Patent Publication Number: US-8973314-B1

Title: Staircase newel system and method of installation

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to stairway system components and methods of installation thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a newel on a staircase. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable three-sided newel that is configured to receive a half-wall. 
     2. Background Information 
     Stairway systems are both functional and decorative aspects of a home. Stairways systems include a set of stairs permitting persons to ascend or descend to different levels of their home. The stairway systems usually including a type of railing that functions as a safety measure to keep a person or items from falling off the edge of a stair. 
     Stairway railing has evolved over time to become a form of functional art. Wood railings are often handmade or carved by the finest craftsman. These quality railings are highly desired by home owners, yet often the high cost associated with these fine crafted railings prevents home owners from purchasing and installing them. Wood railings often include ornate and hand-carved newels, which serve as a base for the railing banister. 
     As a cost saving alternative, some homeowners elect to have half-wall partitions or “half walls” installed on staircases in lieu of railings. Half walls often have a wood frame and are usually covered with drywall. Half walls are inexpensive to install and maintain relative to wooden railings yet, still provide the safety measures required for a stairway system. Although half walls may be painted to the home owner&#39;s desired aesthetic preference, currently, no newels or newel-like covers or end caps exist for use with half walls. 
     The present invention addresses this, and other issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a newel system simulates a newel of a staircase attached to a half wall. The newel system provides a home owner with the advantageous ornate and fanciful “newel look and feel” with a cost effective half-wall stair construction technique. 
     In one aspect, the invention may provide an adjustable newel comprising: a front wall; a left wall and a right wall, each left and right wall extending rearwardly from the front wall; a cavity defined by the front wall, the left wall, and the right wall, and the cavity adapted to receive a half wall of a staircase therein; and an opening defined by and extending from adjacent the top to the bottom of the left and right walls and in communication with the cavity, said opening adapted to receive the half wall therethrough. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide an adjustable newel system comprising a newel, wherein said newel includes: a cavity defined by at least three walls mounted together, and generally U-shaped when viewed from above; and a vertically aligned opening defined by at least two of the walls extending from adjacent the top to the bottom of the at least two walls, the opening in communication with the cavity and adapted to receive a wall longitudinally therethrough. 
     In another aspect, the invention may provide a method of installing a three-sided newel to simulate a four-sided newel attached to a half wall, the method comprising the steps of: providing a three-sided newel defining a rear opening extending from adjacent the top of the newel to the bottom of the newel and defining an inner cavity in communication with the opening; and inserting a terminal end of the half wall through the opening such that the terminal end is disposed within the cavity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention having a newel and a base shown attached to an angled half wall; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown attached to a horizontal half wall; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the newel facing leftwardly; 
         FIG. 3B  is an elevation view of the left side of the newel; 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of the newel facing rearwardly; 
         FIG. 3D  is an elevation view of the front side of the newel; 
         FIG. 3E  is a top view of the newel facing rightwardly; 
         FIG. 3F  is an elevation view of the right side of the newel; 
         FIG. 3G  is a top view of the newel facing rearwardly; 
         FIG. 3H  is an elevation view of the rear side of the newel; 
         FIG. 3I  is a bottom view of the newel; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the base of the preferred embodiment having molding; 
         FIG. 4B  is an elevation view of the front side of the base; 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the molding; and 
         FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the base. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown throughout  FIGS. 1-4D , an adjustable newel system  10  comprises a three sided box newel  11 , a base  60  therein receiving the newel  11 , molding  100 , and a cap  140  connected together and configured to receive a half wall  120  preferably of a staircase  122 . Adjustable newel system  10  is adjustable longitudinally as well as vertically. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3I , newel  11  includes a top  12  and a bottom  14  that therebetween define a vertical direction. Newel  11  includes a front side  16  and a back side  18  that therebetween define a longitudinal direction. Newel  11  has a left side  20  and a right side  22  that therebetween define a lateral direction. Newel  11  further comprises a front wall  24 , a left wall  26 , a right wall  28 , a back wall  30  defining an opening  32  in communication with a cavity  34 , and a bottom opening  36 . 
     Front wall  24  extends vertically from top  12  to bottom  14  and includes an outwardly and forwardly facing outer surface and an inwardly or rearwardly facing inner surface. Front wall  24  extends laterally from left side  20  to right side  22 . Left wall  26  extends vertically from top  12  to bottom  14  and includes a left and outwardly facing outer surface and a right or inwardly facing inner surface. Left wall  26  extends longitudinally from front  16  to back  18 . A front edge of left wall  26  connects to a left edge of front wall  24  to form a first or left miter edge joint  38  ( FIG. 3G ). Right wall  28  extends vertically from top  12  to bottom  14  and includes a right and outwardly facing outer surface and a left or inwardly inner surface. Right wall  28  extends longitudinally from front  16  to back  18 . Right wall  28  connects at a forward edge to a right edge of front wall  24  to form a right or second miter edge joint  40  ( FIG. 3G ). 
     Back wall  30  includes a left segment  30   a , a top center segment  30   b  and a right segment  30   c . Left segment  30   a  is a rearwardly facing surface defined by left wall  26 . Right segment  30   c  is a rearwardly facing segment defined by right wall  22 . Top center segment  30   b  extends laterally from left  20  to right  22  adjacent top  12 . Top center segment  30   b  extends downwardly from top  12  a short distance. In the preferred embodiment, top center segment  30   b  extends downwardly approximately from 2 to approximately 4 or 5 inches. Top center segment  30   b  forms a first butt joint  42  ( FIG. 3G ) with left wall  26  and a second butt joint  44  ( FIG. 3G ) with right wall  28 . Top center segment  30   b  has a rearwardly and outwardly facing outer surface and a forwardly or inwardly facing inner surface. 
     Back opening  32  is defined by the interior edges of back wall segments  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c . Back opening  32  extends from adjacent top  12  to and through bottom  14 . Opening  32  is a through opening in communication with cavity  34 . The interior edges defining back opening  32  are an inverted “U-shape” when viewed from the back. Cavity  34  is defined by the inner surfaces of front wall  24 , left wall  26 , right wall  28  and back wall  30  when walls  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  are connected together. Opening  32  and cavity  34  are further in communication with the bottom opening  36  ( FIG. 3I ). Bottom opening  36  is defined by the bottom interior edges of front wall  24 , left wall  26  and right wall  28  when walls  24 ,  26 ,  28  are connected together. 
     Newel  11  further includes a plurality of cross members  50 . Four cross members, shown as  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c  and  50   d  are shown spaced apart as vertically aligned and positioned within the cavity  34 . In the shown embodiment, cross members  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d  are shown spaced equidistant from one another, however other vertically aligned spaced configurations, or numerical plurality of cross members  50  within cavity  34  are contemplated. Cross members  50  extend laterally from inner surface of left wall  26  to inner surface of right wall  28  forming cross member left butt joints  52  ( FIG. 3D ) and cross member right butt joints  54  ( FIG. 3D ), respectively. Further, cross members  50  form a front butt joint  56  ( FIG. 3F ) with front wall  24 . Cross members  50  include a rear edge  58  ( FIG. 3B ) positioned longitudinally about halfway into cavity  34 . Cross members  50  are longitudinally shorter than left and right walls  26 ,  28 . 
     With primary reference to  FIGS. 4A-4D , newel system  10  further includes a base  60  that receives and is mounted adjacent the bottom  14  of newel  11 . Base  60  includes a front wall  62 , a base left wall  64 , a base right wall  66 , a base back left segment  68 , a base back right segment  70 , a base cavity  72  defined by walls and segments  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and a base back opening  75  defined by segments  68 ,  70 . 
     Base front wall  62  has a forwardly and outwardly facing outer surface and a rearwardly or inwardly facing inner surface. Front wall  62  extends vertically from top to bottom and laterally from left side to right side. Front wall  62  is connected to left wall  64  by a miter joint. 
     Base left wail  64  includes an outward and left facing outer surface and a rightward or inwardly facing inner surface. Base left wall  64  extends vertically from top to bottom and longitudinally from front to back. Base right wall  66  is connected to front wall  62  by a miter joint. Base right wall  66  includes an outwardly and right facing outer surface and an inwardly and left facing inner surface. Base right wall  66  extends vertically from top to bottom and longitudinally from front to back. 
     Base back left segment  68  is connected to the rear side of base left wall  64  by a miter joint. Base back left segment  68  extends vertically from top to bottom and only partially from the left side and terminating at a terminal edge  69 . Base back left segment  68  includes a rearwardly facing outer surface and an inwardly facing inner surface. Terminal edge  69  of base back left segment  68  faces right wall  66  when viewed from below, as shown in  FIG. 4D . 
     Base back right segment  70  is attached to the rear side of base right wall  66  by a miter joint. Base back right segment  70  extends vertically from top to bottom and extends only partially from the right side towards the left, terminating at a terminal edge  71 . Base back right segment  70  includes a rearwardly or outwardly facing outer surface and a forwardly or inwardly facing inner surface. Terminal edge  71  of base back right segment  70  is faces left wall  64 , when viewed from below, as shown in  FIG. 4D . 
     Back opening  75  is a through opening extending from outer surface of segments  68 ,  70  to inner surface of segments  68 ,  70 . Back opening  75  is vertically defined by the terminal edges  69 ,  71  of base back left segment  68  and base back right segment  70 , respectively. 
     A base top opening  74  is defined by base front top edge  78 , left wall top edge  80 , right wall top edge  82 , left back segment top edge  84  and right back segment top edge  86 . A base bottom opening  76  is defined by front wall bottom edge  88 , left wall bottom edge  90 , right wall bottom edge  92 , left back segment bottom edge  94 , and right back segment bottom edge  96 . 
     The openings,  74 ,  75 , and  76  are each through openings and in communication with cavity  72 . Base cavity  72  is defined by the inner surfaces of front wall  62 , left wall  64 , right wall  66 , left segment  68  and right segment  70  when connected together. 
     Base  60  receives the bottom end  14  of newel  11 . Newel  11  fits within cavity  72 . When assembled ( FIGS. 1-2 ), inner surface of base front wall  62  is closely adjacent outer surface of front wall  24  near bottom  14 . Inner surface of base left wall  64  is closely adjacent outer surface of left wall near bottom  14 . Inner surface of base right wall  66  is closely adjacent outer surface of right wall near bottom  14 . Base bottom opening  76  is in communication with bottom opening  36 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4A-4D , system  10  may further include base molding  100 . Molding  100  is preferably atop and base  60  around the outer surface of newel  11 , yet other mounting locations are clearly possible. Molding  100  includes molding front member  102 , molding left member  104 , molding right member  106 , molding back left member  108  and molding back right member  110 . When molding members are assembled, base molding  100  is positioned atop base  60 . Molding front member  102  extends laterally from left to right. Molding front member  102  connects to left molding left member  104  via a miter joint and molding front member  102  connects to molding right member  106  via a miter joint. Molding left and right members,  104 ,  106  extends longitudinally from front to back. Molding back left member  108  connects to molding left member  104  via a miter joint and extends towards the right only partially. Molding back right member connects to the rear side of molding right member  106  and extends leftwardly only partially. 
     Each molding member comprises a vertical inner surface  112 , a horizontal bottom surface  114 , and a decorative outer molded surface  116 . A molding aperture  118  is defined by the inner surfaces  112  of the respective molding members  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  when assembled. Molding aperture  118  is superimposed atop top opening  74  and is in communication with cavity  72 . 
     A cap  140  ( FIG. 1 ) may be mounted atop newel  11 . Cap  140  may include decorative molding or additional elements ordinarily found atop newels, such as, a volutes, turn caps, gooseneck caps, easing caps, or other known staircase elements configured to set onto the top of the newel. 
     Once newel  11  is mounted to base  60 , it is connected to half wall  120 . Half wall  120  includes a forward facing terminal wall  124 . Terminal wall  124 &#39;s width is equal to or slightly smaller than the lateral width of back opening  32  of newel  11  and back opening  75  of base  60 . A longitudinal portion  126  of wall  120  extends rearwardly from terminal wall  124 . Longitudinal portion  126  is received into cavities  34 ,  72  through back openings  36 ,  75 . Further, half wall  120  includes a left facing left surface  128  and a right facing right surface  130 . 
     Newel system  10  is longitudinally adjustable along arrow A as seen in  FIG. 1 . When in a fully engaged or assembled position ( FIG. 2 ), terminal side  124  contacts cross members  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c , and  50   d  creating a butt joint at each respective point of contact. Cross members  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c , and  50   d  may be secured to terminal wall  124  of half wall  120  in a known manner, such as brackets, screws, or adhesive. When in the fully engaged, mounted, and assembled position, right surface  130  may be attached to inner surface of right wall  28 , and left surface  128  may be attached to left wall  26  in a conventional manner, such as glue or screws. Newel system  10  may be adjusted longitudinally forward along directional arrow A in a manner such that a gap is created between terminal wall  124  and connecting members  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c , and  50   d  when newel system  10  is in the mounted position. 
     Half wall  120  is included within a staircase system comprising stairs  122 . Stairs  122  have a rake, which is the angle or pitch of the stairway ascent to an upper level, established by the rise and run of each stair. The top  121  of half wall  120  may be horizontally parallel relative to the floor as shown in  FIG. 2  or the top  121  of half wall  120  may be angled in an ascending or descending manner relatively similar to the rake of stairs  122  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as described above, assembled newel system  10  provides a simulated element of a staircase (i.e., a newel) that has not been previously known or attached to a half wall. Newel system  10  provides a home owner with the advantageous ornate and fanciful “newel look and feel” with a cost effective half-wall stair construction technique. Further, newel system  10  is adjustable both longitudinally and vertically. Homeowner or installer may position and mount newel system  10  to half wall  120  in any position such that terminal wall  124  is within cavity  34 . 
     In operation, it is contemplated that newel system  10  is provided fully constructed in a factory and sold directly to a consumer or homeowner in an assembled state. However, clearly, the walls of newel system may be sold unassembled for in situ assembly by a homeowner or hired installer. To install newel system  10  on a staircase having a half wall  120 , user should ensure half  120  has been properly finished. As understood in this application, half wall  120  is deemed finished once drywall or gypsum board has been secured to the half wall frame. 
     Newel system  10  is positioned such that top  12  is facing upwards and bottom is facing downwards. Front wall  24  is facing the same forward direction as front terminal wall  124  of half wall  120 . Back opening  32  is aligned with front terminal wall  124 . System  10  is moved longitudinally rearward to receive half wall  120  so that terminal wall  124  moves through back opening  32  into cavity  34 . 
     Once terminal wall is disposed within cavity  34 , user may adjust system  10  both vertically and longitudinally to meet the owners desired look and feel. System  10  is secured to half wall  120  when in a position satisfactory to the owner. A satisfactory position is one that has terminal wall  124  disposed within cavity  34  and is aesthetically pleasing to the system  10  owner. Further, system  10  may be secured by screws, adhesive or other conventional means understood in the staircase field of art. 
     Additional non-structurally supportive design elements may be added to newel system  10  to provide a more decorative look and feel. For example, paneling or wainscoting may be mounted to or formed in the outer surface of newel  11  and base  60  walls. 
     While newel system  10  is constructed primarily in the three wall design as disclosed herein above, it is alternatively contemplated that a four-sided hollow box newel (i.e., one that is ordinarily slid over a post, typically a 4″×4″ post) may be altered to create the newel  10  of the present invention by removing or cutting an opening in the rear wall to convert the four-side newel to a three-sided newel to slidably receive a half wall. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.