Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-art of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/874,940, filed Jun. 4, 2001. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the System 
   The present invention relates to grips for hand railings or other hand support systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to grips which are releasably adhered to railings or other hand support systems. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Hand railings are in use throughout the world to assist in human activity such as standing, sitting down, ascending and descending a stairway, entering or exiting a moving vehicle, walking, etc. Maintaining a secure, comfortable grip is extremely important when operating or using various hand-held apparatuses or, more importantly, simply for safety purposes when grasping any type of railing. Bare railings are used for hand supports by users, standing, or sitting, or while entering or exiting a vehicle. Bare railings, whether they are constructed from any type of metal, plastic, wood, glass, concrete or composite material can be slippery, or coarse and inconvenient to hold onto with bare hands. Furthermore, uncovered railings located in moving vehicles such as subway train cars, light rail transit cars, transit buses, trams, street cars, trolley cars, recreational vehicles, etc., are unsafe when the vehicle is in motion and especially when turning. Typically, such railings are extruded shapes, such as a circular tube or another similar shape made for the human hand to grasp. Additionally, these railings are usually constructed from durable metal, such as stainless steel, but may also be constructed from wood or various other substances. 
   Such typical hand railings, however, do not provide a positive gripping surface, which would still further assist in the corresponding human activity associated with the hand railing. Some of the present gripping devices include molded plastic cylindrical grips which are installed and include cross-sectional sections designed to fit the human hand as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,096 to Auroura, rigid hand railings having a plurality of finger sized indentations, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,267 to Schmitt, et al. and rail covering systems for outdoor decks as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,519 to Baldassarre. Still other gripping devices include removable foam grips that are wrapped around a bar each time a user wishes to use a bar as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,756 to Rozenich. This type of grip is typically used for weightlifting equipment. The grips to date involve either railings with built in grips or grips that are, for the most part, permanently attached to the railings, while other grips are not attached at all, rather they are easily removed and transferred from bar to bar. 
   To date, no grips have been designed which will conform to any railing surface or shape and which are releasably attachable to such railing surface. Hence, there is a need for a grip which will conform to any railing type and which will attach to any railing surface regardless of the type of surface or type of material used as the grip and a grip which is releasably attachable to the railing. 
   Further, to date no grips have been designed that have safety features incorporated into the grip, which will enable a user to use the grip to achieve safety even in the most detrimental conditions. Hence, there is a need for a grip which has textured surfaces to generate additional friction for gripping, some of which are readable to vision impaired persons, illuminated surfaces to guide the user to safety, sound emitting technology incorporated within the grip to guide the user to safety, and anti-bacterial agents to prevent the spread of disease. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a method, system and device for providing a secure, resilient gripping surface on a railing or other hand support system. The grip of the present invention is designed to provide a secure, resilient gripping surface on any railing or hand support system surface that is grasped by a hand. The grip is preferably utilized on a railing or other hand support system. However, it is readily apparent that the grip could also be used on other structures, such as support poles and beams, etc. 
   In one aspect of the present invention, a flexible gripping pad is provided which is easily secured to a railing or hand support system by wrapping the grip around the railing or hand support system. The grip may fully cover the railing, or it may be artfully wrapped or it may be partially or fully folded. The grip of this invention will provide a comfortable, resilient gripping surface which will enhance the safety of a railing or hand support system by preventing slipping, hand abrasions or other dangers associated with railings or hand support systems. 
   In one aspect, the grip of the present invention comprises a skin layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a 4-way stretchable material layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer is permanently adhered to the bottom surface of the skin layer. The bottom surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system. 
   The skin layer may be formed from any material which will provide a safe and secure gripping surface. Some examples of possible skin materials include expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material and foil material. If a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. Similarly, the 4-way stretchable material may comprise any material that can be simultaneously stretched in four directions, such as a polyester material. 
   In yet another aspect of the present invention, the skin layer of the grip of the present invention has a luminescent quality. The luminescent skin layer glows in the dark to provide additional safety in cases of an emergency. 
   In another embodiment, the grip of the present invention comprises a skin layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a backing layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to the bottom surface of the skin layer. Furthermore, the backing layer is permanently attached to a 4-way stretchable material layer with a stretchable top surface and a stretchable bottom surface. The bottom surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system. 
   The grip of the present invention may have tapered edges on its lengthwise sides so that when the grip is spirally wrapped around a railing or other hand support system and the edges overlap, the thickness of the grip remains constant. As an alternative to wrapping the grip such that the edges overlap, the grip may be wrapped so that the edges do not overlap, thus providing additional friction for the user. 
   One method of manufacturing the grip of the present invention comprises providing a skin layer which has a top surface for gripping and a bottom surface to which a permanent adhesive applied. Next, a 4-way stretchable material that has a top surface and a bottom surface is permanently attached to the bottom surface of the skin layer. Finally, the bottom surface of the 4-way stretchable material is releasably adhered to the railing. 
   Another method of manufacturing the grip of the present invention comprises providing a skin layer which has a top surface for gripping and a bottom surface to which a permanent adhesive is applied. Next, a backing layer is provided, which has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the backing layer is adhered to the bottom surface of the skin layer. Next, a 4-way stretchable material layer with a top surface and a bottom surface is permanently attached to the backing layer by adhering the backing layer bottom surface to the 4-way stretchable layer top surface. Finally, the 4-way stretchable material is releasably adhered to the railing. 
   The system of the present invention is designed for providing a secure, safe, releasably attachable grip on a railing. The system comprises a grip having a 4-way stretchable layer with an inner surface and an outer surface and a skin layer with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the skin layer is adhered to the outer surface of the 4-way stretchable layer. The inner surface of the 4-way stretchable layer is releasably adhered to the railing. 
   Another system of the present invention is also designed for providing a secure, safe, releasably attachable grip on a railing. The system comprises a grip having a backing layer with an inner surface and an outer surface and a skin layer with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the skin layer is adhered to the outer surface of the backing layer. The bottom surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to a 4-way stretchable layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the 4-way stretchable layer is releasably adhered to the railing. 
   As set forth above, the grip of the present invention may have tapered edges on its lengthwise sides so that when the grip is wrapped around a railing or other hand support system and the edges overlap, the thickness of the grip remains constant. As an alternative to wrapping the grip such that the edges overlap, the grip may be wrapped so that the edges do not overlap, thus providing additional friction for the user. 
   One method of placing the grip of the present invention on the railing comprises providing a railing and wrapping the tapered edge grip of the present invention spirally around the railing such that the tapered edges of the grip overlap. The length of the railing may be fully covered by the grip such that the thickness of the grip remains constant or, in the alternative, the edges may not overlap to provide additional friction for the user. 
   Another method of placing the grip of the present invention on a railing comprises providing a railing having a length and alignment targets in a parallel line along its length. Next, placing the grip so that the center lengthwise axis of the grip is centered on the axis parallel to the length of the railing. The grip of the present invention has alignment targets disposed along an axis parallel to the lengthwise edge of the grip and the grip folds around the railing such that the alignment targets of the grip align with the alignment targets of the railing and the edges of the grip abut when folded around the railing. 
   The grip of this invention will provide a positive gripping surface for any type of railing using any type of material as a grip and provide a safe, uniform gripping surface for the length of the railing&#39;s surface. Moreover, there is a need for a method of manufacturing for grips and a system for providing grips which are releasably adhered to a railing or hand support system. Finally, there is a need for a method of placing the grip of the present invention on to a railing or other hand support system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the grip. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the grip of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the grip if  FIG. 2  taken along the line A—A. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of another embodiment of the grip. 
       FIG. 5  is perspective view of the grip of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the grip if  FIG. 4  taken along the line A—A. 
       FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  show a method or procedure for manufacture of the grip of FIG.  1 . 
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   e  show a method or procedure for manufacture of the grip of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a method of wrapping the grip of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a method of wrapping the grip of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a method of wrapping the grip of the present invention using the alignments targets as described in the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  shows a method of spirally wrapping the grip of  FIG. 1  or FIG.  4 . 
     FIG.  13 A and  FIG. 13B  shows the grip of the present invention having light emitting means incorporated within the grip. 
       FIG. 14  shows the grip of the present invention having textured surfaces incorporated within the grip. 
       FIG. 15  shows the grip of the present invention having sound emitting means incorporated within the grip. 
       FIG. 16  shows the grip of the present invention having Braille language symbols incorporated within the grip. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  discloses grip  100  for use on a railing or hand support system. Grip  100  has a skin layer  104  and a 4-way stretchable layer  112 . Skin layer  104  has a top surface  102  which provides a comfortable, secure and safe gripping surface. Skin layer  104  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  104  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or textured. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. In yet another aspect of the present invention, skin layer  104  of grip  100  of the present invention has a luminescent quality. The luminescent skin layer glows in the dark to provide additional safety in cases of an emergency. Any methods known in the art for creating luminescence may be used, for example some of the methods include transfer application processes, wet ink processes and sublimation ink processes. In yet another embodiment of the invention, skin layer  104  has an antibacterial agent, such as Benzothiazoline (BIT), Octylisothiazoline (OIT), Thiabendez (TBZ), or zinc pyrithionoxide (ZPT), added to the skin layer of the grip. The antibacterial agent may be added in different concentrations depending on where the grip is used. 
   Four-way stretchable layer  112  has top surface  110  and a bottom surface  114 , such that top surface  110  of 4-way stretchable layer  112  conforms to and is permanently affixed to bottom surface  106  of skin layer  104 . 4-way stretchable layer  112  may be comprised of any material that can simultaneously stretch in four directions such as a polyester material. Bottom surface  114  of 4-way stretchable layer  112  is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system by a layer of releasable adhesive  116 . Releasable adhesive  116  completely covers from edge to edge and is affixed to 4-way stretchable layer  112  and provides releasable adhesion to the railing or hand support system. Releasable adhesive  116  provides secure adhesion to the railing or hand support system but may be removed with a minimal amount of effort by peeling grip  100  off the railing or hand support system. Any adhesive having the characteristics of being secured to the railing as well as being easily removed can be utilized; a preferred example of a releasable adhesive is FLEXCON® V-58. 
   Skin layer  104  has a bottom surface  106  which is affixed to the top surface  110  of 4-way stretchable material layer  112  by a permanent adhesive  108  that completely covers skin layer  104  from edge to edge. The permanent adhesive  108  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art, which will permanently bond skin layer  104  to 4-way stretchable material layer  112 . An example of such a permanent adhesive is FLEXCON® adhesive V-402. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that other similar sitable adhesives may be used. 
   In one embodiment of grip  100  disclosed in  FIG. 3 , the lengthwise edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  may be tapered in thickness.  FIG. 2  discloses a top view of grip  100 .  FIG. 3  discloses a cross sectional view of grip  100  taken from cross sectional line A to A  101  of FIG.  2 . Tapering the edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  allows for the edges to overlap when wrapping a railing or hand support system and at the same time to maintain a constant thickness of grip  100  despite the overlapping edges. In another embodiment, the edges are tapered but wrapped in such a way that they do not overlap to provide still more friction for the user. In still another embodiment, the lengthwise edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  are not tapered for instances when the edges do not overlap. 
     FIG. 4  discloses another embodiment of the present invention. Grip  200  has a skin layer  204 , a backing layer  212  and a 4-way stretchable layer  220 . Skin layer  204  has a top surface  202  which provides a comfortable, secure and safe gripping surface. Skin layer  204  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  204  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or textured. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. In yet another aspect of the present invention, skin layer  204  of grip  200  of the present invention has a luminescent quality. The luminescent skin layer glows in the dark to provide additional safety in cases of an emergency. Any methods known in the art for creating luminescence may be used, for example some of the methods include transfer application processes, wet ink processes and sublimation ink processes. In yet another embodiment of the invention, skin layer  204  has an antibacterial agent, such as Benzothiazoline (BIT), Octylisothiazoline (OIT), Thiabendez (TBZ), or zinc pyrithionoxide (ZPT), added to the skin layer of the grip. The antibacterial agent may be added in different concentrations depending on where the grip is used. 
   Backing layer  212  has a top surface  210  and a bottom surface  214 , such that top surface  210  of backing layer  212  conforms to and is affixed to bottom surface  206  of skin layer  204 . Backing layer  212  may be comprised of any material suitable for providing support including open cell foam, closed cell foam, felt, paper or rubber. Bottom surface  214  of backing layer  212  is permanently adhered to the top surface  218  of 4-way stretchable material  220 . The permanent adhesive attaching bottom surface  214  of backing layer  212  to top surface  218  of 4-way stretchable material  220  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art which will permanently bond the surfaces an example of which is FLEXCON® V-402. Four-way stretchable material  220  has the ability to stretch in all directions simultaneously. An example of a 4-way stretchable material is a polyester material. Bottom surface  222  of 4-way stretchable layer  220  is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system by releasable adhesive  224 . Releasable adhesive  224  is affixed to and completely covers 4-way stretchable material  220  from edge to edge and provides releasable adhesion to the railing or hand support system. Releasable adhesive  224  provides secure adhesion to the railing or hand support system. but may be removed with a minimal amount of effort by peeling grip  200  off the railing or hand support system. Any adhesive having the characteristics of being secured to the railing as well as being easily removed can be utilized; a preferred example of a releasable adhesive is FLEXCON® V-58. 
   Skin layer  204  has a bottom surface  206  which is affixed to top surface  210  of backing layer  212  by a permanent adhesive  208  which completely covers bottom surface  214  backing layer  212  from edge to edge. The permanent adhesive  208  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art, which will permanently bond skin layer  204  to backing layer  212 . An example of such a permanent adhesive is FLEXCON® adhesive V-402. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that other similar suitable adhesives may be used. 
   In one embodiment of grip  200  disclosed in  FIG. 4 , the lengthwise edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable layer  220  may be tapered in thickness.  FIG. 5  discloses a top view of grip  200 .  FIG. 6  discloses a cross sectional view of grip  200  taken from cross sectional line A to A  201  of FIG.  5 . Tapering the edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable layer  220  allows for the edges to overlap when wrapping a railing or hand support system and at the same time to maintain a constant thickness of grip  200  despite the overlapping edges. In another embodiment, the edges are tapered but wrapped in such a way that they do not overlap to provide still more friction for the user. In still another embodiment, the lengthwise edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable layer  220  are not tapered for instances when the edges do not overlap but a consistent thickness of grip is desired. 
   In one embodiment of the method of manufacture of grip  100  disclosed in  FIG. 3 , the lengthwise edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  may be tapered in thickness.  FIG. 2  discloses a top view of grip  100 .  FIG. 3  discloses a cross sectional view of grip  100  taken from cross sectional line A to A  101  of FIG.  2 . Tapering the edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  allows for the edges to overlap when wrapping a railing or hand support system and at the same time to maintain a constant thickness of grip  100  despite the overlapping edges. In another embodiment, the edges are tapered but wrapped in such a way that they do not overlap to provide still more friction for the user. In still another embodiment, the lengthwise edges of skin layer  104  and 4-way stretchable layer  112  are not tapered for instances when the edges do not overlap. 
     FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  disclose a method or procedure for manufacture of grip  100 . For convenience, the component parts of grip  100  are numbered as in  FIG. 1  designating grip  100 . The method or procedure for manufacture of grip  100  begins with the act  7   a  of providing a skin layer  104  and applying permanent adhesive  108  to skin layer  104 . Skin layer  104  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  104  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or rough. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. Next 4-way stretchable material layer  112  is permanently adhered to skin layer  104  as disclosed in  FIG. 7   b.  As previously set forth, 4-way stretchable layer  112  may be comprised of any material that can simultaneously stretch in four directions such as a polyester material. Then a releasable adhesive  116  is applied from edge to edge to 4-way stretchable material layer  112 . 
     FIGS. 8   a - 8   e  discloses a method or procedure for manufacture of grip  200 . For convenience, the component parts of grip  200  are numbered as in  FIG. 4  designating grip  200 . The method or procedure for manufacture of grip  200  begins with the act  8   a  of providing a skin layer  204  and applying permanent adhesive  208  from edge to edge of skin layer  204 . Skin layer  204  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  204  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or rough. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. Next backing layer  212  is permanently adhered to skin layer  204  as disclosed in  FIG. 8   b.  As previously set forth, backing layer  212  may be comprised of any material suitable for providing support including open cell foam, closed cell foam, felt, paper or rubber. Next, as disclosed in  FIG. 8   c,  permanent adhesive  216  is applied to backing layer  212 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 8   d,  4-way stretchable layer  220  is adhered to backing layer  212 . Finally, as disclosed in  FIG. 8   e,  a releasable adhesive  224  is applied from edge to edge to 4-way stretchable layer  220 . 
   In one embodiment of the method of manufacture of grip  200  disclosed in  FIG. 4 , the lengthwise edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable layer  220  may be tapered in thickness.  FIG. 5  discloses a top view of grip  200 .  FIG. 6  discloses a cross sectional view of grip  200  taken from cross sectional line A to A  201  of FIG.  5 . Tapering the edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable material layer  220  allows for the edges to overlap when wrapping a railing or hand support system with grip  200  and at the same time to maintain a constant thickness of grip  200  despite the overlapping edges. In another embodiment, the edges are tapered but wrapped in such a way that they do not overlap to provide still more friction for the user. In still another embodiment, the lengthwise edges of skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable layer  220  are not tapered for instances when the edges do not overlap. 
     FIG. 9  discloses a system of providing a secure, safe, releasably attachable grip on a railing. The system of the present invention can be utilized with any type of railing or hand support system  302 . Grip  300  of the present invention has a 4-way stretchable material layer  304  with an inner and outer surface, skin layer  306  which has an inner layer and an out layer, the inner layer of the skin layer  306  is permanently adhered to said outer surface of said 4-way stretchable material layer  304 . 4-way stretchable material layer  304  is releasably adhered to railing  302 . 
     FIG. 10  discloses another embodiment of a system of providing a secure, safe, releasably attachable grip on a railing. The system of the present invention can be utilized with any type of railing or hand support system  402 . Grip  400  of the present invention has 4-way-stretchable layer  404  with an inner and outer surface, backing layer  406  with an inner and outer surface, and skin layer  408  which has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the skin layer  408  is permanently adhered to said outer surface of said backing layer  406 . The inner surface of backing layer  406  is permanently adhered to 4-way stretchable layer  404 . 4-way stretchable layer  404  is releasably adhered to railing  402 . 
     FIG. 11  discloses a method of enveloping the railing with the grip of the present invention. In one embodiment, grip  500  has alignment targets  506  along axis  510  parallel to lengthwise edge  508  of grip  500 . Next, alignment targets  504  are placed on railing  502 . Next, grip  500  is placed on the railing so that the center lengthwise axis of the grip is centered on the axis parallel to the length of railing  502 . Next, grip  500  alignment targets  506  are aligned with railing  502  alignment targets  504 . Finally, grip  500  has a width substantially similar to the circumference of railing  502  such that when grip  500  is folded around railing  502  edges  508  of grip  500  abut. 
   In another method of wrapping,  FIG. 12  discloses a method of spirally wrapping a railing  602  with grip  600 . Next, grip  600  is wrapped, placing the tapered edge of grip  600  spirally around the railing such that the tapered edges of grip  600  overlap. The length of railing  602  may be fully covered by grip  600  such that the fully covers railing  602  and the thickness of grip  600  remains constant. In an alternative embodiment, grip  600  may be wrapped around the railing so that the edges do not overlap to provide additional friction to the user. 
   FIG.  13 A and  FIG. 13B  shows the grip of the present invention incorporating a light emitting means within the grip. As stated above, luminescent material may be used to enhance any graphic material that may be on the surface of grips  100  and  200 . Other materials that may be used to create this effect include phosphorescent chemicals, low grade radiant materials, electrically stimulated phosphorescent materials, fiber optics and luminescent pigments. These chemicals can be included in the inks used create graphics  700  laminated or affixed to the grip surface. In addition, a low level electrical current may be passed through the grip surfaces to emit light by, for example, a light emitting filament  702 . An independent power source such as a battery may be used to provide the current source. A means for turning on the current in no light or low light situations such as a solar switch is used to complete the circuit. Another source of light can be provided by placing the grip over a light emitting back drop material. In this instance, flexible light emitting diode (LED) material can be used. The examples given here are examples only and are not to be used as limitations. 
     FIG. 14  shows the grip of the present invention with textured surfaces. Grip  800  has a textured surface. Grip  800  adds a textured surface  802  to grip  100  or  200 . Textured surface  802  can be formed from a variety of materials. For instance, hard rubber, soft crayon rubber, plastics of any type, woven material and any other material known in the art suitable for this purpose. In addition, patterns, such as Braille symbols for the vision impaired or safety instructions can be molded into the surface of the grip.  FIG. 16  illustrates the use of Braille symbols  806  on a grip  804 . 
   An additional property of the textured grip is insulation effect. The thickness of the textured surface  802  acts as a natural insulator. This property makes the railing usable in extremely hot or cold weather conditions. In addition, fire retardants such as bromine based retardants, phosphate based retardants, or Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) epoxy can be added to the textured surface making the grip  800  fire resistant and safer for human use. 
     FIG. 15  shows the grip  900  of the present invention having sound emitting means  902  incorporated within the grip. As is well known to those skilled in the art of sound technology, sound emitting means  902  can be activated by using a pressure sensitive switch which will transmit a signal to a preprogrammed microchip. Once the sound emitting means is activated, the speakers that emit the sound are activated. In one embodiment, each sound unit is independently powered by battery pack. In another embodiment, a solar switch may be used to turn on the sound emitting means. In this embodiment, when the lights are turned off, a signal is sent to a preprogrammed microchip that turns on the sound emitting means.

Technology Category: e