Patent Publication Number: US-2018051468-A1

Title: Customizable and functional elevator car handrail

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of European Application No. 16306070.0 filed Aug. 22, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to elevator car handrails and, more particularly, to customizable elevator car handrails. Handrails of elevator cars provide a structure which a passenger within the elevator car can lean upon or otherwise use for support of the passenger. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a customizable elevator car handrail is provided. The customizable elevator car handrail includes a first mounting frame attachable to a panel of an elevator car and a first rail module removably attached to the first mounting frame. The first rail module includes a housing having a first contact surface, a second contact surface opposing the first contact surface, an exterior function surface extending between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, an interior function surface extending between the first and second contact surfaces, and a module internal space defined by the housing and module components disposed in the module internal space of the housing and configured to provide a module functionality. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the exterior function surface includes at least one aperture to enable the module functionality to be provided into the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include a second mounting frame attachable to the panel, wherein the rail module is removably attached between the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include a structural member removably attached to the first mounting frame and the rail module. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the structural member is connected between the rail module and the first mounting frame. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the structural member is hollow. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include electrical lines installed within the first mounting frame and connecting the rail module to a power source. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the first contact surface of the housing includes at least one connector, the electrical lines electrically connected to the at least one connector. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include a second rail module attached to the first mounting frame and/or the first rail module. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the module functionality is at least one of (i) supplying or diffusing a scent, air freshener, or perfume, (ii) providing lighting, (iii) providing audio, or (iv) enabling passenger interaction. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that, when the module functionality is supplying or diffusing a scent, air freshener, or perfume, the customizable elevator car handrail further includes a scent source connected to the rail module to supply the scent, air freshener, or perfume. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that, when the module functionality is enabling passenger interaction, the rail module is rotatable and/or a scroll wheel. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that rotation of the rail module or scrolling of the scroll wheel adjusts a level of functionality of a different rail module. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include a support element installed to the first mounting frame and supporting the first rail module. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the customizable elevator handrail may include that the housing has a central aperture and the support element passes through the central aperture to support the rail module. 
     Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include a customizable elevator car handrail that enables different functionality to be added to the elevator car handrail while maintaining structural use of the elevator car handrail. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an elevator system that may employ various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is an elevation schematic illustration of an elevator car panel that can employ embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2B  is an elevation schematic illustration of another elevator car panel that can employ embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric illustration of a customizable elevator car handrail in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded illustration of the customizable elevator car handrail of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a first side illustration of a rail module separated from the customizable elevator car handrail of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a second side illustration of the rail module of  FIG. 3C ; 
         FIG. 3E  is an illustration of the rail module of  FIG. 3C  with a side surface removed illustrating an interior of the rail module; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a customizable elevator car handrail in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a customizable elevator car handrail in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a customizable elevator car handrail in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a customizable elevator car handrail in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic illustration of a rail module in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is an alternative schematic illustration of the rail module of  FIG. 8A ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a set of schematic illustrations of different exterior function surfaces that can be used with rail modules of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown and described herein, various features of the disclosure will be presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features and thus the same or similar features may be labeled with the same reference numeral, but preceded by a different first number indicating the figure to which the feature is shown. Thus, for example, element “##” that is shown in FIG. X may be labeled “X##” and a similar feature in FIG. Z may be labeled “Z##.” Although similar reference numbers may be used in a generic sense, various embodiments will be described and various features may include changes, alterations, modifications, etc. as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, whether explicitly described or otherwise would be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an elevator system  101  including an elevator car  103 , a counterweight  105 , a roping  107 , a guide rail  109 , a machine  111 , a position encoder  113 , and a controller  115 . The elevator car  103  and counterweight  105  are connected to each other by the roping  107 . The roping  107  may include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated-steel belts. The counterweight  105  is configured to balance a load of the elevator car  103  and is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car  103  concurrently and in an opposite direction with respect to the counterweight  105  within an elevator shaft  117  and along the guide rail  109 . 
     The roping  107  engages the machine  111 , which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system  101 . The machine  111  is configured to control movement between the elevator car  103  and the counterweight  105 . The position encoder  113  may be mounted on an upper sheave of a speed-governor system  119  and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car  103  within the elevator shaft  117 . In other embodiments, the position encoder  113  may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine  111 , or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art. 
     The controller  115  is located, as shown, in a controller room  121  of the elevator shaft  117  and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system  101 , and particularly the elevator car  103 . For example, the controller  115  may provide drive signals to the machine  111  to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car  103 . The controller  115  may also be configured to receive position signals from the position encoder  113 . When moving up or down within the elevator shaft  117  along guide rail  109 , the elevator car  103  may stop at one or more landings  125  as controlled by the controller  115 . Although shown in a controller room  121 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controller  115  can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system  101 . 
     The machine  111  may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine  111  is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor. 
     Although shown and described with a roping system, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 1  is merely a non-limiting example presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , schematic illustrations of elevator car panels  227 ,  229  that can employ embodiments described herein are shown.  FIG. 2A  shows a front elevation schematic view of a first elevator car panel  227 .  FIG. 2B  shows a front elevation schematic view of a second elevator car panel  229 . The first elevator car panel  227 , as shown, includes two subpanels  231 ,  233 , wherein a first subpanel  231  forms about a third of the elevator car panel  227  and the second subpanel  233  forms about two-thirds of the elevator car panel  227 . That is, the first subpanel  231  and the second subpanel  233  are configured to form a wall of an elevator car. The two subpanels  231 ,  233 , in some configurations, are parts of a solid or continuous elevator car panel, and thus are fixedly connected or are subparts of a continuous wall. The second elevator car panel  229  is formed with a single subpanel  235 . 
     As shown, the first subpanel  231  of the first elevator car panel  227  includes an associated first handrail  237  and the second subpanel  233  includes an associated second handrail  239 . The second elevator car panel  229  includes a third handrail  241 . The handrails  237 ,  239 ,  241  are mounted to the respective subpanels  231 ,  233 ,  235  of the elevator car panels  227 ,  229  and provide users or passengers of the elevator to have a handrail to provide support or other function. Accordingly, ends of the handrails  237 ,  239 ,  241  are fixedly attached to, mounted to, and supported by the respective subpanels  231 ,  233 ,  235 . Further, as shown, the second subpanel  233  of the first elevator car panel  227  includes an operation or control section  243 . The control section  243 , as shown, includes a number of buttons that are used to enable a passenger to select a destination floor, and may also include emergency buttons, or other buttons as known in the art. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A-3E , a customizable elevator handrail  300  in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.  FIG. 3A  illustrates the customizable elevator handrail  300  in an assembled configuration that can be mounted to or attached to a panel or subpanel of an elevator car.  FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded view of the customizable elevator handrail  300 .  FIG. 3C  illustrates a first side view of a rail module  302  and  FIG. 3D  illustrates a second side view of the rail module  302 .  FIG. 3E  illustrates an interior of the rail module  302 . 
     As shown, the customizable elevator handrail  300  includes two rail modules  302  with a structural member  304  located therebetween. At opposing ends of the customizable elevator handrail  300  are a first mounting frame  306  and a second mounting frame  308 . The mounting frames  306 ,  308 , the structural member  304 , and the rail modules  302  are connectable to form a handrail that can be installed to a panel or subpanel of an elevator car. The mounting frames  306 ,  308  are configured to fixedly attach to a panel of an elevator car and support the structural member  304  and the rail modules  302  between the first mounting frame  306  and the second mounting frame  308 . 
     The rail modules  302  are sized, shaped, and otherwise configured to be connected between the structural member  304  and the mounting frames  306 ,  308 . The connection between the rail modules  302  and the structural member  304  and/or the mounting frames  306 ,  308  can be by threaded connection, interference fit, fastener, etc. as known in the art. The rail modules  302  are customizable modules that can provide one or more features and thus enable customizable elevator handrails. For example, in some embodiments one or more of the rail modules  302  can be configured to supply or diffuse a scent, air freshener, perfume, etc., provide lighting, provide audio (e.g., music, instructions, news, etc.), enable passenger interaction, or may provide other function that can be provided on the customizable elevator handrail  300 . Passenger interaction, in some embodiments, can be provided by the rail module operating as a scroll wheel in order to interact with the elevator or features thereof. For example, some non-limiting interactive experiences that can be provided with an interactive rail module include, but are not limited to choice of the elevator car ambiance, setup of elevator car or rail module lighting (e.g., intensity or color of the light), choice in a predefined style of playlist music, choice of a control operating panel display theme, etc. 
     The rail modules  302  can be electrically powered and thus, in some embodiments, can include a power supply. In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E , the rail modules  302  can include connectors  310 ,  312 . The connectors  310 ,  312  can be electrical connectors, plugs, or ports that enable electrical connection with electrical lines  314 . The electrical lines  314  can provide power, control, and/or communication for the rail modules  302 . In other embodiments, the rail modules  302  can be configured to be powered by a battery, and any controls can be automatic/automated (e.g., onboard processor) and/or can be achieved through wireless communication, as known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3C-3E , the rail module  302  is shown in more detail and separated from the customizable elevator handrail  300 . Each rail module  302  includes a housing  316  that can house electronic and/or mechanical components that are configured to enable and provide one or more functions. The housing  316  is defined by a first contact surface  318 , a second contact surface  320  opposing the first contact surface  318 , an exterior function surface  322  extending between the first contact surface  318  and the second contact surface  320  on an exterior of the rail module  302 , and an interior function surface  323  extending between the contact surfaces  318 ,  320 . The contact surfaces  318 ,  320  are configured to contact an adjacent component, such as another rail module, a portion of a structural member, and/or a portion of a frame (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B ). As shown, the first connectors  310  are located on the first contact surface  318  and the second connectors  312  are located on the second contact surface  320 . In some embodiments, the first contact surface  318 , the second contact surface  320 , and the interior function surface  323  define a module internal space  324  within the rail module  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . In some embodiments, the module internal space  324  can be a closed space such as a closed or enclosed chamber or cavity, partially closed chamber or cavity, or a completely open internal space, as will be appreciated by those of skilled in the art and as described herein. 
     The module internal space  324  defined by the contact surfaces  318 ,  320  and the interior function surface  323  can include one or more module components  326  to provide module functionality. The module components  326  can be electrical or mechanical components that provide one or more functions, such as speakers, lights, actuators, processors, memory, printed circuit boards, power converters, etc. The module components  326  can supply a function through one or more apertures  328  that are formed in the exterior function surface  322 . The apertures  328  are selected and configured based on the function provided by the module components  326 . For example, if the module components  326  are configured to supply music into an elevator car, the module components  326  can include one or more speakers and the apertures  328  can be covered with a mesh or other material to enable sound to emanate from the rail module  302 . In another example, if the module components  326  are configured to provide ambient lighting in an elevator car, the apertures  328  can be configured with glass, plastic, or other material that is selected to provide a desired ambient lighting. In some embodiments, the module components  326  can include a power source, connector, or battery, a wireless communications component, a processor, memory, etc. that are all configured to provide the desired function. In various embodiments, the module components  326  can be fixedly mounted or attached to one or both of the contact surfaces  318 ,  320  and/or to the interior function surface  323 . 
     As shown, in  FIG. 3B , the electrical lines  314  can enter the customizable elevator handrail  300  through the first mounting frame  306  and then electrically connect with the first connectors  310  of a rail module  302 . The power and/or communication can pass through the rail module  302  and then enter the structural member  304  through one or more connectors  330 . The connectors  330  of the structural member  304  can provide the continuance of power/communication through the structural member  304  to another rail module  302  or to the second mounting frame  308 . In some embodiments, the structural member  304  can be hollow and have wiring extending from one set of connectors  330  at one end to another set of connectors at another end of the structural member  304 . 
     In some embodiments the connectors  310 ,  312  and the connectors  330  can be uniform to provide a universal connecting configuration such that the rail modules  302  can be switched out and/or replaced easily. Further, as shown, the rail modules  302  are sized and shaped to match the dimensions of the structural member  304  and/or the mounting frames  306 ,  308  such that the aesthetics of the customizable elevator handrail  300  may not appear different from an elevator handrail that does not include any rail modules. Although shown as a round or circular configuration, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rail modules of the present disclosure can take any geometric shape such that they match with the handrail of the specific elevator car. Thus, in some embodiments, the housing  316  of the rail modules  302  can be rectangular, oval, square, or other geometric shape. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative non-limiting configuration of a customizable elevator handrail  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The customizable elevator handrail  400  is similar to that shown and described above with respect to  FIG. 3A-3E . The customizable elevator handrail  400  includes a first mounting frame  406  and a second mounting frame  408  with multiple rail modules  402  and a structural member  404  fixed between the mounting frames  406 ,  408 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the structural member  404  has a hollow interior  432  and does not include connectors as described above. That is, electrical lines  414  can be fed into the first mounting frame  406 , electrically connect to connectors  410  of the rail module  402 , then connect to connectors on the other side of the rail module  402 , and pass through the interior of the structural member  404 . The electrical lines  414  can directly connect to another rail module  402  or can pass through the second mounting frame  408  and then enter a wall of an elevator car. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , another non-limiting configuration of a customizable elevator handrail  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The customizable elevator handrail of the present disclosure is modifiable and modular. That is, different rail modules can be installed to provide different, multiple, or redundant functions and/or functionalities to the customizable elevator handrails. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the customizable elevator handrail  500  includes five rail modules  502  and two structural members  504 . 
     The customizable elevator handrail  500  includes a first rail module  502   a , a second rail module  502   b , a third rail module  502   c , a fourth rail module  502   d , and a fifth rail module  502   e . The first rail module  502   a  connects to a first structural member  504   a  and can connect to a first mounting frame (not shown) when installed to an elevator panel. The second rail module  502   b  is connected to the opposing end of the first structural member  504   a  and can be wired to the first rail module  502   a  by wires that are within the first structural member  504   a . The third rail module  502   c  is directly connected to the second rail module  502   b  on a first side and directly connected to the fourth rail module  502   d  on a second side. The fourth rail module  502   d  is further connected to a second structural member  504   b , which in turn is connected to the fifth rail module  502   e . Thus, the customizable elevator handrail  500  includes five rail modules  502  and two structural members  504 . 
     Each of the rail modules  502  can provide a different or specific function, depending on the module components of each rail module. For example, in one non-limiting example, the first rail module  502   a  can include a speaker to provide audio therefrom, the second rail module  502   b  can include lighting to provide ambient light around the customizable elevator handrail  500 , the third rail module  502   c  can include or function as a scroll wheel or touch-sensitive module (e.g., a control module), the fourth rail module  502   d  can be similar to the second rail module  502   b  and provide lighting, and the fifth rail module  502   e  can be a perfume or air freshener diffuser. Although various functionalities are described herein, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rail modules of the present disclosure can be configured with any desired functionality without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As noted above, the third rail module  502   c  can be a control module. The control module can be configured to control the operation of the other rail modules of the customizable elevator handrail  500 . In some embodiments, the control module functionality can be achieved through a scroll wheel configuration of the rail module. That is, a user can rotate or otherwise actuate or move the entire rail module or a portion thereof, to control one or more of the other rail modules. For example, the scroll wheel functionality can be used to adjust a volume of audio from an audio rail module or adjust a light intensity of a lighting rail module. In some embodiments, rather than a mechanical rotation (e.g., scroll wheel), the control rail module can be configured with a touch-sensitivity or a microphone for receiving input from a passenger either by touch or by spoken instructions. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , another non-limiting configuration of a customizable elevator handrail  600  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The customizable elevator handrail of the present disclosure is modifiable and modular, as described above. That is, different rail modules can be installed to provide different, multiple, or redundant functions and/or functionalities to the customizable elevator handrails. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the customizable elevator handrail  600  includes a single rail module  602  located between two structural members  604   a ,  604   b . The first structural member  604   a  is connected to a first mounting frame  606  and the second structural member  604   b  is connected to a second mounting frame  608 . 
     The rail module  602 , as shown, is a perfume or air freshener module configured to dispense scent  634  into the interior of an elevator car. The rail module  602 , as shown, is supplied with power through an electrical line  614  from a power source  636 . The power source  636  can be grid power, battery power, or other electrical power. Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the rail module  602  is connected to a scent source  638  by a feed line  640 . The scent source  638  can be installed within the paneling of an elevator car, installed on top of the elevator car, or otherwise configured and installed with the elevator car. 
     In some embodiments, the feed line  640  and the electrical line  614  can be provided through a single line, conduit, or tubing to reduce the amount of wiring that is present in the system. Further, in some embodiments, the scent source  638  can be integrated into and contained within the housing of the rail module  602 . 
     Turning  FIG. 7 , another non-limiting configuration of a customizable elevator handrail  700  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The customizable elevator handrail of the present disclosure is modifiable and modular, as described above. That is, different rail modules can be installed to provide different, multiple, or redundant functions and/or functionalities to the customizable elevator handrails. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the customizable elevator handrail  700  includes two rail modules  702  located at opposing ends of a structural member  704 . One of the rail modules  702  is connected to a first mounting frame  706  and the other of the rail modules  702  is connected to a second mounting frame  708 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the customizable elevator handrail  700  includes a support element  742  extending from the first mounting frame  706  to the second mounting frame  708 . The rail modules  702  and/or the structural member  704  can be attached to and supported on the support element  742 . The support element  742  can be a rod or other structure that is fixedly attached between the first mounting frame  706  and the second mounting frame  708 . In this embodiment, the structural member  704  can be hollow and the support element  742  can pass through the hollow interior of the structural member  704 . In some embodiments, the rail modules  702  can include a central aperture through which the support element  742  can pass and thus support the rail module  702 . Thus, the rail modules  702  can be directly mounted onto the support element  742 . In other embodiments, the rail modules  702  can include coupling mechanisms (e.g., threaded connections) to connect to the support element  742 . That is, in some embodiments, the support element  742  can be formed of multiple segments that are connected to the housings of the rail modules  702 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8A-8B , an alternative configuration of a rail module in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a rail module  802  with module components  826  installed therewith and  FIG. 8B  illustrates the rail module  802  with the module components  826  removed. The rail module  802  is similar to that shown and described above, having a housing  816  including a first contact surface  818 , a second contact surface  820  opposing the first contact surface  818 , an exterior function surface  822  extending between the contact surfaces  818 ,  820  on an exterior of the rail module  802 , and an interior function surface  823  extending between the contact surfaces  818 ,  820  on an interior of the rail module  802 . 
     As shown, a module internal space  824  is defined within the rail module  802 , and particularly is defined by the interior function surface  823 . As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the module internal space  824  is an open space or void within the rail module  802 . In this embodiment, the module components  826  are mounted to the interior function surface  823  by one or more attachment elements  844 , such as fasteners, clips, threaded connections, snap connections, slot connections, adhesives, etc. In some embodiments, such as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , the module internal space  824  defines a central aperture passing through the rail module  802 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , geometric schematic illustrations of various exterior function surfaces that can be used for rail modules of the present disclosure are shown. Exterior function surfaces of rail modules described herein can take any geometric shape, and the term “exterior function surface” is used to describe the entire exterior surface of a rail module. Such definition is inclusion of rail modules that have a functional aspect on only one part of the exterior function surface and even if the exterior function surface includes multiple “surfaces.” For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the geometric shapes or contours of the exterior function surfaces  922   a ,  922   b ,  922   c ,  922   d ,  922   e  are all included in the term “exterior function surface” and those of skill in the art will appreciate that any geometry, shape, or configuration can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various example embodiments are shown and described herein, each having certain features in the particular embodiments, but the present disclosure is not thus limited. That is, features of the various embodiments can be exchanged, altered, or otherwise combined in different combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, additional features and/or components can be incorporated into customizable elevator handrails as provided herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Advantageously, embodiments described herein provide customizable elevator handrails that supply structural support to passengers within an elevator car while also providing additional functionality. Advantageously, one or more rail modules can be added to the handrails of an elevator car, with each module having its own function. Further, advantageously, the rail modules of the present disclosure can have the same shapes and the same interfaces in order to be able to connect the rail modules with each other and with other parts of the handrails. 
     Advantageously, various different functionalities can be provided with the modular customizable elevator handrails of the present disclosure. For example, some non-limiting functions of the rail modules can be perfume or air freshener diffuser or dispenser, special lighting, speakers for music, scroll wheel in order to interact with the elevator (e.g., choice of the elevator car ambiance, setup of the lighting (e.g., intensity or color of the light), choice in a predefined style of playlist music, choice of a control operating panel display theme, etc.). 
     While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. 
     For example, although shown with various structures and configurations for the rail modules and elevator handrails, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other geometries, configurations, means of movement, etc. may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.