Metal Baluster

Abstract

A metal baluster is provided which has first and second metal segments, where each of these metal segments comprises a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first metal segments include extension portions from mating engagement with one another and the second end of each metal segment is adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor. The second end of each of the metal segments further comprises an ornamental portion which is proximate the elongated handrail or the tread or the floor. Connection apparatuses provided for securing the engagement of the extension portions of the first metal segment and the second metal segment. In another embodiment, a metal baluster of the present invention may comprise three metal segments where the first two metal segments are adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail or to tread or floor and has an ornamental portion proximate the first end. These first and second metal segments are joined together by a third metal segment which has two ends which are adapted from mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second segments. A balustrade is also provided which comprises a plurality of balusters as described above.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view illustrating a balustrade for a staircase comprising a plurality of metal balusters in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a balustrade for a balcony comprising a plurality of metal balusters in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view which illustrates connection apparatus for joining the ends of metal segments of a baluster in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating a balustrade for a staircase comprising a plurality of metal balusters in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a balustrade for a balcony comprising a plurality of metal balusters in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. In the following description, some embodiments of the invention are described and numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the present invention practiced without those details and that numerous variations from and modifications of the described embodiments may be possible. The following description is thus intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention.

With reference first to FIG. 1, a plurality of balusters 10 in accordance with the present invention are illustrated installed between elongated handrail 12 and the tread 14 of a staircase. Each baluster 10 is fabricated from a suitable metal material and comprises ornamental portions 20 and 22 proximate its respective ends. The ends of each baluster 10 are adapted for attachment to the underside of elongated handrail 12 and to tread 14 of a staircase, or alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 2, the ends of baluster 10 may be attached to the underside of elongated handrail 18 and to a floor 16.

With reference now to FIG. 3, each metal baluster 10 comprises two metal segments 30 and 32. Metal segment 30 has first and second ends 30a and 30b, and metal segment 32 has first and second ends 32a and 32b. The second ends 30b and 32b of the two metal segments 30 and 32 are adapted for attachment to the underside of the elongate handrail or to tread or floor as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such attachment may, for example, be effected by the insertion on ends 30a and 32a in holes formed in the underside of the handrail 12 and in the tread 14 or floor 16.

The first end 30a of metal segment 30 comprises an extension portion 30c for mating engagement with the first end 32a of metal segment 32. The distance between the underside of the handrail and the tread of floor may vary from locale to locale or from installation to installation within the same locale. Accordingly, the length of the extension portion 30c of the first end of metal segment 30 to provide balusters of different lengths. This shortening takes place in the middle portion of the baluster—not at the end of the baluster. Thus a metal baluster according to the present invention provides ornamental portions 20 and 22 proximate the underside of the handrail and near the tread or floor.

A metal baluster in accordance with the present invention also comprises connection apparatus 34 for securing the engagement of the extension portion 30c of the first metal segment 30 and first end 32a of the second metal segment 32. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this connection apparatus may comprise a knuckle 34 which is attached proximate the first end 32a of metal segment 32 and which encases the engagement of the extension portion at the first end 30a of the first metal segment 30 with the first end 32a of the second metal segment 32. These two end portions may be adhesively bonded together, for example, by utilizing epoxy. A set screw may advantageously be employed to secure the two pieces in place while the adhesive bonding material sets.

With reference still to FIG. 3, the first end 30a of metal segment 30 may have a central axial portion which is hollow and which may engage an axial protrusion in the hollow portion of end 32a of metal segment 32.

With reference now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of a baluster 40 in accordance with the present invention. Each metal baluster 40 comprises three metal sections 40a, 40b and 40c. The first and second metal segments 40a and 40b each have first and second ends where the first end is adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail 42 or tread 44 as illustrated in FIG. 4 or adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail 48 and to a floor 46 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The first ends of metal segments 40a and 40b comprise an ornamental portion 50 and 52, respectively.

A third metal segment 40c is provided and is adapted for mating engagement between the second ends of the first and second metal segments. Connection devices as illustrated in FIG. 3 may advantageously be used for securing the ends of the third metal segment 40c to the second ends of the first and second metal segments 40a and 40b.

Utilization of a baluster in accordance with the present invention results in a balustrade that has an expensive custom fabricated and finished appearance, the ease of installation of a traditional decorative balustrade, and a cost which is a fraction of the expense of a custom fabricated metal balustrade.

Claims

1. A metal baluster, comprising: first and second metal segments where each metal segment has first and second ends where the first end of one of the metal segments comprises an extension portion for mating engagement with the first end of the other metal segment and where the second end of each metal segment is for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor and comprises an ornamental portion; andconnection apparatus for securing the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment and the second metal segment.

2. The metal baluster of claim 1, wherein the connection apparatus is a knuckle which encases the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment with the first end of the second metal segment and which is adhesively bonded to said engagement.

3. The metal baluster of claim 1, wherein the first end of one of the metal segments is hollow and wherein the first end of the second metal segment is adapted to be received in the hollow end of the first metal segment.

4. A metal baluster, comprising: first, second and third metal segments, where the first and second metal segments each have first and second ends, the first ends of the first and second metal segments adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, a tread or a floor and comprising an ornamental portion and where the third metal segment has two ends which are adapted for mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second metal segments; andconnection devices for securing the ends of the third metal segment to the second ends of the first and second metal segments.

5. The metal baluster of claim 4, wherein the connection device is a knuckle.

6. The metal baluster of claim 4, wherein the second ends of the first and second metal segments are hollow and wherein the first and second ends of the third metal segment are adapted to be received in the hollow ends of the first and second metal segments.

7. A balustrade, comprising a plurality of metal balusters which are connected between the underside of an elongated handrail and either a tread or floor, where each said metal baluster comprises: first and second metal segments where each metal segment has first and second ends where the first end of one of the metal segments comprises an extension portion for mating engagement with the first end of the other metal segment and where the second end of each metal segment is for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor and comprises an ornamental portion; andconnection apparatus for securing the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment and the second metal segment.

8. The balustrade of claim 7, wherein the connection apparatus is a knuckle which encases the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment with the first end of the second metal segment and which is adhesively bonded to said engagement.

9. The balustrade of claim 7, wherein the first end of one of the metal segments is hollow and wherein the first end of the second metal segment is adapted to be received in the hollow end of the first metal segment.

10. A balustrade, comprising a plurality of balusters having ornamental ends where at least some of the ornamental ends are connected to the underside of an elongated rail and where the other end of the balusters is secured to either a tread or a floor, where each said baluster comprises: first, second and third metal segments, where the first and second metal segments each have first and second ends, the first ends of the first and second metal segments adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, a tread or a floor and comprising an ornamental portion and where the third metal segment has two ends which are adapted for mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second metal segments; andconnection devices for securing the ends of the third metal segment to the second ends of the first and second metal segments.

11. The metal baluster of claim 10, wherein the connection device is a knuckle.

12. The metal baluster of claim 10, wherein the second ends of the first and second metal segments are hollow and wherein the first and second ends of the third metal segment are adapted to be received in the hollow ends of the first and second metal segments.

13. A metal baluster, comprising: At least two metal segments where two of said at least two metal segments comprise the end portions of said baluster and where each said end portion comprises an ornamental portion proximate one end thereot andapparatus for joining said end portions and any other metal segment comprising the baluster to form a unitary structure.