Abstract:
Provided is a post assembly configured for use with a lighted handrail, wherein the post assembly includes a post body sized to house a driver or other operational components associated with the lighting components disposed within the lighted handrail. In this regard, such components may be disposed in relatively close proximity to the lighted handrail, making the overall assembly safer, more energy efficient. Furthermore, by disposing the components within the post body, such components may be more easily accessed for routine maintenance and repair.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/252,593, filed Oct. 16, 2009. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention is generally directed toward handrail post mounts, and more specifically to a post assembly including a post body for supporting a lighted handrail and an internal power supply disposed within the post body for supplying power to the lighted handrail. 
         [0004]    Areas heavily traversed by pedestrians are commonly lined with handrails and guardrails to provide support for the pedestrians. For instance, the pedestrians may grab the handrail for assistance while walking alongside the handrail. The handrails may also serve as a barrier to urge pedestrians to walk along a sidewalk or similar walking path. The handrails typically include a railing spaced from the ground and extending generally parallel to the ground with a plurality of spaced posts mounted to the railing and extending between the railing and the ground. 
         [0005]    Also common to heavily traversed areas are light fixtures for directing light to those areas. The light fixtures may be mounted on a series of lamp posts along the sidewalk, or to building located adjacent the sidewalk. The light emitted by the light fixtures may be generally utilitarian in nature and configured to simply provide sufficient lighting for pedestrians to walk along the sidewalk. Conversely, the light fixtures may be architectural in nature for enhancing the aesthetics of the surrounding area. 
         [0006]    Recently, there has been a trend to mount the lights directly to the handrail. This provides the dual benefit of lighting the sidewalk, as well as the handrail, thereby making it safer and more user friendly. In most lighted handrail constructions, the power source for the lights is located at a remote location. For instance, the power source may be located in an underground vault, or in a building near the sidewalk. In order to communicate power from the power source to the lighted handrail, wires may extend between the power source and the lighted handrail. A portion of the wire may be buried in the ground, while other portions of the wire extend through the post and into the handrail to connect with the lights. In this regard, a conduit may be placed underground between the post and the power supply to house the wire. 
         [0007]    It is contemplated that after the lighted handrail is used for a period of time, maintenance and repair may be required. This may require accessing the power supply and/or wiring extending between the power supply and the lighting elements. Given that the power supply is remote from the lighting elements, and may be buried along with the wiring, accessing the power supply and wiring may be very difficult. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a post mount for a lighted handrail, wherein the power supply for the lighted handrail is housed within the post mount and may be easily accessed within the post mount. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Provided is a post assembly configured for use with a lighted handrail, wherein the post assembly includes a post body sized to house power components, such as a driver, or other operational components associated with the lighting elements, such as LEDs disposed within the lighted handrail. In this regard, such components may be disposed in relatively close proximity to the lighted handrail, which may allow operation of the LEDs using less power, making the overall assembly safer and more energy efficient. Furthermore, by disposing the components within the post body, such components may be more easily accessed for routine maintenance and repair. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the post assembly includes a driver disposable in operable communication with the lighted handrail. The post assembly further includes an elongate post body extending along a post axis, wherein the post body includes a wall disposed about the post axis to define a post cavity sized to receive the power source. The post body includes a post opening extending through the post wall to the post cavity to provide access to the power source. A detachable cover is engageable with the post body and disposable over the post opening to cover the post opening. 
         [0011]    The elongate post body may define a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The post assembly may further include a base engageable with the first end portion of the post body for mounting the post assembly to a support surface. The base may include a projection and a flange disposed about the projection, with the projection being sized and configured to be advanced into the post cavity upon engagement of the base with the post body. The post assembly may further include a base gasket or sealant (such as a silicone sealant, i.e., Room Temperature Vulcanizing) engaged with the base and the post body to create a fluid tight seal between the post body and the base. 
         [0012]    A pair of support rods may be connected to the post body and the base to mitigate flexion of the post body in a direction perpendicular to the post axis. The base may further include a pair of support apertures extending from the projection top surface toward the flange bottom surface, wherein the pair of support apertures are sized and configured to receive a respective one of the pair of support rods. 
         [0013]    The post assembly may additionally include an end cap engageable with the second end portion. The end cap may include an end cap body and a handrail connector arm connected to the end cap body. The handrail connector arm may be pivotally connected to the end cap body. An end cap gasket or sealant may be engaged with the end cap and the post body to create a fluid tight seal between the post body and the end cap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a post mount assembly for use with a lighted handrail; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded upper perspective view of the post mount assembly including a post body, an upper end cap, a base, and internal control elements; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded upper perspective view of the post body; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded upper perspective view of the internal control elements, upper end cap, and a lower base; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an upper perspective sectional view of the post mount assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  an enlarged upper perspective view of the engagement between the upper end cap and the post body; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the post mount assembly; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an upper sectional view of the post mount assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, there is depicted a post mount assembly  10  for use with a lighted handrail  12  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) including a plurality of lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The post mount assembly  10  includes a post body  14  configured to house the driver associated with conditioning the power delivered to the LEDS. By disposing the driver within the post body  14  (i.e., within close proximity to the LEDs), less power may be required to operate the LEDs, thereby making the lighted handrail  12  safer, more energy efficient and less expensive to operate. 
         [0025]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted an upper perspective view of the post mount assembly  10  connected to the lighted handrail  12 . The post mount assembly  10  includes an elongate post body  14  defining a first (lower) end portion  16  and an opposing second (upper) end portion  18 . A base  20  is mounted to the post body  14  adjacent the first end portion  16  and an end cap  22  is mounted to the post body  14  adjacent the second end portion  18 . The base  20  is configured to secure the post mount assembly  10  to a mounting surface, such as a sidewalk, walking path, hallway, and the like. The end cap  22  is configured to connect the lighted handrail  12  to the post mount assembly  10 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the post body  14  extends along a longitudinal axis  24  and includes a wall  26  disposed about the longitudinal axis  24  to define a post cavity  28 . In the embodiment depicted in Figures, the post cavity  28  extends through the post body  14  from the first end portion  16  to the second end portion  18 . However, other embodiments may include a post cavity  28  that extends only partially between the first end portion  16  and the second end portion  18 . As will be described in more detail below, the post cavity  28  is advantageously sized and configured to receive the operational components to provide a convenient storage location for the operational components. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the wall  26  defines a first planar face  32 , an opposing second planar face  34 , and a pair of opposed curved faces  36  extending between the first planar face  32  and the second planar face  34 . In this manner, the post body  14  may define a shape that complements both round and square styles of architecture. For instance, railing posts are typically round or square, thus the configuration of the post body  14  depicted in the Figures may blend into most architectural environments seamlessly. 
         [0028]    The post body  14  includes an elliptical opening  30  extending through the wall  26  to facilitate access to the operational components housed within the post body  14 . The elliptical shape of the opening  30  dissipates stress within the post body  14  to enhance the strength of the post body  14 . Although an elliptical shape is the preferred shape of the opening  30 , it is understood that the opening  30  may define other shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The opening  30  may extend through the first planar face  32 , the second planar face  34 , or both planar faces  32 ,  34 . A separate opening (not shown) may additionally be formed in one, or both, of the curved faces  36 . 
         [0029]    A cover  38  may be attached to the post body  14  to cover the opening  30 . The cover  38  is sized and configured to conceal the opening  30  when the cover  38  is connected to the post body  14 . A U-Channel gasket  35  may be wrapped around the edges of the opening  30  to create a fluid tight seal between the cover  38  and the post body  14  and to add edge protection when accessing the operational components (i.e., the gasket  35  may reduce the risk of being injured due to sharp edges). 
         [0030]    As depicted, the cover  38  is complimentary in shape to the first and second planar faces  32 ,  34 . The cover  38  includes a plurality of cover apertures  40  and the post body  14  defines a plurality of corresponding post apertures  42  for mounting the cover  38  to the post body  14 . Respective ones of the cover apertures  40  are coaxially aligned with respective ones of the post apertures  42  and a mechanical fastener  44 , such as a screw, is advanced through the cover aperture  40  and post aperture  42  to couple the cover to the post body  14 . The cover  38  may include an aperture  40  which is disposed over the opening  30  (i.e., the middle aperture  40  shown in  FIG. 2 ), and therefore may not engage with the post body  14 . In that case, a mounting bracket  46  having a mounting aperture  49  may be connected to the post body  14  for connecting the cover  38  to the post body  14 . 
         [0031]    According to one embodiment, the optional mechanical fasteners  44  are stainless steel tamper-proof screws which may be hidden behind a flush snap on/pry off cover plug  45  (see  FIG. 1 ), which may be formed out of aluminum, stainless steel or other materials commonly used in the art. The screw  44  and cover plug  45  may be recessed into a decorative architectural relevant chamfered support collar. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is depicted an exploded view of the post body  14  and the operational components housed within the post body  14 . The operational components may include a driver  50 , which receives power from a power source and “steps down” or otherwise conditions the power before it is communicated to the LEDs. In addition to, or in replace of the driver  50 , other control devices (such as Photo-control, PIR proximity sensors, color mixing, emergency battery backup, etc.), a power source, and other components known by those skilled in the art, may be disposed within the post body  14 . The operational components may be stacked in a linear configuration and spaced from the base  20  and end cap  22  to be aligned with the opening  30  formed within the post body  14  to allow for easy access to the operational components. Wiring may extend between the lighting elements in the lighted handrails  12  and the operational components housed within the post body  14  to establish electrical communication therebetween. By disposing the operational components within the post body  14 , the operational components are in relatively close proximity to the lighting elements in the lighted handrail  12 . Accordingly, the lighting elements may operate efficiently to achieve a longer operational life of the lighting elements and reduced operating costs. 
         [0033]    The driver  50  and other operational components may be mounted to a component plate  55 , which may in turn be mounted to support castings  57 . The support castings  57  are configured to engage with support rods  68  which extend through the post body  14  and engage with the base  20  and the end cap  22 . Heat transfer elements may be disposed adjacent the driver  50  or operational components to keep the driver/components within an operable temperature range. 
         [0034]    The post cavity  28  is enclosed by connecting the base  20  the post body  14  adjacent the first end portion  16  and the swivel end cap  22  to the post body  14  adjacent the second end portion  18 . The base  20  may be mounted to a support surface, such as a sidewalk or walking path to secure the post mount assembly  10  thereto. According to one embodiment, the base  20  includes a base projection  52  and a base flange  54  disposed about the base projection  52 . The base flange  54  defines a first surface  56  and a second surface  58  with a plurality of mounting recesses  60  extending from the first surface  56  toward the second surface  58 . A mounting aperture may be disposed within each mounting recess  60  and extend through the base  20  to the second surface  58 . A bolt may be advanced through the mounting aperture to secure the base  20  to a mounting surface. The mounting recess  60  may be sized and configured to receive the head of the bolt to mitigate a tripping hazard. The sides of the base  20  may be shaved (along the path direction) to further mitigate tripping hazards. 
         [0035]    The base projection  52  is sized to be advanced into the post cavity  28  to couple the base  20  to the post body  14 . In this manner, the base projection  52  may be complimentary in shape to the post cavity  28 . A projection extension  47  may be connected to the base projection  52  to further extend into the post cavity  28 . A base gasket may be disposed between the base  20  and the post body  14  to fluidly seal the interface between the base  20  and post body  14 . The base gasket may be formed out of silicone or other materials known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    The base  20  includes a base aperture  62  (see  FIG. 4 ) to receive conduit or wires for connection with the internal components. A flexible cover  64  with a clover-leaf patterned opening is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and is configured to direct the conduit/wiring to the center of the base aperture  62 . 
         [0037]    The base  20  further includes a pair of support apertures  66  extending into the base projection  52 , with each support aperture  66  being sized and configured to receive a support rod  68 . The support rods  68  may extend from the first end portion  16  to the second end portion of the post body  14  in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  24  when mounted within the support apertures  66 . The support rods  68  are configured to strengthen the post mount assembly  10  by mitigating deflection of the post mount assembly  10  in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis  24 . In addition, the support rods  68  provide structural support to the operational components housed within the post body  14 . According to one implementation, the support rods  68  may be formed out of 8 mm stainless steel with an adjustable stainless turnbuckle  69  in the middle of two portions which collectively define a support rod  68 . 
         [0038]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the post mount assembly  10  may additionally include a swivel end cap  22  mounted to the post body  14  adjacent the second end portion  18  of the post body  14 . The swivel end cap  22  includes an end cap body  70 , a neck  72  and a swivel arm  74  pivotally connected to the neck  72 . The end cap body  70  is configured to engage with the post body  14  and may include a pair of bosses  73  for receiving the support rods  68 . The neck  72  may include a pair of wire access holes  75  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to route wires from the operational components to the lighting elements disposed within the lighted handrail  12 , while at the same time allowing the swivel arm  74  to pivot relative to the neck  72 . 
         [0039]    The swivel arm  74  may include a pair of opposed handrail engagement portions  76  configured to engage with the lighted handrail  12 . The handrail engagement portions  76  may be complimentary in shape to the lighted handrail to facilitate engagement therebetween. The swivel arm  74  may pivot relative to the neck  72  to adjust the position of the lighted handrail  12  engaged with the swivel arm  74 . The swivel arm  74  may be coupled to the neck  72  via connector pins  78  (see  FIG. 4 ). A gasket may be disposed between the swivel end cap  22  and the post body  14  to create a fluid tight seal between the end cap  22  and the post body  14 . 
         [0040]    The above-described post mount assembly  10  may be connected to a support surface, such as a sidewalk or walking path by connected the base  20  to the support surface. It is contemplated that two other mounting embodiments may be employed. The first embodiment is an “embedment” design, wherein the post body  14  is placed directly into a hole cored within a concrete slab surface and is surrounded by anchor cement. This design may be desirable for installation on angled or ramped surfaces. The smooth transition from the post body  14  to the concrete surface may also eliminate the collection of debris. 
         [0041]    The second embodiment is a “wall mounted” embodiment which includes one or more, preferably a pair, of wall mount bases for connected the post body  14  to a vertical support surface, such as a wall. The wall mounted embodiment may be desirable when there is a sloped or uneven surface for the post to mount to. Each wall mount base may include two 8 mm stainless steel mounting studs for attachment to the post body  14  with internal nuts. A silicone gasket may be disposed between the wall mount bases and the post body  14 . The gaskets may include openings to allow for conduit entry into the post body  14 . An additional gasket may be disposed between the wall mount base and the vertical support surface to mitigate water and debris from entering. 
         [0042]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.