Baluster

Balusters are used to support a handrail of a railing system, such as for stairways. They are also used to close the gaps under the handrail between posts for safety purposes.

For closed rake stairways, the handrail extends parallel to the rake of the stairway. The balusters couple the top of the rake to the bottom of the handrail. Thus, each baluster can be cut to the same total length and both ends of each baluster can be cut to the same angle.

However, for open rake stairways, the balusters couple the bottom of the handrail to the top of a stair tread. Thus, the length of the baluster varies based on the location on the tread to which it is coupled. Balusters coupled adjacent the nosing of a tread are shorter relative to balusters coupled adjacent a riser. Traditionally, installation would include purchasing different length balusters. However, this can be cost inefficient.

Various implementations include a baluster. The baluster includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion has a first length as measured along a longitudinal axis. The first portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire first length. The second portion has a second length as measured along the longitudinal axis. The second portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire second length. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion has an intermediate length as measured along the longitudinal axis. The intermediate portion has a varied cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the intermediate length. An end of one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines a dowel opening.

In some implementations, the second length or first length of an other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. In some implementations, the second length or first length of the other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 8 inches or more. In some implementations, the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. In some implementations, the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 6 inches or more.

In some implementations, the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. In some implementations, the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 6 inches or more.

In some implementations, the dowel opening has a depth as measured along the longitudinal axis, wherein the depth is 1.25 inches or more. In some implementations, the depth is 2.0 inches or more.

In some implementations, the cross-sectional size of the first portion is different than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. In some implementations, the cross-sectional size of the first portion is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. In some implementations, the end of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines the dowel opening.

In some implementations, the cross-section of the first portion has a circular shape. In some implementations, the cross-section of the second portion has a circular shape. In some implementations, the cross-section of the second portion has a square shape.

In some implementations, the baluster has a total length as measured along the longitudinal axis. In some implementations, the total length includes a sum of the first length, the intermediate length, and the second length. In some implementations, the total length is 36 inches or more. In some implementations, the total length is 40 inches or more. In some implementations, the total length is 42 inches or more.

In some implementations, the intermediate portion and an other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion are solid.

In some implementations, the dowel opening extends parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein provide for a universal baluster that can be cut to various lengths without losing functionality. Traditional balusters include a dowel permanently installed in the bottom end of the baluster. If a shorter length baluster is needed (e.g., for the various lengths needed for an open rake stairway), cutting a baluster would mean cutting away the dowel opening.

Furthermore, many balusters have varying cross-sections along their length to produce different aesthetic designs. Cutting the length of the balusters could cause the designs of adjacent balusters to not be aligned (e.g., on the same stairway tread).

The balusters designed herein have constant cross-sectional size and shape along their top portion and their bottom portion. This provides for the ability to cut either the top or the bottom of the baluster to create a different total length without disturbing the decorative shape of the intermediate portion of the baluster. The balusters also include a dowel opening without a dowel permanently installed. This dowel opening is deep enough that, if the bottom portion of the baluster is cut, the dowel opening is still able to accept a dowel.

Various implementations include a baluster. The baluster includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion has a first length as measured along a longitudinal axis. The first portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire first length. The second portion has a second length as measured along the longitudinal axis. The second portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire second length. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion has an intermediate length as measured along the longitudinal axis. The intermediate portion has a varied cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the intermediate length. An end of one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines a dowel opening.

show a balusteraccording to one implementation. The balusterincludes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion.

The first portionof the balusterofis configured to be the upper portion of the balusterrelative to a gravitational axis when installed in a railing system. The first portionhas a first lengthas measured along a longitudinal axisof the baluster. The first portionhas a constant cross-sectional size along the entire first lengthas measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As used herein, the cross-sectional size is the area and shape of the cross-section.

The first lengthof the first portionof the balustershown inis 8 inches, but in some implementations, the first length is any length of 8 inches or more. In some implementations, the first length is any length of 4 inches or more.

The second portionis configured to be the lower portion of the balusterrelative to a gravitational axis when installed in a railing system. The second portionhas a second lengthas measured along the longitudinal axisof the baluster. The second portionhas a constant cross-sectional size along the entire second lengthas measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The second lengthof the second portionof the balustershown inis 6 inches, but in some implementations, the first length is any length of 6 inches or more. In some implementations, the first length is any length of 4 inches or more.

The intermediate portionis disposed between the first portionand the second portion. The intermediate portionhas an intermediate lengthas measured along the longitudinal axisof the baluster. However, unlike the first portionand the second portion, the intermediate portionhas a varied cross-sectional size along at least a portion of the intermediate lengthas measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The end of the second portionopposite the intermediate portiondefines a dowel opening. The dowel openingshown inhas a depth of 2.0 inches as measured along the longitudinal axis, but in some implementations, the depth of the dowel opening is 2.0 inches or more. In some implementations, the depth of the dowel opening is 1.25 inches or more. The dowel openings,of the balusters,shown inare 0.5 inch diameter openings, but in some implementations, the dowel openings can be any standard sized diameter opening, such as 0.25 inches, 0.3125 inches, 0.375 inches, 0.4375 inches, or greater. In some implementations, the diameter of the dowel opening can be 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, or greater.

As seen in, the dowel openingextends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. However, in some implementations, the dowel opening can extend in a direction that forms an oblique angle with the longitudinal axis. The dowel openings,are each located in the center of the end of the second portion,, but in some implementations, the dowel opening can be offset from the center of the end of the second portion.

Although the first portionof the balustershown inis configured to be the upper portion of the balusterand the second portionis configured to be the lower portion of the balusterrelative to a gravitational axis when installed in a railing system, in some implementations, the first portion is configured to be the lower portion and the second portion is configured to be the upper portion. In some implementations, the dowel opening is defined by the first portion.

In some implementations, the cross-sectional size of the first portion is different than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. In some implementations, the cross-sectional size of the first portion is the same as the cross-sectional size of the second portion. The cross-sectional size of the first portionof the balustershown inis smaller than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. The intermediate portionincludes a tapered cross-sectional shape from the cross-sectional size of the relatively larger second portionto the cross-sectional size of the relatively smaller first portion. However, in some implementations, the intermediate portion can have any irregular shape such that the intermediate portion changes in cross-sectional size adjacent each of the first portion and the second portion. In some implementations, the second portion can also have a smaller cross-sectional size than the first portion.

The cross-section of the first portioncan have the same or a different cross-sectional shape as the second portion. The term “cross-sectional shape,” as used herein, means the cross-sectional shape as viewed in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. For example, the first portionand the second portionof the balustershown inboth have a circular cross-sectional shape. However, for the balustershown in, the first portionhas a circular cross-sectional shape, and the second portionhas a square cross-sectional shape. The intermediate portiontapers from the square cross-sectional shape of the second portionto the circular cross-sectional shape of the first portion. In some implementations, the first portion, the second portion, or both can have any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, ovate, triangular, square, rectangular, any quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, or any closed shape with any number of sides.

The total lengthof the balustershown inas measured along the longitudinal axisand including a sum of the first length, the intermediate length, and the second lengthis 42 inches. However, in some implementations, the total length of the baluster is 42 inches or more. In some implementations, the total length of the baluster is 40 inches or more. In some implementations, the total length of the baluster is 36 inches or more. In some implementations, the total length of the baluster is any length that could be used to support any railing.

The first portion,, the second portion,, and the intermediate portion,of the balusters,shown inare solid. However, in some implementations, first portion, the second portion, and/or the intermediate portion of the baluster are fully or partially hollow. The first portion, the second portion, and/or the intermediate portion of the baluster can be made of metal, wood, stone, a polymer, or any other material known to be used in railing supports.

A number of example implementations are provided herein. However, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various implementations, the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific implementations and are also disclosed.

Disclosed are materials, systems, devices, methods, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are products of the disclosed methods, systems, and devices. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these components may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a device is disclosed and discussed each and every combination and permutation of the device are disclosed herein, and the modifications that are possible are specifically contemplated unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in methods using the disclosed systems or devices. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific method steps or combination of method steps of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination or subset of combinations is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.