Illuminated Railing with Composite Balusters and Internal Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional railing materials, such as wood, aluminum, steel, and vinyl, are opaque and unable to support internal illumination, while light-transmissive materials like acrylic or polycarbonate are too flexible for safe use as balusters without additional support.
Innovation Solution
A railing assembly featuring a beam with a through-hole and pocket-hole configuration that secures light-transmissive balusters, combined with a retaining ring and lateral support ring to provide structural rigidity, and integrated illumination sources within the rail to direct light through light-transmissive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-transmissive materials like acrylic or polycarbonate are used for balusters, then view obstruction is reduced and internal illumination becomes possible, but the materials are too flexible to safely use as balusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light-transmissive materials (acrylic or polycarbonate) with metal reinforcement elements to create a composite baluster structure. The metal component provides structural strength and rigidity while the light-transmissive material maintains view clarity and enables internal illumination, resolving the contradiction between safety and illumination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the baluster structure. The metal reinforcement is positioned at critical structural locations where strength is needed, while light-transmissive materials are used in areas where view clarity and illumination are required, allowing each material to perform its optimal function
2Strength
If opaque materials like wood, aluminum, steel, or vinyl are used for railings, then structural strength is maintained, but view obstruction increases and internal illumination is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining opaque metal railings with light-transmissive baluster materials. The metal railing maintains structural strength and safety, while the light-transmissive balusters enable internal illumination and reduce view obstruction, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously
3Area of stationary object
If light-transmissive materials are used for balusters, then view obstruction is reduced, but the materials are too flexible to safely use as balusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light-transmissive materials with metal reinforcement to create a composite baluster. The metal component provides the necessary structural rigidity and safety, while the light-transmissive material maintains view clarity and enables illumination, resolving the contradiction between view quality and structural strength
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for safe, rigid, and illuminated railings that minimize view obstruction while ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a plate of light-transmissive material extending in a plane adjacent the beam along substantially an entire length of the beam and configured to project light from an edge thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A railing assembly includes a bottom rail and a top rail extending parallel thereto and spaced apart therefrom. Both rails include a beam defining through-holes and corresponding pocket-holes located opposite from the other rail to define ledges facing away from the other rail. A plurality of balusters of light-transmissive material each extend between the bottom rail and the top rail, through a corresponding through-hole and pocket-hole in each railing. Retaining rings are disposed around each of the balusters within each of the pocket-holes for engaging the ledges and thereby holding the balusters to each rail. Each rail may include a plate of light-transmissive material extending in a plane adjacent the beam and configured to project light along a length thereof. One or more illumination sources are disposed in the top rail and/or the bottom rail to direct light into the balusters and/or the plate(s) to provide options for multiple illumination effects.