Patent Publication Number: US-9410351-B2

Title: Slide-glide privacy blind barrier system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/783,519, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, titled SLIDE-GLIDE PRIVACY BLIND BARRIER SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The home improvement industry has seen significant growth in the last decade and is projected to continue to grow in the future. For example, in a Jan. 14, 2011 report from Harvard University on the home improvement industry it is estimated that in 2005 alone, consumers spent over a quarter of a trillion dollars on home improvement projects, and that this number has been growing at a rate of about 7% per year. As a result, manufacturers and retailers spend significant effort in trying to differentiate their products from the competition. 
     One commonly undertaken home improvement project involves adding fences, railings, outdoor-rooms and similar barrier structures (e.g., outdoor kitchens) to homes and landscaping. Railings and fences are often added for aesthetic and practical reasons, such as to add interest to landscaping or to provide a privacy barrier and block weather elements, such as wind. In other applications, railings and fences may be practical or mandatory. For example, a raised deck (i.e., above two feet off of the ground) will require railings to comply with higher standard building safety codes. Some codes require at least 200 lb lateral load. Composite decking is commonly used as deck flowing or railings, but is not rigid enough to meet the code requirement if the railings has a longer height. 
     Standard deck railings and fences are typically constructed using a series of posts anchored to the ground as structural supports, decking or flooring structures and the outer walls of permanent building structures (also used as structural supports). The posts are connected via generally rectangular planar sections that provide a containment function, such as preventing the passage of people or animals, and “view blockage” from different perspectives. In many fencing and railing systems, these sections are formed by top and bottom vertical railings that are tied together by a plurality of vertical members (sometimes referred to as balusters) which form open sections in a deck railing or fence barrier. In other arrangements, the top and bottom railings are tied together (or integral with) a solid sheet of material, such as mesh, glass, metal, wood, composites, or lattice configurations. Sections that form a permanent containment barrier structure are only offered in two standard modes, open and solid sections. In modes offering open sections, there is a multitude of secondary add-on privacy screening available. In addition, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with solid fencing/railing sections and open sections that use balusters. For example, the solid sections can block wind and prevent the passage of very small items and can offer privacy from neighbors or onlookers looking in from an outside perspective of the containment barrier structure. However, blocking the view of what is on the outer side or the inner side of a barrier fence or railing can sometimes be a disadvantage. An open section provides a view through the railing, with the resulting loss of privacy. Oftentimes, a user may desire the privacy of a solid section during some conditions and also, under other conditions, desire the outward-looking view provided by open sections. Thus, there is a need for a fence or railing that selectably offers consumers the convenience of combining both open and solid closed barrier sections and that offers the advantages of personal preferences to convert between these structure sections depending on current use conditions and that will also meet various safety code standards (e.g., International Code Council (ICC), American Fence Association, and U.S. Department of Labor and Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division standards) such as providing 200 pounds of lateral pressure. It is with respect to these considerations and others that the various embodiments of the present invention have been made. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Embodiments provide a convertible slide-glide panel privacy system (or blind barrier section system, hereinafter “the system”) for deck railings or fences. The system may consist of two or more identical panel sections. A first panel section may consist of a stationary panel. A second (or more) of the identical panel sections may be in an opposite facing orientation with respect to the first panel section and may be configured to slide in between the most outer stationary structural supports (i.e., an upper railing, a lower railing and posts) of a deck railing or fence in order to either cover or open an existing space or gap between stationary balusters. The stationary panel may be attached directly under the top railing and attached slide pieces. The sliding path of the second (or more) panel sections may be either linear or curvilinear. The sliding panel sections in the system may be constructed from a combination of or individually from the following materials: composites, wood, metals, glass, lattice, PVC and transparent thermoplastics such as Polymethyl methacrylate (“PMMA”), also known as PLEXIGLASS. The system may be either manually or automatically operated. These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
     Another aspect is a slide-glide panel privacy system for deck railings and fences comprising: a first stationary panel section comprising a first plurality of balusters; one or more sliding panel sections positioned in an opposite facing orientation with respect to the first panel section, the one or more sliding panel sections comprising a second plurality of balusters; an upper railing attached to the first and the one or more sliding panel sections; a lower railing attached to the first and the one or more sliding panel sections; at least one post attached to the upper and lower railings; and a plurality of slide pieces integrally attached to the second plurality of balusters, the plurality of slide pieces facilitating the movement of the one or more sliding panel sections along a sliding path such that the one or more sliding panel sections cover or open an existing space between the first plurality of balusters. 
     A further aspect is a blind barrier section system for a deck railing comprising: a first stationary panel section comprising a first plurality of balusters; a plurality of sliding panel sections positioned in an opposite facing orientation with respect to the first panel section, each of the plurality of sliding panel sections comprising a second plurality of balusters; an upper railing attached to the first and the plurality of sliding panel sections; a lower railing attached to the first and the plurality of sliding panel sections; a plurality of posts attached to the upper and lower railings; and a plurality of slide pieces integrally attached to the second plurality of balusters, the plurality of slide pieces facilitating the movement of the plurality of sliding panel sections along a sliding path such that the plurality of sliding panel sections cover or open existing gaps between the first plurality of balusters. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a deck incorporating a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a partially exploded view of a deck railing incorporating a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a slide-glide panel privacy system in a closed orientation, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front view of a slide-glide panel privacy system in a closed orientation, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of a slide-glide panel privacy system in an open orientation, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of a slide-glide panel privacy system in an open orientation, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of illustrative components utilized in a mode of operation of the slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of a bottom magnet configuration for the system of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a slide-glide panel privacy system in an open orientation, in accordance with an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a slide-glide panel privacy blind system in a closed orientation, in accordance with an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of a bar safety slip mechanism which may be utilized in a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is an exploded view of a cylindrical safety slip mechanism which may be utilized in a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7C  is an exploded view of a cylindrical safety slip mechanism which may be utilized in a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of lateral reinforced inserts for balusters utilized in a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a further example cylindrical safety slip mechanism. 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  100  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example drive train assembly utilizing the cylindrical safety slip mechanism of  FIG. 7B, 7C , or  9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments provide a convertible slide-glide panel privacy system (or blind barrier section system, hereinafter “the system”) for deck railings or fences. The system may consist of two or more identical panel sections. A first panel section may consist of a stationary panel. A second (or more) of the identical panel sections may be in an opposite facing orientation with respect to the first panel section and may be configured to slide in between the most outer stationary structural supports (i.e., an upper railing, a lower railing and posts) of a deck railing or fence in order to either cover or open an existing space or gap between stationary balusters. The stationary panel may be attached directly under the top railing and attached slide pieces. The sliding path of the second (or more) panel sections may be either linear or curvilinear. The sliding panel sections in the system may be constructed from a combination of or individually from the following materials: composites, wood, metals, glass, lattice, PVC and transparent thermoplastics such as Polymethyl methacrylate (“PMMA”), also known as PLEXIGLASS. The system may be either manually or automatically operated. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements through the several figures, various aspects of the present invention will be described.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view is a perspective view of a deck incorporating a slide-glide panel privacy system, in accordance with an embodiment. The deck includes separate straight slide-glide panel sections (or barrier panels)  5  and curvilinear slide-glide panel sections (or barrier panels)  6 . It should be understood that each of the individual panel sections  5  and  6  may operate independently or in concert with each other and may further be operated either manually or with automation (i.e., automatically). 
       FIG. 1B  is a partially exploded view of a deck railing  10  and a deck  30  incorporating the system, in accordance with an embodiment. The deck railing  10  may be comprised of one or more posts  24 , straight top rail  12 , curvilinear top rail  22 , straight bottom rail  13 , curvilinear bottom rail  23  and multiple sets of opposing balusters  20  and  28  which integrally utilize upper and lower slide-glides. As should be understood by those skilled in the art, the balusters  20  and  28  may comprise vertical members which tie together the top and bottom rails  12 ,  13 ,  22  and  23  and which form open sections in the deck railing  10 . It should be understood however, that in accordance with alternative embodiments, the deck railing  10  may be tied together with a solid material such as mesh, glass, metal, wood, composites, etc. It should further be understood that, in accordance with various embodiments, the deck railing  10  may comprise one or more sections which may include one or more straight sections, one or more curvilinear barrier sections or a combination of both straight and curvilinear sections. 
     The system may comprise an upper channel  14 , a control screw  16 , the balusters  28  (which utilize integral slide-glides), a lower channel  18 , an upper bottom channel  19  and a lower bottom channel  17 , which are integrally positioned directly above and below the balusters  20 . As will be described in greater detail below, the system may be utilized to cover existing spaces or gaps between stationary balusters comprising a deck railing in order to provide privacy as desired and as defined by a user&#39;s discretion. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the system in a closed orientation, in the deck railing  10 , in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the balusters  20  in the deck railing  10  have been moved from their previous positions opposite the stationary balusters  28  to close the gaps or spaces between the balusters. As will be described in greater detail herein, the control screw  16  may be actuated (by either manual or automated means) to slide the balusters  20  in the lower channel  18  until they are seated in the gaps or spaces between the stationary balusters  28 . In particular, the control screw  16  may be rotated in a first direction (i.e., a counter-clockwise direction) to push the balusters  20  from their initial position opposing the stationary balusters  28  to their final position over the gaps or spaces in the deck railing  10 . 
     It should be understood that the system described in the aforementioned embodiment may utilize a number of different means of sliding movement and also utilize various track system configurations. In accordance with an embodiment, the system may utilize a combination of wheels, bearings, hangers (such as those used in garage door systems in which the door hangs on a shaft having wheels) and pin-shafts which travel on and in-between the upper and lower channels  14  and  18 . In accordance with another embodiment, the system may utilize a combination of opposing magnets which travel on and in-between the upper and lower channels  14  and  18 . It should be appreciated that the use of the opposing magnets facilitates a frictionless or nearly frictionless slide movement of the system from an open state or multiple user-defined semi-closed configurations. Other combinations may also be utilized. 
       FIG. 2B  is a front view of the system in a closed orientation, in the deck railing  10 , in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the balusters  20  in the deck railing  10  have been moved, via the rotation of the control screw  16 , from their previous positions opposite the stationary balusters  28  to close the gaps or spaces between the balusters. It should be understood that the balusters  20  may be shorter than the stationary balusters  28  to facilitate the sliding of the balusters  20  in the upper channel  14 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of the system in an open orientation, in the deck railing  10 , in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the balusters  20  in the deck railing  10  are oriented opposite the stationary balusters  28  thereby forming gaps or spaces between the balusters in the deck railing  10 . As will be described in greater detail herein, the control screw  16  may be actuated (by either manual or automated means) to slide the balusters  20  in the lower channel  18  until they are oriented opposite the stationary balusters  28 . In particular, the control screw  16  may be rotated in a second direction (i.e., a clockwise direction) to pull the balusters  20  from a closed orientation, in which the balusters  20  fill the gaps or spaces in the deck railing  10 , to an open orientation opposite the stationary balusters  28 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a front view of the system in a closed orientation, in the deck railing  10 , in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the balusters  20  in the deck railing  10  are oriented opposite the stationary balusters  28 , thereby forming gaps or spaces between the balusters in the deck railing  10 . 
       FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of illustrative components utilized in a mode of operation of the system, in accordance with an embodiment. In  FIG. 4A , the components of a system  25  may include the upper channel  14 , the control screw  16  and the lower channel  18 . The control screw  16  may comprise an engaging nut  80  which may be utilized to engage openings in the lower channel  18  for pushing or pulling (depending on the direction of rotation of the control screw  16 ) balusters or panels of a deck railing barrier section. The system of  FIG. 4A  also includes two opposing magnets  70  and  72 . As discussed above, the opposing magnets may be utilized for travel on and in-between the upper and lower channels  14  and  18 . It should be appreciated that the use of the opposing magnets facilitates a frictionless or nearly frictionless slide movement of the system from an open state or multiple user-defined semi-closed configurations. 
       FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of a bottom magnet configuration for the system of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4B , the opposing magnets  70  and  72  may be positioned between the upper and lower bottom channels  19  and  17 . As discussed above, the opposing magnets may be utilized for travel on and in-between the upper and lower bottom channels  19  and  17 . It should be appreciated that the use of the opposing magnets facilitates a frictionless or nearly frictionless slide movement of the system from an open state or multiple user-defined semi-closed configurations. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the system in an open orientation, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. In  FIG. 5 , a system  35  is shown in which a rotating gear mechanism  16  may be utilized (instead of the control screw  16 ) for sliding the balusters  20  against the stationary balusters  28  to open spaces or gaps in a deck railing. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the system in a closed orientation, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , the system  35  is shown in which the rotating gear mechanism  16  may be utilized (instead of the control screw  16 ) for sliding the balusters  20  against the stationary balusters  28  to close spaces or gaps in a deck railing. 
       FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of a bar safety slip mechanism  30  which may be utilized in the system, in accordance with an embodiment. The bar safety slip mechanism  30  may include an upper non-magnetic housing  32 , a first magnet  34 , a shaft  35 , a second magnet  38  and a lower non-magnetic housing  40 . In accordance with an embodiment, the first and second magnets  34  and  38  have opposing polarities (i.e., one positive, one negative). It should be understood that the bar safety slip mechanism  30  may function as a magnetic decoupler in which the opposing magnets  34  and  38  attract each other inside of the upper and lower non-magnetic housings  32  and  40 . The shaft  35  may be utilized to fasten to sections (e.g., balusters) of a deck railing or fence as well as to a manual or automated power source for opening and closing the aforementioned sections. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, one of the non-magnetic housings  32  or  40  may be molded into the balusters of a deck railing. It should be appreciated that the bar safety slip mechanism  30  may be utilized to decouple opening or closing of the balusters of a deck railing (such as when a person inadvertently slips their extremities (e.g., fingers) between the balusters) such that the movement of the balusters would stop thereby avoiding the pinching of the person&#39;s extremities between the balusters. 
       FIG. 7B  is an exploded view of a cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50  which may be utilized in the system, in accordance with an embodiment. The cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50  may include an upper non-magnetic housing  52 , a first set of magnets  54 , a non-magnetic separator  56 , a second set of magnets  58 , a shaft  59 , a lower magnetic housing  60 , and upper and lower fastening members  62  and  64 . In accordance with an embodiment, the first and second sets of magnets  54  and  58  have opposing polarities (i.e., positive and negative). It should be understood that the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50  may function as a magnetic decoupler in which the opposing magnet sets  54  and  58  attract each other inside of the upper and lower non-magnetic housings  52  and  60 . It should be appreciated that the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50  may be utilized to decouple opening or closing of the balusters of a deck railing (such as when a person inadvertently slips their extremities between the balusters) such that the movement of the balusters would stop thereby avoiding the pinching of the person&#39;s extremities between the balusters. 
       FIG. 7C  is an exploded view of a cylindrical safety slip mechanism  90  which may be utilized in the system, in accordance with another embodiment. The cylindrical safety slip mechanism  90  may include an upper housing  92 , a lower housing  98 , and opposing magnets  94  and  96 . In accordance with an embodiment, the magnets  94  and  96  have opposing polarities (i.e., positive and negative). It should be understood that the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  90  may function as a magnetic decoupler in which the opposing magnets  94  and  96  attract each other inside of the upper and lower housings  92  and  98 . It should be appreciated that the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  90  may be utilized to decouple opening or closing of the balusters of a deck railing (such as when a person inadvertently slips their extremities between the balusters) such that the movement of the balusters would stop thereby avoiding the pinching of the person&#39;s extremities between the balusters. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of lateral reinforced inserts  162  and  164  for balusters (e.g., a baluster  20 ) utilized in the system, in accordance with an embodiment. In particular, a baluster  20  may be manufactured out of composite, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) or an extruded-type of material with hollowed-out sections or voids for receiving the lateral reinforced inserts  162  and  164 . It should be understood that the lateral reinforced inserts  162  and  164  may be constructed of a metal material and may be utilized in composite and PVC balusters as well as balusters made of an extruded-type material because balusters constructed of the aforementioned materials are typically laterally weaker than alternative baluster construction materials such as wood or metal. 
       FIGS. 9-10  illustrate a further example cylindrical safety slip mechanism  100  which may be utilized in the system. In particular,  FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a further example cylindrical safety slip mechanism  100 , and  FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  100  of  FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  100  includes a first set of magnets  102 , a second set of magnets  104 , an upper housing  106 , a lower housing  108 , a bearing ring plate  110 , and one or more ball bearings  112 . 
     In this example, the first set of magnets  102  and the second set of magnets  104  have opposite polarities (i.e., positive and negative). As discussed below, the opposing magnet sets  102  and  104  attract each other inside of the upper and lower housings  106  and  108 , and thus operate the safety slip mechanism  100  as a magnetic decoupler, which decouples opening or closing of the balusters of a deck railing (such as when a person inadvertently slips their extremities between the balusters) such that the movement of the balusters would stop thereby avoiding the pinching of the person&#39;s extremities between the balusters. 
     The upper housing  106  is configured to receive, and mount, the first set of magnets  102  on a top surface  114  of the upper housing  106 . In some embodiments, the upper housing  106  includes recesses  116  configured to receive the first set of magnets  102 . The upper housing  106  has a bottom surface that is opposite to the top surface of the upper housing  106 . The bottom surface is configured to engage the lower housing  108 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In some embodiments, the upper housing  106  includes a threaded portion  117  configured to engage a control mechanism, such as the control screw  16 , of the deck system. In some embodiments, the upper housing  106  is made from non-magnetic materials. 
     The lower housing  108  is configured to receive, and mount, the second set of magnets  104  on a side surface  118  of the lower housing. In some embodiments, the lower housing  108  includes pockets  120  configured to receive the second set of magnets  104 . In some embodiments, the lower housing  108  includes a driving portion  122  configured to engage a drive shaft of a motor so that the safety slip mechanism  110  is operated by the motor. In some embodiments, the lower housing  108  is made from non-magnetic materials. 
     The bearing ring plate  110  is engaged between the upper housing  106  and the lower housing  108  and operates to allow a smooth rotation of the upper housing  106  relative to the lower housing  108 . In some embodiments, the bearing ring plate  110  includes ball support holes  124  configured to rotatably support the ball bearings  112 . 
     The ball bearings  112  are sized to sit on the ball support holes  124  and rotatably engaged between the upper housing  106  and the lower housing  108 . The ball bearings  112  operate to roll as the upper housing  106  rotates relative to the lower housing  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the cylindrical safety slip mechanisms  50 ,  90  and  100  are used as the control screw  16  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In other embodiments, the safety slip mechanisms  50 ,  90  and  100  are utilized in a drive train assembly  140 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example drive train assembly  140 , utilizing the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50 ,  90  or  100 . In some embodiments, the cylindrical safety slip mechanism  50 ,  90  or  100  operates as a drive gear  142  located on the one end of the drive train system  140  and is coupled with a drive wheel  144 . This drive wheel  144  is in contact with an idler wheel  146 , which is in contact with a drive wheel  148 . The drive train system  140  is made of as many drive and idler wheels as there are individually driven balusters. In some embodiments, the drive wheels  144  and  148  include respective oblong holes  150  and  152  to prevent slipping of the wheels on the drive shaft, whereas the idler wheel  146  includes a round hole  154  for free rotation on its shaft. 
     In some embodiments, the drive train assembly  140  does not include a drive gear  142 , but only includes drive wheels  144 ,  146  and  148 . The engaging surfaces of the drive wheels  144 ,  146  and  148  are made of rubber, which allows the drive wheels  144 ,  146  and  184  to engage one another by fractional force. These rubber drive wheels  144 ,  146  and  148  are advantageous in absorbing the shrink or expansion of the drive wheels due to variations in temperature, for example. 
     In other embodiments, various configurations of a drive train assembly are utilized as necessary. Examples of such configurations of a drive train assembly are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,853, titled Fencing Section with Adjustable Fencing Members, issued on Mar. 9, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the drive train assembly, which is also referred to herein as a drive mechanism, is coupled to the safety slip mechanism, and the safety slip mechanism can include a rack and one or more pinion gears. One of the pinion gears may be coupled to the drive mechanism and another pinion gear may be coupled to the moving balusters. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the opposing balusters  20  and  28  of the panel sections  5  and  6  are arranged to form a first side  42  and a second side  44 . In some embodiments, the first side  42  faces the interior of the deck, and the second side  44  faces the exterior of the deck. By selective operation of the opposing balusters  20  and  28  as described above, the interior of the deck can, or cannot, be seen from the second side  44  (the outside) through the gaps or spaces between the balusters  20  and  28 , or the outside of the deck can, or cannot, be seen from the first side  42  (the inside) of the deck through the gaps or spaces formed between the balusters  20  and  28 . 
     Furthermore, as described above, the opposing balusters are separate from other components, such as frame or barrier sections, and operatively connected to the other components. The opposing balusters are not integrated parts of the frame or barrier sections. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8 , the lateral reinforced inserts are configured to reinforce balusters with relatively longer height or length. For example, the lateral reinforced inserts are inserted into the hollowed-out sections or voids of the balusters that have a length or height of more than about two feet, which is required by some building safety codes or regulations. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments described herein. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments described herein.