Patent Publication Number: US-2015060202-A1

Title: Handrail assembly for a trailer

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/871,930, filed Aug. 30, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to handrails. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to a collapsible handrail for use with a trailer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For various types of trailers, feed trailers, tank trailers, etc., it is often necessary for someone to climb on the trailer to assist in loading, unloading, inspecting cargo, etc. From a safety standpoint, these activities can lead to the person performing these tasks to reach fairly large heights and, therefore, be presented with increased opportunities for falls and subsequent injury. As well, various regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), provide regulations dictating workplace safety standards for such operations. As such, it is desirable to provide safety features that help prevent injuries to those working on the trailer, as well as bring the trailer into conformity with regulatory standards. 
     The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of a handrail assembly in accordance with the present disclosure includes a handrail assembly for use with a trailer, having a platform having a first edge and a second edge, the platform extending outwardly therefrom from the first edge to the second edge secured to a side of the trailer, a handrail pivotably secured to the platform by a plurality of elongated members, and a piston secured to the platform at a first end and one of the elongated members at a second end. The piston is configured to move the handrail from a first position in which the plurality of elongated members are vertical, and a second position in which the plurality of elongated members are angled with respect to the platform. 
     Yet another embodiment includes a truck having a trailer, a handrail assembly including a platform having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being secured adjacent the trailer and the platform extending outwardly therefrom to the second edge, a handrail pivotably secured to the platform by a plurality of elongated members, and a piston secured to the platform at a first end and one of the elongated members at a second end. The piston is configured to move the handrail from a first position in which the plurality of elongated members are vertical, and a second position in which the plurality of elongated members are angled with respect to the platform. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the truck including a handrail assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the handrail assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are side elevational views of the handrail assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , being moved from the in-use position to the storage position; and 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side perspective views of the handrail assembly and trailer portion of the truck shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a trailer handrail assembly  10 , in accordance with the present disclosure, mounted on a trailer  12  of a truck  14 . Each handrail assembly  10  includes a handrail  20  that is pivotably mounted to a platform  60 , the platform being mounted to the side of trailer  12  at its first edge  60   a  and extending horizontally outward therefrom to its second edge  60   b,  as best seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . As shown, handrail  20  is secured to platform  60  by a plurality of elongated members  30 , each elongated member  30  being pivotably attached at its top end to an anchor point  22  of handrail  20 , and at its bottom end to an anchor point  42  of a horizontal member  40  ( FIG. 2 ). A ladder  18  is preferably provided at the back end of truck  14  to allow an individual to access platform  60 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2A and 4B , a plurality of angle brackets  50  are used to mount platform  60  to the side of trailer  12 . Each angle bracket includes a horizontal portion  54  that directly supports platform  60 , a first vertical portion  51  and a second vertical portion  52 . As shown, each first vertical portion  51  and each second vertical portion  52  extends downwardly from first edge  60   a  and second edge  60   b  of platform  10 , respectively. A distal end  56  and  58  of each first vertical portion  51  and each second vertical portion  52 , respectively, is configured to conform to the portion of the trailer  12  to which platform  60  is attached. Specifically, each distal end  56  and  58  is angled with respect to the corresponding vertical portion of each bracket  50  to take into account the curved sidewall of trailer  12  to which handrail assembly  10  is attached. Additionally, due to the curvature of the sidewall of trailer  12 , each second vertical portion  51  is shorter than each second vertical portion of each bracket  50 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , horizontal support  40  is attached to each angle bracket at the distal end  56  of its vertical portion  56  to provide rigidity to the structure. 
     Preferably, a piston  70  is used to move handrail  20  from its stored position, as shown in  FIG. 3C , to its in-use position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , and vice versa. One end of piston  70  is attached to an anchor point  32  disposed on a corresponding one of elongated members  30 , and the other end of piston  70  is attached to an anchor point  42   a  of horizontal member  40 . When piston  70  expands to the elongated position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , the elongation of piston  70  urges handrail  20  into the vertical, in-use position. Conversely, when piston  70  is retracted, as shown in  FIG. 3C , handrail  20  returns to its stored position. Preferably, piston  70  is hydraulically operated. However, in alternate embodiments, piston  70  may be pneumatically operated as well, or omitted altogether. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , when in use, handrail  20  is positioned so that elongated members  30  are vertically oriented, with each elongated member  30  being received in a recess  64  of a corresponding stop  62  that depends outwardly from distal edge  60   b  of platform  60 . Preferably, each recess  64  is correspondingly shaped to the cross-section of the elongated member  30  that is seated therein. For example, in the present embodiment, each elongated member  30  has a circular cross-section and each recess  64  is substantially U-shaped with a semi-circular base wall, as best seen in  FIG. 2 . Note, however, in alternate embodiments, vertical members  30  may have square cross-sections and recesses  64  of stops  62  may have correspondingly flat base walls. When not in use, handrail  20  is moved to a retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 3C , in which each elongated member  30  is angled with respect to platform  60  and comes to rest on the side of the adjacent stop  62  opposite its recess  64 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.