam 810 as shown in Fig. 11, and as one lateral side of beam 810 is identical to its opposing lateral side, like parts bear like numerals.

In Fig. 1 1, beam 810 has a U-shaped central section 815 from the base of which inferiorly extends a stem 816 which extends distally and outwardly from its base lateral sides arms 817 from which extending inferiorly and generally perpendicularly are arms 818. Extending diagonally and outwardly from the base end of each arm 818 is section 819 extending vertically to side 814. Each side 814 has, at or near its top an indentation 812 and protrusion 811.

In one embodiment of the invention, each end of lateral beam 810 is affixed to a railing post 500 by bolting means through holes 525 and the cavity formed by- central section 815.

With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, bracket 700 comprises three primary components: a primary arm 710, L-shaped arm 730 and member 740. Primary arm 710 comprises a long vertical section 713 which has a cavity 714 lengthwise on one side with a plurality of through holes 715 arranged vertically one atop the other and located within cavity 714. Extending from the top of section 713 is tapered section 718, which has a surface 71 1 facing inwards and extending perpendicularly and inwardly to underside surface 719 of section 721. On the outwardly facing side of tapered section 718 is a tapered surface 712. At the top of tapered section 718 extends perpendicularly and inwardly a section 721, which has through hole 717. Near or at the junction of surface 711 and underside surface 719 is a hook 716 inferior to indentation 720.

In Figs. 10 and 11 , L-shaped ami 730 comprises a vertical section 735 extending outwardly, superiorly and perpendicularly to lateral section 731. Vertical section 735 has a cavity 736 within which are one or more through holes 737 arranged vertically one atop the other in a manner similar or identical with that of holes 715 and so that when assembled, holes 737 may be in horizontal alignment with holes 715. The inward facing portion of vertical section 735 has guides adapted to fit firmly into cavity 714 of primary- arm 710 and wherein L-shaped arm 730 may be affixed to the cavity side of primary arm 710 by bolting or screwing means through aligned holes 737 and 715. The relative vertical position of L- shaped arm 730 when affixed to primary arm 710 is reconfigurable dependant on which holes 715 through which said bolting or screwing means is implemented. Lateral section 731 of L-shaped arm 730 has a top surface 733 and through holes 732. With reference to Fig. 2, when the invention is assembled, table top 400 or 401 may be placed atop L-shaped arm 730 engaging with top surface 733 and affixed by bolting or screwing means through holes 732.

Member 740 is generally rectangular hexahedron in shape but with an inferior inward facing hook 741, corner 743 and blind threaded hole 742.

With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, when assembled, on one side of lateral beam 810, hook 741 engages indentation 812 and protrusion 81 1 engages corner 743, while on the opposing side of lateral beam 810, hook 716 engages indentation 812 and protrusion 811 engages indentation 720: further, member 740 is affixed to section 721 of primary arm 710 by bolting or screwing means through aligned holes 717 and 742, combinatorially clamping on both sides of lateral beam 810 as may be seen in Fig. 11.

In Fig. 12, support bracket 600 comprises a first member 610 having through holes 61 1 on its primary corpus and hook 618, which is identical or similar to hook 161 of support member 160 in that it is adapted to fit into channel 506 of railing post 500, Support bracket 600 further comprises a second member 620 having hook 628, which is identical or similar to hook 141 of intermediary member 140 in that it is adapted to fit into chamiel 505 of railing post 500.

Still in Fig. 12, support 800 primarily comprises vertical arm 804 extending perpendicularly and horizontally to lateral arm 803, both of which are slab shaped. Arm 803 has through holes 802 and surface 801. When assembled, members 610 and 620 clamp on either side of the flat surfaces of vertical arm 804 while further clamping over and around side 501 of railing post 500 wherein hook 618 fits into chamiel 506 and hook 628 fits into channel 505 and the assembly is firmly affixed by means of screwing or bolting through holes on vertical arm 804 and member 620 (unseen in Fig. 12) corresponding to holes 611 of member 610.

With reference to Figs. 1, 13 and 14, railing post 500 may be affixed to posts of differing shapes and configurations in order to form different modular

configurations of the invention for differing needs. For example, with reference to Fig. 14, four railing posts 500 may be assembled into a 'square' configuration 560 in order to form an assembly of four tables as shown in Fig. 22. Similarly, with reference to Figs. 1 and 13, two railing posts 500 may be assembled into a

'triangular' configuration 550 used in the assembly of a single table. The following is a description of preferred embodiments of the invention forming said square configuration 560 and triangular configuration 550 with details of some parts. In Figs, 16 and 17, bracket 570 comprises a mid-section 571 extending opposingly diagonally but on the same lateral side from each end of which is section 572, which has a through hole 574 in the coipus of said section 572. Each section 572 has a side 573 which is adapted to engage with central section 510 of railing post 500. In Fig. 17, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, said four railing posts 500 are assembled to each other with the use of a plurality of brackets 570 as follows: side 573 of each corresponding section 572 of each corresponding bracket 570 engaging with corresponding central section 510 and so that its hole 574 is in alignment with its corresponding hole 525 on corresponding railing post 500 for affixture by bolting means through said holes 574 and 525. Fig. 21 shows, amongst other things, side 573 engaging surface 517 of railing post 500.

Further, two railing posts 500 may be opposingly affixed to each other by bolting means through corresponding holes 525 where each of their respective sections 514 are opposing and engage one other. Such a configuration is used in extending the length of the table assembly, as shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 20, member 580 comprises a rectangular slab-shaped base 581with stem 583 extending from a central portion of said base 581. Extending laterally and diagonally from each lateral side of the base of stem 583 are inferior branches 584. Further, extending laterally and diagonally from each lateral side of the top of stem 583 are superior branches 585. Extending vertically downward from the end of each superior branch 585 is vertical section 586, which also joins with the end of each corresponding inferior branch 584. At the inferior end of vertical section 586 is hook 587 with an inferior side 588. Further, in a preferred embodiment, there is a hook 582 extending superiorly from base 581 and on either side of stem 583.

Member 580 is made of moderately flexible material and so that its superior branches 585 and inferior branches 584 flex vertically when sufficient pressure or force is applied.

With reference to Figs. 9 and 21, the shape, dimensions and configuration of base 581 are adapted to firmly and fit into railmg post 500 wherein the inferior base surface of base 581 engages with surface 517 of railing post 500, the ends of base 581 engages with corresponding sections 514, and a portion of the superior surfaces of base 581 near each end engages corresponding surfaces 516 and wherein base 581 will fit firmly within railing post 500 when twisted while engaged as described above so that its length is in an angle relatively perpendicular to that of railing post 500. With reference to Fig. 16, each member 580 may be positioned to an appropriate height in relation to railing post 500 and inserted and affixed by- twisting means.

In Fig. 16, narrow' cover 590 and wide cover 599 are long members made of moderately flexible material and each has a generally uniform cross-section. From Fig. 21, narrow cover 590 has a symmetrical cross-section with a narrow central portion with opposing protrusions extending diagonally from each end of said central portion. When assembled, narrow cover 590 is slidably inserted between corresponding railing posts 500 and with the end of each said protrusion fitting within and engaging with corresponding channel 506, and where hook 582 of member 580 engages with a central area of said central portion of narrow cover 590.

In Fig. 21, wide cover 599 has a cross-section symmetrical along a central vertical axis with a broad central section 598. Extending diagonally outwardly and opposingly from each end of said central section 598 is section 597 extending inwardly and diagonally to section 596 extending superiorly and diagonally to sectio 595. When assembled, wide cover 599 is clipped into position wherein the end of each section 595 engages an exterior portion of section 514, the end of hook 587 engages near or at the interior junction of sections 597 and 596, and inferior side 588 engages the interior side of section 596. As member 580 flexes, the combinatory effect is to clamp wide cover 599 against section 514 of railing post 500.

In Figs. 18 and 19, bottom cap 530 generally comprises an elongated slab- shaped base 531, with a central protrusion 536 extending superiorly and generally perpendicularly from a central portion of base 531. Base 531 has a major cavity 535 and a minor cavity 534, which is adapted to receive a portion of section 515 of railing post 500. Base 531 further has side protrusions 532 extending superiorly and generally perpendicularly from base 531 on either side of central protrusion 536, With reference to Fig. 21 , the cross-section of side protrusion 532 is irregularly shaped and with its shape and dimensions adapted to fit firmly by means of friction, with the assistance of ridges 533 on its side surfaces, into a portion of the base end of railing port 500.

In Fig. 16, height adjuster 410 generally comprises a circular base 412 and with a threaded bolt 411 extending superiorly from a central portion of said base 412. Unseen in any of the figures is a threaded through hole running from the central bottom of base 531 ; height adjuster 410 is assembled b}^ screwing threaded bolt 411 into said hole and the height of the assembly may be adjusted according to the depth into which threaded bolt 411 is scre ed into said hole.

Height adjuster 41 1 may be affixed to the base of leg 420 by similar means.

In Fig. 24, panel 900 is a relatively flat, firm, slab-shaped member with each side being adapted to fit with one side of the length of member 540 and so that they may be affixed by bolting or screwing means along its length through holes 545 and into the side of panel 900. With reference to Fig. 1, other panels, such as panels 901. 902, 903. 904, 905 and 906 mav be affixed to member 540 in such manner.

With reference to Fig. 23, from the point of view of its top, member 540 comprises a hole 541, base 542 extending to a narrower mid-section extending to a narrower section 544. The dimensions, shape and configuration of base 542 is adapted to fit slidably into a portion of railing post 500 wherein one or more of the following may apply: a portion of its base surface engages section 521, its side surfaces engage a side of section 511, and/or a portion of is top surface engages the free end of each of hook section 513.

In Fig. 25, the shape, dimensions and configuration of panel fastener 820 and sides 822 are adapted to fit within indentation 546 with threaded hole 821 in vertical alignment with hole 541. When so fitted, a threaded bolt or threaded screw is inserted through aligned holes 541 and 821 and when rotated, serves to lift panel fastener 820 so that its sides 822 engage sides 547 within indentation 546: this then pushes sides 547 in an outward directio and expands the breadth of member 540 at such portion so that, with reference to Fig. 23, there is firm engagement with opposing sections 51 1 of railing post 500 and member 540 is fixed in relation to railing post 500.