The present invention relates generally to the field of handrails. The present invention relates specifically to handrails usable in behavioral health facilities.
In behavioral health facilities, some patients are at risk of harming themselves and will use whatever objects that may be around them to that effect. Thus, in behavioral health facilities, structures and components must be designed to substantially limit their ability to be used by patients who may wish to harm themselves. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a handrail system that addresses this need in the art.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a handrail kit. The handrail kit includes a cover, a first endcap, a second endcap, and a support member. The support member includes a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. The first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface. The first endcap is configured to mate with the first end of the support member and the second endcap is configured to mate with the second end of the support member. The cover is configured to be placed over the second lateral side of the support member and to engage the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of installing a handrail. The handrail includes a first endcap, a second end cap, a support member, and a cover. The support member has a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. In the method, the first endcap is mated to the first end of the support member, and the second endcap is mated to the second end of the support member. The first lateral side of the support member is attached directly to a mounting surface, and the cover is attached to the support member over the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a handrail. The handrail includes a support member having a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. The handrail also includes a first endcap mated with the first end of the support member and a second endcap mated with the second end of the support member. Further, the handrail includes a cover placed over the second lateral side of the support member and engaged with the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member. The first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Generally, a handrail that is easier to install and more difficult to disassemble than conventional handrails is provided. In particular, the handrail includes a single piece support member that connects directly to the mounting surface (e.g., wall). The handrail cover snaps onto the support member in such a way that removal is difficult. In certain conventional designs, the handrail cover could be dislodged and used by a patient in a behavior health facility to harm himself/herself or others, or the patient could use the exposed handrail support member to injure himself/herself. Despite being more difficult to disassemble, the handrail is easier to assemble and install than other conventional designs, especially those requiring a backer board or mounting bracket to mount the support member to the wall. These and other advantages will be discussed in relation to the exemplary embodiments provided below.
Referring to the
Turning to
A first support arm 30 and a second support arm 32 extend away from the second lateral side of the central strip 20 that faces away from the mounting surface. As shown in
On a first longitudinal side, the central strip 20 also includes a curved extension 38. With respect to the orientation of the central strip 20 shown in
On a second longitudinal side of the support member 18 opposite to the curved extension 38 is a depending extension 52. Depending extension 52 is substantially in line with the central strip 20. A second projection 54 extends from an end of the depending extension 52 in the second lateral direction and toward the cover 16. Further, extending from the second projection 54 is a ledge 56. A protrusion 58 juts from a surface of the ledge 56 that faces the mounting surface. As shown in
Between the first curved section 46 and the second curved section 60 of the cover 16 is a contoured section 64. The contoured section 64 can be of any of a variety of suitable contours available for handrail designs. As mentioned above, the support panels 34, 36 maintain the contour of the contoured section 64. Further, in embodiments, the cover 16 is formed in such a way and from such a material that the cover 16 has to be flexed to fit it over the curved support section 42 and the ledge 56. In this way, the cover 16 will be in tight engagement with the curved support section 42, the support panels 34, 36, and the ledge 56. Advantageously, the tight engagement diminishes any wiggle room or play between the cover 16 and the support member 18, which might be exploited to facilitate removal of the cover 16 from the support member 18.
With reference now to
Further, the endcap 12 also includes a contoured ridge 74 that extends substantially perpendicularly from a side surface 76 of the endcap 12. The contoured ridge 74 is similar in function to the support panels 34, 36 and to the ledge 56 of the support member 18 as shown in
The endcap 12 includes multiple structures configured to engage the support member 18. Extending from the side surface 76 of the endcap 12 are a first plank 82 and a second plank 84. The first plank 82 extends from a first side of the central ridge 78, and the second plank 84 extends from a second side of the central ridge 78. In this way, the planks 82, 84 are separated by at least a distance corresponding to the thickness of the central ridge 78. In this way, the planks 82, 84 define a slot 86 adapted to receive the central strip 20 of the support member 18. During installation, one or more holes are drilled (or may be pre-drilled) through the planks 82, 84 and the central strip 20, and a fastener (e.g., a self-tapping screw) is inserted through each hole to join the endcap 12 to the support member 18.
The endcap 12 includes an interior surface 88 from which a first panel 90 extends. The first panel 90 is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the central ridge 78. Also extending from the interior surface 88 of the endcap 12 is an angled second panel 92. The first panel 90 and the second panel 92 are joined by a mounting panel 94 that is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first panel 90. Upon installation, the mounting panel 94 abuts the mounting surface. The first mounting panel 90 includes a first lip 96, and the second mounting panel 92 includes a second lip 98. The lips 96, 98 are positioned such that they insert between the mounting arm 22 and the angled mounting arm 24 of the support member 18 and such that the first panel 90 forms a substantially continuous surface with the mounting arm 22 and such that the second panel 92 forms a substantially continuous surface with the angled mounting arm 24 (e.g., as shown in
As can be seen in
As mentioned above, the handrail system 10 as described herein is simpler to install than other conventional designs. In order to install the handrail system 10 on a mounting surface 11, the endcaps 12, 14 may first be attached to the support member 18. As shown in
Once the support member 18 and endcaps 12, 14 are secured to the mounting surface 11, the cover 16 is snapped onto support member 18 and endcaps 12, 14. In an embodiment, the second edge 62 of the second curved section 60 of the cover 16 is hooked under the ledge 56 such that the second edge 48 abuts or is in close proximity to the protrusion 58 of the ledge 56. The first edge 48 of the first curved section 46 is then flexed over the curved support section 42 such that the first edge 48 of the first curved section 46 is inserted into the slot 44. As the first edge 48 slides into the slot 44, the cover 16 recovers from its flexed state to a relaxed state, which provides tight conformance of the cover 16 to the support member 18 and the endcaps 12, 14 and completes the installation.
Thus, the installation of the handrail system 10 can be completed in three steps: (1) attaching the endcaps 12, 14 to the support member 18; (2) attaching the support member 18 to the mounting surface 11; and (3) attaching the cover 16 to the support member 18. Further, a basic installation only requires four components: the two endcaps 12, 14, the support member 18, and the cover 16. Conventional handrail designs often require additional steps and a greater number components for the installation. For example, many handrail designs require a mounting bracket be installed on the wall. In such designs, a retainer strip for the endcaps and cover is provided and attached to the mounting bracket. Thus, these designs incorporate at least one additional component and an additional installation step.
In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions and angles of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/376,805, filed Apr. 5, 2019, and the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220213691 A1 | Jul 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16376805 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 17679912 | US |