Attachment for baluster for stair, balcony, or landing rail for both adjustable and fixed rails

Abstract

A method and apparatus for attaching balusters for a stair, balcony, deck, landing or the like providing an adjustable connection of a baluster to a rail and a base surface. The apparatus includes a ball adapter and a socket. The ball adapter is joined with the socket and mounted on a stair surface. The ball adapter and its mounting to the socket provides for limited adjustable movement of the adapter with respect to the socket and the stair surface. The ball adapter provides for the attachment of a baluster to the adapter. The adjustable connection of this apparatus can be used to attach to a rail or to a base of a stair, balcony, deck, landing or the like. The ball adapter and socket can be used to produce modular prefabricated baluster systems that can be adjusted for any slope or level rail and baluster installation.

1 . A baluster attachment kit for connecting a baluster along a surface of a stair in a desired orientation, comprising:
 a baluster having a first end and a second end;   an attachment apparatus for securing the first end of the baluster to a rail of the stair,   a mount for securing the second end of the baluster to a horizontal base of the stair, the mount includes:
 a base element shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the horizontal base, the base element including an aperture for the passage of a screw; 
 a base baluster connector having a hollow interior shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster, the base baluster connector including a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster; 
   a coupling structure associated with the base element and the base baluster connector for selectively securing the base element to the base baluster connector;   whereby the attachment apparatus attaches the first end of the baluster to the rail and the mount attaches the second end of the baluster to the horizontal base by axially sliding the base baluster connector along the second end of the baluster and mating the base baluster connector to the base element.   
     
     
         2 . The baluster attachment kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling structure is an external coupling adaptation forming part of the base element and an internal coupling adaptation forming part of the base baluster connector, wherein the second end of the base baluster connector includes the second internal coupling adaptation which is shaped and dimensioned for mating with the external coupling adaptation of the of the base element. 
     
     
         3 . The baluster attachment kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the external coupling adaptation of the base element is external threading, and the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector is internal threading shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the external threading of the base element. 
     
     
         4 . The baluster attachment kit according to  claim 3 , wherein the coupling structure is a set screw passing through the base baluster connector and engaging the base element. 
     
     
         5 . A mount for securing a second end of a baluster to a horizontal base of a stair in a baluster mounting kit including a baluster having a first end and the second end and an attachment apparatus for securing the first end of the baluster to a rail of the stair, the mounting comprising;
 a base element shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the horizontal base, the base element including an aperture for the passage of a screw;   a base baluster connector having a hollow interior shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster, the base baluster connector including a first end and a second end, the first end being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the baluster;   a coupling structure associated with the base element and the base baluster connector for selectively securing the base element to the base baluster connector;   whereby the attachment apparatus attaches the first end of the baluster to the rail and the mount attaches the second end of the baluster to the horizontal base by axially sliding the base baluster connector along the second end of the baluster and mating the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector to the external coupling adaptation of the base element.   
     
     
         6 . The mount according to  claim 5 , wherein the coupling structure is an external coupling adaptation forming part of the base element and an internal coupling adaptation forming part of the base baluster connector, wherein the second end of the base baluster connector includes the second internal coupling adaptation which is shaped and dimensioned for mating with the external coupling adaptation of the of the base element. 
     
     
         7 . The mount according to  claim 6 , wherein the external coupling adaption of the base element is external threading, and the internal coupling adaptation of the base baluster connector is internal threading shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with the external threading of the base element. 
     
     
         8 . The mount according to  claim 6 , wherein the coupling structure is a set screw passing through the base baluster connector and engaging the base element.