Abstract:
In one embodiment, the invention is a universal baluster connector. In one embodiment, a connector for use in securing a baluster to a railing includes a body having a first end and a second end and a stem coupled to the first end of the body, the stem being expandable in a radial direction. Expansion of the stem allows the connector to be used to secure a baluster to a railing of substantially any thickness.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to railing systems and relates more specifically to support hardware for use in railing installations. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Balusters are frequently used in the construction of decks, porches, stairs, and other structures that include railings.  FIG. 1 , for example, is a schematic illustration of a portion of an exemplary railing system  100 , including a plurality of balusters  1061 - 106   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “balusters  106 ”). The railing system  100  comprises a support surface or bottom railing  102 , a top railing  104 , and the plurality of balusters  106  positioned between the bottom railing  102  and the top railing  104 . Generally, the bottom railing  102  is supported in a spaced-apart relation relative to the top railing  104  by the balusters  106 . 
         [0003]    In order to secure the balusters  106  to the bottom and top railings  102  and  104 , connectors are often first attached to the bottom and top railings  102  and  104 . For example, the baluster  106   2  is secured to the bottom and top railings  102  and  104  by two respective connectors  108  (illustrated in phantom). Specifically, the connectors  108  are attached to the bottom and top railings  102  and  104  in a secure manner, and the baluster  106   2  is then fitted over the connectors  108  (the baluster  106   2  may be partially or completely hollow to accommodate the connectors). In this manner, the baluster  106   2  is supported securely between the bottom and top railings  102  and  104 . 
         [0004]    Conventionally, the connectors are attached to the railings using screws. Because the railings used in different railings systems (and even the bottom and top railings used in the same railing system) may have different thicknesses, one must first verify the sizes of the screws needed to assemble the railing system before attempting to install the balusters. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, the invention is a universal baluster connector. In one embodiment, a connector for use in securing a baluster to a railing includes a body having a first end and a second end and a stem coupled to the first end of the body, the stem being expandable in a radial direction. Expansion of the stem allows the connector to be used to secure a baluster to a railing of substantially any thickness. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1 , for example, is a schematic illustration of a portion of an exemplary railing system, including a plurality of balusters; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a baluster connector, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the baluster connector illustrated in  FIG. 2 , taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the baluster connector illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for installing a baluster, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0012]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In one embodiment, the invention is a universal baluster connector. Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable fastening mechanism that allows a baluster connector to be attached to a railing of substantially any thickness (hence, the baluster connector is “universal”). A railing system can therefore be assembled quickly and easily, regardless of the thicknesses of the components being used. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a baluster connector  200 , according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the baluster connector  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a top view of the baluster connector  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIGS. 2-4  may be referred to simultaneously in connection with the following discussion for a better understanding of the present invention. 
         [0015]    As illustrated, the baluster connector  200  comprises a substantially cylindrical body  202  having a first end  206  and a second end  208 . A substantially cylindrical stem  204  extends from the second end  208  of the body  202 . The diameter, d 1 , of the body  202  is greater than the diameter, d 2 , of the stem  204 ; thus, the circumferences of the body  202  and the stem  204  are substantially concentric. In addition, the baluster connector  200  comprises a bore  212  that is disposed through the center axis, c, of the baluster connector  200 . The bore  212  extends from the first end  206  of the body through the stem  204 . In one embodiment, the baluster connector  200  is formed from a high density polymer or composite, such as high density polyethylene. 
         [0016]    The body  202  comprises a plurality of ribs  210   1 - 210   n  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ribs  210 ”) extending radially outward therefrom. Specifically, the ribs  210  extend radially outward along the length of the cylindrical body  202 . The ribs  210  may all have substantially the same diameter, or they may have differing diameters. For example, in  FIG. 3 , the rib  210   2  has a slightly greater diameter than the ribs  210   1  and  210   n . In this case, the rib  210   2  is positioned between the ribs  210   1  and  210   n , such that the baluster connector&#39;s overall diameter is greatest at substantially the midpoint of the body&#39;s length. 
         [0017]    The stem  204  is split along its length, such that it forms at least two distinct sections.  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for example, illustrate a split  218  that extends along the diameter, d 2 , of the stem  204 . The stem  204  also comprises a plurality of ribs  214  extending radially outward therefrom. Specifically, the ribs  214  extend radially outward along the length of the stem  204 . In one embodiment, the ribs  214  that extend from the stem  204  are shorter than the ribs  210  that extend from the body  202 . In one embodiment, the ribs  214  all have substantially the same diameter, such that the stem  204  has a substantially uniform cross section, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In a further embodiment, the ribs  214  that extend from the stem  204  are angled toward the body  202 , as also illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the ribs  214  extend outward from the stem  204  at an angle, as opposed to extending directly outward. Thus, the ribs  214  create a pattern of “teeth” along the length of the stem  204 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method  500  for installing a baluster, according to the present invention. The method  500  makes use of the baluster connector  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 ; as such, reference is made in the discussion of  FIG. 5  to various elements of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0019]    The method  500  is initiated at step  502 . In step  504 , a hole is pre-drilled into a railing (e.g., a top railing or a bottom railing) of a railing system being assembled. The hole is drilled at a point at which a baluster is to be connected to the railing. In one embodiment, the diameter of the hole is slightly smaller than the diameter, d 2 , of the stem  204 . 
         [0020]    In step  506 , a baluster connector  200  of the type illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  is positioned in the hole. In particular, the baluster connector  200  is positioned such that the stem  204  extends into the pre-drilled hole, while the body  202  sits substantially flush along the surface of the railing. In one embodiment, it may be necessary to tap the baluster connector  200  into the hole (e.g., using a hammer) to achieve this result. 
         [0021]    A fastener (e.g., a nail) is driven through the baluster connector  200  in step  508 . In particular, the fastener is driven through the bore  212 , moving in a direction from the body  202  toward the stem  204 .  FIG. 3 , for example, shows a fastener  216  disposed through the bore  212 . Driving the fastener  216  through the bore  212  will cause the stem  204  to expand radially and exert a force against the walls of the pre-drilled hole. Specifically, the sections of the stem  204  that are formed by the split(s)  218  will be forced in opposite directions. In addition, the ribs  214  of the stem  204  will grip the walls of the pre-drilled hole. The baluster connector  200  is therefore securely set in the railing. 
         [0022]    In step  510 , a baluster is installed over the baluster connector  200 . The method  500  ends in step  512 . The method  500  may be repeated as many times as is necessary to install a series of balusters. In addition, the method  500  may be performed twice for each baluster to be installed (i.e., so that a baluster connector  200  connects the baluster to both the top and bottom railings of the railing system). 
         [0023]    Because the baluster connector  200  is expandable, it can be installed in railings having widely varying material thicknesses. The baluster connector  200  is therefore “universal” in that it can be used to connect a baluster to a railings have substantially any material thickness. This allows for quick and easy baluster installation without the need for specialized or multiple types of hardware. 
         [0024]    Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.