Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
COLLAPSIBLE STAIR R~IL SYSTEM
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to handrail
systems of the type adaptable for stairways, balconies,
porches, room dividers and the like, and more particular-
ly, to universally adjustable modular handrail systems.
In contemporary architecture, it is quite fas-
hionable to install wood railing systems in residential
homes and apartments. This architectural technique re-
flects a growing public appreciation of the value of wood
stairway and handrail systems as a decorative technique in
homes of all periods and styles. Custom designed wood
rail systems, however, are expensive to produce and re-
quire the precision skills of a master carpenter for
installation. Accordingly, there is a need in the art
for a collapsible modular stair rail system which may be
efficiently and economically installed by an unskilled
person at the job site. Preferably, such a system should
incorporate the elegance and beauty of handcrafted hand
rail systems in a fine grooved structurally durable con-
struction.
Background Art
Prior art patents disclose various adjustable
rail systems fabricated out of both metal and wood de-
signed for assemblage at the job site. In one common
sy~tem, standardized component upper and lower rail mem-
bers and vertical connecting members are provided fora~semblage and installation at the job site. One system
of this type is exemplified by the teaching~ of U.S.
Patent No. 4,138,094 to Thir which includee upper and
lower rails having a plurality of opposed cylindrical
sockets, and vertical members provided with cylindrical
formations receivable within the upper and lower rail
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cylindrical sockets. Thir configures the cylindrical
formations and socket openings to permit pivotal adjust-
ment of the rail stem. Thir does not, however, teach a
locking mechanism to provide a structurally rigid and
durable handrail system, and as such the system is not
entirely satisfactory. Additionally, difficulties are
presented by the complex arrangement of component parts of
the system. In the~manufacture of the system, it is
critical that the mating cylindrical sockets and cylindri-
cal formations be provided with specifications of close-
fitting tolerance to assure tight-fitting engagement of
the component members. As a result, machining operations
in the manufacture of the system are costly and complex.
Finally, the system is not fully collapsible when assem-
bled to facilitate economical shipment of the system as amodular unit.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent
No. 3,306,586 to Green wherein adjustability is achieved
in a modular rail system including top and bottom rail
members and pivotally connected upright members. This
system is preferably adapted for iron rail installation
(col. 1, lines 55-57) and has not been entirely satisfac-
tory for systems fabricated of wood. In particular, Green
does not disclose a satisfactory locking mechanism to
2S provide a mechanically strong and rigid structure. Fur-
ther, the system has the disadvantage of not being fully
collapsible to permit economical shipment.
There are also various other prior art iron
rail systems which have proved unsatisfactory for employ-
ment in wood rail systems. Such systems are represent byU.S. Patent Nos. 3,258,251, 2,654,579 and 1,416,957.
Accordingly, it is the general purpose of this
invention to provide a collapsible modular stair rail
system which is pivotally adjustable to accommodate any
selected stairway pitch.
An object of the present invention is to pro-
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vide a collapsible modular stair rail system which, when
installed, is positively locked and rigidly positioned at
a selected angular orientation with respect to a stairway.
Another object of this invention is to provide
a collapsible modular stair rail system which is provided
with a structural mechanism for achieving strength and
rigidity in a system of uncomplicated construction.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a collapsible modular stair rail system which may
be economically transported as an integral unit ready for
installation at the job site.
Another object of this invention is to provide
a collapsible modular stair rail system which may be
readily and quickly assembled by an unskilled person at
the job site.
A still further object of this invention is to
provide a collapsible modular stair rail system which is
of uncomplicated construction and which retains its struc-
tural durability and integrity in operation.
Disclosure Of The Invention
In the present invention, these purposes, as
well as others which will be apparent, are achieved gen-
erally by provision of a stair rail syqtem which includes
a longitudinally extending top rail having a handrail
member and opposing dependent longitudinal side walls
configured to provide a downwardly disposed longitudinal
channel, a longitudinally extending bottom rail having a
generally flat bottom surface and opposing appendent lon-
gitudinal side walls configured to provide an upwardly
disposed longitudinal channel, and a plurality of
balusters extending in spaced parallel relation between
the top and bottom longitudinal rails. The balusters have
top ends slidably positioned in the top rail longitudinal
channel and bottom ends slidably pogitioned in the bottom
rail longitudinal channel. The stair rail system also
includes means for pivotally securing the top and bottom
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baluster ends within the top and bottom longitudinal rail
channels, respectively, for rotatable movement in the
plane defined by the top and bottom longitudinal channels,
such that the rail system is pivotally adjustable to
accommodate any selected stairway pitch while maintaining
the balusters in a generally vertical orientation with
respect to the top and bottom longitudinal rails. A means
is also provided for frictionally locking the balusters in
a selected angular orientation with respect to the top and
bottom longitudinal rails. According to the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the pivotally securing means
includes a plurality of dowels extending transversely
through the top and bottom baluster ends, and journaled in
the top and bottom longitudinal rail side walls. In this
embodiment the frictional locking means includes a plur-
ality of slates receivable in the bottom longitudinal
channel in abutting and rictional engagement with the
balusters.
Other objects, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent when the detailed des-
cription of the preferred embodiment of the invention is
considered in con~unction with the drawings, which should
be construed in an illustrative and not limiting cense as
follows:
Brief De8cri~tion of Drawings
FIG. 1 illustrates a collapsible seCtion of a
rail 8ystem in accordance With thi8 inVention in which
three balusters are ~hown pivoted in an almost horizontal
position into the bottom longitudinal channel.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view o a
stair rail system in accordance with this invention em-
ployed in a conventional stairway system.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken
on line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 showing the configurat~on of the
top baluster ends, the means for pivotally securing the
top baluster ends within the top longitudinal channel,
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comprising a plurality of dowels journaled in opposing
longitudinal side walls, and the interconnection of the
top longitudinal rail and a newel post.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the
configuration of the bottom baluster ends, the means for
pivotally securing the bottom baluster ends to the bottom
longitudinal side walls, the connection of the bottom lon-
gitudinal xail and a newel post, the connection of the
bottom longitudinal rail to the stairway tread and riser
assemblage and the connection of the newel post to the
bottom landing of the stairway system.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing
additional balusters in spaced parallel relation pivotally
associated with the bottom longitudinal rail.
FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on
line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 showing the mea-ns for pivotally
securing the balusters in the bottom longitudinal channel
and a means for frictionally locking the balusters in
proper angular position, comprising a plurality of slats
receivable within the bottom longitudinal channel.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a
combination of adjourning handrail sections.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of line
B - 8 of FIG. 7 showing the balusters locked in a perpen-
dicular orientation with respect to the top and bottomlongitudinal rails.
FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on
line 9 - 9 of FIG. 8 showing the relationship between the
balusters and the top and bottom longitudinal rails.
Best Mode For Carrying Oùt The Invention
Referring now to the drawing, and more particu-
larly FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a modular collapsible
stair rail system according to the present invention is
generally designated 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
rail system is employed in association with a conventional
stairway system generally designated 12, including a tread
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and riser assembly 14 and stairway landings. Although the
stair rail system 10 can be mounted between opposing
walls, the system is preferably mounted between vertically
extending spaced newel posts 16 fixedly mounted to the
stairway landings or tread and riser assembly 14.
The handrail system 10 includes a longitudinal-
ly extending top rail 20 having a handrail member 22, end
surfaces 24 and opposing dependent longitudinal side walls
26 configured to provide a downwardly disposed longitudi-
nal channel 28, and a longitudinally extending bottom rail30 having a generally flat bottom surface 32, end surfaces
34 and opposing appendent longitudinal side walls 36 con-
figured to provide~ an upwardly disposed longitudinal chan-
nel 38. A plurality of balusters 40 extend in spaced
parallel relation between the top and bottom longitudinal
rails 20 and 30. The balusters 40 have top ends 42 slida-
bly positioned in the top longitudinal channel 28 and
bottom ends 44 slidably positioned in the bottom longitu-
dinal channel 38. The rail system 10 also includes means
for pivotally securing the top and bottom baluster ends 42
and 44 within the top and bottom longitudinal channels 28
and 38, respectively, for rotatable movement in the plane
defined by the top and bottom longitudinal channels 28 and
38, Advantageously, this arrangement permits pivotal ad-
justment of the rail system 10 to accommodate any selected
stairway pitch. Thè rail system includes further means
for frictionally locking the balusters 40 in a selected
angular orientation with respect to the top and bottom
longitudinal rails 20 and 30.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 the top and
bottom longitudinal channels 28 and 38 have generally
planar base surfaces 28A and 38A and U and inverted U-
shaped crossed sections respectively. The top and bottom
baluster ends 42 and 44 have side surfaces 46 and front
35 and back surfaces 48. The baluster ends 42 and 44 are of
sufficient width so that when the baluster ends are re-
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ceived within the top and bottom longitudinal channels 28
and 38, the baluster side surfaces 46 are frictionally
biased against top and bottom lGngitudinal side walls 26
and 36. In the preferred embodiment the top and bottom
baluster ends 42 and 44 have a rectangular cross-section,
planar front and back surfaces 48, and planar side sur-
faces 46. This arrangement facilitates pivotal position-
ing of the rail system 10 to a selected angular orienta-
tion.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top and bottom
baluster ends 42 and 44 have generally flat top and bottom
surfaces 50 and 52. The top baluster surfaces 50 are
provided with contiguous downwardly angled surfaces 54 and
the bottom baluster surfaces 52 are provided with contig-
uous upwardly angled surfaces 56. The upwardly and down-
wardly angled baluster end surfaces 54 and 56 are oriented
in generally opposed diagonal relation. When the top and
bottom baluster end surfaces 50 and 52 are positioned
substantially adjacent to the top and bottom longitudinal
base surfaces 28A and 38A, the balusters 40 may be pivoted
through an arc of approximately 90. Advantageously, this
arrangement causes the balusters 40 to lock in a position
perpendicular to the top and bottom longitudinal rails 20
and 30 when the flat baluster end surfaces 50 and 52 are
positioned in parallel alignment with top and bottom lon-
gitudinal channel base surfaces 28A and 38A tsee FIG. 8).
When the downwardly and upwardly angled baluster end sur-
faces 54 and 56 pass into the top and bottom longitudinal
channels 28 and 38, respectively, the balusters 40 are
positioned substantially parallel to the top and bottom
longitudinal rail~ 20 and 30. Advantageously, this ar-
rangement provides a rnodular rail system which is fully
collapsible for economic shipment as an integral unit.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, the baluster
securing means includes a plurality of spaced dowels 60
extending transversely through the top and bottom baluster
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ends 42 and 44 and journaled in the opposing top and the
opposing bottom longitudinal rail side walls 26 and 36 to
permit pivotal movement of the balusters 40 with respect
to the top and bottom longitudinal rails 20 and 30. As
best illustrated in FIG. 9, a pair of dowels 60 are posi -
tioned in parallel rela~ion in each of the balusters 40,
one in each of the top baluster ends 42, and one in each
of the bottom baluster ends 44. The dowels 60 are pre
ferably fabricated of metal. In the manufacture of the
rail system 10, the dowels 60 are press fitted through the
top and bottom longitudinal side walls 26 and 36. The
dowels 60 preferably extend through only one of the top
and one of the bottom longitudinal rail side walls 26 and
36, in order to provide for a tight-fitting journaling of
the dowels 60 in the opposing longitudinal rail side
walls. In wood systems, top and bottom longitudinal side
wall openings 27 and 37, caused in driving the dowels 60
through the longitudinal side walls 26 and 36, are filled
with any of the conventional plastic wood compounds well-
20 known in the art.
A frictional locking means in accordance withthis invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9. The
frictional locking means includes a plurality of slats 70,
preferably fabricated of wood receivable within the bottom
longitudinal channel 38. In the preferred embodiment the
bottom longitudinal channel 38 i~ provided with opposed
longitudinal 510ts 39 for receiving the longitudinal slats
70. The longitudinal slots 39 define a space of slightly
greater tran~verse dimension than the width of the slats
70 to facilitate seating of the slats 70 within the longi-
tudinal slots 39. The sla~s 70 include opposing longitu-
dinal ends 72 receivable within the longitudinal slots 39
and opposing end surfaces 74 for abuttingly engaging the
balusters 40. During installation of the rail system the
slats 70 are angularly positioned such that one of the
longitudinal ends 72 is positioned in one of the longitu-
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dinal slots 39. A downward force is then appliea topivotally seat the slats 70 in the longitudinal slots 39
thereby positively locking the slats 70 in the longitu-
dinal slots 39, thereby positively locking the slats 70
within the longitudinal slots 39, in abuttin~ and fric-
tional engagement with the balusters 40. In the preferred
embodiment the longitudinal slat ends 72 have rounded edge
surfàces to facilitate pivotal positioning of the slats 70
within the bottom longitudinal channel 38. It is also
preferable to miter the slat end surfaces 74 to the angu-
lar contour of the front and back bottom baluster end
surfaces 48 to provide close fitting engagement of the
bottom baluster end front and back surfaces 48 and the
slat end surfaces 74.
F~eferring to FIGS. 4 and 8, the newel posts 16
include planar base surfaces 80. An anchoring means is
provided for fixedly mounting the newel posts 16 on the
stairway landings. The anchoring means includes a post
plate 90, preferably fabricated of metal, having a plur-
ality of transverse openings 92, and a plurality of lag
screws 94 extending through the openings 92 to anchor the
post plate 90 to the newel base surfaces 80 and stairway
landings. It should be appreciated that the newel posts
16 may also be mounted on the stairway tread by conven-
tional means, for example, attachment to stairway risersby lag screws.
The rail syetem 10 is fixedly mounted between
newel pocts 16. The newel posts preferably include planar
mounting surfaces 17 for engagement with longitudinal rail
end surfaces 24 and 34. The top and bottom longitudinal
rail end surfaces 24 and 34 are mitered to permit flu8h
fitting frictional engagment of the longitudinal rail end
surfaces 24 and 34 and newel post mounting surfaces 17.
The top and bottom longitudinal rails 20 and 30 are cut
lengthwise, define a transverse plane orientated in par-
allel relation to the balusters 40 and newel posts 16. A
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means is provided for mounting top and bottom longitudinal
rails 20 and 30 to the newel posts 16 which includes a
connector 100, preferably fabricated of metal, having a
base member 102 for engaging the top and bottom,
longitudinal channel base surfaces 28A and 38A and a
contiguous pivotal member 104 for engaging the newel post
mounting surfaces 17. A plurality of lag screws 105
extend transversely through the base and pivotal members
102 and 104 to securely fix newel posts 16 and the top and
bottom longitudinal rails 20 and 30 in frictional abutting
engagement.
In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrasted means
for securing the bottom longitudinal rail 30 to the stair-
way tread and riser assembly 14. The securing means
includes a plurality of spaced metal nails 110 positioned
at spaced intervals through the base surface 38A of the
bottom longitudinal rail 30 diagnally into the tread and
riser assembly 14. The bottom longitudinal rail 30 is
secured to the stairway landing or other floor surfaces in
the same manner (see FIGS. 7 and 8).
It will be appreciated, therefore, that the
present invention provides a collapsible modular stair
rail system 10, which overcomes the difficulties of prior
art systems and which achieves the objects stated hereto-
fore.
In particular, the present invention provides amodular stair rail system 10, which is pivotally adjust-
able to accommGdate any selected stairway pitch. Advan-
tageously, the stair rail system 10 provides a locking
means for achieving strength and rigidity in a system of
uncomplicated construction. The rail system 10 may be
economically transported as an integral unit ready for
quick assemblage by an unskilled person at the job site.
The system has the further advantage of permitting econ-
omical manufacture by reason of its uncomplicated con-
struction.
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It should be appreciated that various modifica-
tions are possible in light of the above disclosure. For
example, the stair rail system 10 may be constructed of a
wide variety of different newel, rail and baluster styles
to accommodate homes of different periods and decorative
modes. The stair rail system 10 may also be employed in
both closed and open stairway systems. And although a
wood rail system is preferred, the rail system may be
similarly fabricated of metal or other rigid material.
It should be understood by those skilled in the
art that various modifications may be made in the present
invention, without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof as described in the specification and defined in
the appended claims.
