Abstract
The present invention relates to a handrail arrangement. The handrail arrangement comprises a handrail defining a grippable exterior surface and a recess in the handrail. The handrail arrangement also comprises an attachment device (40, 42) which is receivable in part in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured in respect of a part not received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support (32). The handrail comprises first and second parts (34, 36) which are configured to releasably attach to each other, the first and second parts when attached to each other defining a substantially continuous exterior surface of the handrail in a circumferential direction, the first part defining more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defining less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail.
Claims
1. A handrail arrangement comprising: a handrail defining a grippable exterior surface and a recess in the handrail; and an attachment device which is receivable in part in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured in respect of a part not received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support, the handrail comprising first and second parts which are configured to releasably attach to each other, the first and second parts when attached to each other defining a substantially continuous exterior surface of the handrail in a circumferential direction, the first part defining more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defining less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail.
2. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the recess extends between ends of the handrail.
3. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the exterior surface of the handrail is elliptical in cross-section.
4. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first and second parts are configured such that when they are attached the second part is of lesser longitudinal extent than the first part.
5. The handrail arrangement according to claim 4 in which the first and second parts are configured in respect of their relative lengths and relative disposition such that an end of the first part extends beyond an end of the second part, the attachment device being receivable in the recess where the second part is absent.
6. The handrail arrangement according to claim 4 in which the handrail comprises a first part and two second parts with each second part being attached to the first part such that facing ends of the second parts are spaced apart whereby there is a gap between facing ends of the two second parts, the attachment device being receivable in the recess in the gap.
7. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 configured such that, in use, the first part is substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to a vertical plane that lies in a direction of the handrail.
8. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first part defines at least 240 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defines no more than 120 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail.
9. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first and second parts define inter-engaging profiles, the first and second parts being attached thereby to each other.
10. The handrail arrangement according to claim 9 in which a formation defining a profile of one of the first and second parts is configured to be displaced when the first and second parts are being brought into engagement with each other, with the displaced formation returning from displacement under spring bias when the first and second parts are properly engaged with each other.
11. The handrail arrangement according to claim 9 in which one of the profiles comprises an indent in which part of the other profile is received when the first and second parts are properly engaged with each other whereby separation of the first and second parts is resisted.
12. The handrail arrangement according to claim 9 in which the second part defines first and second spaced apart flanges which are substantially parallel and extend in a longitudinal direction, each flange extending from a proximal end to a distal end in a direction away from an exterior surface of the second part.
13. The handrail arrangement according to claim 12 in which each flange extends orthogonally from a distal end of a respective base planar portion, a proximal end of the base planar portion extending from an edge of a side planar portion, an opposite edge of the side planar portion extending from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the second part.
14. The handrail arrangement according to claim 12 in which each flange extends from a side of a base portion, an opposite side of the base portion defining an exterior surface of the second part.
15. The handrail arrangement according to claim 12 in which each of the flanges comprises a protrusion extending therefrom at a distal end of the flange.
16. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the first part defines first and second members which extend inwardly from opposing edges of the first part, each of the first and second members being spaced apart from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the first part whereby each of the first and second members is recessed.
17. The handrail arrangement according to claim 16 in which the first and second members extend inside the first part towards each other such that there is a gap between their opposing distal edges, the opposing distal edges of the first and second members constituting a profile of the first part which engages with a profile of the second part to provide for attachment of the first and second parts to each other.
18. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the recess receives an attachment member of the attachment device, the attachment device comprising a clamping member and a fixing arrangement, the attachment member, the clamping member and the fixing arrangement being configured such that operation of the fixing arrangement moves the attachment member and the clamping member relative to each other to thereby provide for clamping of part of the first part between the attachment member and the clamping member.
19. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first and second parts is formed integrally.
20. The handrail arrangement according to claim 1 in which the attachment device comprises an attachment member, a part of the attachment member being received in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured at a part other than the part received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support.
21-27. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0070] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0071] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handrail system in situ on a structure;
[0072] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a handrail support comprised in the handrail system of FIG. 1;
[0073] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a handrail arrangement at the top of a handrail support;
[0074] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a handrail arrangement at the middle of a handrail support;
[0075] FIG. 5A is a cross-section through first and second parts of a handrail when attached to each other to form a handrail;
[0076] FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sections through the first and second parts respectively of the handrail of FIG. 5A;
[0077] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a non-linear part of the handrail system of FIG. 1;
[0078] FIG. 7 shows a staircase with a handrail arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0079] FIG. 8A shows a first embodiment of joint of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 when in use;
[0080] FIG. 8B shows an exploded view of the joint of FIG. 8A;
[0081] FIG. 9A shows a second embodiment of joint of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 when in use;
[0082] FIG. 9B shows an exploded view of the joint of FIG. 9A;
[0083] FIG. 10A shows a third embodiment of joint of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 when in use;
[0084] FIG. 10B shows an exploded view of the joint of FIG. 10A;
[0085] FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of handrail arrangement and;
[0086] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 11A when assembled.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0087] Part of a handrail system 10 in situ on a structure 12, such as a walkway, is shown in FIG. 1. The structure 12 of FIG. 1 forms part of a construction or part thereof such as a building or an offshore oil or gas exploration or recovery facility. The part of the handrail system 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises four spaced apart handrail supports 14 which are each fixed at one end to the structure 12 and extend vertically up from the structure 12. Each handrail support 14 is formed from a length of material of the same form. Each handrail support 14 may therefore be cut from a long length of the material. Each handrail support is 5.3 cm deep in a direction of the handrails and 4.2 cm wide in a direction orthogonal to the handrails. The handrail support 14 is described in more detail below. Three handrails are attached at spaced apart locations on the handrail supports 14 such that they are substantially parallel to each other. A first handrail 16 is attached at the top of each handrail support 14. A second handrail 18 is attached around the middle of each handrail support 14. A third handrail 20 is attached towards the bottom of each handrail support 14. The first handrail 16 is attached to each of the handrail supports 14 by way of a first arrangement which is described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. Each of the second and third handrails 18, 20 is attached to each of the handrail supports 14 by way of a second arrangement which is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. Each handrail has a diameter of 6 cm. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the handrail system defines a corner with the three handrails being shaped to follow the corner. A non-linear part arrangement 22 which provides for each of the three handrails to follow the corner is described below with reference to FIG. 6.
[0088] A detailed view of a handrail support 14 comprised in the handrail system 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The detailed view of FIG. 2 shows parts of the first handrail 16 extending from opposite sides of the top of the handrail support 14 and parts of the second handrail 18 extending from opposite sides around the middle of the handrail support 14.
[0089] An exploded view of a handrail arrangement at the top of a handrail support 32 is shown in FIG. 3. The handrail arrangement comprises a handrail formed from a long length of a first part 34, two lengths of a second part 36, which are a little shorter than half the length of the first part 34 and two short sections 38. Each second part 36 and short section 38 is configured to releasably attach to the first part to form the handrail. The form and function of the second part 36, the short section 38 and the first part 34 are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C below. The formations extending from each of the second part 36 and the short section 38 are of the form shown in FIG. 5C. The handrail arrangement further comprises a first attachment device 40 and a second attachment device 42 which are operative to attach the handrail to the handrail support 32 at each of respective opposite sides of the handrail support. Each attachment device 40, 42 comprises an attachment member 44. The attachment member 44 has first and second sections which are joined at abutting edges and are substantially orthogonal to each other. Each of the first and second sections has the form of a rectangular cuboid. The attachment member 44 is formed integrally from aluminium. An aperture is provided in each of the first and second sections. One of the first and second sections is received in a recess defined in the first part 34; the recess is described below with reference to FIG. 5B. The other of the first and second sections is positioned such that it abuts against the handrail support 32. Each attachment device 40, 42 comprises first and second clamp arrangements. Each clamp arrangement comprises a clamping member (not shown) and a bolt 46. The clamping member is a plate of rectangular cuboid form which is of a size that it can be received on the interior side of a formation defined in the first part 34 and on the interior side of a formation defined in the handrail support 32. The formation defined in the first part 34 is described below with reference to FIG. 5B. The formation defined in the handrail support 32 is described below with reference to the present figure. In use, the clamping member is located on the interior side of a formation and the bolt 46 is inserted through the aperture in the appropriate section of the attachment member 44 and then threadedly engaged with the clamping member such that the head of the bolt abuts against the section of the attachment member 44. The bolt is then rotated to pull the clamping member and the section of the attachment member 44 towards each other whereby the formation is clamped between the clamping member and the section of the attachment member 44. The attachment member 44 is thus attached firmly to the first part 34 or the handrail support 32 as appropriate.
[0090] Considering the handrail support 32 of FIG. 3 further, the handrail support 32 defines a channel on each of two oppositely directed sides. Each channel is defined between two spaced apart arms 48 which extend from opposite sides of a base member 50. Each arm defines a lip at a distal end thereof with the lips of the two arms extending towards each other. The clamping member described above is received in an end of the handrail support 32 behind the lips at the end of the two arms and moved along the handrail support 32 until it is at an appropriate position to receive the bolt 46 for clamping of the lip bearing distal ends of the arms as described above. The handrail support 32 is integrally formed by extrusion from aluminium.
[0091] Considering assembly of the above described parts shown in FIG. 3 further, the attachment members 44 are clamped to opposite sides of the handrail support 32. The attachment members 44 are then clamped at respective locations on opposite sides of the handrail support 32 to the first part 34. The first part 34 is attached thereby to the top of the handrail support 32 such that the first part 34 defines a grippable surface which extends continuously over the handrail support 32. A first one of the two short sections 38 is attached to the first part such that an edge of the short section abuts against one of the attachment members 44. As can be seen from FIG. 3, part of each short section 38 lacks a formation extending therefrom to enable the short section to fit closely around the section of the attachment member 44 received in the recess of the first part 34. The second of the two short sections 38 is attached to the first part such that an edge of the short section abuts against the other attachment member 44 on the other side of the handrail support 32. Then one of the two lengths of the second part 36 is attached to the first part such that an end of the second part abuts against the end of one of the short sections 38 that is directed away from the handrail support 32. The other of the two lengths of the second part 36 is likewise attached to the first part on the other side of the handrail support 32 such that it abuts against the end of the other of the short sections 38. FIG. 2 shows the second parts 36 and the short sections 38 when attached to the first part 16, 34. The handrail arrangement further comprises two further short sections 52 which are of the same shape and form as the two short sections 38 with the exception of the end lacking the formation extending therefrom defining an arced recess. Each of the two further short sections 52 is attached to a respective side of the handrail support 32 by way of cooperation of the formation extending from the short section with the channel defining arms of the handrail support 32 and such that the end with the arced recess fits around the arced exterior surface of the short section 38 already attached to the first part. The lack of formation extending from the further short section 52 provides for close fit around the section of the attachment member 44 attached to the handrail support 32. Thereafter two further lengths of the second part 54 are attached to a respective side of the handrail support 32 such that an end of the second part 54 abuts against an end of the already attached further short section 52 directed away from the first part 34. The further short sections 52 and the further lengths of the second part 54 are thus operative to cover the channels of the handrail support 32.
[0092] The first part 34, the short sections 38, the second parts 36, the further short sections 52 and the further second parts 54 are formed from ABS by moulding or more usually by extrusion from aluminium.
[0093] An exploded view of a handrail arrangement at the middle of a handrail support is shown in FIG. 4. Components in common with the arrangement of FIG. 3 are designated by like reference numerals and therefore the reader's attention is directed to the description provided above with reference to FIG. 3 for a description of such components in common. Differences in form and function of the arrangement of FIG. 4 will now be described. The handrail arrangement of FIG. 4 comprises attachment members 62 each having a first section in the form of a rectangular cuboid of the same shape and form as the arrangement of FIG. 3 and a second section in the form of a disk. The circumference of the disk is substantially the same as the circumference of the first and second parts when attached to each other. An aperture is present in the centre of the disk. The first and second sections are orthogonal to each other. Each of the first and second sections are formed separately from each other from aluminium and attached to each other by welding. The arrangement of FIG. 4 further comprises a pair of side members 64. Each side member 64 defines an exterior surface having an arc of 90 degrees with the radius of the arced exterior surface being substantially the same as the radius of the exterior surface of the handrail formed from the first and second parts. Each side member 64 further defines a ridged rib which extends from an interior surface of the side member. The side members are formed from ABS by moulding or more usually by extrusion from aluminium. The disk shaped second section of each attachment member 62 is attached to a respective side of the handrail support 32 at a location spaced apart from the top of the handrail support 32 by way of a bolt 46 and a clamping member of a form described above with reference to FIG. 3. The first section of each attachment member 62 is attached to a respective one of the two lengths of first part 34 disposed on opposite sides of the handrail support 32 by way of a clamp arrangement of a form described above. Then a short section 38 is attached to each of the two lengths of first part 34 as described above with reference to FIG. 3 followed by an abutting length of the second part 36 (not shown in FIG. 4).
[0094] Thereafter one of the pair of side members 64 is fitted to one side of the spaced apart second sections and the other of the pair of side members 64 is fitted to the other side of the spaced apart second sections whereby each side member 64 bridges the gap between the spaced apart second sections and covers the part of the handrail support 32 therebetween. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the edge of the disk shaped second section defines a slot which is shaped to receive the rib extending from a side member 64 for attachment thereby of the side member to the second section. Furthermore the diameter of the disk shaped second section is reduced over a 90 degree arc whereby the part of the side member 64 that defines the arced exterior surface is received in the recess defined thereby. Otherwise attachment of further short sections 52 and of further second parts 54 (not shown in FIG. 4) above and below the now attached handrail is as described above with reference to FIG. 3.
[0095] A cross-section through first and second parts of a handrail when attached to each other to form a handrail is shown in FIG. 5A with FIGS. 5B and 5C showing cross-sections through the first and second parts respectively of the handrail of FIG. 5A. As can be seen from FIG. 5A, the first part 72 and the second part 74 define a handrail of circular cross-section when they are attached to each other. It should be noted that FIGS. 5A to 5C show the first part 72 and the second part 74 upside down; in use, the second part 74 defines the underside of a handrail. The exterior surface of the first part 72 defines an arc of 267 degrees and the exterior surface of the second part 74 defines an arc of 93 degrees. The first part 72 defines first and second members 76, 78 which extend inwardly from opposing edges of the first part. The first and second members extend longitudinally along the first part. Each of the first and second members 76, 78 is spaced apart from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the first part whereby a recess is defined by the inside of the first part between the first member and the edge of the exterior surface and the adjoining surface of the first member and by the inside of the first part between the second member and the edge of the exterior surface and the adjoining surface of the second member. In use, this recess receives a second section of an attachment member 44, 62 as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The first and second members 76, 78 extend inside the first part such that there is a gap between their opposing distal edges. The opposing distal edges are substantially planar. The opposing distal edges of the first and second members constitute a profile of the first part which engages with a profile of the second part to provide for attachment of the first and second parts to each other. Furthermore a clamping member, as described above, is received in an end of the first part 72 on the interior side of the first and second members 76, 78 with the dimensions of the clamping member being such that it bridges the gap between the first and second members 76, 78. A bolt is received between the first and second members 76, 78 and threadedly engages with the clamping member to provide for clamping of the first and second members 76, 78 between the second section of the attachment member 44, 62 and the clamping member as described above.
[0096] The second part 74 defines first and second spaced apart flanges 80, 82 which extend in a longitudinal direction along the second part. The first and second flanges 80, 82 are substantially parallel. Each flange extends orthogonally from a distal end of a respective base planar portion, with a proximal end of the planar portion extending orthogonally from an edge of a side planar portion. An opposite edge of the side planar portion extends from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the second part. The flange is therefore substantially parallel to the side planar portion. A protrusion extends from both sides of a distal end of each flange, with the protrusion extending longitudinally along the flange. The distance between the outer side of one of the two protrusions and the outer side of one of the other of the two protrusions is smaller than the gap between the opposing distal edges of the first and second members 76, 78 of the first part 72 whereby upon insertion of the two spaced apart flanges 80, 82 between the first and second members 76, 78 the distal ends of the flanges flex towards each other to allow for admission of the flanges between the first and second members. As can be seen from FIG. 5A, upon further admission of the flanges between the first and second members the protrusion bearing distal edges of the flanges extend beyond the first and second members whereupon the distal ends of the flanges return under inherent spring bias to their original position with separation of the first and second parts being resisted by the protrusions bearing against the inside surfaces of the first and second members.
[0097] An exploded view of a non-linear part arrangement 22 of the handrail system of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 6. The non-linear part arrangement 22 comprises an angled part 92. Opposite ends of the angled part 92 are at an angle to each other of 90 degrees. The angled part 92 has the form of a hollow cylinder. The non-linear part arrangement 22 further comprises two attachment devices 94 of a form and function as described above with reference to FIG. 4 and two non-linear part attachment members 96 which are each of cylindrical form. Each non-linear part attachment member 96 is received in a respective end of the angled part 92 with the non-linear part attachment member being an interference fit therein. The disk shaped second section of an attachment device 94 is attached to an outwardly facing end of each non-linear part attachment member 96 by way of a bolt which threadedly engages with a bore defined in the non-linear part attachment member. The first section of each attachment member 96 is attached to an end of a first part 98 of the handrail by being received in a recess in the end of the handrail before clamping as described above. The angled part 92 is thus attached at each end to a respective length of handrail.
[0098] A staircase 110 with a handrail arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. The staircase 110 comprises a stairway 112 and a handrail arrangement 114. The handrail arrangement 114 comprises three handrails 116 which are spaced apart from each other and supported by plural spaced apart handrail supports 118. Each handrail support is fixed at its lower end to the edge of the stairway 112. The form and function of the handrails 116 and the handrail supports 118 are as described above with reference to the preceding drawings. Differences in form and function will now be described. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the handrails are non-linear along their length from the bottom of the staircase to the top of the staircase. Furthermore the handrails define an acute angle to the handrail supports where the staircase is rising. The handrail arrangement 114 is adapted to follow the staircase by way of three embodiments of joint which are described below with reference to FIGS. 8A to 10B.
[0099] A first embodiment of joint 130 of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 is shown when in use in FIG. 8A and an exploded view of the joint of FIG. 8A is shown in FIG. 8B. The joint 130 comprises a first joint part 132 and a second joint part 134. Each of the first and second joint parts 132, 134 is configured to releasably attach to a respective length of first part of handrail 136, 138. The first parts of handrail 136, 138 are as described hereinabove. Each of the first and second joint parts 132, 134 comprise an attachment member 140 extending orthogonally from a distal end thereof. Each attachment member 140 has the form of a rectangular cuboid and defines an aperture therethrough. The attachment member 140 is therefore configured as per the second section described hereinabove. Each of the first and second joint parts 132, 134 further comprises a clamp arrangement of a form and function as described above. The attachment member 140 of each joint part 132, 134 is received in the recess defined in a length of first part of handrail 136, 138 and the clamp arrangement is used, as described above, to clamp the attachment member 140 and hence joint part to the length of first part of handrail. Thereafter a length of a second part 36 and a short section 38 are releasably attached to each first part of handrail 136, 138 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The first joint part 132 defines a slot and the second joint part 134 defines a protrusion which is received in the slot. The joint 130 further comprises a hinge pin 142 which is received though apertures defined in the proximal ends of the first and second parts to thereby provide for hinged movement of the first and second joint parts 132, 134 in relation to each other. The joint 130 of FIGS. 8A and 8B is used to join two lengths of handrail which are angled in relation to each other such as at the bottom or top of a staircase.
[0100] A second embodiment of joint 150 of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 is shown when in use in FIG. 9A and an exploded view of the joint of FIG. 9A is shown in FIG. 9B. The joint 150 comprises a first joint part 152 and a second joint part 154. The first joint part 152 is configured to releasably attach part way along a first part of a handrail 156 of a form as described hereinabove. The first joint part 152 comprises a member in the distal base thereof which defines an aperture therethrough. The first joint part 152 further comprises a clamp arrangement of a form and function as described hereinabove. The bolt of the clamp arrangement is inserted through the aperture in the base member of the first joint part 152, the clamping member of the clamp arrangement is received in the first part of the handrail 156 and the distal end of the bolt threadedly engages with the clamping member whereby the first joint part 152 is clamped to the first part of the handrail 156 as described above. The second joint part 154 is configured to releasably attach to an end of a handrail support 160. More specifically the second part comprises two spaced apart members 158. Each of the two spaced apart members 158 has the form of a rectangular cuboid whereby each is configured to be received in a recess defined in the handrail support 160. The second joint part 154 further comprises first and second clamp arrangements with each clamp arrangement cooperating with a respective spaced apart member 158 to provide for releasable attachment to the handrail support 160. The handrail support 160 is of a form as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The first joint part 152 and the second joint part 154 are hingedly attached to each other as described above with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The second embodiment of joint 150 provides for orientation of a handrail running over the top of handrail supports at a desired angle in relation to the handrail supports. For example the handrail may be at an angle of 35 degrees to the handrail supports where a stairway extends upwards at an angle of 35 degrees to the ground. Lengths of second part of handrail 162 are releasably attached to the exposed underside of the first part of handrail 156 and to the exposed sides of the handrail support 160.
[0101] A third embodiment of joint 170 of the handrail arrangement of FIG. 7 is shown when in use in FIG. 10A and an exploded view of the joint 170 of FIG. 10A is shown in FIG. 10B. The joint 170 comprises a first joint part 172 and a second joint part 174. The first joint part 172 is configured to releasably attach part way along a handrail support 176 of a form as described hereinabove. The first joint part 172 comprises a member in the distal base thereof which defines an aperture therethrough. The first joint part 172 further comprises a clamp arrangement of a form and function as described hereinabove. The bolt of the clamp arrangement is inserted through the aperture in the base member of the first joint part 172, the clamping member of the clamp arrangement is received behind the channel in the handrail support 176 and the distal end of the bolt threadedly engages with the clamping member whereby the first joint part 172 is clamped to the handrail support 176. The second joint part 174 is configured like the second joint part 134 of the embodiment of FIG. 8B in respect of comprising an attachment member 140 and a clamp arrangement whereby the second joint part 174 is releasably attached to the end of a first part 176 of handrail. The first joint part 172 and the second joint part 174 are hingedly attached to each other as described above with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. Lengths of second part of handrail 162 are releasably attached to the exposed sides of the handrail support 160. The third embodiment of joint 170 provides for orientation of a handrail running along the middle of handrail supports at a desired angle in relation to the handrail supports.
[0102] An exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of handrail arrangement 190 is shown in FIG. 11A. A perspective view of the handrail arrangement 190 of FIG. 11A when assembled is shown in FIG. 11B. The further embodiment of handrail arrangement 190 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. The further embodiment of handrail arrangement 190 comprises a handrail which in turn comprises a first part 192 and a two second parts 194. The further embodiment of handrail arrangement 190 further comprises an attachment device 196 which in turn comprises a support arrangement 198 and two spaced apart attachment members 200.
[0103] Considering the first part 192 further and as can be seen from the end of the first part 192 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, first and second members 202 extend inwardly from opposing edges of the first part towards each other to define a mouth to a recess defined by the first part. Each of the first and second members 202 extends longitudinally along the entire length of the first part. Each of the first and second members is spaced apart from the edge of the exterior surface defined by the first part such that an outwardly directed planar surface of the member is recessed to a small extent. The extent of recess is such as to admit a thin base member of the second part 194, as described further below, whereby the exterior surfaces of the first and second parts are aligned with each other. The first and second members 202 extend inside the first part towards each other such that there is a gap of 9 mm between their opposing distal planar edges. The outwardly directed surface and the inwardly directed surface of each of the first and second members 202 are substantially parallel and the distal edge of each of the first and second members 202 is substantially orthogonal to the outwardly and inwardly directed surfaces of the member. The inwardly directed planar surface of each of the first and second members 202 is wider than the outwardly directed surface of the member whereby the recess defined by the first part widens beyond the first and second members 202 before tapering as one progresses farther into the recess. The first part is integrally formed. For example the first part is formed by moulding or extrusion such as from plastics material, such as ABS, or aluminium.
[0104] Considering the second part 194 further and as can be seen from the end of the second part 194 shown in FIG. 11A, the second part 194 defines two spaced apart flanges 204 which each extend from a side of a base portion. An opposite side of the base portion defines an exterior surface of the second part. Each flange 204 comprises a protrusion 206 at its distal end with the two protrusions being oppositely directed. The distance between the outer side of one of the two protrusions and the outer side of the other of the two protrusions is greater than the distance between the opposing distal edges of the first and second members 202. The two flanges 204 are formed such that their distal ends are capable of flexing in relation to their proximal ends upon application of force. Upon insertion of the two spaced apart flanges 204 between the first and second members 202 the distal ends of the flanges flex towards each other to allow for admission of the flanges between the first and second members. As shown in FIG. 11B, upon further admission of the flanges 204 between the first and second members 202 the length of the flanges is such that the protrusion 206 bearing distal ends of the flanges extend beyond the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second members 202 whereupon the distal ends of the flanges return under spring bias to their original position. Separation of the first and second parts 192, 194 is therefore resisted by the protrusions 206 bearing against the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second members 202. The second part is integrally formed. For example the second part is formed by moulding or extrusion such as from plastics material, such as ABS, or aluminium. The exterior surface of the first part 192 defines a 345 degree arc and the exterior surface of the second part 194 defines a 15 degree arc. The first part 192 has a radius of 22.5 mm.
[0105] As described above, the attachment device 196 comprises a support arrangement 198 and two spaced apart attachment members 200. As may be seen from FIGS. 11A and 11B, the attachment device has the form of a bracket. The support arrangement 198 comprises a first portion 208 which defines a first surface which, in use, abuts against the like of a wall, a second portion 210 which extends substantially orthogonally from the first portion and a third portion 212 which extends from the second portion substantially parallel to the first portion. The first portion is configured by way of apertures (not shown) to be attached by way of screws to a handrail support in the form of the like of a wall. The distance between the first surface and the oppositely directed surface defined by the third portion 212 is 60 mm. The third portion 212 is 15 mm deep, i.e. in a direction of separation of the attachment members 200. The attachment device 196 further comprises two spaced apart attachment members 200. Each attachment member 200 comprises a protrusion 214 on a distal end thereof. The protrusions 214 extend in opposite directions whereby the attachment members 200 are wider at their distal ends and of greater width than the distance between the opposing sides of the first and second members 202. The attachment members 200 are formed such that their distal ends 214 are capable of flexing in relation to their proximal ends upon application of force. Upon insertion of the attachment members 200 between the first and second members 202 of the first part 192 the distal ends of the attachment members 200 are forced towards each other to allow for admission of the attachment members 200 between the first and second members. The side faces of the protrusions 214 are sloped whereby there is a progressive increase in displacement as the attachment members 200 are inserted farther into the recess defined by the first part. As shown in FIG. 11B, upon further admission of the attachment members 200 between the first and second members 202 the length of the attachment members 200 is such that the protrusion 214 bearing distal ends of the attachment members 200 extend beyond the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second members 202 whereupon the distal ends of the attachment members 200 return under spring bias to their original position. Separation of the first part 192 and the attachment device 196 is therefore resisted by the protrusions 214 bearing against the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second members 202.
[0106] The attachment device 196 further comprises a key member 216 which is a component apart from the rest of the attachment device. The key member 216 comprises a planar member 218 and a head 220 at an end of the planar member, the head 220 being wider than the planar member 218. The width of the planar member 218 is such that it can be received between the two spaced apart attachment members 200 when the latter are not displaced towards each other. Furthermore the key member 216 and the attachment members 200 are of a relative length such that the head 220 of the key member is beyond the distal ends of the attachment members when the key member is received between the attachment members. As is described above, the attachment members 200 are inserted into the recess defined by the first part until the protrusions 214 on the distal ends of the attachment members lock behind the inwardly directed surfaces of the first and second members 202 of the first part. Then the key member 216 is inserted into the recess at a location along the first part 192 from the attachment members 200. The key member 216 is then moved along the recess and inserted between the attachment members 200 whereby the thus inserted key member 216 prevents the distal ends of the attachment members from flexing towards each other. The key member 216 therefore provides for secure attachment of the attachment device to the first part and prevents separation of the attachment device from the first part. Two lengths of second part 194 are then clipped into place on opposite sides of the attachment device as shown in FIG. 11B.
