Railing and baluster plug system

Abstract

A railing and baluster plug system that facilitates installation of balusters at a plurality of angular orientations, such as installations for level railing and installations for non-level or angled railings such as for stairs. The baluster plugs are configured to cooperate with the balusters and include both a level mounting surface and an angled mounting surface for alternatively mounting the balusters in a level or an angled orientation.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mount for a lateral member of a railing system, the mount comprising:
 an attachment interface to a lateral member, to attach the mount within the lateral member; and   at least one aperture to receive at least one screw to secure the mount to a post.   
     
     
         2 . The mount of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an angled surface to receive the at least one aperture, a plane of the angled surface forming an angle different than 90 degrees relative to a lateral direction of the lateral member.   
     
     
         3 . The mount of  claim 2 , further comprising a leg extending laterally from the angled surface, the leg contoured to match a mechanical stop on an interior of the lateral member. 
     
     
         4 . The mount of  claim 2 , further comprising a trimmable major surface opposite from the angled surface, the trimmable major surface positioned flush with a surface of the post when the mount is mounted on the post, wherein:
 when untrimmed, a plane of the trimmable major surface is perpendicular to the lateral direction of the lateral member, and   when trimmed, the plane of the trimmable major surface is angled to form an angle different than 90 degrees relative to a lateral direction of the lateral member.   
     
     
         5 . The mount of  claim 1 , comprising at least three apertures to receive one of at least three screws respectively to secure the mount to a post. 
     
     
         6 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment interface comprises a snap-fit interface. 
     
     
         7 . The mount of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment interface comprises a sliding interface. 
     
     
         8 . The mount of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel for passage of a wire. 
     
     
         9 . The mount of  claim 1 , further comprising a lateral protrusion on an exterior side surface of the mount, the lateral protrusion contoured to match a cooperating lateral feature on an interior of the lateral member. 
     
     
         10 . The mount of  claim 1 , further comprising a side protrusion extending laterally on an exterior lateral side surface of the mount, the side protrusion contoured to match a cooperating lateral feature on an interior of the lateral member. 
     
     
         11 . A railing system, comprising:
 an upper lateral member;   a lower lateral member spaced below and substantially parallel to the upper lateral member;   a post; and   a pair of mounts, one of the mounts attachable to the post and the upper lateral member and one of the mounts attachable to the post and the lower lateral member, wherein the mounts enable the upper lateral member and the lower lateral member to be positioned at a plurality of angular orientations relative to the post,   wherein the mounts reside within the upper lateral member or the lower lateral member and comprising at least one aperture to receive at least one screw to be secured within the post.