Abstract:
A railing system includes a set of vertically disposed baluster assemblies and a plurality of railing members. The baluster assemblies include a lower base member receiving a pair of opposing vertical plates. Each of the pairs of plates have opposing aligned pairs of throughbores, each pair movably holding therein one of a set of insert members. Railing members each slide through adjacent pairs of insert members to form a wall of spaced apart railing members. Each railing member passes through the insert members in each of the baluster assemblies and the insert members holding the railing member pivot to align member throughbores at an angle from horizontal that is dependent upon a vertical difference of adjacent ones of the fixed base members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is: 
     a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/598,266, filed on Nov. 13, 2006 now U.S. Pat No. 7,913,983; the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to railings generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel stair, ramp, or balcony railing system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most current systems require posts or balusters to be accurately drilled at the proper angle and frequency required to achieve the desired spacing and slope. This is very difficult and expensive—requiring expertise and experience and expensive equipment. 
     Some attempts at providing a simplified railing system are as follows: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 210,526, issued Dec. 3, 1878, to Hanson, and titled IRON-FENCE, discloses an iron fence consisting of two channel shaped railings with the tongues of cylindrical picket holding members inserted in the channels. Pickets are held externally in the cylindrical picket holding members. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,159, issued Aug. 5, 1930, to Roth, and titled RAIL CONNECTION, discloses in  FIGS. 5 and 6  spheres mounted in the ends of balusters and attached to rails at any angle by means of screws passing through the rails and the spheres. U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,749, issued Oct. 11, 1983, to Zieg, and titled VARIABLE PITCH RAILING AND SYSTEM, discloses a railing system in which the ends of balusters are fitted with segments of spheres. The segments of spheres fit into complementary shaped arcuate openings formed in the rails and the ends of the balusters are confined by elongated molding. Thus, the balusters can be rotated to almost any degree. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,814, issued Nov. 14,2000, to Perrot, and titled DEVICE FOR MOUNTING HANDRAIL ELEMENT ON A POST IN PARTICULAR FOR PRODUCING A STAIRCASE AND A SET PROVIDED THEREFOR, discloses in pertinent aspects a railing system similar to that of the &#39;749 patent above. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,143, issued Oct. 9, 2001, to Valentine, and titled COUPLING SPOOL, discloses a railing system in which a spool is slid internally of a rail until it is aligned with an opening formed in the rail. A picket is inserted into the spool and is attached to the spool by welding, bonding, or other attachment methods to secure the picket in the rail. The picket can then be rotated within the rail as guided by the spool. 
     All of the above are relatively complicated and/or expensive. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a railing system for stairs, ramps, or balconies that offers adjustable angle capability and ease of installation for, for example, wire, cable, pipe, rod, or the like. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system that captures members of metal, plastic, glass, tubes (round, oval, or multi-sided), or composite, or the like at pre-determined spacing with holes formed in the members. The holes are of proper diameter to permit the members to pass therethrough with the members rotated as required to the desired slope. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide holes that are oversized with the desired hole diameter achieved with varying bushings. 
     Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing an apparatus, comprising: a plurality of members disposed inside generally vertical balusters; each said member having formed therethrough a hole; a plurality of wires, cables, rods, pipes, tubes (round, oval, or multi-sided), or the like, each one disposed through one of said holes; and said members being rotatable to position said wires, cables, rods, pipes, tubes (round, oval, or multisided), or the like at a selected angle from horizontal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated by reference and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a stair and balcony railing system, constructed according to the present invention, and showing a side mount version. 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary, isometric view of the stair portion of  FIG. 1 , without the handrail. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a stair and balcony railing system, constructed accord to the present invention, and showing a surface mount version. 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, isometric view of the stair portion of  FIG. 3 , without the handrail. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of one stair baluster in side mount configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, exploded, isometric view of the baluster of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view, of the baluster of  FIG. 6  in surface mount configuration. 
         FIGS. 8A-9B  are isometric views of a method of attachment of the handrail. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a side mount bracket. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of a surface mount bracket. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a baluster half. 
         FIG. 13  is an end elevational view of a baluster half. 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  show the range of rotational motion achievable with the present invention, with  FIG. 14  being taken along line “ 14 - 14 ” of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIGS. 16A-16E  are fragmentary side elevational views showing various methods of clamping together baluster halves. 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  show a ball with a hole formed through the center thereof. 
         FIGS. 18A-18G  show a ball with an oversized hole formed through the center thereof, the excess being taken up by bushings. 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are fragmentary, side elevational view showing alternative methods of fixing a ball in place, the ball rotating between the halves of the balusters. 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are fragmentary, isometric views showing alternative methods of fixing the members in place between two baluster halves, the baluster halves being of the surface mount configuration on a stair railing, the members comprising cylinders and squares. 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are fragmentary, side elevational view, partially in cross-section of the methods of  FIGS. 19-22 . 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are fragmentary, exploded, isometric views of the alternative embodiments of  FIGS. 23 and 24 . 
         FIGS. 27 and 28  show details of the alternative embodiments of  FIGS. 25 and 26 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevational view of a square baluster. 
         FIG. 30  is a side elevational view showing the milling of the square baluster of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is an isometric view of the baluster of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  is a side elevational view of the baluster of  FIG. 29 , installed in a stair, and with rails inserted therein. 
         FIG. 33  is a front elevational view,  FIG. 34  is a side elevational view, and  FIG. 35  is an isometric view of a round baluster for the subject invention. 
         FIG. 36  is an isometric view of a ball nut for use with the round baluster of  FIGS. 33-35 . 
         FIG. 37  is a fragmentary view of a ball nut inserted in the round baluster of  FIGS. 33-35 , partially in cross-section. 
         FIG. 38  is a top plan view taken along line “ 36 - 36 ” of  FIG. 37 . 
         FIG. 39  is a top plan view taken along line “ 39 - 39 ” of  FIG. 37 . 
         FIG. 40  is an exploded isometric view of one type of “sandwiched” type mounting brackets, with the brackets mounted for an inclined rail and for a vertical mounting surface. 
         FIGS. 41 and 42  are isometric views of, respectively, top and bottom mounting brackets of the baluster of  FIG. 40 . 
         FIGS. 43-63  illustrate various means of mounting the balusters to the rails and to vertical and surface mounting surfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be made to the drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only, and on which the figure numerals in parentheses (when used) refer the reader to the figure in which the element(s) being described are more fully shown, although the element(s) may be shown on other figures also. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a stair railing and a balcony railing, constructed according to the present invention, and generally indicated, respectively by the reference numerals  50  and  52 . Stair and balcony railings  50  and  52  are of the side mount type, that is, the halves, as at  60  and  62 , of the generally vertical balusters thereof are inserted in brackets, as at  64 , mounted on the generally vertical sides of the stairs and the balcony. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the details of construction of railings  50 , here, two halves  60  and  62  of balusters of stair railing  50 . Wires, cables, rods, pipes, tubes, or the like, for example, as at  70 , are inserted through centrally positioned holes, as at  72 , formed in members, as at  74 , and the members rotated to their desired positions. Baluster halves  60  and  62  can also be halves of square or rectangular stock. Baluster halves  60  and  62  are then squeezed together by clamping means, as at  68 , preventing members  74  from rotating further, thus fixing the members in their desired positions. Members  74  can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or any suitable material. Baluster halves  60  and  62  can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, glass, plastic, carbon fiber, or any suitable material. Holes  72  may be drilled, punched, stamped, etc. Caps or plugs, as at  80 , may be provided on the ends of the wires, cables, rods, pipes, tubes, or the like  70 . Brackets  90  are provided at the upper ends of baluster halves  60  and  62  for attached thereto of handrails (not shown on  FIG. 2 ) as described infra. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a stair railing and a balcony railing, constructed according to the present invention, and generally indicated, respectively, by the reference numerals  50 ′ and  52 ′. Elements of railings  50 ′ and  52 ′ having generally the same function as the elements of railings  50  and  52  ( FIG. 1 ) are given primed reference numerals. The only difference between railings  50  and  52  and railings  50 ′ and  52 ′ is that the baluster halves of railings  50 ′ and  52 ′ are of the surface mount type, that is, the halves, as at  60  and  62 , of the generally vertical balusters thereof are inserted in brackets, as at  64 , mounted on the generally horizontal surfaces of the stairs and the balcony. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the details of construction of railings  50 ′ and  52 ′, here, two balusters halves of railing  50 ′ are inserted in surface mount  64 ′. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates details of the construction of baluster halves  60  and  62  ( FIG. 2 ) and shows that handrail  100  has been attached to bracket  90  by means of bracket  102  rotatably engaging bracket  100  and that the lower ends of the baluster halves are securely fastened to bracket  64  by means of two screws  104 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates details of construction of baluster  600 , with baluster halves  60  and  62  ( FIG. 2 ) and shows holes, as at  110 , for the partial protrusion of members  74  ( FIG. 5 ) and holes, as at  112 , for the insertion therein of clamping means  68 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates baluster halves  60 ′ and  62 ′ to be inserted in bracket  64 ′. 
       FIGS. 8A ,  9 A,  10 , and  11  show brackets  102 ,  90 ,  64 , and  64 ′, respectively, in their upright positions, while  FIGS. 8B and 9B  show brackets  102  and  90 , respectively, in their inverted positions. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an isometric view of baluster half  60 , while  FIG. 13  illustrates an end elevational view of the baluster half (both  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the range of rotation of member  74 , which range of rotation is at least forty-five degrees in either direction from horizontal. 
       FIGS. 16A-16E  illustrate various configurations clamping means  68  can take ( FIG. 5 ). On  FIGS. 16A-C  no spacer is provided between baluster halves  60  and  62 . On  FIGS. 16D-16E , spacers  120  and  122 , respectively, are provided between baluster halves  60  and  62 . Clamping means can also be accomplished by welding, gluing, or other methods. 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate member  74  with a hole  72  formed therein ( FIG. 5 ).  FIG. 17C  illustrates a wire, cable, rod, pipe, or the like inserted in hole  72  ( FIGS. 17A and 17B ). 
       FIG. 18A-18G  illustrate a spherical member  150  having a hole  152  formed therethrough and bushings  154  and  156  inserted in the ends of the hole, with a wire, cable, rod, tubing (round, oval, or multi-sided), or pipe  70  ( FIGS. 18G ) inserted in the hole. This arrangement is used when the diameter of hole  152  is larger than the diameter of wire, cable, rod, pipe, tubing (round, oval, or multi-sided), or the like  70 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates baluster halves  170  and  172 , with a wire, cable, rod, or pipe  174  inserted in a hole  176  formed in a spherical member  178 . A set screw (not shown on  FIG. 19 ) is advanced through spherical member  178  against wire, cable, rod, pipe, or the like  174  to secure the wire, cable, rod, pipe, or the like in place. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates baluster halves  170  and  172  as shown on  FIG. 19 , except that the set screw has been replaced with a pin  190 , the function of pin  190  being the same as the set screw. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates baluster halves  200  and  202  with a wire, cable, rod, or pipe  204  inserted through a hole formed in a square member  206 . It will be noticed that baluster halves  200  and  202  are rotated ninety degrees from baluster halves  60 ′ and  62 ′ shown on  FIG. 4  and that the baluster halves  200  and  202  are not squeezed together, but members  206  are free to rotate around a screw, as at  210 . Generally vertical baluster halves  200  and  202  are fixed at their lower ends in a surface mount bracket  220  and have a bracket  222  for the attachment of a handrail (not shown on  FIG. 21 ). 
       FIG. 22  illustrates baluster halves  200 ′ and  202 ′. Elements of baluster halves  200 ′ and  202 ′ having generally the same function as the elements of baluster halves  200  and  202  ( FIG. 21 ) are given primed reference numerals. The only difference between baluster halves  200  and  202  and railings  200 ′ and  202 ′ is that the baluster halves have therebetween cylindrical members  206 ′ rather than square members  206 . 
       FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 21  and further shows that handrail  240  has been attached by means of bracket  242  and that wire, cable, rod, pipe, or the like  204  is held securely in place by means of set screw  250 . 
       FIG. 24  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 22 . Elements of having generally the same function as the elements described with reference to  FIG. 22  are given primed reference numerals. 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  are fragmentary isometric views, respectively, of  FIGS. 23 and 24 , showing balusters  610  and  610 ′, respectively. 
       FIGS. 27  A and  27 B illustrate square member  206  ( FIG. 23 ). 
       FIGS. 28A and 28B  illustrate cylindrical member  206 ′ ( FIG. 24 ). 
       FIG. 29  illustrates a milled square baluster, generally indicated by the reference numeral  300 . 
       FIG. 30  illustrates a fragmentary view of a milled, square baluster  300 . “A” represents the diameter of the milling cutter (which can vary depending on the diameter of the rails-not shown). “B” is the length of the milled area to accommodate the extreme angle of the rails. “C” shows that the milled area is centered to mount the rail rod nut. 
       FIG. 31  is an isometric view of square baluster  300  of  FIGS. 29 and 30 . 
       FIG. 32  illustrates square baluster  300  of  FIGS. 29-31  installed with rails inserted therein. 
       FIGS. 33-39  indicate the baluster may be round, generally indicated by the reference numeral  400 . 
       FIGS. 40-63  show the various forms the preceding balusters and their brackets may take. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. 
     Spatially orienting terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”; “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and/or method without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.