Patent Description:
The technical field generally relates to handrails, and more precisely to wall attachments devices and assemblies for handrails, as well as handrail assemblies comprising wall attachment devices.

Handrails are adapted to be grabbed and/or held by the hand of a user to provide stability or support to the user. Handrails are commonly used on stairways, but can also be used in leveled areas such as along a corridor.

Handrails usually include an elongated body having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end. For aesthetic reasons, to comply with applicable regulations or for various other reasons, it may be desirable to connect one or both ends of the handrail to a wall such that there is no interruption between the end of the handrail and the wall. The wall may be a wall located near the end of the handrail, or may be the wall to which the handrail is mounted. It may also be desirable to mount the handrail to a wall such as a bathroom wall with both ends of the handrail connected to the wall to form a "grab bar".

To secure the end of the handrail to the wall, a flange extending radially from the end of the handrail is typically used. The flange could be integrally formed with the handrail or could be provided as a separate piece. The flange defines a surface parallel to the wall through which fasteners may be inserted to secure the end of the rail to the wall.

Unfortunately, the space on the wall around the end of the handrail may be limited, such that it may not be possible to use a flange to secure the end of the handrail to the wall. Furthermore, the flange may detract from the appearance of the wall and/or of the handrail.

Furthermore, to be able to withstand the weight of a person, the grab bar may need to be attached to wall studs, which are typically relatively narrow and for which the spacing between studs may vary from one wall to another. Unfortunately, in some existing grab bars, the flange is integral with the grab bar. In this case, the length of the grab bar and, therefore, the distance between the flanges is predetermined and fixed, which means that it may not be possible to precisely align the flange with the corresponding studs to provide a secure wall attachment.

There is therefore a need for a device which will overcome at least one of the above-identified drawbacks. <CIT> describes a rosette lower part for attaching a handrail to a wall, the rosette lower part including corresponding holes for wall fasteners and for a handrail fastener. <CIT> describes a flange cover device. <CIT> describes an article mounting structure and spacer for adjusting article mounting location. <CIT> describes a safety rail. <CIT> describes a cladding device, in particular for a lateral support of a handrail bottom string, grille bar or the like. <CIT> describes improvements in or relating to grab rails.

According to the invention, there is provided a wall attachment assembly as defined in claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the body includes: a flat base wall defining the rear and front faces of the body; and a sidewall extending away from the base wall, the sidewall being disposed away from the rear face so as to extend away from the supporting wall when the rear face is positioned against the supporting wall, the sidewall defining the lateral face.

In one embodiment, the handrail engagement member includes a rim surrounding the sidewall, the rim being spaced away from the base wall.

In one embodiment, the sidewall includes a first sidewall end located towards the base wall and a second sidewall end located away from the base wall, the rim being located at the second sidewall end.

In one embodiment, the sidewall has an S-shaped cross-section.

In one embodiment, the at least one fastener openings include a central fastener opening.

In one embodiment, the at least one fastener opening further includes a plurality of offcentered fastener openings disposed around the central fastener opening.

In one embodiment, each offcentered fastener opening has a first opening diameter and the central fastener opening has a second opening diameter larger than the first opening diameter.

In one embodiment, the plurality of offcentered fastener openings includes first, second, third and fourth offcentered fastener openings.

In one embodiment, the first offcentered fastener opening, the second offcentered fastener opening and the central fastener opening being disposed along a first axis.

In one embodiment, the third offcentered fastener opening, the fourth offcentered fastener opening and the central fastener opening being disposed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

In one embodiment, the plurality of offcentered fastener openings includes first, second and third offcentered fastener openings.

In one embodiment, the first offcentered fastener opening and the central fastener opening are disposed along a first axis, the second offcentered fastener opening and the central fastener opening are disposed along a second axis and the third offcentered fastener opening and the central fastener opening are disposed along a third axis, the first, second and third axes being angled from each other at an angle of <NUM> degrees.

In one embodiment, the body is circular.

In one embodiment, the connection collar includes a collar sidewall having a first end configured to be disposed towards the handrail and a second end adapted to be disposed towards the device, the connection collar further including an end wall extending orthogonally to the collar sidewall at the first end of the collar sidewall and an inner lip extending radially inwardly from the collar sidewall near the second end of the collar sidewall, the end wall and the inner lip being spaced apart to receive the outer connecting member therebetween.

In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a base plate configured to be received between the supporting wall and the wall attachment device, the base plate including a central portion and a lateral portion extending radially outwardly from the central portion, the central portion including at least one fastener opening, the central portion being configured for receiving the rear face of the wall attachment device such that each fastener opening is aligned with a corresponding fastener opening of the wall attachment device.

In one embodiment, the base plate includes a central recess extending from the front plate face towards the rear plate face, the central recess being sized and shaped to matingly receive the wall attachment device.

In one embodiment, the connection collar has a first diameter and the lateral portion of the base plate has a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

According to yet another aspect that is not part of the claimed invention, there is also provided a handrail assembly comprising: a handrail having a first end and a second end; a connection collar including a first half portion and a second half portion adapted to be secured together for engaging one of the first and second ends of the handrail, the connection collar including an inner connecting member extending radially
inwardly from at least one of the first and second half portions; a wall attachment device for connecting the connection collar to a supporting wall, the wall attachment device including: a body sized and shaped to be received in the connection collar, the body including a planar rear face adapted to be positioned against the supporting wall, a front face opposite the rear face and a lateral face, the body further having at least one fastener opening extending between the front and rear faces, each fastener opening being adapted to receive a fastener for securing the body to the supporting wall; and an outer connecting member extending radially outwardly from the lateral face for securely engaging the inner connecting member of the connection collar to thereby attach the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail to the supporting wall.

For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one exemplary embodiment of the wall attachment assembly, and in which:.

Although the embodiments of the wall attachment device and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the wall attachment device, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art.

Referring first to <FIG>, there is provided a handrail assembly <NUM> including a wall attachment device <NUM> and a handrail <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the handrail <NUM> is elongated, straight and generally cylindrical, and includes a first end <NUM> and a second end, not shown. The device <NUM> is adapted to be secured to a supporting wall, not shown, and the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is adapted to be secured to the device <NUM> to thereby attach the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> to the supporting wall.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the handrail assembly <NUM> further includes a connection piece <NUM> which connects the device <NUM> to the handrail <NUM>. More specifically, the connection piece <NUM> includes an annular connection collar <NUM> having a first half portion <NUM> and a corresponding second half portion <NUM> which engage the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM>. The first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> are adapted to be secured together to form the connection collar <NUM> which lockably engages the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> and the device <NUM> to thereby secure the device <NUM> to the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the collar <NUM> is hollow and includes a sidewall <NUM> having a first end <NUM> disposed towards the handrail <NUM> and a second end <NUM> disposed towards the device <NUM>. The collar <NUM> further includes an end wall <NUM> extending orthogonally to the sidewall <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> and an inner lip <NUM> extending radially inwardly from the sidewall <NUM> near the second end <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM>. The end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> define an inner connecting member which is adapted to engage the wall attachment device <NUM>. Specifically, the collar <NUM> is adapted to receive and hold the device <NUM> between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> to prevent movement of the handrail <NUM> relative to the device <NUM>, and therefore to the supporting wall to which the device <NUM> is secured, as will be further explained below.

Turning now to <FIG>, the device <NUM> has a generally saucer-shaped body <NUM> which includes a flat circular bottom portion or base wall <NUM>, a sidewall <NUM> extending away from the base wall <NUM> and a circular rim <NUM> extending radially outwardly from the sidewall <NUM>. More specifically, the sidewall <NUM> defines an annular lateral face <NUM> which faces outwardly and the rim <NUM> extends radially outwardly from the lateral face <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall <NUM> includes a first or rear sidewall end <NUM> located towards the base wall <NUM> and a second or front sidewall end <NUM> located away from the base wall <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>, and the rim <NUM> is located at the front sidewall end <NUM>. Alternatively, the rim <NUM> may be spaced from the second sidewall end <NUM> towards the first sidewall end <NUM>, while still remaining spaced from the first sidewall end <NUM>. In this embodiment, the sidewall <NUM> would therefore extend away from the base wall <NUM> beyond the rim <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the base wall <NUM> defines a front face <NUM>, an opposed rear face <NUM> and a circular outer edge <NUM>. More specifically, the rear face <NUM> defines a planar surface which can be placed against a planar face of the supporting wall.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the sidewall <NUM> is curved and has a generally S-shaped cross-section, as best shown in <FIG>. More specifically, the sidewall <NUM> extends from the outer edge <NUM> of the base wall <NUM> and curves first convexly away from the front face <NUM> of the base wall <NUM>, and then concavely towards the circular rim <NUM>. Alternatively, the sidewall <NUM> may not be curved, but may instead be conical. Specifically, the sidewall <NUM> may have a straight cross-section which tapers outwardly from the base wall <NUM> to the circular rim <NUM>, and which defines relatively sharp angles with the outer edge <NUM> of the base wall <NUM> and/or with the circular rim <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> further includes a plurality of fastener openings or holes <NUM> defined in the base wall <NUM> and extending between the front face <NUM> and the rear face <NUM>. Specifically, the device <NUM> includes five circular fastener holes 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d, 250e disposed in a cross-shaped pattern on the base wall <NUM>. The plurality of fastener holes <NUM> includes a central fastener hole 250a which is generally centered on the base wall <NUM>, first and second outer or offcentered fastener holes 250b, 250c disposed on opposite sides of the central hole 250a and third and fourth outer or offcentered fastener holes 250d, 250e which are also disposed on opposite sides of the central fastener hole 250a. The central fastener hole 250a, the first offcentered fastener hole 250b and the second offcentered fastener hole 250c are disposed along a first axis A<NUM> and the central fastener hole 250a, the third offcentered fastener hole 250d and the fourth offcentered fastener hole 250e are disposed along a second axis A<NUM> which is generally perpendicular to the first axis A<NUM>.

Still in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first and the second offcentered fastener holes 250b, 250c are spaced from the central fastener hole 250a by the same distance D<NUM> and the third and fourth offcentered fastener holes 250d, 250e are also spaced from the central fastener hole 250a by the same distance D<NUM>. Furthermore, the outer holes 250b, 250c, 250d, 250e are disposed closer to the outer edge <NUM> of the base wall <NUM> than to the central fastener hole 250a. Alternatively, the holes <NUM> could be disposed on the base wall <NUM> according to one of various other patterns. In yet another embodiment, the holes <NUM> could include only three holes, or any other number of holes which a skilled person would consider to be suitable for securing the device <NUM> to the wall.

Each hole <NUM> is sized and shaped to be able to receive one of various fasteners. For example, each hole <NUM> may have a diameter of about <NUM> to be able to receive fasteners such as #<NUM> or #<NUM> wood screws or sheet metal screws, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, or <NUM>/<NUM>"-<NUM> machine screws or any other type of fastener which a skilled person would consider to be suitable for securing the device <NUM> to the wall. Alternatively, each hole <NUM> may be sized and shaped to receive a specific type of fasteners. In another embodiment, the holes <NUM> may be threaded to be threadably engaged by a threaded fastener.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> is further sized and shaped to be received in the connection piece <NUM> and the rim <NUM> defines an outer connecting member which engages the inner connecting member of the collar <NUM>. Specifically, the circular rim <NUM> is sized and shaped to abut the inner lip <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. More specifically, the rim <NUM> has an outer diameter which is larger that an inner diameter of the inner lip <NUM>. In one embodiment, the circular rim <NUM> further has a thickness which corresponds to the distance between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> such that the circular rim <NUM> is received snuggly between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> in order to prevent axial movement of the handrail <NUM> both towards the wall and away from the wall. Alternatively, the thickness of the circular rim <NUM> may be slightly smaller than the distance between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> to provide some free play to allow adjustment of the handrail's position and/or orientation during the mounting of the handrail to the device.

To attach the end of the handrail <NUM> to the supporting wall, the device <NUM> is first secured to the supporting wall using at least one fastener such that the rear face <NUM> of the base wall <NUM> abuts the wall and is parallel to the planar surface of the supporting wall. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the device <NUM> is secured to the wall using a first fastener <NUM> inserted in the first offcentered fastener hole 250b and a second fastener <NUM> inserted in the second offcentered fastener hole 250c. It will be appreciated that in this configuration, the device <NUM> is secured to the wall using two fasteners <NUM>, <NUM> on opposite sides of the central fastener hole 250a, which helps position the device <NUM> on the wall such that the entire rear face <NUM> of the base wall <NUM> abut the wall. Alternatively, the first and second fasteners <NUM>, <NUM> could instead be received in the third and fourth offcentered fastener holes 250d, 250e. In yet another embodiment, the device <NUM> could instead be secured to the wall using a single fastener inserted in one of the holes <NUM>, or using more than two fasteners inserted in corresponding holes of the device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the holes <NUM> are slightly larger than the first and second fasteners <NUM>, <NUM> to allow for adjustment of the device's position on the wall once one or both of the fasteners <NUM>, <NUM> have been inserted in their corresponding holes <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the holes <NUM> may be elongated instead of being circular to allow for further adjustment of the device's position.

In one embodiment, the collar <NUM> may then be positioned in engagement with the device <NUM>. Specifically, the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the collar <NUM> are positioned generally in the same plane as the device <NUM>, laterally to the device <NUM>, and are then moved towards each other until they meet, with the circular rim <NUM> of the device <NUM> being longitudinally disposed between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM>. The first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> may then be secured to each other using fasteners, clips or any other appropriate fastening technique to form the collar <NUM> and to thereby enclose the circular rim <NUM> within the collar <NUM> between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> of the collar <NUM>.

Still in this embodiment, the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> may then engage the collar <NUM> and be secured to the collar <NUM> using fasteners or any other appropriate securing technique. In this configuration, the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> may be adapted to further hold the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> together. Once secured to the collar <NUM>, the handrail <NUM> is positioned such that the base wall <NUM> of the device <NUM> is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis L<NUM> of the handrail <NUM>, and therefore such that the longitudinal axis L<NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is orthogonal to the wall.

In an alternative embodiment, the handrail <NUM> may first be positioned relative to the device <NUM> such that the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is located adjacent the device <NUM>, and the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the collar <NUM> may be secured together simultaneously over both the device <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> to thereby attach the handrail <NUM> to the device <NUM>.

It will be understood that in addition to the device <NUM>, the handrail <NUM> may also be mounted to the supporting wall and supported on the wall by mounting brackets which may be disposed along the length of the handrail.

It will be appreciated that the device <NUM> described herein allows the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> to be attached to the supporting wall without requiring the use of a flange extending radially outwardly from the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM>. Furthermore, the wall attachment device <NUM> may be completely hidden from view when the handrail <NUM> is mounted to the supporting wall, thereby providing the handrail <NUM> which a relatively aesthetically pleasing appearance.

It will further be understood that instead of a rim surrounding the sidewall <NUM>, the outer connecting member could instead include one or more tabs extending outwardly from the sidewall and spaced from each other. Alternatively, the outer connecting member could be configured according to any other configuration which a skilled person would consider to be suitable.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the wall attachment device <NUM> is shown connected to a handrail <NUM>, in accordance with another embodiment. Similarly to the handrail <NUM> described above, the handrail <NUM> is elongated and generally cylindrical, and includes a first end <NUM> and a second end, not shown.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is connected to the device <NUM> via an angled connection piece <NUM> such that the longitudinal axis L<NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is angled to the wall rather than orthogonal to the wall. Specifically, the angled connection piece <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and an opposed second end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> is adapted to be secured to the first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> by a first circular connection collar <NUM> similar to the circular connection collar <NUM> described above, and the second end <NUM> is adapted to be secured to the device <NUM> by a second circular connection collar <NUM>.

Still in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second circular connection collar <NUM> includes a first end portion <NUM> disposed towards the device <NUM> and adapted to securely engage the device <NUM>, and a second end portion <NUM> disposed towards the angled connection piece <NUM> and adapted to securely engage the second end <NUM> of the angled connection piece <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first and second end portions <NUM>, <NUM> are mirror images of each other. The first end portion <NUM> is generally similar to the circular connection collar <NUM> described above and includes a first inner lip <NUM> and a first inner end wall <NUM> spaced from the first inner lip <NUM> to receive the circular rim <NUM> of the device <NUM> between the first inner lip <NUM> and the first inner end wall <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end portion <NUM> also includes a second inner lip <NUM> and a second inner end wall <NUM> which are adapted to receive an outwardly-extending rim <NUM> located at the second end <NUM> of the angled connection piece <NUM>.

To mount the handrail <NUM> to the wall, the device <NUM> is first mounted to the wall using fasteners, as described above. The first end <NUM> of the handrail <NUM> is then secured to the angled connection piece <NUM> using the first circular connection collar <NUM>. The angled connection piece <NUM> may then be positioned such that the first end portion <NUM> of the angled connection piece <NUM> is adjacent the device <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second circular connection collar <NUM> includes first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> which are adapted to come together to form the second circular connection collar <NUM>, similarly to the collar <NUM> described above.

To secure the angled connection piece <NUM> to the device <NUM>, the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the second circular connection collar <NUM> are moved towards each other until they meet, with the circular rim <NUM> of the device <NUM> being longitudinally disposed between the first inner lip <NUM> and the first inner end wall <NUM> and the outwardly-extending rim <NUM> of the angled connection piece <NUM> being longitudinally disposed between the second inner lip <NUM> and the second inner end wall <NUM>. The first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> may then be secured to each other using fasteners or any other appropriate fastening technique to form the second circular connection collar <NUM>.

Alternatively, the angled connection piece <NUM> may first be secured to the device <NUM> using the second circular connection collar <NUM>, and then be secured to the handrail <NUM> using the first circular connection collar <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the wall attachment device <NUM> is shown attached to a handrail <NUM> via a <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM>. In this embodiment, the <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM> is generally similar to the angled connection piece <NUM> and includes a first end <NUM> adapted to be connected to the device <NUM> via a circular connection collar <NUM> similar to the second circular connection collar <NUM> described above and a second end <NUM> angled at an angle of <NUM> degrees relative to the first end <NUM> and adapted to be connected to the handrail <NUM>. This configuration allows the handrail <NUM> to extend generally parallel to the wall when mounted to the wall.

Now turning to <FIG>, there is shown a handrail <NUM> mounted to the wall in a grab bar configuration using a first wall mounting device 100a and a second wall mounting device 100b which are both similar to the wall mounting device <NUM> described above. Specifically, the handrail <NUM> is generally straight and elongated, and includes a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> is secured to the first wall mounting device 100a via a first <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM> similar to the <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, and the second end <NUM> is secured to the second wall mounting device 100b via a second <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM> which is also similar to the <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM>.

The first and second <NUM>-degree connection pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are oriented such that the first and second wall mounting devices 100a, 100b are generally parallel to each other, which allows the first and second wall mounting devices 100a, 100b to be secured to the same wall using fasteners as described above.

It will be appreciated that the configuration described allows the handrail <NUM> to be properly secured in a grab bar configuration to corresponding wall studs in the wall to thereby provide a secure attachment of the handrail <NUM> to the wall. In the configuration described above, the devices 100a, 100b may first be precisely positioned on the wall studs and secured on the wall studs. The handrail <NUM> may then be cut to the appropriate length and fitted with the appropriate <NUM>-degree connection pieces and/or other connectors to engage and be secured with the devices 100a, 100b.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a wall attachment device <NUM> for a handrail, not shown, in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, the device <NUM> includes a generally circular body <NUM> having a front face <NUM> and a rear face <NUM> adapted to be placed against a supporting wall. The body <NUM> further has a sidewall <NUM> which includes a continuous rim <NUM> located towards the front face <NUM> and which extends radially outwardly from the body <NUM>, and a plurality of recesses <NUM> which are located towards the rear face <NUM> and are spaced apart around the body <NUM> to define a plurality of keys <NUM> between the recesses <NUM>.

Similarly to the device <NUM>, the wall attachment device <NUM> includes a plurality of a plurality of fastener holes <NUM> defined in the device's body <NUM> and extending between the front face <NUM> and the rear face <NUM>. Specifically, the device <NUM> includes five circular fastener holes 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d, 950e disposed in a cross-shaped pattern on the body <NUM>. The plurality of fastener holes <NUM> includes a central fastener hole 950a which is generally centered on the body <NUM>, first and second outer or offcentered fastener holes 950b, 950c disposed on opposite sides of the central fastener hole 950a and third and fourth outer offcentered fastener holes 950d, 950e which are also disposed on opposite sides of the central fastener hole 950a.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first and second offcentered fastener holes 950b, 950c are counterbored on the front face <NUM> for receiving fasteners such as socket head cap screws, pan head screws, round head screws or the like such that the fastener heads do not protrude above the front face <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

Still in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the third and fourth offcentered fastener holes 950d, 950e are countersunk on the front face <NUM> for receiving conical head fasteners such as countersunk screws such that the fastener heads do not protrude above the front face <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

Alternatively, all of the offcentered fastener holes 950b, 950c, 950d, 950e could be counterbored or countersunk, or none of the offcentered fastener holes 950b, 950c, 950d, 950e could be counterbored or countersunk.

To mount a handrail to a wall, the device <NUM> is first positioned against the wall such that the rear face <NUM> abuts the wall. One or more fasteners are then inserted through corresponding holes <NUM> of the device <NUM> to thereby secure the device <NUM> to the wall.

Depending on the type of handrail used, the handrail can then be connected to the device <NUM> via the circular connection collar <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, or the second circular connection collar <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring particularly to <FIG> and <FIG>, the collar <NUM> may include a plurality of keyways <NUM> defined in the inner lip <NUM>. The keyways <NUM> are sized and shaped to receive the keys <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The keyways <NUM> are further spaced from each other around the inner lip <NUM> such that the keyways <NUM> may be aligned with the keys <NUM>.

To secure the handrail to the device <NUM>, the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the collar <NUM> are positioned generally in the same plane as the device <NUM>, laterally to the device <NUM>, and are then moved towards each other until they meet, with the rim <NUM> of the device <NUM> being longitudinally disposed between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> and with the keys <NUM> being received in the keyways <NUM>. The first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> may then be secured to each other using fasteners or any other appropriate fastening technique to form the collar <NUM> and to thereby enclose the rim <NUM> within the collar <NUM> between the end wall <NUM> and the inner lip <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the keys <NUM> received in the keyways <NUM> prevent rotation of the collar relative to the device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the handrail may be secured to the device <NUM> using a collar similar to the second circular connection collar <NUM> instead of the collar <NUM>. In another embodiment, the handrail may be connected to the device <NUM> using a collar which does not include any keyways. In yet another embodiment, the handrail may be connected to the device <NUM> or <NUM> using a collar similar to the collar <NUM> but which has one or more small protruding teeth on the inside surface of first and second end portions <NUM>, <NUM> that bite into the device <NUM> or <NUM> when the first and second half portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the collar <NUM> are screwed together to thereby prevent rotation of the handrail relative to the device <NUM> or <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, there is shown a wall attachment device <NUM> for a handrail, not shown in <FIG>, in accordance with yet another embodiment.

In this embodiment, the wall attachment device <NUM> is generally similar to the wall attachment device <NUM> described above and illustrated in <FIG>, and includes a body <NUM> having a planar rear face, not shown adapted to be positioned against a supporting wall and a front face <NUM> opposite the rear face. More specifically, the body <NUM> includes a circular base wall <NUM>, a sidewall <NUM> extending away from the base wall <NUM> and defining a lateral face <NUM> of the body <NUM> and a rim <NUM> extending radially outwardly from the sidewall <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> further includes a plurality of fastener openings or holes <NUM> defined in the base wall <NUM> and extending between the front face <NUM> and the rear face. Specifically, the device <NUM> includes a central fastener hole 1450a which is generally centered on the base wall <NUM>, and first, second and third outer or offcentered fastener holes 1450b, 1450c, 1450d disposed in a triangular pattern around the central hole 250a. Still in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first, second and third offcentered fastener holes 1450b, 1450c, 1450d are spread out generally evenly around the central fastener hole 1450a. More specifically, the first offcentered fastener hole 1450b and the central fastener hole 1450a are disposed along a third axis A<NUM>, the second offcentered fastener hole 1450c and the central fastener hole 1450a are disposed along a fourth axis A<NUM> and the third offcentered fastener hole 1450d and the central fastener hole 1450a are disposed along a fifth axis A<NUM>, and the first, second and third axes A<NUM>, A<NUM>, A<NUM> are angled from each other at an angle θ of <NUM> degrees. Alternatively, the offcentered fastener holes 1450b, 1450c, 1450d may not be spaced evenly around the central fastener hole 1450a.

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, each offcentered fastener hole 1450b, 1450c, 1450d has a common first opening diameter and the central fastener hole 1450a has a second opening diameter which is larger than the first opening diameter. Alternatively, all of the holes <NUM> may have the same diameter, similarly to the holes <NUM> described above, or may have different diameters from each other.

It will be understood that instead of the configurations described above, the wall attachment device may have one of various alternative configurations. For example, the wall attachment device may have less than four fastener holes or more than five fastener holes, and the fastener holes may be disposed on the wall attachment device according to any pattern which a skilled person may consider to be appropriate.

Referring now to <FIG> to <NUM>, there is shown a handrail assembly <NUM>, in accordance with another embodiment. The handrail assembly <NUM> includes a wall attachment device <NUM> for securing a handrail <NUM> to a supporting wall. The handrail <NUM> is connected to the device <NUM> using a <NUM>-degree connection piece <NUM>. As explained above, this type of connection piece allows the handrail <NUM> to be mounted in a grab bar configuration.

The wall attachment device <NUM> is generally similar to the wall attachment device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and described above and includes a central fastener hole and three offcentered fastener holes.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> to <NUM>, the wall attachment device is not directly in contact with the supporting wall. Instead, the handrail assembly <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM> configured to be received between the supporting wall and the wall attachment device <NUM>. More specifically, the base plate <NUM> includes a rear plate face <NUM> adapted to be placed against the supporting wall and a front plate face <NUM> opposite the rear plate face <NUM> for receiving the wall attachment device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the base plate <NUM> has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the connection piece <NUM> and of the handrail <NUM>. It will be appreciated that this may allows the base plate <NUM> to distribute forces applied to the grab bar to a larger surface area on the supporting wall to thereby enhance the rigidity of the connection between the grab bar and the wall and prevent damage to the wall.

Still referring to <FIG> to <NUM>, the base plate <NUM> includes a central portion <NUM> and a lateral portion <NUM> extending radially outwardly from the central portion <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> is further configured for receiving the wall attachment device <NUM>. More specifically, the base plate <NUM> includes a central recess <NUM> extending from the front plate face <NUM> towards the rear plate face <NUM>. The central recess <NUM> is sized and shaped to matingly receive the wall attachment device <NUM>. More specifically, the central recess <NUM> has a recess sidewall <NUM> which has a generally S-shaped cross-section, as best shown in <FIG>, for snuggly receiving the wall attachment device <NUM>. Alternatively, the base plate <NUM> may not include a central recess <NUM> and the wall attachment device <NUM> may simply be placed against the front plate face <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG> to <NUM>, the base plate <NUM> further includes an annular recess <NUM> extending from the rear plate face <NUM> towards the front plate face <NUM>. Alternatively, the base plate <NUM> may not include an annular recess and the rear plate face <NUM> may instead be completely planar.

Still referring to <FIG> to <NUM>, the central portion <NUM> includes a plurality of fastener holes <NUM> which correspond to the fastener holes of the wall attachment device <NUM>. More specifically, the central portion <NUM> includes a central fastener hole 1750a and three offcentered fastener holes 1750b, 1750c, 1750d. The fastener holes <NUM> are further disposed on the central portion <NUM> in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the fastener holes of the wall attachment device <NUM> such that they may be aligned with the fastener holes of the wall attachment device <NUM>. In this configuration, the base plate <NUM> and the wall attachment device <NUM> may be secured simultaneously to the supporting wall using fasteners extending through both the base plate <NUM> and the wall attachment device <NUM>.

To assembly the handrail assembly <NUM>, the base plate <NUM> may first be placed at a desired location against the supporting wall and the wall attachment device <NUM> may be placed in the central recess <NUM> with the fastener holes of the base plate <NUM> aligned with the fastener holes of the wall attachment device <NUM>. The device <NUM> and the base plate <NUM> may then be secured to the supporting wall using one or more fasteners extending through corresponding fastener holes of the wall attachment device <NUM> and the base plate <NUM>. The connection piece <NUM> and the handrail <NUM> may then be connected as described above.

Claim 1:
A wall attachment assembly for securing a handrail (<NUM>) to a supporting wall, the handrail having a first end and a second end, the attachment assembly comprising:
a hollow connection piece (<NUM>;<NUM>) for engaging one of the first and second ends of the handrail, the connection piece including an inner connecting member (<NUM>;<NUM>) extending radially inwardly;
a wall attachment device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for connecting the connection piece to the supporting wall, the wall attachment device including:
a body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) sized and shaped to be received in the connection piece (<NUM>;<NUM>), the body including a planar rear face adapted to be positioned against the supporting wall, a front face opposite the rear face and a lateral face, the body further having at least one fastener opening (250a-e, 950a-e, 1450a-d, 1750a-d) extending between the front and rear faces, each fastener opening being adapted to receive a fastener for securing the body to the supporting wall; and
an outer connecting member (<NUM>) extending radially outwardly from the lateral face for securely engaging the inner connecting member of the connection piece to thereby attach the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail to the supporting wall,
wherein the hollow connection piece (<NUM>;<NUM>) includes a first half portion (<NUM>;<NUM>) and a second half portion (<NUM>;<NUM>) adapted to be secured together for engaging the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail, the inner connecting member (<NUM>;<NUM>) extending radially inwardly from at least one of the first and second half portions, and
the connection piece (<NUM>, <NUM>) lockably engages the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail and the wall attachment device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and secures the wall attachment device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail.