A Hardware-Assisted Data Hiding Based Approach in Building High-Performance Trusted Computing Systems.

A variable rake stair rail assembly includes a hand rail, a show rail, a plurality of balusters extending in spaced relation between the shoe and hand rails, and means for joining each baluster to the hand rail and the shoe rail, the joining means comprising a joining element extending into at least one end of each baluster and engaging one of the rails, thus to permit relative angular movement between baluster and rails to provide a variable rake assembly, when the assembly is forced or racked to a slightly different angular configuration of the balusters relative to the hand and shoe rails. In one preferred form, the means for joining comprises a dowel extending into the baluster end and engaging one of the rails. The dowel may be of flexible material. In another form of the invention, the joining means comprises plate means attached to one of the rails and a threaded fastener retained by the rail and extending into the baluster end. The plate may be attached to the rail by threaded members. The hand rail and show rail may preferably define channels into which the baluster ends extend.