Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for installing balusters are provided. A baluster insert according to an embodiment of the invention provides a round insert having an opening shaped to accommodate a baluster and ribs spaced equally around the outer perimeter of the insert. An angled insert is provided for facilitating installation of a handrail. Installation involved placing a baluster insert over a lower end of a baluster and then placing the baluster into a pre-drilled hole. The baluster insert is then pressed into the hole. A similar process occurs at the top of the baluster where the angled insert is pressed into a pre-drilled hole in the underside of a handrail.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application for patent claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No.: 201020184369.X filed on May 10, 2010, hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to baluster installation, and more particularly, to a baluster insert. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Installing a staircase requires a plethora of operations that must be carried out in a safe and cost-effective manner in order to produce a staircase that is sturdy and safe, as well as conforming to the selected design. A key part of the railing is the installation of the balusters. 
         [0006]    When installed the railing functions as a guard to ensure the safe passage of individuals adjacent to a significant drop. Balusters act as a guard, filling the space between the newel posts and also add styling to the staircase. The railing is supported by balusters, individual vertical supports fixed to the individual treads and also to the underside of the handrail. These balusters need to be fixed securely in place. Balusters are typically placed so that at least one baluster is fixed to an outside tread of each step of the staircase. Some designs may call for two or three balusters to be placed on each step depending on local building codes and design aesthetics. Balusters may be designed to complement the appearance of the interior of the home and may also serve a decorative purpose, in addition to the functional purpose mentioned above. 
         [0007]    Designs for balusters may provide for various shapes and ornamentation. Balusters may be square, round, oval or rectangular in footprint, which must be considered when attaching both the step and handrail segments of the balusters. Staircases typically require multiple steps, often ranging from two or three, with many staircases having many more. Each individual baluster must be carefully and securely fixed in place. Installation of balusters for a complete staircase may require many hours of labor and may also require customizing in order to fit the balusters in place, particularly if unusual shapes are involved. Furthermore, in some cases the balusters must be glued in place and allowed to cure, making later changes difficult. In order to meet this need, a number of products have been created. However, these products do not adapt well to unusual shapes and may themselves require additional preparation and installation time to install, even before the balusters themselves are installed. 
         [0008]    There is a need in the art for a baluster insert to facilitate baluster installation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a baluster insert comprising a round insert having an opening shaped to accommodate a baluster and ribs spaced equally around a perimeter of the round insert. 
         [0010]    A further embodiment of the invention provides a baluster insert comprising a round insert having an opening shaped to accommodate a baluster and ribs spaced equally around a perimeter of the round insert. This embodiment also provides for an angled surface to match the underside of a handrail. 
         [0011]    A still further embodiment provides a method of installing a baluster. The method comprises drilling a hole to accept a baluster in a stair tread, placing a baluster insert over a bottom end of a baluster, installing the baluster with the baluster insert over the bottom end into the hole. The baluster insert is then pressed into the hole. 
         [0012]    Yet a further embodiment of the invention provides a method of installing a handrail on a baluster, comprising the steps of drilling a hole to accept a baluster insert in an underside of a handrail, then placing a baluster insert over a top end of a baluster, installing the baluster with the baluster insert over a top end into the hole in the underside of the handrail with the baluster insert positioned below the hole in the handrail, and pressing the baluster insert into the hole in the underside of the handrail. 
         [0013]    An additional embodiment provides an apparatus for installing a baluster, comprising means for drilling a hole to accept a baluster insert in a stair tread, means for placing a baluster insert over a bottom end of a baluster, means for installing the baluster with the baluster insert over a bottom end into the hole in the stair tread with the baluster insert positioned above the hole in the stair tread, and means for pressing the baluster insert into the hole in the stair tread. 
         [0014]    A still further embodiment provides an apparatus for installing a baluster on a stair handrail, comprising: means for drilling a hole to accept a baluster insert in an underside of a handrail, means for placing a baluster insert over a top end of a baluster, means for installing the baluster with the baluster insert over a top end into the hole in the underside of the handrail with the baluster insert positioned below the hole in the handrail, and means for pressing the baluster insert into the hole in the underside of the handrail. 
         [0000]    Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a baluster insert, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a top view of a baluster insert, in accordance with one or more embodiments the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a side view of a baluster insert, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a handrail baluster insert, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a handrail baluster insert, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates the position of a baluster insert prior to installation, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts the position of a baluster insert after installation, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows the position of a handrail baluster insert prior to installation, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows the position of a handrail baluster insert after installation, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments. 
         [0025]    In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a baluster insert according to an embodiment. The baluster insert  100  is a round insert  102  formed from plastic, metal, polyvinyl chloride, or other suitable material. The material may be colored to allow the baluster insert to match the area where installed. The material should be suitable for a press fit installation method. Round insert  102  has opening  104  centered in insert  102 . Opening  104  may be shaped to accommodate a variety of baluster cross sections and only a representative opening is depicted. Ribs  106 , or projections are spaced evenly around the outer perimeter of round insert  102 . These ribs enable the baluster insert to remain firmly in place once installed. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of baluster insert  100  showing the round insert  102 , opening  104  and ribs  106 .  FIG. 3  shows a side view of a baluster insert with ribs  106  visible. Baluster insert  100  is installed on the individual stair treads during the baluster installation process, typically on the side of the stair tread near the edge. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  depicts a handrail baluster insert  200 . Baluster insert  200  is a angled round insert  202  having an angled profile to match the angle of the stair handrail the upper end of the baluster is affixed to. Angled baluster inserts may be ground, cut, or machined to match the exact angle of the stair rail. Opening  204  matches the profile of the baluster the handrail is supporting. Ribs  206  provide secure attachment to the stair handrail. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows the side view of a handrail baluster insert  200 . Ribs  206  are visible. Also visible is the angle  208  that allows the handrail baluster insert to match the angle of the handrail, providing for an unobtrusive installation. Angle  208  may be varied as needed to match the handrail angle and pitch of the staircase. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates the initial step in installation of a baluster using a baluster insert according to an embodiment of the invention. Stair  606  is prepared by drilling hole  604 . Hole  604  is sized to provide for a press fit installation of baluster insert  100 . Baluster  602  is fitted with baluster insert  100 . Baluster insert  100  is placed on or near the lower end of baluster  602 . Baluster  602  is then placed into hole  604  with baluster insert  100  poised above hole  604 . 
         [0031]    Once baluster insert  100  is in position as described above, baluster insert  100  is pressed into hole  602  using any suitable means.  FIG. 7  depicts the positions after installation. The assembly,  700 , shows stair  606  with hole  604 . Baluster insert  100  has been installed and is flush or slightly above the surface of stair  606 . Baluster  602  is retained in place by baluster insert  100 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates the installation of a handrail baluster insert  200  as part of an assembly  800 . Baluster  602  is fitted with a handrail baluster insert  200  near the top of baluster  602 . Baluster  602  with handrail baluster insert  200  is fitted into hole  804  on the underside of handrail  802 . The baluster insert  200  is then pressed into the hole  804  on the underside of handrail  802  using any suitable means. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows the assembly  900  of the completed handrail installation. Handrail baluster insert  200  has been forced or pressed into hole  804  using any suitable means. The angled handrail baluster insert  200  fits flush with the underside of handrail  802 . With the completion of the handrail installation, the baluster is securely held in place. While the illustrations depict the installation of an individual baluster, in actual use, a complete staircase would be completed at one time by positioning the individual balusters on each step, completing the lower step installation and then proceeding with the handrail installation for all balusters to be tied to the handrail. 
         [0034]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein may be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise. 
         [0035]    Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
         [0036]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. 
         [0037]    A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. 
         [0038]    The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations. 
         [0039]    Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 
         [0040]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.