SLOPE ALIGNING BALUSTRADE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

To the full extent permitted by law, the present United States Non-provisional Patent Application hereby claims priority to and the full benefit of United States Provisional Application entitled “SLOPE ALIGNING BALUSTRADE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE,” having assigned Ser. No. 63/693,293, filed on Sep. 11, 2024, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a balustrade systems for staircases, specifically a slope aligning balustrade apparatus and method utilizing shaped panels and mounting bars to support a handrail without requiring newels or wall attachments.

2. Description of Related Art

In its most basic form, stairs are a series of steps or treads that are set in place with a uniform difference in elevation and horizontal location between sequential steps. To ensure safe transit of people up and down a set of stairs, at least one side of the stairway is often fitted with a balustrade typically comprised of at least a handrail, two newels to support the handrail and a series of balusters mounted between the handrail and the treads or steps. The presence of the handrail allows the user to have a means of gripping and steading themselves as they climb or descend the stairs. The newels are attached to the structure of the stairs to provide for the firm mounting of the handrail when attachment to an adjoining wall is not an option. Balusters provide a physical barrier to the passage of children and pets under the handrail of open stairways and thus prevent dangerous falls. In addition to their utilitarian value, the balustrade also contributes to the aesthetics of the stairway and are offered in a variety of decorative designs and are manufactured from wood, solid metal bars, hollow metal tubes, steel cables, glass and other materials.

The balustrade needs to position and orient the handrail so that it aligns with the angle of incline of the stairs, typically 32° to 38°, and is held at a height that is readily graspable by the majority of users, typically with the top of the rail being 34 to 38 inches above the nose of the treads. The structural strength of the balustrade needs to be such that it can withstand the impact of a falling adult hitting and/or grabbing the handrail with a downward our outward force to stop their fall (200 pounds of load per International Residential Code (IRC)). Likewise, the balusters of the balustrade must be closely spaced enough to prevent children from passing between them (4-inch maximum gap per IRC) and be strong enough to prevent a person impacting them from breaking through (50 pounds per square foot of load per IRC).

The need for correct placement and orientation of the balustrade and the structural loading it has to withstand to ensure the safe passage of users of the finished stairway make the installation of a stairway a task that requires significant skill. The skills required include the precision measurements of distances and angles and the accurate cutting of the multiple components used so they come together into a precision fit balustrade. As a result, the majority of stairway installations are left to specialized craftsmen that have the knowledge and experience to accomplish the work correctly.

A disadvantage with conventional balusters presented in the disclosure is that they do not locate and slope the handrail correctly while also providing the structural strength required to meet current building code requirements.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages and limitations found in the prior art of a balustrade that correctly locates and slopes the handrail while also providing the structural strength required to meet current building code requirements, there is an interest in and need for such an improved balustrade.

SUMMARY

The slope aligning balustrade apparatus may have a set of shaped mounting bars that are mounted individually to the top face of a series of stair treads and in turn a series of shaped panels are attached to these shaped bars. A rail is then attached to the top end of these shaped panels. The balustrade is preferably configured of a series of U-shaped mounting bars connected to the stair treads and then in turn attached to shaped panels that have a wide and tall face that creates a barrier to children or pets passing through the balustrade. The panels are wide enough that when a series of panels are mounted to a series of treads by the U-shaped mounting bars, in the same relative location on each tread, the gap between adjacent panels does not exceed desired maximum allowable gap (typically 4-inches). The height of the panels may be such that when the handrail is affixed across the tops of the panels, the top of the handrail sits at the desired height above the treads or steps (typically 34 to 38 inches above the nose of the tread). The top of the panel features an upward arc or curve so that when a series of these panels are mounted to a series of treads by the U-shaped bars mounted in the same relative location on each tread, the top edges of the panel series create a uniform line of tangency that is parallel or approximately parallel to the slope of the stairway.

U-shaped mounting bar may be made from sheet metal or other material, preferably 7 gage to 12 gage, so that U-shaped mounting bar can be readily punched, stamped, cut and bent as required to fabricate them. The two vertical sides of U-shaped mounting bar may have a series of holes punched or drilled in them to allow for attaching shaped panel to them using fasteners. The bottom of the U-shaped mounting bar may have holes punched or drilled into it to allow it to be secured to the top face of the stair tread or floor.

Shaped panels may be made from relatively thin sheet metal or other material, preferably 12 gage to 24 gage, so they can be readily punched, stamped, cut and bent as required to fabricate them. The faces of shaped panels may be solid or not and either smooth, textured, decorative, or embossed with a wide range of designs able to be created by cutting, rolling, stamping, or punching a pattern to remove material to create a decorative appearance. The two vertical edges of the shaped panel can be bent at an angle or angles relative to the face so that the stiffness and rigidity of the shaped panel can be increased. The two vertical edges of shaped panel may have a set of holes punched or drilled into them to correspond to the holes in the sides of the U-shaped mounting bar so that fasteners can be inserted to secure the shaped panel to the U-shaped mounting bar.

U-shaped mounting bars and/or shaped panels may have paint or powder coat finishes applied in a wide range of colors, glosses or textures. Desired plating or other metal treatment can be applied to U-shaped mounting bars and/or shaped panels for either aesthetic or protective purposes. Likewise, U-shaped mounting bars and/or shaped panels can be left unfinished if so desired by the user.

Once the U-shaped mounting bars are placed and secured in a line along one edge of the treads, the shaped panels are in turn secured to the U-shaped mounting bars and in turn, the handrail may be set in place by aligning the attachment slot in the bottom of the handrail with the top edges of the series of shaped panels and inserting the series of top edges into the handrail's attachment slot. Once the top edges have all been inserted into the handrail's attachment slot, the handrail can be secured by drilling a small hole through the edge of the handrail and through the thickness of the top edges of the shaped panels. A fastener can then be driven through to fully secure the handrail to the top edges of the shaped panels. Once secured the balustrade is now ready for use.

Once the balustrade is installed, the user has the option to alter the aesthetic appearances by attaching decorative strips to the vertical edges of the shaped plates. These decorative strips may be composed of wood, plastic, metal or other material and finished in a broad range of coatings, plating, colors or textures and attached to the vertical edges of the shaped plates using adhesives or other fasteners.

In an exemplary embodiment of a slope aligning balustrade apparatus positioned between each of a series of stair tread(s), with its companion stair risers forming a slope to a staircase, and a handrail having an attachment slot and a drill hole, the apparatus having a plurality of U-shaped mounting bars, each configured to be secured to one of the stair treads, a plurality of shaped panels, each having a vertically elongated front face, two vertical edges, a bottom edge, and a top edge, the bottom edge is configured to be secured to one of the U-shaped mounting bars, the top edge is configured to be secured to the attachment slot of the handrail, wherein the top edges of the shaped panels are curved upward to form a uniform line of tangency that aligns with the slope of the staircase.

In a second exemplary embodiment of a method of installing a slope aligning balustrade on a staircase having a series of stair treads and companion stair risers forming a slope, the method includes securing a plurality of U-shaped mounting bars to each of the stair treads using fasteners, attaching a plurality of shaped panels to the U-shaped mounting bars, each of the shaped panels having a vertically elongated front face, two vertical edges, a bottom edge, and an upward curved top edge, wherein the bottom edge rests on the stair tread and is secured to the U-shaped mounting bar, and mounting a handrail having an attachment slot across the upward curved top edge of the shaped panels, wherein the upward curved top edges form a uniform line of tangency aligning with the slope of the staircase.

A feature of the present disclosure may be the size, shape and strength of these U-shaped mounting bars and shaped panels and are such that the rail can be attached at a range of angles of incline without requiring modification and the resulting balustrade will meet all current building code requirements without need for the rail to be supported by attachment to newels and/or a wall.

A feature of the present disclosure includes simplified installation wherein the system eliminates the need for newels or wall attachments to meet building code requirements, reducing the complexity, time, and skill level required for installation compared to conventional balustrade systems.

A feature of the present disclosure includes structural strength wherein the U-shaped mounting bars and shaped panels provide sufficient structural integrity to withstand a 200-pound load on the handrail and 50 pounds per square foot on the panels, meeting International Residential Code (IRC) standards without additional support.

A feature of the present disclosure includes adaptability to stairway slopes wherein the curved top edges of the shaped panels create a uniform line of tangency that aligns with a range of common stairway slopes (30°to 40°), allowing the handrail to be securely attached without modification.

A feature of the present disclosure includes safety compliance wherein the design ensures gaps between adjacent panels do not exceed the IRC's 4-inch maximum, preventing children or pets from passing through, thus enhancing safety.

A feature of the present disclosure includes customizable aesthetics wherein the shaped panels can feature decorative cutouts, textures, or embossed designs, and optional decorative strips (made of wood, plastic, or metal) may be attached to vertical edges, offering a wide range of aesthetic customization options.

A feature of the present disclosure includes material versatility wherein the U-shaped mounting bars and shaped panels can be made from sheet metal (7-12 gage for bars, 10-24 gage for panels) or other materials, with options for paint, powder coating, plating, or unfinished surfaces to suit user preferences.

A feature of the present disclosure includes enhanced rigidity wherein the vertical edges of the shaped panels are bent to form a U or C-shape, increasing stiffness and rigidity, which contributes to the overall durability and safety of the balustrade.

A feature of the present disclosure includes ease of assembly wherein the system uses straightforward fasteners to secure U-shaped mounting bars to stair treads and shaped panels to the bars, with the handrail easily attached via an attachment slot, simplifying the assembly process.

A feature of the present disclosure includes height compliance wherein the shaped panels are designed to position the handrail at the IRC-recommended height of 34 to 38 inches above the tread nose, ensuring ergonomic and code-compliant handrail placement.

A feature of the present disclosure includes cost-effective design wherein by reducing the need for specialized craftsmanship and additional structural components like newels; the system potentially lowers installation costs while maintaining high safety and aesthetic standards.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the prior Summary, and following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and Claims when read in light of the accompanying Detailed Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood and aspects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description and drawings. The same numerals are used to designate like components in these figures. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the described balustrade after installation according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a face view of the described shaped panel according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows cross section along AA′ of the shaped panel in FIG. 2 according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows cross section along BB′ of the shaped panel in FIG. 2 according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show the front, side and top views of the described U-shaped mounting bar according to the select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows cross section along AA′ of FIG. 1 according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show two pairs of the described shaped panels that are positioned to create a balustrade that aligns to stairs inclined at approximately 31.0° (degrees) and 39.0° (degrees) respectively according to select embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a series of the described shaped panels that are positioned to create balustrade that aligns to stairs inclined approximately 36.9° (degrees) according to select embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 shows an oblique view of the back of the described shaped panel attached to the described U-shaped mounting bar with the addition of optional decorative edges according to select embodiments of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and are merely examples among other possible examples.

In general, the following description adopts a terrestrial frame of reference, in which the bottom of a component may be considered to be the side nearest the floor or earth when in normal use, and the top being the side opposite and facing upward. The backs of described shaped panels are the ones visible when viewed by an observer standing on the stairway and the faces are the opposite ones seen by an observer to the side of the stairway. The slope of the stairway preferably measured and presented in degrees in reference to horizontal being 0°. The term “and/or” used in the conventional sense, in which “A and/or B” indicates that A or B, or both, may be present.

With reference to FIG. 1, a side view of the described balustrade 10 is shown, depicting the assembled barrier system integrated with a staircase (the term balustrade refers to the barrier system created by the components; balusters, newels and handrail(s). As such it will be a single balustrade for each set of stairs. In this figure balustrade 10 is a result of the attachment of a series of U-shaped mounting bars 34 (not shown but detailed in FIG. 5A-5C)) to the tops of stair treads 18 followed by the attachment of shaped panels 16 to U-shaped mounting bars 34 (not shown) then in turn attachment of handrail 14 across the tops of shaped panels 16. A slope aligning balustrade 10 whereby each shaped panel 16 is preferably mounted utilizing U-shaped mounting bar 34 and fasteners 30 (not shown) to one of a series of stair treads 18 and its companion stair risers 12 form a slope in such stairs that are positioned to create a uniform rise, step up, and uniform run, step forward, between each sequential step of the stairs. Each shaped panel 16 may be secured to the top of tread 18 using U-shaped mounting bar 34 (not shown) and a set of fasteners 30 (not shown) but known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Handrail 14 may be mounted across the tops of the series of shaped panels 16. It should be noted that in one embodiment (based on standard building practices and the prior art, the ability to avoid the need of newels or wall attachment to achieve code compliance is a key novelty as it reduces the complexity of installation and thus the time and skill level required to achieve success). Moreover, this balustrade 10 does not require the ends of handrail 14 to be secured at one or both ends to either a newel and/or wall in order to sustain an outward or downward impact load of a person falling against it.

The balustrade 10 discloses a series of components, including elongated shaped panels 16, stair treads 18, stair risers 12, and a handrail 14, which collectively form a safety barrier system without requiring traditional newels or wall attachments. As shown assembled (installing), the balustrade 10 may be constructed by first securing a series of U-shaped mounting bars 34 to the top surfaces of stair treads 18. Each U-shaped mounting bar may be affixed using fasteners 30 through attachment holes (38, as shown in FIG. 5C) in its base, ensuring robust anchorage to stair tread 18.

Each shaped panel 16 may be subsequently attached to a corresponding U-shaped mounting bar 34 using fasteners 30 that pass through aligned attachment holes (36, as shown in FIG. 5A-5B) in the vertical sides of U-shaped mounting bar 34 and corresponding holes 26, as shown in FIG. 4) in the vertical edges 20 of shaped panel 16. This configuration ensures precise positioning and secure attachment of each shaped panel 16 to stair tread 18. Shaped panels 16 are designed with a vertically elongated front face 15 (as shown in FIG. 2) and bent vertical edges 20, which enhance structural rigidity, as further detailed in FIGS. 3 and 4. Top edges 24 of shaped panels 16 are curved or arced to form a uniform line of tangency (A-A′) that aligns with the slope of the staircase, typically ranging from 30° to 40°, as demonstrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8.

Handrail 14 may be mounted across top edges 24 of the series of shaped panels 16 by inserting top edges 24 into an attachment slot 32 (as shown in FIG. 6) on the underside of handrail 14. Fasteners 30 (as shown in FIG. 6) are driven through pre-drilled holes in handrail 14 and top edges 24 to secure the connection, with optional plugs to conceal the fasteners for aesthetic purposes. This attachment method ensures handrail 14 may be positioned at a height of 34 to 38 inches above the nose of stair treads 18, complying with International Residential Code (IRC) standards for graspability and safety.

A key feature of balustrade 10 may be its ability to meet IRC structural requirements—resisting a 200-pound load on handrail 14 and a 50-pound-per-square-foot load on shaped panels 16 without the need for newels or wall attachments. This is achieved through the robust design of U-shaped mounting bars 34 (preferably 7-12 gage sheet metal) and shaped panels 16 (preferably 10-24 gage sheet metal), which provide sufficient strength and rigidity. The absence of newels or wall supports simplifies installation, reducing the need for specialized craftsmanship and enabling faster assembly while maintaining compliance with safety standards.

Stair treads 18 and risers 12 form a staircase with a uniform rise (vertical height) and run (horizontal depth) between sequential steps, ensuring consistent stair geometry. Shaped panels 16 are preferably spaced such that the gap between adjacent panels does not exceed the IRC's 4-inch maximum, preventing passage of children or pets and enhancing safety. The overall design of balustrade 10, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a visually cohesive and structurally sound barrier that aligns with the staircase's slope, as indicated by the line A-A′, and supports aesthetic customization through optional decorative edges 40 (as shown in FIG. 9) or varied panel designs (e.g., cutouts as shown in FIG. 2).

This configuration not only ensures compliance with building codes but also offers a versatile, user-friendly solution for stairway safety and aesthetics, adaptable to various stairway slopes without requiring modifications to the components.

With reference to FIG. 2, the face of the described shaped panel 16 is shown. Shaped panel 16 is preferably configured having a narrow vertically elongated front face 15 configured to fill or fit the space or gap between stair treads 18 and handrail 14. Moreover, vertically elongated front face 15 of shaped panel 16 may include two vertical edges 20 which may be bent or rounded therefrom towards the back of shaped panel 16 to form a back edge (not shown) at an angle of approximately 90° degrees which creates a U or C-shape (as depicted in FIG. 3) that imparts stiffness or rigidity to shaped panel 16, and thus functions to add structural strength to shaped panel 16. Bottom edge 22 of shaped panel 16 rests on stair tread 18 (not shown) and U-shaped mounting bar 34 (not shown) sits behind, against and within the back and sides of the bottom edge 22. Top edge 24 of shaped panel 16 is preferably straight or approximately straight or slightly curved or arc(ed) yet angled thereto (It should be noted that in one embodiment, having top edge 24 arched is another novelty that creates the uniform line of slope that matches the stair or handrail 14 slope. If top edge 24 was flat then it would only fully seat in handrail 14 at one angle of slope but as curved it can readily fit within the attachment slot in the handrail underside (not shown) at slightly different angles to align shaped panel 16 perpendicular to stair tread 18 (shown in FIG. 1). Shaped panel 16 as shown features a simple rectangular decorative cutout 28 that represents one of the many different design options that could be created or integrated therein shaped panel 16.

Moreover, top edge 24 of shaped panel 16 is a critical feature, designed with a slight upward curve or arc, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This curvature is a novel aspect, enabling top edge 24 to form a uniform line of tangency (A-A′, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8) that aligns with the slope of the staircase, typically ranging from 30° to 40°. The arced top edge 24 ensures compatibility with the attachment slot (32, as shown in FIG. 6) on the underside of the handrail (14), allowing the handrail to be securely seated across a range of stairway slopes without requiring modification. Unlike a flat top edge, which would only align properly at a single slope, the curved design accommodates variations in stair angles, enhancing versatility and simplifying installation. The vertical edges 20 are equipped with attachment holes 26 (as shown in FIG. 4), which align with corresponding holes 36 (as shown in FIG. 5B) in the U-shaped mounting bar 34 (as shown in FIG. 5A-5C). These holes facilitate secure attachment of shaped panel 16 to U-shaped mounting bar 34 using fasteners 30 (not shown), ensuring precise and stable positioning on the stair tread 18.

With reference to FIG. 3, the horizontal cross-sectional AA′ of FIG. 2 of the described shaped panel 16 is shown. Two vertical edges 20 of shaped panel 16 have been formed or created by bending the sheet that comprises shaped panel 16 towards the back of shaped panel 16 to form the profile in FIG. 3, cross-sectional AA′. Moreover, the addition bend of a second bend (as depicted in the figure) forms a back edge 25 that contributes or increase additional stiffness or rigidity to the shaped panel 16. Vertical edges 20 and back edges 25 in the figure are depicted as approximately simple 90° degree bends to present the basic concept. Alternatively, vertical edges 20 could be formed without forming back edges 25 or by using more than one bend with each bend being more or less than 90° and not all of the bends in the same direction. It is preferred that the bends that create vertical edges 20 be more than one so that no sharp edges are oriented towards people or pets if they were to come into contact with the back of shaped panel 16 either accidentally or deliberately. Shaped panel 16 may be secured to U-shaped mounting bar 34 (not shown) which is secured to the stair tread (not shown) by driving fasteners 30 (not shown) through the attachment holes (not shown) in the vertical edges 20 which align to attachment holes (not Shown) in U-shaped Mounting Bar 34 (not shown).

With reference to FIG. 4, the vertical cross-section BB′ of FIG. 2 of the described shaped panel 16 is shown. Bottom edge 22 is shown which ensures shaped panel 16 will be perpendicular to tread 18 (not shown) which is preferably horizontal. Vertical edge 20, back edge 25, and top edge 24 are shown with vertical edge 20 and back edge 25 extending in length to a height preferably less than the full height of elongated front face 15. The top of the vertical edge 20 and back edge 25 are preferably positioned to be below top edge 24 a sufficient distance to ensure vertical edge 20 and back edge 25 do not interfere with handrail 14 or handrail groove 32 (not shown) being seated onto and secured to shaped panel 16. Attachment holes 26 positioned in vertical edge 20 are shown. The attachment holes 26 align with the attachment holes 36 (shown in FIG. 5B) in U-shaped mounting bar 34 (shown in FIGS. 5A-5C).

With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, the face, side and top views of the U-shaped mounting bar (34) are shown. Both sides of U-shaped mounting bar 34 have a set of attachment holes 36 punched or drilled in a pattern that aligns or corresponds to the attachment holes 26 (shown in FIG. 4) in the two vertical sides 34 in shaped panel 16 (shown in FIG. 4). This allows for the shaped panel 16 (not shown) to be secured to U-shaped mounting bar 34 using fasteners 30 (not shown). The base of U-shaped mounting bar 34 has a set of attachment holes (38) punched or drilled to allow for U-shaped mounting bar 34 to be secured to the stair tread 18 (not shown) using fasteners 30 (not shown).

With reference to FIG. 6, the cross-section AA′ of FIG. 1 and handrail 14 is shown. Specifically, the connection of top edge 24 of shaped panel 16 to handrail 14 may be accomplished by placing top edge 24 within attachment slot 32 of handrail 14 and securing, affix, or releasably affix top edge 24 by preferably predrilling handrail 14 with an aperture or drill hole and then driving fastener 30 through both a portion of handrail 14 and top edge 24 of shaped panel 16. Once secured, a small round plug (not shown) can be inserted into the drill hole to hide fastener 30. The height of the upper end of vertical edge 20 may be below top edge 24 a sufficient distance so that it doesn't interfere with the securing of shaped panel 16 to handrail 14. It is contemplated herein that fastener 30 may be a nail, screw, pin, or other known attachment device.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, two embodiments of shaped panels 16 are shown. FIG. 7A shows two shaped panels 16 with top edge (24) configured based on a stairway slope of 31.0° (degrees) and 7B shows two shaped panels 16 with top edge 24 configured based on a steeper stairway slope of 39.0° (degrees). The upward curved or arced of top edges 24 of each pair of shaped panels 16 results in a common line of tangency AA′ that is preferably created across the top of shaped panels 16 similar to stairway slope (degrees) as shown proximate stair treads 18. It is contemplated herein that other stairway slope(s) (degrees) may be utilized herein. This common line of tangency AA′ allows for a single handrail (not shown) to be attached to shaped panels 16 with a slope for top edge 24 that approximately matches stairway slope (degrees). It is contemplated herein that other stairway slope(s) range may include between approximately 30 to 40 degrees stairway and/or handrail 14 slope.

With reference to FIG. 8, a series of four shaped panels 16 are shown. The series of shaped panels 16 in this embodiment are positioned based on a stairway slope of 36.9° (degrees). The upward curve or arc of top edges 24 of each of shaped panels 16 results in a common line of tangency AA′ slope that is preferably created across top edges 24 of shaped panels 16. This common line of tangency AA′ allows for a single handrail (not shown) to be attached to shaped panels 16 with a slope that approximately matches stairway slope of 36.9° (degrees).

With reference to FIG. 9, an oblique back view of a shaped panel 16 is shown mounted to U-shaped mounting bar 34 using fasteners 30 (not shown). Decorative edges 40 are shown attached to the vertical edges 20 of the shaped panel 16. These decorative edges 40 can be attached with fasteners 30 (not shown) or adhesives.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the preferred embodiment are to be encompassed by this present invention to produce the intended results. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be the to fall therebetween.

It is further understood herein that the parts and elements of this disclosure may be located or positioned elsewhere based on one of ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the present disclosure.

With respect to the disclosure herein, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, configuration, position, connection features, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.