Patent Application
20130214228
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates generally to railing construction, and in particular, to a baluster bracket assembly for the attachment of balusters between handrails and baserails in applications utilizing railing systems.
A requirement for almost all walking-working surfaces is that every open-sided floor or platform four feet (4 ft.) or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a railing on all open sides, except where there is an entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The open space between a handrail and the floor surface is often filled by a plurality of spaced apart balusters. Most installers prefer to install balusters after the handrail is installed. The general consensus is that it is easier to adjust baluster position to fit the handrail than it is to measure, cut, fit, and attach both the handrail and the balusters at the same time.
Whether using metal or wooden balusters, traditionally holes are drilled into the baserail or floor surface and into the handrail at the appropriate spacing for receiving the ends of the baluster. At least one (1) of the holes in the support rails, typically that of the baserail, is drilled deep and the baluster is cut longer than necessary in order to fit within the set space between the handrail and the baserail. Once positioned within the prepared holes, the baluster must be glued or epoxied within the drilled hole and left for a minimum of twenty-four hours (24 hrs.) to dry. The baluster must then be secured into position while the glue or epoxy dries. This process is messy. Furthermore if the baluster shifts position before the glue has dried, the glue must be chiseled out and the baluster must be removed and reattached. Other difficulties occur due to end ends of most balusters having a square cross-sectional shape, which force the installer to drill holes large enough to receive the square end or chisel out a square hole. Each of these solutions presents significant drawbacks.
Additionally, if at any time the balusters become damaged or need to be replaced, the baluster must be cut out from the railing system and the ends removed from the holes. This process can likely damage both the handrail and the baserail causing additional problems.
Addressing these problems has provided various attachment assemblies intended to support railing systems and attach balusters or similar support posts. Unfortunately, the hardware and methods presently available still require the drilling of large holes or utilize mechanical fasteners that are exposed, which can be unsightly and diminish the appearance of the otherwise decorative railing system.
The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device and method to attach balusters between handrails and baserails which does not require the drilling of large holes and glue or otherwise detracts from the appearance of the railing system. Additionally, a device and method is needed which reduces the cost and labor involved in the construction, repair, and replacement of railing systems.
The inventor has addressed this need by developing a baluster mounting bracket for use during installation of balusters. Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to provide a baluster mounting bracket for attaching a baluster to a railing system. The mounting bracket includes a mounting plate having a rail mounting surface and a baluster mounting surface. The rail mounting surface being adapted for attachment to a railing surface. The mounting bracket also includes a collar disposed on the baluster mounting surface which is adapted to receive a baluster. The collar has sidewalls with an open side and defines an interior area. The open side is adapted for insertably receiving an end of the baluster and the interior area has a shape adapted to correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the end of the baluster.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe for covering the mounting bracket once installed. The shoe includes a decorative exterior body having an open top end and an open bottom end. A hollow channel extends entirely through the body and is adapted for receiving the end of the baluster. The open bottom end covers the mounting bracket and is angled such that the open top end is parallel to the collar.
Another object of the invention is to provide the mounting bracket such that balusters are vertically oriented in relation to the handrail and baserail. In certain embodiments, the sidewalls extend outwardly and perpendicularly from the mounting plate and are adapted to retain the baluster perpendicular relative to the mounting plate. In certain other embodiments, the sidewalls extend outwardly and angularly from the mounting plate and are adapted to retain the baluster at an angle other than perpendicular relative to the mounting plate.
In certain embodiments, the invention has addressed this need by providing a baluster bracket assembly for use during railing construction. The baluster bracket assembly includes a plurality of mounting brackets, shoes, and balusters for fastening the plurality of baluster between facing surfaces of the handrail and the baserail.
Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment.
Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As best seen in
The interior area 25 of the collar 24 has substantially the same configuration and size as the exterior surface of the end portions of the baluster 30 and is sufficient to receive three (3) sides of the baluster 30. The collar 25 and interior area 25 are illustrated having a square shape, as most typical balusters 30 have an upper end 31 and a lower end 32 having a square cross-sectional shape. However, it can be appreciated that the sidewalls 29 of the collar 24 and interior area 25 may have various sizes and shapes depending on the particular baluster 30 being used. An open side of the collar 24 allows the ends 31, 32 of the baluster 30 to slide in to and out from the mounting bracket 20 when joining of the baluster 30.
The shoe 40 includes a decorative exterior and a through channel 41 entirely along a longitudinal axis. The exterior shape and design of the shoe 40 can vary greatly and as such the illustrated embodiment should not be viewed as a limiting factor. The shoe 40 has an open top end 42 and an open bottom end 43 for providing access to the channel 41 by the baluster 30. The open top end 42 is suitably sized and shaped to receive the end portion 31, 32 of the baluster 30, which can pass entirely through the channel 41 and extend out from the open bottom end 43. The open bottom end 43 is suitably sized and shaped to receive and cover the bracket plate 21 and collar 24. The shoe 40 retains the respective end 31, 32 of the baluster 30 within the collar 24 once positioned over and to cover the mounting bracket 20. The shoe 40 includes a fastening aperture 44 that receives a threaded fastener 50 which extends through a sidewall and is threadingly fastened to another fastening aperture 33 disposed in the end 31, 32 of the baluster 30 when the fastening apertures 33, 44 are aligned. As best seen in
The mounting bracket 20 also includes a plurality of fastening apertures 27 formed in opposing corners of the mounting plate 21. The fastening apertures 27 receive threaded fasteners 50 which extend through the mounting plate 21 and are screwed into the underside surface of the handrail 100 or the top surface of the baserail 102 to the secure the mounting bracket 20 thereto, respectively. The mounting brackets 20 are fastened to the respective rails 100, 102 for securely joining the balusters 30 and the collars 24 prevent movement and rotation of the balusters 30. The mounting bracket also includes at least one set screw aperture 28 formed in the mounting plate 21 adjacent to the open side 26 of the collar 24. The set screw aperture 28 receives a threaded set screw 51 which at least partially protrudes from the mounting plate 21 and provides an additional physical barrier to prevent the baluster 30 from disengaging from within the collar 24.
Only a simple square baluster 30 has been illustrated in the various drawings, however, the baluster 30 can be provided in various lengths, diameters, and styles having various different exterior shapes and designs. The balusters 30 can also be made of various suitable materials.
It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only two (2) particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
In accordance with the invention, the device 10 can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device 10, it is installed and utilized as indicated in
The method of installing and utilizing the device 10 can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor.
Referring to
A plurality of balusters 30 are coupled to the opposing pairs of mounting brackets 20 and joined between the handrail 100 and the baserail 102. Each baluster 30 is cut to the correct length required to span the distance between the handrail 100 and the baserail 102. Balusters 30 coupled to perpendicular collar brackets 24a have perpendicular cuts. Balusters 30 coupled to sloped collar brackets 24b have angled cuts.
Once cut to the appropriate length a pair of shoes 40 is slidably connected over each baluster 30. An upper end 31 of the baluster 30 is inserted into the collar 24 of the mounting bracket 20 fastened to the handrail 100 and the lower end 32 is inserted into the collar 24 of the mounting bracket 20 fastened to the baserail 102. Once inserted, the set screws 51 is partially inserted into the set screw apertures 28 of both mounting brackets 20 to retain the baluster 30 within the collars 24. Each shoe 40 is positioned over the mounting bracket 20 and is fastened to the baluster 30 by aligning the fastening apertures 33, 44 and inserting a fastener 50.
Mounting brackets 20 having perpendicular collar brackets 24a are preferably fastened to the handrail 100 and baserail 102, such that the open side 26 of the collar 24 is facing inwardly toward the stairs, landing, or other walking surface for increased safety.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.
