COMBINATION BALUSTER

Abstract

A combination deck baluster comprising a proximal member comprised of wood, the proximal member having an attachment aperture therein, a distal member comprised of wood, the distal member having an attachment aperture therein, and a medial member comprised of a metal, the medial member secured within the attachment aperture of the proximal member and the attachment aperture of the distal member, the medial member having a decorative arrangement, wherein the proximal member and the distal member are arranged to be secured to a proximal railing and a distal railing of a deck.

Claims

1. A combination deck baluster, comprising: a proximal member comprised of wood, said proximal member having an attachment aperture therein; a distal member comprised of wood, said distal member having an attachment aperture therein; and, a medial member comprised of a metal, said medial member secured within said attachment aperture of said proximal member and said attachment aperture of said distal member, said medial member having a decorative arrangement, wherein said proximal member and said distal member are arranged to be secured to a proximal railing and a distal railing of a deck.

2. The combination deck baluster recited in claim 1, further comprising: a pair of attachment through-bores arranged at respective terminating ends of said medial member; a pin through-bore open to said attachment aperture of said proximal member; and, a pin through-bore open to said attachment aperture of said distal member; wherein a first pin is arranged to be seated within said attachment aperture of said proximal member and one of said attachment through-bores of said medial member, wherein a second pin is arranged to be seated within said attachment aperture of said distal member and one of said attachment through-bores of said medial member.

3. The combination deck baluster recited in claim 1, further comprising: a second proximal member comprised of wood, said proximal member having an attachment aperture therein; and, a second distal member comprised of wood, said distal member having an attachment aperture therein; and, wherein said medial member is further secured within said attachment aperture of said second proximal member and said attachment aperture of said second distal member, wherein said second proximal member and said second distal member are arranged to be secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing of said deck.

4. A balustrade comprising at least one of said combination deck balusters recited in claim 1, said balustrade further comprising: said proximal railing; said distal railing; and, at least one baluster secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing, wherein said combination deck baluster is secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing.

5. A deck comprising at least one of said balustrade recited in claim 4.

6. The combination deck baluster recited in claim 1 wherein said metal is iron.

7. A balustrade comprising at least one of said combination deck baluster recited in claim 3, said balustrade further comprising: said proximal railing; said distal railing; and, at least one baluster secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing, wherein said combination deck baluster is secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing.

8. A deck comprising at least one of said balustrade recited in claim 7.

9. The combination deck baluster recited in claim 3 wherein said metal is iron.

10. A combination deck baluster deck baluster, comprising: a proximal member comprised of a first material, said proximal member having at least one attachment aperture therein; a distal member comprised of said first material, said distal member having at least one attachment aperture therein; and, a medial member comprised of a second material, said medial member having at least one extending proximal member and at least one extending distal member, said at least one extending proximal member secured within said at least one attachment aperture of said proximal member, said at least one extending distal member secured with said at least one attachment aperture of said distal member, said medial member having a decorative arrangement.

11. The combination deck baluster deck baluster recited in claim 10, wherein said proximal member and said distal member are arranged to be secured to a proximal railing and a distal railing of a deck, wherein said proximal railing and said distal railing are comprised of said first material.

12. An outdoor deck having a proximal rail and a distal rail, a plurality of balusters secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing, said outdoor deck having at least one combination baluster secured to said proximal railing and said distal railing, said combination baluster, comprising: a proximal member comprised of a first material, said proximal member having an attachment aperture therein; a distal member comprised of said first material, said distal having an attachment aperture therein; and, a medial member comprised of a second material, said medial member secured within said attachment aperture of said proximal member and said attachment aperture of said distal member, said medial member having a decorative arrangement.

13. The outdoor deck recited in claim 12, wherein said proximal railing is comprised of said first material and said distal railing is comprised of said first material.

14. The combination baluster of said outdoor deck recited in claim 13, wherein said first material is wood and said second material is metal.

15. The combination baluster recited in claim 14, wherein said metal of said second material is iron.

16. The combination baluster recited in claim 12, wherein said second material is metal.

17. The combination baluster recited in claim 16, wherein said metal is iron.

18. The outdoor deck recited in claim 12, wherein said deck comprises at least one balustrade, said balustrade comprises: at least a portion of said proximal railing; at least a portion of said distal railing; at least one of said combination deck baluster, said combination deck baluster secured to said portion of said proximal railing and to said portion of distal railing; and, at least one of baluster of said plurality of balusters secured to said portion of said proximal railing and to said portion of distal railing.

19. The combination baluster recited in claim 10, wherein said decorative arrangement of said medial section is comprised of a third material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a deck, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a view of a balustrade of the deck shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3B is a side view of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 3;

[0028] FIG. 4B is a skeleton exploded perspective view of FIG. 4A;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a first alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 6A is a second alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3; and,

[0031] FIG. 6B is a skeleton perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.

[0033] Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

[0035] It should be appreciated that the term substantially is synonymous with terms such as nearly, very nearly, about, approximately, around, bordering on, close to, essentially, in the neighborhood of, in the vicinity of, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term proximate is synonymous with terms such as nearby, close, adjacent, neighboring, immediate, adjoining, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term approximately is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

[0036] It should be understood that use of or in the present application is with respect to a non-exclusive arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that item x is A or B, it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word or is not used to define an exclusive or arrangement. For example, an exclusive or arrangement for the statement item x is A or B would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, and/or is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

[0037] Moreover, as used herein, the phrases comprises at least one of and comprising at least one of in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase used in at least one of: is used herein.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the term baluster is intended to mean a single leg, spindle, post, or the like. A set of balusters comprises several posts. The term balustrade refers to multiple balusters joined together as a unit with a railing, specifically a top (proximal) and a bottom (distal) railing connected to the balusters.

Deck

[0039] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an outdoor deck, deck 10, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Deck 10 generally includes a substructure and a deck surface.

[0040] The substructure component of deck 10 may include footings 12, support posts 14, beams 16, bridging 18 (also known as blocking), joists 20, hardware 22, ledger board 24, and flashing 26. Footing 12 are arranged to provide a solid foundation to help spread the load of deck 10 over a greater surface area. Typically, footing 12 is a concrete pillar that is poured into a hole in the ground. Support posts 14 are arranged to support the frame of deck 10 (the frame is generally comprised of beams 16, bridging 18, joists 20, and ledger 24, all of which are generally secured by hardware 22) where support posts 14 are attached to the tops of footings 12 with brackets, or the like. Beams 16 (also known as griders) are the primary supporting structure of the frame. Beams 16 are connected to joists 20, specifically the joists which are arranged towards the outer perimeter of deck 10. Joists 20 form the structural support of the deck floor (decking 28). Joists 20 are installed between beams 16. Bridging 18 are components that are connected to and installed between joists 20preventing twisting or movement of joists 20 over time. Ledger board 24 is arranged to secure deck 10 to structure 38, e.g., a house, or other structure. Depending on the location and configuration of deck 10, ledger board 24 may, or may not, be present. Lastly, flashing 26 is arranged to fit over ledger board 24 to cover a gap that may be present between ledger board 24 and structure 38. Hardware 22 which may comprise a plurality of brackets, fasteners, and the like, to secure the aforementioned components in their respective positions.

[0041] The deck surface of deck 10 may include decking 28, railing posts 30, railings 32 and 34, and infill 36 (the individual components of infill 36 are balusters 40). It should be appreciated that 30 refers to the railing posts generally, as individual railing posts are identified by 30a-30d. Decking 28 generally refers to a plurality of boards which create the floor of deck 10. Decking 28 is fastened into beams 16, bridging 18, and/or joists 20. Railing posts 30 typically are 4 x 4 posts and may be comprised of a variety of materials, e.g., wood, synthetics, metal, etc. Posts 30 are secured to the frame of deck 10 and extend upwardly from the frame. Railings, proximal railing 32 (i.e., top railing) and distal railing 34 (i.e., bottom railing) are typically installed between posts 30. Infill 36, comprising a plurality of balusters 40 may be secured between railings 32 and 34, on an external surface of railings 32 and 34, or a combination thereof depending on the preferred style of deck 10.

[0042] Balustrade 50 (See also FIG. 2) is a portion of railings 32 and 34, the portion defined by two (or more) posts 30, and infill 36 (individual balusters 40) between those two posts, e.g., the area (components) between posts 30b and 30c (or 30a and 30b, 30c and 30d, 30a and 30c, etc.)

[0043] The following description should be taken in consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, where FIG. 2 generally illustrates a portion of deck 10 shown in FIG. 1, specifically balustrade 50. Balustrade 50 is defined by a portion of railings 32 and 34, posts 30b and 30c, and infill 36 between posts 30b and 30c. Infill comprises balusters 40 and combination balusters 100. Balusters 40 and 100 are shown fixedly secured to side surface 32a (or 32b) of proximal railing 32 and side surface 34a (or 34b) of distal railing 34. It should be noted that balusters 40 and 100 may be affixed between proximal railing 32 and distal railing 34, i.e., attached to distal surface 32d of proximal railing 32 and proximal surface 34c of distal railing 34.

Combination Baluster

[0044] The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B. FIG. 3A generally illustrates a perspective view of combination baluster 100, FIG. 4B generally illustrates a side view, FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded skeleton perspective view of the same. Combination baluster 100 generally comprises proximal member 110, distal member 112, and medial member 120.

[0045] Proximal member 110 includes proximal surface 110a, side surfaces 110b and 110c, and distal surface 110d. Attachment aperture 114 is disposed within proximal surface 110a. In some embodiments, proximal member 110 may include fastener apertures 114a and 114b, which are arranged to extend from side surface 110b to side surface 110c. In some configurations, proximal member 110 may include a tapered portion on one of side surfaces 110b or 110c, proximate distal surface 110dthe side surface facing away from proximal railing 32. Distal member 112 includes proximal surface 112a, side surfaces 112b and 112c, and distal surface 112. Attachment aperture 116 is disposed within proximal surface 112a. In some embodiments, distal member 112 may include fastener apertures 116a and 116b, which are arranged to extend from side surface 112b to side surface 112c. In some configurations, distal member 112 may include a tapered portion on one of side surfaces 112b or 112c, proximate distal surface 112dthe side surface facing away from distal railing 34. Medial member 120 includes proximal member 122, distal member 124, and decorative arrangement 126. Proximal member 122 and distal member 124 of medial member 120 include attachment portions 122a and 124a, respectively. Attachment portions 122a and 124a are the respective terminating ends of medial member 120.

[0046] To assemble combination baluster 100, attachment portion 122a of medial member 120 is seated within attachment aperture 114 of proximal member. Attachment portion 122a is fixedly secured within attachment aperture 114 of proximal member 110 preferably via an adhesive. Attachment portion 124a of medial member 120 is seated within attachment aperture 116 of distal member 112. Attachment portion 124a is fixedly secured within attachment aperture 116 of distal member 112 preferably via an adhesive. It should be noted that alternative attachment means may be employed.

[0047] To affix assembled combination baluster 100 to railings 32 and 34 of balustrade 50 (as shown in FIG. 2), fasteners 130a, 130b, 132a, and 132b are used. Fasteners 130a and 130b are arranged within fastener apertures 114a and 114b of proximal member 110, protruding through side surface 110b and within railing 32. Fasteners 132a and 132b are arranged within fastener apertures 116a and 116b of distal member 112, protruding through side surface 112b and within railing 32. It should be noted that fasteners 130a, 130b, 132a, and 132b may take a variety of forms, e.g., screws, nails, bolts, etc. It should also be appreciated that fastener apertures 114a, 114b, 116a, and 116b may not be necessary, i.e., fasteners 130a, 130b, 132a, and 132b are nails and are forcibly driven through proximal member 110 and distal member 112 into railings 32 and 34or screws, forcibly driven through proximal member 110 and distal member 112 into railings 32 and 34. It should be noted that fastener apertures 114a, 114b, 116a, and 116b could be threaded to accommodate threaded fasteners.

[0048] In a preferred configuration of combination baluster 100, proximal member 110 and distal member 112 are comprised of wood and medial member 120 is comprised of a metalspecifically iron. In alternative configurations of combination baluster 100, railings 32 and 34 of deck 10 are comprised of a first material and proximal member 110 and distal member 112 are also comprised of a first material, where medial member 120 of combination baluster is comprised of a second material. In other words, combination baluster 100 is configured to provide for a contrasting material appearance between medial member 120 and proximal member 110, distal member 112, railings 32 and 34providing a customized appearance for infill 36 of deck 100. Combination baluster 100 also provides for a contrasting appearance within infill 36 of deck 100, where balusters 40, railings 32 and 34, proximal member 110 and distal member 112 are all comprised of a first material whereas medial member 120 of combination baluster 100 is comprised of a second material. For example, balusters 40, railings 32 and 34, proximal member 110 and distal member 112 may be comprised of a synthetic and/or composite decking material, e.g., Trex, and medial member 120 of combination baluster is comprised of iron (or alternative materials, e.g., copper, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, wrought iron, titanium, wood, stone, hemp plastics, etc.)

[0049] Combination baluster 100 further provides a customized aesthetic to existing decks because of decorative arrangement 126 of medial member 120. As shown in the illustrations, decorative arrangement 126 generally refers to a substantially center section of medial member 120, however it should be appreciated that the entirety of medial member 120 may be decorative arrangement 126. The corresponding illustrations of decorative arrangement 126 are intended to be merely exemplary of the possibilities of configurations. Other configurations may include alphanumeric arrangements, images, stylistic designs, machine-created patterns, logos, phrases, etc. Decorative arrangement 126, as illustrated, is not intended to be limiting on the appending claims but rather illustrative of the possibilities of various configurations in both design and structural configuration.

[0050] As described above, decorative arrangement 126 is generally configured in a substantially central location on medial member 120, as such, medial member 120 may take alternative configurations and thusly, combination baluster 100. For example, medial member 120 may have a pair of proximal members and/or a pair of distal members, thusly, proximal member 110 and distal member 112 may be arranged to have a pair of attachment apertures to match the respective configuration of medial member 120. Generally, proximal member 110 will have apertures in a one-to-one ratio with the proximal members of medial member 120 and distal member 112 will have apertures in a one-to-one ratio with distal members of medial member 120.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, decorative arrangement 126 could be comprised of a third material, that is, a different material than the proximal and distal members, and a different material than the medial member. In further alternative embodiments, decorative arrangement 126 could be comprised of a first material, where the proximal and distal members are also comprised of the first material, the medial member (expect for decorative arrangement 126) is comprised of a second material.

Combination Baluster: Alternative Embodiments

[0052] The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures and their corresponding descriptions, in addition to FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. FIG. 5 generally illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, combination baluster 200 and FIG. 6A generally illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, combination baluster 300 and FIG. 6B illustrates a skeleton perspective view of the same.

[0053] Combination baluster 200 generally includes all of the same components as combination baluster 100. Generally, combination baluster 200 is configured to have an alternative attachment configuration between medial member 120 within proximal member 110 and distal member 120. In this embodiment, proximal member 110 includes pin aperture 210, which extends into and through attachment aperture 114. Distal member 112 includes pin aperture 212, which extends into and through attachment aperture 116. Attachment portions 122a and 122b of medial member 120 includes pin apertures 122b and 124b, respectively. When Attachment portions 122a and 122b are seated within attachment apertures 114 and 116, pin apertures 210 and 122b are substantially aligned and pin apertures 212 and 124b are substantially aligned. Pin 220 may be inserted into pin apertures 210 and 122b and pin 222 may be inserted into pin apertures 212 and 124b, thereby locking attachment portions 122a and 122b of medial member 120 within attachment apertures 114 and 116-securing medial member 120 within proximal member 110 and distal member 112.

[0054] Combination baluster 300 generally includes proximal members 310 and 311, distal members 312 and 313, and medial member 320. Medial member 320 also includes decorative arrangement 326. Proximal members 322 and 323 extend from medial member 320. Distal members 324 and 325 also extend from medial member 320. Proximal member 322 includes attachment portion 322a, arranged at a terminating end and further arranged opposite of decorative arrangement 326. Proximal member 323 includes attachment portion 323a, arranged at a terminating end and further arranged opposite of decorative arrangement 326. Distal member 324 includes attachment portion 324a, arranged at a terminating end and further arranged opposite of decorative arrangement 326. Distal member 325 includes attachment portion 325a, arranged at a terminating end and further arranged opposite of decorative arrangement 326. Attachment portion 322a is arranged to be seated within attachment aperture 314 of proximal member 310. Attachment portion 323a is arranged to be seated within attachment aperture 315 of proximal member 311. Attachment portion 324a is arranged to be seated within attachment aperture 316 of distal member 312. Attachment portion 325a is arranged to be seated within attachment aperture 317 of distal member 313. Attachment portions 322a, 323a, 324a, and 325a all may be secured within their respective attachment apertures (attachment apertures 314, 315, 316, and 317) via an adhesive, or equivalent, to be fixedly secured therein. Alternatively, combination baluster may employ pins substantially similar to the configuration of combination baluster 200.

[0055] The arrangement of combination baluster 300 allows medial member 120 having a larger decorative arrangement, decorative arrangement 326, to be secured to railings 32 and 34 with more than one pair of proximal and distal members (i.e., proximal members 310 and 311, distal members 312 and 313). As such, it is foreseeable that combination baluster 300 may have any required amount of pairs of proximal members or distal members (i.e., 310 and 312) to accommodate a one-to-one ratio of respective proximal or distal members (i.e., 322 and 324) of medial member 320for example, combination baluster 300 may only have one set of proximal members (i.e., 310 and 322) and a pair of sets of distal members (i.e., 312 and 324, 313 and 325).

[0056] It should be noted that combination balusters 200 and 300 may utilize the aforementioned features, components, and/or configurations of baluster 100. As such, the configurations of combination balusters 100, 200, and 300 are intended to be interchangeable within the scope of the appending claims.

[0057] Lastly, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use with outdoor decks and may be adapted for indoor use, such as an indoor stair railing utilizing a plurality of balusters.

[0058] It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Deck

12 Footing

14 Support Post

16 Beam

18 Bridging

20 Joist

22 Hardware

24 Ledger

26 Flashing

28 Decking

30 Railing post
30a First railing post
30b Second railing post
30c Third railing post
30d Fourth railing post
32 Proximal railing
32a Side surface of proximal railing 32
32b Side surface of proximal railing 32
32c Proximal surface of proximal railing 32
32d Distal surface of proximal railing 32

34 Distal Railing

34a Side surface of distal railing 34
34b Side surface of distal railing 34
34c Proximal surface of distal railing 34
34d Distal surface of distal railing 34

36 Infill

38 Structure

40 Baluster

50 Balustrade

100 Combination baluster
110 Proximal member
110a Proximal surface of proximal member 110
110b Side surface of proximal member 110
110c Side surface of proximal member 110
110d Distal surface of proximal member 110
112 Proximal member 112
112a Proximal surface of distal member 112
112b Side surface of distal member 112
112c Side surface of distal member 112
112d Distal surface of distal member 112
114 Attachment aperture of proximal member 112
114a Fastener aperture of proximal member 112
114b Fastener aperture of proximal member 112
116 Attachment aperture of distal member 114
116a Fastener aperture of distal member 114
116b Fastener aperture of distal member 114
120 Medial member
122 Proximal member of medial member 120
122a Attachment portion of proximal member 122
122b Pin aperture of attachment portion 122a
124 Distal member of medial member 120
124a Attachment portion of distal member 124
124b Pin aperture of attachment portion 124a
126 Decorative arrangement of medial member 120
200 Combination baluster
210 Pin aperture of proximal member 110
212 Pin aperture of distal member 112

220 Pin

222 Pin

300 Combination baluster
310 Proximal member
311 Proximal member
312 Distal member
313 Distal member
314 Attachment aperture of proximal member 310
315 Attachment aperture of proximal member 311
316 Attachment aperture of distal member 312
317 Attachment aperture of distal member 313
320 Medial member
322 Proximal member of medial member 320
322a Attachment portion of proximal member 322
323 Proximal member of medial member 320
323a Attachment portion of proximal member 323
324 Distal member of medial member 320
324a Attachment portion of distal member 324
325 Distal member of medial member 320
325a Attachment portion of distal member 325