Handrail connection

Abstract

A smooth continuous uninterrupted graspable hand rail has joints made by connectors between adjoining pipe sections. The hand rail is made up of pipe sections which have their respective ends abutting. The connectors have two pieces, each of which fits into one of the abutting ends. For angular connections, the connector pieces are coupled together by an a joint which may be adjusted to position the pieces at an angle corresponding to the angle of the pipe connection. For straight connections, the end pieces of the connector are aligned. In either case, the pipe sections have complementary ends which abut to form a continuous graspable hand rail, and are held in abutting engagement by the connector which is cemented or otherwise bonded to the abutting end portions of the pipe section.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/361,252 filed Mar. 1, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a handrail which can be made from straight and curved sections of non-metallic pipe which have uniform cross sectional shape and diametrical dimensions. Although the pipe may be of any cross-sectional shape, a round tubular shape is preferred and most easily used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Handrails are commonly constructed by assembling sections of piping together. Various pipe fittings may be used to connect adjacent sections of piping. For example, 45° or 90° elbows may be used to create a change in direction along the railing. Alternatively, pipe unions may be used to join adjacent sections in locations where no directional change is required.

[0004] It is often desirable to construct a pipe railing with a substantially continuous exterior. A continuous railing exterior is visually aesthetic and allows individuals to slide hands along the railing without encountering abrupt edges or seams. Although pipe fittings provide a convenient method of joining adjacent pipe sections, they often have flanged ends or enlarged diameters not suitable for providing a continuous surface on a railing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a continuous handrail assembly formed of pipe sections connected end to end. The handrail requires internal connector means to connect together adjacent pipe sections. Connector means having tubular pieces or other structure are insertable within the adjacent pipe sections to provide an outward spring-like force to engage the internal surface of the pipe and hold the pieces frictionally in place for subsequent bonding in position. Connector means may be one piece where straight sections are joined. Sections that are curved but have a straight aligned portion at the junction also allow use of a one piece connector means. Where a bend is formed at the joint, a connector means having separate insertable frictionally engaging sections is provided. The connector sections are connected to one another by a pivot joint that permits angular adjustment at least in the plane of the bend. A mechanism is also provided for holding the rotatable sections in a fixed position against further angular displacement when the sections are positioned at a desired angle. Minimizing unneeded movement is desirable in most applications to help provide a rigid joint.

[0006] The pipe sections require some preparation, particularly where sections are joined at an angle. Even in some cases where straight tubular sections are to be aligned with each other, it may be desirable to prepare the junction of the straight sections by making sure the abutting ends are square, normal to the axis of the pipe and conforming to one another.

[0007] The pipe could be of any material but is preferably a plastic, because of its resistance to corrosion and its ease of working. It is typically composed of resinous material such as a rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or similar materials, with additives which, for example, may enhance its strength or vary its color. Parts of the structure subjected to greater forces may have an internal tubular liner of galvanized steel, aluminum or other reinforcing material for added strength. Preferably, any such liner is not exposed.

[0008] The railing may be laid out by cutting rail pipe sections somewhat longer than desired length, orienting them in the position desired for the railing and then cutting the ends of the adjacent sections of pipe to provide abutting faces that conform precisely to one another to hold the pipe sections in the desired orientation. The conforming abutting faces need not be planar, but making the railing is made considerably simpler when mitred planar surfaces of abutting sections define and hold the sections in proper orientation. Furthermore, when the planar abutting faces are connected together, the joint may be totally obscured by conventional finishing operations. Appropriate angles for mitre cuts are calculated simply by dividing in half the angle of the bend of the railing and carefully making planar cuts at angles to the pipe axis that are half the angle desired on each of the adjacent sections held in proper orientation. If the railing pipe cross-section is circular, the resulting butt joint of the pipe should then provide the same size, shape and planar pattern on both sides of the butt joints.

[0009] The connectors involved may be varied depending upon the type of joint involved. Whether straight or at an angle, the coupler means in accordance with the present invention is completely hidden within the joint. In each case a compressible insertable piece is provided for each pipe in the junction and when compressed to reduce its diameter may be inserted into the end of the pipe and then allowed to expand to frictionally engage the inside of the pipe until cemented or otherwise bonded.

[0010] A straight joint between aligned sections of pipe requires a simple connector which may be made in one piece, preferably as a single molded piece. In every case the connectors include a member to frictionally engage the inside surface (inner diameter) of the pipe until cemented or bonded. As a practical matter this can be conveniently made by molding a tubular piece of resinous material which is resilient and therefore has a built-in spring action. The generally tubular form has a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the railing pipe sections. The tube needs to be compressible so as to effectively reduce its diameter for insertion within the inner diameter of the railing section being connected. Compressibility can easily be provided by a slot along the full length of the tubular connector piece which allows the piece to be compressed by squeezing the slot closed. Such squeezing effectively reduces the outer diameter of the tubular connector piece so that it fits within the inner diameter of the section of pipe. Just inserting the end of the tubular piece into the pipe allows the tubular piece then to be compressed by the inner diameter of the pipe as it is pushed in place. Either manual release or other removal of compression allows the resinous material of the tubular piece to expand outwardly and engage the inner diameter of the section of pipe to hold in place for cementing or other bonding. A snug fit provides stability.

[0011] Since the pipes may be crudely made to some extent, at least on the inner diameter, it is unlikely that every point on the surface of the connector piece will contact some point on the inside of the pipe. Therefore it is of advantage to provide separated contacting areas, for example, by placing slots in the tubular connector piece or grooving the outer circumference of the tubular connector piece which presents gear-like appearing structure having axially-extending elongated teeth spaced about the circumference. The crests of the teeth provide the contact surfaces, and the valleys disperse the cement and increase the bonding surface between the teeth and the inside surface of the pipe. In either event, the more limited contact surfaces of the connector piece are able to shift slightly to make better contact. In fact, it proves better in practice, even when it is divided into parallel contact surfaces, to provide narrow ribs along the crests of just a few of the elements of the outer surface. Particularly if these ribs are compressible or pliable, they can be deformed and conform over their length and may actually provide better frictional engagement than with a much larger surface and enable the adjustment of the effective outside to conform to any variable inside diameter of the pipe.

[0012] As previously mentioned, the connection between insertable pieces by connector means may be direct rigid connections where the pipe sections are directly aligned with one another. Rigid connections for joints at different angles could also be provided, but a different rigid design would have to be manufactured for every desired angle. Such multiplication of parts is not practical. Where custom work is being done, it is better to have adjustable connection means such that the relative angle between the axes of the adjacent pieces can be adjusted to a desired angle. This works particularly well if the amount of movement permitted outside the desired plane of the intersecting axes of the pieces is restricted, and even better if the abutting sections have been properly prepared to be fit together at the desired angle by mitring the opposed faces each to one half the angle desired overall. Before the abutting faces are brought together, the angle between the insertable pieces is adjusted and fixed, and the structure is quite rigidly connected. Cement and/or a solvent is applied away from the abutting ends in the interior of the pipe.

[0013] More specifically, the present invention relates to handrail assembly comprising successive sections of pipe of selected lengths and/or shapes of pipe with a common inside cross-sectional dimension. The abutting ends of adjacent sections of pipe are formed with opposed complementary faces of conforming size and contours in order to fit snugly together over their interface and make a smooth outside appearance with a solid abutting joint. Adjacent sections of the pipe are connected together by connector means. The connector means provides interconnected similar pieces insertable within and frictionally engaging the respective inside surfaces of adjacent sections of pipe. The insertable frictional pieces are composed of resilient flexible material, compression of which produces effective reduction in outer diameter to permit the insertable piece to be placed within the end of each pipe section being joined. After insertion into a pipe section, the resiliency of the piece causes the piece to expand to engage the inner diameter of the pipe section. Sufficient area of each insertable piece of the connector means is capable of engaging the inner diameter of the pipe section with frictional force sufficient to resist axial disengagement of the pipe sections. The surface of the insert pieces also provide adequate surface area for subsequent bonding to the inner diameter of the pipe. The insertable pieces of the connector means are connected together to permit the respective adjacent sections of pipe to be held together in a joint once affixed to a wall, railing, or other structure. They also allow the tight closure together of the abutting conforming surfaces of adjacent pipe sections so that a smooth continuous uninterrupted graspable hand rail is provided along the outer surface of the railing. The frictional force of the insertable pieces of the connector means holds the sections of pipe together and with the abutting end faces of the pipe sections provides a solid and secure joint.

[0014] For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a completed railing along a ramp, shown generally in elevation, but with the floor shown in section;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing a joint shown within the dashed circle 2 of FIG. 1 between a vertical post and a horizontal section of the railing with an adjustable internal connection means of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but only showing a compressed insertable piece of the connection means;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view partially in section of the structure shown if FIG. 2;

[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 which shows a portion of a handrail within the dashed circle 5 in FIG. 1, a junction of aligned sections of straight pipe partially in section;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 but showing only the compressed insertable piece of the connector means; and

[0021] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view partially in section of the structure of FIG. 5, similar to FIG. 1, showing how the pieces fit together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a completed handrail generally designated 10 and generally following the contours of a floor 12 providing a ramp 12a between level places 12b and 12c. The handrail runs along the wall 13 and is partially supported thereon by brackets 60. The handrail 10 consists of successive sections made of round tubular rigid PVC pipe, including selected lengths and/or shapes of pipe. The vertical posts 14 and 26, optionally may be a composite of vinyl applied over a galvanized steel or aluminum tubing for the sake of added strength. However, all of the sections of pipe have a common inside and outside diameter and together as assembled and finished can give the appearance of a smooth one piece, uniform diameter hand railing. Bottom flange 14a may be welded on the post 14. The flange, in turn, may be attached to the level floor portion 12c by screws or other suitable attachment means. Piping section 16 is a generally horizontal section of railing attached to post 14 at a sharp right angle bend. Section 16 is also attached at its opposite end to piping section 18 with a slight bend upward from the horizontal so that the railing is generally parallel the ramp 12a. Section 20 is a straight piece, like section 18, and they together provide a straight line portion of the hand railing generally paralleling ramp 12a and may be interconnected by a straight coupling means. Section 22 attaches to the piping section 20 near the place where the ramp ends in level floor section 12b so that there is a slight bend in the opposite direction from the one at the bottom of the ramp. The railing terminates in a curved section 24, in turn, connected to vertical post 26. Vertical post 26 may also be fixed to the floor at the level place 12b using welded flange 26a and screws, or nuts and bolts, or other appropriate fastening means.

[0023] The junction between vertical post 14 and pipe rail section 16 is illustrated enlarged in FIG. 2. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the joint between pipe sections 14 and 16 using the planar mitred surfaces 14a and 16a at the respective abutting ends of the section. Since the junction creates a 90° turn in the railing, the adjacent ends of the pipe sections 14 and 16 are mitred at an angle of 45° to their respective axes, producing the flat mutually conforming abutting surfaces shown. The mitred end surfaces 14a and 16a are effectively mirror images of one another. While in theory any two complementary surfaces would work, as a practical matter it is much quicker and more convenient to use mitre saw cuts. To make those surfaces conforming complementary surfaces, they must both be made at the same angle. To make a joint at an angle, the angle is divided in half. Here, to make a 90° angle requires making planar flat surfaces each at 45° to the respective pipe axis. These surfaces conform exactly to each other in size and shape. Such surfaces thereby allow the pieces 14 and 16 at their planar mitred surfaces to abut solidly and support each other solidly without any gap.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the adjustable connection means of this invention is best seen in the exploded view of FIG. 4. In this type of joint, the connection means preferably is the adjustable type. “Connection means,” here generally designated 28, is the generic term used herein for all of the means of the present invention for internally connecting adjacent sections of pipe. In this embodiment it consists of similar compressible insertable tubular pieces 30 and 32. In each situation there are two generally similar pieces connected together in some way to permit adjustment, each insertable within and frictionally engaging the inner diameter of adjacent sections of pipe. The connecter pieces may be any compressible resilient material such as a molded resinous material. Each piece has a slot 30a and 32a, respectively, which provides a longitudinal gap in the wall which allows the resilient connector piece to be squeezed together and compressed into a smaller diameter which can be fitted into the inner diameter of the respective tubular pipe pieces which it is connecting. Once within the inner diameter, pushing it inward into the bore will continue to hold the tubular piece compressed so that it exerts outward pressure within the bore. The resilience of the material of which it is composed allows each piece to expand back toward its original diameter and interfere slightly with the inner diameter of the pipe. Unable to expand to its original diameter, each inserted piece produces a residual outward pressure on the internal surface of the railing pipe section into which it is inserted. The pressure, in turn, causes a frictional engagement which is sufficient to resist any tendency for the connector piece to pull out of the pipe prior to being cemented or otherwise bonded.

[0025] Here shown integrally molded with connector piece 30 is an end tab 30b, and with member 32 is an end tab 32b. The tabs need not be integral, of course. For example, the tab may be made of metal and molded into the tubular piece or otherwise attached in any other way that is suitable. The tabs are provided with flat opposing faces which abut and are connected together by a bolt 34, which passes through aligned holes in the tabs 30b and 32b before being engaged by nut 36 which is held against rotation in a recessed socket in tab 30b. The faces define a general plane in which the tubular pieces can be angularly adjusted relative to one another. Such angular adjustment permits the insertable pieces to assume a suitable angular position relative to one another to be able to be fitted into the adjacent pieces of railing pipe when their ends have been mitred and positioned. Once those pieces have been positioned at the proper angle relative to one another, the bolt 34 tightened into the nut 36 and serrated sawtooth edges around the hole in tab 32b dig into tab 30b to hold the inserted pieces at the selected angle. The insertable pieces are pushed into the railing pipes, and the angular junction is made tight by the mitring of the end faces.

[0026] As seen in FIGS. 3-4, shallow longitudinal grooves are formed around the circumference in the connector pieces as they are molded. The lengthwise slots 30a and 32a and the longitudinal grooves 30c and 32c are preferably molded into the pieces. The channels are intended to reduce the potential contact surface of the resilient connector pieces and provide enlarged surface areas for the cement. They actually improve the area of effective contact along the surface of lengthwise strip-like contact surfaces 30d and 32d. The channeling is to provide flexibility to the connector piece so that the contact surfaces 30d and 32d are able to move and adjust somewhat to accommodate the shape and irregularities of the inner diameter of the railing pipe section and enhance the cement bonding. In practice, very small, thin ribs 30e as seen in FIG. 3 are preferably formed on top of the contact areas 30d. The ribs 30e have a small thickness to provide flexibility that allows the ribs to deflect and conform to the inner diameter irregularities of the pipe. This enhances frictional contact between the contact surfaces and the inner diameter of the pipe. The ribs may be shaved by the end of the pipe during insertion or by a tool prior to insertion.

[0027] When assembling the joint 28 the insertable tubular pieces 30 and 32 are adjusted about the bolt 34 to assume a right angle position. The pipes 14 and 16 are oriented so that their abutting 45° angle surfaces 14a and 16a are generally directed toward one another. Then the insertable tubular pieces are squeezed together at their ends to fit into the pipe sections 14 and 16 and the pipes and the connector pieces are moved axially toward one another until the connector pieces are within the pipes and the abutting surfaces align with the centerline of the bolt 34. After assembly, the joint is formed by the abutting edges of the pipes, as angularly adjusted to assume their proper position. As the pipe edges are brought together, the ends of the pipe sections completely enclose the connector means. As the abutting surfaces move into contact with one another, the abutting surfaces further stabilize the structure.

[0028] The other joints in the handrail are put together using the same kind of connector means 38 for mitred joints. Between pipe sections 16 and 18, for example, the abutting ends of the pipes themselves at their abutting faces are mitred at a much smaller angle, i.e., one half of the angle between the axes of pipes 16 and 18. Preferably, the ribs 30e of the insertable tubular pieces 30 and 32 in these joints are shaved, providing a slight taper to provide a clearance between the inserted ends of the ribs 30e and the bore of the pipe sections 14 and 16, so that the pieces 30 and 32 are easier to insert. The clearance at the ends of the bores tightens up considerably as the pieces are moved into the pipe. However, an excessively tight fit is not necessary and angular positioning is established and preserved by the abutting faces of the sections of the handrail making up the joint.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates the joint between handrail pipe sections 18 and 20. As seen in FIG. 5, these sections of pipe are axially aligned and, therefore, the connector means may be somewhat simplified from connector 28 of the joints illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The connector means 40 also has similar grooved tubular pieces 42 and 44 to provide multiple contact surfaces 50, which are insertable within and frictionally engage the inner diameters of adjacent sections of pipe, and provide greater surfaces for the cement to effect a bond between the interior of the pipe and the inserted parts of the connector 40. Tubular piece 42 is compressed and introduced into handrail pipe section 40, and tubular piece 44 is compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of pipe section 18. Referring to FIG. 7, a compression of the tubular pieces is aided by the slots 42a and 44a which in this case combine to form a single slot extending the whole length of connector means 40. In the present embodiment, the tubular pieces 42 and 44 are integrally connected at their junction to form a unitary connector. Small projections 46 are provided on the contact surfaces 50 at the junction and separate the two pieces to form a circumferential stop to prevent the unitary piece from being pushed too far into one pipe section or the other. The inside edge of each of the flat faces 18a and 20a is chamfered to provide clearances 18b and 20b, respectively, which accommodate the projections 46 as the pipes 18 and 20 close together. Again, the grooves 48, best seen in FIG. 6, are provided to leave smaller contact surfaces 50.

[0030] Also, as in the structure of FIG. 6, even smaller and more flexible, narrow ribs 52 may be provided on the outwardly-facing contact surfaces 50 and may be deformed to present more flexible and conforming contact with the interior of the pipe sections. These ribs may be tapered or shaved to facilitate insertion of the pieces 42 and 44 into the pipe sections 20 and 18, respectively. In assembling the joint as shown completed in FIG. 5, the tubular pieces 42 and 44 are inserted, respectively, into the pipe ends 20 and 18, and the ends of the pipes 20 and 18 are pressed together.

[0031] Continuous uninterrupted graspable hand rails generally require long stretches of straight sections of pipe so that the simpler connector means 40 may be used as much or more than the adjustable connector means 28. Both versions are, of course, subject to many variations but they all have the common purpose of providing insertable portions that apply outward pressure to the interior of the pipe sections over a sufficient area to allow them to resist removal during assembly. When completed, the joint 40 may be completed by cementing or bonding the parts 42 and 44 to the interior of the pipe sections 20 and 18, respectively, so as to keep the pipe sections rigidly together. Further stability is provided by the conforming abutting surfaces at the ends of adjacent pipe sections being connected.

[0032] In practice, particularly when the pipe used for railing is of smaller diameter, it is often practical to separate connector 28 and use the straight pieces 30 and 32 seen in FIG. 4 separately as straight connectors in place of the specially formed connector 40, ignoring or removing the connector tabs 30b and 32b.

[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, the joint 54 is similar to joint 38, and the joints 56 and 58 are similar to joint 40. Since the joints 56 and 58 attach the straight ends of the curved end piece 24 to the horizontal section 22 and the upright section 26 respectively, the abutting ends of the connected pipe sections are made square to one another and are axially aligned. No mitring is required and a straight connector means like connector 40 shown in FIGS. 5-7 is used to complete joint 56. The same thing is true of joint 58. That end of the elbow section 24 has a straight section which can be aligned with the post 26. The straight connector means of FIGS. 5-7 can be employed for this final joint. At the bottom, the post 26 may be provided with an integral flange 26a which, like flange 14a, may be bolted, screwed, or otherwise appropriately connected to the floor portion 12b.

[0034] It may be desirable to provide bracket supports 60 for each of the sections 16, 18, 20 and 22 to reinforce the railing structure. The brackets 60 are each connected to wall 13 and may be affixed to the individual sections of pipe railing by screws or other attachment means, or have a saddle portion cemented to the pipe section. The saddle portion has a curvature complementary to the outer diameter of the railing sections.

[0035] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation. There is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. It is recognized, therefore, that various modifications are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention incorporates variations that fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A handrail assembly comprising:

successive sections of pipe of selected lengths and/or shapes of pipe, each with a common inside cross-sectional dimension, the abutting ends of adjacent sections of pipe being formed with opposed complimentary faces of conforming size and contours in order to fit together over their interface to make a smooth, solid abutting joint;

connector means connecting adjacent sections of pipe, the connector means providing interconnected similar frictional pieces insertable within and frictionally engaging the respective inside surfaces of said adjacent sections, allowing compression when squeezed to produce effective reduction in outer diameter to permit the respective insertable pieces to be placed within one end of each pipe section being joined and to permit ready expansion when the insertable piece is released to engage the inside surface of the pipe section, sufficient area of the surface of each insertable piece of the connector means being capable of engaging the inside surface with frictional force sufficient to resist removal of the connector means from the pipe and the insertable pieces of the connector means joining the respective adjacent sections of pipe and allowing movement toward one another and holding in place the pipe sections to provide tight closure together of the confronting conforming surfaces of the adjacent pipe sections with a smooth continuous surface provided at the outer surface of the railing sections and frictional force of the insertable pieces of the connector means and the abutting end surfaces of the adjacent sections providing a solid and secure joint.

2. The handrail assembly of claim 1 in which insertable frictional pieces of the connector means are composed of generally tubular molded parts of resilient resinous material, each molded part having at least a lengthwise slot which permits squeezing to close the slot and reduce the diameter of the generally tubular part to permit said part to be inserted into the end of a pipe section, release of the tubular part allowing the resiliency of the tubular part to cause it to expand and engage the inside of the pipes, providing friction which resists movement of the tubular part within the pipe section.

3. The handrail assembly of claim 2 in which the pipe sections making up the rail are generally circular in cross-section, at least internally of the pipe sections, and the generally tubular molded parts also have a generally conforming circular cross-section.

4. The handrail assembly of claim 3 in which the tubular insertable pieces of the connector means are part of a unitary structure in which the tubular insertable pieces at opposite ends of the connector means are inserted into the opposed ends of the pipe sections being joined and the pipe sections moved toward one another until their opposed complimentary and conforming end faces conformingly abut.

5. The handrail assembly of claim 4 in which respective collapsible insertable tubular pieces of the connector means are part of a continuous tubular structure, said pieces having their axes at a predetermined angle with each other corresponding to the angle of the railing sections of the pipes which they are joining.

6. The handrail assembly of claim 3 in which each insertable tubular piece has a plurality of contacting surfaces around the circumference, separated from each other by regions not intended to contact the internal surface of the railing pipe section.

7. The handrail assembly of claim 6 in which the surface of each insertable tubular piece has a gear-like appearance to provide alternating surface areas around the circumference of the insertable tubular pieces of larger radius from the axis which can individually adjust to better conform to the inner diameter of the pipe.

8. The handrail assembly of claim 7 in which selected alternating surface areas have narrow ribs of flexible resilient moldable resinous material for contact with the internal diameter of the pipe at three spaced locations about the circumference of the pipe, said ribs being capable of being shaved to facilitate insertion of the insertable tubular pieces into the inner diameter of the pipes.

9. The handrail assembly of claim 3 in which each of the insertable tubular pieces of the connector means is separate from the other and connected together by connection means that allows angular adjustment of each relative to the other in at least one plane to allow the insertable tubular connector pieces to be positioned for insertion into pipe sections oriented at a predetermined angle to each other, said insertable tubular pieces being engaged in the respective bores of the pipe railing sections, the ends of the pipe sections conforming and abutting each other and being positioned at said predetermined angle relative to each other, the connector being adjusted to said predetermined angle to add rigidity to the conforming joint.

10. The handrail assembly of claim 9 in which the connection of the tubular pieces together is cast integrally with the individual insertable tubular pieces, the ends of the aligned sections having complementary abutting surfaces and end portions which enclose the connector member when the complementary end surfaces of the pipe abut.

11. A coupling for joining together a first tubular member and a second tubular member, each tubular member having an interior bore and an open end, said coupling comprising:

A. a generally cylindrical connector formed of a flexible resilient material and comprising a slot extending longitudinally along the length of the connector, said slot defining a pair of end walls in the slot; and

B. a plurality of circumferentially spaced contact areas projecting radially outwardly from the connector and extending longitudinally along the connector,

wherein, the connector is configured for inward deflection along the slot to converge the end walls in the slot toward one another and effectively reduce the diameter of the connector, permitting the connector to be inserted into the open ends of the first and second tubular members and form a friction connection between the contact areas and the interior bores in the tubular members.

12. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the connector comprises a first section adapted for insertion in the first tubular member, and a second section adapted for insertion in the second tubular member.

13. The coupling of claim 12, wherein the first and second sections of the connector are fixed together in generally parallel alignment and are configured for joining the first and second tubular members in generally parallel alignment.

14. The coupling of claim 12, wherein the first and second sections of the connector are pivotally connected and adjustable to join the first tubular member at an angle with respect to the second tubular member.

15. The coupling of claim 11, wherein each contact area on the connector comprises an elongated rib projecting radially outwardly from the connector, wherein the ribs are configured to frictionally engage the interior bores of the tubular members when the connector is inserted into the tubular members.

16. A coupling for connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member, said coupling comprising:

A. a connector having a generally cylindrical cross section and a longitudinal slot extending along the length of the body; and

B. a plurality of contact areas projecting radially outwardly from the connector and circumferentially spaced along the connector;

wherein, the connector is configured for insertion into said first and second tubular members, each of said tubular members comprising an opening at one end having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the connector, said connector being formed of a resilient flexible material that deflects inwardly along said slot upon insertion of the connector into the opening on each of said tubular members to permit clearance of the connector through the openings, said connector extending into each of said first and second tubular members to connect the tubular members together.

17. The coupling of claim 16, wherein the contact areas frictionally engage the interior of the tubular members upon insertion of the connector into the tubular members.

18. The coupling of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of shallow grooves formed between the contact areas, said grooves containing a bonding agent for securing the connector inside the tubular members.

19. The coupling of claim 16, wherein the connector comprises a first section for insertion into the first tubular member and a second section for insertion into the second tubular member.

20. The coupling of claim 19, wherein the first section and second section are connected by a pivot joint.