Adjustable barrier system comprising a vertical member including at least one pivoting component having a curved surface

Abstract

A barrier system is provided, comprising: at least one vertical member comprising at least one pivoting component having a curved surface; and at least one horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a channel defined by the at least one wall. The curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail to pivotally engage the at least one vertical member with the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

Description

FIELD [1]            This application generally relates to a barrier system, and more particularly to a barrier system including at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal rail, where the at least one vertical member comprises at least one pivoting component including a curved surface configured to contact at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail. BACKGROUND [2]           Barrier systems formed from a plurality of vertical members coupled to at least one horizontal rail are known. Barrier systems which have adjustable racking for installation either on horizontal or sloping terrain are also known. Such adjustable racking barrier systems typically include pivoting connections between the vertical members and the horizontal rail. However, it may be difficult for a user to install such barrier systems, due to the use of pivoting connections which are a separate component from the vertical members and horizontal rails, or the use of pivoting connections which need to be screwed or otherwise welded to the vertical members and / or the horizontal rails. Barrier systems may also be aesthetically unpleasing when the pivoting connections are exposed, however hidden pivoting connections may be difficult for users to install. Additionally, barrier system which have pivoting connections may lack stability when assembled and when adjusting the racking thereof. SUMMARY [3]           In one embodiment, there is provided a barrier system comprising: at least one vertical member comprising at least one pivoting component having a curved surface; and at least one horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a channel defined by the at least one wall. The curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail to pivotally engage the at least one vertical member with the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel. [4]           The at least one pivoting component may comprise a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member. The curved portion may have the curved surface. [5]           The curved portion may further comprise at least one face surface. The at least one horizontal rail may further comprise at least one protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail. The at least one protrusion may be configured to engage the at least one face surface when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel. [6]           The at least one pivoting component may comprise a projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member. The projection may have the curved surface. [7]           The projection may be deflectable relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member while the at least one vertical member is being inserted into the channel and is revertible relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel such that, when the curved surface of the projection contacts the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail, the at least one vertical member is retained within the channel when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel. [8]           The at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail may comprise a top wall of the at least one horizontal rail and a bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail. [9]           The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces, and the at least one pivoting component may comprise at least one of: a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the curved portion may comprise a first curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the first curved surface may be configured to contact the top wall of the at least one horizontal rail; and at least one projection extending from at least one wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one projection may comprise at least one second curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one second curved surface may be configured to contact the bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail.

[10] The at least one horizontal rail may comprise an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall.

[11] The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces. The at least one pivoting component may comprise: an upper curved portion coupled to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the upper curved portion may comprise an upper curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the upper curved surface may be configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail; and a lower curved portion coupled to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the lower curved portion may comprise a lower curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the lower curved surface may be configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail.

[12] The upper horizontal rail further may comprise at least one upper protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail. The at least one upper protrusion may be configured to contact at least one face surface of the upper curved portion when the at least one vertical member is received in a channel of the upper horizontal rail. The lower horizontal rail may further comprise at least one lower protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail. The at least one lower protrusion may be configured to contact at least one face surface of the lower curved portion when the at least one vertical member is received in a channel of the lower horizontal rail.

[13] The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces. The at least one pivoting component may comprise: at least one upper projection coupled proximate to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper projection may comprise at least one upper curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one upper curved surface may be configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail; and at least one lower projection coupled proximate to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one lower projection may comprise at least one lower curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one lower curved surface may be configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail.

[14] The at least one upper projection may be deflectable relative to the at least one vertical member. The at least one upper curved surface may be also configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail to retain the at least one vertical member within a channel of the upper horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the upper horizontal rail. The at least one lower projection is deflectable relative to the at least one vertical member. The at least one lower curved surface may be also configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail to retain the at least one vertical member within a channel of the lower horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the lower horizontal rail.

[15] The at least one horizontal rail may further comprise at least one aperture configured to receive the at least one vertical member.

[16] The at least one aperture may define a ledge in the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail. A portion of the at least one wall forming the ledge may be configured to contact the curved surface of the at least one pivoting component.

[17] In another embodiment, there is provided a method of assembling a barrier system comprising at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal rail. The method comprises: receiving the at least one vertical member within a channel of the at least one horizontal rail, wherein the channel is defined by at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail; and contacting a curved surface of at least one pivoting component of the at least one vertical member with the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail to pivotally engage the at least one vertical member with the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

[18] The at least one pivoting component may comprise a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member. The curved portion may have the curved surface and at least one face surface. The method may further comprise engaging the at least one face surface with at least one protrusion extending from the at least one of wall of the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the at least one horizontal rail.

[19] The at least one pivoting component may comprise a projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member. The projection may have the curved surface. The method may further comprise: deflecting the projection relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member while the at least one vertical member is being inserted into the channel; and reverting the projection relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel to retain the at least one vertical member within the channel.

[20] The at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail may comprise a top wall of the at least one horizontal rail and a bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail. The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces. Contacting the curved surface with the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail may comprise: contacting the top wall of the at least one horizontal rail with a first curved surface of a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the first curved surface may comprise one of the plurality of curved surfaces; and contacting the bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail with at least one second curved surface of at least one projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one second curved surface may comprise one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

[21] The at least one horizontal rail may comprise an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall. The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces, and contacting the curved surface with at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail may comprise: contacting the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail with an upper curved surface of an upper curved portion coupled to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the upper curved surface may comprise one of the plurality of curved surfaces; and contacting the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail with a lower curved surface of a lower curved portion coupled to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the lower curved surface may comprise one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

[22] The at least one horizontal rail may comprise an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall. The curved surface may comprise a plurality of curved surfaces, and contacting the curved surface with at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail may comprise: contacting the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail with at least one upper curved surface of at least one upper projection coupled proximate to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper curved surface may comprise at least one of the plurality of curved surfaces; and contacting the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail with at least one lower curved surface of at least one lower projection coupled proximate to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper curved surface may comprise at least one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

[23] The at least one horizontal rail may further comprise at least one aperture configured to receive the at least one vertical member. The method may further comprise inserting the at least one vertical member into the at least one aperture prior to receiving the at least one vertical member in the channel.

[24] The method may further comprise laterally moving the at least one horizontal rail relative to the at least one vertical member to adjust an angle between the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal rail.

[25] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[26] The features of the present description will become more apparent with reference to the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

[27] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a barrier system in accordance with one embodiment;

[28] Figure 2       is a front perspective view of an upper horizontal rail and a lower horizontal rail of the barrier system of Figure 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

[29] Figure 3       is a cross-sectional view of the upper horizontal rail of Figure 2 in accordance with one embodiment;

[30] Figure 4       is a cross-sectional view of the lower horizontal rail of Figure 2 in accordance with our embodiment;

[31] Figure 5      is a front elevation view of a vertical member of the barrier system of Figure 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

[32] Figure 6      is a front perspective view of the vertical member of Figure 5 in accordance with one embodiment;

[33] Figure 7      is a side elevation view of the vertical member of Figure 5 in accordance with one embodiment;

[34] Figure 8      is a schematic of the pivoting components of the vertical member of Figure 5 in accordance with one embodiment;

[35] Figure 9      is a flowchart of a method of assembling and racking the barrier system of Figure 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

[36] Figure 10     is a side schematic of the vertical member of Figure 5 retained with in channels of the upper horizontal rail and lower horizontal rail of Figure 2 in accordance with one embodiment; and

[37] Figure 11 is a front schematic of the barrier system of figure 1 where the vertical members are wracked relative to the horizontal rails in accordance with one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[38] Referring to Figure 1, a barrier system according to an embodiment is shown at 100. The barrier system 100 may be used to form a barrier, such as a fence or a balustrade. In this respect, a particular barrier or fence may be formed using a plurality of the barrier systems 100, wherein each barrier system 100 is supported by, and extended between, a pair of posts (not shown). The barrier system 100 includes a plurality of vertical members 120 and at least one horizontal rail 110.

[39] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the barrier system 100 includes two horizontal rails 110, specifically an upper horizontal rail 200 and a lower horizontal rail 202. In other embodiments, the barrier system 100 may include fewer or additional horizontal rails 110, and may include only 1 horizontal rail (such as only the upper horizontal rail 200 for example) and up to 10 horizontal rails. The upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 are separated by a horizontal rail spacing distance 203. In the embodiment shown, the horizontal rail spacing distance 203 is approximately 86.4 cm (34 inches); in other embodiments, the horizontal rail spacing distance 203 may range between approximately 25.4 cm (10 inches) and approximately 182.9 cm (72 inches). Further, in embodiments of the barrier system 100 including more than two horizontal rails, a horizontal rail spacing distance 203 between two particular adjacent horizontal rails 110 may be different from a horizontal rail spacing distance 203 between another two particular adjacent horizontal rails 110 (such that the horizontal rails 110 of particular barrier system 100 may be unevenly spaced). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of horizontal rails 110 forming a particular barrier system, and the horizontal rail spacing distance 203 between adjacent horizontal rails 110, may be varied depending on, for example, a desired dimension of the barrier system, a desired visual effect of the barrier system, and the desired security level of the barrier system.

[40] Still referring to Figure 1, in the embodiment shown, the barrier system 100 includes ten vertical members 120 and each of the plurality of vertical members 120 may be substantially identical to each other. In other embodiments, the barrier system 100 may include fewer or more vertical members 120, and may include anywhere between 2 and 100 vertical members . In yet other embodiments, some vertical members 120 of a particular barrier system 100 may be different from other vertical members 120 of that barrier system 100. Adjacent vertical members 120 are separated by a vertical member spacing distance 122. In the embodiment shown, the vertical member spacing distance 122 between each of the vertical members 120 is substantially identical and is approximately 97.8 cm (3.85 inches); in other embodiments, the vertical member spacing distance 122 may range between approximately 2.54 cm (1 inches) and 127 cm (5 inches); or the vertical member spacing distance 122 between some adjacent vertical members 120 of a particular barrier system 100 may be different from the vertical member spacing distance 122 between other adjacent vertical members 120 of that barrier system 100 (such that the vertical members 120 of a particular barrier system 100 may be unevenly spaced). Similar to the horizontal rails 110, those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of vertical members 120 forming a particular barrier system, and the vertical member spacing distance 122 between adjacent vertical members 120, may also be varied depending on, for example, a desired dimension of the barrier system, a desired visual effect of the barrier system, and the desired security level of the barrier system.

[41] As described in greater detail below, at least one positioning component associated with the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or lower horizontal rail 202, as well as at least one pivoting component associated with at least one of the vertical members 120 may allow the at least one of the vertical members 120 and the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or the at least of the vertical members 120 and / or the lower horizontal rail 202 to pivot relative to each other. As the vertical members 120 are pivoted relative to the upper and the horizontal rails 200 and 202, an upper rail angle 124 between a particular vertical member 120 and the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or a lower rail angle 125 between that vertical member 120 and the lower horizontal rail 202 may be adjusted to “rack” the barrier system 100, such that the barrier system 100 is a “rackable” barrier system”. As such, the barrier system 100 has adjustable racking to accommodate installation of the barrier system 100 over a variety of terrain features and over sloped terrain.

[42] In the embodiment shown, and in embodiments of the barrier system 100 including both the upper horizontal rail 200 and the lower horizontal rail 202, the adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 and the lower rail angle 125 are proportional and opposing. In this respect, a racking of the barrier system 100 which decreases the upper rail angle 124 correspondingly increases the lower rail angle 125 (e.g., shown in Figure 11); similarly, a racking of the barrier system 100 which increases the upper rail angle 124 will correspondingly decrease the lower rail angle 125. In this respect, racking of the barrier system 100 may increase or decrease the upper rail angle 124 and lower rail angle 125 generally depending on a direction of the slope for the terrain features. For example, referring to the view shown in Figure 1, the upper rail angle 124 may decrease and the lower rail angle 125 may increase in embodiments where the barrier system 100 is racked to a upward slope relative to the view shown in Figure 1 (e.g., shown in Figure 11). In contrast, the upper rail angle 124 may decrease and the lower rail angle 125 may increase in embodiments where the barrier system 100 is racked to a downward slope relative to the view shown in Figure 1. In embodiments where there is only a single horizontal rail 110 (such as only the upper horizontal rail 200), a racking of the barrier system 100 may only change a single angle between the at least one of the vertical members 120 and the single horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the upper rail angle 124). Horizontal rails 110

[43] An embodiment of the upper horizontal rail 200 and the lower horizontal rail 202 are shown in Figures 2-4. As described above, the upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may function as the at least one horizontal rails 110 shown in Figure 1. The upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may be formed from metal materials such as ironbased metals, aluminium-based metals, or steel-based metals, and may specifically be formed from 6063 aluminium alloy. The upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may be manufactured using metal extrusion techniques. The upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may also be surface treated to provide enhanced resistance to corrosion, such as a galvanizing treatment for iron-based metals or a polyester powder coating for aluminiumbased metals for example. In other embodiments, the upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may be formed from other materials, such as wood materials, plastic materials or composite materials. The upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 may be formed from materials that coordinate with the material of the vertical members 120. For example, in embodiments where the upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 are formed from metal materials, the vertical members 120 may also be formed from metal materials. Further, although both the upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202 are shown in Figure 2-4, those skilled in the art will recognize that in embodiments of the barrier system 100 not including the lower horizontal rail 202, only the upper horizontal rail 200 may be present, and in embodiments of the barrier system 100 including additional horizontal rails 110, there may be horizontal rails in addition to the upper and lower horizontal rails 200 and 202. Upper horizontal rail 200

[44] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, in the embodiment shown, the upper horizontal rail 200 includes a top wall 210, a front wall 211, a rear wall 212 and a bottom wall 213. The top wall 210, and particularly a bottom surface 216 (shown in Figure 3) of the top wall 210, comprises a surface from which at least one upper rail pivoting feature (e.g., a top wall pivoting component 370 of a vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the top wall 210 has a substantially flat configuration and is recessed relative to top edges of the front and rear walls 211 and 212 by a recess distance 214 (shown in Figure 3). The recess distance 214 is approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inches). In other embodiments, the top wall 210 may instead comprise an irregular configuration (e.g., include protrusions, recesses and / or curves for example), may be flush with the top edges of the front and rear walls 211 and 212, and / or the recess distance 214 may range between approximately 0.1 cm (0.04 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inches).

[45] The front and rear walls 211 and 212 are coupled to the top wall 210 and are generally opposed to each other. The bottom wall 213 is coupled to the front and rear walls 211 and 212 and is generally opposed to the top wall 210. The bottom wall 213, and particularly a top surface 218 (shown in Figure 3) of the bottom wall 213, comprises a surface from which at least one upper rail pivoting feature (e.g., a bottom wall pivoting component 380 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, similar to the top wall 210, the front, rear and bottom walls 211, 212, and 213 also have a substantially flat configuration. The top, front, rear and bottom walls 210, 211, 212 and 213 provide the upper horizontal rail 200 with a substantially rectangular cuboid configuration defining a channel 220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in embodiments where the upper horizontal rail 200 has a different shape (such as an arched shape or curved shape for example), one or more of the top, front, rear, and bottom walls 210, 211, 212 and 213 may have a corresponding different configuration (such as an arched configuration, a rounded configuration, a jagged configuration or an irregular configuration for example) corresponding to the shape of the upper horizontal rail 200.

[46] The upper horizontal rail 200 has a length 222 (shown in Figure 2, and generally corresponding to lengths of the top, front, rear, and bottom walls 210, 211, 212 and 213), a height 224 (shown in Figure 2, and generally corresponding to a height of the front and rear walls 211 and 212) and a width 226 (shown in Figure 3, and generally corresponding to a width of the top and bottom walls 210 and 213) which defines the channel 220. In the embodiment shown, the length 222, the height 224 and the width 226 are, respectively, approximately 182.9 cm (72 inches), 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) and 3.2 cm (1.25 inches). In other embodiments, the length 222, the height 224, and the width 226 may be different from the dimensions described above, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the length 222, the height 224 and the width 226 may vary depending on a desired dimension of the barrier system 100 and a desired number of vertical members 120 to be coupled to the upper horizontal rail 200 for example.

[47] The upper horizontal rail 200 includes at least one upper rail positioning component 231 configured to engage with at least one upper rail pivoting features (e.g., upper rail pivoting features 361 comprising the top wall and the bottom wall pivoting components 370 and 380 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 to allow the vertical members 120 to pivot relative to the upper horizontal rail 200. In certain embodiments, the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 may also retain the vertical members 120 at a particular position along the length 222, and at a particular position across the width 226, of the upper horizontal rail 200. In the embodiment shown, the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 comprises both at least one protrusion 240 extending from the top wall 210 and a plurality of apertures 260 formed in the bottom wall 213. However, in other embodiments, the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 may comprise only one of the at least one protrusion 240 or the plurality of apertures 260. At least one protrusion 240

[48] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the at least one protrusion 240 comprises a first protrusion 241 extending from the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 proximate the front wall 211. The first protrusion 241 extends from the top wall 210 by an extension distance 244 and at an extension angle 245. The at least one protrusion 240 further comprises a second protrusion 242 extending from the bottom surface 216 proximate the rear wall 212. The second protrusion 242 extends from the top wall 210 by an extension distance 246 and at an extension angle 247. In the embodiment shown, the extension distance 246 is the same as the extension distance 244 and are both approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches); similarly, the extension angle 247 is the same as the extension angle 245 and are both approximately 85°. The first and second protrusions 241 and 242 are separated by a spacing distance 248. In the embodiment shown, the spacing distance 248 is approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches). In the embodiment shown, the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 may extend from the bottom surface 216 the along the entire length 222 of the upper horizontal rail 200; in other embodiments, the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 may only extend a portion of the length 222 and / or may include breaks along the length 222.

[49] The first and second protrusions 241 and 242 (and in particular the extension distances 244 and 246, the extension angles 245 and 247 and the spacing distance 248) are dimensioned and configured to retain a width of different ones of the vertical members 120 therebetween (e.g., a width 346 of the vertical member 330 shown in Figure 6). A portion of the bottom surface 216 of top wall 210 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 may generally function as the surface from which at least one upper rail pivoting feature (e.g., the top wall pivoting component 370 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against. In this regard, the spacing distance 248 may be similar to, or slightly smaller than, or slightly larger than, the width of a vertical member 120 (e.g., the width 346). Further, the extension distances 244 and 246, the extension angles 245 and 247, and the spacing distance 248 may generally be dimensioned and configured to retain different ones of the vertical members 120 at a particular location along the width 226 of the upper horizontal rail 200, which may facilitate a pivoting and / or a rolling motion of the at least one upper rail pivoting feature of the vertical members 120 across the bottom surface 216 of the portion of the top wall 210 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in different embodiments, the extension distances 244 and 246, the extension angles 245 and 247, and the spacing distance 248 may be different from the dimensions and configurations described above depending on a corresponding desired dimension of the vertical members 120, as well as a desired visual effect of a particular barrier system and a desired security level of the barrier system. For example, in some embodiments, the extension distances 244 and 246 may range between approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch). In other embodiments, the extension distances 244 and 246 may be different from each other (such that the first protrusion 241 is of a different length than the second protrusion 242 for example). Similarly, in other embodiments, the extension angles 245 and 247 may range between approximately 30° and approximately 90°. In yet other embodiments, the extension distances 244 and 246 may be different from each other (such that the first protrusion 241 is more or less angled relative to the top wall 210 than the second protrusion 242). Further, in other embodiments, the spacing distance 248 may be different from the dimensions described above and may range between approximately 1 cm ( 0.4 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inches) for example.

[50] Further, in the embodiment shown, the at least one protrusion 240 includes both the first and the second protrusions 241 and 242 which retain the vertical members 120 therebetween. However, in other embodiments, the at least one protrusion 240 may only include one of the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. In such embodiments, the vertical members 120 may be retained between (and the spacing distance 248 may be measured between) one of the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 and one of the front and rear walls 211 and 212 of the upper horizontal rail 200 instead. For example, the spacing distance 248 may instead be measured between, for example, the first protrusion 241 and the rear wall 212 or between the second protrusion 242 and the front wall 211. Plurality of apertures 260

[51] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2-3, the plurality of apertures 260 are formed in the bottom wall 213 of the upper horizontal rail 200. Each of the apertures 260 are configured to retain one of the vertical members 120 at a specific location along the length 222 (shown in Figure 2) of the upper horizontal rail 200. In this respect, the upper horizontal rail 200 may include a respective aperture 260 for each of the vertical members 120 configured to be coupled to the upper horizontal rail 200 to form the barrier system 100. A spacing distance between adjacent ones of the apertures 260 may generally correspond to the vertical member spacing distance 122 (shown in Figure 1) between adjacent ones of the vertical members 120. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of the plurality of apertures 260 formed in the bottom wall 213, and the corresponding spacing distance between adjacent ones of the apertures 260, can be varied depending on, for example, a number of the vertical members 120 forming a particular barrier system, a desired visual effect of the barrier system and a desired security level of the barrier system.

[52] In the embodiment shown, each of the apertures 260 are generally shaped and dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of vertical members 120 and each of the apertures 260 are substantially identical to each other. In this regard, each aperture 260 has a generally rectangular cross-section configured to receive and retain correspondingly identical ones of the vertical members 120 having a rectangular crosssection. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in embodiments of the barrier system 100 where each of the vertical members 120 have a different cross-section (such as a circular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, a polygonal cross-section, etc.), each of the apertures 260 may have a correspondingly different identical cross-section. Similarly, those skilled in the art will recognize that in embodiments of the barrier system 100 where different ones of vertical members 120 within a particular barrier system have different cross-sections, different ones of the apertures 260 may have correspondingly different cross-sections.

[53] Further, in the embodiment shown, each of the apertures 260 are generally shaped and dimensioned to allow a particular one of the vertical members 120 received within that aperture 260 to pivot relative to the upper horizontal rail 200 in order to adjust the upper rail angle 124 and rack the barrier system 100. In this respect, an aperture length 262 (shown in Figure 2) of a particular aperture 260 may be slightly larger than a length of a particular vertical member 120 (e.g., a length 342 of the vertical member 330 shown in Figure 5) to be received within that aperture 260. This can allow that particular vertical member 120 to slightly laterally move and / or rotate relative to the length 222 of the upper horizontal rail 200. In the embodiment shown, the aperture length 262 is approximately 200% the length (e.g., the length 342) of the vertical member 120; specifically, the aperture length 262 may be approximately 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) and the length 342 of the vertical member 120 may be approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches). However, in other embodiments, the aperture length 262 may range between approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch) and approximately 10.2 cm (2 inches), again generally depending on the length (e.g., the length 342) of the vertical member 120. In other embodiments, the aperture length 262 may be anywhere between approximately 125% and approximately 250% the length of the vertical member 120.

[54] Further still, in the embodiment shown, at least some of the apertures 260 have an aperture width 266 (shown in Figure 2) which is smaller than the width 226 (shown in Figure 3) of the upper horizontal rail 200, such that a front ledge 271 forms in the bottom wall 213 (in front of each of the at least some of the apertures 260) proximate the front wall 211 and a rear ledge 272 forms in the bottom wall 213 (behind each of the at least some of the apertures 260) proximate the rear wall 212. In the embodiment shown, the aperture width 266 may be approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) and a width of each of the front and rear ledges 271 and 272 may be approximately 0.9 cm (0.4 inches). The front and rear ledges 271 and 272 may generally function as surfaces from which at least one upper rail pivoting feature (e.g., the bottom wall pivoting component 380 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. Accordingly, the width of the front ledge 271, the width of the rear ledge 272, the corresponding relative aperture width 266 of the aperture 260 and the width 226 of the upper horizontal rail 200, and a position of the aperture 260 in the bottom wall 213 may be configured and dimensioned to support the at least upper rail pivoting feature of the vertical members 120.

[55] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a particular one of the apertures 260 forms both the front ledge 271 and the rear ledge 272. However, in other embodiments, a particular one of the apertures 260 may instead form only one of the front ledge 271 or the rear ledge 272. In such embodiments, the at least one upper rail pivoting feature (e.g., the bottom wall pivoting component 380 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may only include pivoting components which are supported by a single ledge formed in the bottom wall 213. For example, the vertical member 120 may only include a front pivoting component (e.g., only a front projection 381 of the vertical member 330 described below) in embodiments where the bottom wall 213 only includes the front ledge 271; alternatively, the vertical member 120 may only include a rear pivoting component (e.g., only a rear projection 382 of the vertical member 330 described below) in embodiments where the bottom wall 213 only includes the rear ledge 272. Further still, in some embodiments, instead of the apertures 260 formed in the bottom wall 213, the bottom wall 213 may instead comprise an open bottom including only the front and rear ledges 271 and 272 generally forming a bottom slot. Lower horizontal rail 202

[56] Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, similar to the upper horizontal rail 200, the lower horizontal rail 202 also includes a top wall 280, a front wall 281, a rear wall 282 and a bottom wall 283. The top wall 280, and particularly a bottom surface 286 (shown in Figure 4) of the top wall 280, comprises a surface from which at least one lower rail pivoting feature (e.g., a top wall pivoting component 400 of the vertical member 330 described below) of vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the top wall 280 has a substantially flat configuration. In other embodiments, the top wall 280 may comprise an irregular configuration (e.g., include protrusions, recesses and / or curves).

[57] The front and rear walls 281 and 282 are coupled to the top wall 280 and are generally opposed to each other. The bottom wall 283 is coupled to the front and rear walls 281 and 282 and is generally opposed to the top wall 280. The bottom wall 283, and particularly a top surface 288 (shown in Figure 4) of the bottom wall 283, comprises a surface from which at least one lower rail pivoting feature (e.g., a bottom wall pivoting component 410 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the bottom wall 283 has a substantially flat configuration and is recessed relative to bottom edges of the front and rear walls 281 and 282 by a recess distance 284 (shown in Figure 4). The recess distance 284 is approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inches). In other embodiments, the bottom wall 283 may instead comprise an irregular configuration (e.g., include protrusions, recesses and / or curves), may be flush with the bottom edges of the front and rear walls 281 and 282, and / or the recess distance 284 may range between approximately 0.1 cm (0.04 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inches).

[58] In the embodiment shown, the top, front, rear and bottom walls 280, 281, 282 and 283 provide the lower horizontal rail 202 with a substantially rectangular cuboid configuration defining a channel 290. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in embodiments where the lower horizontal rail 202 has a different shape (such as an arched shape or curved shape for example), one or more of the top, front, rear, and bottom walls 280, 281, 282 and 283 may have a different configuration (such as an arched configuration, a rounded configuration, a jagged configuration or an irregular configuration for example) corresponding to the shape of the lower horizontal rail 202.

[59] The lower horizontal rail 202 has a length 292 (shown in Figure 2, and generally corresponding to lengths of the top, front, rear, and bottom walls 280, 281, 282 and 283), a height 294 (shown in Figure 2, and generally corresponding to a height of the front and rear walls 281 and 282) and a width 296 (shown in Figure 4, and generally corresponding to a width of the top and bottom walls 280 and 283) which defines the channel 290. In the embodiment shown, the length 292 of the lower horizontal rail 202 is substantially similar to the length 222 of the upper horizontal rail 200; however, in other embodiments, the lengths 292 and 222 may be different depending on a desired visual effect of a particular barrier system and a desired security level of a particular barrier system for example. In the embodiment shown, the length 292, the height 294 and the width 296 are, respectively, approximately 182.9 cm (72 inches), 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) and 3.2 cm (1.25 inches). In other embodiments, the length 292, the height 294, and the width 296 may be different from the dimensions described above and may vary depending on a desired number of vertical members 120 to be coupled to the lower horizontal rail 202, desired dimensions of a particular barrier system and / or a desired visual effect of a particular barrier system.

[60] The lower horizontal rail 202 also includes at least one lower rail positioning component 233 configured to engage with at least one lower rail pivoting feature (e.g., lower rail pivoting features 363 comprising the top wall and the bottom wall pivoting components 400 and 410 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120, to allow the vertical members 120 to pivot relative to the lower horizontal rail 202. In certain embodiments, the at least one lower rail positioning component 233 may also retain the vertical members 120 at a particular position along the length 292, and at a particular position across the width 296, of the lower horizontal rail 202. In the embodiment shown, the at least one lower rail positioning component 233 comprises both at least one protrusion 300 extending from the bottom wall 213 and a plurality of apertures 310 formed in the top wall 280. However, in other embodiments, the at least one lower rail positioning component 233 may comprise only one of the at least one protrusion 300 or the plurality of apertures 310. As shown in Figure 2, the configuration of the at least one lower rail positioning component 233 of the lower horizontal rail 202 may be a mirror image of the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 of the upper horizontal rail 200. At least one protrusion 300

[61] Briefly, the at least one protrusion 300 of the lower horizontal rail 202 may be configured, dimensioned and varied in a manner similar to the at least one protrusion 240 of the upper horizontal rail 200, but may be located in the bottom wall 283 of the lower horizontal rail 202 rather than the top wall 210 of the upper horizontal rail 200. In this respect, in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4, the at least one protrusion 300 may comprise a first protrusion 301 extending from the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 proximate the front wall 281 and a second protrusion 302 extending from the top surface 288 proximate the rear wall 283. The first and second protrusions 301 and 302 of the lower horizontal rail 202 may be similar to the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 of the upper horizontal rail 200, may include respective extension distances of approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches), respective extension angles of approximately 85°, and may include a spacing distance 308 of approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches). In the embodiment shown, the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 extends from the top surface 288 the along the entire length 292 of the lower horizontal rail 202. In other embodiments, the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may only extend a portion of the length 292 and / or may include breaks along the length 292.

[62] Also similar to the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 of the at least one protrusion 240 of the upper horizontal rail 200, the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may be dimensioned and configured to retain a width of different ones of the vertical members 120 therebetween (e.g., the width 346 of the vertical member 330 shown in Figure 6). A portion of the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may generally function as the surface from which at least one lower rail pivoting features (e.g., the bottom wall pivoting components 410 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. In this regard, the spacing distance 308 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may be similar to, or slightly smaller than, or slightly larger than, the width of a vertical member 120 (e.g., the width 346).

[63] Further, the respective extension distances, the respective extension angles, and the spacing distance 308 may generally be dimensioned and configured to retain different ones of the vertical members 120 at a particular location along the width 296 of the lower horizontal rail 202, which may facilitate a pivoting and / or a rolling motion of the at least one lower rail pivoting feature across the top surface 288 of the portion of the bottom wall 283 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in different embodiments, the respective extension distances, the respective extension angles, and the spacing distance 308 may be different from the dimensions and configurations described above depending on a corresponding desired dimension of the vertical members 120, as well as a desired visual effect of a particular barrier system and a desired security level of the barrier system. For example, in some embodiments, the respective extension distances may range between approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch). In other embodiments, the respective extension distances for the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may be different from each other (such that the first protrusion 301 is of a different length than the second protrusion 302 for example). Similarly, in other embodiments, the respective extension angles may range between approximately 30° and approximately 90°. In yet other embodiments, the respective extension distances for the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may be different from each other (such that the first protrusion 301 is more or less angled relative to the bottom wall 283 than the second protrusion 302). Further, in other embodiments, the spacing distance 308 may be different from the dimensions described above and may range between approximately 1 cm (0.4 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inches) for example.

[64] Further, in the embodiment shown, the at least one protrusion 300 includes both the first and the second protrusions 301 and 302 which retain the vertical members 120 therebetween. However, in other embodiments, the at least one protrusion 300 may only include one of the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. In such embodiments, the at least one lower rail pivoting feature of the vertical members 120 may be retained between (and the spacing distance 308 may be measured between) one of the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 and one of the front and rear walls 281 and 282 instead. For example, the spacing distance 308 may instead be measured between, for example, the first protrusion 301 and the rear wall 282 or between the second protrusion 302 and the front wall 281. Plurality of apertures 310

[65] Additionally, the plurality of apertures 310 of the lower horizontal rail 202 may also be configured, dimensioned and varied in a manner similar to the plurality of apertures 260 of the upper horizontal rail 200, but may be located in the top wall 280 f the lower horizontal rail 202 rather than the bottom wall 213 of the upper horizontal rail 200. In this respect, each of the apertures 310 may be configured to retain one of the vertical members 120 at a specific location along the length 292 of the lower horizontal rail 202. The specific location along the length 292 (of the lower horizontal rail 202) may generally correspond to, and align with, a specific location along the length 222 (of the upper horizontal rail 200), such that a particular one of the vertical members 120 may fit within one of the apertures 260 (of the upper horizontal rail 200) as well as one of the apertures 310 (of the lower horizontal rail 202) along a height of that vertical member 120 (e.g., a height 344 of the vertical member 330 shown in Figure 5). Accordingly, a spacing distance between adjacent ones of the apertures 310 may generally correspond to the spacing distance between adjacent ones of the apertures 260 (of the upper horizontal rail 200), as well as the vertical member spacing distance 122 (shown in Figure 1) between adjacent ones of the vertical members 120. However, in other embodiments, a particular aperture 310 may not align with a particular aperture 260, and / or spacing distances between adjacent ones of the apertures 310 may not correspond to spacing distances between adjacent ones of the apertures 260, such as depending on a desired visual effect of a particular barrier system and / or a desired security level of a particular barrier system.

[66] Further, similar to the apertures 260, the apertures 310 may also be configured and dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the plurality vertical members 120 and to allow that particular one of the vertical members 120 received therein to pivot relative to the lower horizontal rail 202 in order to adjust the lower rail angle 125 (shown in Figure 1) and rack the barrier system 100. In this respect, an aperture length 312 (shown in Figure 2) of a particular aperture 310 may be larger than a length of a particular vertical member 120 (e.g., the length 342 shown in Figure 5) to be received within that aperture 310, which can allow the vertical member 120 to slightly laterally move and / or rotate relative to the length 292 of the lower horizontal rail 202. In the embodiment shown, the aperture length 312 is approximately 200% the length (e.g., the length 342) of the vertical member 120; specifically, the aperture length 312 may be approximately 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) and the length 342 of the vertical member 120 may be approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches). However, in other embodiments, the aperture length 312 may range between approximately 2.54 cm (1 inch) and approximately 10.2 cm (2 inches), again generally depending on the length (e.g., the length 342 shown in Figure 5) of the vertical member 120. In other embodiments, the aperture length 262 may be anywhere between approximately 125% and approximately 250% of the length of the vertical member 120.

[67] Further still, in the embodiments shown, at least some of the apertures 310 have an aperture width 316 (shown in Figure 2) which is smaller than the width 296 of the lower horizontal rail 202, such that a front ledge 321 forms in the top wall 280 (in front of each of the at least some of the apertures 310) proximate the front wall 281 and a rear ledge 322 forms in the top wall 280 (behind each of the at least some of the apertures 310) proximate the rear wall 282. The front and rear ledges 321 and 322 of the lower horizontal rail 202 may be similar to the front and rear ledges 271 and 272 of the upper horizontal rail 200. In the embodiment shown, the aperture width 316 may be approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) and a width of the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 may be approximately 0.9 cm (0.4 inches). Additionally, the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 may be dimensioned to support at least one lower rail pivoting feature (e.g., the top wall pivoting component 400 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 and may also generally function as surfaces from which the at least one lower rail pivoting feature of the vertical members 120 may pivot and / or roll against in some embodiments. Accordingly, the width of the front ledge 321, the width of the rear ledge 322, the corresponding relative width 316 of the aperture 310 and the width 296 of the lower horizontal rail 202, and a position of the aperture 310 in the top wall 280, may each be configured and dimensioned to support the at least one lower rail pivoting feature of the vertical member 120.

[68] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a particular one of the apertures 310 forms both the front and rear ledges 321 and 322. However, in other embodiments, a particular one of the apertures 310 may instead form only one of the front ledge 321 or the rear ledge 322. In such embodiments, at least one lower rail pivoting features (e.g., the top wall pivoting component 400 of the vertical member 330 described below) of the vertical members 120 may only include pivoting components which are supported by a single ledge formed in the top wall 280. For example, the vertical member 120 may only include a front pivoting component (e.g., only a front projection 401 of the vertical member 330 described below) in embodiments where the top wall 280 only includes the front ledge 321; alternatively, the vertical member 120 may only include a rear pivoting component (e.g., only a rear projection 402 of the vertical member 330 described below) in embodiments where the top wall 280 only includes the rear ledge 322. Further still, in some embodiments, instead of the apertures 310 formed in the top wall 280, the top wall 280 may instead comprise an open top including only the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 generally forming an open top slot. Vertical members 120

[69] One of the vertical members 120 according to one embodiment is shown at 330 in Figures 5-8. The vertical member 330 shown in Figures 5-8 may function as any one of the plurality of vertical members 120 (shown in Figure 1). In the embodiment shown, the vertical member 330 has a hollow configuration. In other embodiments, the vertical member 330 may instead have a solid configuration (not shown). The vertical member 330 may be formed from metal materials such as iron-based metals, aluminium-based metals or steelbased metals for example and may specifically be formed from 6063 aluminium alloy. In the embodiment shown, the hollow configuration of the vertical member 330 may be formed by rolling a sheet of the metal material into a tubular configuration. In embodiments where the vertical member 330 has the solid configuration, the vertical member 330 may instead be formed from solid bar stock of the metal material. The vertical member 330 may be surface treated to provide enhanced resistance to corrosion, such a galvanizing treatment for ironbased metals or a polyester powder coating for aluminium-based metals for example. In other embodiments, the vertical member 330 may be formed from other materials, such as wood materials or plastic materials or composite materials and may be formed from a material that coordinate with the material of the at least one horizontal rail 110.

[70] In the embodiment shown, the vertical member 330 has a rectangular cuboid configuration and a rectangular cross-section formed from a front wall 331, a rear wall 332 (shown in Figures 6 and 7), a first sidewall 335 and a second sidewall 336. The vertical member 330 also has the height 344 (shown in Figure 5) extending between an upper end 341 and a lower end 343 of the vertical member 330, the length 342 (also shown in Figure 5) and a width 346 (shown in Figure 6).

[71] As described above, the vertical member 330 may be shaped and dimensioned to be received within: (1) a channel of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the channel 220 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or the channel 290 of the lower horizontal rail 202); and (2) an aperture in at least one of a top or a bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., one of the apertures 260 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or one of the apertures 310 of the lower horizontal rail 202). For the vertical member 330 to be received within the channel (e.g., the channel 220 and / or the channel 290) of the at least one horizontal rail 110, the width 346 is less than a width of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the width 226 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or the width 296 of the lower horizontal rail 202). For example, the width 346 may be approximately 50% of the width of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the width 226 and / or the width 296). Additionally, for the vertical member 120 to be received in an aperture in the top and / or bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., one of the apertures 260 and / or one of the apertures 310), the length 342 and width 346 are less than, respectively, an aperture length and an aperture width of the aperture (e.g., the aperture length 262 and the aperture width 266 of one of the apertures 260 and / or the aperture length 312 and the aperture width 316 of one of the apertures 310). For example, the length 342 may be approximately 50% of the aperture length (e.g., the aperture length 262 and / or the aperture length 312) and the width 346 may be approximately 76% of the aperture width (e.g., the aperture width 266 and / or the aperture width 316). In the embodiment shown, the height 344, the length 342 and the width 346 are, respectively, approximately 91.5 cm (36 inches), 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) and 1.9 cm (0.75 inches). However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the height 344, the length 342 and the width 346 may be different than that described above and may vary depending on desired dimensions of the at least one horizontal rail 110, a desired dimension of a particular barrier system, a desired visual effect of the barrier system, and / or a desired security level of the barrier system. Additionally, the length 342 may be different percentages of the aperture length (e.g., the aperture length 262 and / or aperture length 312), and may range between approximately 25% and approximately 90% of the aperture length. Further, the width 346 may also be different percentages of the aperture width (e.g., the aperture width 266 and / or the aperture width 316), and may range between approximately 50% and approximately 90% of the aperture width. Further, the width 346 may also be different percentages of the width of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the width 226 and / or the width 296) and may range between approximately 25% and approximately 90% of the width of the at least one horizontal rail 110.

[72] The vertical member 330 includes at least one pivoting feature 360 configured to engage with certain surfaces of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210, and the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213, both of the upper horizontal rail 200; the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280, and the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283, both of the lower horizontal rail 202) to allow the vertical member 330 to pivot relative to the at least one horizontal rail 110 when received in an aperture of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., one of the apertures 260 and / or one of the apertures 310). The at least one pivoting feature 360 may also aid in retaining the vertical member 120 within the channel of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the channel 220 and / or the channel 290) and / or at a particular position along the width of the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the width 226 and / or the width 296).

[73] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5-8, the at least one pivoting feature 360 includes: (1) the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 located at the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330; and (2) the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 located at the lower end 343 of the vertical member 330. The at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 generally allows the vertical member 330 to pivot and be retained relative to the upper horizontal rail 200 to adjust the upper rail angle 124 between an upper limit 124” (shown in Figure 8) and a lower limit 124’ (also shown in Figure 8). Correspondingly, the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 generally allows the vertical member 330 to pivot and be rotated relative to the lower horizontal rail 202 to adjust the lower rail angle 125 between an upper limit 125” (shown in Figure 8) and a lower limit 125’ (also shown in Figure 8). In embodiments of the barrier system 100 including only one horizontal rail 110, the vertical member 330 may only include one of the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 or the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363. For example, in embodiments of a particular barrier system 100 only including the upper horizontal rail 200, the vertical members 120 of that particular barrier system 100 may only include the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361. At least one upper rail pivoting feature 361

[74] Still referring to Figures 5-8, the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 will be described in detail; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that the below description would be similarly applicable to the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363. In the embodiment shown, the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 comprises: (1) the top wall pivoting component 370; and (2) the bottom wall pivoting component 380. However, in some embodiments, the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 may only include one of the top wall pivoting component 370 and the bottom wall pivoting component 380. Top wall pivoting component 370

[75] The top wall pivoting component 370 generally enables the vertical member 330 to pivot against the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 of the upper horizontal rail 200, and specifically pivot against to the portion of the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. In the embodiment shown, the top wall pivoting component 370 comprises a curved portion 371 forming a portion of, coupled to, and / or couplable to the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330. The curved portion 371 may be made of a same material as the vertical member 330 and may be formed from the metal materials; alternatively, the upper curved portion 371 may be made from a different material having decreased friction and / or enhanced resistance to frictional damage, such as a plastic material including without limitation acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and / or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Further, in different embodiments, the upper curved portion 371 may be a unitary unit with the vertical member 330, may be a separate component permanently coupled to the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330 (e.g., via a permanent fastener such as an adhesive and / or welding) and / or may be a separate component removably coupled to the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330 (e.g., via a removable fastener such as a friction fit fastener, a snap fit fastener, a removable screw fastener, etc.).

[76] The upper curved portion 371 includes a front face surface 372, a rear face surface 373 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) and an upper curved surface 374 (shown in Figures 6 and 7). The front and rear face surfaces 372 and 373 may be generally flat and may be configured and dimensioned to contact and engage, respectively, the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 of the upper horizontal rail 200, to retain the top wall pivoting component 370 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. The upper curved surface 374 may be configured and dimensioned to contact the portion of the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. A curvature of the upper curved surface 374 generally allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210. In the embodiment shown, the upper curved portion 371 comprises a portion or a segment of a circle having a radius 376 (shown in Figure 7). The radius 376 generally defines a degree of the curvature of the upper curved surface 374. In the embodiment shown, the radius 376 is approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches), which may allow the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 to be adjusted between approximately 30° (the lower limit 124’) and approximately 150° (the upper limit 124”).

[77] However, in other embodiments, the upper curved portion 371 may instead comprise a portion or a segment of a circle having the radius 376 between approximately 1 cm (0.4 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch); in such embodiments, the curvature of the upper curved surface 374 and the range (e.g., value of the lower and upper limits 124’ and 124”) of the upper rail angle 124 may change. Generally, in embodiments where the curved portion 371 comprises a portion or a segment of a circle having the radius 376 which is smaller, the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 may be adjusted over a greater range; in contrast, in embodiments where the curved portion 371 comprise a portion of the circle having the radius 376 which is larger, the upper rail angle 124 may be adjusted over a smaller range. In yet other embodiments, the upper curved portion 371 may comprise a different shape (rather than a portion or a segment of a circle) but which still includes an upper curved surface 374 which allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210, such as a curved polygon or a portion of an oval for example. Bottom wall pivoting component 380

[78] The bottom wall pivoting component 380 generally enables the vertical member 330 to pivot against the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 of the upper horizontal rail 200, and specifically relative to the portions of the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 forming the front and rear ledges 271 and 272. In the embodiment shown, the bottom wall pivoting component 380 generally comprises a front projection 381 projecting from the front wall 331 of the vertical member 330 and a rear projection 382 (shown in Figure 7) projecting from the rear wall 332 of the vertical member 330. The front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be made of a same material as the vertical member 330 and may be formed from the metal materials; alternatively, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be made from a different material having decreased friction and / or enhanced resistance to frictional damage, such as a plastic material including without limitation acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and / or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Further, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be a unitary unit with the vertical member 330, may be a separate component permanently coupled to the vertical member 330 (e.g., via a permanent fastener such as an adhesive and / or welding) and / or may be a separate component removably coupled to the vertical member 330 (e.g., via a removal fastener such as a friction fit fastener, is not for fastener, a removable screw fastener, etc.).

[79] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in the embodiment shown, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 generally have a wedge-shaped side profile having a narrow width at a top portion (close to the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330) and a wide width at a bottom portion. The front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be depressible and / or deflectable relative to the front and rear walls 331 and 332 and may generally comprise a cantilevered and / or snap-fit fastener. The wedge-shaped side profile of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may facilitate insertion of the vertical member 330 into the aperture 260. In this regard, the vertical member 330 may be inserted into the aperture 260 via its upper end 341, such that edges of the aperture 260 may initially contact the narrow width at the top portion of the front and rear projections 381 and 382, which may facilitate ease of insertion of the vertical member 330 into the aperture 260. As the vertical member 330 continues to be inserted into the aperture 260, the wide width at the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be depressed or deflected by the edges of the aperture 260, and may expand back or revert back after the front and rear projections 381 and 382 clear the edges of the aperture 260, to contact the front and rear ledges 271 and 272 and to retain the vertical member 330 in the channel 220 and relative to the upper horizontal rail 200.

[80] In other embodiments, the side profile of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be different from the wedge-shaped embodiment described above. For example, the side profile of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may instead comprise a rectangular side profile having a same (or substantially similar) width at the top portion and at the bottom portion.

[81] The wide width at the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 forms respective front and rear curved surfaces 383 and 384 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) configured and dimensioned to contact the portions of the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 of the upper horizontal rail 200 forming, respectively, the front and rear ledges 271 and 272. A curvature of the front and rear curved surfaces 383 and 384 generally allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the portions of the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 forming the front and rear ledges 271 and 272. In this regard, referring to Figures 5, 7 and 8, in the embodiment shown, the front projection 381 has a generally circular front face defining a radius 387 (shown in Figure 7) and the rear projection 382 has a corresponding generally circular front face defining a radius 388 (also shown in Figure 7). The radius 387 generally defines a degree of the curvature of the front curved surface 383, and the radius 388 generally defines a degree of the curvature of the rear curved surface 384. In the embodiment shown, the radius 387 is approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches) and the radius 388 is also approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches), which may allow the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 to be adjusted between approximately 30° (the lower limit 124’) and approximately 150° (the upper limit 124”).

[82] In other embodiments, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may instead comprise a circular front surface having the radii 387 and 388 between approximately 0.31 cm (0.125 inches) and approximately 1 cm (0.4 inches); in such embodiments, the corresponding curvature of the curved surfaces 383 and 384 may change and the range (e.g., value of the lower and upper limits 124’ and 124”) of the upper rail angle 124 may correspondingly change. Generally, in embodiments where the front and rear projections 381 and 382 comprise a circular front surface having the radii 387 and 388 which is smaller, the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 may be adjusted over a greater range; in contrast, in embodiments where the front and rear projections 381 and 382 comprise a circular front surface having the radii 387 and 388 which is larger, the upper rail angle 124 may be adjusted over a smaller range. In yet other embodiments, the front surface of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may comprise a shape different from the circular-shaped embodiments described above but which still includes curved surfaces 383 and 384 which allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213. For example, the front surface of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may instead comprise an ovular front surface, an oblong front surface, etc. Further, in the embodiment shown, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 are substantially identical and the radii 387 and 388 are also substantially identical. In other embodiments, the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be different from each other and the radii 387 and 388 may also be different from each other.

[83] In other embodiments, the bottom wall pivoting component 380 may only include one of the front and rear projections 381 and 382. For example, as described above, in some embodiments, a particular aperture 260 may be dimensioned to form only one of the front ledge 271 or the rear ledge 272 in the bottom wall 213; in such embodiments, the bottom wall pivoting component 380 may only include one of the corresponding front projection 381 (in embodiments where only the front ledge 271 is formed) or the corresponding rear projection 382 (in embodiments where only the rear ledge 272 is formed).

[84] In embodiments where the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 includes both the top wall pivoting component 370 and the bottom wall pivoting component 380, the adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 may be enabled by combination of the radii 387 and 388 of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 and the radius 376 of the upper curved portion 371. In such embodiments, the radii 387 and 388 of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 may be less than the radius 376 of the upper curved portion 371, such that the radius 376 of the upper curved portion 371 forms a limit (e.g., value of the lower and upper limits 124’ and 124”) on adjustability of the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200. However, in embodiments including only the top wall pivoting component 370, the adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 may be enabled by only the radius 376 of the upper curved portion 371; similarly, in embodiments including only the bottom wall pivoting component 380, the adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 may be enabled by only the radii 387 and 388 of the front and rear projections 381 and 382. At least one lower rail pivoting feature 363

[85] Still referring to Figures 5-8, the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 is generally positioned at and / or proximate to the lower end 343 of the vertical member 120. The configuration of the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 may be a mirror image of the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361, to generally correspond to the mirror images of the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and the at least one lower rail positioning component 233 of the lower horizontal rail 202. In this respect, in the embodiment shown, the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 comprises: (1) a top wall pivoting component 400 configured to engage the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 of the lower horizontal rail 202 and (2) a bottom wall pivoting component 410 configured to engage the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 of the lower horizontal rail 202. However, similar to the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361 described above, the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 may also only include one of the top wall pivoting component 400 or the bottom wall pivoting component 410. Top wall pivoting component 400

[86] Briefly, the top wall pivoting component 400 generally enables the vertical member 330 to pivot against the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 of the lower horizontal rail 202, and specifically against the portions of the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 forming the front and rear ledges 321 and 322. The top wall pivoting component 400 (of the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363) may be configured, dimensioned and varied in a manner similar to the bottom wall pivoting component 380 (of the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361). In this respect, the top wall pivoting component 400 may comprise a front projection 401 projecting from the front wall 331 of the vertical member 330 and a rear projection 402 projecting from the rear wall 332 of the vertical member 330.

[87] The front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be similar to the front and rear projections 381 and 382. In this respect, referring to Figures 6 and 7, in the embodiment shown, the front and rear projections 401 and 402 have a wedge-shaped side profile having a wide width at a top portion and a narrow width at a bottom portion (close to the lower end 343 of the vertical member 330). The front and rear projections 401 and 402 may also be depressible and / or deflectable relative to the front and rear walls 331 and 332 of the vertical member 330, and the wedge-shaped side profile of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may facilitate insertion of the vertical member 330 into the aperture 310. In this regard, the vertical member 330 may be inserted into the aperture 310 via its lower end 343, such that edges of the aperture 310 may initially contact the narrow width at the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 401 and 402, which may facilitate ease of insertion of the vertical member 330 into the aperture 310. As the vertical member 330 continues to be inserted into the aperture 310, the wide width of the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be depressed by the edges of the aperture 310, and may expand back or revert back after the front and rear projections 401 and 402 clear the edges of the aperture 310 to contact the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 and to retain the vertical member 330 in the channel 290 and relative to the lower horizontal rail 202. In other embodiments, the side profile of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be different from the wedge-shaped embodiments described above, and may instead comprise a rectangular side profile having a same (or substantially similar) width at the top portion and at the bottom portion.

[88] Again, similar to the front and rear projections 381 and 382, the wide width at the top portion of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 forms respective front and rear curved surfaces 403 and 404 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) configured and dimensioned to contact the portions of the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 of the lower horizontal rail 202 forming, respectively, the front and rear ledges 321 and 322. A curvature of the front and rear curved surfaces 403 and 404 generally allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the portions of the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 forming the front and rear ledges 321 and 322. In this regard, referring to Figures 5, 7 and 8, in the embodiment shown, the front projection 401 has a generally circular front face defining a radius 407 (shown in Figure 7) and the rear projection 402 has a corresponding generally circular front face defining a radius 408 (shown in Figure 7). The radius 407 generally defines a degree of the curvature of the front curved surface 403, and the radius 408 generally defines a degree of the corresponding curvature of the rear curved surface 404. In the embodiment shown, the radius 407 is approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches) and the radius 408 is also approximately 0.63 cm (0.25 inches), which may allow the lower rail angle 125 between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202 to be adjusted between approximately 30° (being the lower limit 125’) and approximately 150° (being the upper limit 125”).

[89] The front and rear projections 401 and 402 may varied in a manner similar to the front and rear projections 381 and 382. For example, the radii 407 and 408 may range between approximately 0.31 cm (0.125 inches) and approximately 1 cm (0.4 inches); the front surface of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may comprise a shape different from the circular-shaped embodiments described above but which still includes curved surfaces 403 and 404 which allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280; the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be different from each other and the radii 407 and 408 may also be different from each other. In yet other embodiments, the top wall pivoting component 400 may only include one of the front and rear projections 401 and 402. In such embodiments, the bottom wall pivoting component 380 may also only include one of the front projection 381 or the rear projection 382, and the projection of the top wall pivoting component 400 may be correspond to or oppose the projection of the bottom wall pivoting component 380. For example, the bottom wall pivoting component 380 and the top wall pivoting component 400 may both include the corresponding front projections 381 and 401 or may both include the corresponding rear projections 382 or 402; alternatively for example, the pivoting components 380 and 400 may instead include opposing front and rear projections 381 and 402 or opposing rear and front projections 382 and 401. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the dimensions of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 is substantially identical to the dimensions of the front and rear projections 381 and 382. However, in other embodiments, the dimensions of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be different from the dimensions of the front and rear projections 381 and 382. For example, the front surface of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may be different from the front surface of the front and rear projections 381 and 382, and / or the radii 407 and 408 may be different from the radii 387 and 388. Bottom wall pivoting component 410

[90] The bottom wall pivoting component 410 generally enables the vertical member 330 to pivot against the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 of the lower horizontal rail 202, and specifically relative to the portion of the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. The bottom wall pivoting component 410 (of the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363) may be configured, dimensioned and varied in a manner similar to the top wall pivoting component 370 (of the at least one upper rail pivoting feature 361). In this respect, the bottom wall pivoting component 410 may comprise a lower curved portion 411 forming a portion of, coupled to, and / or couplable to the lower end 343 of the vertical member 330.

[91] The lower curved portion 411 may be similar to the upper curved portion 371 of the top wall pivoting component 370. In this respect, referring to Figures 5-7, the lower curved portion 411 includes a front face surface 412, a rear face surface 413 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) and a lower curved surface 414 (shown in Figures 6 and 7). The front and rear face surfaces 412 and 413 may be generally flat and may be configured and dimensioned to contact, and engage respectively, the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 of the lower horizontal rail 202, to retain the bottom wall pivoting component 410 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. The lower curved surface 414 may generally be configured and dimensioned to contact and engage the portion of the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. A curvature of the lower curved surface 414 generally allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283. In the embodiment shown, the lower curved portion 411 comprises a portion or a segment of a circle having a radius 416 (shown in Figure 7). The radius 416 generally defines a degree of the curvature of the lower curved surface 414. In the embodiment shown, the radius 416 is approximately 1.9 cm (0.75 inches), which may allow the lower rail angle 125 between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202 to be adjusted between approximately 30° (being the lower limit 125’) and approximately 150° (being the upper limit 125”).

[92] The lower curved portion 411 may be varied in a manner similar to the upper curved portion 371. For example, the radius 416 may range between approximately 1 cm (0.4 inches) and approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch); the lower curved portion 411 may comprise a different shape but which still includes a curved surface 414 which allows the vertical member 330 to be pivoted and / or rolled against the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the dimensions of the lower curved portion 411 is substantially identical to the dimension of the upper curved portion 371. However, in other embodiments, the dimension of the lower curved portion 411 may be different from the dimensions of the upper curved portion 371. For example, the shape of the lower curved portion 411 may be different from the shape of the upper curved portion 371; alternatively, the radius 416 may be different from the radius 376.

[93] Further, in embodiments where the at least one lower rail pivoting feature 363 includes both the top wall pivoting component 400 and the bottom wall pivoting component 410, the adjustment of the lower rail angle 125 may be enabled by a combination of the radii 407 and 408 of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 and with the radius 416 of the lower curved portion 411. In such embodiments, the radii 407 and 408 of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 may generally be less than the radius 416 of the lower curved portion 411, such that the radius 416 of the lower curved portion 411 forms a limit on the adjustability of the lower rail angle 125 between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202. However, in embodiments including only the top wall pivoting component 400, the adjustment of the lower rail angle 125 may be enabled by only the radii 407 and 408 of the front and rear projections 401 and 402; similarly, in embodiments including only the bottom wall pivoting component 410, the adjustment of the lower rail angle 125 may be enabled by only the radius 416 of the lower curved portion 411. Method 500

[94] Referring now to Figure 9, a method of assembly of a barrier system (such as the barrier system 100 shown in Figure 1) is generally shown at 500. The method 500 may begin at block 502, which involves inserting one of the vertical members 120 into at least one horizontal rail 110. For example, referring to Figure 10 in certain embodiments, block 502 may involve inserting the upper end 341 of the vertical member 330 into one of the apertures 260 and then into the channel 220 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and / or inserting the lower end 343 of the vertical member 330 into one of the apertures 310 and then into the channel 290 of the lower horizontal rail 202.

[95] The method 500 may then continue to block 503, which may generally involve engaging at least one pivoting feature (e.g., the top wall pivoting component 370, the bottom wall pivoting component 380, the top wall pivoting component 400 and / or the bottom wall pivoting component 410) of the vertical member 330 directly with at least one positioning component (e.g., the at least one upper rail positioning component 231 and / or the at least one lower rail positioning components 233) of at least one of the at least one horizontal rail 110. In some embodiments, block 503 may involve engaging at least one pivoting component of the vertical member 330 directly with the at least one wall (e.g., the top wall 210, the bottom wall 213, the top wall 280 and / or the bottom wall 283) of the at least one horizontal rail 110.

[96] For example, block 503 may include block 504, which may be used in embodiments where the vertical member 330 includes the bottom wall pivoting component 380 and / or the top wall pivoting component 400. In such embodiments, block 504 may involve engaging the bottom wall pivoting component 380 of the vertical member 330 with the bottom wall 210 of the upper horizontal rail 200. For example, referring to Figure 10, block 504 may involve inserting the vertical member 330 into the aperture 260 via its upper end 341, such that edges of the aperture 260 may initially contact the narrow width at the top portion of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 and then contact the wide width at the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 to depress the front and rear projections 381 and 382 relative to the front and rear walls 331 and 332 of the vertical member 330. The front and rear projections 381 and 382 may then expand or revert back to an original configuration after clearing the edges of the aperture 260 such that the front curved surface 383 of the front projection 381 engages with the portion of the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 forming the front ledge 271 and / or the rear curved surface 384 of the rear projection 382 engages with the portion of the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213 forming the rear ledge 272. As described above, contact and engagement between the front and rear curved surfaces 383 and 384 (of the vertical member 330) and the portions of the bottom wall 213 forming the front and rear ledges 271 and 272 (in the upper horizontal rail 200) facilitates pivotal and / or rolling motion between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 and adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 between the lower and upper limits 124’ and 124”. Additionally, engagement of the front and rear projections 381 and 382 (of the vertical member 330) with the ledges 271 and 272 in the bottom wall 213 (of the upper horizontal rail 200) may couple the vertical member 330 to the upper horizontal rail 200 to facilitate retention of the vertical member 330 within the channel 220 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and may prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, the vertical member 330 moving out of the aperture 260 or the channel 220.

[97] Additionally or alternatively, block 504 may also involve engaging the top wall pivoting component 400 of the vertical member 330 with the top wall 280 of the lower horizontal rail 202. For example, again referring to Figure 10, block 504 may involve inserting the vertical member 330 into the aperture 310 via its lower end 343, such that edges of the aperture 310 may initially contact the narrow width at the bottom portion of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 and then contact the wide width at the top portion of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 to depress the front and rear projections 401 and 402 relative to the front and rear walls 331 and 332 of the vertical member 330. The front and rear projections 401 and 402 may then expand or revert back to an original configuration after clearing the edges of the aperture 310 such that the front curved surface 403 of the front projection 401 engages with the portion of the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 forming the front ledge 321 and / or the rear curved surface 404 of the rear projection 402 engages with the portion of the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 forming the rear ledge 322. As described above, contact and engagement between the front and rear curved surfaces 403 and 404 (of the vertical member 330) and the portions of the top wall 280 forming the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 (in the lower horizontal rail 202) facilitates pivotal and / or rolling motion between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202 and adjustment of the lower rail angle 125 between the lower and upper limits 125’ and 125”. Additionally, engagement of the front and rear projections 401 and 402 (of the vertical member 120) with the front and rear ledges 321 and 322 in the top wall 280 (of the lower horizontal rail 202) may couple the vertical member 330 to the lower horizontal rail 202 to facilitate retention of the vertical member 330 within the channel 290 of the lower horizontal rail 202 and may prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, the vertical member 120 laterally moving out of the aperture 310 and the channel 290.

[98] Additionally or alternatively, in other examples, block 503 may include block 506, which may be used in embodiments where the vertical member 330 includes the top wall pivoting component 370 and / or the bottom wall pivoting component 410. In such embodiments, block 506 may involve engaging the top wall pivoting component 370 of the vertical member 330 with the top wall 210 of the upper horizontal rail 200. For example, referring to Figure 10, block 506 may involve (1) engaging the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 extending from the top wall 210 with, respectively, the front and rear face surfaces 372 and 373 of the upper curved portion 371; and (2) engaging the upper curved surface 374 of the upper curved portion 371 with the portion of the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 between the first and second protrusions 241 and 242. As described above, contact between the upper curved surface 374 (of the vertical member 330) and the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210 (of the upper horizontal rail 200) facilitates pivotal and / or rolling motion between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 and adjustment of the upper rail angle 124 between the vertical member 330 and the upper horizontal rail 200 between the lower and upper limits 124’ and 124”. Engagement of the first and second protrusions 241 and 242 with the front and rear face surfaces 372 and 373 may facilitate retention of the vertical member 120 within the channel 220 of the upper horizontal rail 200, facilitate placement of the vertical member 120 at a particular position across the width 226 of the upper horizontal rail 200 and may prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, the vertical member 120 moving out of the aperture 260 and the channel 220.

[99] Block 506 may also involve engaging the bottom wall pivoting component 410 of the vertical member 330 with the bottom wall 283 of the lower horizontal rail 202. For example, referring to Figure 10, block 506 may involve (1) engaging the front and rear face surfaces 412 and 413 of the lower curved portion 411 with, respectively, the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 extending from the bottom wall 283; and (2) contacting the lower curved surface 414 of the lower curved portion 411 with the portion of the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283 between the first and second protrusions 301 and 302. As described above, the contact between the lower curved surface 414 (of the vertical member 120) and the portion of the top surface 288 (of the lower horizontal rail 202) facilitates pivotal and / or rolling motion between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202 and adjustment of the lower rail angle 125 between the vertical member 330 and the lower horizontal rail 202 between the lower and upper limits 125’ and 125”. Engagement of the front and rear face surfaces 412 and 413 with the first and second protrusions 301 and 302 may facilitate retention of the vertical member 330 within the channel 290 of the lower horizontal rail 202, facilitate placement of the vertical member 330 at a particular position across the width 296 of the lower horizontal rail 202 and may prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, the vertical member 120 laterally moving out of the aperture 310 and the channel 290.

[100] In some embodiments, the method may then continue to block 508, which may involve pivoting the vertical members 120 relative to the at least one horizontal rail 110 by laterally moving the at least one horizontal rail 110 (e.g., the upper or lower horizontal rails 200 and 202) relative to the vertical members 120 while the vertical members 120 are retained with in the apertures (e.g., the apertures 260 and / or 310) and the channels (e.g., the channels 220 and 290). Referring to Figure 11, the lateral motion may shift a point of contact between a curved surface of at least one pivoting component (e.g., the curved surface 374 of the curved portion 371, the front curved surface 383 of the front projection 381, the rear curved surface 384 of the rear projection 382, the front curved surface 403 of the front projection 401, the rear curved surface 404 of the rear projection 402 and / or the lower curved surface 414 of the lower curved portion 411) of the vertical members 120 with a top and / or a bottom wall (e.g., the bottom surface 216 of the top wall 210, the top surface 218 of the bottom wall 213, the bottom surface 286 of the top wall 280 and / or the top surface 288 of the bottom wall 283) of the at least one horizontal rail 110, which may adjust a corresponding angle (e.g., upper rail angle 124 and / or lower rail angle 125) between the vertical members 120 and the at least one horizontal rail 110. The method 500 may then end.

[101] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the subject matter described herein and not as limiting the claims as construed in accordance with the relevant jurisprudence.

[102] The term “substantially” and “approximately” means a proportion of at least about 60%, or at least about 70% or at least about 80%, or at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97% or at least about 99% or more, or any integer between 70% and 100%.

[103] The expression “at least one of A or B”, as used herein, is interchangeable with the expression “A and / or B” and refers to a list in which you may select A or B or both A and B. Similarly, “at least one of A, B, or C”, as used herein, is interchangeable with “A and / or B and / or C” or “A, B, and / or C”. It refers to a list in which you may select: A or B or C, or both A and B, or both A and C, or both B and C, or all of A, B and C. The above interpretation applies for longer lists having a same format.

[104] In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

[105] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and / or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[106] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “a” used before a term encompasses embodiments containing one or more to what the term refers. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps. As used in the present disclosure, the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within the error margin generally accepted in the art. Hence, numerical quantities given herein generally include such error margin such that the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

[107] In describing embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of description, but this is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents. In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.

[108] References cited throughout the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A barrier system comprising:at least one vertical member comprising at least one pivoting component having a curved surface; andat least one horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a channel defined by the at least one wall, wherein the curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail to pivotally engage the at least one vertical member with the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

2. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the curved portion has the curved surface.

3. The barrier system of claim 2, wherein the curved portion further comprises at least one face surface, wherein the at least one horizontal rail further comprises at least one protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail, and wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to engage the at least one face surface when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

4. The barrier system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises a projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the projection has the curved surface.

5. The barrier system of claim 4, wherein the projection is deflectable relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member while the at least one vertical member is being inserted into the channel and is revertible relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel such that, when the curved surface of the projection contacts the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail, the at least one vertical member is retained within the channel when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

6. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail comprises a top wall of the at least one horizontal rail and a bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail.

7. The barrier system of claim 6, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and the at least one pivoting component comprises at least one of:a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the curved portion comprises a first curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the first curved surface is configured to contact the top wall of the at least one horizontal rail; andat least one projection extending from at least one wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one projection comprises at least one second curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one second curved surface is configured to contact the bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail.

8. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal rail comprises an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall.

9. The barrier system of claim 8, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises:an upper curved portion coupled to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the upper curved portion comprises an upper curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the upper curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail; anda lower curved portion coupled to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the lower curved portion comprises a lower curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the lower curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail.

10. The barrier system of claim 9, wherein:the upper horizontal rail further comprises at least one upper protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail, wherein the at least one upper protrusion is configured to contact at least one face surface of the upper curved portion when the at least one vertical member is received in a channel of the upper horizontal rail; andthe lower horizontal rail further comprises at least one lower protrusion extending from the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail, wherein the at least one lower protrusion is configured to contact at least one face surface of the lower curved portion when the at least one vertical member is received in a channel of the lower horizontal rail.

11. The barrier system of claim 8, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises:at least one upper projection coupled proximate to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper projection comprises at least one upper curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one upper curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail; andat least one lower projection coupled proximate to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one lower projection comprises at least one lower curved surface of the plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein the at least one lower curved surface is configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail.

12. The barrier system of claim 11, wherein:the at least one upper projection is deflectable relative to the at least one vertical member, and wherein the at least one upper curved surface is also configured to contact the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail to retain the at least one vertical member within a channel of the upper horizontal railwhen the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the upper horizontal rail; andthe at least one lower projection is deflectable relative to the at least one vertical member, and wherein the at least one lower curved surface is also configured to contact the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail to retain the at least one vertical member within a channel of the lower horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the lower horizontal rail.

13. The barrier system of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one horizontal rail further comprises at least one aperture configured to receive the at least one vertical member.

14. The barrier system of claim 13, wherein the at least one aperture defines a ledge in the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail, wherein a portion of the at least one wall forming the ledge is configured to contact the curved surface of the at least one pivoting component.

15. A method of assembling a barrier system comprising at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal rail, the method comprising:receiving the at least one vertical member within a channel of the at least one horizontal rail, wherein the channel is defined by at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail; andcontacting a curved surface of at least one pivoting component of the at least one vertical member with the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail to pivotally engage the at least one vertical member with the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein thecurved portion has the curved surface and at least one face surface, and wherein the method further comprises:engaging the at least one face surface with at least one protrusion extending from the at least one of wall of the at least one horizontal rail when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel of the at least one horizontal rail.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least one pivoting component comprises a projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the projection has the curved surface, and wherein the method further comprises:deflecting the projection relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member while the at least one vertical member is being inserted into the channel; andreverting the projection relative to the wall of the at least one vertical member when the at least one vertical member is received within the channel to retain the at least one vertical member within the channel.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail comprises a top wall of the at least one horizontal rail and a bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and wherein contacting the curved surface with the at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail comprises:contacting the top wall of the at least one horizontal rail with a first curved surface of a curved portion coupled to an end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the first curved surface comprises one of the plurality of curved surfaces; andcontacting the bottom wall of the at least one horizontal rail with at least one second curved surface of at least one projection extending from a wall of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one second curved surface comprises one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one horizontal rail comprises an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and contacting the curved surface with at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail comprises:contacting the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail with an upper curved surface of an upper curved portion coupled to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the upper curved surface comprises one of the plurality of curved surfaces; andcontacting the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail with a lower curved surface of a lower curved portion coupled to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the lower curved surface comprises one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one horizontal rail comprises an upper horizontal rail comprising at least one wall and a lower horizontal rail comprising at least one wall, wherein the curved surface comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, and contacting the curved surface with at least one wall of the at least one horizontal rail comprises:contacting the at least one wall of the upper horizontal rail with at least one upper curved surface of at least one upper projection coupled proximate to an upper end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper curved surface comprises at least one of the plurality of curved surfaces; andcontacting the at least one wall of the lower horizontal rail with at least one lower curved surface of at least one lower projection coupled proximate to a lower end of the at least one vertical member, wherein the at least one upper curved surface comprises at least one of the plurality of curved surfaces.

21. The method of any one of claims 15-20, wherein the at least one horizontal rail further comprises at least one aperture configured to receive the at least one vertical member, the method further comprising:inserting the at least one vertical member into the at least one aperture prior to receiving the at least one vertical member in the channel.

22. The method of any one of claims 15-21, further comprising:laterally moving the at least one horizontal rail relative to the at least one vertical member to adjust an angle between the at least one vertical member and the at least one horizontal rail.

Images