Baluster lighting assembly and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A baluster light assembly comprising:
- a plurality of positionable balusters or pickets, each having an intermediate baluster member located in a midsection of the baluster;
a plurality of light sources mounted in each of the balusters or pickets 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 power tap connectors adapted to be mounted to one of the ends of each of the balusters or pickets, each power tap connector 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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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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A baluster light assembly comprising:
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a plurality of positionable balusters or pickets, each having an intermediate baluster member located in a midsection of the baluster; a plurality of light sources mounted in each of the balusters or pickets 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 power tap connectors adapted to be mounted to one of the ends of each of the balusters or pickets, each power tap connector 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. A balustrade light assembly comprising:
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a plurality of positionable balusters with an upper end adapted for attachment to an upper rail and a lower end adapted for attachment to a lower rail; each baluster including an interior passageway extending vertically from the upper or lower end; a plurality of light sources mounted in the interior passageway of the balusters; an insulated power cable operable to be strung along the upper and lower rail to and between each baluster to supply power to each light source; and power tap connectors for each baluster, each power tap connector; (a) being adapted to be mounted to the upper or lower rail; (b) being adapted to securely mount and electrically tap the insulated power cable; and (c) having an insertion portion sized to securely but removably mount the insertion portion of the connector into the interior passageway of the baluster. - 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 positionable balusters, each baluster including a hollow section; a plurality of light sources 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 power tap connectors adapted to be mounted to an end of each of the balusters, each power tap connector 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 positionable baluster comprising the steps of:
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connecting a power tap connector to an upper or lower balustrade rail; mounting an insulated power cable into the power tap connector; connecting the power tap connector to a light source; inserting the light source into a vertical passageway of the baluster, and mounting the power tap connector to the end of the baluster, wherein the vertical passageway is configured to channel light toward an intermediate baluster member so that widely scatters or diffuses channeled light away from the baluster; and supplying power through the insulated power cable to the baluster to supply power to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification