Fences – Rail – Connection
Patent
1995-02-13
1996-12-17
Dorner, Kenneth J.
Fences
Rail
Connection
256 59, 256 67, 256 69, E04H 1714
Patent
active
055844693
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a handrail assembly which is adjustable for interconnection of two handrail components, such as two tubes, to lie in any of a range of positions relative to one another.
Examples of known handrail connector devices are described in DE-U-8832774 and BE-A-883102.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Connector devices for securing a tubular member to another tubular member or for example to support structure are used commonly in the construction of handrails and balustrades. The connector devices usually are required to provide a smooth surface in combination with the end of a tube to which they are connected and to interconnect with that tube in a tamper resistant manner. A difficulty arises in that a considerable number of such connectors are needed, and are required to be held in stock, in order to interconnect different size tubes and allow interconnection of the tubes at any of a range of relative positions. Articulated type connection devices have been proposed but these generally suffer the disadvantage of being incompatible with providing a smooth and tamper resistant interconnection.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved handrail assembly which lends itself readily to provision of an interconnection between a handrail and a support post whereby said handrail and support post can lie in a position relative to one another selected from any of a range of relative positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides a handrail assembly comprising a substantially continuous length of handrail and a connector device which enables a support post to be secured in a selected orientation relative to the length of the handrail, the connector device comprising a first member which is an insert located in part of said continuous length of handrail, a second member adjustably associated with the first member by means of a retention assembly, the first member having formed in an external surface thereof a recess of part spherical shape, the second member comprising a substantially elongate body having a hollow head portion and a substantially tubular tail portion, said portions being substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the body, the head portion of the second member comprising a part spherical outer surface which conforms substantially with the shape of the recess in the first member, said head portion being shaped to provide a slot, the retention assembly being arranged to extend at least in part through said slot and be adjustable such that the first and second members may be either restrained against said relative movement or be substantially free for relative pivotal movement upon relative sliding movement of said confronting part spherical surfaces.
The first member may be a solid rod, a tube (typically of a thick walled type to allow for provision of the recess) or other member.
The first member at least in part may be in the form of substantially solid, e.g. cast component.
The insert may be slidable in a groove which extends longitudinally in a handrail.
A washer of resilient material such as a resilient plastics or elastomeric material may be provided in a base region of the recess and thereby serve to provide resistance to relative movement of the first and second member unless the retention assembly is in a fully released condition.
The retention assembly may comprise a screw-threaded formation associated with the first member and engageable by a screw-threaded formation of a retention member. However, other retention formations may be employed, e.g. bayonet, ribbed or friction fit type formations.
Preferably the slot extends through at least 30.degree. and more preferably extends through an angle of greater than or equal to 45.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the second member such that said second member may be secured relative to the first member at any of a range of relative positions lying within an angle range of 45.
REFERENCES:
patent: 699509 (1902-05-01), Finnegan
patent: 1110018 (1914-09-01), Bonham
patent: 1316155 (1919-09-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 2754092 (1956-07-01), Cremens
patent: 2999671 (1961-09-01), Blayden
patent: 3254885 (1966-06-01), Rumsey
patent: 4150907 (1979-04-01), Thurnauer
patent: 4923176 (1990-05-01), Heinz
patent: 4928930 (1990-05-01), Chung
patent: 5026028 (1991-06-01), Ooi et al.
patent: 5382111 (1995-01-01), Melashenko et al.
patent: 5437433 (1995-08-01), Rezek
Chop Andrea
Dorner Kenneth J.
Kee Klamps Limited
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