Variable Angle Stair Railing Bracket Hinge

Abstract

A stair railing hinge includes specially adapted leaves that interlock to define a range of motion suitable for all stair railing implementations, and allow for good contact surfaces at every point. The stair railing hinge is compact enough to be completely concealed by a railing cover. A hinge kit includes leaves defining different ranges of motion for a top railing and bottom railing respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stair railing hinge apparatus comprising:
 a railing leaf comprising:
 a railing engaging portion; and 
 a post leaf engaging portion having a first position stop and a second position stop; 
   a post leaf having a first contact surface and a second contact surface defining one or more screw holes, the first contact surface and second contact surface defining an angle such that a screw inserted through the one or more screw holes abuts the first contact surface while the second contact surface abuts a railing post.   
     
     
         2 . The stair railing hinge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the post leaf defines a first engaging surface configured to engage the first position stop. 
     
     
         3 . The stair railing hinge apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the post leaf defines a second engaging surface configured to engage the second position stop. 
     
     
         4 . The stair railing hinge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first position stop and second position stop define a range of motion of the post leaf. 
     
     
         5 . The stair railing hinge apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the range of motion is less than 40°. 
     
     
         6 . The stair railing hinge apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the post leaf defines a hinge screw hole. 
     
     
         7 . A railing installation kit comprising:
 a first stair railing hinge comprising:
 a railing leaf comprising:
 a railing engaging portion; and 
 a post leaf engaging portion having a first position stop and a second position stop defining a first range of motion; and 
 
 a post leaf having a first contact surface and a second contact surface defining one or more screw holes, the first contact surface and second contact surface defining an angle such that a screw inserted through the one or more screw holes abuts the first contact surface while the second contact surface abuts a railing post; and 
   a stiffener element configured to attach to the first stair railing hinge at a proximal end.   
     
     
         8 . The railing installation kit of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second stair railing hinge comprising:
 a railing leaf comprising:
 a railing engaging portion; and 
 a post leaf engaging portion having a first position stop and a second position stop defining a second range of motion; and 
 
   a post leaf having a first contact surface and a second contact surface defining one or more screw holes, the first contact surface and second contact surface defining an angle such that a screw inserted through the one or more screw holes abuts the first contact surface while the second contact surface abuts a railing post,   wherein the stiffener element is further configured to attach to the second stair railing hinge at a distal end.   
     
     
         9 . The railing installation kit of  claim 8 , wherein the first range of motion is distinct from the second range of motion. 
     
     
         10 . The railing installation kit of  claim 8 , wherein the first stair railing hinge is configured for installation between the stiffener element and a railing post where an angle defined by the stiffener element and the railing post is obtuse as measured from the first stair railing hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The railing installation kit of  claim 8 , wherein the second stair railing hinge is configured for installation between the stiffener element and a railing post where an angle defined by the stiffener element and the railing post is acute as measured from the first stair railing hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The railing installation kit of  claim 7 , further comprising a railing cap element configured to cover the stiffener element. 
     
     
         13 . The railing installation kit of  claim 9 , wherein the railing cap element is further configured to conceal the first stair railing hinge when installed. 
     
     
         14 . A stair railing comprising:
 a first stair railing hinge comprising:
 a railing leaf comprising:
 a railing engaging portion; and 
 a post leaf engaging portion having a first position stop and a second position stop defining a first range of motion; and 
 
 a post leaf having a first contact surface and a second contact surface defining one or more screw holes, the post leaf affixed to a first railing post via one or more screws, each of the one or more screws abutting the first contact surface, and the second contact surface abutting the first railing post; and 
   a stiffener element attached to the first stair railing hinge at a proximal end.   
     
     
         15 . The stair railing of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second stair railing hinge comprising:
 a railing leaf comprising:
 a railing engaging portion; and 
 a post leaf engaging portion having a first position stop and a second position stop defining a second range of motion; and 
 
   a post leaf having a first contact surface and a second contact surface defining one or more screw holes, the post leaf affixed to a second railing post via one or more screws, each of the one or more screws abutting the first contact surface, and the second contact surface abutting the second railing post,   wherein the stiffener element is attached to the second stair railing hinge at a distal end.   
     
     
         16 . The stair railing of  claim 15 , wherein the first range of motion is distinct from the second range of motion. 
     
     
         17 . The stair railing of  claim 16 , wherein the first stair railing hinge is disposed between the stiffener element and the first railing post at an obtuse angle as measured from the first stair railing hinge. 
     
     
         18 . The stair railing of  claim 17 , wherein the second stair railing hinge is disposed between the stiffener element and the second railing post at an acute angle as measured from the first stair railing hinge. 
     
     
         19 . The stair railing of  claim 18 , further comprising a railing cap element covering the stiffener element. 
     
     
         20 . The stair railing of  claim 19 , wherein the railing cap element conceals the first stair railing hinge when installed.