Decorative shoe for balusters

Abstract

Improved decorative shoes for balusters that cover and conceal the attachment points of the balusters to the tread, floor, or rail surfaces and secure themselves in place without the need for mechanical fasteners or adhesives. The baluster shafts can be retained within central holes in the shoes by the use of compressive elastic means such as flexible sheets, rods, strips, O-rings or the like to produce an interference fit when the shaft is inserted in the holes. The shoes can be produced in both flat and angled versions.

Claims

1. A decorative shoe article for balusters, adapted to cover the juncture of a baluster with the underside of a stair rail and/or upper surface of a floor or stair step or a knee wall, comprising: a) a base section having a first surface adapted to align and be in contact with the underside of the stair rail and/or the upper surface of the floor or stair step or knee wall, wherein the first surface of said base section comprises an opening large enough to cover and conceal the juncture of a baluster shaft with the surface of the stair rail, stair step, floor or knee wall without contacting said juncture, and an opposite second surface of said base section comprises a longitudinal hole having dimensions and shape effective to accommodate said baluster shaft, b) a second section of said shoe article, separate from the base section, adapted to be attached to the second surface of said base section, comprising a longitudinal hole which will align with the hole in said base section to accommodate said baluster shaft, and c) said base section incorporates, in a portion opposite said first surface, compressive elastic means which provide a hole configured to be narrower than the dimensions of said baluster shaft to provide an interference fit when the baluster shaft is inserted through the holes in the combined sections of said shoe article, said compressive elastic means providing sufficient force on said baluster shaft to hold said shoe article in position both during and after installation, wherein said base section and said second section are joined together to form the completed shoe article, and wherein the combined sections of said shoe article are configured to slide together along the length of said baluster shaft.

2. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said first surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said base section.

3. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said first surface forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said base section.

4. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said base section and said second section are joined together in at least a temporary manner.

5. The shoe article of claim 4 wherein said base section and said second section are joined together permanently.

6. The shoe article of claim 4 wherein said base section and said second section comprise physical features to facilitate their being joined together in a secure manner.

7. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said compressive elastic means comprise a sheet of elastic material affixed to the first surface of said base section, said sheet comprising a central hole having dimensions and shape effective to provide an interference fit when the baluster shaft is inserted therein.

8. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said compressive elastic means comprise at least a pair of rods and/or strips of compressible material which are mounted and attached laterally on opposite interior sides of the opening in the first surface of said base section, wherein the spacing and arrangement of said rods or strips provide an interference fit for the baluster shaft which is inserted therein.

9. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said compressive elastic means comprise at least one elastic O-ring which is stretched over two ridges provided on opposite sides of the first surface of said base section which includes said opening, wherein said O-ring is arranged in a manner which provides an interference fit for the baluster shaft which is inserted therein.

10. The shoe article of claim 1 wherein said compressive elastic means are formed from elastic materials selected from the group consisting of rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers which are resistant to oxidation and/or deterioration.

11. The decorative shoe article for balusters of claim 1, wherein said compressive elastic means provide sufficient force on said baluster shaft to hold said shoe article in place without external fasteners.

12. A method of manufacturing decorative shoe articles according to claim 1 for covering junctures between balusters and surfaces to which they are to be attached, comprising steps of: a) providing the base section with the first surface to be installed adjacent to a surface, comprising an internal opening large enough to cover and conceal the juncture of a baluster with such a surface, and a hole in the opposite second surface having dimensions and shape large enough to accommodate the baluster shaft; b) installing the compressive elastic means on said opposite surface surrounding said hole in said opposite second surface in a manner adapted to provide an interference fit for the baluster shaft inserted in said hole; c) providing the second section adapted to be joined to said opposite second surface of said base section and having a hole in the surface opposite the joinder area which has dimensions and shape large enough to allow the baluster shaft to enter; then d) fastening said second section to said base section to form a complete shoe article.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said compressive elastic means installed on said opposite surface of said base section comprise a thin sheet of flexible and compressible material.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said compressive elastic means comprise at least one pair of rods or strips of flexible and compressible material which are installed transversely on opposite interior sides of the internal opening through said base section of said shoe article.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said interference fit is effective to retain said at least one shoe article in place on the baluster shaft during the installation process without external fasteners.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said shoe articles are flat or angled shoes.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said compressive elastic means comprise at least one O-ring fastened to said base section of said shoe article and arranged and adapted to stretch when the baluster shaft is inserted through said base section of said shoe article.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said O-ring is stretched over two ridges on opposite sides of the first surface of said base section which includes said internal opening.

19. A method of installing balusters between a stair rail and a floor, knee wall or stair treads, the improvement comprising the use of at least one decorative shoe article according to claim 1 for covering the junctures between said balusters and the surfaces of said stair rail, floor, knee wall or stair treads, wherein each said shoe article comprises compressive elastic means installed internally which provide an interference fit for baluster shafts inserted therein and are effective to retain said shoe article in place once installed.

20. In a decorative shoe article for balusters adapted to cover the juncture of a baluster with the underside of a stair rail and/or upper surface of a floor or stair step or a knee wall, the improvements comprising: a) a base section having a first surface adapted to align and be in contact with the underside of the stair rail and/or the upper surface of the floor or stair step or knee wall, and the first surface of said base section comprises an opening large enough to cover and conceal the juncture of a baluster shaft with the surface of the stair rail, stair step, floor or knee wall, and an opposite second surface of said base section comprises a longitudinal hole having dimensions and shape effective to accommodate said bluster shaft, and b) a second section of said shoe article, separate from the base section, adapted to be attached to the second surface of said base section, comprising a longitudinal hole which will align with said hole in said base section to accommodate said baluster shaft, wherein c) said base section incorporates, in a portion opposite said first surface, compressive elastic means which provide a hole configured to be narrower than the dimensions of said baluster shaft to provide an interference fit when said baluster shaft is inserted through the holes in the combined sections of said shoe article, with said compressive elastic means providing sufficient force on said baluster shaft to hold said shoe article in position both during and after installation without external fasteners, and wherein the combined sections of said shoe article are configured to slide together along the length of said baluster shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and aspects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description and drawings. The same numerals are used to designate like components in these figures. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the cross section side view of a decorative angle or rake shoe, using the thin flexible and compressible sheet 16, installed to cover the mounting point of a baluster into the underside of the rail.

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B show cross section side and top views of a decorative flat shoe fitted with the thin flexible and compressible sheet.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B show two cross section side views of a decorative angle or rake shoe fitted with the flexible and compressible rod or strip.

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B show cross section side and top views of a decorative flat shoe fitted with the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section side view of a decorative flat shoe with the thin flexible and compressible sheet 16 installed on a baluster.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cross section side view of a decorative angle or rake shoe with the flexible and compressible rod or strip installed on a baluster.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross section side view of a decorative flat shoe with the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring installed on a baluster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) In general, the following description adopts a terrestrial frame of reference, in which the bottom of a component is considered to be the side nearest the floor or earth when in normal use, and the top being the side opposite and facing upward. However, as the articles described below and known as decorative “shoes” can be used with such a bottom surface facing upward, alternative terms may be used, such as a base section and a second section connected thereto, since the articles comprise two separate sections which are fitted together to create a complete shoe unit. While the shoes known as “decorative” in the industry may be attractive or aesthetically pleasing, their essential function is to conceal the junctions between the baluster shafts and stairs, floors, etc. The term “and/or” is used in the conventional sense, in which “A and/or B” indicates that A or B, or both, may be present.

(10) With reference to FIG. 1, a rail (14) is shown with a baluster (12) mounted into a drilled hole (15) in the underside of the rail (14). The intersection of the rail (14) and baluster (12) is hidden by the decorative angle or rake shoe (10) that is held in place against the bottom of the rail (14) by the pressing of the edges of the thin, flexible and compressible sheet (16) against the exterior faces of the baluster (12).

(11) With reference to FIG. 2A, a decorative flat shoe (20) is produced by the attachment of the upper flat shoe section (22) to the lower flat shoe section (24) which results in a fine flat shoe upper and lower section mating line (23) being created. The connection of the two shoe sections captures and secures in place the thin, flexible and compressible sheet (16) that will hold the decorative flat shoe (20) in position on the baluster (not shown) when the baluster (not shown) is inserted and passes through the flat shoe opening (26). With reference to FIG. 2B, the shaped opening (28) that has been punched or cut into the thin flexible and compressible sheet (16) is shown. The circumference of the shaped opening (28) is less than the external perimeter of the baluster shaft (not shown) so that when the decorative flat shoe (20) is placed over the baluster (not shown) the desired interference fit and grip to the exterior of the baluster shaft (not shown) is achieved. The shaped opening (28) in the sheet (16) is also smaller than the flat shoe opening (26) which is sized to allow for clearance around the baluster shaft (not shown). Having this clearance allows for the shoe to tilt slightly, if needed, to have the base of the decorative flat shoe (20) sit flush and tight to the upper face of a tread or floor surface (not shown) or the underside of a horizontal rail (not shown).

(12) With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a decorative angle or rake shoe (10) is produced by the attachment of the upper shoe section (32) to the lower shoe section (34) which results in a fine upper section and lower section mating line (33) being created. Surfaces of the angled portions of the lower shoe section (34) which were not sectioned can be seen at the bottom of FIG. 3B. The connection of the two shoe sections captures and secures two flexible and compressible rods or strips (36) in place. The gap between the two flexible and compressible rods or strips (36) is less than the width of the baluster shaft (not shown) so that when the decorative angle shoe (10) is placed over the baluster (not shown) the desired interference fit and grip to the sides of the baluster shaft (not shown) is achieved. Openings (37) are provided in both upper and lower shoe sections for entry of the baluster shafts.

(13) With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a decorative flat shoe (20) is produced by the attachment of the upper shoe section (22) to the lower shoe section (24) which results in a fine upper section and lower section mating line (23) being created. Two ends of the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring (40) are held by a pair of mounting cleats (42) that have a height that allows them to both hold the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring (40) and to come almost in contact with the lower face of the upper shoe section (22) so as to prevent the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring from sliding off the mounting cleats (42). The result is the connection of the two shoe sections, (22) and (24), captures and secures the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring (40) in place. The gap between the two unsecured sides of the flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring (40) is less than the width of the baluster shaft (not shown) so that when the decorative flat shoe (20) is placed over the baluster (not shown) the desired interference fit and grip to the sides of the baluster shaft (not shown) is achieved.

(14) With reference to FIG. 5, a decorative flat shoe (20) is produced by the attachment of the upper shoe section (22) to the lower shoe section (24) which results in a fine upper section and lower section mating line (23) being created. The shaft of the baluster (12) is shown passing through the flat shoe openings (26). The thin, flexible and compressible sheet (16) is shown held in place by the joining of the upper shoe section (22) and lower shoe section (24). The shaped opening (28) in the sheet (26) is smaller than the perimeter of the baluster (12) which results in the compressing of the sheet between the sides of the baluster (12) and the interior sides of the shoe opening (26). This compression causes the shoe (20) to grip the baluster (12) firmly enough to that it prevents the shoe (20) from moving on the baluster (12) due to its own weight but not so tightly that the shoe (20) can't be manually moved to its desired location on the baluster (12).

(15) With reference to FIG. 6, a decorative angle or rake shoe (10) is produced by the attachment of the upper shoe section (32) to the lower shoe section (34) which results in a fine upper section and lower section mating line (33) being created. Portions of the angled surface of the lower shoe section (34) which were not included in the cross section can be seen at the bottom of the figure. The shaft of the baluster (12) is shown passing through the angle shoe openings (37). The flexible and compressible rods or strips (36) are shown held in place by the joining of the upper shoe section (32) and lower shoe section (34). The gap between the two flexible and compressible rods or strips (36) is smaller than the width of the baluster (12), which results in the compressing of the rods or strips between the sides of the baluster (12) and the interior sides of the shoe openings (37). This compression causes the shoe (10) to grip the baluster (12) firmly enough to that it prevents the shoe (10) from moving on the baluster (12) due to its own weight but not so tightly that the shoe (10) can't be manually moved to its desired location on the baluster (12).

(16) With reference to FIG. 7, a decorative flat shoe (20) is produced by the attachment of the upper shoe section (22) to the lower shoe section (24), which results in a fine upper section and lower section mating line (23) being created. The shaft of the baluster (12) is shown passing through the flat shoe openings (26). The flexible, elastic and compressible O-ring (40) is shown held in place on the mounting cleats (not shown) by the joining of the upper shoe section (22) and lower shoe section (24). The space between the inner edges of the O-ring (40) is less than the width of the baluster (12) shaft, which results in the compressing of the O-ring (40) between the sides of the baluster (12) and the interior sides of the shoe opening (26). This compression causes the shoe (20) to grip the baluster (12) firmly enough to that it prevents the shoe (20) from moving on the baluster (12) due to its own weight but not so tightly that the shoe (20) can't be manually moved to its desired location on the baluster (12).

EXAMPLE

(17) Three prototypes of the flat improved decorative shoe shown in FIG. 7 were produced and fitted with commercially available Buna rubber O-rings. The Buna O-rings were 0.125″ in cross section diameter and were in sizes 113, 114 and 115, respectively. Each of the flat shoes had an iron baluster inserted into them and then a spring scale was used to measure (in grams) the force required to get the shoe to start sliding in each direction on the baluster. To measure the ability to retain their grip, the shoes were then slid 5.5″ in each direction every 3 minutes for a period of 90 minutes. At the end of the test the force required to get the shoe to slide was again measured with a spring scale. The results were as follows: Size 113: Initial Up—850 gr/Down—600 gr Final Up—800 gr/Down—500 gr Size 114: Initial Up—1300 gr/Down—900 gr Final Up—1100 gr/Down—900 gr Size 115: Initial Up—850 gr/Down—700 gr Final Up—800 gr/Down—750 gr These data indicate that shoes of this design with rubber O-rings of suitable sizes will perform as intended in installation and service, as described above. In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the preferred embodiment are to be encompassed by this present invention to produce the intended results. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.