Baluster securing system

Abstract

A railing system with a pair of supporting posts and upper and lower rails extending between the posts includes a plurality of balusters extending between the rails. The balusters have a longitudinal axis, a curved portion and an opening extending through the baluster in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An extension member extends through each opening in the plurality of balusters to prevent the balusters from rotating about their longitudinal axis. The openings may be asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis, with the cross-sectional dimension of the extension member corresponding to the dimensions of the openings so that the extension members may extend through the openings of a plurality of balusters only when the balusters are aligned with their curved portions in the same direction.

1 . A railing system, comprising: 
 (a) a pair of supporting posts    (b) upper and lower rails extending between the posts;    (c) a plurality of balusters extending between the upper and lower rails, each baluster having a longitudinal axis and a curved portion;    (d) each baluster including an opening extending through the baluster in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;    (e) an extension member extending through each opening of the plurality of balusters thereby preventing the balusters from rotating about their longitudinal axes.    
   
   
       2 . The railing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the openings are located in the plurality of balusters in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the curved portion of the baluster;  
   
   
       3 . The railing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the curved portion is curved to a degree where leveraged force may be applied on the curved portion of a baluster to rotate the baluster about its longitudinal axes.  
   
   
       4 . The railing system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower rails are made of softer material as compared to the balusters.  
   
   
       5 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein an end of the extension member is connected to one of the posts.  
   
   
       6 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein the balusters comprise upper and lower ends in axial alignment along the longitudinal axis of the balusters with the curved portion located between the upper and lower ends.  
   
   
       7 . The railing system as described in  claim 6  wherein the openings are located in the upper end of the balusters.  
   
   
       8 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein the openings are aligned with one another when positioned between the upper and lower rails.  
   
   
       9 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein each opening has parallel side edges and parallel upper and lower edges.  
   
   
       10 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein each opening is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the baluster and the cross-sectional dimensions of the extension member corresponds to the dimensions of the opening to enable the extension member to enter the openings of a plurality of balusters only when the balusters are aligned with their respective curved portions in the same direction.  
   
   
       11 . The railing system as described in  claim 10  wherein the openings of the balusters and the cross-sectional dimension of the extension member are “D” shaped.  
   
   
       12 . The railing system as described in  claim 10  wherein the openings of the balusters and the cross-sectional dimension of the extension member are triangular-shaped.  
   
   
       13 . The railing system as described in  claim 12  wherein one side of each opening is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the baluster.  
   
   
       14 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein the openings are dimensioned sufficiently larger in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the baluster as compared to the corresponding cross-sectional dimensions of the extension member to permit the extension member to extend through the openings of a plurality of balusters in a railing system slanted to be positioned adjacent a stairway.  
   
   
       15 . The railing system as described in  claim 1  wherein the opening includes upper and lower sides angled sufficiently to permit the extension member to extend through the openings of a plurality of balusters in a railing system slanted to be positioned adjacent a stairway.