AU2014100667B4

AU2014100667B4 - Handrail Hinge

Info

Publication number: AU2014100667B4
Application number: AU2014100667A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Maria Lapchev
Original assignee: BEND TECH INVEST 1 Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BEND-TECH INVESTMENTS 1 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-06-18
Filing date: 2014-06-18
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-18
Also published as: AU2014100667A4

Abstract

Abstract A hinge for handrails, such as those used in connection with mining equipment, is disclosed. The hinge includes a sealed hinge bolt. The hinge bolt is associated with a grease nipple to permit lubrication of the hinge.

Description

2014100667 18 Jun2014 2 “HANDRAIL HINGE”

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to hinges for handrails, such as handrails used outside the cabs of mobile equipment. The invention has been developed for use in handrails primarily within the mining industry, but is considered to have wider application.

Background to the Invention [0002] Many mining operations require the use of elevated platforms. These can be in fixed plant, or can be in mobile equipment, such as outside the cabs of diggers, loaders and the like.

[0003] To ensure workplace safety, these platforms are generally surrounded by handrails, to prevent a worker from falling from the platform.

[0004] In some instances, it is necessary for the handrail to be lowerable or removable, to permit ready access to the platform when desired. To this end, it is known to use hinged handrails which are moveable between an upright position and a lowered position.

[0005] Such hinged handrails require hinges which can be securely locked in the upright position, as a safety precaution, yet which can be quickly and easily moved into the lowered position when required. The hinges should be sturdy, damage resistant, and also long-lasting in dusty and potentially wet and even corrosive conditions.

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a handrail hinge suitable for this purpose.

Summary of the Invention [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a handrail hinge including: 2014100667 18 Jun2014 3 a first tube receiving portion having a longitudinal axis, the first tube portion having a first hinge portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the first hinge portion having an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first tube portion; a second tube receiving portion having a longitudinal axis, the second tube portion having a second hinge portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the second hinge portion having an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second tube portion; the first hinge portion being aligned with the second hinge portion along their respective axial directions, and the first hinge portion being arranged to rotate relative to the second hinge portion about the axial direction; the hinge being moveable between a closed position in which the longitudinal axis of the first tube receiving portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second tube receiving portion, and an open position in which the longitudinal axis of the first tube receiving portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second tube receiving portion; wherein at least one of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are in fluid communication with a lubricant introducing means.

[0008] Preferably both the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are in fluid communication with the lubricant introducing means.

[0009] The lubricant introducing means may be a grease nipple.

[0010] The first tube portion may have a first locking portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the first locking portion being circumferentially opposed to the first hinge portion, the first locking portion having an axial direction parallel to that of the first hinge portion, and the second tube portion may have a second locking portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the second locking portion being circumferentially opposed to the second hinge portion, the second locking portion having an axial direction parallel to that of the second hinge portion, 4 2014100667 18 Jun2014 the first locking portion being aligned with the second locking portion along their respective axial directions when the hinge is in the closed position.

[0011] The handrail hinge may include a locking pin receivable within the first and second locking portions in order to lock the hinge in the closed position.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0012] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: [0013] Figure 1 is a perspective of a handrail including a handrail hinge of the prior art; [0014] Figure 2 is a front perspective of a handrail hinge in accordance with the present invention, shown in a closed position; [0015] Figure 3 is a rear perspective of the handrail hinge of Figure 2; and [0016] Figure 4 is a partially cut-away rear perspective of the handrail hinge of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0017] Figure 1 shows a typical handrail 10 for use in connection with mobile mining equipment. The handrail 10 includes two tubular uprights 12, and three tubular cross-members 14. The handrail 10 includes two prior-art handrail hinges 16, one on each upright 12. The hinges 16 are positioned above a lower of the cross-members 14, allowing the upper two crossmembers 14 to be lowered with respect to the remainder of the handrail 10.

[0018] Figures 2 to 4 show a handrail hinge 20, designed to replace the prior-art hand rail hinge 16. 2014100667 18 Jun2014 5 [0019] The handrail hinge 20 has two main body portions, a first body portion 22 and a second body portion 24. Each of the first and second body portions 22, 24 is generally cylindrical, and includes a cylindrical bore 26. The first body portion 22 is arranged to receive a first tube, being an upper portion of an upright 12, in its bore 26. The second body portion 24 is arranged to receive a second tube, being a lower portion of an upright 12, in its bore 26. When the handrail hinge 20 is in a closed position, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the bores lie along a common longitudinal axis. In this position, the bores 26 meet along a common edge 28.

[0020] The first body portion 22 has a radial extension 32 adjacent the common edge 28. The radial extension 32 extends to encompass a first barrel portion 34. The first barrel portion 34 is generally cylindrical, with an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bores 26. The first barrel portion 34 has an axis which lies in the same plane as the common edge 28, and which is located outside the first body portion 22. The first barrel portion 34 extends in its axial direction from an inner edge 36 to an outer edge 38. The longitudinal axis of the bores 26 lies in the same plane as the inner edge 36 of the first barrel portion 34. The plane of the outer edge 38 is tangential to the first body portion 22.

[0021] The second body portion 24 has a radial extension 42 adjacent the common edge 28. The radial extension 42 extends to encompass a second barrel portion 44. The second barrel portion 44 is generally cylindrical, with an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bores 26. The second barrel portion 44 has an axis which lies in the same plane as the common edge 28, and which is located outside the second body portion 24. The second barrel portion 44 extends in its axial direction from an inner edge 46 to an outer edge 48. The longitudinal axis of the bores 26 lies in the same plane as the inner edge 46 of the second barrel portion 44. The plane of the outer edge 48 is tangential to the second body portion 24. 2014100667 18 Jun2014 6 [0022] The first barrel portion 34 and the second barrel portion 44 are aligned and co-axial, such that the inner edge 36 of the first barrel portion 34 abuts the inner edge 46 of the second barrel portion 44.

[0023] The first barrel portion 34 and the second barrel portion 44 are hinge portions arranged to receive a hinge bolt 50, which holds the two barrel portions 34, 44 in fixed axial relationship but allows relative rotation of the barrel portions 34, 44 about the hinge bolt 50.

[0024] The hinge bolt 50 is hollow, and includes a central grease receiving chamber 51. A grease nipple 52 is located at one axial end of the hinge bolt 50. The grease receiving chamber 51 has a first outlet port 54 which feeds into the first barrel portion 34, and a second outlet port 56 which feeds into the second barrel portion 44. Lubricating grease can therefore be supplied to the exterior of the hinge bolt 50, allowing for continued smooth operation of the hinge 20 and restricting the ingress of dust, dirt and water.

[0025] The first body portion 22 has a first locking portion 62 circumferentially opposed to the first barrel portion 34, and the second body portion 24 has a second locking portion 64 circumferentially opposed to the second barrel portion 44. The locking portions 62, 64 each include a generally cylindrical pin-receiving aperture, which is parallel to the hinge bolt 50. The arrangement is such that when the hinge 20 is in the closed position, the pin-receiving apertures of the first and second locking portions 62, 64 align to receive a locking pin 66.

[0026] When it is desired to move the hinge 20 into an open position, the locking pin 66 must be removed from the first and second locking portions 62, 64. The first body portion 22 can then be rotated relative to the second body portion 24 about the hinge bolt 50.

[0027] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A handrail hinge including: a first tube receiving portion having a longitudinal axis, the first tube portion having a first hinge portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the first hinge portion having an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first tube portion; a second tube receiving portion having a longitudinal axis, the second tube portion having a second hinge portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the second hinge portion having an axial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second tube portion; the first hinge portion being aligned with the second hinge portion along their respective axial directions, and the first hinge portion being arranged to rotate relative to the second hinge portion about the axial direction; the hinge being moveable between a closed position in which the longitudinal axis of the first tube receiving portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second tube receiving portion, and an open position in which the longitudinal axis of the first tube receiving portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second tube receiving portion; wherein at least one of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are in fluid communication with a lubricant introducing means.
2. A handrail hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are in fluid communication with the lubricant introducing means.
3. A handrail hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lubricant introducing means is a grease nipple.
4. A handrail hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first tube portion has a first locking portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the first locking portion being circumferentially opposed to the first hinge portion, the first locking portion having an axial direction parallel to that of the first hinge portion, and the second tube portion has a second locking portion extending therefrom in a generally transverse direction, the second locking portion being circumferentially opposed to the second hinge portion, the second locking portion having an axial direction parallel to that of the second hinge portion, the first locking portion being aligned with the second locking portion along their respective axial directions when the hinge is in the closed position.
5. A handrail hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handrail hinge includes a locking pin receivable within the first and second locking portions in order to lock the hinge in the closed position.