US 11,828,068 B2 · Baluster attachment mechanism having securing resilient flanges

Abstract

A multi-directional railing support includes a fastener having a first threaded end that attaches to a substrate and a second threaded end. A securing portion is attached to the second threaded end and includes outwardly extending resilient flanges. The securing portion and the second threaded end define a receiving stud. The securing portion is axially adjustable relative to the second threaded end to adjust a clearance space between the securing portion and the substrate. A baluster includes a hollow end that extends over the outwardly extending resilient flanges of the receiving stud. The outwardly extending resilient flanges cooperate with the hollow end to provide for movement of the baluster toward the substrate and contemporaneously prevent movement of the baluster away from the substrate. The outwardly extending resilient flanges bias the baluster toward a rotational axis of the fastener.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multi-directional railing support comprising:

a fastener having a first threaded end that attaches to a substrate and a second threaded end;
a securing portion attached to the second threaded end and having outwardly extending resilient flanges disposed within notches formed on the securing portion, wherein the securing portion and the second threaded end define a receiving stud, wherein the securing portion is axially adjustable relative to the second threaded end to adjust a clearance space between the securing portion and the substrate;
a baluster having a hollow end that extends over the outwardly extending resilient flanges of the receiving stud, wherein the outwardly extending resilient flanges cooperate with the hollow end to provide for movement of the baluster toward the substrate and contemporaneously prevent movement of the baluster away from the substrate, and wherein the outwardly extending resilient flanges bias the baluster toward alignment with a rotational axis of the fastener.

A method for installing a railing for a stairway, the method comprising steps of:

determining an angle of a substrate with respect to a horizontal plane;
attaching a first threaded end of a fastener to a substrate to orient a rotational axis of the fastener to be perpendicular to the horizontal plane;
positioning the fastener at a predefined insertion depth relative to the substrate;
threadably adjusting a securing portion along a second threaded end of the fastener to define a receiving stud that extends from the substrate, wherein the second threaded end extends through the securing portion;
adjusting a position of the securing portion relative to the first threaded end to define a clearance space between the securing portion and the substrate;
sliding a hollow end of a baluster over the receiving stud;
biasing an outwardly extending resilient flange disposed in a notch of the securing portion against an inner surface of the hollow end to generate an outward securing force of the outwardly extending resilient flange that aligns the baluster with a rotational axis of the fastener;
positioning the baluster on the receiving stud to align with a plurality of adjacent balusters;
and
installing a railing on a railing end of the baluster.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Baluster attachment mechanism having securing resilient flanges

Life of this patent

Baluster attachment mechanism having securing resilient flanges

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20