U.S. patent application number 11/703327 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for baluster ball joint adapter attachment for a baluster to stair rail(s) and base.
Invention is credited to Paulette Perfumo-Truckner, David R. Truckner, Richard P. Truckner.
Application Number | 20070246698 11/703327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618635 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070246698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Truckner; Richard P. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2007 |
Baluster ball joint adapter attachment for a baluster to stair
rail(s) and base
Abstract
A universal attachment means and method for attaching a baluster
or post between a base of a stairway and a railing above the stairs
as well as at landings or balconies. The attachment means includes
a ball and socket connection assembly that can be attached to
either end of a baluster or post and then used to attach the
baluster or post to the base or rail of the stairway. The
attachment means permits ease of attachment of balusters or posts
regardless of the slope of the stair and rail and regardless of any
angular slope of a rail as in a circular stair rail. The attachment
means eliminates the tedious alignment and drilling of vertical
holes into the underside of a rail as needed in many prior art
systems.
Inventors: |
Truckner; Richard P.;
(Benicia, CA) ; Truckner; David R.; (Benicia,
CA) ; Perfumo-Truckner; Paulette; (Benicia,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEORGE W. WASSON
3123 INDIAN WAY
LAFAYETTE
CA
94549
US
|
Family ID: |
38618635 |
Appl. No.: |
11/703327 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60793159 |
Apr 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 2011/1821 20130101;
E04F 11/1817 20130101; E04F 11/1834 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/67 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/18 20060101
E04F011/18 |
Claims
1. A universal baluster/post attachment means for attaching a
baluster/post to a stair rail comprising: a) a first member having
a concave socket surface with an open end at one side and an
attachment surface at a side opposite to said socket surface, b) a
second member having an at least substantially hemispherical convex
surface at one end and an attachment surface at an end opposite to
said convex surface, c) said second member convex surface being
adapted to be inserted into said concave socket and to be
universally movable within said socket, d) said first and second
members including means for retaining said convex surface within
said concave surface in a desired position, e) said first member
being attachable to said stair rail at a desired position along
said rail with said second member depending from said concave
socket, f) and means at said attachment surface of said second
member for attaching a baluster/post to said second member in
adjustable attachment.
2. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein said insertion of said
convex surface of said second member into said concave socket of
said first member creates a ball and socket universally movable
connection between said first and second members.
3. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein said concave socket is a
substantially cylindrical concave socket and the diameter of said
substantially hemispherical convex surface are substantially equal
while allowing universally adjustable movement at said
attachment.
4. The attachment means of claim 3 wherein the open end of said
substantially cylindrical concave surface presents a smaller
diameter than the diameter of said substantially hemispherical
convex surface of said second member, and said attachment surface
of said first member includes an opening having a diameter larger
that said smaller diameter at said open end and large enough to
permit insertion of said convex surface into said concave
surface.
5. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein said first member
includes a surface at the open end of said concave socket adapted
to cooperate with a surface on said second member between said
convex surface and said attachment surface to function as a stop
for universal movement of said convex surface within said concave
surface.
6. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein said convex surface of
said second member includes a protruding extension from said convex
surface at the end opposite to said attachment surface, said
extension adapted to contact said concave surface of said first
member so as to limit universal movement of said convex surface
within said concave socket.
7. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the attachment of said first
member to said stair rail is from within said concave surface.
8. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the attachment of said first
member to said stair rail is from an exterior surface of said first
member.
9. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein the attachment surface
of said second member is an axial extension from said end opposite
to said convex surface.
10. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein the attachment surface
of said second member is a hollow interior surface of said end
opposite to said convex surface.
11. The attachment means of claim 1 wherein said first and second
members are made from the group of materials including wood,
composites, plastics or metal.
12. An assembly of an attachment means and a baluster for
universally attaching said baluster between a stair rail and a
stair base surface comprising, a) a first member having a concave
socket surface at one end with an open end at one side and an
attachment surface at a side opposite to said socket surface, said
first member having means for attaching said first member to said
stair rail, b) a second member having at least a substantially
hemispherical convex surface at one end and an attachment surface
at an end opposite to said convex surface, c) a baluster having a
rail end and a base end, said rail end having an axial surface for
adjustably connecting said baluster to said second member, and said
base end having means for attaching said base end to said stair
base surface, d) said first member and second member connected at
said concave surface and said convex surface in universally movable
connection, e) said baluster connected to said second member at
said axial surface in an axially adjustable connection, f) and said
base end of said baluster aligned to be attachable to said stair
base.
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said stair base is a stair
tread.
14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said stair base is a stair
stringer or knee wall.
15. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said stair rail includes a
circular stair rail having a changeable slope with respect to
horizontal and vertical orientation with respect to said stair base
surface, and said attachment of said first and second members is a
ball and socket universally adjustable attachment permitting said
baluster to be adjustably attached in a vertical orientation
between said stair rail and said stair base in accord with said
slope of horizontal and vertical orientation of said stair
rail.
16. A socket adapted to accommodate a hemispherical end of a
baluster for attaching said baluster to a stair rail comprising, a)
a member having an attachment surface and an open end surface, b)
an interior axial hole drilled into said member between said
attachment surface and said open end, c) said hole being axial to
said open end, d) said hole adapted to receive said hemispherical
end of a baluster in an universal attachment, e) and means for
moveably securing said hemispherical end of said baluster in said
hole and permitting universally rotatable adjustment about said
hole.
17. The socket of claim 16 wherein said axial hole is axially
conical shaped with its larger diameter end being at said
attachment surface and its smaller diameter end being at said open
end, and said conical shaped hole adapted to receive said
hemispherical end of a baluster in a universal attachment.
18. The socket of claim 16 adapted to be attached to a stair
railing and permitting the mounting of a baluster to a circular
stair railing having variations in horizontal and vertical
orientation above a stair base.
19. The universal attachment means of claim 1 wherein said member
is attached to a stair rail in a groove cut into the under surface
of said stair rail.
20. The universal attachment means of claim 1 wherein said first
member is an integral part of the under surface of a stair rail in
the form of a socket hole cut into said under surface.
21. The universal attachment means of claim 1 wherein said
attachment surface of said first member is a threaded portion and
said stair rail has a threaded mounting member on its under surface
adapted for threaded engagement with said threaded portion of said
first member.
22. A ball and socket mounting assembly for attaching a baluster to
a stair rail comprising, a) a socket member including means for
attaching said socket member to a stair rail, b) said socket having
an internal cavity adapted to receive said ball, c) said ball
having an extension for attaching said baluster to said ball, d) a
means for holding said ball within said socket while permitting
said ball to universally move within said socket, whereby a
baluster attached to said stair rail with said ball is rotatable
about the axial axis of the baluster and universally about said
ball and socket assembly.
23. A method for attaching a baluster of a stairway between a stair
rail and a base of said stairway at a tread, knee wall or stinger
comprising the steps of: a) attaching a first member to the under
surface of said stair rail, said first member having an internal
concave cavity, b) inserting a convex hemispherical ball into said
concave cavity, attaching said baluster to said convex ball at a
first end with an axially adjustable connection, c) moving said
ball within said socket to place said baluster in a vertical
orientation and suspending said baluster from said first member, d)
attaching the opposite end of said baluster to the base of said
stairway at said tread, knee wall or stringer forming said
stairway, e) and fixing said convex ball within said concave cavity
and said axial adjustment of said attachment of said baluster to
said ball to attach said baluster to said stairway.
24. A universal baluster/post attachment means for attaching a
baluster/post between a base and stair rail comprising: a) a first
member having a concave socket surface with an open end at one side
and an attachment means at a side opposite to said socket surface,
b) a second member having an at least a convex surface at one end
and an attachment surface at an end opposite to said convex
surface, c) said second member convex surface being adapted to be
inserted into said concave socket and to be universally movable
within said socket, d) means for attaching a baluster/post to one
or the other of said first member or said second member to form an
assembled baluster/post assembly, e) and means for attaching said
assembly between said stair base and stair rail in a universally
adjustable alignment with respect stair base and stair rail.
25. The attachment means of claim 24 wherein said baluster is
attached to said first member and said second member is attached to
said stair base or stair rail.
26. The attachment means of claim 24 wherein said baluster is
attached to said second member and said first member is attached to
said stair base or stair rail.
27. The attachment means of claim 24 wherein said insertion of said
convex surface of said second member into said concave surface of
said first member creates said universally adjustable alignment for
said connection of said assembly between said stair base and said
stair rail.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/793,159, filed Apr. 20, 2006 for which priority is claimed under
35 USC .sctn. 120
STATEMENT
[0002] No Federally sponsored research or development applies to
this application
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the attachment of balusters and
posts between a railing and base of a stairway, ramp, landing,
balcony, fence or the like where balusters are connected between a
rail having variable angle between horizontal and possible
variation in alignment with azimuth, as in a circular staircase or
ramp, and more particularly to an efficient adaptor for connecting
balusters in such structures.
[0004] Stairways and ramps are constructed in variations of slope
between horizontal and vertical with stair treads and risers making
the stair and a handrail, or the like, spaced above the stair
treads. Between the underside of the rail and the base of the stair
tread a spaced series of balusters are attached to support the rail
above the stair at a useful height. Building codes establish the
spacing between balusters and the slope of the stairway. Circular
stairways have a slope with respect to horizontal and with respect
to azimuth and the railings along a circular stairway present
further variations in slope of a railing and possibly its slope
with respect to horizontal. Attaching a baluster between a railing
and the base of a stairway presents a complication for the
craftsman installing the baluster because the slope of the rail is
not always the same and the distance to the base whether to a stair
tread, knee wall or stringer can be different for adjacent
balusters. Installations of balusters can become a time consuming
process requiring skilled laborers. The present invention is
directed to an adaptor for use with balusters to reduce the time
needed to install a baluster between a railing and a stair
base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Examination of prior art has not revealed a suitable way to
quickly attach stair balusters to a stair rail. Traditional methods
require balusters to be cut at an angle at either one or both ends
and blocked into position. The baluster top in many cases is round
and requires the installer to drill appropriate holes in the bottom
of the top rail to receive the top of the baluster. The bottom of
the baluster can also be attached by drilling holes in the stair
treads or landing or balcony or bottom rail to receive the bottom
of the pickets or balusters. In the prior art systems, a drilling
adapter is usually required to cut a vertical hole into the under
side of the rail to accommodate the top of a baluster. The hole
must be vertical with respect to horizontal to permit the baluster
to be properly aligned. For that reason a drilling adapter must be
adjustable to be useful in cutting a suitable hole in stairways
having differing slopes. Typically when such a hole drilling
process is employed, the rail is them removed from the stair
assembly and balusters are attached to the stair base at their
bottom and them the top of the baluster is inserted into the
drilled hole in the rail and the rail is installed on the stairway.
The prior art method is time consuming and requires skilled
installer craftsmen to complete the installation.
[0006] The present invention, in its simplest form, is a ball and
socket baluster end or attachment. The ball and socket allows solid
attachment of the baluster to the under side of a top rail and the
adapter can be adjusted at an angle for attachment to a stair rail
or left straight when attaching the baluster to a balcony or
landing rail.
[0007] With the ball and socket adapter attached to the top of a
baluster, an installer may align the top of the baluster to the
underside of a rail and allow the baluster to hang from the adapter
to align the baluster vertically for attachment to base or tread of
the stair. The flexibility of the ball and socket adapter permits
the baluster to be suspended vertically regardless of the slope of
the stair rail with respect to horizontal and regardless of whether
the rail is tilted toward or away from the horizontal level of the
stairway. The installer does not have to predrill a mounting hole
into the underside of the rail because the ball and socket is
universally adjustable to permit the baluster hang freely.
[0008] It is a major object of the present invention to improve the
efficiency of installation of balusters along a stairway or at a
balcony or landing by providing a universally adjustable
baluster/post attachment means for attaching the baluster/post
between the base of the stairway on the rail above the
stairway.
[0009] A further objective in accord with the preceding object is
to provide an attachment means that includes a ball and socket
connection between a baluster and a rail or base of a stairway.
[0010] A further objective in accord with the preceding objects is
to provide a ball and socket attachment for a baluster with a
construction that provides for locking the baluster within the
attachment when the attachment has been assembled and aligned for
attachment to a rail of a stairway.
[0011] A further objective in accord with the preceding objectives
is to provide an attachment means that can be fixed to a stairway
rail with a simple attachment means.
[0012] Further objectives and features of the invention will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the appended
drawings and specification illustrating preferred embodiments
wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a sectional view through one embodiment a socket
member of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view through one embodiment of ball
member adapted for use with the socket member of FIG. 1 as well as
with other socket members.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a socket member, such as FIG.
1, with a square base.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a socket member, such as FIG.
1, with a circular base.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a socket and ball attachment
attached to a baluster and to a rail showing a substantially
horizontal rail.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a socket and ball attachment
as in FIG. 5 and attached to a sloping rail.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a stairway with rail and
balusters and showing prior art and the present invention
connections of balusters to a sloping stairway.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a stairway landing or balcony
showing prior art and the present invention connections of
balusters between a base and a landing or balcony.
[0021] FIG. 9 is in illustration of uses of the present invention
in the attachment of balusters to a ramp, knee wall stair, open end
stair or balcony and landing.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional view through another embodiment of a
socket member of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a sectional view through another embodiment of a
socket member of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a sectional view through another embodiment of
the ball member adapted to cooperate with a socket member and to
provide a locking construction for rotation of the ball within a
socket.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an assembly of a ball member
within a socket member and illustrating the locking engagement of
the ball member with the socket member.
[0026] FIG. 14 is an elevation view of the socket and ball adapter
in alignment for connection to each other and for attachment of a
baluster.
[0027] FIG. 15 is an assembly elevation view of an attached ball
and socket adapter with a baluster attached and the assembly
attached to the underside of a rail.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of an assembled ball and
socket adapter with a baluster attached and illustrating the
rotation of the socket portion with respect to the axis of the
assembly.
[0029] FIG. 17 is an end elevation view of FIG. 16 and the
assembled ball and socket adapter with a baluster attached and
illustrating the rotation of the socket portion with respect to the
axis of the assembly.
[0030] FIG. 18 is an exploded illustration of an alternative
construction of the socket member and the ball member and
illustrating the connection of the baluster to the ball member and
the ball member to the socket member.
[0031] FIG. 19 is an alternative construction of a connection
between a baluster and a ball member.
[0032] FIG. 20 is an exploded illustration of an alternative
construction of the socket member and the ball member and
illustrating the connection of the baluster to the ball member and
ball member to the socket member.
[0033] FIG. 21 is alternative construction of a connection between
a baluster and a ball member.
[0034] FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the surface mounting of
a socket member to the underside of a stairway rail.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of the mounting of a socket
member into a cutout in the underside of a stairway rail.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of an alternative form of a
socket member.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a plan view of the socket member of FIG. 24.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the socket member of FIG. 26
taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 25.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a partial section view of a connection of a
socket member to the underside of a stairway rail.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a partial section view of another connection of a
socket member to the underside of a stairway rail.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a partial section view of another connection of a
socket member and ball assembly to the underside of a stairway
rail.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a partial section view of another connection of a
socket member and ball assembly to the underside of a stairway
rail.
[0043] FIG. 31 is a partial section view of the alignment of a
baluster to a socket member mounted to a rail.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a partial section view illustrating the
connection of a ball member to a baluster and the alignment of the
ball and baluster in preparation for connection to the socket
member.
[0045] FIG. 33 is a partial section view illustrating the alignment
of ball member with baluster and socket member and the adjustment
of the baluster within the ball member.
[0046] FIG. 34 is partial section view of another alternative form
of the socket member.
[0047] FIG. 35 is a sectional view illustrating fixing means for
connecting the ball member to the socket member and for a baluster
to the ball member.
[0048] FIG. 36 is a illustration of an alternative form of a ball
and socket connection between a baluster and a stairway rail.
[0049] FIG. 37 is an alternative form of baluster with a ball
construction and an axially adjustable socket attachment between
the baluster and a stair base.
[0050] FIG. 38 is an illustration of the adjustable assembly of
FIG. 37.
[0051] FIG. 39 is an alternative form for the ball attachment of
FIG. 37.
[0052] FIG. 40 is an illustration of the adjustable assembly of
FIG. 39.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0053] The present invention as shown in the attached drawings
includes several embodiments of the concept for providing a
universal baluster/post adapter system, designed to be attached to
standard and/or custom balusters and posts for the purpose of
forming an adjustable ball joint which is used to adjustably
connect the balusters and posts to horizontal railings and
landings, inclined stair and ramp railings, stair treads and knee
wall stair applications.
[0054] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first part of one embodiment of the
invention wherein, in FIG. 1, a first member in the form of a
socket member 10 is shown in section as having an open end 12 at
one side and an attachment surface 14 at the side opposite to the
open end side. An internal substantially hemispherical concave
socket surface 16 is formed within the member 10, the form of the
concave socket surface will be further described hereinafter. One
of several possible forms of an attachment means 18 is provided as
a hole passing from the socket surface 16 to and through the
attachment surface 14. In the form here shown the attachment means
is a hole for accommodation of a screw or the like.
[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates a second part of one embodiment of the
invention wherein a second member 20 includes a ball portion in the
form of a hemispherical convex surface 22 at one end and an
attachment surface 24 at the end opposite to the convex surface. An
internal cutout portion 26 passes from the attachment surface
internally within the second member to provide for attachment of a
baluster or post (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) to form an attachment
means for attaching a baluster or post to a rail or base surface of
a stairway. Further features of the construction of the second
member 20 will be described hereinafter.
[0056] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate plan views of one form of the
attachment surface 14 of the first member-socket member 10 with
FIG. 3 illustrating a rectangular or square surface and FIG. 4
illustrating a circular surface. The square and circular forms will
be described in their use hereinafter.
[0057] The socket member 10 and the second member are designed and
adapted to have the convex surface (ball) 22 inserted into the
concave (socket) 16 so as to make a ball and socket connection
between those members. The second member is then universally
movable within the socket and can be fixed, in a manner to be
described, in any of its universally moved positions.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates the combination of the assembly of the
socket member 10 with the second member 20 and a baluster/post 30
attached to the second member and that assembly attached to a
stairway rail. The assembly is attached by a suitable screw 42
passing through the hole 18 in the socket 10 and into the under
surface 44 of the rail 42. The inserting end 32 of the baluster
that fits within the cutout portion 26 of the second member to
attach the baluster 30 to the second member can be fixed, in a
manner to be described, in selected positions of insertion of the
end 32 within the cutout 26.
[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates the assembly of a baluster and the
attachment means combination of the socket 10 and the second member
20 attached to the underside 44 of a stairway rail 40 that is
inclined with respect to horizontal. In the attachment as shown in
FIG. 6, the illustration of the universally moveable connection
between the socket member 10 and the second member is shown which
permits the baluster to be easily attached to an inclined rail
while permitting the baluster to be vertically oriented within the
stairway.
[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates a prior art connection and the present
invention connection of a baluster between a stairway base 46 and a
stairway rail 40. In the prior art connection at the left of FIG. 7
the upper or insertion end 32 of the baluster is inserted into a
predrilled hole 48 in the undersurface 44 of the rail 40 and the
opposite end or base end 34 of the baluster is attached to the
stairway base 46 at another predrilled hole 50 or other suitable
means. The difficulty with the prior art baluster attachment system
is in the drilling of the predrilled holes 46 and 48 which must be
drilled vertically into each surface at different angles with
respect to the slope of the stairway and rail and usually requires
a jig or fixture for aligning a drill with the railing to assure
that the hole is at the desired angle. Also, the rail frequently
has to be removed from the stairway and then the baluster/post is
attached to the rail and base when the rail is returned to the
assembly.
[0061] As distinguished from the prior art illustration at the left
of FIG. 7, the present invention connection is illustrated in the
two right assemblies of a baluster 30 between a stairway base 46
and a stairway rail 40. In these connections of the baluster, the
baluster attachment assembly with the universally movable ball and
socket is attached to the undersurface 44 of the rail 42 either by
being attached to the under surface as illustrated in the center of
FIG. 7 or by having the ball surface 22 fitting into a socket hole
48 which can be precut in a direction normal to the under surface
44 without concern for orientation. The base end 34 of the
balusters 30 can be attached by any suitable means to the stair
base 46.
[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates the attachment of balusters 30 to a
landing or balcony with the prior art attachment of a baluster 30
at the left of the Figure and the present invention attachments in
the two balusters at the center and right of the Figure. The upper
end of the baluster in the prior art illustration requires a precut
hole at less complicated angle but still requires that the railing
be removed and reinstalled to attach the baluster between the rail
and base. The illustrations at the center and right of FIG. 8, the
balusters 30 are attached with the socket and ball assembly (center
baluster) or with a ball end of a baluster (right baluster)
inserted into a hole in the underside of the rail.
[0063] In both FIGS. 7 and 8 the further advantage of the present
invention assembly for attachment of balusters is available with
the adjustable connection of the baluster insertion end 32 into the
cutout hole 26 in the second member 20. With an axial adjustment in
length of the baluster assembly through movement of the insertion
end 32 into the cutout 26, the baluster can be attached to the
stairway base 46 and then the upper end can be aligned into its
desired vertical position and then axially extended to its
attachment position on the under surface 44 of the rail 40 or
within the hole 48 in the rail. After axial extension the baluster
assembly can be fixed, by means to be described, and the balusters
attached without removing the rail from the stairway, landing or
balcony.
[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates four possible constructions in which the
present invention has application for the installation of balusters
or posts. The ramp at the left has a base at 91 with balusters 30
between the base and a rail 40. The knee wall stair at the left
center illustrates the balusters extending between the base 92,
which may be a stringer along the side of the stair risers 93 and
treads 94. The open end stair at the right center illustrates the
balusters 30 attached between the treads 94 and the rail 40. The
balcony or landing illustration at the right side of FIG. 9
illustrates the balusters 30 attached between the base or floor 95
and the rail 40. In each of these illustrations the ball and socket
adapter of the present invention is use to attach the top of the
ball and socket assembly with the baluster to the rail. In the
sloping illustrations the universally adjustable ball and socket
permits the easy attachment of the assembly to the railing.
[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative form of the socket member
10A wherein the concave hole 16A through the member is cylindrical
in form while functioning as the socket in the ball and socket
assembly. In this form the ball end of the second member 20A is
universally rotatable and axially adjustable within the hole 16A.
The socket member 10A may be provided with attachment holes 18A for
use with screws or the like for attaching the socket member to a
railing. Also illustrated in this FIG. 10 is an alternate form for
attaching the convex surface 22A to a second member 20 as shown in
FIG. 2. In this form the convex surface 22A has an extension 23A
which is adapted to be inserted into and attached to a receiving
hole in a form of the second member 20. For this purpose the
extension may be threaded and the hole in the second member also
threaded or the extension may then be glued to the second member.
When this form of socket member 10A is used, there may be a need
for a fastening means such as a pin or hole through the base of the
ball convex surface 22A to secure the ball within the socket when
final adjustment has been accomplished. FIG. 10 also illustrates a
circular shoulder ridge 25 which cooperates with the bottom edge of
the open end 12A and functions as a stop for holding the ball 22A
within the socket 16A, as will be described hereinafter.
[0066] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternative form for a socket
member 10B wherein the concave cylindrical hole 16B within the
socket member is formed with a reduced diameter end 17B away from
the attachment surface 14B. In this form of the socket 10B the ball
22B has a diameter about the diameter of the hole 16B so as to be
universally rotatable within the hole 16B but its diameter is
larger than the reduced diameter end 17B so as to prevent the ball
22B from exiting from the hole 16B in a direction away from the
attachment surface 14B. The ball 22B must be inserted into the hole
16B from the attachment end 14B. The socket illustrated in FIG. 11
is also equipped with the extension 23B for attachment of the ball
22B to a second member. The reduced diameter end 17B also functions
in the stop manner described with respect to FIG. 10 by cooperating
with the circular shoulder ridge 25B as will be described.
[0067] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an alternative form for the ball
end of the second member. In this form the ball 22 has a protruding
extension 22C in the form of a circular cone top. The cone top
protruding extension is adapted to cooperate with the internal
surface of a cylindrical socket 10C as illustrated in FIG. 13. The
socket member 10C of FIG. 13 has a cylindrical socket 16C with an
internal extension 15C that terminates at a hole attachment means
18C extending through to the attachment surface 14C. The internal
diameter of the cylindrical socket 16C is something less than the
diameter of the ball through its center so as to permit rotary
movement of the ball within the socket. The diametrical dimension
through the ball and ball extension 22C is larger than the diameter
of the socket 16C so that when the axis of the ball with its
extension is rotated with respect to the axis of the cylindrical
socket the extension 22c contacts the inner surface of the
cylindrical socket to limit further movement of the axis of ball
member 20 with respect to the socket axis.
[0068] Also illustrated in FIG. 13 is the cooperation of the
shoulder 12C on the socket 10C (also shown in FIG. 10 at 12A and in
FIG. 11 at 12B) with the shoulder 25C (also shown in FIG. 10 at 25A
and in FIG. 11 at 25B) to function as a stop in the relative rotary
movement between the axes of the socket 10C and the a second member
20. These stop functions when in the positions illustrated in FIG.
13 also prevent the extraction of the second member 20 with ball
22C from the socket 16C in a lateral direction as shown by the
arrow at the right of the FIG because of the cooperation of the
extension 22C with the interior of the cylindrical socket 16C.
Also, the cooperation of the shoulder 12C on the socket member 10C
with the shoulder 25C on the second member 20 prevents withdrawal
of the ball member from the socket in the direction of the arrow to
the right of the FIG and parallel to the axis of the second
member.
[0069] FIGS. 14-17 illustrate the baluster ball and socket adapter
of the present invention as the socket first member 10 and the ball
second member 20 and their assembly with a baluster 30 and attached
to a stairway rail. It should be understood that the ball member 20
and the baluster 30 could be formed as a single unit. The ball and
socket assembly permits the socket member to be movable from side
to side as illustrated in the ROTATE arrow above FIG. 16 and from
back to front as illustrated in the ROTATE arrow above FIG. 17.
These rotary movements permit the assembled baluster and attachment
adapter to be attached to a stairway rail regardless of the slope
or the angle that the rail makes with respect to horizontal.
Further in the case of a circular stairway where the rail can have
differing slope with respect to vertical and horizontal and the
rail may also be at a slant angle with respect to the level of a
stair tread. In that regard, the adapter can be attached to any
flat surface regardless of that surface's orientation to horizontal
or vertical. The adapter therefore has a universally adjustable
attachment surface that permits a baluster or post to be directed
vertically below its attachment to a surface. As illustrated in
FIGS. 16 and 17, the bottom of the baluster can be attached to a
base surface with a pin attachment extending into the baluster. The
base of the baluster can also be provided with a universally
adjustable ball and socket adapter to permit adjustable attachment
to a base surface.
[0070] FIGS. 18-21 illustrate variations in the attachment between
the socket member, the second member and a baluster or post. As
previously described and as illustrated in FIG. 18, the ball 22 can
be retained within the socket 10 and can have an extension 23 for
mounting to another element. The second member 20 can have a hole
27 at its upper end receive the extension 23 from a ball 22. The
second member 20 can also have an axial hole 26 for attachment to a
baluster. The baluster can be formed with a mounting end 32 for
insertion into the axial hole 26 in a second member. Each of these
extensions and holes can be threaded or smooth to permit threading
connection or fix by other means such as set screws, pins or
gluing.
[0071] FIG. 19 illustrates a baluster 30 with it upper end formed
to be attached to a ball member and includes a receiving hole 27
for connection to a ball as illustrated in FIG. 23 with an
extension 23.
[0072] FIG. 20 illustrates a ball member within a socket 10 wherein
the ball member has an internal axial hole 28 and a second member
20 with an axial extension 29 that is adapted to be inserted into
the hole 28 in the ball 22. This FIG illustrates a baluster 30 with
an attachment end 32 for attachment to the second member 20 as
described with respect to FIG. 18.
[0073] FIG. 21 illustrates a baluster 30 having a threaded
extension 29A for cooperation with a threaded hole 28 in a ball
member 22.
[0074] FIGS. 22-26 illustrate alternative forms of attachment of a
baluster to a stairway rail using the ball and socket adapter of
the present invention. As previously described, the socket member
10 can be adapted to be fixed to the under surface 44 of a rail 40
by suitable means such as the screw show in the figure. The second
member 20 with its ball surface 22 and baluster 30 attached can
then be inserted into the socket member 10 and fixed there by
suitable means. FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative attachment of
the socket member 10 to the undersurface 44 of the rail 40 in a
hole 48 drilled into the rail. The assembly of the baluster and
adapter is then secured in the socket by suitable means.
[0075] Some stairway rails are preformed with a longitudinal groove
on the under surface. Such a groove 45, as shown in FIG. 25, can
receive the socket member 10 illustrated in FIGS. 24-26. The
lateral dimension of the socket member 10, as shown in FIG. 25, can
be made to match the dimension of the groove 45 cut into the under
surface of a rail and the mounting of the socket member 10 to the
rail will appear somewhat like the attachment shown in FIG. 23. A
baluster and adapter assembly can then be inserted and fixed to the
mounted socket member.
[0076] FIGS. 27-30 illustrate alternative constructions for
mounting the ball and socket structures to a stairway rail. In FIG.
27 a threaded attachment washer 51 is attached by a screw 52 to the
underside 44 of a rail 40. A socket 10 has the internal cylindrical
hole 16 passing from the open end 12 to the attachment surface 14
and that end of the hole 16 is threaded to match the threads in the
threaded attachment washer 51. With the washer 51 attached to the
rail 40 and the socket 10 attached at the mating threads, the
socket is adapted to receive a ball 22 of the type described with
respect to FIGS. 10 and 18. In this illustration, the ball 22 is
provided with a threaded extension 23 for attachment to a second
member assembly (not shown) as in FIG. 18.
[0077] FIG. 28 illustrates a socket member like that shown and
described with respect to FIG. 11 where the socket 10 has an
internal reduced diameter shoulder 12B that will confine a ball 22
inserted from the attachment end 14 before the socket 10 is
attached to the underside of the rail 40 by screws such as 42. The
ball 22 has a threaded extension which functions in the same manner
as described with respect to FIG. 27 in attachment of the ball 22
to a second member assembly. FIG. 29 illustrates another form of an
attachment of a ball member 22 to a socket 10 which is attachable
to the underside 44 of a rail 10 by a screw 42. The socket 10 in
this form has an internally threaded surface 120 at the open end 12
of the socket. The ball 22 is retained within the cylindrical hole
16A (as shown in FIG. 10) by a threaded retaining ring 122 that has
matching threads with the threads in the internally threaded
surface 120. The ball 22 of FIG. 29 is formed with an internal hole
28 like that shown in FIG. 20; the hole 28 may be threaded or
adapted for other fasting means to a second member assembly. The
threaded retainer ring 122 secures the ball 22 within the socket 10
while permitting universal rotary movement of any assembly attached
to the ball FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative mounting of the
socket to the underside 44 of a rail 40 wherein the socket is
inserted into a predrilled hole 49 as described with respect to
FIG. 23 and provides for a flush mounting of the socket 10 within
the rail 40. FIGS. 31-33 illustrate steps of attaching a baluster
30 to the undersurface 44 of a rail 40 with the ball and socket
assembly of the present invention. In FIG. 31 a socket or first
member 20 is shown attached to the undersurface 44 of a rail 40 by
a screw 42. The rail 40 as illustrated has a slope angle with
respect to the horizontal axis as shown in the graphic to the left
of the figure. The axis 310 of the concave surface 16 of the socket
10 is normal to the undersurface 44 of the rail 40 and the axis 312
to which the baluster is to be mounted. FIG. 32 illustrates the
second member assembly with its ball 22 with protruding extension
22C and with an internal cutout portion 26 at the surface 24
opposite to the ball end. In the dotted lines to the left of the
figure the baluster 30 is shown prior to being attached to the
member 20 and in the sectional portion of the figure the baluster
30 is shown with its inserting end 32 fully within the cutout
portion 26. The assembled baluster 30 and assembly 20 are shown off
of alignment with the axis 312 to which the baluster is to be
mounted. FIG. 33 illustrates the assembled baluster 30 and member
20 inserted within the socket 10. It should be noted that the
member 20 is adjusted along the axis of the inserting end 32 of the
baluster to be moved for the insertion of the ball 22 into the
socket opening 16 for connection of the assembly to the socket.
This figure also illustrates the engagement of the protruding
extension 22C with the inner cylindrical surface of the concave
socket 16 and the engagement of the shoulder 12C of the socket 10
with the annular shoulder 25C of the member 20. When the baluster
30 assembly is inserted into the socket 10 with the engaging
shoulders as just described, the baluster is substantially locked
against horizontal and vertical movement out of the socket. FIG. 34
illustrates another alternative for form for the socket member 10.
In this form the internal concave socket 16D is a tapered
cylindrical or cone shaped cutout having a dimension at the open
end 17D smaller than the diameter of a ball 22. This form functions
in the same manner as the form of the socket 10 of FIG. 11 wherein
the ball 22 is inserted from the attachment surface 14 FIG. 35
illustrates several forms of securing the second member 20 to a
socket member 10 and to a baluster 30. After alignment of the
socket 10 for fastening to a rail (not shown) the ball 22 can be
fixed to the inner surface of the socket 10 by a fastener such as a
pin or nail passing through the ball 22 and into an inner surface
of the cylindrical opening 16 after the socket has been attached to
the rail. The baluster 30 may be fixed to an adjusted position
within the internal hole 26 in the second member 20 by a set screw
or other fastener passing through the exterior of the member 20 and
into the inserting end 32 of the baluster. The ball fastening to
the socket 10 and the fastening of the baluster to the member 20
may be with the use of glue applied to the mating surfaces when
finally attached to the rail.
[0078] FIG. 36 illustrates the attachment of baluster assembly 30
with an adapter 20 having a convex ball end 22 and without the use
of a socket member 10. In this form the equivalent of the socket 10
is replaced by predrilled holes 49 into the undersurface 44 of a
rail 40. In this form of attachment of the baluster assembly the
holes may be drilled at 90.degree. to the rail surface. The
function of a universally adjustable ball and socket attachment is
still accomplished with this modification in that the ball is still
universally moveable within the hole 49.
[0079] FIGS. 37-40 illustrate a baluster with a ball 39 either
formed with the manufacture of the baluster or attached after
manufacture and the use of a fixed base 38 for an assembled
baluster 30 and the adjustable manners for attaching the baluster
assembly to a stairway. The baluster 30 of FIG. 37 is precut to a
desired length with a ball end 36 and a fixed base 38 to fit into a
socket on a rail (not shown). A pin 39 is used to fix the base 38
to a stair base (not shown). The baluster 30 of FIG. 38 employs an
fixed base 38 with an internal cavity 38A for adjustably receiving
an end portion 32A of the baluster shaft 30. In this form the
baluster 30 is adjustably fixed to the base 38 and then the ball
end 36 is extended into a socket on a stairway rail (not shown).
When the ball is fixed within the socket the adjustment of the end
32A into the base 38 can be fixed as by set screw or glue or the
like. FIG. 39 illustrates the attachment of the ball 36 to the
upper end of a baluster 30 with a screw 37 passing through the ball
36 and axially into the inserting end 32 of the baluster 30. The
FIG. 39 form of the adjustable length baluster 30 is illustrated in
FIG. 40 where the inserting end of the baluster is cut to a desired
length (as determined by the space between the stairway base and
stairway rail) and then the ball 36 is attached. The base 38 is
them fixed to the base of the stairway as in the case of FIG.
37.
[0080] It should be understood that first member 10, second member
20, baluster 30 and other related parts may be made of wood,
composites, plastics or metal or other suitable materials. Wooden
or composite parts can be turned to provide the cylindrical,
hemispherical, collared forms here illustrated. Metal baluster
elements are easily adapted to the use of the ball and socket
attachment adapter and can eliminate the more difficult cutting of
metal to fit different railing slopes.
[0081] In the installation of balusters in a stairway construction,
the base of the balusters can be all the same length or in
different lengths to permit the tops of the base members to either
all be the same distance from the upper rail or to be the same
distance from the base of the stair treads or a stringer. Because
both the connection of the insertion end 32 of a baluster at the
inside of the second member 20 or at the fixed base 38 can be
adjustable, the appearance of the completed stairway with balusters
installed can take many desirable forms.
[0082] The ball and socket concept of the present invention can
have the ball as a part of an assembly that carries the baluster or
can have the ball separate and attached directly to a baluster. The
socket can have a hemispherical concave socket or a cylindrical
concave socket and, further, can be an attachment to a railing, a
formed part of the railing or base of a stairway, and can have a
tapered conical interior or an interior with a retaining ridge. The
assembled baluster with ball and socket adapter can present a flush
appearance at the under surface of a rail or as an attachment to
the rail. The base of adjacent balusters can all be the same
distance from the base surface to which they are attached or can
have progressive lengths so that the slope of the line of the top
of the bases parallels the slope of the stairway because of the
adjustable features of the attachment of the balusters to the
attachment assembly. The axial adjustment of the balusters and
attachment assembly permits the installation of a baluster and the
later fixing of the assembly with fasteners or glue or the
like.
[0083] While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have
been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be
given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the
following claims.
* * * * *