Baluster Bracket Assembly

Abstract

A bracket assembly includes a mounting plate configured to attach to a railing support surface and a collar connected to the mounting plate. The collar includes three side walls configured to retain the baluster, an open side suitably sized to insertably receive an end of the baluster between the three side walls, and a protrusion formed on an outer surface of laterally opposed side walls of the three side walls. The disclosed bracket assembly further includes a clip removably connected to the collar. The clip includes a first clip side wall and laterally opposed clip side walls extending from the first clip side wall. The clip is connected to the collar such that the first clip side wall substantially covers the collar open side and the opposed clip side walls engage the protrusions on the collar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bracket assembly comprising:
 a mounting plate configured to attach to a railing support surface; and,   a collar disposed on said mounting plate, said collar configured to receive and secure a baluster.   
     
     
         2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises:
 three side walls extending perpendicularly from said mounting plate to retain said baluster perpendicularly relative to said mounting plate;   an open side suitably sized to insertably receive an end of said baluster; and,   an interior area defined by said side walls comprising a shape corresponding equivalently to a cross-sectional shape of said end of said baluster.   
     
     
         3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said mounting plate comprises a set screw aperture adjacent to said open side to at least partially receiving a set screw; wherein said set screw retains said end of said baluster within said collar. 
     
     
         4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a clip attachable to laterally opposed side walls of said collar to cover said open side; wherein said clip retains said end of said baluster within said collar. 
     
     
         5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said collar further comprises a protrusion formed on an outer surface of each of said laterally opposed side walls; wherein said clip comprises a first clip side wall and laterally opposed clip side walls extending from said first clip side wall; and, wherein said clip is connected to said collar such that said first clip side wall substantially covers the collar open side and said opposed clip side walls engage said protrusions on said collar. 
     
     
         6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoe comprising:
 a body comprising an open top end and an open bottom end; and,   a hollow channel extending entirely through said body and configured to receive said end of said baluster;   wherein said open bottom end covers said mounting bracket plate and said collar.   
     
     
         7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises:
 a rear wall extending angularly from said mounting plate and two lateral side walls perpendicular to said rear wall to retain said baluster at an angle other than perpendicular relative to said mounting plate;   an open side suitably sized to insertably receive an end of said baluster; and,   an interior area defined by said rear wall and said side walls comprising a shape corresponding equivalently to a cross-sectional shape of said end of said baluster.   
     
     
         8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises:
 four side walls extending perpendicularly to said mounting plate to retain said baluster perpendicularly relative to said mounting plate; and,   an interior area defined by said side walls comprising a shape corresponding equivalently to a cross-sectional shape of said end of said baluster.   
     
     
         9 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar is pivotable relative to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises:
 a bottom wall;   three side walls extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall to retain said baluster;   an open side suitably sized to insertably receive an end of said baluster;   an interior area defined by said side walls comprising a shape corresponding equivalently to a cross-sectional shape of said end of said baluster; and,   a support member extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall opposite said side walls, said support member pivotally attached to said mounting plate.   
     
     
         11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a clip attachable to laterally opposed side walls of said collar to cover said open side; wherein said clip retains said end of said baluster within said collar. 
     
     
         12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises:
 a bottom wall;   four side walls extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall to retain said baluster;   an interior area defined by said side walls comprising a shape corresponding equivalently to a cross-sectional shape of said end of said baluster; and,   a support member extending perpendicularly from said bottom surface opposite said side walls, said support member pivotally attached to said mounting plate.   
     
     
         13 . A bracket assembly comprising:
 a mounting plate configured to attach to a railing support surface;   a collar connected to said mounting plate, said collar comprising:
 three side walls configured to retain said baluster; 
 an open side suitably sized to insertably receive an end of said baluster between said three side walls; and, 
 a protrusion formed on an outer surface of laterally opposed side walls of said three side walls; and, 
   a clip removably connected to said collar, said clip comprising a first clip side wall and laterally opposed clip side walls extending from said first clip side wall;   wherein said clip is connected to said collar such that said first clip side wall substantially covers said collar open side and said opposed clip side walls engage said protrusions on said collar.   
     
     
         14 . The bracket assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said collar is rigidly connected to said mounting plate to retain said baluster perpendicular relative to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         15 . The bracket assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said collar is pivotable relative to said mounting plate to retain said baluster at an angle relative to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         16 . The bracket assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a shoe comprising:
 a body comprising an open top end and an open bottom end; and,   a hollow channel extending entirely through said body and configured to receive said end of said baluster;   wherein said open bottom end covers said mounting bracket plate and said collar.   
     
     
         17 . A bracket assembly comprising:
 a baluster comprising an upper end, a lower end, and a shaft between said upper end and said lower end;   a first mounting bracket configured to receive said lower end of said baluster and configured to fasten to a top surface of a baserail;   a second mounting bracket configured to receive said upper end of said baluster and configured to fasten to a bottom surface of a handrail;   a first clip removably connected to said first mounting bracket and configured to secure said lower end of said baluster to said first mounting bracket; and,   a second clip removably connected to said second mounting bracket and configured to secure said upper end of said baluster to said second mounting bracket.   
     
     
         18 . The bracket assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second mounting bracket each further comprises:
 a mounting plate;   a collar comprising:
 three side walls configured to retain said baluster; 
 an open side suitably sized to insertably receive said baluster; and, 
 a protrusion formed on an outer surface of laterally opposed side walls of said three side walls; 
   wherein said clip comprises a first clip side wall and laterally opposed clip side walls extending from the said first clip side wall; and,   wherein said clip is connected to said collar such that the said first clip side wall substantially covers the collar open side and said opposed clip side walls engage with the said protrusions on the said collar to retain said baluster within said collar.   
     
     
         19 . The bracket assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said collar is pivotable relative to said mounting plate. 
     
     
         20 . The bracket assembly of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a first shoe slidably coupled to said lower end of said baluster for covering said first mounting bracket; and, 
 a second shoe slidably coupled to said upper end of said baluster for covering said second mounting bracket.