IP Library Granted Patent US 7,862,196
Granted Patent B1
US 7,862,196 · App. 12/049,967 · Granted Jan 4, 2011

Baluster light system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,862,196
App. No.
12/049,967
Granted
Jan 4, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

A lighting system for illuminating a deck area. The wiring for the lighting system may be hidden from view, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, the lighting system may be installed simultaneously with the deck itself, or afterwards. Embodiments of the present invention include baluster lights which may be mounted between the railing balusters and also mounted to the sides of posts. Embodiments of the present invention also protect the lighting system from environmental damage.

Claims (64)

1. A lighting system attached to a deck support, said system comprising:

a back plate assembly attached to said deck support, comprising:

a back plate comprising one or more voids; and

a lamp assembly connected to said back plate; and

a front cover assembly attached to said back plate, comprising:

a front cover comprising a horizontal void and a vertical void; and

a lens fit within said horizontal void and said vertical void;

wherein said front cover attachment creates a seal between said front cover assembly and said back plate assembly; and

wherein one of said voids in said back plate is adapted to allow wiring to pass through said back plate and connect to said lamp assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

insulation encircling said lamp assembly;

wherein said front cover attachment creates a seal with said insulation.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said back plate assembly is attached to said deck support, said deck support comprising:

(a) a rail;

(b) two or more balusters attached to said rail;

(c) a rear mounting block; and

(d) a front mounting block attached to said rear mounting block;

wherein said attachment causes two of said balusters to be positioned between said front mounting block and said rear mounting block such that said front mounting block and said rear mounting block abut a bottom surface of said rail; and

wherein said wiring passes between said rear and front mounting blocks, and through said front mounting block before passing through one of said voids in said back plate to connect to said lamp assembly.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a rail cover attached to said rail;

wherein said wiring passes along said rail and through said rail before passing between said rear and front mounting blocks; and

wherein said rail cover encloses said wiring along said rail when said rail cover is attached to said rail.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a grommet attached to said void in said back plate where the wiring passes through said back plate.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said back plate assembly is attached to said deck support, said deck support comprising:

(a) a post; and

(b) a post cover enclosing said post;

wherein said wiring passes between said post and said post cover and through said post cover before passing through one of said voids in said back plate to connect to said lamp assembly.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a grommet attached to said void in said back plate where the wiring passes through said back plate.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said lens is transparent and/or any one of the following: etched, frosted, tinted, or textured; and

said front cover is opaque.

9. A lighting system attached to a deck rail assembly comprising a rail and two or more balusters connected to said rail, said lighting system comprising:

a rear mounting block;

a front mounting block attached to said rear mounting block, wherein said attachment causes two of said balusters to be positioned between said front mounting block and said rear mounting block such that said front mounting block and said rear mounting block abut a bottom surface of said rail;

a back plate attached to said front mounting block;

a lamp assembly attached to said back plate; a front cover attached to said back plate, said front cover comprising a front surface that defines a horizontal void and a bottom surface that defines a vertical void; a lens fitted within said horizontal void and said vertical void

wiring running along said rail, passing through said rail, passing between said front and rear mounting blocks, passing through said front mounting block and back plate, and attached to said lamp assembly; and

a front cover attached to said back plate and covering said lamp assembly.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein:

said deck rail assembly further comprises a rail cover attached to said rail; and

said rail cover covers said wiring passing along said rail.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the attachment of said front cover to said back plate creates a seal around said lamp assembly.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

insulation between the front cover and back plate, encircling said lamp assembly; and

a grommet attached to said back plate, encircling said wiring as it passes through said back plate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said insulation is silicone.

14. A lighting system attached to a post wherein said post is covered by a post cover, said lighting system comprising:

a back plate attached to a side of said post cover;

a lamp assembly attached to said back plate;

wiring running between said post and post cover, passing through said post cover and back plate, and connected to said lamp assembly;

a front cover attached to said back plate and covering said lamp assembly; said front cover comprising a small horizontal void in a front surface and a relatively larger vertical void in a bottom surface; a lens fitted within said horizontal void and said vertical void;

insulation between the front cover and back plate, encircling said lamp assembly; and

a grommet attached to said back plate, encircling said wiring as it passes through said back plate;

wherein the attachment of said front cover to said back plate creates a seal around said lamp assembly.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said insulation is silicone.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said grommet is rubber.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said front cover comprises:

a front cover comprising a small horizontal void on a front surface and a relatively larger vertical void on a bottom surface; and

a lens adapted to fit within said horizontal and vertical voids.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein:

said lens is transparent and/or any one of the following: etched, frosted, tinted, or textured; and

said front cover is opaque.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT R/F 069057/0231 Recorded Jul 1, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: THE AZEK GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 071773/0618 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (REEL/FRAME 31496/0126) Recorded Oct 4, 2024
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: THE AZEK GROUP LLC (AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND TIMBERTECH LIMITED AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO VAST ENTERPRISES, LLC); SCRANTON PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 069113/0623 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 059820/0498 Recorded Sep 27, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 069067/0461 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2024
From: THE AZEK GROUP LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 069057/0231 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 18, 2023
From: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: THE AZEK GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 065267/0864 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 30, 2023
From: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: THE AZEK GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 064783/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY TRANSFERRED AT REEL/FRAME (042501/0314) Recorded Apr 28, 2022
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; SCRANTON PRODUCTS, INC.; TIMBERTECH LIMITED; VAST ENTERPRISE, LLC
Reel/Frame 059820/0477 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT - TERM LOAN Recorded Apr 28, 2022
From: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059820/0498 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 8, 2017
From: TIMBERTECH LIMITED
To: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 042656/0406 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (031495/0968) Recorded May 19, 2017
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS RESIGNING ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042501/0314 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 21, 2014
From: CPG INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CPG INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 032097/0806 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2014
From: TIMBERTECH LIMITED
To: CPG INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 031892/0337 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2013
From: AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; SCRANTON PRODUCTS, INC.; TIMBERTECH LIMITED; VAST ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031496/0126 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2013
From: AZEK BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; SCRANTON PRODUCTS, INC.; TIMBERTECH LIMITED; VAST ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031495/0968 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2012
From: THE CRANE GROUP COMPANIES LIMITED
To: TIMBERTECH LIMITED
Reel/Frame 029006/0418 →