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US 5,876,021 AGranted
Railing spindle or baluster
AssigneeJonathan P. Spence
InventorsJonathan P. Spence, John J. Hronas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spindles, balusters, and railing posts are injection molded to encase reinforcing rods or tubes. Preferably the rods or tubes are magnetically responsive, which permits them to be held in place by magnets during the molding process.
Claims21
A composite baluster, comprising:
- an elongated main body having at least one insert portion, the main body made of a synthetic resin material;
- and
- a reinforcing member located within the main body such that the reinforcing member is in contact with the main body,
- wherein the main body is molded to the reinforcing member and encases the reinforcing member.
1 more element
A method of making a composite baluster, comprising the steps of:
- providing an injection mold having two mold halves defining a cavity therebetween;
- retaining a reinforcing member within the cavity;
- injecting a thermoplastic synthetic resin into the injection mold such that molten thermoplastic resin fills the injection mold and encases the reinforcing member to form a baluster;
- curing the thermoplastic synthetic resin to form an elongated main body of the baluster having the reinforcing member encased therein;
- opening the mold halves;
- and
- removing the baluster from the cavity.
4 more elements
A railing, comprising:
- at least one upper rail;
- at least one lower rail;
- and
- a plurality of composite balusters connected between the at least one upper rail and the at least one lower rail,
- wherein each baluster includes:
- a. an elongated main body having at least one insert portion, the main body made of a synthetic resin material;
- b. a synthetic resin sleeve removably receiving the at least one insert portion of the main body;
- and
- c. a reinforcing member located within the main body such that the reinforcing member is in contact with the main body,
- wherein the main body is molded to the reinforcing member and encases the reinforcing member.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.