REMOVABLE BANISTER DEVICE

A removable banister device includes a staircase of a residential building and the staircase has an insertion element which is structurally integrated into the staircase. A banister has a leg which is insertably matable with the insertion element of the staircase. A pair of first couplers is each removably attachable an upper landing of the staircase. A pair of second couplers is each removably attachable to the banister. Each second coupler is releasably matable to a respective first coupler when the leg is insertably mated to the insertion element. The pair of first couplers and the pair of second couplers removably secure the banister to the vertical wall such that the banister can support the occupant when the occupant grips the banister.

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Description
(b) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

(c) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

(d) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

(e) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

Not Applicable

(f) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

(g) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to banister devices and more particularly pertains to a new banister device for removably attaching a banister to a staircase. The device includes an insertion element that is structurally integrated into a staircase and a banister which includes a leg and an upper rail and a lower rail. The device includes a pair of first couplers which are each mountable on an upper landing of the staircase and a pair of second couplers that are each mountable to a respective upper rail and lower rail. The leg of the banister is insertably matable to the insertion element of the staircase and each of the second couplers is removably matable to a respective first coupler for removably attaching the banister to the staircase.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The prior art relates to banister devices including: a banister construction joint device that includes a socket that is mountable to a support surface and a ball that is integrated into a railing of a banister that is removably matable to the socket; a universal handrail support device that includes a bracket that is attachable to a handrail or banister and an annular ring attached to the bracket and a curved nut and cap which are pivotally attached to the annular ring and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the curved nut and the cap and engages a support surface; a method and apparatus for attaching a hand rail to a support structure which includes a plurality of couplers which each includes a plate portion that is attachable to a respective stanchion and a pair of attachment portions which are reach attachable to a handrail to mount the handrail to the stanchion. In no instance does the prior art disclose a removable banister device that includes a staircase and an insertion element structurally integrated into the staircase and a banister that includes a leg, which is insertably matable to the insertion element, and an upper rail and a lower rail and a pair of first couplers that are each mountable to an upper landing of the staircase and a pair of second couplers that are each mountable to a respective upper rail and lower rail which are each releasably matable to a respective first coupler for removably attaching the banister to the staircase.

(h) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a staircase of a residential building and the staircase has an insertion element which is structurally integrated into the staircase. A banister has a leg which is insertably matable with the insertion element of the staircase. A pair of first couplers is each removably attachable an upper landing of the staircase. A pair of second couplers is each removably attachable to the banister. Each second coupler is releasably matable to a respective first coupler when the leg is insertably mated to the insertion element. The pair of first couplers and the pair of second couplers removably secure the banister to the vertical wall such that the banister can support the occupant when the occupant grips the banister.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a removable banister device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a banister being removably attached to a staircase.

FIG. 3A is a magnified detail view taken from circle 3A of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a magnified detail view taken from circle 3B of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a magnified detail view taken from circle 4 of FIG. 2 of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a second coupler being removably mated to a first coupler.

FIG. 5 is a magnified detail view taken from circle 5 of FIG. 2 of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a leg of a banister being insertably mated to an insertion element of a staircase.

 (j) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new banister device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the removable banister device 10 generally comprises a staircase 12 that is a structural component which extends between respective floors of a residential building 14. Furthermore, the staircase 12 can be navigated by an occupant 16 of the residential building 14. The residential building 14 may be a house, an apartment or any other type of residential structure that complies with the International Residential Code. The staircase 12 has an insertion element 18 which is structurally integrated into the staircase 12. The staircase 12 has an upper end 20 and a lower end 22; the staircase 12 includes an upper landing 24 which is associated with the upper end 20 of the staircase 12. The upper landing 24 has a vertical wall 26 which extends upwardly from the upper landing 24.

The staircase 12 has a sleeve space 28 which is structurally integrated into the staircase 12 and the sleeve space 28 is located adjacent to the lower end 22 of the staircase 12. The sleeve space 28 may be formed between the lower end 22 of the staircase 12 and a bullnose, for example, or otherwise integrated into the staircase 12 in accordance with best practices for residential framing. A sleeve 30 is insertable into the sleeve space 28 which is structurally integrated into the staircase 12. Furthermore, the sleeve 30 and the sleeve space 28 define the insertion element 18 of the staircase 12 when the sleeve 30 is inserted into the sleeve space 28.

The sleeve 30 has a bottom wall 32 and an outer wall 34 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 32 and the outer wall 34 has a plurality of intersecting sides 36. Each intersecting side 36 of the plurality of intersecting sides 36 is oriented perpendicular to a respective intersecting side 36 of the plurality of intersecting sides 36 such that the sleeve 30 has a cuboid shape. The outer wall 34 has a top edge 38 and the top edge 38 defines an opening 40 into the sleeve 30. Furthermore, the bottom wall 32 rests upon a lower bounding surface 42 of the sleeve space 28 when the sleeve 30 is inserted into the sleeve space 28. The sleeve 30 may be comprised of a rigid material, including but not being limited to metal or plastic, such that the sleeve 30 can withstand significant compressive forces and shear forces. Additionally, the sleeve 30 may be manufactured in a variety of dimensions which correspond to various dimensions commonly encountered with construction lumber.

A banister 44 is included which has a leg 46 that is insertably matable with the insertion element 18 of the staircase 12. Additionally, the leg 46 is vertically oriented with respect the staircase 12 when the leg 46 is insertably mated to the insertion element 18. The leg 46 has a bottom end 48 and the bottom end 48 of the leg 46 rests upon the bottom wall 32 the sleeve 30 when the leg 46 is inserted into the opening 40 defined by the top edge 38 of the sleeve 30. Additionally, the banister 44 has an upper rail 50 and a lower rail 52 and a plurality of spindles 54 each extending between the lower rail 52 and the upper rail 50. The upper rail 50 can be gripped by the occupant 16 when the occupant 16 navigates the staircase 12 so the occupant 16 can stabilize themselves. The upper rail 50 has a front end 56 and the lower rail 52 has a front end 58 and the leg 46 has a back surface 60. The front end 56 of the upper rail 50 is coupled to the back surface 60 of the leg 46 and the front end 58 of the lower rail 52 is coupled to the back surface 60 of the leg 46.

A pair of first couplers 62 is each removably attachable to the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24 of the staircase 12. The pair of first couplers 62 is spaced apart from each other on the vertical wall 26 and the pair of first couplers 62 is aligned with each other along a vertical axis of the vertical wall 26. Each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has a first finger portion 64 extending between a pair of first plate portions 66. The first finger portion 64 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has a rear surface 68 and each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has a front surface 70. The rear surface 68 of the first finger portion 64 of a respective first coupler 62 is spaced from the front surface 70 of each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of the respective first coupler 62. Additionally, the rear surface 68 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective first coupler 62 lies on a plane which is oriented parallel to the front surface 70 of each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of the respective first coupler 62.

The first finger portion 64 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has an upper edge 72 and a pair of sidelong edges 74. Each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has an inwardly facing edge 76. The inwardly facing edge 76 of each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of a respective first coupler 62 is spaced from a respective sidelong edge 74 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective first coupler 62. Each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 has a back surface 78. Furthermore, the back surface 78 of each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of each first coupler 62 of the pair of first couplers 62 rests against the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24. The rear surface 68 of the first finger portion 64 of a respective first coupler 62 is spaced from the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24 when the back surface 78 of each first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of the respective first coupler 62 is positioned against the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24.

A plurality of first fasteners 80 is provided and each first fastener 80 of the plurality of first fasteners 80 is extendable through the front surface 70 and the back surface 78 of a respective first plate portion 66 of the pair of first plate portions 66 of a respective first coupler 62. Additionally, each first fastener 80 of the plurality of first fasteners 80 engages the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24 for retaining the pair of first couplers 62 on the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24. Each first fastener 80 of the plurality of first fasteners 80 may comprise a threaded fastener, such as a screw for example, or other type of penetrating fastener.

A pair of second couplers 82 is provided and each second coupler 82 of the plurality of second couplers 82 is removably attachable to the banister 44. Each second coupler 82 of the plurality of second couplers 82 is releasably matable to a respective first coupler 62 of the pair of second couplers 82 when the leg 46 is insertably mated to the insertion element 18. Furthermore, the banister 44 is removable from the staircase 12 by the occupant 16 when, for example, the banister 44 would inhibit transporting an article of furniture up the staircase 12. The pair of first couplers 62 and the pair of second couplers 82 removably secures the banister 44 to the vertical wall 26 when the pair of second couplers 82 is releasably mated to the respective first coupler 62. Consequently, the banister 44 can support the occupant 16 when the occupant 16 grips the banister 44. As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, a trim component 83 may be included which is mounted between a respective first coupler 62 and the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24 of the staircase 12 to space the respective first coupler 62 from the vertical wall 26, if necessary, to facilitate fitment of the respective second coupler 82 to the respective first coupler 62.

Each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has a second finger portion 84 extending between a pair of second plate portions 86; the second finger portion 84 of each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has a rear surface 88. Each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has a front surface 90. The rear surface 88 of the second finger portion 84 of a respective second coupler 82 is spaced from the front surface 90 of each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of the respective second coupler 82. Furthermore, the rear surface 88 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second coupler 82 lies on a plane which is oriented parallel to the front surface 90 of each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of the respective second coupler 82.

The second finger portion 84 of each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has a lower edge 92 of the second couplers 82 and a pair of sidelong edges 94 of the second couplers 82. Each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has an inwardly facing edge 96 of the second plate portions 86. Additionally, the inwardly facing edge 96 of each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of a respective second coupler 82 is spaced from a respective sidelong edge 94 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second coupler 82. Each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of each second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 has a back surface 98; the upper rail 50 of the banister 44 has a back end 100 and the lower rail 52 of the banister 44 has a back end 102. The back surface 98 of each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of a respective second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 rests against the back end 102 of the lower rail 52. Additionally, the back surface 98 of each second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of a respective second coupler 82 of the pair of second couplers 82 rests against the back end 100 of the upper rail 50.

The second finger portion 84 of a respective second coupler 82 extends downwardly behind the first finger portion 64 of a respective first coupler 62 when the respective second coupler 82 is releasably mated to the respective first coupler 62. The upper edge 72 of the first finger portion 64 of a respective first coupler 62 curves upwardly between the pair of sidelong edges 74 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective first coupler 62. Furthermore, the curve of the upper edge 72 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective coupler inhibits the upper edge 72 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective first coupler 62 from snagging the lower edge 92 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second coupler 82. The lower edge 92 of the second finger portion 84 of a respective second coupler 82 curves downwardly between the pair of sidelong edges 94 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second coupler 82. Furthermore, the curve of the lower edge 92 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second fastener inhibits the lower edge 92 of the second finger portion 84 of the respective second fastener from snagging on the upper edge 72 of the first finger portion 64 of the respective first coupler 62.

A plurality of second fasteners 104 is included and each second fastener 104 of the plurality of second fasteners 104 is extendable through the front surface 90 of a respective second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of a respective second coupler 82. Additionally, each second fastener 104 of the plurality of second fasteners 104 is extendable through the back surface 98 of a respective second plate portion 86 of the pair of second plate portions 86 of a respective second coupler 82. Respective ones of the plurality of second fasteners 104 engage the upper end 20 of the lower rail 52 for retaining a respective second coupler 82 on the upper end 20 of the lower rail 52. Additionally, respective ones of the plurality of second fasteners 104 engage the upper end 20 of the upper rail 50 for retaining a respective second coupler 82 on the upper end 20 of the upper rail 50. Each of the plurality of second fasteners 104 may comprise a threaded fastener such as a screw, for example, or other type of penetrating fastener.

In use, the sleeve space 28 is constructed with best practices to locate the sleeve space 28 on or near the lower end 22 of the staircase 12 and the sleeve 30 is installed into the sleeve space 28. Each of the pair of first couplers 62 is mounted to the vertical wall 26 of the upper landing 24 at a height that corresponds to the position of a respective upper rail 50 and lower rail 52 of the banister 44. A respective one of the pair of second couplers 82 is mounted to upper end 20 of the upper rail 50 and a respective one of the pair of second couplers 82 is mounted to the upper end 20 of the lower rail 52. The banister 44 is moved into position for installation on the staircase 12 such that the leg 46 is aligned with the sleeve 30 and each of the second couplers 82 is aligned with a respective first coupler 62. The banister 44 is lowered such that the leg 46 is inserted into the sleeve 30 and each of the pair of second couplers 82 removably engages the respective first coupler 62 for securing the banister 44 into position. Consequently, the banister 44 can be removed from the staircase 12 and reinstalled on the staircase 12 without hand tools and with a minimum amount of construction skill.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A removable banister device comprising:

a staircase extending between respective floors of a residential building wherein said staircase is configured to be navigated by an occupant of the residential building, said staircase having an insertion element being structurally integrated into said staircase, said staircase including an upper landing;
a banister having a leg being insertably matable with said insertion element of said staircase, said leg being vertically oriented with respect said staircase when said leg is insertably mated to said insertion element;
a pair of first couplers, each first coupler of said plurality of first couplers being removably attachable to said upper landing of said staircase; and
a pair of second couplers, each second coupler of said plurality of second couplers being removably attachable to said banister, each second coupler of said plurality of second couplers being releasably matable to a respective first coupler of said pair of first couplers when said leg is insertably mated to said insertion element wherein said banister is configured to be removable from said staircase by the occupant, said pair of first couplers and said pair of second couplers removably securing said banister to said vertical wall when said pair of second couplers is releasably mated to said respective first coupler wherein said banister is configured to support the occupant when the occupant grips said banister.

2. The removable banister device according to claim 1, wherein:

said staircase has an upper end and a lower end;
said staircase has a sleeve space being structurally integrated into said staircase;
said sleeve space is located adjacent to said lower end of said staircase;
said removable banister device includes a sleeve being insertable into said sleeve space which is structurally integrated into said staircase; and
said sleeve and said sleeve space define said insertion element of said staircase when said sleeve is inserted into said sleeve space.

3. The removable banister device according to claim 2, wherein:

said sleeve has a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall;
said outer wall has a plurality of intersecting sides;
each intersecting side of said plurality of intersecting sides is oriented perpendicular to a respective intersecting side of said plurality of intersecting sides such that said sleeve has a cuboid shape;
said outer wall has a top edge;
said top edge defines an opening into said sleeve; and
said bottom wall rests upon a lower bounding surface of said sleeve space when said sleeve is inserted into said sleeve space.

4. The removable banister device according to claim 3, wherein:

said leg of said banister has a bottom end; and
said bottom end of said leg rests upon said bottom wall said sleeve when said leg is inserted into said opening defined by said top edge of said sleeve.

5. The removable banister device according to claim 1, wherein:

each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has a first finger portion extending between a pair of first plate portions;
said first finger portion of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has a rear surface;
each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has a front surface;
said rear surface of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler is spaced from said front surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler; and
said rear surface of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler lies on a plane being oriented parallel to said front surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler.

6. The removable banister device according to claim 5, wherein:

said staircase has an upper end;
said upper landing is associated with said upper end of said staircase;
said upper landing has a vertical wall which extends upwardly from said upper landing;
said first finger portion of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has an upper edge and a pair of sidelong edges;
each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has an inwardly facing edge;
said inwardly facing edge of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of a respective first coupler is spaced from a respective sidelong edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler;
each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has a back surface;
said back surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers rests against said vertical wall of said upper landing; and
said rear surface of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler is spaced from said vertical wall of said upper landing when said back surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler is positioned against said vertical wall of said upper landing.

7. The removable banister device according to claim 6, wherein:

said removable banister device includes a plurality of first fasteners;
each first fastener of said plurality of first fasteners is extendable through said front surface and said back surface of a respective first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of a respective first coupler; and
each first fastener of said plurality of first fasteners engages said vertical wall of said upper landing for retaining said pair of first couplers on said vertical wall of said upper landing.

8. The removable banister device according to claim 5, wherein:

each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has a second finger portion extending between a pair of second plate portions;
said second finger portion of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has a rear surface of said second finger portions;
each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has a front surface of said second plate portions;
said rear surface of said second finger portion of a respective second coupler is spaced from said front surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of said respective second coupler; and
said rear surface of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler lies on a plane being oriented parallel to said front surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of said respective second coupler.

9. The removable banister device according to claim 8, wherein:

said banister has an upper rail and a lower rail;
said upper rail of said banister has a back end;
said lower rail of said banister has a back end of said lower rail;
said second finger portion of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has a lower edge and a pair of sidelong edges of said second finger portions;
said lower edge of said second finger portion of a respective second coupler curves downwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler;
each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has an inwardly facing edge of said second plate portions;
said inwardly facing edge of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler is spaced from a respective sidelong edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler;
each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers has a back surface of said second plate portions;
said back surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler of said pair of second couplers rests against said upper end of said lower rail; and
said back surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler of said pair of second couplers rests against said upper end of said upper rail.

10. The removable banister device according to claim 8, wherein:

said first finger portion of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers has an upper edge and a pair of sidelong edges of said first finger portion;
said second finger portion of a respective second coupler extends downwardly behind said first finger portion of a respective first coupler when said respective second coupler is releasably mated to said respective first coupler;
said upper edge of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler curves upwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler such that said upper edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler is inhibited from snagging on said lower edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler; and
said lower edge of said second finger portion of a respective second coupler curves downwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler such that said lower edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler is inhibited from snagging on said upper edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler.

11. The removable banister device according to claim 9, wherein:

said removable banister device includes a plurality of first fasteners;
said removable banister device includes a plurality of second fasteners;
each second fastener of said plurality of second fasteners is extendable through said front surface of a respective second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler; and
each second fastener of said plurality of second fasteners is extendable through said back surface of a respective second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler.

12. The removable banister device according to claim 11, wherein respective ones of said plurality of second fasteners engages said back end of said lower rail wall for retaining a respective second coupler on said upper end of said lower rail.

13. The removable banister device according to claim 11, wherein respective ones of said plurality of second fasteners engages said back end of said upper rail for retaining a respective second coupler on said upper end of said upper rail.

14. A removable banister device comprising:

a staircase extending between respective floors of a residential building wherein said staircase is configured to be navigated by an occupant of the residential building, said staircase having an insertion element being structurally integrated into said staircase, said staircase having an upper end and a lower end, said staircase including an upper landing being associated with said upper end of said staircase, said upper landing having a vertical wall which extends upwardly from said upper landing, said staircase having a sleeve space being structurally integrated into said staircase, said sleeve space being located adjacent to said lower end of said staircase;
a sleeve being insertable into said sleeve space which is structurally integrated into said staircase, said sleeve and said sleeve space defining said insertion element of said staircase when said sleeve is inserted into said sleeve space, said sleeve having a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said outer wall having a plurality of intersecting sides, each intersecting side of said plurality of intersecting sides being oriented perpendicular to a respective intersecting side of said plurality of intersecting sides such that said sleeve has a cuboid shape, said outer wall having a top edge, said top edge defining an opening into said sleeve, said bottom wall resting upon a lower bounding surface of said sleeve space when said sleeve is inserted into said sleeve space;
a banister having a leg being insertably matable with said insertion element of said staircase, said leg being vertically oriented with respect said staircase when said leg is insertably mated to said insertion element, said leg having a bottom end, said bottom end of said leg resting upon said bottom wall said sleeve when said leg is inserted into said opening defined by said top edge of said sleeve, said banister having an upper rail and a lower rail, said banister having a plurality of spindles, each spindle of said plurality of spindles extending between said lower rail and said upper rail wherein said upper rail is configured to be gripped by the occupant when the occupant navigates said staircase, said upper rail having a front end, said lower rail having a front end, said leg having a back surface, said front end of said upper rail being coupled to said back surface of said leg, said front end of said lower rail being coupled to said back surface of said leg;
a pair of first couplers, each first coupler of said plurality of first couplers being removably attachable to said vertical wall of said upper landing of said staircase, said pair of first couplers being spaced apart from each other on said vertical wall, said pair of first couplers being aligned with each other along a vertical axis of said vertical wall, each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having a first finger portion extending between a pair of first plate portions, said first finger portion of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having a rear surface, each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having a front surface, said rear surface of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler being spaced from said front surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler, said rear surface of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler lying on a plane being oriented parallel to said front surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler, said first finger portion of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having an upper edge and a pair of sidelong edges, said upper edge of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler curving upwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler, each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having an inwardly facing edge, said inwardly facing edge of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of a respective first coupler being spaced from a respective sidelong edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler, each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers having a back surface, said back surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of each first coupler of said pair of first couplers resting against said vertical wall of said upper landing, said rear surface of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler being spaced from said vertical wall of said upper landing when said back surface of each first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of said respective first coupler is positioned against said vertical wall of said upper landing;
a plurality of first fasteners, each first fastener of said plurality of first fasteners being extendable through said front surface and said back surface of a respective first plate portion of said pair of first plate portions of a respective first coupler, each first fastener of said plurality of first fasteners engaging said vertical wall of said upper landing for retaining said pair of first couplers on said vertical wall of said upper landing;
a pair of second couplers, each second coupler of said plurality of second couplers being removably attachable to said banister, each second coupler of said plurality of second couplers being releasably matable to a respective first coupler of said pair of first couplers when said leg is insertably mated to said insertion element wherein said banister is configured to be removable from said staircase by the occupant, said pair of first couplers and said pair of second couplers removably securing said banister to said vertical wall when said pair of second couplers is releasably mated to said respective first coupler wherein said banister is configured to support the occupant when the occupant grips said banister, each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having a second finger portion extending between a pair of second plate portions, said second finger portion of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having a rear surface of said second finger portions, each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having a front surface of said second plate portions, said rear surface of said second finger portion of a respective second coupler being spaced from said front surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of said respective second coupler, said rear surface of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler lying on a plane being oriented parallel to said front surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of said respective second coupler, said second finger portion of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having a lower edge and a pair of sidelong edges of said second finger portions, each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having an inwardly facing edge of said second plate portions, said inwardly facing edge of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler being spaced from a respective sidelong edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler, each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of each second coupler of said pair of second couplers having a back surface of said second plate portions, said upper rail of said banister having a back end, said lower rail of said banister having a back end of said lower rail, said back surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler of said pair of second couplers resting against said back end of said lower rail, said back surface of each second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler of said pair of second couplers resting against said back end of said upper rail, said second finger portion of a respective second coupler extending downwardly behind said first finger portion of a respective first coupler when said respective second coupler is releasably mated to said respective first coupler, said upper edge of said first finger portion of a respective first coupler curving upwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler such that said upper edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler is inhibited from snagging on said lower edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler, said lower edge of said second finger portion of a respective second coupler curving downwardly between said pair of sidelong edges of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler such that said lower edge of said second finger portion of said respective second coupler is inhibited from snagging on said upper edge of said first finger portion of said respective first coupler; and
a plurality of second fasteners, each second fastener of said plurality of second fasteners being extendable through said front surface of a respective second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler, each second fastener of said plurality of second fasteners being extendable through said back surface of a respective second plate portion of said pair of second plate portions of a respective second coupler, respective ones of said plurality of second fasteners engaging said upper end of said lower rail wall for retaining a respective second coupler on said upper end of said lower rail, respective ones of said plurality of second fasteners engaging said upper end of said upper rail for retaining a respective second coupler on said upper end of said upper rail.
Patent History
Publication number: 20260201702
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2025
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2026
Inventor: Justin Mellinger (Tower City, PA)
Application Number: 19/024,899
Classifications
International Classification: E04F 11/18 (20060101);