If I'm seeing this correctly, there's a steel plate bridge the gap between the two vertical pieces. It also looks like this setup has been there for several years. That being the case, I would write that it's an unorthodox installation yet appears to be functioning as intended. If its held up the test of time I don't think I'd make an issue of it.

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Eric Barker
Moraine Woods Consulting, Inc.
Barrington, IL