GB2455146A

GB2455146A - Childrens auxiliary handrail for an existing stairway handrail

Info

Publication number: GB2455146A
Application number: GB0723556A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Adrian Stuart Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-01
Filing date: 2007-12-01
Publication date: 2009-06-03
Also published as: GB0723556D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a handrail assembly for use with an existing handrail 50 of a stairway 60. The handrail assembly includes a handrail 10 and one or more support brackets 20. Each support bracket 20 has a removable attachment means for attaching the handrail 10 to the existing handrail 50 so that it is lower than the existing handrail 50 and also substantially parallel to the existing handrail 50 in order to assist a child to negotiate the stairway 60. The handrail 10 may comprise fibre optic lights which illuminate in various colours on touching the handrail 10. The handrail 10 may also emit a sound when touched. The handrail 10 and or each support bracket 20 may be extrusion moulded from a plastics material. A later embodiment relates to a method of providing a child's handrail.

Description

HANDRAIL

The invention relates to a handrail, and in particular to a children's auxiliary handrail, and a handrail assembly for a stairway.

Stairways are designed for adults and are typically problematic for young children. A child may ascend or descend the stairway on their bottom, moving from one step of the stairway to the next holding on to each stair.

Alternatively the child may try to hold on to an existing handrail of the stairway, which is designed for an adult, and which is not at the correct height for the child. Furthermore the handrail is typically too thick for a child to grasp firmly. A parent may assist the child in negotiating the stairs by holding on to the handrail with one hand and the child's hand with the other hand. Alternatively, the parent may carry the child up or down the stairway. All of these options are potentially dangerous and could cause injury to the child and the parent if either fell on the stairway.

What is required is a way of assisting a child to descend or ascend a stairway more safely.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a handrail assembly for use with an existing handrail of a stairway, the handrail assembly including a handrail and one or more support brackets, each support bracket having an attachment means for removably attaching the handrail to the existing handrail so that it is lower than the existing handrail and substantially parallel to the existing handrail to assist a child to negotiate a stairway.

Such a handrail assembly has the advantage of allowing young children to ascend or descend a stairway more safely by providing a secondary handrail adjacent to an existing handrail of a stairway. The handrail assembly is a kit of parts which can be attached to an existing handrail of a stairway by an end user.

Preferably the handrail is arranged to be supported by the one or more support brackets by an under surface, or a side surface, or a combination of the under surface or the side surface. Such an arrangement has the advantage that an upper surface is substantially uninterrupted by the support bracket thereby allowing a child's hand to slide on the handrail without having to take it off the handrail. Should the child stumble on the stairway they are more likely to be able to catch hold of the handrail quickly which reduces the possibility of falling.

Preferably the attachment means is arranged to inhibit marking or damage to the existing handrail. The attachment means is typically removable from the existing handrail when the child's handrail is no longer needed.

In a preferably embodiment the attachment means is arranged to contact the existing handrail with one or more pads, for example soft or otherwise pliable contact pads.

Preferably the attachment means comprises a mouth. The mouth may have an adjustable jaw arranged to clamp the existing handrail. This allows the mouth to be adjustable to fit different sizes of the existing handrail. Such an adjustable mouth also provides the advantage that the one or more screw to secure the support bracket to the handrail are not required to have a long travel. Preferably the mouth is arranged to clamp the existing handrail on an upper and lower surface thereof. This has the advantage that the support bracket is less likely to twist when a child is using the handrail.

Preferably the lower part of the mouth has a flat surface arranged to contact, or be adjacent to an under surface of the existing handrail.

Typically existing handrails have a flat underside such that the flat surface of the mouth can contact it in use and provide a secure attachment.

The one or more support brackets may be arranged to be secured to an underside of the existing handrail by one or more screws.

Preferably the handrail is arranged to extend in a vertical plane which is offset from a vertical plane of the existing handrail. Such an offset has the advantage that the handrail is not directly underneath the existing handrail when in situ, which allows the child to be away from the edge of the stairway, and towards the centre of the stairway. The offset may be any convenient dimension to achieve this purpose. Preferably the offset is between 0.05m -0.20m.

By "vertical" is meant truly vertical and generally vertical/generally upright.

Preferably the handrail is comprised of a plurality of sections. Each section may be any convenient length but in a preferred embodiment the sections are between 0.3m and 1.5m, and preferably im long.

Preferably the handrail assembly comprises a plurality of support brackets, for example between two and ten support brackets. In a preferred embodiment the handrail assembly comprises four or five support brackets. Preferably the handrail comprises a plurality of sections, for example between two and ten Sections. In a preferred embodiment the handrail comprises four or five sections. Such a plurality of support brackets and sections allows the handrail assembly to be conveniently sold or supplied as a kit of parts.

Preferably the handrail and the one or more support brackets are provided with an engagement which allows the handrail to be located relative to the one or more support brackets in a predetermined orientation. Such an engagement provides a guided, foolproof, way of arranging the handrail relative to the one or more support brackets.

In a preferred embodiment the handrail and each support bracket are arranged to be connected to each other such that there is a space between an upper surface of the handrail and each support bracket. The engagement also allows the space to be controlled more easily. In a preferred embodiment one of the handrail and the one or more support members is provided with a projection, and the other of the handrail and the one or more members is provided with a recess.

Preferably the handrail and each support bracket are arranged to be connected with one or more fasteners. Preferably the one or more fasteners are arranged to pass up through a base part of each support bracket and into the handrail. In this way the fasteners are out of the way of the child's hand.

Preferably each support bracket is a fixed length. Preferably the support bracket is a one-piece construction. This provides a stronger support bracket than might be achieved with a support bracket made of more than one part.

Preferably the handrail and/or each support bracket is made of a plastics material. The handrail and/or each support bracket may be injection moulded or extrusion moulded.

The handrail may be provided with one or more lights. Preferably the lights illuminate upon touching the handrail. The one or more lights may be provided by fibre optic. Such lights might encourage children to touch the handrail and hence children are more likely to use it.

Preferably there is a plurality of lights of more than one colour, and in a preferred embodiment there is a green light towards the lower end of the handrail, an amber coloured light about the middle part of the handrail, and a red light towards an upper end of the handrail. Such an arrangement of lights may be useful to signal danger at the top of the stairway with the red light, and safety at the bottom of the stairway with the green light.

Preferably the handrail is further arranged to emit sound upon touch. This may be used as an incentive to touch the handrail, or as a warning that the child is near the top of the stairs.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is an auxiliary handrail arranged to be supported from an existing handrail of a stairway by one or more support brackets so that it is lower than the existing handrail and substantially parallel to the existing handrail to assist a child to negotiate a stairway.

Preferably the handrail is supported by the one or more support brackets by an under surface, or a side surface, or a combination of the under surface or the side surface. Such an arrangement has the advantage that an upper surface is substantially uninterrupted by the support bracket thereby allowing a child's hand to slide on the handrail without having to take it off the handrail. Should the child stumble on the stairway they are more likely to be able to catch hold of the handrail quickly which reduces the possibility of falling.

Preferably the support bracket has an attachment means for removable attachment of the handrail to the existing handrail. Preferably the attachment means is arranged to inhibit marking or damage to the existing handrail. In a preferred embodiment the attachment means is arranged to contact the existing handrail with one or more pads, for example soft or otherwise pliable contact pads.

Preferably the attachment means comprises a mouth. The mouth may have an adjustable jaw to clamp the existing handrail. This allows the mouth to be adjustable to fit different sizes of the existing handrail. Such an adjustable mouth also provides the advantage that the one or more screw to secure the support bracket to the handrail are not required to have a long travel. Preferably the mouth is arranged to clamp the existing handrail on an upper and lower surface thereof. This has the advantage that the support bracket is less likely to twist when a child is using the handrail.

Preferably the lower part of the mouth has a flat surface to contact, or be adjacent to an under surface of the existing handrail. Typically existing handrails have a flat underside such that the flat surface of the mouth can contact it and provide a secure attachment.

The one or more support brackets may be secured to an underside of the existing handrail by one or more screws.

Preferably the handrail is arranged to extend in a vertical plane which is offset from a vertical plane of the existing handrail. Such an offset has the advantage that the handrail is not directly underneath the existing handrail which allows the child to be away from the edge of the stairway, and towards the centre of the stairway. The offset may be any convenient dimension to achieve this purpose. Preferably the offset is between 0.05m -0.20m.

Preferably the handrail comprises a plurality of support brackets, for example between two and ten support brackets. In a preferred embodiment the handrail comprises four or five support brackets.

Preferably the handrail comprises a plurality of sections, for example between two and ten sections. In a preferred embodiment the handrail comprises four or five sections.

Preferably the handrail and the one or more support brackets have an engagement which allows the handrail to be located relative to the one or more support brackets in a predetermined orientation. Such an engagement provides a guided, foolproof, way of arranging the handrail relative to the one or more support brackets.

In a preferred embodiment the handrail and each support bracket are connected to each other such that there is a space between an upper surface of the handrail and each support bracket. The engagement also allows the space to be controlled more easily. In a preferred embodiment one of the handrail and the one or more support members is provided with a projection, and the other of the handrail and the one or more members is provided with a recess.

Preferably the handrail and each support bracket are connected with one or more fasteners. Preferably the one or more fasteners pass up through a base part of each support bracket and into the handrail. In this way the fasteners are Out of the way of the child's hand.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided an installed child's handrail comprising a pre-existing adult handrail wherein the child's handrail is attached to the pre-existing handrail so that the child's handrail extends parallel to, but lower than and spaced apart from the adult handrail.

According to a further alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a kit for assembly to make an installed child's handrail, the kit comprising a handrail assembly according to the first aspect of the invention and instructions for assembling the child's handrail.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a child's handrail on a stairway, the method comprising fitting a child's handrail to an existing handrail of the stairway so that it extends parallel to, but lower than and spaced apart from the adult handrail.

Preferably the support bracket is a one-piece construction. This provides a stronger support bracket than might be achieved with a support bracket made of more than one part.

It will be appreciated that any preferred or optional features of one aspect of the invention may be preferred or optional feature of other aspects of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an end part of a children's handrail according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a support bracket for use with the handrail of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handrail and the support bracket of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the handrail of Figure 1 located in the support bracket of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the handrail of Figures 1 -4 shown in position on a staircase; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable support bracket according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a support bracket according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a jaw of the support bracket of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the support bracket of Figure 7 with the jaw removed.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an end part of a children's handrail according to an embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 10. The handrail 10 is shown in its general orientation in use.

The handrail 10 has a rail part 12 at the top which runs along the length of the handrail 10 for a child to hold onto. The handrail 10 also has a projection 14 for attaching it t o a support 20 shown in Figure 2. In Figure 1 the handrail 10 is shown to have a cross section that is generafly symmetrical about a vertical plane 11. The projection 14 is generally elongate and extends along a plane 15 which is at an acute angle 13 to the vertical plane 11. The rail part 12 is generally circular in section and has a diameter of about 4cm so that a child's hand can grasp it firmly. The handrail 10 is made Out of one piece of material such as plastic, which can be extrusion moulded or injection moulded.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a support bracket, generally designated 20, for use with the handrail 10 of Figure 1. In Figure 2 the support bracket 20 is shown in its general orientation in use. The support bracket 20 comprises an elongate body 22 having a mouth 24 at an upper end, and a horizontal portion 26 at a lower end. The mouth 24 is for engaging an existing handrail 50 of a stairway shown in Figure 4, and the horizontal portion 26 is to engage the handrail 10 of Figure 1. The horizontal portion 26 has a recess 27 on an upper surface which is shaped to accept the projection 14 of the handrail 10 shown in Figure 1. Two holes 29 are provided at the bottom of the recess 27 so that the projection 14 can be screwed to the support bracket 20 from below.

Figure 2 also shows that the mouth 24 has an upper jaw 28 and a lower jaw 30. The upper jaw 28 has a soft pad 32. The lower jaw 30 has screws 36 which pass through the lower jaw 30 from below and into the mouth 24. Each screw 36 has a soft pad 34 at the end which projects into the mouth 34. Once the mouth of the support bracket 20 is located over an existing handrail 50 (shown in Figure 4) the screws 36 can be tightened to clamp the support bracket 20 to the existing handrail 50. The soft pads 32, 34 protect the existing handrail 50 when the support bracket 20 is clamped onto it. Alternatively, there may not be any soft pads on the upper part 72 or lower part 74.

In an alternative arrangement the screws 36 may be grub screws that do not project, or only project a small amount, out of the base of the lower jaw 30, which has the advantage that a child is less likely to catch their hand on them.

Figure 2 also shows that there is a fixed relationship between the angles of clamping surface of the jaws 28, 30, and the angle of the handrail 10 mounting surfaces. This arrangement fixes the handrail 10 relative to the existing handrail 50 (shown in Figure 4) to ensure that the handrail 10 and the existing handrail 50 are parallel to each other.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the handrail and the support bracket of Figures 1 and 2. An arrow 40 illustrates that the projection 14 of the handrail 10 is slotted into the recess 27 of the support bracket 20.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the handrail 10 of Figure 1 located in the support bracket 20 of Figure 2. In Figure 4 the projection 14 of the handrail 10 is shown located into the recess 27 of the support bracket 20 so that the rail part 12 is uppermost. The angle 13 of the projection and recess mean that the projection 14 can only fit into the recess 27 in one orientation. This provides a failsafe way of fitting the two parts together.

Figure 4 shows that the support bracket 20 holds the handrail 10 so that there is a gap 51 between them. In this way the support bracket 20 does not interfere with the rail part 12 of the handrail 10. In use, a child can hold on to the rail part 12 without requiring to remove it from the rail part 12 when at a support bracket 20.

Figure 4 also shows the support bracket 20 clamped onto an existing handrail 50. The screws 36 urge the existing handrail 50 from below against the soft pad 32 on the upper jaw 28. The soft pads 34 on the screws 36 protect the underside of the existing handrail 50. The jaws 28, 30 hold the existing handrail 50 and resist twisting of the support bracket 20 relative to the existing handrail 50 when a child holds on to the rail part 12. Typically, existing handrails 50 have a flat underside, and the generally flat lower jaw 30 assists firm clamping of the support bracket 20 to it.

Figure 4 also shows that the vertical plane 11 of the handrail 10 is separated from a vertical plane 52 of the existing handrail 50 by a horizontal offset 54. The offset has the advantage that the handrail 10 is not directly underneath the existing handrail 50 so that when a child holds on to the handrail 10 they are away from a side of the stairway and more towards the centre of the stairway. The offset is typically about 0.lm, but more or less offset is envisaged, such as between 0.05 -0.20m.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the handrail 10 of Figures 1 -4 shown in position on a staircase 60. The handrail 10 naturally follows the inclination of the existing handrail 50. The handrail 10 is shown to comprise of sections 62, 64, 66, 68 which are joined at one of the plurality of support brackets 20. The sections of handrail 62, 64, 66, 68 and the plurality of support brackets can be sold as a kit to be fitted by the end user. The sections of handrail 62, 64, 66, 68 are typically between 0.3 -1.5m in length, and preferably im in length.

The support bracket 20 and the handrail 10 together form a handrail assembly that can be supplied to an end user for fitting to the existing handrail 50 of a stairway 60. When a child is tall enough or old enough to use the existing handrail 50 the handrail assembly can be removed.

Marking or damaging the existing handrail 50 is minimised due to the soft pads 32, 34.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable support bracket according to an alternative embodiment, generally designated 70. Features common to the embodiment of Figure 2 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 6 the mouth 24 that is arranged to clamp onto the existing handrail is comprised of an upper part 72 and a lower part 74.

The upper part 72 is provided with a soft pad 32 as previously described.

The lower part 74 is also provided with a soft pad 76. These soft pads 32, 76 are arranged to clamp on to the existing handrail so that damage to the handrail due to the clamping is minimised. Alternatively, there may not be any soft pads on the upper part 72 or lower part 74.

The upper part 72 and the lower part 74 are coupled by a screw 78 which allows one part 72, 74 to move relative to the other part 72, 74 so that the opening of the mouth 24 is adjustable in dimension to allow clamping of the support bracket 70 to an existing handrail. Such an arrangement has the advantage that it avoids screws 36 of different lengths from protruding below the base of the lower jaw 30 as shown in Figure 4. This arrangement avoids the possibility that a child's hand could get caught on one of the screws 36.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a support bracket according to an alternative embodiment, generally designated 80. Features common to the embodiment of Figure 2 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 7 the mouth 24 that is arranged to clamp onto the existing handrail is comprised of a lower jaw 30 and an upper jaw 82. The position of the upper jaw 82 is movable on the support bracket 80 so that the size of the mouth 25 is adjustable. The upper jaw 82 is provided with a soft pad 32 as previously described. The lower jaw 30 is also provided with soft pads 34 which are on the end of grub screws 86, which may be 10 -15mm in length. The grub screws 86 provide the advantage that their ends do not protrude below the lower jaw 30, and a child's hand is less likely to catch on it. The adjustable jaw 82 was the advantage that the mouth can be adapted to any size existing handrail so that the grub screws 86 are not required to have such a long thread and distance of travel to clamp the support bracket 80 onto an existing handrail.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the upper jaw 82 of the support bracket 80 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the support bracket 80 of Figure 7 with the upper jaw 82 removed. Together Figures 8 and 9 show how the upper jaw 82 is connected to the support bracket 80 so that the mouth 24 is adjustable. Figure 8 shows two hooks 88 of the upper jaw 82 that are arranged to engage into respective holes of the support bracket 90. The holes 90 are arranged at the back of the mouth 24 so that the hooks 88 can locate into them thereby forming a C shape of the mouth 24. Typically the mouth 24 has an opening that is adjustable between 20 -80mm. Figure 9 shows that there are a plurality of holes so that the upper jaw 82 is adjustable in position on the support bracket 80.

In another embodiment the handrail may have one or more lights, which may illuminate upon touch. Such an arrangement requires a power source, such as a battery, a sensor such as a touch sensitive switch, and a controller. This arrangement may encourage young children to touch the handrail and thereby use it. The one or more lights may be provided by optic fibre that may be embedded into the handrail. This arrangement also allows the possibility to have a plurality of lights of more than one colour. In one embodiment a red light is provided towards the top of the handrail to signify danger at the top of the stairs. In another embodiment a green coloured light may be included towards the lower end of the handrail, and/or an amber coloured light about the middle part of the handrail.

In another embodiment the handrail may be arranged to emit sounds when it is touched. The sounds might be warning sounds or reward sounds when the handrail is touched near the top of the stairs. Alternatively the sounds might be theme tunes of popular children's characters, or a favourite song. Such sounds could be emitted at the top or bottom of the staircase and provide the advantage of encouraging a child to touch the handrail and to interact with it. The handrail may also be arranged to detect whether a child has touched the top or the bottom of the handrail first, at to reward the child with a sound when they have reached the top or bottom of the stairway.

Claims

1. A handrail assembly for use with an existing handrail of a stairway, the handrail assembly including a handrail and one or more support brackets, each support bracket having an attachment means for removably attaching the handrail to the existing handrail so that it is lower than the existing handrail and substantially parallel to the existing handrail to assist a child to negotiate a stairway.

2. A handrail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the handrail is arranged to be supported by the one or more support brackets by an under surface, or a side surface, or a combination of the under surface or the side surface.

3. A handrail assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment means is arranged to inhibit marking or damage to the existing handrail.

4. A handrail assembly according to claim 3 wherein the attachment means is arranged to contact the existing handrail with one or more soft or otherwise pliable contact pads.

5. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a mouth.

6. A handrail assembly according to claim 5 wherein the mouth has an adjustable jaw arranged to clamp the existing handrail.

7. A handrail assembly according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the mouth is arranged to clamp the existing handrail on an upper and lower surface thereof.

8. A handrail assembly according to claim 7 wherein the lower part of the mouth has a flat surface arranged to contact, or be adjacent to an under surface of the existing handrail.

9. A handrail assembly according to claim 8 wherein the one or more support brackets are arranged to be secured to an underside of the existing handrail by one or more screws.

10. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail is arranged to extend in a vertical plane which is offset from a vertical plane of the existing handrail.

11. A handrail assembly according to claim 10 wherein the offset is between 0.05m -0.20m.

12. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail is comprised of a plurality of sections.

13. A handrail assembly according to claim 12 comprising a plurality of sections.

14. A handrail assembly according to claim 13 comprising between two and ten sections.

15. A handrail assembly according to claim 14 comprising four or five sections.

16. A handrail assembly according to any of claims 12 -15 wherein each section is between 0.3m and 1.5m, and preferably im long.

17. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of support brackets.

18. A handrail assembly according to claim 17 comprising between two and ten support brackets.

19. A handrail assembly according to claim 18 comprising four or five support brackets.

20. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail and the one or more support brackets are provided with an engagement which allows the handrail to be located relative to the one or more support brackets in a predetermined orientation.

21. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one of the handrail and the one or more support members is provided with a projection, and the other of the handrail and the one or more members is provided with a recess.

22. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail and each support bracket are arranged to be connected to each other such that there is a space between an upper surface of the handrail and each support bracket.

23. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail and each support bracket are arranged to be connected with one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners being arranged to pass up through a base part of each support bracket and into the handrail.

24. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein each support bracket is a fixed length.

25. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail and/or each support bracket is made of a plastics material.

26. A handrail assembly according to claim 25 wherein the handrail and/or each support bracket is injection moulded or extrusion moulded.

27. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the handrail may be provided with one or more lights.

28. A handrail assembly according to claim 27 wherein the lights illuminate upon touching the handrail.

29. A handrail assembly according to claim 27 or 28 wherein the one or more lights may be provided by fibre optic.

30. A handrail assembly according to any of claims 27 -29 wherein there is a plurality of lights of more than one colour.

31. A handrail assembly according to claim 30 and further including a green light towards the lower end of the handrail, and/or an amber coloured light about the middle part of the handrail, and/or a red light towards an upper end of the handrail.

32. A handrail assembly according to any preceding claim and further arranged to emit sound upon touch.

33. An auxiliary handrail supported from an existing handrail of a stairway by one or more support brackets so that it is lower than the existing handrail and substantially parallel to the existing handrail to assist a child to negotiate a stairway.

34. A handrail according to claim 33 supported by the one or more support brackets by an under surface, or a side surface, or a combination of the under surface or the side surface.

35. A handrail according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the support bracket has an attachment means for removable attachment of the handrail to the existing handrail.

36. A handrail according to claim 35 wherein the attachment means is arranged to inhibit marking or damage to the existing handrail.

37. A handrail according to claim 36 wherein the attachment means is arranged to contact the existing handrail with one or more soft or otherwise pliable contact pads.

38. A handrail according to any of claims 35 -37 wherein the attachment means comprises a mouth.

39. A handrail according to claim 38 wherein the mouth has an adjustable jaw to clamp the existing handrail.

40. A handrail according to claim 38 or 39 wherein the mouth is arranged to clamp the existing handrail on an upper and lower surface thereof.

41. A handrail according to claim 38, 39 or 40 wherein the lower part of the mouth has a flat surface to contact, or be adjacent to an under surface of the existing handrail.

42. A handrail according to any of claim 33 -41 wherein the one or more support brackets are secured to an underside of the existing handrail by one or more screws.

43. A handrail according to any of claim 33 -42 wherein the handrail is arranged to extend in a vertical plane which is offset from a vertical plane of the existing handrail.

44. A handrail according to claim 43 wherein the offset is between 0.05m -0.20m.

45. A handrail according to any of claim 33 -44 comprised of a plurality of sections.

46. A handrail according to claim 45 comprising a plurality of sections.

47. A handrail according to claim 46 comprising between two and ten sections.

48. A handrail according to claim 47 comprising four or five sections.

49. A handrail according to claim 46, 47 or 48 wherein the sections are between 0.3m and 1.5m, and preferably im long.

50. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -49 comprising between two and ten support brackets..

51. A handrail according to claim 50 comprising four or five support brackets

52. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -51 wherein the one or more support brackets have an engagement which allows the handrail to be located relative to the one or more support brackets in a predetermined orientation.

53. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -52 wherein the handrail and each support bracket are connected to each other such that there is a space between an upper surface of the handrail and each support bracket.

54. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -53 wherein one of the handrail and the one or more support members is provided with a projection, and the other of the handrail and the one or more members is provided with a recess.

55. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -54 wherein the handrail and each support bracket are connected with one or more fasteners which pass up through a base part of each support bracket and into the handrail.

56. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -55 wherein each support bracket is a fixed length.

57. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -56 wherein the handrail and/or each support bracket is made of a plastics material.

58. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -57 wherein the handrail and/or each support bracket may be injection moulded or extrusion moulded.

59. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -58 wherein the handrail is provided with one or more lights.

60. A handrail according to claim 59 wherein the lights illuminate upon touching the handrail.

61. A handrail according to claim 59 or 60 wherein the one or more lights may be provided by fibre optic.

62. A handrail according to any of claims 59 -61 including a plurality of lights of more than one colour.

63. A handrail according to claim 62 including a green light towards the lower end of the handrail, and/or an amber coloured light about the middle part of the handrail, and/or a red light towards an upper end of the handrail.

64. A handrail according to any of claims 33 -63 and further arranged to emit sound upon touch.

65. A handrail assembly or an auxiliary handrail as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 -6 of the accompanying drawings.

66. An installed child's handrail comprising a pre-exisling adult handrail wherein the child's handrail is attached to the pre-existing handrail so that the child's handrail extends parallel to, but lower than and spaced apart from the adult handrail.

67. A kit for assembly to make the installed child's handrail of claim 66, the kit comprising a handrail assembly according to any of claims 1 -31 and instructions for assembling the child's handrail.

68. A method of providing a child's handrail on a stairway, the method comprising fitting a child's handrail to an existing handrail of the stairway so that it extends parallel to, but lower than and spaced apart from the adult handrail.