GB2355731A

GB2355731A - Moveable support rail

Info

Publication number: GB2355731A
Application number: GB0021350A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerad Smyth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-01
Filing date: 2000-09-01
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-01
Also published as: GB9920528D0; GB0021350D0; GB2355731B

Abstract

A support rail (10a) which includes means which enable the support rail to be attached to an existing support rail or to be attached to a wall structure relative to a second support rail and a support rail member (13) which is moveable between operative and inoperative positions.

Description

2355731 A SUPPORT MEMBER The present invention relates to a support

member. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support rail. In particular, the present invention relates to a handrail suitable for use by children and which is moveable between a first position when the handrail is not in use and a second position when the handrail is in use. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of adapting or converting a wheelchair accessible WC or other wheelchair accessible room that includes handrails, such that same is suitable for use by adults and children.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the walls of a wheelchair accessible WC 140 are provided with a number of handrails, usually a hinged handrail 110, a horizontal handrail 120 and a vertical handrail 130.

Due to statutory requirements, the height of such handrails 110, 120, 130 above the floor of a wheelchair accessible WC 140, and their distance from the toilet bowl 141 are usually standardised, such that a designated user of such WC, either an adult or a child, can use same to support himself/herself while manoeuvring from their wheelchair to the toilet bowl or seat, and vice versa.

Due to the difference in height and reach between an adult and a child, such wheelchair accessible WCs 140 are either designed for an adult user or a child user, that is, depending on the location of the handrails within the WC.

At present, if wheelchair accessible WCs are required to be provided for adults and children, then at least two separate wheelchair accessible WCs will need to be built, namely, a wheelchair accessible WC including handrails located and positioned suitably for adults and a wheelchair accessible WC including handrails located and positioned suitably for children. It will be 2 appreciated that the building of two separate wheelchair accessible WCs, as opposed to one wheelchair accessible WC that is suitable for use by both adults and children, is costly. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the building of two separate wheelchair accessible WCs within a building will take up a lot of space, which is particularly disadvantageous when space is at a premium.

According to the present invention there is provided a support rail, the support rail including attachment means which enable the support rail to be attached to an existing support rail or to be attached to a wall support structure relative to a second support rail that is located at a suitable location and height for an adult; and a support rail member which, in use, a person may hold onto for support, wherein the support rail member is moveable between a first position, when not in use, and a second position, when in use.

It is believed that a support rail in accordance with the present invention overcomes the problems outlined above. In particular, a support rail in accordance with the present invention can be utilised to convert an existing wheelchair accessible WC, specifically designed for adult or child users, into a wheelchair accessible wheelchair WC that can be used by both adults and children. In this connection, and as the support rail member of a support rail in accordance with the present invention is moveable from a first, not in use, position to a second, in use, position, same will not encroach on the space available to an adult when using a wheelchair accessible WC that has been converted in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, it is believed that a support rail in accordance with the present invention dispenses with the need of having to build separate WCs suitable for children or adults.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adapting a wheelchair accessible WC, or other wheelchair accessible room, so that same is suitable for use by adults and children, the method comprising the steps of:

3 providing at least one handrail in accordance with the present invention at a suitable location within the WC or room for a child, the handrail being moveable from a first not in use position to a second in use position.

Non-limiting embodiments of a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to Figures 2-9, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a wheelchair accessible WC specifically designed for use by adults; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention when attached to a hinged handrail of the looped type; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handrail of Figure 2;-' Figure 3A is a side view of an upper clamping member of the handrail of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a handrail of Figure 2 when attached to a hinged handrail of the single rail type; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention suitable for use as a vertical handrail; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bracket of the vertical handrail of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention suitable for use as a horizontal handrail; Figure 8A is a perspective view of the bracket of the horizontal handrail of Figure 7; Figure 8B is a side view of the bracket of Figure 9A; Figure 9 is a view from above of the horizontal handrail of Figure 7; Figure 1 OA is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention when attached to a hinged handrail; 4 Figure 1 OB is a perspective view of the support rail member of the first handrail or support rail of Figure 1OA; Figure 1 1A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention suitable for use as a horizontal handrail; and Figure 11 B is a side view of an end of the support rail member of the handrail or support rail of Figure 1 OB.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a support rail 10a in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is adapted to be connected to a hinged handrail 110a of the looped type, having an upper rail 111a and a lower rail 111 b.

The support rail 10a includes a pair of upper clamping members 11, both attached to arms 14, received by a sleeve 15, each sleeve 15 being attached to a lower clamping member 12.

As illustrated, the upper clamping members 11 are releasably attachable to the upper rail 111 a of the hinged handrail 11 Oa, and the lower clamping members 12 are attachable to the lower rail 111b of the hinged handrail 110a. As the arms 14, attached to each upper clamp 11, are moveably received by the sleeves 15, the distance between the upper clamping members 11 and lower clamping members 12 can be adjusted, that is, depending on the distance between the upper and lower rails 111 a and 111 b of the hinged handrail 11 Oa. It will be appreciated that this has the advantage in that a handrail 10a in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention can be readily attached and connected to most types of hinged handrails of the looped type, or double rail type, regardless of the distance between the upper and lower rails 111 a and 111 b of such hinged handrails.

The handrail 10a is further provided with a cantilevered support rail member 13, each end of which is hingedly or pivotally attached to the outer surface of sleeves 15 via brackets 16. This has the -advantage in that when not in use, the support rail member 13 of the handrail 10a can be pivoted about brackets 16, such that same is substantially vertical and hence, abuts against the outer surface of sleeve 15, and when in use, same can be pivoted about bracket 16 such that same is substantially horizontal and hence, can be gripped by a child wishing to use same to support himself/herself. In a preferred embodiment, the end of the rail 13 is further pivotable about pins 13a. This enables the rail support member 13 to be pivoted in a more compact manner, that is, when not required.

As illustrated in Figure 4, a handrail 10a in accordance With a first embodiment of the present invention can also be attached to a hinged handrail 11 Ob of the single rail type. In this embodiment, a further rail 11 c is connected or attached to the lower clamping members 12 of the handrail 1 Oa, such further rail 11 c assisting to support the support rail member 13, when in use.

As illustrated in Figure 5, a vertical handrail 10b in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is attachable to a support structure such as a wall by a bracket 20. Such vertical handrail 10b can be located at a suitable height above the floor of a wheelchair accessible WC and at a suitable distance from the toilet bowl, such that a child can reach same from the toilet bowl.

As illustrated, the support rail member 21 of the vertical handrail 10b is connected to the hinge 20 via pin 22, and is moveable between a first, not in use, position (shown in dotted lines) and a second, in use, position (shown in unbroken line).

6 As illustrated in Figure 6, at least one wall of the bracket 20 is provided with a first upper recess 24, and at least one wall of the bracket 20 is provided with a second lower recess 25. When not in use, and as illustrated, the support rail member 21 is raised and pivoted about pin 22, such that same is located and held in the first upper recess 24 and hence, abuts against a wall, and when in use, the support rail member 21 is raised and pivoted about pin 22 and then lowered into the second lower recess 25, such that same is located and held in the second lower recess 25 and hence, extends substantially perpendicular from the wall, i.e. the support rail member is lockable between a first, not in use, position and a second, in use, position.

As illustrated in Figure 7, a horizontal handrail 'I Oc in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention includes a support rail 11riember 31 that is attachable to a support structure, such as a wall, by brackets 30, located at either side thereof. Such horizontal handrail 10c can be located below an existing horizontal handrail suitable for use by adults, at a suitable height above the floor of a wheelchair accessible WC and at a suitable distance from the toilet bowl, such that a child can reach same from the toilet bowl.

As illustrated, the underside of the support rail member 31 is provided with a first pair of recesses 32 and a second set of recesses 33, each adapted to receive lip 34, located at the openings of brackets 30.

As illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the side walls 38a and 38b of bracket 30 are each provided with a slot 35, which receiVe a finger 36 located or provided on each side of the support rail member 31.

When in use, the support rail member 31 is lifted and then pulled until such time as lips 34 of each bracket 30 is received by their respective recess 33, such that the support rail member 31 is locked in an in use position, such that a child may grab hold of same for support. When not in use, the support 7 rail member 31 is lifted and pushed until same such time as lips 34 of each bracket 30 is received by its respective recess 32, such that the rail support member 31 is located in a not in use position and does not protrude beyond the horizontal handrail located thereabove at a desired location for an adult user.

As illustrated in Figures 10A and 1013, a support rail 10d in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is adapted to be connected to a hinged handrail 200.

As illustrated, the support rail 1 Od is connected to the upper rail 201 via bracket or clamp members 42.

As illustrated in Figure 10B each end 41a of the rail support member 41 is provided with an L-shaped aperture through which a pin is located enabling the support rail member 41 to be locked between a first, not in use, position and a second, in use, position wherein the support rail member 41 extends horizontally from the upper rail 201 of the hinged rail 200.

As illustrated in Figures 11A and 1113, a horizontal handrail 10e in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a support rail member 51 that is attachable to a support structure, such as a wall, by a wall mounted bracket 50. Such horizontal handrail 10e can be located below an existing horizontal handrail suitable for use by adults, at a suitable height above the floor of a wheelchair accessible WC and a suitable distance from the toilet bowl, such that a child can reach same from the toilet bowl.

As illustrated, the support rail member 51 is lockable and moveable between a first substantially vertical position, when not in use, to a second substantially horizontal position, when in use.

8 As shown in Figure 11 B, the ends of the support rail member 51 are both provided with an L-shaped aperture which interact with a pin located in the wall mounted bracket 50 thereby enabling the support rail member 51 to be locked between a first, not in use, position and a second, in use, position.

It will be appreciated that as all five embodiments of a support rail in accordance with the present invention can be moved from a first, not in use, position to a second, in use, position they can be readily installed in existing wheelchair accessible WCs specifically designed -for adults and will not encroach on the space available to adults when using the WC, thereby providing a wheelchair accessible WC that can be used by both adults and children.

It is to be understood that the present invention also includes the conversion of a wheelchair accessible WC so that same can be used by adults and children by simply installing at least one handrail in accordance with the present invention at a suitable height and location within such WC.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example to a handrail or a support rail for use within a wheelchair accessible WC, it is to be understood that a handrail or support rail in accordance with the present invention can be located within any wheelchair accessible room where a handrail or support rail is required to support a wheelchair bound person or any other person requiring support within such room.

9

Claims

1 A support rail which includes:

attachment means which enable the support rail to be attached to an existing support rail or to be attached to a wall relative to a second support rail that is located at a suitable location and height for an adult; and a support rail member which, in use, a person may hold on to for support, wherein the support rail member is moveable between a first position, when not in use, and a second position, when in use.

2. A support rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means include a pair of upper and lower clamping members which are attachable to the upper and lower rail of a hinged handrail respectively and the support rail member is cantilevered and moveable between a first position, when not in use, and a second position, when in use.

3. A support rail as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distance between the upper and lower clamping members is adjustable.

4. A support rail as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the support rail member is pivotable such that when not in use same can be folded for storage purposes.

5. A support rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means are attachable to an upper rail of a hinged handrail rail and the support rail member is pivotally attached to the attachment means and is moveable and lockable between a first not in use position and a second in use position.

6. A support rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means include a bracket which is wall mountable and the support rail member, which is substantially vertically extending therefrom, is pivotally attached or hingedly attached to the bracket and is moveable between a first, not in use position, to a second, in use position.

7. A support rail as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bracket includes at least one wall which includes a first upper recess and at least one wall which includes a second lower recess; and an end of the support rail member is pivotally attached to the bracket via a pin such that when not in use, the support rail member is raised and pivoted about the pin and located in the first upper recess and when in use, the support rail member is raised and pivoted about the pin and lowered into the second lower recess.

8. A support rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means include a wall mountable bracket located on either side of the support rail member, the ends of which are pivotally attached to the brackets such that the support rail member is moveable between a first, not in use position, to a second, in use position.

9. A support rail as claimed in claim 8, wherein the underside of the support rail member is provided with a first and second set of recesses, each set of recesses being adapted to receive a lip or upwardly extending protrusion located at the openings of the brackets.

10. A support rail as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein each end of the support rail member is provided with a finger adapted to be received and retained within a slot provided in each bracket.

I I 11. A support rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment means include a wall mountable bracket to which the support rail member is pivotally attached and is lockable between a first, not in use position, and a second, in use position.

12. A support rail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 - 11 B.

13. A method of adapting a wheelchair accessible WC, or other wheelchair accessible room, so that same is suitable for use by adults and children, the method including the steps of:

providing at least one support rail as claimed by any one of the preceding claims at a suitable location within the WC or room for a child, the support rail being moveable from a first, not in use position, to a second, in use position.