Baluster connectors and systems having the same

Abstract

Baluster connectors and railing systems utilizing baluster connectors. The baluster connectors can include a baluster engaging portion, a support engaging portion, and a flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A baluster connector, comprising:
 a first end;   a second end opposite the first end;   a flange positioned between the first end and the second end;   a baluster engaging portion extending from the flange to the first end, the baluster engaging portion having a cylindrical sidewall having a uniform outer diameter from the flange to the first end; and   a support engaging portion extending from the flange to the second end, the support engaging portion having a plurality of circular ridges, each extending 360 degrees about a central longitudinal axis of the support engaging portion;   wherein the circular ridges each define a semi-circular cross-sectional profile in a plane parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and   wherein the baluster connector includes a through-hole extending from the first end, through the flange, and to the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The baluster connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of circular ridges are parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The baluster connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the support engaging portion comprises between three and six of the circular ridges. 
     
     
         4 . The baluster connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular ridges are arranged helically about the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The baluster connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the through-hole is centered along the central longitudinal axis of the baluster connector. 
     
     
         6 . The baluster connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular ridges project outward from a cylindrical sidewall of the support engaging portion. 
     
     
         7 . The baluster connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the support engaging portion includes a portion having the plurality of circular ridges and an unridged portion along its length between the flange and the second end. 
     
     
         8 . A baluster connector, comprising:
 a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a baluster engaging portion extending from the top surface of the flange to a first end of the baluster connector;   a support engaging portion extending from the bottom surface of the flange to a second end of the baluster connector;   a through-hole extending from the first end, through the baluster engaging portion, through the flange, and through the support engaging portion to the second end.   
     
     
         9 . The baluster connector according to  claim 8 , wherein the baluster engaging portion comprises a cylindrical sidewall having a uniform outer diameter between the flange and the first end. 
     
     
         10 . The baluster connector according to  claim 8 , wherein the support engaging portion comprises a plurality of circular ridges, each extending 360 degrees about a central longitudinal axis of the baluster connector. 
     
     
         11 . The baluster connector of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of circular ridges are parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The baluster connector of  claim 10 , wherein the circular ridges are helically arranged about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The baluster connector of  claim 10 , wherein the support engaging portion includes a ridged portion and an unridged portion along its length between the flange and the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The baluster connector of  claim 8 , wherein the flange is disc-shaped and has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the baluster engaging portion and the support engaging portion. 
     
     
         15 . The baluster connector of  claim 8 , wherein the flange lies in a plane perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the baluster connector. 
     
     
         16 . A baluster connector, comprising:
 a support engaging portion extending from a bottom surface of a flange to a first end of the baluster connector and comprising a plurality of circular ridges;   a baluster engaging portion extending from a top surface of the flange to a second end of the baluster connector; and   a through-hole extending from the first end of the support engaging portion, through the flange, and through the baluster engaging portion to the second end.   
     
     
         17 . The baluster connector of  claim 16 , wherein the circular ridges are disposed along a portion of a length of the support engaging portion between the flange and the first end. 
     
     
         18 . The baluster connector of  claim 16 , wherein the baluster engaging portion comprises a cylindrical sidewall having a uniform outer diameter between the flange and the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The baluster connector of  claim 16  wherein the flange is disc-shaped and has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the support engaging portion and the baluster engaging portion. 
     
     
         20 . The baluster connector of  claim 16 , wherein the circular ridges of the support engaging portion are parallel to one another and are perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the baluster connector.