Horizontal rod or tube rail infill system

Abstract

A rail infill system and related method of use includes an elongate baluster, a fitting, a baluster, and a fitting closer. The fitting includes a threaded end and is configured to be secured to an exterior surface of a support member with at least one fastener. The baluster attachment is mounted to an exterior surface of the baluster. The fitting closer is configured to threadably engage the threaded end of the fitting with the baluster attachment interposed there between to provide attachment of the baluster to the fitting. The baluster extends through the fitting closer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rail infill system, comprising:
 an elongate baluster;   a fitting having a threaded end, the fitting configured to be secured to an exterior surface of a support member with at least one fastener;   a baluster attachment mounted to an exterior surface of the baluster;   a fitting closer configured to threadably engage the threaded end of the fitting with the baluster attachment interposed there between to provide attachment of the baluster to the fitting, the baluster extending through the fitting closer.   
     
     
         2 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , wherein the baluster attachment includes a compression collar or a crimp ring. 
     
     
         3 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , further comprising a protection member providing an interface between the fitting and the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The rail infill system of  claim 3 , wherein the protection member comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate baluster is a hollow tube or solid rod. 
     
     
         6 . The rail infill system of  claim 2 , wherein the crimp ring is fixed to the baluster independent of connection of the fitting closer to the fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The rail infill system of  claim 2 , wherein the compression collar is fixed to the baluster upon tightening the fitting closer relative to the fitting. 
     
     
         8 . The rail infill system of  claim 2 , wherein the compression collar is split along its length. 
     
     
         9 . The rail infill system of  claim 2 , wherein the compression collar has a tapered portion. 
     
     
         10 . The rail infill system of  claim 9 , wherein the fitting closer has an internal tapered surface that is arranged at a reverse taper relative to the tapered portion of the compression collar. 
     
     
         11 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting has an angled construction to orient the baluster at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the exterior surface of the support member. 
     
     
         12 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , wherein the baluster has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         13 . The rail infill system of  claim 1 , wherein the baluster attachment is mechanically connected at or adjacent to a free end of the baluster. 
     
     
         14 . A rail infill system, comprising:
 a fitting having a threaded end and a mounting end, the mounting end configured to be secured to an exterior surface of a support member with at least one fastener;   a baluster attachment configured to be mounted to an exterior surface of a baluster;   a fitting closer configured to threadably engage the threaded end of the fitting with the baluster attachment interposed there between;   wherein a connection of the fitting closer to the fitting is configured to secure the baluster to the fitting.   
     
     
         15 . The rail infill system of  claim 14 , wherein the fitting closer includes a pass-through bore, and the baluster is configured to extend through the pass-through bore. 
     
     
         16 . The rail infill system of  claim 14 , further comprising a protection member positioned at the mounting end of the fitting to provide an interface between the fitting and the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The rail infill system of  claim 14 , wherein the threaded end is arranged at an angle relative to the mounting end. 
     
     
         18 . The rail infill system of  claim 14 , wherein the threaded end is arranged coaxially with the mounting end. 
     
     
         19 . A method of connecting a baluster to a support structure, the method comprising:
 providing a fitting, a baluster attachment, and a fitting closer, the fitting having a threaded end;   connecting the fitting to an exterior surface of the support structure with at least one fastener;   positioning the baluster attachment on an exterior surface of the baluster;   threadably connecting the fitting closer to the threaded end of the fitting with the baluster attachment interposed between the fitting closer and the fitting to provide attachment of the baluster to the fitting.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein positioning the baluster attachment on the baluster includes crimping the baluster attachment to the baluster. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the baluster attachment is a compression collar, and threadably connecting the fitting closer to the fitting compresses the compression collar onto the baluster. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the baluster attachment is a crimp ring that is fixed to the baluster, and connecting the fitting closer to the fitting applies an axial force to the baluster.