Abstract:
A rail for a swimming pool or the like is provided with an exterior polymeric coating over the metal rail, enhancing wet traction, providing electrical isolation, and coolness to the touch feel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to railing and more particularly to swimming pool railings that are advantageously coated.  
         [0002]     Railings, such as swimming pool rails, are typically made of metal, such as stainless steel, to provide durability, long life and ease of maintenance. However, metal railings can be slick when wet, reducing the ability of a user to grip the rail and prevent falling. Further, in hot weather, the metal railings can become quite hot to the touch. Still further, over time, the elements (not to mention the pool water) can degrade the metal railing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In accordance with the invention, swimming pool rails are coated with a polymeric coating to provide advantages over the prior art.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved swimming pool rail having a coating providing a better grip against skin.  
         [0005]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved coated railing that feels “cool” to the touch.  
         [0006]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved pool rail with better gripping properties.  
         [0007]     The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross sectional view of a coated rail in accordance with the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic view of a pool rail section in accordance with the invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a representative view of an example rail installed at a swimming pool; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial cut-away view of the coated rail and end cap therefor. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a rail, such as a swimming pool rail, is coated with a polymeric coating to provide better gripping and other qualities.  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic cross section of a pool rail  10 , suitably made of metal such as type 304 stainless steel, is provided with at least an outer coating  12 . Coating  12  is preferably a polyvinylidene copolymer. The pool rail  10  is suitably a cylindrical shape and typically hollow. Note that the thicknesses of the coating and rail relative to one another and the diameter of the rail are not to scale.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic view of a pool rail section in accordance with the invention, illustrating the relative positions of the inner rail  10  and outer coating  12 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates placement of a coated rail  14  being of a particular configuration adapted for use at the side of a pool. The pool  18  may include a deck portion  16 , and the rail may be mounted to the deck and/or in the pool.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial cut-away view of the coated rail  10  with coating  12 , showing a cut away portion of coating. An end cap  20  may suitably be placed in the ends of the rail to provide a fully encapsulated rail (when, for example, the interior of the rail is substantially free of coating  12 ). In a particular embodiment, the coating may suitably be employed on the outside of the rail only, to minimize cost, the coating extending only slightly into the interior of the rail ends. End cap  20  has an insert portion of diameter to fit within the interior opening of the rail end, providing a sealing to the rail end for a fully encapsulated railing, considering the coating and the end caps (presuming 2 rail ends).  
         [0017]     The coating enhances wet traction by increasing the coefficient of friction between the surface of the rail and the epidermis of the person grasping the rail.  
         [0018]     Since the rail is of metal, it is electrically conductive. Accordingly, employing the coating encapsulates the conductive surface of the rail, and since the preferred coating is non-conductive, the use of the coating prevents the completion of an electrical circuit in the event of some electrical problem, reducing the likelihood of shock. This insulative property also removes the need to bond a conductive substrate to the rail, as is normally required with metal rails, for safety grounding.  
         [0019]     The coating seals the metal surface of the rail from the environment and slows the effects that degrade the prior art rails.  
         [0020]     The coating suitably has a hardness between shore A 20 and Shore D 90. The Glass Transition temperature where the polymer becomes amorphous is between −100° C. and 125° C.  
         [0021]     As noted above, the coating is applied to the exterior of the rail, and the suitable use is as a hand rail. The heat transfer rate of the coated rail is substantially lower than that of bare metal surfaces, resulting in a more pleasant feel that is cool to the touch.  
         [0022]     The coating may be pigmented to enable color variations according to the application or user&#39;s taste.  
         [0023]     The thickness of the coating can be varied as desired, but an exemplary thickness is between 0.0005 and 0.125 inch. The diameter and thickness of the wall of the metal rail portion can vary depending on the application and user requirements. A typical outer diameter is 1.9 inches. Wall thicknesses typically used are 0.065, 0.109 or 0.145 inch.  
         [0024]     The coated rail in accordance with the invention provides a surface that is softer than a powder coated or uncoated metal rail.  
         [0025]     The coating may be applied by dipping the railing into the coating, or by other suitable application method such as spraying or brush/roller application. While the illustrated embodiment shows the coating on the outside of the rail only, in the case of dipping the rails to coat, some configurations may also thereby be coated on the interior of the rail.  
         [0026]     Therefore, in accordance with the invention, an improved rail for use in swimming pools, for example, is provided. The rail provides a soft, cool to the touch rail that has better gripping properties than a metal or powder coated metal rail, reducing slipping and thereby improving safety by lessening the chance of slipping injuries. The ability to pigment the coating adds an ability to customize the color to uses or design themes or user&#39;s preferences. The rail thereby provided eliminates corrosion in extreme pool environments, reduces heat conduction via the rail in high temperatures, and is easy to clean with off the shelf cleaning products. The rail gives better traction when wet as compared to a standard rail.  
         [0027]     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.