Baluster stabilizer
OwnerWilliam A. Rieffenbergerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A baluster stabilizer and method of installing a stabilized baluster between a floor and a rail. The stabilizer includes a planar base and a transverse projection(s). The base has a transverse primary opening therethrough configured and arranged for press fit insertion of an end of a baluster therethrough. The projection(s) extend in a first transverse direction from the lower major surface of the base proximate each of at least three sides of the primary opening for extension into a drilled hole into which the end of the baluster is to be inserted. The projection(s) are configured to allow unimpeded insertion of an end of a baluster from the upper major surface through the primary orifice and past the projections.
Claims11
A single piece baluster stabilizer comprising:
- (a) a laterally and longitudinally extending planar base having (i) transversely spaced upper and lower major surfaces, (ii) a transverse primary opening therethrough configured and arranged for press fit insertion of an end of a baluster completely therethrough, and (iii) at least one transverse orifice for accommodating passage of a fastening screw, and
- (b) a projection extending in a first transverse direction from the lower major surface proximate each of at least three sides of the primary opening, the projections configured and arranged for (i) extension into a round hole drilled into a supporting structure into which the end of the baluster is to be inserted thereby forming inserted projections, (ii) fitted engagement within the round hole for stabilizing the lateral and longitudinal position of the baluster stabilizer relative to the round hole, and (iii) unimpeded insertion of the end of the baluster from the upper major surface through the primary opening, past the inserted projections, and into the round hole.
A method of installing a baluster between a floor and a rail, comprising the steps of:
- (a) obtaining an axially elongated baluster having a proximal axial end and a distal axial end,
- (b) obtaining a first single piece stabilizer and a second single piece stabilizer, each comprising:
- (1) a laterally and longitudinally extending planar base having (i) transversely spaced upper and lower major surfaces, (ii) a transverse primary opening therethrough configured and arranged for press fit insertion of an end of a baluster completely therethrough, and (iii) at least one transverse orifice for accommodating passage of a fastening screw, and
- (2) a projection extending in a first transverse direction from the lower major surface proximate each of at least three sides of the primary opening, the projections configured and arranged for (i) extension into a round hole drilled into a supporting structure into which an end of the baluster is to be inserted, (ii) fitted engagement within the round hole for stabilizing the lateral and longitudinal position of the baluster stabilizer relative to the round hole, and (iii) unimpeded insertion of the end of the baluster from the upper major surface through the primary orifice and past the projections, and into the round hole,
- (c) placing the first stabilizer into position over a round hole extending into the floor from an upper surface of the floor, with the lower major surface of the first stabilizer facing the floor and the projections on the first stabilizer extending into the round hole in the floor to form a laterally and longitudinally positionally stabilized first stabilizer,
- (d) fastening the positioned first stabilizer to the floor to form a fastened first stabilizer,
- (e) placing the second stabilizer into position over a round hole extending into the rail from a lower surface of the rail, with the lower major surface of the second stabilizer facing the rail and the projections on the second stabilizer extending into the round hole in the rail to form a laterally and longitudinally positionally stabilized second stabilizer,
- (f) fastening the positioned second stabilizer to the rail to form a fastened second stabilizer,
- (g) axially inserting the baluster into the transverse primary opening through the first stabilizer,
- (h) axially inserting the baluster into the transverse primary opening through the second stabilizer,
- (i) axially inserting the proximal end of the baluster into the round hole extending into the floor, and
- (j) axially inserting the distal end of the baluster into the round hole extending into the rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.