Metal Baluster

Abstract

A metal baluster is provided which has first and second metal segments, where each of these metal segments comprises a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first metal segments include extension portions from mating engagement with one another and the second end of each metal segment is adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor. The second end of each of the metal segments further comprises an ornamental portion which is proximate the elongated handrail or the tread or the floor. Connection apparatuses provided for securing the engagement of the extension portions of the first metal segment and the second metal segment. In another embodiment, a metal baluster of the present invention may comprise three metal segments where the first two metal segments are adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail or to tread or floor and has an ornamental portion proximate the first end. These first and second metal segments are joined together by a third metal segment which has two ends which are adapted from mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second segments. A balustrade is also provided which comprises a plurality of balusters as described above.

1 . A metal baluster, comprising:
 first and second metal segments where each metal segment has first and second ends where the first end of one of the metal segments comprises an extension portion for mating engagement with the first end of the other metal segment and where the second end of each metal segment is for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor and comprises an ornamental portion; and   connection apparatus for securing the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment and the second metal segment.   
   
   
       2 . The metal baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the connection apparatus is a knuckle which encases the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment with the first end of the second metal segment and which is adhesively bonded to said engagement. 
   
   
       3 . The metal baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of one of the metal segments is hollow and wherein the first end of the second metal segment is adapted to be received in the hollow end of the first metal segment. 
   
   
       4 . A metal baluster, comprising:
 first, second and third metal segments, where the first and second metal segments each have first and second ends, the first ends of the first and second metal segments adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, a tread or a floor and comprising an ornamental portion and where the third metal segment has two ends which are adapted for mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second metal segments; and   connection devices for securing the ends of the third metal segment to the second ends of the first and second metal segments.   
   
   
       5 . The metal baluster of  claim 4 , wherein the connection device is a knuckle. 
   
   
       6 . The metal baluster of  claim 4 , wherein the second ends of the first and second metal segments are hollow and wherein the first and second ends of the third metal segment are adapted to be received in the hollow ends of the first and second metal segments. 
   
   
       7 . A balustrade, comprising a plurality of metal balusters which are connected between the underside of an elongated handrail and either a tread or floor, where each said metal baluster comprises:
 first and second metal segments where each metal segment has first and second ends where the first end of one of the metal segments comprises an extension portion for mating engagement with the first end of the other metal segment and where the second end of each metal segment is for attachment to the underside of an elongated handrail or to a tread or floor and comprises an ornamental portion; and   connection apparatus for securing the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment and the second metal segment.   
   
   
       8 . The balustrade of  claim 7 , wherein the connection apparatus is a knuckle which encases the engagement of the extension portion of the first metal segment with the first end of the second metal segment and which is adhesively bonded to said engagement. 
   
   
       9 . The balustrade of  claim 7 , wherein the first end of one of the metal segments is hollow and wherein the first end of the second metal segment is adapted to be received in the hollow end of the first metal segment. 
   
   
       10 . A balustrade, comprising a plurality of balusters having ornamental ends where at least some of the ornamental ends are connected to the underside of an elongated rail and where the other end of the balusters is secured to either a tread or a floor, where each said baluster comprises:
 first, second and third metal segments, where the first and second metal segments each have first and second ends, the first ends of the first and second metal segments adapted for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, a tread or a floor and comprising an ornamental portion and where the third metal segment has two ends which are adapted for mating engagement with the second ends of the first and second metal segments; and   connection devices for securing the ends of the third metal segment to the second ends of the first and second metal segments.   
   
   
       11 . The metal baluster of  claim 10 , wherein the connection device is a knuckle. 
   
   
       12 . The metal baluster of  claim 10 , wherein the second ends of the first and second metal segments are hollow and wherein the first and second ends of the third metal segment are adapted to be received in the hollow ends of the first and second metal segments. 
   
   
       13 . A metal baluster, comprising:
 At least two metal segments where two of said at least two metal segments comprise the end portions of said baluster and where each said end portion comprises an ornamental portion proximate one end thereot and   apparatus for joining said end portions and any other metal segment comprising the baluster to form a unitary structure.