Balustrade Having Metal Balusters With Ornamental Ends

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. A balustrade is also provided which comprises a plurality of balusters as described above.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metal baluster, comprising:
 a first metal segment comprising a first ornamental portion positioned between a first connection member and a second connection member opposite the first connection member, the first connection member comprising a first male member permanently attached to, and extending outward from, the first ornamental portion, the first male member being insertable into a female receiving member located in the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor, the second connection member of the first metal segment being hollow; and   a second metal segment comprising opposed first and second ends and a second ornamental portion positioned therebetween, the first opposed end being adapted to be received in the hollow end of the second connection member of the first metal segment, the second opposed end comprising a second male connection member permanently attached to, and extending outward from, the second ornamental portion, the second male connection member being insertable into a female receiving member located in the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor.   
     
     
         2 . The metal baluster of  claim 1  wherein the first and second ornamental portions contain first and second ornamental designs, respectively, and wherein the first ornamental design is different from the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         3 . The metal baluster of  claim 1  wherein the first and second ornamental portions contain first and second ornamental designs, respectively, and wherein the first ornamental design is the same as the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         4 . A balustrade, comprising a plurality of balusters attached between the underside of an elongated rail and a tread or a floor, wherein each of the plurality of balusters comprises:
 a first metal segment comprising a first ornamental portion positioned between a first connection member and a second connection member opposite the first connection member, the first connection member comprising a first male member permanently attached to, and extending outward from, the first ornamental portion, the first male member being insertable into a female receiving member located in the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor, the second connection member of the first metal segment being hollow; and   a second metal segment comprising opposed first and second ends and a second ornamental portion positioned therebetween, the first opposed end being adapted to be received in the hollow end of the second connection member of the first metal segment, the second opposed end comprising a second male connection member permanently attached to, and extending outward from, the second ornamental portion, the second male connection member being insertable into a female receiving member located in the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor.   
     
     
         5 . The metal balustrade of  claim 4  wherein the first and second ornamental portions of each of the plurality of balusters contain first and second ornamental designs, respectively, and wherein the first ornamental design is different from the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         6 . The metal balustrade of  claim 4  wherein the first and second ornamental portions of each of the plurality of balusters contain first and second ornamental designs, respectively, and wherein the first ornamental design is the same as the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         7 . The metal balustrade of  claim 4  wherein the first and second ornamental portions of each of the plurality of balusters contain first and second ornamental designs, respectively, and wherein the ornamental designs on one of the plurality of balusters is different than the ornamental designs on another of the plurality of balusters. 
     
     
         8 . A metal baluster comprising:
 a first metal segment comprising a first ornamental portion positioned along a first metal segment axis between a first connection member and a second connection member opposite the first connection member,
 wherein the first connection member is adaptable for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, to a tread or to a floor, and wherein the first connection member comprises an outermost surface located at a first radial distance from the first axis, 
 wherein the second connection member comprises a hollow end section capable of receiving a first opposed end of a second connection member, and wherein the second connection member further comprises an outermost surface located at a second radial distance from the first axis, 
 wherein the first ornamental portion comprises a first desired ornamental design, the outermost edges of the first ornamental design extending to a third radial distance from the first axis, and 
 wherein the third radial distance is greater than the second radial distance; and 
   a second metal segment comprising opposed first and second ends and a second ornamental portion positioned therebetween along a second metal segment axis, the first opposed end being adapted to be received in the hollow end of the second connection member of the first metal segment, the second opposed end comprising a connection member adaptable for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor.   
     
     
         9 . The metal baluster of  claim 8  wherein the first connection member of the first metal segment, and the connection member of the second metal segment comprise male connection ends that are insertable into holes formed in the underside of the elongated rail, in the tread or in the floor. 
     
     
         10 . The metal baluster of  claim 8  wherein the first ornamental design is different than the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         11 . The metal baluster of  claim 8  wherein the first ornamental design is the same as the second ornamental design. 
     
     
         12 . A balustrade, comprising a plurality of balusters attached between the underside of an elongated rail and a tread or a floor, wherein each of the plurality of balusters comprises:
 a first metal segment comprising a first ornamental portion positioned along a first metal segment axis between a first connection member and a second connection member opposite the first connection member,
 wherein the first connection member is adaptable for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, to a tread or to a floor, and wherein the first connection member comprises an outermost surface located at a first radial distance from the first axis, 
 wherein the second connection member comprises a hollow end section capable of receiving a first opposed end of a second connection member, and wherein the second connection member further comprises an outermost surface located at a second radial distance from the first axis, 
 wherein the first ornamental portion comprises a first desired ornamental design, the outermost edges of the first ornamental design extending to a third radial distance from the first axis, and 
 wherein the third radial distance is greater than the second radial distance; and 
   a second metal segment comprising opposed first and second ends and a second ornamental portion positioned therebetween along a second metal segment axis, the first opposed end being adapted to be received in the hollow end of the second connection member of the first metal segment, the second opposed end comprising a connection member adaptable for attachment to the underside of an elongated rail, in a tread or in a floor.   
     
     
         13 . The balustrade of  claim 12  wherein the first connection member of the first metal segment, and the connection member of the second metal segment comprise male connection ends that are insertable into holes formed in the underside of the elongated rail, in the tread or in the floor. 
     
     
         14 . The balustrade of  claim 12  wherein the first ornamental design of one of the plurality of balusters is different than the second ornamental design of the baluster. 
     
     
         15 . The balustrade of  claim 12  wherein the first ornamental design of one of the plurality of balusters is the same as the second ornamental design of the baluster. 
     
     
         16 . The balustrade of  claim 12  wherein the ornamental designs on one of the plurality of balusters is different than the ornamental designs on another of the plurality of balusters.