The present invention relates generally to handrails, and more particularly, to a handrail assembly that includes an internal channel for allowing a bracket to self-thread into the handrail.
Handrail assemblies constructed from aluminum, steel, and other such metals are commonly used in a variety of applications and locations. For example, such handrails are often used in institutional locations such as hospitals, elderly care facilities, and other such public buildings. Such handrail assemblies typically include a generally horizontally extending handrail railing for grasping by a pedestrian. The handrail railing is mounted to the wall by way of a bracket assembly that is connected to the bottom of the rails. Such bracket assemblies typically require arm or saddle members for interconnection between the bottom of the handrail railing and the wall.
Bracket assemblies of this type are often difficult to assemble as they require a number of tools for mounting the handrail railing to the bracket assemblies. In addition, such bracket assemblies are known to interfere with the ability of pedestrians to grasp the handrail railing with their hands, thereby creating an unsafe environment especially when used in hospitals, elderly care facilities, and other locations where the handrail assemblies will be utilized to support individuals requiring the handrail for support as they walk. Further, these bracket assemblies are often quite conspicuous and create an aesthetically displeasing look.
Oftentimes, especially in hospitals and elderly care facilities, wall guards are provided along with the handrail assemblies for protecting the wall from the wear and tear associated with use in such facilities where the walls and corners of walls will be exposed to damage from impacts with various kinds of wheeled vehicles such as stretchers, wheelchairs, dining carts, and the like. Traditional handrail assemblies employing bracket assemblies make it difficult to employ wall guards.
Therefore, there is a need for a handrail assembly that is relatively simple and easy to assembly. Further, there is a need for a handrail assembly that does not interfere with a pedestrian's ability to grasp the handrail. In addition, there is a need for a handrail assembly that is aesthetically pleasing. Finally, there is also a need for a handrail assembly that is easy to interconnect with wall guard assemblies of the kind commonly found in hospitals and elder care facilities.
The present invention provides a handrail assembly for use in a variety of locations including hospitals, elder care facilities, and other such public places. The handrail assembly according to the present invention includes a generally elongated railing that is preferably constructed out of aluminum or another such sturdy material and is configured for grasping by a pedestrian. The railing may include rounded corner members at the ends thereof around corners of a wall or other surface. The railing is rounded and has a generally flat bottom surface that is configured for interconnection with a mounting assembly. The railing is preferably formed as an extrusion having an integral internal channel extending along a length of the railing. The channel has a T-shaped cross-section, wherein a vertically extending portion of the cross-section is grooved. The grooved portion defines a threaded surface for interconnecting with a portion of the mounting assembly.
The railing is mounted to the wall by way of a number of spaced mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies include a downwardly extending bracket post and a bracket. The bracket post houses a threaded fastener such as a screw that extends upwardly therefrom. The threaded fastener is configured for insertion through the bottom wall of the railing for engaging the grooved portion of the channel. As such, the bracket post is simply threaded onto the railing for interconnection therewith without requiring any tools for coupling to one another. Further, the bracket post may be interconnected with the railing at any point along a length of the railing. Thus, the handrail assembly of the present invention may be configured for use in a wide variety of locations requiring a multitude of different mounting configurations. The bracket post is secured to a wall-mounted bracket by way of a fastener that couples the bracket post to the bracket and secures the bracket to the wall. The bracket post may include an extension that extends downwardly therefrom for allowing the mounting of a wall guard assembly thereto.
The simple design of the mounting assembly provides a handrail assembly that does not interfere with a pedestrian's ability to grasp the handrail and that is relatively easy to assemble. It further provides a handrail assembly that is aesthetically pleasing and that allows simple interconnection with wall guards.
It is appreciated that the aspects and features of the invention summarized above are not limited to any one particular embodiment of the invention. That is, many or all of the aspects above may be achieved with any particular embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in a manner preferential to one aspect or group of aspects and advantages as taught herein. These and various other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to
The railing 12 is attached to the wall 22 by way of a pair of mounting assemblies 24. Mounting assemblies 24 include a bracket post 26 that extends downwardly from a bottom surface 28 (See
Referring momentarily to
Turning now to
Once the spline 56 is secured to the railing 12, a portion of the spline 56 projects outwardly from the railing 12 for coupling to an end of the corner 20 of the handrail assembly 10. Preferably, an end 62 of corner 20 is sized and shaped to be simply slid over the spline 56 such that the entirety of the projecting portion of the spline 56 is secured within the interior of the generally hollow corner 20. Accordingly, after assembly, spline 56 is hidden within the interior of the corner 20. Finally, a set screw 64 is provided for further securing the corner 20 to the spline 56. The set screw 64 is inserted through a threaded hole 66 in a bottom surface of the corner 20 and is configured to engage a bottom portion of the spline 56 so as to secure the corner 20 in place. The spline 56 preferably defines a cup point 68 on a bottom surface thereof for receiving the end of the set screw 64. Set screw 64 is configured for engaging cup point 68 and securing the corner 20 with respect to the spline 56. It is understood that set screw 64 may comprise any other such fastener capable of use in carrying out the present invention.
Referring now to
In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. It is further appreciated that the respective features of any one of the embodiments discussed above is not necessarily solely exclusive thereto.
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20100252792 A1 | Oct 2010 | US |