Baluster

Abstract

Various implementations include a baluster. The baluster includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion has a first length. The first portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire first length. The second portion has a second length. The second portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire second length. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion has an intermediate length as measured along the longitudinal axis. The intermediate portion has a varied cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the intermediate length. An end of one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines a dowel opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A baluster comprising:
 a first portion having a first length as measured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire first length;   a second portion having a second length as measured along the longitudinal axis, wherein the second portion has a constant cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the entire second length; and   an intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the intermediate portion having an intermediate length as measured along the longitudinal axis, wherein the intermediate portion has a varied cross-sectional size as measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the intermediate length,   wherein an end of one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines a dowel opening.   
     
     
         2 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the second length or first length of an other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. 
     
     
         3 . The baluster of  claim 2 , wherein the second length or first length of the other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 8 inches or more. 
     
     
         4 . The baluster of  claim 3 , wherein the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. 
     
     
         5 . The baluster of  claim 4 , wherein the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 6 inches or more. 
     
     
         6 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 4 inches or more. 
     
     
         7 . The baluster of  claim 6 , wherein the first length or the second length of the one of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion or the second portion opposite the intermediate portion, respectively, is 6 inches or more. 
     
     
         8 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the dowel opening has a depth as measured along the longitudinal axis, wherein the depth is 1.25 inches or more. 
     
     
         9 . The baluster of  claim 8 , wherein the depth is 2.0 inches or more. 
     
     
         10 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional size of the first portion is different than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The baluster of  claim 10 , wherein the cross-sectional size of the first portion is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The baluster of  claim 11 , wherein the end of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion defines the dowel opening. 
     
     
         13 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the first portion has a circular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The baluster of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-section of the second portion has a circular shape. 
     
     
         15 . The baluster of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-section of the second portion has a square shape. 
     
     
         16 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the second portion has a circular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section of the second portion has a square shape. 
     
     
         18 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the baluster has a total length as measured along the longitudinal axis, the total length including a sum of the first length, the intermediate length, and the second length, wherein the total length is 36 inches or more. 
     
     
         19 . The baluster of  claim 18 , wherein the total length is 40 inches or more. 
     
     
         20 . The baluster of  claim 19 , wherein the total length is 42 inches or more. 
     
     
         21 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion and an other of the second portion opposite the intermediate portion or the first portion opposite the intermediate portion are solid. 
     
     
         22 . The baluster of  claim 1 , wherein the dowel opening extends parallel to the longitudinal axis.