Safety guard to a prevent children from climbing the exterior of a stair railing

Abstract

A safety device to discourage and/or prevent children from climbing stairs on the exterior of the railing is detailed. This stair guard safety apparatus safeguards homes and protects children by shielding them from climbing to elevated positions on the outside of the railing, where the vertical drop is even more of a danger than inside the railings. A screen or shield is used to discourage children from climbing the outside of a staircase. The screen is fastened to staircase structure. Fixed support for securing the screen is provided by structure available in the staircase (e.g., handrail, bannister, closures and/or its accoutrements). This screen support is provided, for example, by sandwiching, applying pressure, surrounding or otherwise fastening the screen to existing staircase parts, such as bannisters, balusters, closures, steps or other structure. In many embodiments, the stair guard apparatus is fastened in such a way that it does not damage the balusters and is removable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use on the open side of a staircase wherein the staircase includes an interior for foot traffic, stairsteps with tread overhanging the open side of the staircase and has a handrail on the open side of the staircase with railing closures, the apparatus comprising:
 a screen; and   a support structure connected to the screen and removably connected to the railing closures;   
       wherein the screen is supported by the support structure in a position exterior to the railing closures and extending a sufficient distance in a direction perpendicular to the railing closures to block a child from climbing the tread overhang to ascend the exterior of the staircase. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure fastens to the railing closures. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of clam  1  wherein the support structure comprises a plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises two plates. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a bracket and a plate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support structure sandwiches the railing closures. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the screen comprises a solid shield. 
     
     
         9 . A kit for an apparatus to screen children from climbing an exterior of an open side of a staircase having a handrail and handrail supports, the kit comprising:
 a screen;   a bracket;   a support plate;   means for attaching the screen to the bracket or the support plate; and   means for removably securing the bracket and support plate to the handrail supports, wherein when secured the screen prevents ascent on the exterior of an open staircase.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9  further comprising a screen mount. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9  further comprising a screen mount attached to the support plate. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the screen is a panel and the support plate is a back plate. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein the removably securing means comprises one or more of a bolt, a screw, nut, and confirmat fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9  wherein when secured the bracket and support plate are on either side of the handrail supports. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 9  further comprising a second plate. 
     
     
         16 . A method of installing a shield on a side of a staircase wherein the staircase side is open comprising:
 attaching a panel to a bracket or a support plate;   fastening the attached panel to handrail closures using the bracket and the support plate wherein when fastened the bracket and support plate sandwich the handrail closures;   wherein the fastened panel prevents children ascending the exterior of the open side of the staircase by climbing steps.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of attaching comprises connecting the panel to a panel mount and connecting the panel mount to the support plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of attaching comprises connecting the panel to a panel mount and connecting the panel mount to the bracket. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of fastening is performed with a bolt and wherein the sandwiched handrail closures are one of wrought iron rods, balusters and decorative closures. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein a second plate is used and the step of fastening sandwiches the handrail closures between the two plates.