AU2009100535A4

AU2009100535A4 - Rails

Info

Publication number: AU2009100535A4
Application number: AU2009100535A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Danny Klein
Original assignee: D & I Klein Invest Pty Ltd
Current assignee: D&I KLEIN INVESTMENTS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-02
Filing date: 2009-06-02
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-02
Also published as: AU2009100535B4

Description

1 Rails Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to rails. In particular, the present invention relates to 5 hand rails adapted to provide users with improved grip when holding the rails. Background Art. Hand rails are used in a wide variety of applications where providing something for a person to grasp is helpful or necessary for a person's stability or safety, or to provide a 10 physical barrier or guide. For instance, hand rails (such as balustrades) may be used on elevated floors in industrial, commercial or domestic applications, on staircases or in applications where a person may easily lose their balance (for instance, on a boat or ship). 15 Alternatively, there are many situations in which hand rails may be provided to assist a person who is elderly, frail or lacks full mobility. For instance, hand rails may be provided in toilets, showers, baths or any similar location where a person must move themselves on wet or slippery floors. 20 Conventional hand rails are generally fabricated with a smooth surface finish which, when hand rails are used in wet, slippery or unstable environments, may lead to a person being unable to fully grasp the hand rail, particularly if that person lacks physical strength in their hands. The consequences of a person losing their grip on a 25 hand rail can be serious, or even fatal, if that person happens to fall awkwardly and injure themselves. Thus, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide rails that provided a user with improved grip. 30 It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

2 Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates otherwise. 5 Object of the Invention. It is an object of the present invention to provide hand rails which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice. 10 In one aspect, the invention resides broadly in a hand rail having one or more grooves on an external surface thereof, the one or more grooves adapted to provide a user with an improved grip on the hand rail. 15 It has now been found that a hand rail having one or more grooves on an external surface thereof provides a user with improved grip on the hand rail in comparison to a hand rail having a plain or matte surface finish. The one or more grooves may be of any suitable size, shape or configuration. The one 20 or more grooves may be provided along the entire length of the hand rail, in one or more sections along the length of the rail or may be provided over only a portion of the length of the hand rail. The one or more grooves may be provided as, for instance, a series of spaced apart 25 grooves or channels that extend only partly around the circumference of the hand rail. Alternatively, the one or more grooves may be provided as a series of spaced apart grooves or channels that extend around the entire circumference of the hand rail. In other embodiments of the invention, the one or more grooves may be provided as a single continuous groove extending along at least a portion of the length of the hand 30 rail. In this embodiment of the invention, the one or more grooves may be created by a helical groove extending along at least a portion of the length of the hand rail. The helical groove thereby creates a series of raised portions that are located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove.

3 The turns of the helical groove may be spaced apart from one another any suitable distance. However, it is preferred that the grooves are spaced apart from one another such that a user's fingers may, when holding the rail, engage with two or more turns 5 of the helical groove. In this way, a user may obtain an improved grip on the hand rail, even in situations in which the hand rail itself is wet or slippery (such as on a boat or ship, in a pool or shower or the like). Similarly, the one or more grooves may be of any suitable depth that provides a user 10 with improved grip on the hand rail. Increasing the depth of the groove may increase the grip quality. The pitch of the helical groove may be chosen or adjusted to improve the grip characteristics of the rail. For example, a smaller pitch for the same depth of groove 15 will typically increase the grip quality of the rail. A skilled addressee will understand that while the rails are described in terms of being "hand rails" that the rails may equally be used to provide improved grip for other parts of a user's body. For instance, the rails of the present invention may provide 20 improved grip for a user's feet, should the user be required to climb or stand on the rails. The hand rails of the present invention may be fabricated from any suitable material. Preferably, however, the hand rails are fabricated from metal. More preferably, the 25 hand rails are fabricated from steel. Still more preferably, the hand rails are fabricated from stainless steel, although a skilled addressee will understand that the choice of material will be influenced by the application in which the hand rail is to be used. For instance, if the hand rail is to be used in harsh or corrosive environments (such as marine environments or in swimming pools and bathrooms), it would be preferably to 30 fabricate the hand rails from a corrosion resistant material. The hand rails may be fabricated using any suitable technique. For instance, the hand rails may be cast, extruded, forged, rolled or the like. In a preferred embodiment of 4 the invention, the hand rails may be constructed as a solid or hollow elongate member and then the one or more grooves may be imposed on the surface of the elongate member. The one or more grooves may be imposed in the surface of the elongate member using any suitable technique, although in a preferred embodiment of the 5 invention, the one or more grooves are imposed on the surface of the elongate member by twisting the elongate member to create the one or more grooves. Typically, the formation of the groove will be such that the pitch and depth of the groove is consistent along the length of the rail. 10 The hand rails may be constructed as solid hand rails or may be tubular in construction. In some applications, tubular rails may be preferred so that a heating or cooling fluid may be passed through the rails. For instance, if the rails are being used in an environment in which snow and ice is common, a heating fluid may be passed through the hand rails to prevent a build-up of ice on the hand rails. 15 Similarly, if the hand rail is being used as a rack (for instance, a towel rack or drying rack), a heating fluid may be passed through the rails in order to heat or dry the items placed on the rack. 20 In embodiments of the invention in which a heating fluid is passed through the hand rail, the one or more grooves may have the additional effect of increasing the surface area of the hand rail, and therefore increasing the amount of heat transferred from the hand rail to the items placed on the hand rail. 25 The hand rails of the present invention may be used in any suitable application. For instance, the hand rails may be used as banisters, balustrades, barriers (such as on boats) or fences. The hand rails may also be used as grab rails, for instance in a bathroom, toilet, shower, bath, swimming pool or the like, or any other situation when grab rails are required (for instance, when the ground or floor is likely to be wet, 30 slippery or covered in ice or snow). Alternatively, it is envisaged that the hand rails of the present invention may be used in situations in which a person's mobility is aided by improved grip, such as in a 5 conventional ladder or pool ladder. Further, the hand rails of the present invention could conceivably be used to improve a user's grip in mobility equipment, such as a walking frame, walking stick, crutches, 5 the handles of a chair (such as a shower chair) or the like. In further embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that the hand rails of the present invention may be used in racks (such as clothes racks, drying racks, towel racks or the like). In this embodiment of the invention, the hand rails may be adapted 10 to allow a heating or cooling fluid to pass through the rails to heat or cool the items placed on the racks. In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the hand rails of the present invention may be used in a radiator, such as a radiator adapted to provide heat 15 in a domestic or commercial environment. Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 illustrates grab rails according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a walking frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a pool ladder according to an embodiment of the present 25 invention; Figure 4 illustrates a radiator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates shower rails according to an embodiment of the present invention; 30 Figure 6 illustrates a shower chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a towel rack according to an embodiment of the present invention; 6 Figure 8 illustrates a bath rail according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 illustrates a detailed view of a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 Detailed Description of the Drawings. It will be appreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings. 10 In Figure 1 there is illustrated a number of grab rails 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The grab rails 10 are of different lengths but are of the same construction. Each of the grab rails 10 is provided with a rail portion having a helical groove 11 in 15 an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. The combination of the helical groove 11 and the raised portions 12 provides a user with an improved grip on the grab rails 10, particularly if the grab rails 10 are being 20 used in a wet or slippery environment. The grab rails 10 are provided with connection portions 13 at either end to enable the grab rails 10 to be affixed to a support, such as a wall, door or the like. 25 It is envisaged that the grab rails 10 illustrated in Figure 1 may be used in wet situations, such as bathrooms, toilets, changing rooms or the like. Alternatively, the grab rails 10 may be used in environments where the floor or ground is unstable, such as on boats or ships, to assist users in maintaining their balance. However, a skilled addressee will understand that there are a number of applications in which the grab 30 rails 10 could be used. In Figure 2 there is illustrated a walking frame 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The construction of the walking frame 14 itself is conventional 7 with the exception that the hand rails 15 are provided with a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. 5 The combination of the helical groove 11 and the raised portions 12 provides a user with an improved grip on the hand rails 15. This is of particular assistance if the user is frail or has limited strength in their hands. Turning now to Figure 3, there is illustrated a pool ladder 16 according to an 10 embodiment of the present invention. The pool ladder 16 is provided with a number of hand rails portions including rungs 17 and rails 18. Both the rungs 17 and the rails 18 are provided with a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. 15 The pool ladder 16 is provided with attachment portions 19 adapted to facilitate attachment of the pool ladder to a surface, such as the side of a swimming pool. It will be understood that the while the rails 18 of the pool ladder 16 are largely 20 provided to improve the grip of a user's hand on the ladder 16, the rungs 17 will provide improved grip for both a user's hands and feet as the user makes use of the ladder 16 to climb in and our of a swimming pool. Figure 4 illustrates a radiator 20 comprising rails 21 according to an embodiment of 25 the present invention. The rails 21 of the radiator 20 are hollow, tubular rails adapted to allow a flow of heating fluid to be passed through the rails 21. In Figure 5, shower rails 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. Each of the shower rails 22 is provided with attachment means 23 adapted 30 to facilitate attachment of the shower rails 22 to a support, such as a wall. The shower rails 22 are provided with rail portions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rail portions have a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate 8 successive turns of the helical groove 11. The combination of the helical groove 11 and the raised portions 12 provides a user with an improved grip on the shower rails 22, which is particularly important given 5 that the shower rails 22 are being used in a wet and slippery environment. In Figure 6 there is illustrated a shower chair 24 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shower chair 24 is adapted to be placed in a shower to allow a user to sit while showering. This is particularly useful if the user is elderly, frail or is 10 recovering from injury, illness or surgery. The construction of the shower chair 24 itself is relatively conventional with the exception of the provision of a pair of hand rails 25 that allow a user to lower themselves into the shower chair 24 or raise themselves out of the shower chair 24. 15 The hand rails 25 have a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. 20 The combination of the helical groove 11 and the raised portions 12 provides a user with an improved grip on the hand rails 25, which is particularly important given that the shower chair 24 is adapted for use in a wet and slippery environment. Turning now to Figure 7, there is shown a towel rack 26 according to an embodiment 25 of the present invention. The towel rack 26 comprises a number of rail portions 27, each which having a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. 30 The towel rack 26 is provided with attachment means 28 adapted to facilitate attachment of the towel rack 26 to a support, such as a wall or door. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7, the rail portions 27 are hollow, 9 tubular rails adapted to allow a flow of heating fluid to be passed through the rail portions 27. In Figure 8 there is illustrated a bath rail 29 according to an embodiment of the 5 invention. The bath rail 29 is adapted to allow a user to grasp thereto as the user enters or exits a bath. The bath rail 29 is provided with attachment means 30 adapted to facilitate attachment of the bath rail 29 to a support, such as a wall. 10 The bath rail 29 comprises a hand rail portion 31 having a helical groove 11 in an external surface thereof. The helical groove 11 creates a plurality of raised portions 12 located intermediate successive turns of the helical groove 11. 15 In use, a user grasps the hand rail portion 31 as they enter or exit the bath. The provision of the helical groove 11 provides the user with improved grip on the bath rail 29. In Figure 9 there is shown a detailed view of a rail 32 according to an embodiment of 20 the present invention. In this Figure, the surface finish of the rail 32 can be more clearly seen. The surface of the rail 32 is provided with a helical groove 11 which is imposed onto the surface of the rail 32 by twisting the rail 32. This surface finish provides the user with improved grip on the rail 32 in comparison to a rail having a smooth or matte surface finish. 25 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope. 30

Claims

1. A hand rail having one or more grooves on an external surface thereof, the one or more grooves adapted to provide a user with an 5 improved grip on the hand rail.

2. A hand rail according to claim I wherein the one or more grooves comprises a single helical groove extending along at least a portion of the external surface of the hand rail.

3. A hand rail according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the hand rail is 10 tubular in construction and adapted for the flow of a heating or cooling fluid through therethrough.

4. A hand rail according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hand rail is adapted for use as a grab rail, fence, balustrade or banister. 15

5. A hand rail according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the hand rails is adapted for use in a ladder, walking frame, radiator, shower chair or towel rack.