Baluster connector apparatus and method

Abstract

A removably locking baluster system in a balustrade in which a pair of connector bases mount to facing balustrade surfaces. Each base has a wall extending therefrom defining an inner wall surface and an inwardly tapered outer wall surface. An end of the baluster closely and removably fits within the base wall without necessitating removal of the bases from the balustrade. A pair of covers are provided that are slidable along the baluster, each having a tubular member with an opening configured to fit around the baluster and another opening configured to closely fit around the base. An internal wall of each cover is configured to closely abut the outer base wall surface and has a complementary taper to the outer base wall surface to urge the base wall against the baluster end to provide frictional engagement between the inner base wall surface and the baluster.

Claims

1. A baluster apparatus for removably locking a baluster in a balustrade, the balustrade having upper and lower surfaces that are oppositely disposed a distance apart, the apparatus comprising: a pair of connector bases, each connector base comprising a planar base member having a bottom surface suitable for mounting to one of the upper and lower surfaces, a top surface opposite the bottom surface; a wall extending in a perpendicular orientation from the top surface and defining an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface that tapers inwardly from the top surface; a baluster having baluster ends and being removably lockable between the pair of connector bases, the wall of each connector base being configured to laterally receive a baluster end for a close fit between the baluster end and the inner wall surface of the wall, and the baluster being insertable into and removable from the connector bases without removing the connector bases from the one of the upper or lower surfaces or without moving the upper or lower surfaces apart; the wall extending more than halfway around a periphery of the baluster end and defining wall ends that are a distance apart that is less than a cross-sectional width of the baluster end such that the wall ends releasably capture the baluster end as it is slid laterally between the wall ends into a space defined by the wall; and a pair of connector covers each being slidable along a portion of the baluster, each connector cover comprising a tubular member having an upper portion defining a first opening configured to fit around the baluster, a lower portion defining a second opening configured to closely fit around the base member, and an internal wall configured to closely abut the outer wall surface of the wall and having a complementary taper to the outer wall surface so as to urge the wall toward the end of the baluster to provide frictional engagement between the inner wall surface and the end of the baluster when the second opening is slid onto the base member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first locking member defined on an edge of the base member, and a second locking member defined on the second opening and configured to engage the first locking member as the second opening is slid around the base member to releasably lock the connector cover to the connector base.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first locking member is a channel defined on an edge of the base member, and the second locking member is an inward projection on the second opening configured to engage the channel.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-2 wherein the outer wall surface is sloped at an angle between about 2° to about 4° from vertical.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-2 wherein the outer wall surface is sloped at an angle of about 2.5° from vertical.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 further comprising a void defined in the top surface of the base member adjacent each wall end such that the wall ends may flex to facilitate the lateral insertion or withdrawal of the baluster end into or from the space defined by the wall.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the wall is generally C-shaped and the baluster ends are round in cross-sectional shape.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, further including an aperture disposed within the base member for receiving a fastener for attaching the connecter base to one of the upper or lower surfaces of the balustrade.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, further comprising an angle adaptor having a second top surface suitable for receiving the connector base and an angled second bottom surface configured to mount onto one or both of the upper and lower surfaces of the balustrade in a manner to vertically orient the baluster within the balustrade.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a second void in the bottom surface of the connector base and a projection on the second top surface that is complementary to the second void to provide a locking fit between the connector base and the angle adaptor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference is made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a baluster apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the connector base of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the connector base of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the connector base of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the connector base of FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7 as a cross section view of the connector base of FIG. 6 along line A-A;

(9) FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the connector cover of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the connector cover of FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the connector cover of FIG. 8;

(12) FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the connector cover of FIG. 8;

(13) FIG. 12 is a close up cross section view of one end of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the baluster, the connector base and the connector cover;

(14) FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 1 with an angle connector adapter;

(15) FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 13;

(16) FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the baluster apparatus in accordance of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the assembled baluster apparatus of FIG. 15;

(18) FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the connector base of FIG. 15;

(19) FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the connector cover of FIG. 15;

(20) FIG. 19 shows an example of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 13 from the side and back; and

(21) FIG. 20 shows an example of the baluster apparatus of FIG. 15 from the side and back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one, skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

(23) Referring to FIGS. 1-12, there is depicted an embodiment of a baluster apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The baluster apparatus 100 comprises a baluster, such as hollow cylindrical baluster tube 102, sized for mounting between an upper railing 10 and a lower railing or railing base 12, and a pair of baluster connectors 104 that connect the baluster tube to the railings. The upper railing 10 and the lower railing or base 12 define the upper or lower surfaces of a balustrade. In some embodiments, the baluster may be a solid component rather than tubular.

(24) References made herein with respect to spatial orientations or directions, such as up, down, vertical, etc., pertain to the orientation with respect to the referenced components as illustrated, but does not necessarily reflect the orientation of the components as they may be operationally mounted in a railing system.

(25) Each baluster connector 104 comprises a connector base 106 for mounting on the railing or the railing base and a connector cover 108 that slides on the baluster tube 102 to mate with and cover the connector base 106.

(26) The connector base 106 comprises a planar base member, such as disk member 110, having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114. A wall, such as partial peripheral wall 116, extends in a vertical orientation from the top surface 112. The partial peripheral wall 116 defines an arc wall portion that can be described as being “C” shaped and having wall ends or end portions 120 and 122. The wall 116 defines inner wall surface 124 that is vertically oriented and configured to closely receive therein an end of the baluster 102 such that the inner wall surface 124 abuts the outer surface of the end of the baluster 102 as the wall 116 wraps around a portion of the end of the baluster. Preferably the wall extends more than half way around the periphery of the baluster end. Preferably, the wall ends are a distance apart that is less than a cross-sectional width of the baluster end such that the wall ends releasably capture the baluster end as it is slid laterally between the wall ends into a space defined by the wall. Hence the distance 129 between the ends 120 and 122 of the peripheral wall 116 is slightly less than the outer wall cross-sectional diameter of the end of the baluster tube 102 and is configured to receive said end by a snap fit as the baluster tube end is laterally pressed into the opening defined by the ends 120 and 122 of the wall 116 until the baluster tube end is received within the space defined by the wall 116. Preferably, the baluster tube 102, the wall 116, or both are made of material that is resiliently deformable, such as for example plastic, that enables one or both to be slightly deformed as the baluster and is pressed laterally into the void of the wall 116 between ends 120 and 122. In order to aid the deformation of the wall 116, a void 130 may be provided in the material of the disk member 110 adjacent each end 120 and 122 such that outward deflection of the ends is facilitated as a result of the ends not being connected to the disk member 110.

(27) The wall 116 defines an outer wall surface 132 that is tapered inwardly from the vertical 131 from the top surface 112 (best shown in FIGS. 7 and 12) such that the outer diameter of the wall 116 adjacent the top surface 112 is wider than the outer diameter of the wall that is remote from the top surface. Preferably, the outer wall surface 132 is sloped at an angle 135 that is between about 2° to about 4° from vertical, and preferably by about 2.5°.

(28) The connector base 106 is mountable to a surface by means of a countersunk mounting hole 134 located centrally on the disk member 110 and comprising a narrow portion 136 for receiving the shaft of the screw and a wide portion 138 that accommodates the head of the screw such that screw head sits below the top surface 112.

(29) The bottom surface 114 of the disk member 110 may be completely flat or it may be provided with projections 139 that are configured to bite into the material of the railing 10 or railing base 12 so as to prevent the connector base from moving or rotating out of position. As well, the bottom surface 114 may be provided with a plurality of voids 140 which may be a material saving measure or which may also be used in helping to locate the connector base 106 with respect to an angle adapter 170 as will be described below.

(30) The bottom peripheral edge of the disk member 110 defines a first locking member such as channel 144 that is engaged by a complementary second locking member on the connector cover 108 in order to provide an interference snapfit engagement between the connector cover 108 and connector base 106.

(31) The connector cover 108 comprises generally of a tubular member having an upper portion 148 that defines a circular opening 150 adapted to closely fit around the outer surface of the baluster tube 102, and a lower portion 152 defining an opening 154 that is adapted to closely fit around outer circumference of the disk member 110 on the connector base 106. On the inside surface of the lower opening 154 is provided with the second locking member such as an inwardly projecting flange or (as illustrated) inwardly projecting tabs 168 that are adapted to engage the channel 144 of the connector base to provide snapfit engagement between the connector cover 108 and the connector base 106.

(32) In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical wall portion 156 of the connector cover tapers inward from the opening 154 toward the opening 150 and may have an outer surface 158 shaped to provide an aesthetic appearance. The inner surface 160 of the wall portion 156 defines a channel 164 that is complementary in shape and dimension to the wall 116 of the connector base 106 in a manner that the wall 116 is closely received within the channel 164 when the connector cover 108 is fully engaged with the connector base 106. The internal surface 166 of the channel 164 is also tapered by an angle from the vertical so as to be complementary to the angle of the outer surface 132 of the partial circumferential wall 116 (as best shown in FIG. 12). Accordingly, the mating tapered surfaces create an engagement there-between as the connector cover 108 is slid upon the connector base 106, which forces the inner surface 124 of the wall 116 against the outer surface of the end of the baluster tube 102. This engagement between the mating tapered surfaces also provides a frictional engagement that aids in maintaining the connector cover 108 in place when fully seated upon the connector base 106 with the baluster tube 102 in place.

(33) In the use of the baluster system 100, two connector bases 106 are used in which one connector base 106 is mounted to the under surface of upper railing 10 and another connector base 106 is mounted inner vertical alignment on an upper surface of the lower railing or railing base 12 at a location at which the baluster tube 102 is intended to be mounted. The connector bases 106 are preferably mounted such that the openings defined by the wall 116 generally face the same direction. A connector cover 108 is slid onto each end of the baluster tube 102 such that the opening 154 of each connector cover 108 faces the adjacent end of the baluster tube 102. The baluster tube 102 is then aligned with the connector bases such that each end of the baluster tube abuts an opening of the adjacent connector base. The ends of the baluster tube are then pressed into the partial peripheral wall of each connector base. Once the ends of the baluster tubes are received within the space defined by the wall 116 of the connector bases 106, the connector cover 108 adjacent each end is slid over its adjacent connector base 106 and is pressed firmly onto said connector base until the inward flange or tabs 168 at the opening 154 are pressed inward into an interference engagement with the channel 144 of the connector base 106 to provide a locking engagement between the connector cover and connector base (as shown in FIG. 12). As a result of the complementarily tapered outer surface 132 of the wall 116 and the inside surface 166 of the channel 164 the connector cover, the two surfaces abut each other and the inside surface 166 acts upon the outside surface 132 as the connector cover is pressed onto the connector base which urges the wall 116 inward such that the inside surface 124 squeezes against the outside surface of the baluster to 102 so as to secure the baluster tube into the baluster connector 104.

(34) Removal of the baluster tube from the railing may be accomplished by using a screwdriver or other sharp object to dislodge the connector cover 108 from the connector base 106 and then by withdrawing each end of the baluster tube 102 from its adjacent base connector 106.

(35) Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in order to accommodate sloped railings, such as on staircases and the like, the baluster system 100 may further comprise angle connector adapters 170 that have a horizontally oriented surface 172 and a sloped surface 174 that is at a complementary angle to the surface of the railing or railing base such that when the connector adapter 170 is mounted on said railing or railing base, the surface 170 is maintained generally horizontal, and thereby the connector base 106 may be mounted to the horizontal surface 172 of the connector adapter 170, which results in a vertical orientation of the baluster tube 102.

(36) In some embodiments, the bottom surface 114 of the connector base 106 may be provided with the voids 140, and the surface 172 of the connector adapter 170 may be provided with protrusions 176 that are shaped and configured to fit within the voids 140 of the connector base. Thereby, the connector base 106 may be positioned and located onto the surface 172 as the protrusions 176 mate within the voids 140. However, in some embodiments the bottom surface 114 of the connector base and the surface 172 of the connector adapter 170 may simply be flat.

(37) Or the bottom surface 114 may be provided with the projections 139 as previously described which can be pressed into the material of the connector adapter 170 in order to prevent the connector base 106 from rotating with respect to the connector adapter 170.

(38) Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown an embodiment of the baluster apparatus of the present invention in which the baluster tube 102′ is square in cross-section and the connector base 106′ and connector cover 108′, and the optional connector adapter 170′, are configured to be square. In other aspects, the features of the square configuration work on the same principles as with the round configuration.

(39) Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, there are shown some variants of the round and square baluster systems.

(40) While the above description and illustrations constitute preferred or alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made, such as altering the perimeter shape, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.