HANDRAIL

Abstract: The invention relates to a handrail in the form of a section (1) which is injection moulded from a material, such as aluminium, which in its heated state is plastic, said section being formed with at least one groove (9) for receiving a strip, rib or like elongate member (10) and comprising an upper part (2) which is substantially circular in cross-section, and which at its bottom passes into a lower part which is substantially flat in cross-section. The rib (10) received in the groove (9) is luminescent, and the groove is formed in the upper part (2) of the section, more precisely in a sector between ''noon'' and ''three o'clock''.

Description: HANDRAIL Technical field of the invention The invention relates to a handrail in the form of a section which is injection moulded from a ' material , such as aluminium, which in its heated state is plastic, said section being formed with at least one groove for receiving a strip, rib or like elongate member and comprising an upper part which is substantially circular in cross-section and which at its bottom passes into a lower part of substantially rectangular or flat cross-section. Background of the invention Handrails of prior art type have only served as a support to be seized by the hand, especially when walking up and down a staircase. At the same time, it is a requirement for many types of buildings that stairs ' , corridors and like escape-ways be provided with luminescent marks which, in case the building is plunged into darkness, ensure that the inhabitants can orient themselves and find their way in the dark. Such marks usually are in the form of stripes or arrows which are separately applied to the floor and/or the walls, which makes the marking expensive. It is also difficult to keep the marks in good condition over longer periods of time. Brief description of the inventive idea The present invention aims at improving the handrail mentioned by way of introduction to make it serve not only as a conventional supporting aid, but also as a guiding mark which is visible in the dark. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the rib member received in the groove is luminescent, and that the groove is formed in the upper part of the section, more precisely in a sector between "noon" and "three o'clock". The invention is particularly advantageous in so far as a person staying in a building which is plunged into darkness, can easily find the nearest handrail and follow it not only visually but also by the touch of his hand, which to many persons brings a feeling of security. Prior art technique U.S. Patent Specification 3,918,686 discloses a handrail in the form of an aluminium section which is included as an upper part in a rail and which has a groove for receiving a rib which, however, exclusively serves to facilitate screwing of the section to the banister of the rail, and then to conceal the screws. As an example of the material of the rib, mention is made of aluminium or plastic but, in contrast to the present invention, the material chosen is not luminescent. Nor is the prior art section intended to be mounted on walls and to have a luminescent rib facing a person walking at a distance from the wall. Brief description of the accompanying drawings In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a partly exploded view of a cut-off handrail according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the section from which the handrail is made, and FIGS 3 and 4 are perspective views of the same section as seen from opposite sides. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention The section shown in Figs 2-4 and designated 1 in its entirety, comprises an upper part 2 of sub¬ stantially circular cross-section and a lower part 3 of substantially rectangular or flat cross-section. As shown in the drawings, the upper part is formed with a comparatively thin wall 4 which is substantially circular in cross-section and defines a cavity 5. The main portion of the lower part 3 comprises a compara- tively thin vertical web 6 which, at its lower part, passes into a thicker portion 7. The web 6 passes, also at its upper part, into a thicker portion 8 which, in turn, passes into the tubular wall 4. In practice, the section can preferably be made of aluminium which in its heated, plastic state is injection moulded in conventional manner by means of a suitable mould. Although aluminium is preferred, it is also possible to make the section by injection moulding of plastic. The upper part 2 of the section is formed with a first groove 9 for receiving a strip or rib member which is luminescent in the dark and is designated 10 in Fig. 1. More precisely, the groove 9 is positioned in a sector between "noon" and "three o'clock" as seen in Fig. 2, i.e. obliquely upwards-outwards, assuming that the left side of the section is facing the wall to which it is attached. The groove 9 is formed on both sides with flanges 11, 11' which extend a short way in over the groove to embrace and retain opposing edge portions of the rib member 10 which may be in the form of a strip or a rigid rib whose surface structure is luminescent or fluorescent in optional manner. Preferably, the cross-section of the rib conforms to the cross-section of the groove 9 to completely fill up the groove so that the outside of the rib lies flush with the outside of the section. As a result, the hand feels no transition between the rib and the section as such. For convenience, the section can be manufactured and sold in great lengths, e.g. about five meters, and cut to the desired length before the handrail is mounted on the wall. In the same way, the luminescent rib 10 can be made available in great lengths which are cut to the same lengths as the cut handrail, and the rib is then pushed into the groove 9 from one end thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer or front side of the flat lower part 3 of the section is formed with a second groove 12 for receiving one or more information-carrying strips or ribs 13 (see Fig. 1). Also the informa.tion-carrying ribs 13 can be wholly or partly luminescent, although this must not necessarily be the case. The second groove 12 can also receive other objects than precisely information carriers, for example a signal transmitter 14 of the type which is frequently used for offices. Such a signal transmitter which has the form of a box, can be readily mounted by being provided with suitable means for insertion into the groove 12, the necessary electric wire being led through a hole which is easily drilled in the web 6 of the section. It should be noted that also the groove 12 is defined by two flanges or tongues 15, 15' which are directed against one another to embrace the opposing edge portions of the information-carrying ribs 13. A third groove 16 on the rear side of the web 6 serves to receive part of a bracket 17 for mounting the section on a wall, said bracket being movable along the section to an optional position. Also this groove is defined by two flanges 18, 18'. A fourth groove 19 on the rear side of the section can be used to mount letter boxes or other objects which can be disposed in the space between the handrail and the wall. The two thick portions 7, 8 of the lower part of the section are formed with cavities 20, 20' which are substantially circular in cross-section and the inside of which is preferably knurled or possibly threaded. These cavities can receive screws 21 for attaching an end piece 22 to the cut-off section. The end piece has a contour which substantially conforms to the contour of the section, although it covers the grooves 9, 12, 16 and 19. In this manner, the end piece retains and locks the ribs 10, 13 which have already been inserted in the associated grooves. As indicated in Fig. 1, several relatively short informa¬ tion-carrying ribs can be inserted in the groove 12, possibly together with a signal transmitter 14. To keep these objects firmly in place and to cover the bottom of the groove 12, it is of course necessary that ribs or other elements are inserted in the groove in such quantities that the entire length of the groove is filled up before the end pieces .22 are applied to the opposite ends of the handrail. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings. Thus, the geometric shape and dimensions of the section can vary within the scope of the appended claims. It should further be noted that the term "handrail" is to be interpreted in its widest sense since the inventive section can be mounted not only on stationary walls but also on moving objects such as ladders, or doors, particularly doors provided with emergency openers.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A handrail in the form of a section (1 ) which is injection moulded from a material, such as aluminium, which in its heated state is plastic, said section being formed with at least one groove (9) for receiving a strip, rib or like elongate member (10) and comprising an upper part (2) which is substantially circular in cross-section, and which at its bottom passes into a lower part (3) which is substantially rectangular or flat in cross-section, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the rib (10) received in said groove (9) is luminescent, and that said groove is formed in the upper part (2) of the section, more precisely in a sector between "noon" and "three o'clock". 2. The handrail as claimed in claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that, in addition to the first groove (9) for said luminescent strip or rib (10), said section ( 1 ) is formed with a second groove (12) which extends on the front side of the lower part (3) of said section and serves to receive one or more information-carrying strips or ribs (13). 3. The handrail as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the rear side of the rectangular lower part (3) of said section is formed with a third groove (16) serving to receive part of a bracket (17) for mounting said section on a wall, said bracket being movable along the section to an optional position. 4. The handrail as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said section (1) is formed with at least one hole or cavity (20, 20') extending along the entire section and adapted to receive a screw (21) of an end piece (22), the contour of which substantially conforms to the contour determined by said section and by said ribs applied in the grooves thereof, and which serves to keep the applied ribs in place.

Inventors: JOHANSSON HANS-ERIK, JOHANSSON, HANS-ERIK
Applicants: SOEDERHAMN INNOVATION AB
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E04F11
IPC codes: E04F11, G08B5, G09F13