Baluster Shoes

Abstract

An adjustable shoe has a first part and a second part with respective bodies with inner, outer, top, and bottom surfaces. The second part is attachable to first part to define an opening itself defining a central axis and being configured for receiving the baluster therethrough. The opening is configured so that the first part and the second part may be adjustably attached to the baluster with compensation for any misalignment of the baluster and the mounting surface. The adjustable shoe may include only one of the first parts and only one of the second parts, each extending about 180 degrees around the central axis. If so, the only one first part and the only one second part may be identical, and/or generally L-shaped when viewed along a line parallel to the central axis. A related assembly includes an adjustable shoe and a baluster.

1 . An adjustable shoe for a baluster attached to a mounting surface and having a longitudinal axis and cross-section of a predetermined size, the adjustable shoe comprising:
 a first part having a body with an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and   a second part having a body with an inner surface, and outer surface a top surface and a bottom surface, the second part attachable to first part to define an opening between the at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the first part and the second part, the opening defining a central axis and being configured for receiving the baluster therethrough, the opening being configured so that the first part and the second part may be adjustably attached to the baluster with the central axis and the longitudinal axis at an angle of up to about 10 degrees to compensate for any misalignment of the baluster and the mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the first part and the second part include a wall parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the angle between the central axis and the longitudinal axis is about 8 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the first part and the second part include a wall non-aligned with the central axis so as to form a frustum. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the angle between the central axis and the longitudinal axis is about 8 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the angle between the central axis and the wall is about 8 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first part and the second part are removably attachable to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the first part and second part have cooperating tabs and slots for removable attachment via sliding in a direction along the central axis. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , further including a cap attachable to the top surfaces of the first part and the second part. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the top surfaces of the first part and the second part define a recess for receiving the cap in a snap fit. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the cap defines an opening sized for receipt of the baluster therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the cap is formed of a resiliently deformable material. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the cap on one hand and the first part and the second part on the other hand are sized for frictional engagement wherein upon assembly the cap is secured to the first part and the second part thereby and the first part and the second part are secured to the baluster thereby. 
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable shoe includes only one of the first parts and only one of the second parts, the only one first part and the only one second part each extending about 180 degrees around the central axis. 
     
     
         26 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 25 , wherein the only one first part and the only one second part are identical. 
     
     
         27 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 25 , the only one first part and the only one second part are generally L-shaped when viewed along a line parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         28 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An adjustable shoe for a baluster attached to a mounting surface and having a longitudinal axis and cross-section of a predetermined size, the adjustable shoe comprising:
 a first part having a body with an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface;   a second part having a body with an inner surface, and outer surface a top surface and a bottom surface, the second part attachable to first part to define an opening between the at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the first part and the second part, the opening defining a central axis and being configured for receiving the baluster therethrough, the opening being configured so that the first part and the second part may be adjustably attached to the baluster with the central axis pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis to compensate for any misalignment of the baluster and the mounting surface; and   a cap attached to the top surfaces of the first part and the second part and around the baluster, the cap defining an opening sized for receipt of the baluster therethrough, the cap being formed of a resiliently deformable material softer than the first part, the second part, and the baluster so that the cap secures the first part and the second part to the baluster.   
     
     
         32 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 31 , wherein the adjustable shoe includes only one of the first parts and only one of the second parts, the only one first part and the only one second part each extending about 180 degrees around the central axis. 
     
     
         38 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 37 , wherein the only one first part and the only one second part are identical. 
     
     
         39 . The adjustable shoe of  claim 37 , the only one first part and the only one second part are generally L-shaped when viewed along a line parallel to the central axis.