Adjustable railing

Abstract

A vertically adjustable railing having first and second elongate balusters each with a first and second ends, the balusters having a first connection elements at their first ends and second connection elements along their length. An elongate handrail is pivotally connected at its first end to the first connection element of the first baluster and pivotally connected at its second end to the first connection element of the second baluster. An elongate lower rail having a first end and a second end is pivotally connected at its first end to the second connection element of the first baluster and pivotally connected at its second end to the second connection element of the second baluster. A distance between the first end and the second connection element of the first baluster is greater than the distance between the first end and the second connection element of the second baluster.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A vertically adjustable railing, comprising:
 a first baluster having a first end and a second end, said first baluster having a first connection element at the first end and an internal second connection element along the length of the first baluster, a distance from the first end;   a second baluster having a first end and a second end, said second baluster having a first connection element at the first end and an internal second connection element along the length of the second baluster, a distance from the first end;   a handrail having a first end and second end, said handrail being pivotally connected near the first end to the first connection element of said first baluster and being pivotally connected near the second end to the first connection element of said second baluster;   a lower rail having a first end and a second end, said lower rail being pivotally connected at the first end to the internal second connection element of said first baluster and being pivotally connected at the second end to the internal second connection element of said second baluster;   wherein, the distance between the first end of the first baluster and the second connection element of the first baluster is greater than the distance between the first end of the second baluster and the second connection element of the second baluster.   
     
     
         2 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , wherein when the first end of the first baluster is placed above the first end of the second baluster, the handrail is parallel to the lower rail. 
     
     
         3 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , wherein the greater distance is greater by approximately 1 inch or more. 
     
     
         4 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining elements adapted to cooperate with said first connection element. 
     
     
         5 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 4 , wherein said retaining elements comprise a bolt, a nut, and at least one washer. 
     
     
         6 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , wherein said first baluster further comprises at least one weep hole at said second end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , wherein said first baluster further comprises a base plate at said second end thereof, said base plate adapted to permit attachment of said baluster to a stair. 
     
     
         8 . The vertically adjustable railing of  claim 1 , wherein said railing is configured for use on stairs having between one and four steps. 
     
     
         9 . An adjustable railing comprising:
 a first baluster having a base and an upper extent, said first baluster including a first hinge at said upper extent and a second hinge at a point between said base and said upper extent;   a second baluster having a base and an upper extent, said second baluster including a first hinge at said upper extent and a second hinge at a point between said base and said upper extent;   a handrail attached at a first point thereof to said upper extent of said first baluster by said first hinge of said first baluster and attached at a second point thereof to said upper extent of said second baluster by said first hinge of said second baluster;   a lower rail attached at a first end thereof to said first baluster at said second hinge thereof and attached at a second end thereof to said second baluster at said second hinge thereof;   wherein in a first position said handrail and said lower rail are parallel and in a second position said handrail and said lower rail are parallel, said first position differing from said second position.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable railing of  claim 9 , wherein the distance between said first hinge and said second hinge of said first baluster is greater than the distance between said first hinge and said second hinge of said second baluster by approximately 1 inch or more. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable railing of  claim 9 , wherein said second hinge of said first baluster comprises a pivot point and said pivot point is located entirely within said first baluster. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable railing of  claim 9 , wherein said first baluster further comprises at least one weep hole. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable railing of  claim 9 , wherein said adjustable railing is configured for use on conventional stairs comprising no more than five steps.