Combination handrail/crash rail

Abstract

A combination crash rail and railing system provides walking-aid support along a wall and protects the wall from impact damage. The system includes a distinct handrail and crash rail components, and one or more wall-mounting brackets. The handrail and crash rail components are independently mounted along the wall on common wall-mounting brackets that are secured to the wall. The wall-mounting brackets have a universal design that allows flexibility in the choice of the types of handrail and crash rail components that can be installed. In one universal design, a wall-mounting bracket includes a base plate, which can be secured to a wall surface, and separate handrail- and crash rail-mounting flanges that are disposed at the ends of a pair of arms that extend from the base plate.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/506,948 filed Sep. 29, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handrails that are used by pedestrians for support along walls, and to crash rails that are mounted on walls to protect the walls from collision or impact by moving objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination handrail/crash rail structures that provide both the traditional support functions of a handrail and the protective functions of the crash rail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handrails are traditionally installed along walls and stairs in buildings, for example, in hospitals and nursing homes as standing or walking support aids. The design and installation of traditional handrails have take into account human ergonomics. For example, the traditional handrails generally are solid or hollow tubes of a size that make them suitable for grasping or holding by an individual's hand. The handrails may, for example, have handgrip portions that are of circular cross-section, with a diameter of about 1½ inches, which has been generally accepted to be the optimum size for enabling most frail or disabled people to get a good grip on the handrail. The handrails are installed at a convenient height using, for example, wall mounting brackets or other retaining fixtures. The handrails are spaced from the wall so that if a person falls, there is sufficient clearance to preclude the possibility that the falling person's hand would be caught between the wall and the rail.

Another type of rail, which also is commonly used in buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes, is the crash rail or bumper. Crash rails or bumpers protect the building corridor walls from damage caused by collision or impact by motorized or manually moved vehicles (e.g., gurneys, laundry carts and food tray cabinets). A crash rail or bumper usually includes is a flat wide strip of material (e.g., rubber, wood, or metal). The crash rail is mounted along a wall on suitable retaining fixtures (or “brackets”) that are attached to the wall. The Rail Assembly is supported at a distance from the wall so that the crash rail projects from the wall surface and thus serves as a physical barrier to prevent incident vehicles from reaching the wall surface.

The need for providing walking aid support to individuals co-exists with the need to protect the building corridor walls from vehicular or other impact damage. Therefore, in common practice to serve both these needs, a combination handrail/crash rail assembly is installed in buildings on corridor walls. The elements of the combination assembly (e.g., a handgrip portion, a crash rail portion, accent strips, etc.) are made of materials that are selected for structural considerations and also for architectural appearance or style. The handrail and crash rail portions of the assembly are mounted on a common bracket fixture, which is supported on a wall. A simple handrail/crash rail assembly may, for example, be a flat profile or strip of material (i.e. having a flat cross-sectional profile) having rounded top edges. The rounded top-edges are intended serve as a handgrip.

A common feature of available combination handrail/crash rail assemblies is that the handgrip portions are structurally linked directly to the crash rail portion. Combining the functions of the two types of rails in a single assembly often results in design compromises that degrade the functionality of the two types of rails. For example, the flat handrail/crash rail assembly with its rounded edges does not have the same easy grip as a traditional circular-cross section handrail. Improved ergonomic designs, for example, with profiles that are sculpted or contoured for thumb and finger grips are commercially available. Both handgrip portions and the crash rail portions may be mounted on a common retaining fixture or web bracket, which in turn is secured to a wall. Co-invented and co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,359 (the '359 patent) discloses, for example, such an ergonomic handrail/bumper combination with contoured handrail and crash rail portions.

The handrail/crash rail combination disclosed the '359 patent is mounted on walls using an elongated retainer which has a generally vertical web. The web has a handgrip-retaining segment above a crash rail-retaining segment. A connecting segment joins the crash rail-retaining and handgrip-retaining segments. The retained handrail portion and the connecting web segment may be contoured so that the handrail/crash rail combination has a contoured profile for both thumb and fingers. This and other commercially available sculpted handrail/crash rail combinations are improvements over flat profile combinations, but yet they do not provide the full functionality of a traditional independent handrail with a completely unattached circular or oval cross section. For example, a grip with fingers wrapped completely around the handrail portion may not be possible in a handrail/crash rail combination because of interference from the web segment connecting the handgrip portion to the crash rail portion.

Consideration is now being given to the structural design of handrail/crash rail systems with a view to improve their functionality. Attention also is directed to providing simple handrail/crash rail designs that can be readily implemented using different material types or element styles to accommodate, for example, a customer's architectural preferences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system for walking-aid support along walls and for protecting the walls from impact damage that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art expedients.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a combination handrail and crash rail assembly, in which structurally distinct handrail and crash rail components are installed along a wall using common wall-mounting brackets that are secured to the wall. A common wall-mounting bracket has a base plate, which can be rigidly attached to the wall using conventional mechanical methods (e.g., using screws or bolts). The wall-mounting bracket further includes a handrail-mounting flange and a crash rail-mounting flange. These flanges are structurally connected to the base plate by arm-like structures that extend from the base plate. Conventional mechanical arrangements (e.g., screws, bolts, or snap and lock joints) can be used to attach the handrail and crash rail components to the respective flanges. The handrail-mounting and the crash rail-mounting flanges are designed so that they can be advantageously used with a variety of handrail or crash rail types.

In the combination handrail and crash rail assembly, the handrail and crash rail components can be advantageously installed or removed (e.g., for repair) independently of the component.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross sectional views of combination handrail/crash rail assemblies in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a combination handrail/crash rail assembly installed on a wall in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a combination corridor railing system that includes a distinct handrail component and a distinct crash rail component. Both components are mounted on common or universal base mounting brackets. Two or more universal mounting brackets may be secured to a wall to support a run (a length) of the combination railing system along a wall. Each mounting bracket has independent attachment points for the handrail and crash rail components. The distinct handrail component and distinct crash rail component are mounted on the mounting brackets at these independent attachment points such that there is no direct structural link between the two components at least along substantial lengths of the run of the combination handrail/crash rail system along a wall. The provision of independent attachment points for each component advantageously allows each component to be mounted or removed independently of the other component. The mounted handrail component and the crash rail components in a run of the combination handrail/crash railing system are physically and visually separated by a clearance space.

The combination railing system provides flexibility in the choice of the handrail and crash rail components that may be installed. The common base mounting brackets advantageously allow the installation of a variety of handrail and crash rail components types. Suitable types may be selected for installation as desired, based, for example, on preferences in material or style.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show in cross section exemplary combination railing systems. An exemplary combination railing system 100 utilizes a universal base mounting bracket 110 on which handrail components 120 and crash rail component 130 are mounted.

Base mounting bracket 110 includes a base plate 11 with a bottom surface 115 which is designed to conform to wall surfaces, and handrail and crash rail mounting flanges 15 and 16. Conventional mechanical attachment methods (e.g., using bolts, screws, adhesives or glues) may be used to secure the base plate rigidly to a wall for installation of combination railing system 100. Base plate 11 may be provided with features such as screw or bolt holes (not shown) as appropriate for the mechanical attachment method of choice.

Arms 12 and 13 extend from base plate 11 to handrail mounting flange 15 and crash rail mounting flange 16. Arms 12 and 13 are shaped to position flanges 15 and 16 at suitable distances and orientations from base plate 11 so that the handrail and crash rail components of the combination railing system can be mounted with designed visual and physical clearance space between the two components, so as to minimize potential injuries such as by fingers being caught or pinched between the handrail and the crash rail. Handrail mounting flange 15 and crash rail mounting flange 16 may, for example, be suitable plate-like structures that are adapted to be mechanically connected to the handrail and bumper components. Conventional mechanical arrangements, for example, screws, bolts, or snap and lock joints may be used to mechanically connect the flanges to combination platform railing system components.

Universal base mounting bracket 110 may be made from any suitable material, including, for example, metals, hard plastics, and wood. An exemplary universal mounting bracket is made from aluminum or cast metal including cast iron. The base plate of the exemplary bracket is an oval shaped ¼″ thick plate, with a vertical height and a horizontal width of about 3 inches and 2 inches, respectively. A generally cylindrical arm, which is about 2 inches long, extends generally perpendicular from the lower portions of the base plate and terminates in a mounting flange or stub for attachment to a bumper portion. This stub may be a generally rectangular piece of plate (having dimensions of about ¼″×½″×1″). The stub is disposed on the generally cylindrical arm so that its long face is vertical and substantially parallel to the base plate. The stub is provided with a hole to accommodate ¼″ diameter bolts for attachment to crash rail components. A second generally cylindrical arm, extends from the upper portions of the base plate, curving upwards with distance from the base plate to terminate in a second mounting flange that is approximately 2½″ forward and 1½″ upward of the top of the base plate. This second mounting flange may be a generally rectangular ⅜″ thick plate having a width and a length of about ⅝″ by 2″, respectively. The second mounting flange is disposed on the end of the second generally cylindrical arm so that its long face is substantially horizontal. The second mounting flange may be provided with a pair of holes (about ⅛″ diameter) to accommodate screws for attachment to a handrail component.

It will be understood that in a particular installation of the inventive combination railing system on a wall, a number of suitably spaced-apart universal base mounting brackets will be secured to the wall to support the handrail and crash rail components. The number and spacing of universal base mounting brackets used may, for example, depend on structural considerations such as the weight of the handrail and crash rail components, or on architectural considerations such as the length of straight runs.

FIG. 2 shows an installed combination railing system 200. In installed combination railing system 200, a pair of spaced-apart universal mounting brackets is attached to wall 50. The universal mounting brackets are spaced apart by a distance L. Crash rail 130 (which includes curved ends) is mounted on flanges 16 (not seen). Handrail 120 (which also includes curved ends) is mounted on flanges 15 (also not seen). Handrail 120 may have an oval shape, with cross sectional dimensions of about 1.5″ that are generally suitable for handgrips. Handrail 120 and the top of crash rail 130 are separated by a clear space C. C may, for example, have vertical dimensions of about 1.5″ to 2″ to provide adequate clearance for a person to grip handrail 120 by wrapping fingers completely around it without contacting crash rail 130.

Handrail 120 may have any suitable handrail structure or shape. Similarly, crash rail 130 may have any suitable crash rail structure or shape. Handrail 120 and crash rail 130 may be made of any suitable natural materials (e.g., wood) or synthetic materials (e.g., plastics such as vinyl/acrylic extrusion materials that are sold under the name Acrovyn® by Construction Specialties, Inc., Lebanon, N.J. 08833) and may include separate end caps. Exemplary handrails 120 include, for example, commercially available round Acrovyn® handrails, round wood handrails, round metal handrails, oval Acrovyn® handrails, oval wood handrails, or oval metal handrails. Similarly, exemplary crash rail 130 include, for example, commercially available metal crash rails, Acrovyn® crash rails, wood crash rails, wood-vinyl crash rails and solid surface (Corian®) crash rails. Some crash rail designs may involve installation of a retainer web (e.g., FIG. 1B retainer strip 150) on mounting flanges 16. This retainer web is not structurally connected to handrail 120.

The manner in which crash rail 130 is attached to mounting flange 16/retainer strips 160, 170, 180, and handrail 120 is attached to mounting flange 15, permits them to be easily installed after the universal mounting brackets 100 are secured to the wall. Moreover, either crash rail 130 and/or handrail 120 can be easily removed individually from universal mounting brackets 100 for repair or replacement.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with its preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that other embodiments and variations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that the scope of the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wall-mounting bracket for securing a handrail and a crash rail to a wall, the wall-mounting bracket comprising:

a base plate for attachment to a wall surface;

a handrail-mounting flange disposed on a first arm extending forward from a top portion the base plate; and

a crash rail-mounting flange disposed on a second arm extending from a bottom portion of the base plate, wherein the handrail-mounting and the crash rail-mounting flanges are respectively configured for independent mechanical attachment to the handrail and the crash rail.

2. The wall-mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the base plate and the crash rail-mounting flange comprise plates that are substantially vertical, and wherein the handrail-mounting flange comprises a plate that is substantially horizontal.

3. The wall-mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the handrail-mounting flange comprises a plate having a width of about ⅝ths of an inch and a length of about 2 inches.

4. The wall-mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the crash rail-mounting flange comprises a plate having a width of about ½ inches and a length of about 1 inch.

5. The wall-mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein the wall-mounting bracket has a cast metal construction.

6. A method for providing walking-aid support along a wall and for protecting the wall from impact damage, comprising:

securing a common wall-mounting bracket on a wall surface, wherein the common wall-mounting bracket comprises: a base plate that is attachable to the wall; a handrail-mounting flange; and a crash rail-mounting flange, wherein the handrail-mounting flange and the crash rail-mounting flange are disposed at the ends of a pair of arms that extend away from the base plate;

attaching a handrail to the handrail-mounting flange, wherein the handrail provides the walking aid support; and

independently attaching a crash rail to the crash rail-mounting flange, wherein the bumper protects the wall from impact damage.

7. A combination handrail/crash rail, comprising:

a handrail component;

a crash rail component; and

at least one wall-mounting bracket for supporting a length of the combination railing system along a wall, wherein the handrail and crash rail components are distinct, and wherein the at least one wall-mounting bracket comprises independent attachment points for attaching the handrail component and the crash rail component.

8. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the independent attachment points are configured to provide a clearance space between an attached handrail component and an attached crash rail component.

9. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 8, wherein the clearance space has a dimension of about 1½ inches to about 2 inches between the attached handrail component and the attached crash rail component, whereby a person can grip the attached handrail component without contacting the crash rail component.

10. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the at least one wall-mounting bracket comprises a bracket that is configured to be attached to any one of a plurality of handrail types, and wherein the plurality of handrail types comprises metal crash rails, synthetic material crash rails, wood crash rails, and wood-vinyl crash rails.

11. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the at least one wall-mounting bracket comprises a bracket that is configured to be attached to any one of a plurality of crash rail types, and wherein the plurality of crash rail types comprises metal crash rails, synthetic material crash rails, wood crash rails, and wood-vinyl crash rails.

12. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the crash rail component comprises a crash rail cover and a retainer web.

13. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the at least one wall-mounting bracket comprises:

a base plate for attachment to a wall surface;

a handrail-mounting flange disposed on a first arm extending from the base plate; and

a crash rail-mounting flange disposed on a second arm extending from the base plate, wherein the handrail-mounting and the crash rail-mounting flanges respectively comprise the independent attachment points for attaching the handrail component and the crash rail component.

14. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 13 wherein the crash rail-mounting flange comprises a flange that is substantially vertical when the base plate is secured to a vertical wall.

15. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 13 wherein the handrail-mounting flange comprises a flange that is substantially horizontal when the base plate is secured to a vertical wall.

16. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 13 wherein the base plate has a vertical height of about 3 inches, wherein the hand-rail mounting flange is at about 2½ inches forward from a front surface of the base plate and at about 1½ inches upward of a top end of the base plate, and wherein the crash rail-mounting flange is at about 2 inches forward from the front surface of the base plate and at about the same height as a bottom end of the base plate.

17. The combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the wall-mounting bracket comprises a cast metal bracket.

18. A length of the combination handrail/crash rail system of claim 7 wherein the handrail and the crash rail components are installed independently of each other.