Composite baluster

Details Composite baluster Composite baluster

2000-01-25

2001-06-05

Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Machine or implement

C052S749100, C052S749100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240698

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the construction of a baluster, more particularly to the construction of a composite baluster.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional wooden staircase balusters are generally formed as a rod which is provided with a pleasing outline for aesthetic purposes. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a typical wooden baluster
1
includes an upper tapered section
101
, a neck
102
, a lower section
103
of rectangular cross-section, and a tenon
104
formed at a bottom end of the lower section
103
. In setting up the baluster
1
, the top end of the upper tapered section
101
is embedded into a top stair-rail, and the tenon
104
is fitted in a hole in the floor of a staircase and is nailed securely thereat.
However, the known wooden baluster
1
has the following disadvantages:
1. A considerable amount of wood is consumed in manufacturing the wooden baluster
1
, and a lot of waste is produced during the processing of wood.
2. As wood is not sufficiently strong, the wooden baluster
1
is susceptible to damage upon impact and is prone to crack and deform when subjected to varying weather.
3. Although the upper tapered section
101
and the neck section
102
of the wooden baluster
1
may be machined via a lathe machine, the lower section
103
must be formed by using a planing machine. Therefore, different processing operations have to be performed to finish the entire profile of the wooden baluster
1
, thus increasing the complexity of the manufacturing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a composite baluster which has a strong construction and which can be produced via a simplified process.
According to the present invention, a composite baluster includes an elongated core made of wood and having a bottom end, and a plastic outer shell molded over and enclosing the core. The bottom end of the core projects outward and downward from a bottom end of the outer shell. A wooden end piece is connected to and covers the bottom ends of the core and outer shell. The end piece has a top end face recessed to form a cavity for receiving the bottom end of the core. The top end face abuts against the bottom end of the outer shell.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4035978 (1977-07-01), Bajorek et al.
patent: 5035401 (1991-07-01), Solter
patent: 5568709 (1996-10-01), Steckler
patent: 5626331 (1997-05-01), Erwin

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