BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a modular railing baluster system. More specifically, the present invention provides a modular railing baluster system that includes a mounting device for securing various items between the balusters of the railing system.

Railing systems are often utilized as a common and necessary safety addition to stairs, decks, and other areas that include a drop in height from one surface to another. Railing systems typically include multiple vertical balusters that are spaced along the length of a top railing. The lower ends of the balusters are typically connected to a lower railing or another lower supporting surface, such as a stair tread, for example. The balusters support the upper railing at its intended height and are usually spaced apart from one another at an even distance. That distance is usually regulated to be four inches or less in order to prevent an individual from accidentally falling through the balusters. In some instances, balusters deviate from a standard vertical support and include various decorative elements and other physical attachments or shapes. Individuals may customize the look of their stairway with various types of baluster arrangements and styles.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to baluster and railing systems that provide an alternative to the typical vertical baluster arrangement. However, the devices have several drawbacks. Most of the known art devices provide balusters having alternative designs to vertical balusters that are merely decorative and provide no additional utility. There exist fasteners that can be used to secure items to balusters. However, these fasteners may not be designed for different types and sizes of balusters and may cause structural damage to the baluster.

Specifically, the known art is lacking a means for securing a desired object within the confines of the balusters or railing system itself. In order to address these concerns, the present invention provides a modular railing baluster system with at least one baluster that additionally provides as a mounting device for any mounting any desired object within the confines of the railing system. The mounting device may be surround by other specifically sized balusters that maintain a proper safe spacing between themselves. In this way, an individual can customize their railing system with various accessory items depending on the configuration of each mounting device being used.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing railing and baluster systems. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of railing and baluster systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and modular railing baluster system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when customizing a railing system to include balusters that support various objects.

In one embodiment, the modular railing baluster system includes a mounting device having an upper end and a lower end, an upper connector affixed to the upper end of the mounting device, a lower connector affixed to the lower end of the mounting device, and an offset baluster member having an upper portion and a lower portion that are aligned parallel to a middle offset portion. The mounting device can be configured to secure any kind of object within the railing system.

In one embodiment, an assembled modular railing baluster system according to the present invention includes a mounting device having an upper end and a lower end, an upper connector having a lower end affixed to the upper end of the mounting device and an upper end affixed to an upper support surface, a lower connector having an upper end affixed to the lower end of the mounting device and a lower end affixed to a lower support surface, and a pair of offset baluster members, each offset baluster member having an upper portion secured to the upper support surface and a lower portion secured to the lower support surface, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of each baluster is aligned and spaced parallel from a middle offset portion. The offset portions may be surrounded on either side by vertical balusters. The ultimate arrangement and combination of baluster types may vary according to individual preference.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved modular railing baluster system that addresses features lacking in the known art, namely the ability to secure an object within a railing system between different balusters.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of the modular railing baluster system that is configured to maintain a distance of no greater than four inches of space between all adjacent balusters regardless of baluster size and type.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

