Patent ID: 6257799
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: E04F,Y10T

Abstract:
A handrail joining device comprising:a first handrail segment having a cross-sectional area extending transverse to a length of said first handrail segment;a second handrail segment having a cross-sectional area extending transverse to a length of said second handrail segment;a first connector inserted into an end of said first handrail segment, said first connector having a contact surface extending in a plane oriented at 45.degree. with respect to a longitudinal axis of said first connector, said first connector having a largest cross-sectional area transverse to said longitudinal axis not more than said cross-sectional area of said first handrail segment;a second connector inserted into an end of said second handrail segment, said second connector having a contact surface extending in a plane oriented at 45.degree. with respect to a longitudinal axis of said second connector, each of said first and second connectors being cylindrically shaped, said first connector cooperative with said second connector at said respective contact surfaces thereof, said second connector having a largest cross-sectional area transverse to said longitudinal axis of said second connector not more than said cross-sectional area of said second handrail segment; andconnecting means for rotatably connecting said first and second connectors together at an axis of rotation such that said respective contact surfaces are in surface-to-surface relationship, each of said contact surfaces having a substantially circular shape with a center located on said axis of rotation, said connecting means comprising a screw defining said axis of rotation, said connecting means for immobilizing rotation of said first connector with respect to said second connector, said screw being accessible through an opening formed on an outer periphery of one of said first and second connectors.