Hand rails

Abstract

A handrail system comprising a top rail (50) and one or more support posts (25). The rail and post/s may be formed from a synthetic material such as a fibre reinforced plastics material.

Claims

1. An adjustable hand rail corner connector comprising a first part and a second part hingedly connected to each other and each being attachable to further hand rail components, each of the first and second parts comprising: an articulation section comprising a first cylindrical body and a hinge connection member at a distal end thereof comprising at least one leg extending from the hinge connection member, the at least one leg defining a hinge axis transversely extending therethrough, wherein the first cylindrical body has a first outer periphery extending along a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one leg of the hinge connection member each have an outer periphery with a cylindrical portion which matches and does not extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and which collinearly extends therewith; a cranked portion fixedly connected to a proximal end of the first cylindrical body of the articulation section and comprising a second cylindrical body extending along a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis, such that a crank angle is defined between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis; and a dowel section fixedly connected to the cranked portion such that the articulation section and the dowel section are joined by the cranked portion, and the dowel section is collinear with the second cylindrical body and extends outward from the cranked portion along the second longitudinal axis, and wherein the dowel section is configured for attachment to an additional hand rail member that extends along the second longitudinal axis; wherein the legs of the hinge connection members of the first and second parts are interdigitated and include at least one aperture, and a fastener extends through the at least one aperture to hingedly connect the first and second parts about the hinge axis.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the crank angle is in a range of 15° to 30°.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the crank angle is approximately 22.5°.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the dowel section is configured for connection to the additional hand rail member by at least a portion of the dowel section being received in the additional hand rail member.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the hinge connection member comprises two legs and a claw which together define a major and a minor recess.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second parts are substantially the same.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second parts are identical.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is formed from a synthetic material.

9. A connector as claimed in claim 8, in which the synthetic material comprises a composite material.

10. A connector as claimed in 9, in which the synthetic material comprises an FRP material.

11. A connector as claimed in claim 10, in which the FRP material is phenolic-based.

12. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical body has a round shape in cross section.

13. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical body has a round shape in cross section.

14. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the articulation section has a smooth transition between the hinge connection member and the first cylindrical body.

15. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one leg of each of the first and second parts comprises a plurality of legs, and in which the at least one aperture includes a plurality of apertures extending through all of the legs of the first and second parts, and the fastener comprises a pin extending through the plurality of apertures.

16. An adjustable hand rail corner connector part hingedly connectable to another such part and each part being attachable to an additional hand rail member, each of the corner connector parts comprising: an articulation section comprising a first cylindrical body with a hinge connection member at a distal end thereof comprising at least one leg extending from the first cylindrical body, the at least one leg defining a hinge axis transversely extending therethrough, wherein the first cylindrical body has a first outer periphery extending along a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one leg of the hinge connection member each have an outer periphery with a cylindrical portion which matches and does not extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and which collinearly extends therewith; a cranked portion connected to a proximal end of the first cylindrical body of the articulation section and comprising a second cylindrical body extending along a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis, such that a crank angle is defined between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis; and a dowel section fixedly connected to the cranked portion such that the articulation section and the dowel section are joined by the cranked portion, wherein the dowel section is collinear with the second cylindrical body and extends outward from the cranked portion along the second longitudinal axis and is configured for attachment to an additional hand rail member; wherein the legs of the hinge connection members of the parts are interdigitated and include at least one aperture, and a fastener extends through the at least one aperture to hingedly connect the parts about the hinge axis.

17. A connector part as claimed in claim 16, in which the cranked section is substantially straight.

18. A connector part as claimed in claim 16, in which the dowel section includes a plurality of external longitudinal ribs.

19. A connector as claimed in claim 16, in which the at least one leg comprises a plurality of legs, and in which the at least one aperture includes a plurality of apertures extending through all of the legs of the parts, and the fastener comprises a pin extending through the plurality of apertures.

20. A hand rail comprising: a first corner connector part comprising: a first articulation section comprising a first cylindrical body and a first hinge connection member at a distal end thereof comprising at least one first leg extending from the first cylindrical body, the at least one first leg defining a hinge axis transversely extending therethrough, wherein the first cylindrical body has a first outer periphery extending along a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one first leg of the first hinge connection member each have an outer periphery with a cylindrical portion which matches and does not extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the first cylindrical body and which collinearly extends therewith; a first cranked portion fixedly connected to a proximal end of the first cylindrical body of the first articulation section and comprising a second cylindrical body extending along a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis, such that a first crank angle is defined between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis; and a first dowel section fixedly connected to the first cranked portion such that the first articulation section and the first dowel section are joined by the first cranked portion, and the first dowel section is collinear with the second cylindrical body and extends outward from the first cranked portion along the second longitudinal axis; a first elongated hand rail member attached to the first dowel section and extending along the second longitudinal axis; a second corner connector part hingedly connected to the first corner connector part, wherein the second corner connector part comprises: a second articulation section comprising a third cylindrical body and a second hinge connection member at a distal end thereof comprising at least one second leg extending from the third cylindrical body, the at least one second leg defining a hinge axis transversely extending therethrough, wherein the third cylindrical body has a third outer periphery extending along a third longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one second leg of the second hinge connection member each have an outer periphery with a cylindrical portion which matches and does not extend outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the third cylindrical body and which collinearly extends therewith; a second cranked portion fixedly connected to a proximal end of the third cylindrical body of the second articulation section and comprising a fourth cylindrical body extending along a fourth longitudinal axis that is transverse to the third longitudinal axis, such that a second crank angle is defined between the third longitudinal axis and the fourth longitudinal axis; and a second dowel section fixedly connected to the second cranked portion such that the second articulation section and the second dowel section are joined by the second cranked portion, and the second dowel section is collinear with the fourth cylindrical body and extends outward from the second cranked portion along the fourth longitudinal axis; and a second elongated hand rail member attached to the second dowel section and extending along the fourth longitudinal axis; wherein the first and second legs of the first and second hinge connection members are interdigitated and include at least one aperture, and a fastener extends through the at least one aperture to hingedly connect the first and second connector parts about the hinge axis.

21. The hand rail of claim 20, wherein the first elongated hand rail member comprises a first tubular member receiving the first dowel section therein, and the second elongated hand rail member comprises a second tubular member receiving the second dowel section therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand rail arrangement formed according to an aspect of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of a post-to-rail connector forming part of the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hand rail arrangement formed according to an alternative aspect of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of a post-rail connector forming part of the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the connector in an inclined position;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the connector of FIGS. 6 and 7 shown in a straight position;

(10) FIG. 9 is a section of the connector of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-section of a connector formed according to the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hand rail arrangement including a connector formed according to an aspect of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 12 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13A is a side view of the connector of FIGS. 11 and 12 shown in a first position;

(15) FIG. 13B is a side elevation of the connector of FIG. 13A shown in a second position;

(16) FIG. 14 is a an underside perspective view of the connector of FIGS. 13A and 13B;

(17) FIG. 15 is a section of the connection of FIG. 13A taken along line A-A;

(18) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rail connection part of the connector of FIGS. 13 to 15;

(19) FIG. 17 is an alternative perspective view of the part of FIG. 16;

(20) FIG. 18 is an end elevation of the part of FIG. 16;

(21) FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the part of FIG. 16;

(22) FIG. 20 is a plan view of the part of FIG. 16;

(23) FIG. 21 is an underplan view of the part of FIG. 16;

(24) FIG. 22 is perspective view of a post connection part of the connector of FIGS. 13 to 15;

(25) FIG. 23 is a plan view of the part of FIG. 22;

(26) FIG. 24 is an underplan view of the part of FIG. 22;

(27) FIG. 25 is a front elevation of the part of FIG. 22; and

(28) FIG. 26 is a side elevation of the part of FIG. 22.

(29) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a hand rail arrangement formed with a connector according to an alternative aspect of the present invention;

(30) FIG. 28 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 27;

(31) FIG. 29 is a side view of the connector;

(32) FIG. 30 shows top, bottom, front, rear and perspective views of the connector formed according to the present invention;

(33) FIG. 31 is a perspective view of one part of the connector of FIGS. 29 and 30;

(34) FIG. 32 is a plan view of the connector part of FIG. 31;

(35) FIG. 33 is a plan view of the connector part of FIG. 31;

(36) FIG. 34 is a side view of the connector part of FIG. 31; and

(37) FIG. 35 is an end view of the connector part of FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(38) Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a hand rail system generally indicated 10. The system 10 comprises a rectilinear top rail 15 and a plurality (in this case three are shown) of depending support posts 20. At one end of the rail 15 a support leg 25 is connected orthogonally by an articulating connector 30. A cross member 35 extends parallel to the top rail 15 from the leg 25 through the posts 20; in some embodiments the cross member 25 may comprise a plurality of sections extending between adjacent posts and between the leg 25 and the adjacent post 20.

(39) The top rail 15 is of generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section and is formed from an FRP material. The rail 15 is made up of a number of rail sections 40 which are joined by connectors 45 which also receive the post 20 as described in more detail below. Each post 20 is received on the underside of the connector 45 and the connectors 45 are the same diameter as the sections 40. This means that the connector 45 provides a surface which can itself be gripped by a user and the interface between the connector 45 and the adjacent rail sections 40 is such that a user does not need to remove their hand to pass over the intersections. Accordingly, the rail 15 presents a substantially continuous gripping surface along its length.

(40) Referring now to FIG. 3 the post-to-rail connector 45 is shown in more detail.

(41) The connector 45 is generally T-shape and comprises a rail connector section and a post connector section. The rail connector section comprises a central body 50 having at either end a cylindrical dowel portion 55. The dowel portions 55 are dimensioned to fit tightly within the ends of rail sections 40 and each dowel 55 is provided with ribs 60 on their outer surfaces to centralise the fit to ensure a consistent adhesive line thickness.

(42) The central section 50 includes a socket 65 having a generally rectangular cross section.

(43) The socket 65 receives a post connector 70 which comprises an articulation leg 75 received in the socket 65 which extends to a post cap 80 from which depends a fixing section 85. The fixing section 85 has a generally square cross section and is provided on its external surface with a plurality of longitudinal ribs 90. The section 85 is received in the top of a post 20 and pushed in until the cap 80 abuts against the end of the post 20.

(44) The rail sections 40 are pushed onto the dowels 55 until they abut against the central section 50. The central section 50 has the same cross section and diameter as the rail sections 40 so that there is a flush fit at the intersections.

(45) The central section 50 is provided with a pin hole 95 and the leg 75 is also provided with a pin hole 100. The holes 95, 100 are aligned and a hinge pin 105 is passed through to join the leg 75 to the body 50 in a hinging joint. This means that the joint between the body 50 and the legs 75 is articulated so that in use the angle between posts and the hand rail can be varied to accommodate different situations.

(46) Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a hand rail system generally indicated 10 formed according to an alternative aspect. The system 10 comprises a rectilinear top rail 15 and a plurality (in this case three are shown) of depending support posts 20. At one end of the rail 15 a support leg 25 is connected orthogonally by an articulating connector 30. A cross member 35 extends parallel to the top rail 15 from the leg 25 through the posts 20; in some embodiments the cross member 25 may comprise a plurality of sections extending between adjacent posts and between the leg 25 and the adjacent post 20.

(47) The top rail 15 is of generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. The rail 15 is made up of a number of rail sections 40 which are joined by connectors 45 which include a post adapter 70 so that they also receive the post 20 as described in more detail below. Each post 20 is received on the underside of the connector 45. The connectors 45 are the same diameter as the sections 40 and the interface region (a) between the post and the rail (described in more detail below) means that the connector 45 provides a surface which can itself be gripped by a user and the interface between the connector 45 and the adjacent rail sections 40 is such that a user does not need to remove their hand to pass over the intersections. Accordingly, the rail 15 presents a substantially continuous gripping surface along its length.

(48) Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 9 the post-to-rail joint region is shown in more detail.

(49) The connector 45 is generally T-shape and comprises a rail connector section 46 and a post connector section 70. The rail connector section 46 comprises a central body 50 having at either end a cylindrical dowel portion 55. The dowel portions 55 are dimensioned to fit tightly within the ends of rail sections 40 and each dowel 55 is provided with ribs 60 on their outer surfaces to centralise the fit to ensure a consistent adhesive line thickness.

(50) The central section 50 includes a socket 65 having a generally rectangular cross section.

(51) The socket 65 receives a post connector 70 which comprises an articulation leg 75 received in the socket 65 which extends to a post cap 80 from which depends a fixing section 85. The fixing section 85 has a generally square cross section and is provided on its external surface with a plurality of longitudinal ribs 90. The section 85 is received in the top of a post 20 and pushed in until the cap 80 abuts against the end of the post 20.

(52) The rail sections 40 are pushed onto the dowels 55 until they abut against the central section 50. The central section 50 has the same cross section and diameter as the rail sections 40 so that there is a flush fit at the intersections.

(53) The central section 50 is provided with a pin hole 95 and the leg 75 is also provided with a pin hole 100. The holes 95, 100 are aligned and a hinge pin 105 is passed through to join the leg 75 to the body 50 in a hinging joint. This means that the joint between the body 50 and the legs 75 is articulated so that in use the angle between posts and the hand rail can be varied (see FIGS. 3 and 5, for example) to accommodate different situations.

(54) As shown best in FIG. 9, the circumferential length of the body 50 occupied by the leg 75 is less than half the diameter of the body. This means that a user can still grip around the body across the post-rail interface. In other words, the circumference of the rail (provided by the body) at the post-rail interface is sufficient for a user to grip around so that the rail can provide uninterrupted grip across the interface.

(55) In other embodiments (not shown) the post may be fixed directly to the rail or form an integral part thereof and/or there may be no hinging joint. However, the relationship between extent to which the post occupies the rail is still restricted so that grip can be maintained at the interface.

(56) Referring now to FIG. 10 there is a shown a rail connector section 146 and a post 125 connected thereto.

(57) The section 146 is generally cylindrical and the sector occupied by the post 125 is 52 degrees, leaving 308 degrees available for a user to grip across the post-rail connection region.

(58) Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a hand rail assembly generally indicated 10 formed according to an alternative aspect. The assembly 10 comprises a rectilinear top rail 15 and a plurality (in this case three are shown) of depending support posts 20. At one end of the rail 15 a support leg 25 is connected orthogonally by an articulating connector 30. A cross member 35 extends parallel to the top rail 15 from the leg 25 through the posts 20; in some embodiments the cross member 25 may comprise a plurality of sections extending between adjacent posts and between the leg 25 and the adjacent post 20.

(59) The top rail 15 is of generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. The rail 15 is made up of a number of rail sections 40 which are joined by connectors 45 which also receive the post 20 as described in more detail below. Each post 20 is received on the underside of the connector 45 and the connectors 45 are the same diameter as the sections 40. This means that the connector 45 provides a surface which can itself be gripped by a user and the interface between the connector 45 and the adjacent rail sections 40 is such that a user does not need to remove their hand to pass over the intersections. Accordingly, the rail 15 presents a substantially continuous gripping surface along its length.

(60) Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 26 the post-to-rail joint connector 45 is shown in more detail.

(61) The connector 45 is generally T-shape and comprises a generally cylindrical rail connector part 46 and an elongate post connector part 70.

(62) The rail connector part 46 comprises a central body 50 having at either end a cylindrical dowel portion 55, 56. The dowel portions 55, 56 are dimensioned to fit tightly within the ends of rail sections 40 and each dowel 55, 56 is provided with circumferential ribs 60 on their outer surfaces to centralise the fit to ensure a consistent adhesive line thickness.

(63) The central section 50 includes a socket 65 having a generally rectangular cross section. The socket 65 is offset from the centre of the section 50 towards the dowel 55.

(64) The socket 65 receives the post connector part 70.

(65) The post connector part 70 comprises an articulation leg 75 received in the socket 65 and having a semi-circular end 76 with a fixing hole 77. The leg 75 extends to a post cap 80 from which depends a fixing section 85. The fixing section 85 has a generally square cross section and is provided on its external surface with a plurality of longitudinal ribs 90. The section 85 is received in the top of a post 20 and pushed in until the cap 80 abuts against the end of the post 20 in a flush fit.

(66) In use the rail sections 40 are pushed onto the dowels 55, 56 until they abut against the central section 50. The central section 50 has the same cross section and diameter as the rail sections 40 so that there is a flush fit at the intersections.

(67) The central section 50 is provided with a pin hole 95 and the leg 75 is also provided with a pin hole 77. The holes 95, 77 are aligned and a hinge pin 105 is passed through to join the leg 75 to the body 50 in a hinging joint.

(68) This means that the joint between the body 50 and the leg 75 is articulated so that in use the angle between posts (via post connectors) and the hand rail can be varied as illustrated by FIGS. 13A and 13B to accommodate different situations.

(69) Referring now to FIGS. 27 and 28 there is shown a hand rail system generally indicated 10 formed according to an alternative aspect. The system 10 comprises a rectilinear top rail 15 and a plurality (in this case three are shown) of depending support posts 20. At one end of the rail 15 a support leg 25 is connected orthogonally by an articulating connector 30. A cross member 35 extends parallel to the top rail 15 from the leg 25 through the posts 20; in some embodiments the cross member 25 may comprise a plurality of sections extending between adjacent posts and between the leg 25 and the adjacent post 20.

(70) The top rail 15 is of generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. The rail 15 is made up of a number of rail sections 40 which are joined by connectors 45 which also receive the post 20 as described in more detail below. Each post 20 is received on the underside of the connector 45 and the connectors 45 are the same diameter as the sections 40. This means that the connector 45 provides a surface which can itself be gripped by a user and the interface between the connector 45 and the adjacent rail sections 40 is such that a user does not need to remove their hand to pass over the intersections. Accordingly, the rail 15 presents a substantially continuous gripping surface along its length.

(71) Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 30 the connector 30 is an articulated joint allowing the connection of adjacent rail sections and/or to connect rail to an end leg.

(72) In this embodiment the connector 30 comprises two identical parts 50, 55 fitted together in a mirror-image arrangement.

(73) As shown in more detail in FIGS. 31 to 35 each part 50, 55 (only part 50 is shown FIGS. 31 to 35) comprises an articulation section 51, 56 hingedly connected to each other by a hinge pin 60. Each part also comprises a dowel section 52, 57 dimensioned to be received in the end of a rail section or end post. The articulation sections 51, 56 are joined to the dowel sections 52, 57 by cranked sections 53, 58. The cranked sections 53, 58 effectively reduce the angle which can be created between the dowel sections 52, 57 thus “tightening” the joint angle. The connector is therefore particularly suited for tight spaces, such as stairwells, where tight turns between adjacent rail sections are required.

(74) Each dowel section 52, 57 has a plurality of external longitudinal ribs or splines 54, 59 which help with fastening the parts onwardly to other hand rail components.

(75) As shown best in FIGS. 31 to 33, the articulation section 51 of the part 50 comprises two legs 51a, 51b and a claw 51c which together define a major and minor recess 51d, 51e. Because the part 55 is the same shape, when the two parts are brought together the legs of each part interdigitate into the legs and recesses of the other part. In this embodiment the crank angle provided by the sections 53, 58 is approximately 22.5° and allows the creation of a joint between adjacent rail sections of approximately 45°.

(76) The connector could, of course, be used in conjunction with any hand rail system and is not restricted to the particular class or configuration of hand rail systems specifically described herein.