GB2526048A

GB2526048A - Folding hand rail and bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2526048A
Application number: GB1404759.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Anderson; Kevin Urquhart
Original assignee: NYMAS Ltd
Current assignee: NYMAS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-17
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2015-11-18
Also published as: GB201404759D0

Abstract

A handrail bracket 3, the bracket includes a pivot pin 6a, a pivot pin engagement member 21 and biasing means 20 configured to exert a force on the pin engagement member 6a to cause friction between the pivot pin and the pivot pin engagement member, the bracket including a first fixed part 5 and a second rotatable part 7, the second part rotatable relative to the first between first and second positions. Preferably the pivot pin is fixed in the first fixed part 5 of the bracket and the pin engagement member 21 is mounted in the second part to 7 rotate about the pivot pin. Preferably the second part 7 of the bracket is configured to receive a handrail 2.

Description

Folding Hand Rail and Bracket

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to folding hand rails of the type used by individuals to assist themselves ill lIlovuig between standing and srtri ig positions, and iii particular to a bracket that provides for such a hand rail to move between lowered and raised con ligurations.

Background of the Invention

hand rails are often provided in buildings to assist individuals in raising and lowering tlieniselves between standing and sifting positions. C)ne particular are of application is in relation to lavatories, typically, where an individual has difculty in moving between stading and sitting positions, a hand rail is positioned adjacent the lavatory, the hand rail usually being attached to a wall located behind the lavatory, Wlie use of the lavatory is to be provided for wheel chair users, typically the rail will be designed to move between a raised position in which the longitudinal axis of the rail is substantially vertical and a lowered position in which the longitudinal axis of the rail is substantially hordiontal, hhe rail and its mounting to the wall are designed such that with the rail in its raised position a wheelchair user may gain access to thc lavatory from the side tileftof this involves positioning the wheelchair immediately adjacent die lavatory and the individual transferring from the wheelchair to the lavatory. When transferred to the lavatory, the individual must then reach around to the rail and move it from its raised position to its lowemd position.

There are a number of types ofhand rail currently available, each ofwhich provides a bracket attached to a wall and for the rail to pivot on the bracket. The most common type, of hand rail includes a bracket having two spaced apart pins extending between spaced apart plates. The rail includes a slot. One of the pins extends through the slot, In thc lowered position the pin is situated at one end of the slot and in' the raised position the pin is situated at the other end of the slot. this allows the whole rail to move longitudinally so that in the raised position the end of the rail proximate the bracket may engage with a part of the bracket so as to prevent rotation of the rail relative to the bracket, There are a number of problems associated with this type of hand rail, First, the hand rail must be lifted before it may be pivoted to the k)wercd position. This can be difficult, as when in the raised position the rail is to the side of and substantially behind the person using the tail, both in terms of reaching the rail and lifring it.

Another problem with this type of tail is that by making part of the pivoting arrangement as slot there is some inevitable lateral movement of the tail. this can be unnerving for a user of the rail, Another common type of rail and bracket arrangement, which removes the need to lift the rail and at least at the point of initial installation addresses the issue of lateral movement is to connect the tail to the bracket by a nut and bolt, with the rail mounted in the bracket on friction bushes. When initially assembled the nut and bolt are tightened so that a force is exerd on the hand rail sufficient to generate friction to resist gravitational force on the band rail when in the raised position tnd when lowerlilg from the raised to the lowered positions. The problem with this type of hand rail arrangement is that through usc the friction bushes wear. This leads to the hand rail descending From its raised to irs lowered positions more quickly, and ultimately the friction force may be so reduced that the hand rail simply falls from the raised to the lowered positiolls.

In a more recent development, a hand rail has been provided where the bracket includes an arcuatc friction surface and a spring biased element having a domed surface is provided between a pivot pin and the friction surface. Friction between the domed surface of the spring biased element and the friction surfhce of the bncket controls the rate of descent from the raised to the lowered positions. however, it has been found that there is wear between the domed surface of the spring biased element and the friction surface of the brakcet leading to loss of material from which these components arc formed. Also, the domed surface of the spring biased element introduces lateral instability to the rail.

it would therefore be desirable to provide all improved hand rail and bracket thereformounting.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a handrail bracket, the bracket including a pivot pm, a pivot pm engagement member and biasing means configured to exert a force on the pin engagement member causing friction between the pivot pin and the pivot pin engagement member, the bracket including a first fixed part and a second rotatable part, the second part rotatable relative to the first between first and second positions.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a handrail bracket, the bracket including a pivot pin, a pivot pin engagement member and biasing means configured to exert a force on the pin engagement member causing friction between the pivot pin and the pivot pin engagement member, the bracket including a first fixed part and a second rotatable part, the second part rotatable relative to the first between first and second positions and a hand rail attached to the second part of the bracket.

Preferred features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set out in the description, drawings and claims hereto.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the Drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the folding hand rail and bracket of the iliveil tion: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the folding hand rail and bracket with the hand rail in its lowered position; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the folding hand rail and bracket shown in Figure 1 with the hand rail in its raised position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional elevation on the axis A-A shown in Figure 1 and illustrathig fire bracket when the hand rail is in its lowered position; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation on the axis A-A shown in Figure 2 and illustrating the bracket when the hand rail is in its raised position; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation on the axis A-A shown in Figure I and illustrating a component part of the bracket; and Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a part of the bracket.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a hand rail and bracket assembly 1 comprising a nil 2, a bracket 3 and a mountingplate 4. In the lowered position shown in Figure I the rail 2 may be used as a support. In thc raiscd position, the rail 2 docs not impcdc acccss to either side of the asscmhly 1.

Figures 3 to 6 show the assembly 1 and its components in greater detail. The bracket 3 comprises a housingS, which itself includes spaced apart side walls 5a, a connecting upper wall 51) connecting the upper edges of the side walls 5a and a connecting lower wall Sc, connecting the side walls 5a at their lower edges.

The side walls 5a and the upper and lower connecting walls Sb, Sc each attach to the mounting plate 4, which is provided with a plurality of holes 4a facilitating attachment of the mountingplate to a wall or other structure capable of bearing weight.

The bracket 3 also includes two pins Ga, 6b extending between the side walls 5a. The pin Ga is a pivot pin, that is the rail 2 rotates about the pin Ga. The pin Gb is part ofa locking arrangement which provides that when the rail is in its raised position it is locked in place.

The bracket 3 includes a huh 7 which includes a recess for receiving one end of the rail 2, the reccess being in the form of a bore 8 in the illustrated example. [he bore 8 may be internally threaded so that the rail may be screwed into the bore, or the bore may have smooth walls and the rail may be fixed in the bore by another suitable means such as adhesive or the nature of the fit between the rail and the bore 8, [lie pin 6a extends through the rail 2 and the bore 8. It can be seen from Figure 6 that the hub includes an opening 9 in each side thereof and that each opening is closed by a plate 10. Each plate 10 includes a slot Ii. Each slot 11 has a closed end ii a that is curved. The pin 6a sits in the slot in engagement with the closed ends ha thereof The plates 10 may also be configured such that a friction force is generated between the plates 10 and the inner faces of side plates Sa.

lIre bracket 3 includes a biasing means wInch in the illustrated emboc[iments is in the form ofa biasing assembly. As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5, the hub 7 mounts a biasing assembly 20, which urges the pin 6a into engagement with the curved ends 1 Ia of the slots. The biasing assembly includes a friction saddle 21, a coil spring 22, a spring mounting boss 23 and an attachment plate 24.

The friction saddle 21 includes a concave pin seat 21a, the pin 6a sitting in the seat 21a, and a collar 21h extending away from the pin seat 21a. The collar 21h is circular in cross section. One end of the spring mounting boss 23 is slldably engaged in the collar 211), with one end of the coil spring 22 sitting on die outside of the collar 21b. An abutment surface 21c is formed in the saddle 21 radially outward of the collar 21 a. One end of the coil spring 22 abuts the abutment surface 21 c.

I'he spring mounting boss 23 includes portions of reducing diamer, A first endportion 23a is so shaped and dimensioned as to he received slidingly in the collar 21a. An intermediate portion 23b is shaped and dimensioned so that it fits inside the coil spring 22 with little play between the two components. A second end portion 23c forms an abument surface 23d against which an end of the coil spring 22 abuts.

S

The second end portion 23c is secured to the attachment plate 24. The attachment plate 24 includes a recess 24a in which the second end portion 23c of the spring mounting boss 23 is received, The spring mounting boss 23 and the attachment plate 24 include aligned bores 241) and 23e, The bores 241) and 23e are internally threaded, A grub screw 25 is engaged with the bores 24b and 23e as is best depicted in Figure 5.

the grub screw 25 include a recess 25a configured to receive an adjuster, which in the present example is an Allen key. It is preferred that the grub screw 25 is locked in position with respect to the spring mounting boss 23. This may he achieved by applying adhesive to the threads of one or both of the bore 23a and the grub screw 25 in the region of engagement with the threads of bore 23a.

cTith the grub screw 25 fixed with respect to the spring mounting boss 23 the attachment plate 24 and the spring mounting boss 23 may be brought into engagement with each other. the grub screw 25 is aligned with the bore 241) and the spring mounting boss 23 rotated so that the corresponding threads of the grub screw 25 and the bore 24b engage, thereby attaching the spring mounting boss 23 to the plate 24. The grub screw 25 and bore 24h also provide for the position of the spring mountingboss 23 with respect to the attachment plate 24 to be set. It is the position of the spring moLulting boss 23 relative to the attachment plate 24 that determines the compression of the coil spring 22 and hence the force exerted on the pin Ga through the saddle 21.

the first end of the spring mounting boss 23 includes a slot 23d. this slot is configured to receive the end ofa screw driver. Iris desirable to he able to manipulate the spring moiniting boss 23 with a tool so that fine adjustments may be made and that the grub screw 25 may be fastened tightly with respect to the spring mounting boss 23.

Referring now in particular to Figure 6, the attachment plate 24 includes four bores 24c. Each bore 24c receives a bolt 25a. The bores 24c arc aligned with internally threaded bores in the hub 7, which receive the bolts 25a to fasten the attachment plate 24 to the hub 7. One skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the position of the attachment plate 24 is fixed, so any adjustment of the grub screw 2.5, and hence the spring mounting boss 23, must be taken up by the coil spring 22. By adjusting the position of the gtub screw it is thcrefi)rc possible to adjust the force exerted on the pin 6a by the saddle 21.

it can also be seen from Figures 3,4 and 6 that the hub 7 mounts clips 26. the clips 26 are so shaped and dimensioned as to engage with the pin oh when the rail 2 is in its raised position, as shown in Figure 4. the clips 26 are spring clips configured such that the rail 2 may be moved into or out of the locked configuration shown in Figure 4 relatively easily.

the clips 26 are not strictly necessary but are desirable as they provide a secondary safety mechanism to prevent in advertent lowering of the rail 2.

\X1hen the rail 2 is in its lowered position the pin oh is situated in the cnrved recess 7a provided in the lower region of the hub 7, with a wall 7h of the hub 7 abutting an adjacent surface of the wall Sc oftlie housing 3.

hidividual features and components of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described with reference thereto are not necessarily limited to those specific ei'nbodiments of the invention, but may be used with any embodiment of die invention falling within the scope of die claims where those features or components are suitable, The hand rail and bracket of the invention provide significant advantages over the prior art. The rail requires rotation only to move between the raised and lowered positions, rather than lifting and rotation. The bracket automatically takes up changes in configuration of components due to wear and tear. Further, the force required to raise and lower the rail can he adjusted, to suit the changing needs of an individual or the needs of dlifferent individuals, or to restore the force required to raise and lower the rail.

Claims

Claims 1. A handrail bracket, the bracket including a pivot pin, a pivot pin engagement member and biasing means configured to exert a force on the pin engagement member causing frictk)n between the pivot pin and the pivot pin engagement member, the bracket including a first fixed part and a second rotatable part, the second part rotatable relative to the first between first and second positions.
2, A bracket according to Claim 1, wherein the pivot pin is fixed in the first part of the bracket and the pin engagement member is mounted in the second part to rotate about the pivot pin.
3. A bracket according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part of the bracket comprises a pair of spaced apart side plates, the pivot pin extending between the spaced apart side plates.
4. A bracket according to any preceding claim, comprising a hub, wherein the biasing means is nF)unrnd in the hub, and the pivot pin is received in the huh.
5. A bracket according to Claim 4, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring mounted within the hub between the pin engagement member and the hub.
6. A bracket according to Claim 5, wherein the biasing means includes a spring mounting boss, the spring mounted on the spring mounting boss and the spring mounting boss mounted in the hub.
7. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the pin engagement member includes a collar and wherein the biasing mealls is nu)unted on the collar.
8. A bracket according to Claim 7 when dependent on Claim 6, wherein the spring mountmgboss is configured to engage slidably with the collar of the pivot engagement member.
9. A brackeet according to any ofClaims 4 to 8, wherein the huh includes huh body and a plate removably attachable to the huh body.
10. A bracket according to Claim 9, wherein tile plate forms part of the biasing means the biasing means reacting against the plate.
11. A bracket according to Claim 10, wherein the spring mounting boss is attached to the plate.
12. A bracket according to Clann 11, wherein the spring mounting boss is attached to the plate fbr axial movement therebetween,
13. A bracket according to Claim 12, wherem the spring mounting boss and the plate include correspondingly threaded elements engaging with one amiother, and wherein relative rotation between the threaded elements generates said axial movmerit between the plate and the spring mounting boss.
14. A bracket according to any of Chaimns 11 to 13, wherein the plate includes a recess and a part of tIme spring mounting boss is situated in the recess.
15. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the pin engagement member is formed of a plastics material.
16. A bracket according to Claim 15, wherein the pin engagement member is formed of nylon.
17. A bracket according to any of Clailns 4 to 16, wherein the hub includes at least one removable cbs u ir p late closing a side of the hub.
18, A bracket according to Claim 17, wherein time or each closure plate is arranged to engage with an inner face of one of the spaced apart side plates generating friction therebetween,
19. A bracket according to any of Claims 4 to IS, wherein the huh includes a lower wall and wherein the first part of the bracket provides an abutment wall and wherein the first position of the bracket is reached when the said walls are in abutment with omme another.20.. A bracket according to any preceding claim, turther comprising clips configured to eiigage a second pin, and wherein the clips emmgage the second pin when the bracket is in the second position.21. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein die second part of time bracket is configured to receive a hand rail.22. The combination of a hand rail bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 21 and a hand rail attached to the bracket.23. A hand rail bracket substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.24. Ihe combination of a hand rail and a hand rail bracket substantiahl as slmown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.