Baluster driver tool and method of using same
First Claim
1. A baluster driver tool for connecting a baluster to a support comprising:
- a housing having a first and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
a connector disposed on the first end of the housing and adapted to connect the housing to a power tool for rotating the housing about the housing'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and
a baluster-engaging member provided on the second end of the housing and adapted to engage an end of the baluster, said baluster-engaging member including;
a first central, axially extending cavity that is sized and shaped to receive the end of the baluster therein; and
a second cavity formed in the housing and extending substantially continuously with the first cavity; and
wherein the first cavity has at least one straight wall and the second cavity is substantially circular in cross-section; and
wherein the second cavity is provided with a baluster-engaging mechanism for securing the baluster in the second cavity;
whereby rotation of the housing about the longitudinal axis causes the baluster to rotate and become attached to the support.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A baluster driver tool for rotating a baluster to threadably secure it to a support. The driver tool includes a housing having a connector at one end for connecting it to a drill and a baluster-engaging member at the opposite end for receiving the baluster. The baluster-engaging member includes a cavity that is complementary sized and shaped to receive an end of the baluster. When the drill is activated, the housing rotates about its longitudinal axis causing the baluster to rotate in unison with the housing and securing a threaded end of the baluster into the support. In a second embodiment, a smooth tapered end of a baluster is received within a threaded tapered cavity in the housing. The threads secure the smooth tapered end of the baluster within the cavity so that rotation of the housing causes the baluster to rotate in unison therewith and securing the threaded end of the baluster to the support.
47 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A baluster driver tool for connecting a baluster to a support comprising:
-
a housing having a first and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a connector disposed on the first end of the housing and adapted to connect the housing to a power tool for rotating the housing about the housing'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and a baluster-engaging member provided on the second end of the housing and adapted to engage an end of the baluster, said baluster-engaging member including; a first central, axially extending cavity that is sized and shaped to receive the end of the baluster therein; and a second cavity formed in the housing and extending substantially continuously with the first cavity; and
wherein the first cavity has at least one straight wall and the second cavity is substantially circular in cross-section; and
wherein the second cavity is provided with a baluster-engaging mechanism for securing the baluster in the second cavity;
whereby rotation of the housing about the longitudinal axis causes the baluster to rotate and become attached to the support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A baluster driver tool for connecting a baluster to a support;
- said baluster driver tool comprising;
a housing having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a connector disposed on the first end of the housing and adapted to connect the housing to a power tool that is activatable to rotate the housing about the longitudinal axis;
wherein the connector includes;an opening formed in the first end of the housing and having a width; a drive shaft, complementary sized and shaped to be received in the opening; and a baluster engaging member provided at the second end of the housing; and
wherein at least a Portion of said baluster engaging member is internally threaded and is adapted to engage an end of the baluster, whereby rotation of the housing about the longitudinal axis causes the baluster to rotate and become attached to the support;
wherein the baluster-engaging member comprises;a first central, axially extending cavity of generally square cross-section;
the first cavity having a width; anda second central, axially extending cavity of generally circular cross-section disposed between the first cavity and the opening;
wherein the opening and first and second cavities are substantially continuous; and
wherein the second cavity has a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter, and the maximum diameter is smaller than the width of the first cavity and the minimum diameter is smaller than the width of the opening; and
wherein the second cavity tapers in cross section from the maximum diameter proximate the first cavity to the minimum diameter proximate the opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
- said baluster driver tool comprising;
-
17. A method of connecting a baluster to a support, wherein the baluster is an elongated member having a first end and a second end and has a thread provided at the first end thereof;
- and the method comprises the steps of;
providing a housing having; a connector for connecting the housing to an electrically powered tool for rotating said housing; and a baluster-engaging member for engaging the baluster;
wherein the baluster-engaging member includes;a first cavity complementary sized and shaded to receive the second end of the baluster therein; a second cavity of different width and cross-sectional configuration to the first cavity and substantially continuous therewith; and
wherein the second cavity includes an interior wall that is at least partially threaded;connecting the housing to the tool via the connector; engaging the second end of the baluster in the baluster-engaging member by inserting the second end of the baluster into the first cavity; twisting the housing into contact with the second end of the baluster until the second end becomes wedged onto the threads on the interior wall of the second cavity;
positioning the thread of the first end of the baluster on the support; andsupplying electrical power to the tool to activate the same and to thereby rotate the housing and baluster to threadably connect the first end of the baluster to the support. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- and the method comprises the steps of;
Specification