EP1308575A1 - Aid device for using a handrail and handrail provided with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The assistance device includes two members (2) that are clamped onto a handrail using threaded rods (18) and threaded holes. The two members form a stirrup shape assistance device main body. <??>An Independent claim is also included for a handrail.

Description

The invention relates to a device for assisting the ascent and descent staircases or inclined planes, as well as a device to assist walking in a passage provided with a handrail.

By "staircase" is meant here an interior or exterior work of vertical circulation, comprising a series of steps or degrees up or down from one level to another, for example between two floors, and provided with a handrail arranged on a balustrade forming railing or attached to a wall by squires.

By "staircase" is meant here also straight staircases without risers called miller ladders of the type provided with a handrail, the pool ladders or any other equivalent product.

By "inclined plane" is meant here a ramp allowing the passage without degrees from one level to another, such as for example a ramp for disabled.

Many people have difficulty getting on or off go down a staircase or an incline.

These difficulties can be related to the environment of life or work: stairs of boats on rough sea, dark stairwell due to a breakdown of current or the presence of fumes.

These difficulties can be very temporary: people subject to dizziness or malaise, convalescents for example.

These difficulties may be of longer duration: pregnant women, people with orthoses or prostheses for example.

These difficulties may be permanent: elderly, disabled, obese, people with osteoarthritis or spondyloarthritis, people suffering from disabling illness (Charcot's disease, Parkinson's disease ...).

In France, it is estimated that one in two people over the age of 65 has Difficulty going up or down a flight of stairs in one go and 17% need the help of a person to climb a staircase (source INSEE CREDES, decennial survey on health and medial care 1980-1991). The difficulties to walk affect 26% of people aged 70 to 74 and almost 57% of the over 80s. More than 30% of octogenarians remain confined to they often because it is very difficult for them to go down stairs.

In 1995, in the United States, out of a population of over 30 million over the age of 65, 15 million faced difficulties in climb stairs without stopping (source US Bureau of the Census The Survey of Income and Program Participation 1994-95).

In Belgium, accidents on stairs account for 7% of domestic accidents (source EHLASS), with about 170 deaths per year falls on the stairs (source NIS), victims being most often the elderly.

It is already known in the prior art a large number of devices intended to assist the ascent and descent of stairs.

Some of these devices are very expensive and complicated to implement. place, such as self-propelled chairs. These self-propelled chairs are very tricky installation in the narrow stairs, and do not go into the sense of preservation of the physical abilities of the elderly.

A number of earlier devices, simpler and less expensive than self-propelled wheelchairs, consist mainly in the implementation of place a special handrail on at least one side of the stairs.

• demandes de brevet anglais publiées sous les numéros 1 487 558, 2 106 790, 2 147 928, 2 218 344, 2 188 344, 2 257 723, 2 268 145, 2 281 923, 2 309 468 ;
• demandes de brevet allemand publiées sous les numéros 131511, 514055, 19518245 ;
• demandes de brevet français publiées sous les numéros 2 558 873, 2 610 345 ;
• demandes de brevet européen publiées sous les numéros 372 743, 452 017 ;
• brevets délivrés aux Etats-Unis sous les numéros 4 253 287, 4 823 524, 4 899 989, 5 022 197, 5 749 808.

For example, we can refer to the following documents:

• British patent applications published under numbers 1,487,558, 2,106,790, 2,147,928, 2,218,344, 2,188,344, 2,257,723, 2,268,145, 2,281,923, 2,309,468;
• German patent applications published under the numbers 131511, 514055, 19518245;
• French patent applications published under the numbers 2,558,873, 2,610,345;
• European patent applications published under the numbers 372 743, 452 017;
• patents issued in the United States under Nos. 4,253,287, 4,823,524, 4,899,989, 5,022,197, 5,749,808.

Also known in the prior art various handrails of security indicating a direction towards the exit for the visually impaired persons, or indicating the emergency exit in case of emergency such as fire for example.

• brevet américain délivré sous le numéro 5 636 479 ;
• demande internationale de brevet publiée sous le numéro 93/13504.

For example, we can refer to the following documents:

• US Patent No. 5,636,479;
• International Patent Application Publication No. 93/13504.

The aim of the invention is to provide a device that can both help the climb and on the descent of stairs or inclined plane and allow the realization of hand safety device, this device does not have the disadvantages of those previously known.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a device which is simple construction, easy to set up on handrail and without deteriorate it, which is inexpensive and safe.

For this purpose, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a device for assisting the use of a handrail, this device comprising two pieces coming to grip said handrail in the manner of a stirrup, by through means of assembly.

• les moyens d'assemblage comprennent des moyens de boulonnage ou vissage ;
• une première pièce dite inférieure est en forme générale de U ;
• la première pièce comporte sur au moins une de ses deux ailes, une réservation apte à loger une cale de blocage ;
• il comprend une pièce dite supérieure dont la face externe est conformée de sorte à épouser la courbure interne d'une main ;
• cette face externe comprend une partie arrière formant un angle supérieur à 70° par rapport à la face supérieure de la main courante au droit de l'emplacement du dispositif en position montée ;
• il présente un plan de symétrie longitudinal ;
• la pièce supérieure comprend une face externe qui, lorsque vue dans un plan transversal, est au moins localement sensiblement en arc de cercle ou d'ellipse.
• la face externe de la pièce supérieure, lorsque vue dans un plan longitudinal, comprend une partie arrière et une partie avant sensiblement planes, reliées par une section ovoïde ;
• la face externe de la pièce supérieure est pourvue d'une surépaisseur limitée par une ligne courbe ;
• la face externe comprend une partie d'appui de la paume de la main de l'utilisateur, cette partie d'appui étant réalisée en un matériau de plus grande souplesse que le matériau formant le reste de la pièce supérieure ;
• les deux pièces sont pourvues de surfaces de butée sensiblement planes aptes à venir en contact l'une avec l'autre lorsque le dispositif est monté sur une main courante de hauteur inférieure ou égale à la hauteur minimale de l'ouverture délimitée par les deux pièces ;
• ces deux surfaces de butée comprennent des stries ou des dents aptes à s'emboíter ;
• les deux surfaces de butées sont conformées de sorte à permettre un assemblage des deux pièces choisi parmi le groupe comprenant les assemblages à paume, en épi, à enture en croix, à queue d'aronde, à aboutage tourillonné, à tenon ;
• une éclisse latérale externe renforce l'assemblage des deux pièces entre elles.

According to various embodiments, the device has the following characters, possibly combined:

• the assembly means comprise bolting or screwing means;
• a first so-called lower part is generally U-shaped;
• the first piece comprises on at least one of its two wings, a reservation adapted to house a blocking wedge;
• it comprises a so-called upper part whose outer face is shaped so as to match the internal curvature of a hand;
• this outer face comprises a rear portion forming an angle greater than 70 ° with respect to the upper face of the handrail to the right of the location of the device in mounted position;
• it has a longitudinal plane of symmetry;
• the upper part comprises an external face which, when viewed in a transverse plane, is at least locally substantially in an arc or ellipse.
• the outer face of the upper piece, when viewed in a longitudinal plane, comprises a rear portion and a substantially flat front portion, connected by an ovoid section;
• the outer face of the upper piece is provided with an extra thickness limited by a curved line;
• the outer face comprises a bearing portion of the palm of the hand of the user, this bearing portion being made of a material of greater flexibility than the material forming the remainder of the upper piece;
• the two parts are provided with substantially flat abutment surfaces adapted to come into contact with each other when the device is mounted on a handrail of height less than or equal to the minimum height of the opening defined by the two parts ;
• these two abutment surfaces comprise streaks or teeth able to fit together;
• the two abutment surfaces are shaped so as to allow an assembly of the two parts selected from the group consisting of assemblies to palm, spike, cross-cut, dovetail, finger-jointed, tenon;
• an external side splint strengthens the assembly of the two parts together.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a handrail comprising at least one device as presented above, this hand current being mounted on a baluster or directly on a wall via squires or other equivalent means.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif selon l'invention, dans un mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 2 est une vue du dispositif de la figure 1, lorsque les deux pièces sont assemblées et en butée l'une contre l'autre ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective arrière éclatée du dispositif des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective arrière du dispositif des figures 1 et 2, lorsque les deux pièces sont assemblées et en butée l'une contre l'autre ;
• la figure 5 est une vue latérale du dispositif, dans son état d'assemblage des figures 2 et 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus du dispositif des figures 1 à 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon le plan VII-VII de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon le plan VIII-VIII de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue latérale d'un dispositif selon l'invention, en position montée sur une main courante, dans un mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 10 est une vue analogue à la figure 9, une main d'utilisateur étant représentée dans une position d'emploi du dispositif lors de la montée d'un escalier ;
• la figure 11 est une vue analogue à la figure 9, la main de l'utilisateur étant représentée dans une position d'emploi du dispositif lors de la descente d'un escalier.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, a description to be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention, in one embodiment;
• Figure 2 is a view of the device of Figure 1, when the two parts are assembled and abutted against each other;
• Figure 3 is an exploded rear perspective view of the device of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the device of Figures 1 and 2, when the two parts are assembled and abutted against each other;
• Figure 5 is a side view of the device, in its assembled state of Figures 2 and 4;
• Figure 6 is a top view of the device of Figures 1 to 5;
• Figure 7 is a sectional view along the plane VII-VII of Figure 5;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 6;
• Figure 9 is a side view of a device according to the invention, in position mounted on a handrail, in one embodiment;
• Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, a user's hand being shown in a position of use of the device when climbing a staircase;
• Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, the hand of the user being shown in a position of use of the device during the descent of a staircase.

The device 1 comprises two parts 2,3 interconnected by assembly means 4.

In the remainder of this description, the terms "lower", "higher", "Lateral", will be used with reference to a point P placed in the center of the opening 5 delimited by the two parts 2,3 assemblies. Terms "Before", "back", will be used according to a displacement of the staircase whose handrail is shown in Figure 9 (arrow M).

As it appears from the figures, it is in this opening 5 that housed the handrail 6 on which the device 1 is mounted, in the manner of a stirrup.

In FIG. 9, the handrail 6 crowns a railing with balusters 7. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the device 1 can also, in an embodiment not shown, be mounted on a handrail fixed to a wall by squires.

The two pieces 2,3 assemblies enclose the handrail between two successive balusters 7 or between two squires.

The bottom piece 2 is U-shaped and comprises a base wall 8 and two wings 9 substantially parallel to each other.

As an indication, the outer width of the lower part 2 is of the order of 9 cm, the two wings being distant from an internal width li of the order of 6 cm.

These dimensions make it possible to mount the device 1 on most of the existing handrails, given the width of these handrails and their clearance from the side wall when the handrail is mounted on squires.

The device 1 is provided, in one embodiment, with means allowing to adapt it to different widths and shapes of handrails, these means being described later.

The upper part 3 comprises an outer face 10 which, when seen in a transverse plane parallel to that of Figure 7 and between planes P1 and P2 of FIG. 5, is substantially in an arc or an ellipse. The plane P1 is tangent to the front end 11 of the device.

The outer face 10 of the upper part 3, when seen in a plane longitudinal parallel to that of Figure 5 and between the planes P3 and P4 of Figure 6, comprises a rear portion 12 and a front portion 13 substantially flat, connected by an ovoid section 14. The outer face is provided with an extra thickness 15A limited by a curved line 15. This overthickness is hatched in Figure 6.

The shape of the outer surface 10 of the upper part 3 is thus ergonomic.

When the user climbs the stairs or the ramp (figure 10) he palm of his hand against the 16 biconvex area bounded by line 15, his fingers being pressed against the front portion 13 of the upper piece 3, this front part being strongly inclined and almost perpendicular to the hand 6. The user thus has an excellent grip and will be able to pulling the arm help in climbing the steps or incline.

When the user descends the staircase (Figure 11), he slams the palm of his hand against the front portion 13 of the upper piece 3, his fingers being pressed against the biconvex area bounded by line 15. The user has excellent support against this area before 13 almost perpendicular to the hand current and will be able to retain the weight of his body in the descent and reduce the stress on his legs.

In order to fit the shape of the hands, line 15 includes an area arched bow shape 17.

The device has, in the embodiment shown, a plan of overall symmetry S perpendicular to FIG.

The assembly means of the two parts 2,3 comprise, in the embodiment shown, two threaded rods 18,19 introduced each in a hole 20 passing through the lower part 2, these penetrating threaded rods in the upper part 3, in a reservation 21 provided with an internal thread complementary.

The assembly obtained allows easy disassembly, without damaging the hand common.

In other embodiments, not shown, the assembly of two pieces is made by another method allowing disassembly fast, such as screwing, snapping.

In still other embodiments, when the device is intended to stay long or permanently mounted on the handrail, assembly is done by welding, gluing, riveting, or any other means equivalent, accompanied if necessary by screwing or bolting stems, as previously described.

In other embodiments, the device comprises two pieces articulated jaws coming to tighten the handrail, through assembly means such as strap, screw or other equivalent means. So, for example, the two parts 2, 3 of Figure 1 are articulated, in a embodiment not shown, around a longitudinal hinge connecting the surfaces 22, 23.

The device can be installed in a selected number of copies on the handrail, the devices being regularly arranged or not, depending on desires of the user.

Depending on the sensations of the user, it will be possible to add or move devices to provide greater comfort when climbing or descent.

In the embodiment shown, the two pieces 2,3 are provided with substantially flat abutment surfaces 22,23 coming into contact with each other when a handrail of low height is to equip said device.

In order to reinforce the quality of the contact between these two abutment surfaces, these include in some embodiments, streaks or suitable teeth to fit together. In still other modes, the two surfaces 22, 23 allow a palm, spike, cross-cut, dovetail joint, a swiveling junction, a tenon assembly, a splice coming if necessary laterally strengthen the assembly.

We now describe the means for adapting the device to different geometries of handrail, while preserving the integrity and the appearance of the surface of these handrails on which the device will be mounted.

In order not to punch the surface of the handrail, the device comprises, in one embodiment, a flexible coating on the periphery 24 of 5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this circumference comprises an inflected arcuate upper portion 25 contributing to a distribution more homogeneous constraints on the upper face of the handrail during clamping both parts on this handrail 6.

The length of the threaded rods and reservations 21 allows the assembly the device for ramps of different heights. Thus, as shown in Figures 1,5 and 6, the surfaces 22,23 of the two parts are not in contact since the height of the ramp is greater than the height hm of the opening 5.

If necessary, several sets of lower and upper parts 2,3 can of course be planned to offer a wide variety of forms and possible dimensions for opening 5.

Reservations 26 allow the setting up of holds, no represented. Setting up a hold in one of these bookings 26, or a wedge in each of the two reservations 26 allows the assembly of the device 1 for ramps of different heights.

• on place les deux pièces 2,3 de part et d'autre de la main courante, entre deux écuyers ou deux balustres, après avoir le cas échéant placé la les cales dans les réservations 26 ;
• on serre légèrement les deux pièces 2,3 de sorte à autoriser leur coulissement avec frottement sur la main courante ;
• on déplace le dispositif 1 jusqu'à l'emplacement souhaité par l'utilisateur ;
• on resserre les deux pièces 2,3 de sorte à interdire le coulissement du dispositif 1.

The device 1 is mounted in the following manner, in one embodiment:

• the two pieces 2,3 are placed on either side of the handrail, between two squires or two balusters, after having placed the shims in the reservations 26 if necessary;
• the two parts are slightly tightened 2.3 so as to allow their sliding with friction on the handrail;
• the device 1 is moved to the location desired by the user;
• the two parts 2,3 are tightened so as to prevent the sliding of the device 1.

In order to reinforce the security, the outer face of the upper piece 3 comprises, in one embodiment, fastening streaks increasing the friction of the user's hand against the device. Alternatively or in combination, a non-slip material constitutes or covers the outer face 10 of the upper piece 3.

In one embodiment, the upper piece comprises a bi-convex zone 16 made of a material different from that forming the rest of this piece For example, this zone 16 is made of a polymer material such as polypropylene, softer than the polymer material forming the remainder from the upper room. A polypropylene bi-material top piece soft and hard is thus obtained by co-injection, in a mode of implementation artwork. Such an embodiment improves the grip of the device by the user.

The device 1 can be made of a material chosen from the group including natural wood, resin-densified wood, hardwood hardened by alcoholic solution of bakelite, densified wood, metal alloys and aluminum alloys, polymeric materials (phenoplasts, polyvinyl, polyolefins, polyurethanes) optionally reinforced with fibers.

In one implementation, the device is derived from molding a material metal or a polymeric material.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the device according to the invention can be implemented on straight stair handrails, staircases with bearings with rotating quarters, hollow stone staircases, stairs with curved strings, spiral staircases, but can also be placed on a handrail of inclined plane or corridor of circulation, this handrail is mounted on a baluster or directly on a wall.

The invention thus provides a device that can both help to mount it and when descending stairs or inclined plane and allowing the realization of hands safety features, this device does not have the disadvantages of those previously known and being of simple construction, easy to set up handrail and without damaging it, this device being moreover little expensive and safe to use.

Claims (16)

Device for assisting the use of a handrail, characterized in that it comprises two parts that grip said handrail in the manner of a stirrup, by means of assembly means. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly means comprise bolting or screwing means. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first so-called lower part is generally U-shaped. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first part comprises on at least one of its two wings, a reservation adapted to accommodate a blocking wedge. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a so-called upper part whose outer face is shaped so as to match the internal curvature of a hand. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the outer face comprises a rear portion forming an angle greater than 70 ° with respect to the upper face of the handrail to the right of the location of the device in mounted position. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a longitudinal plane of symmetry. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (3) comprises an outer face (10) which, when viewed in a transverse plane, is at least locally substantially in a circular or elliptical arc. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer face (10) of the upper part (3), when viewed in a longitudinal plane, comprises a substantially planar rear part (12) and a front part (13), connected by an ovoid section (14). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the outer face of the upper piece is provided with an extra thickness limited by a curved line (15). Device according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the upper piece (3) comprises a bearing portion of the palm of the hand of the user, this bearing portion being made of a material of greater flexibility than the material forming the remainder of the upper piece (3). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two parts (2, 3) are provided with substantially planar abutment surfaces (22, 23) able to come into contact with each other when the device is mounted on a handrail of height less than or equal to the minimum height of the opening delimited by the two parts. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that these two abutment surfaces comprise streaks or teeth capable of fitting together. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the two abutment surfaces (22, 23) are shaped so as to allow an assembly of the two parts selected from the group consisting of assemblies with palm, spike, cross-cut , dovetail, finger-jointed, tenon. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an external lateral splint reinforces the assembly of the two parts together. Handrail comprising at least one device as presented in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it is mounted on a baluster or directly on a wall via squires or other equivalent means.

Images