Baluster lighting assembly and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A baluster light assembly comprising:
- a plurality of balusters, each having an intermediate baluster member located in a midsection of the baluster;
a plurality of light sources operable to be mounted in each of the balusters in a manner that channels light toward the intermediate baluster member;
an insulated power cable operable to be strung between the balusters or pickets to supply power to the light sources;
a plurality of connector housings adapted to be attached to the balusters or pickets, each connector housing having;
a base member;
a cap member operable to mate with the base member;
pierce connectors mounted in the base member operable to pierce the insulation of the insulated power cable along any selected location of the insulated power cable; and
wherein the base member and cap member are sized, spaced, and configured to press-fit the insulated power cable onto the pierce connectors and to tightly enclose the insulated power cable along any selected location of the power cable; and
wires connecting the pierce connectors of each connector housing to a corresponding light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A baluster lighting assembly and method using illuminated intermediate baluster members in which balusters or pickets can be adjustably spaced along a power cord. A plurality of light sources mounted in each of a plurality of balusters or pickets are electrically connected to a power cable through connector housings mounted in each of the balusters or pickets. Each connector housing includes pierce connectors for penetrating the insulation of the power cable and coming into electrical, non-shorting contact with the power cable'"'"'s live and ground wires along any selected location of the power cable.
47 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A baluster light assembly comprising:
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a plurality of balusters, each having an intermediate baluster member located in a midsection of the baluster; a plurality of light sources operable to be mounted in each of the balusters in a manner that channels light toward the intermediate baluster member; an insulated power cable operable to be strung between the balusters or pickets to supply power to the light sources; a plurality of connector housings adapted to be attached to the balusters or pickets, each connector housing having; a base member; a cap member operable to mate with the base member; pierce connectors mounted in the base member operable to pierce the insulation of the insulated power cable along any selected location of the insulated power cable; and wherein the base member and cap member are sized, spaced, and configured to press-fit the insulated power cable onto the pierce connectors and to tightly enclose the insulated power cable along any selected location of the power cable; and wires connecting the pierce connectors of each connector housing to a corresponding light source. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. Baluster light assemblies comprising:
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a baluster for inserting in lower and upper rails; each baluster including an intermediate baluster diffuser member located in a midsection of the baluster; a light source operable to be mounted in each balusters in a manner that channels light toward the intermediate baluster diffuser member; each intermediate baluster diffuser member widely scattering or diffusing the channeled light away from the baluster; and an insulated power cable operable to be strung to each baluster to supply power to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A baluster light assembly comprising:
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a plurality of balusters, each picket including a hollow section; a plurality of light sources operable to be mounted in the hollow sections; an insulated power cable operable to be strung between the balusters to supply power to the light sources; a plurality of connector housings adapted to be attached to the balusters, each connector housing including pierce connectors operable to pierce the insulation of the insulated power cable along any selected location of the insulated power cable; and wires connecting the pierce connectors of each connector housing to a corresponding light source. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of lighting a baluster comprising the steps of:
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illuminating a baluster including an intermediate baluster diffuser member located in a midsection of the baluster between lower and upper rails; projecting a light source in each baluster in a manner that channels light toward an intermediate baluster diffuser member so that each intermediate baluster diffuser member widely scatters or diffuses the channeled light away from the baluster; and supplying power with an insulated power cable to each baluster to supply power to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification