U.S. patent application number 15/584199 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for railing and baluster plug system.
The applicant listed for this patent is BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael Matthew Desalle, Wayne E. Dixon, Christopher Michael Schneider.
Application Number | 20170234016 15/584199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52994361 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170234016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; Christopher Michael ;
et al. |
August 17, 2017 |
RAILING AND BALUSTER PLUG SYSTEM
Abstract
A railing and baluster plug system that facilitates installation
of balusters at a plurality of angular orientations, such as
installations for level railing and installations for non-level or
angled railings such as for stairs. The baluster plugs are
configured to cooperate with the balusters and include both a level
mounting surface and an angled mounting surface for alternatively
mounting the balusters in a level or an angled orientation.
Inventors: |
Schneider; Christopher Michael;
(Mays Landing, NJ) ; Desalle; Michael Matthew;
(Northfield, NJ) ; Dixon; Wayne E.; (Chuckey,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC. |
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52994361 |
Appl. No.: |
15/584199 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14511424 |
Oct 10, 2014 |
9637932 |
|
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15584199 |
|
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61897396 |
Oct 30, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
256/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/1844 20130101;
E04H 17/1421 20130101; E04H 2017/1482 20130101; E04H 2017/1452
20130101; E04F 11/1834 20130101; E04H 2017/1491 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/18 20060101
E04F011/18; E04H 17/14 20060101 E04H017/14 |
Claims
1. A mount for a lateral member of a railing system, the mount
comprising: an attachment interface to a lateral member, to attach
the mount within the lateral member; and at least one aperture to
receive at least one screw to secure the mount to a post.
2. The mount of claim 1, further comprising: an angled surface to
receive the at least one aperture, a plane of the angled surface
forming an angle different than 90 degrees relative to a lateral
direction of the lateral member.
3. The mount of claim 2, further comprising a leg extending
laterally from the angled surface, the leg contoured to match a
mechanical stop on an interior of the lateral member.
4. The mount of claim 2, further comprising a trimmable major
surface opposite from the angled surface, the trimmable major
surface positioned flush with a surface of the post when the mount
is mounted on the post, wherein: when untrimmed, a plane of the
trimmable major surface is perpendicular to the lateral direction
of the lateral member, and when trimmed, the plane of the trimmable
major surface is angled to form an angle different than 90 degrees
relative to a lateral direction of the lateral member.
5. The mount of claim 1, comprising at least three apertures to
receive one of at least three screws respectively to secure the
mount to a post.
6. The mount of claim 1, wherein the attachment interface comprises
a snap-fit interface.
7. The mount of claim 1, wherein the attachment interface comprises
a sliding interface.
8. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a channel for passage
of a wire.
9. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a lateral protrusion on
an exterior side surface of the mount, the lateral protrusion
contoured to match a cooperating lateral feature on an interior of
the lateral member.
10. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a side protrusion
extending laterally on an exterior lateral side surface of the
mount, the side protrusion contoured to match a cooperating lateral
feature on an interior of the lateral member.
11. A railing system, comprising: an upper lateral member; a lower
lateral member spaced below and substantially parallel to the upper
lateral member; a post; and a pair of mounts, one of the mounts
attachable to the post and the upper lateral member and one of the
mounts attachable to the post and the lower lateral member, wherein
the mounts enable the upper lateral member and the lower lateral
member to be positioned at a plurality of angular orientations
relative to the post, wherein the mounts reside within the upper
lateral member or the lower lateral member and comprising at least
one aperture to receive at least one screw to be secured within the
post.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
14/511,424, filed Oct. 10, 2014, entitled, "RAILING AND BALUSTER
PLUG SYSTEM", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,637,932, issued May 2, 2017,
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/897,396, filed Oct. 30, 2013, entitled "Railing and Baluster
Plug System," and are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a railing system and
baluster plug system for installation of railing assemblies having
a plurality of balusters. More particularly, the disclosure relates
to a railing system and a baluster plug system for installation of
railing assemblies haying a plurality of balusters that enables
balusters to be installed at a plurality of angular
orientations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Improvement is desired in the construction of component
railing systems, particularly those made of composite materials,
aluminum, and plastic materials, such as polyvinylchloride, that
utilize generally upright hollow or at least hollow-ended balusters
connected between opposed and generally lateral rails supported by
posts.
[0004] The disclosure advantageously provides a railing system and
a baluster plug system that facilitates installation of balusters
at a plurality of angular orientations, such as installations for
level railing and installations for non-level or angled railings
such as for stairs, that enables components configured for level
installations to be utilized for non-level or angled installations
without modification.
SUMMARY
[0005] The disclosure relates to railing systems.
[0006] In one aspect, the railing system includes a lateral member
having a planar lateral surface having a plurality of uniformly
spaced apertures; a plurality of balusters having an end positioned
adjacent to the lateral member; and a plurality of baluster
plugs.
[0007] Each baluster plug is configured for fitting into an open
end of one of the balusters and seating into one of the apertures
of the lateral member. The baluster plug has a baluster engagement
portion configured to be received by the open end of the baluster,
a tab projecting from the baluster engagement portion, and a level
mounting surface and an angled mounting surface defined on an
opposite end of the baluster engagement portion for seating against
the planar lateral surface of the lateral member When the baluster
is installed. The railing system enables the balusters to be
positioned at a plurality of angular orientations.
[0008] In another aspect, the railing system includes an upper
lateral member having a planar lateral surface having a plurality
of uniformly spaced apertures, and a lower lateral member spaced
below and parallel to the upper lateral member and having a planar
lateral surface having a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures.
The system also includes a plurality of balusters positioned
between the upper lateral member and the lower lateral member, and
a plurality of baluster plugs.
[0009] Each baluster plug is configured for fitting into an open
end of one of the balusters and sealing into one of the apertures
of the upper lateral member or the lower lateral member. The
baluster plug has a baluster engagement portion configured to be
received by the baluster, a tab projecting from the baluster
engagement portion, and a level mounting surface and an angled
mounting surface defined on an opposite end of the baluster
engagement portion for seating against the planar lateral surface
of the upper lateral member or the lower lateral member when the
baluster is installed. The railing system enables the balusters to
be positioned at a plurality of angular orientations.
[0010] In another aspect, the railing system includes an upper
lateral member; a lower lateral member spaced below and parallel,
to the upper lateral member; a post; and a pair of mounts. One of
the mounts is attachable to the post and the upper lateral member
and one of the mounts is attachable to the post and the lower
lateral member. The mounts enable the upper lateral member and the
lower lateral member to be positioned at a plurality of angular
orientations relative to the post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by
reference to the detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more
clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate
like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of a railing system and
baluster plug system according to the disclosure.
[0013] FIGS. 2-5 are further views of the railing system and
baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIGS. 6-15 are various views of a baluster plug utilized in
the railing system and baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 16 shows the baluster plug of FIG. 6 relative to a
baluster of the railing system and baluster plug system of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIGS. 17-20 show a beam component of the railing system and
baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIGS. 21-25 show a mount component of the railing system and
baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIGS. 26-27 show the mount used for level and angled
installations.
[0019] FIGS. 28-30 show a lower rail component of the railing
system and baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIGS. 31-32 show an upper rail component of the railing
system and baluster plug system of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIGS. 33-34 show an alternate embodiment of an upper rail
component of the railing system and baluster plug system of FIG.
1.
[0022] FIGS. 35-36 depict a level installation of the upper rail
component of the railing system and baluster plug system of FIG.
1.
[0023] FIGS. 37-38 depict an angled installation of the upper rail
component of the railing system and baluster plug system of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a railing system
10 including a baluster plug system 12 according to the disclosure.
The railing system 10 incorporating the baluster plug system 12 is
configured to be installed between a pair of posts, such as having
a post P located at spaced apart locations with the railing system
10 there between. The post P may be of one piece construction or
may be of component construction and preferably includes a
decorative base and cap as shown. The railing system 10 is also
advantageously configured to include interior chases or passages
such as for installation of wires cables, and the like.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the railing system 10 includes
beams 20 having slots 20a (FIG. 17), mounts 22, lower rail 24
having slots 24a (FIG. 5), and upper rail 26. The baluster plug
system 12 includes a plurality of hollow or hollow-ended balusters
30 and baluster plugs 32.
[0026] The components of the systems may be made of various
materials, such as composites, aluminum, and plastic. For the
purpose of example, the beams 20, mounts 22, lower rail 24, upper
rail 26, and the balusters 30 are made using extrusion techniques.
The baluster plugs 32 are of plastic construction and made using
injection molding techniques.
[0027] The railing system 10 and the baluster plug system 12 are
configured so that the only fasteners utilized are those used to
secure the mounts 22 to the posts with those fasteners being hidden
from view. Thus, systems in accordance with the disclosure minimize
the use of fasteners and avoid the use of exposed fasteners.
[0028] The railing system 10 and the baluster plug system 12
advantageously utilize components that facilitate installation at a
plurality of angular orientations, such as installations for level
railing and installations for non-level or angled, railings such as
for stairs. Thus, the systems according to the disclosure
advantageously utilize components that can be used for both level
installations and angled installations.
[0029] In this regard, a level installation will he understood to
mean an installation wherein the angle of installation is about
zero, and an angled installation has an angle of installation of
greater than zero in the manner of a stair railing and the like
that are inclined. In particular, the systems according to the
disclosure enable railing and baluster installations having angles
of installation of up to about 41 degrees.
[0030] For each installation, the slots 20a and the slots 24a are
each the same, and the baluster plug 32 is advantageously
configured to fills the slots 20a and 24a regardless of whether the
installation is a level or an angled installation so that unsightly
gaps and the like are avoided. The only modification required to
permit an angled installation is to trim the ends of the balusters
to the desired angle and the ends of the beams and rails to abut
the posts.
[0031] The baluster plugs 32 are shown in FIGS. 6-15, and shown in
relation to the baluster 30 in FIG. 16. The plugs 32 include a
baluster engagement portion 40 configured to be received by the
baluster 30 and a tab 42 projecting from the baluster engagement
portion 40. An insertion end of the baluster engagement portion 40
includes rounded ends 44 to facilitate insertion of the baluster
engagement portion 40 into the hollow end of the baluster 30. Level
mounting surfaces 40a and angled mounting surfaces 40b are defined
on the opposite end of the baluster engagement portion 40 for
seating against either the. beam 20 or the lower rail 24 when the
baluster 30 is installed, as explained more fully below. A corner
40e transitions the level mounting surface 40a to the angled
mounting surface 40b. The tab 42 is configured for extending into
the slots 20a of the beam 20 and the slots 24a of the lower beam
24. The tab 42 includes a leading curved surface 46 and a trailing
linear surface 48. The sides of the tab 42 are ribbed or otherwise
configured with projections and the like for frictionally engaging
the edges of the slots 20a and 24a. Reinforcements 50 extend
between the baluster engagement portion 40 and the tab 42.
[0032] The beam 20 is shown in FIGS. 17-20, and is configured to
provide a chase or open area for routing cables and the like. The
beam 20 is used in connection with both the upper and lower
portions of the railing system 10. In this regard, the beam 20 need
not include the slots 20a when used in connection with the lower
portion of the railing system. However, for standardization of
manufacture, and to advantageously provide drainage structure, it
is preferred to have the beam 20 include the slots 20a even when
used with the lower railing portion. The beam 20 thus serves as a
lateral member for mounting of the balusters 30 and includes a
planar lateral surface 60 onto which the slots 20a are formed, as
by routing. The lateral surface 60 is bounded by commonly depending
legs 62 and 64 on opposite sides thereof. The legs 62 and 64 are
profiled to cooperate with the lower rail 24 and the upper rail 26
so that the rails can be mounted thereon, as well as the mount 22
so that each end of the beam 20 may he engaged and supported by one
of the mounts 22.
[0033] The mount 22 is shown in FIGS. 21-26. The mount 22 is
configured to receive the beam 20 by a sliding or snap-tit to
maintain the beam 20 on the mount 22 for support of the railing
system 10. The mount 22 is secured to the post P as by the use of
screws 66 or other fasteners extending through apertures 68. The
screws 66 are hidden from view in the assembled railing system 10.
To facilitate installation of cables, wiring and the like on the
railing system 10, the mount 22 includes channels 70 for passage of
such cables, wires, and the like. Another advantage of the railing
system 10 is that the mounts 22 can be utilized for both level and
angled installations. Conventional railing systems utilize
different mount configurations for each different angle of the
railing. The system 10 avoids this and enables the mounts 22 to be
utilized for all installations. FIGS. 26-27 show the mount 22 used
for level and angled installations.
[0034] The lower rail 24 is shown in FIGS. 28-30. The lower rail 24
serves as a lateral member for mounting of the balusters 30 and
includes a planar lateral surface 80 onto which the slots 24a are
formed, as by routing, The lateral surface 80 is bounded by
commonly depending legs 82 and 84 on opposite sides thereof. The
legs 82 and 84 are profiled to cooperate with the beam 20 so that
the lower rail 24 can be mounted thereon, and to also include an
interior chase or channel for routing of wires, cables, and the
like. The interior of the lower rail 24 includes a beam channel 86
for location of the beam 20 and an. auxiliary channel 88 separate
from the beam channel 86 for locating wires, conduits, cables, and
the like.
[0035] The upper rail 26 is shown in FIGS. 31-32. The upper rail 26
includes an upper decorative surface 90 bounded by commonly
depending legs 92 and 94 on opposite sides thereof. The legs 92 and
94 are profiled to cooperate with the beam 20 so that the upper
rail 26 can be mounted thereon, and to also include an interior
chase or channel for routing of wires, cables, and the like.
Accordingly, the interior of the upper rail 26 includes a beam
channel 96 for location of the beam 20 and an auxiliary channel 98
separate from the beam channel 96 for locating wires, conduits,
cables, and the like,
[0036] An alternate embodiment of an upper rail 26' is shown in
FIGS. 33-34. The upper rail 26' is substantially the same as the
upper rail 26, but differs in decorative appearance.
[0037] FIGS. 35-36 show cooperation of the baluster plug 32 with
the baluster 30 and the lower rail 24 for a level installation. As
will be observed, the baluster plug 32 cooperates with the slot 24a
to enable the level mounting surfaces 40a of the plug 32 and the
lower level surfaces of the baluster 30 to be flush with the
surface 80 of the lower rail 24 with the tab 42 substantially
filling the slot 24a so that unsightly gaps and the like are
avoided,
[0038] FIGS. 37-36 show cooperation of the baluster plug 32 with
the baluster 30 and the lower rail 24 for an angled installation.
For this installation, the ends of the baluster are cut to a
desired angle of installation of up to about 41 degrees, and the
beams and rails are cut so that the ends are angled to abut the
posts.
[0039] As will be observed, the baluster plug 32 cooperates with
the slot 24a to enable the angled mounting surfaces 40a of the plug
32 and the lower angled surface of the baluster 30 to be flush with
the surface 80 of the lower rail 24 with the tab 42 substantially
filling the slot 24a so that unsightly gaps and the like are
avoided. The baluster plug 32 is thus advantageously configured to
be suitable for both level and angled applications, such as stairs,
which typically have an angled installation of from about 29
degrees to about 41 degrees.
[0040] It will be appreciated that the baluster plug 32 with the
baluster 30 and the beam 20 cooperate in a similar manner for
installation of the upper portion of the railing system.
[0041] Accordingly, the disclosure provides a railing system and a
baluster plug system that facilitates installation of balusters at
a plurality of angular orientations, such as installations for
level railing and installations for non-level or angled railings
such as for stairs, that enables components configured for level
installations to be utilized for non-level or angled installations
without modification.
[0042] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this
disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *