Baluster installation system and method
AssigneeArtistic Southern, Inc.
InventorsKyle Fee, Randy Scott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A baluster installation system. The system can comprise a connector comprising a first section for engaging an end of a baluster and a second end for engaging a route in a handrail. The first section can comprise a first shaft and a plurality of first ribs extending from the first shaft, and the second section can include a second shaft and a plurality of second ribs extending from the second shaft. The first ribs can be adapted to engage a portion of the baluster when the first section is engaged with the end of the baluster, and the second ribs can be adapted to engage sidewalls of the route when the second section is engaged with the route.
Claims19
A baluster installation system comprising a connector, comprising:
- a first section for being at least partially received in an end of a baluster, the first section comprising a first shaft and a plurality of first ribs extending from the first shaft, wherein the plurality of first ribs is adapted to engage a portion of the baluster when the first section is at least partially received in the end of the baluster;
- and
- a second section for being at least partially received in a route in a handrail, the second section comprising a second shaft and a plurality of second ribs extending from the second shaft, wherein the plurality of second ribs is adapted to engage sidewalls of the route when the second section is at least partially received in the route, and wherein the second shaft comprises at least a front face, a top face, and an oblique face extending between the top face and the front face, and each second rib of the plurality of second ribs is parallel to the oblique face.
A method of attaching a baluster to a handrail, the method comprising:
- obtaining a connector comprising a first section with a first shaft and a plurality of first ribs extending from the first shaft and a second section with a second shaft and a plurality of second ribs extending from the second shaft, wherein the second shaft comprises at least a front face, a top face, and an oblique face extending between the top face and the front face, and each second rib of the plurality of second ribs is parallel to the oblique face;
- engaging the first section of the connector with an end of a baluster;
- and
- engaging the second section of the connector with a route formed in a handrail.
A handrail and baluster assembly, comprising:
- a handrail defining a route;
- a baluster having an end extending at least partially around an interior of the baluster;
- and
- a connector comprising:
- a first section at least partially received in the interior at the end of the baluster, the first section comprising a first shaft and a plurality of first ribs extending from the first shaft, wherein the plurality of first ribs engages a portion of the baluster in the interior of the baluster for at least partially retaining the first section in the interior of the end of the baluster;
- and
- a second section at least partially received in the route in the handrail, the second section comprising a second shaft and a plurality of second ribs extending from the second shaft, wherein the plurality of second ribs engages sidewalls of the route for at least partially retaining the second section in the route, and wherein the second shaft comprises at least a front face, a top face, and an oblique face extending between the top face and the front face, and each second rib of the plurality of second ribs is parallel to the oblique face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.