US3825229A

US3825229A - Combination handrail and wall protector

Info

Publication number: US3825229A
Application number: US00312849A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Bartlett; P Zampetti
Original assignee: Construction Specialties Inc
Current assignee: EMEH Inc
Priority date: 1972-12-07
Filing date: 1972-12-07
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23

Abstract

A handrail comprises an elongated, substantially rigid retainer and an elongated moderately resilient trim piece received on the retainer, the retainer and trim piece together defining an elongated hollow unit. The trim piece is made of a durable, impact-resistant, resilient material and is mounted on the retainer in a manner affording limited and controlled deformation and displacement for absorption of energy upon impacting of the trim piece by some object. Nonetheless, an outwardly convexly curved handgrip portion on the trim piece is supported and is in engagement with a correspondingly curved handgrip portion of the retainer so that the retainer imparts substantial rigidity to the handgrip portion of the trim piece. The retainer and trim piece are shaped in cross-section and provided with appropriate retaining structure such that the trim piece may be snapped into place on the retainer after the retainer has been installed.

Description

l mited States Patent [1 1 Bartlett et al.

[111 3,825,229 July 23, 1974 COMBINATION HANDRAIL AND WALL PROTECTOR [75] Inventors: Gary F. Bartlett, Muncy, Pa.;

Patrick L. Zampetti, Cranford, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Construction Specialties Inc.,

Cranford, NJ.

[22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 312,849

[52] US. Cl 256/59, 248/251, 256/13.1, 52/716 [51] Int. Cl E04h 17/14 [58] Field of Search 256/59, 65-70,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,203 6/1950 Fluharty .Q .l 256/59 UX 2,873,095 2/1959 Blum 256/65 3,114,244 12/1963 Silver 52/495 X 3,239,070 3/1966 Clauson 256/59 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 509,121 1/1955 Italy 248/251 1,475,039 2/1967 France.....

161,721 12/1957 Sweden 256/65 206,021 7/1966 Sweden ..256/59 60,137 11/1969 Germany ..256/59 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond i 5 7 ABSTRACT A handrail comprises an elongated, substantially rigid retainer and an elongated moderately resilient trim piece received on the retainer, the retainer and trim piece together defining an elongated hollow unit. The trim piece is made of a durable, impact-resistant, resilient material and is mounted on the retainer in a manner affording limited and controlled deformation and displacement for absorption of energy upon impacting of the trim piece by some object. Nonetheless, an outwardly convexly curved handgrip portion on the trim piece is supported and is in engagement with a correspondingly curved handgrip portion of the retainer so that the retainer imparts substantial rigidity to the handgrip portion of the trim piece. The retainer and trim piece are shaped in cross-section and provided with appropriate retaining structure such that the trim 'piece may be snapped into place on the retainer after the retainer has been installed.

2 5 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures COMBINATION HANDRAIL AND WALL PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Handrails are used for various purposes in all types of buildings. For example, handrails are provided along stairways and as a top rail of a barrier at a stair opening or at the edge of a balcony. Hospitals and nursing homes will frequently have handrails along all corridors and in some cases on. one or more walls of various rooms. The principal purpose of handrails in hospitals, nursing homes and similar institutions where infirm persons are-likely to be moving about is, of course, to provide a handhold for the occupants by which they may gain support in moving about. Accordingly, the handrails must be rigidly mounted and constructed in a manner providing for firm load-bearing support. Various handrail systems ranging from simple wooden sections to a rather elaborate multi-part metal handrail systems appropriately bracketed from the walls have been proposed and used in the past.

Many types ofv buildings, especially hospitals and nursing homes, have a serious problem of wall and handrail damages resulting from the movement of carts, wheel chairs and the like about the building. Invariably, moving equipment such as snack wagons, mail carts, food carts, various equipment carts and rolling equipment, patients beds and the like, impact against their walls or, where used, handrails. In a relatively short period after installation, almost all types of handrails proposed and used heretofor have been marred, dented, possibly broken or otherwise rendered unsightly and perhaps weakened, particularly at their mounting points, from the abuse of such impacting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided, in accordance with the invention, a handrail that provides a rigid hand-gripping portion for assisting persons moving about, which is its principal purpose, but also is made of materials and constructed in a manner that permits it to undergo severe abuse by impacting with almost no chance of damage to it or a surface upon which it may be mounted. In the latter regard, a secondary, but very important, function of the handrail of the present invention is to protect a wall surface against impacting by carts and other objects moving through corridors or other locations where the handrail isprovided. The handrail presents an outwardly exposed surface constituted by a member made of strong, impact resistant, resilient material that is able to withstand impacts, such as direct or glancing engagement under force by carts and other objects with very little chance for marring, denting or breakage. Any marring that does occur may be relatively easily cleaned, since the material is highly durable to repeated cleanings and requires only relatively conventional cleaners, as distinguished from the polishing or refinishing required for wood and metals.

More particularly, a handrail, according to the invention, comprises an elongated, substantially rigid retainer that constitutes the primary structural component. The retainer is of substantially uniform crosssection along its length and has in cross-section a me dial portion, an outwardly convexly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion and a retainer flange at the other end of the medial portion. The other primary component of the handrail is an elongated trim piece that is received on the retainer. It includes a medial portion that is spaced from the medial portion of the retainer and an outwardly convexly and smoothly curved handgrip portion that fits over the handgrip portion of the retainer. The respective handgrip portions of the retainer and trim piece are of matching shape in cross-section over significant portions of their extents and are in engagement in such areas of matching crosssection so that the trim piece receives direct support in the handgrip portion from the rigid retainer. A retainer flange along the other edge of the trim piece engages the retainer flange on the retainer. Retention of the trim piece on the retainer is thus obtained by the combined effect of interengagement between the handgrip portions of the two pieces and the inter-fitting flanges at the other ends of the pieces.

As mentioned briefly above, the trim piece is made of a durable, impact resistant, resilient material, preferably a polymeric material. Many durable, impact resistant, resilient polymeric materials are known and are commercially available. For example, particularly good results are obtained with a copolymer of acrylic acid and polyvinyl chloride polymers. As initially formed, the trim piece, which may be made as a continuous extrusion of an appropriate initial length and then shop or field cut to an appropriate lengthfor the particular installation, has an initial cross-section in which certain dimensions are somewhat less than the dimensions as installed in the retainer. Accordingly, upon installation of the retainer, such dimensions are increased and, in the process, preload forces generated by the storage of energy due to initial deformation of the trim piece upon installation that hold the trim piece in place on the retainer. Another advantage of the resiliency of the retainer is the ability, taken in conjunction with the relative cross-sectional shapes of the retainer and trim piece, to snap the trim piece in place on the retainer after the retainer has been appropriately installed in the building.

The inherent resiliency of the trim piece and the manner in which the trim piece is mounted on the retainer provide for controlled deformation of the shape of the trim piece and limited deflection of the trim piece relative to the retainer upon impact. In particular, at least one edge of the trim piece engages the retainer in a manner that affords movement of that end relative to the retainer. Moreover, the trim piece and retainer are shaped and dimensioned relative to each other such that an impact to the retainer results in some form of a camming action that tends to deform the shape of the trim piece. Such deformation of the trim piece inherently results in absorption of at least some of the energy of the impact in the form of resilient deformation. Upon termination of the impact, the resilience of the trim piece or, more specifically, the forces generated by the energy stored during impact, return the trim piece to its original shape, and the camming arrangement operates in reverse to restore the trim piece into proper position on the retainer.

In addition to providing energy absorption through the dimensional and geometrical relationships between the trim piece and the retainer, additional energy absorbing elements may be included; for example, resiliently compressible shock elements interposed between the trim piece and the retainer may absorb some of the energy of impact.

Regardless of how energy is absorbed in the handrail, whether by deformation of the trim piece or deformation of shock absorbing elements incorporated in addition to the trim piece, much of the energy of an impact to the handrail is isolated from the retainer and from mounting brackets or other fasteners by which the handrail is mounted on a wall or other support. Accordingly, the likelihood of damage or breakage to the retainer or weakening or damage in the bracketing or other form of mounting connection is almost impossible under conditions that are likely to occur. The impact resistance and durability of the trim piece, moreover, enable it to take a great deal of abuse with a minimum of marring or other evidence of such abuse.

A handrail, according to the present invention, preferably includes a decorative and protective end cap at each end of a section of the handrail. Inasmuch as the handrails are hollow and also because an impact directly at an exposed end of the trim piece could displace the trim piece longitudinally along the retainer, both esthetic and functional considerations make it advisable to provide some form of end cap. As described in greater detail below, the invention provides end caps that are very securely mounted at the terminal end of a length of the handrail so that they are capable of absorbing heavy impacts without being dislodged. Moreover, the end caps provide a shaping of the end portion of the trim piece to insure contiguity between the surfaces of the end cap and the trim piece where they meet.

Other features and advantages of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end view in cross-section of one embodiment of a handrail, in accordance with the invention, installed on a typical wall.

FIG. 2 is an end view in cross-section of another embodiment of a handrail;

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are sequential views in end cross-section of a handrail in accordance with FIG. 1, illustrating how the trim piece is installed and how it behaves under impact;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are end cross-sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing how the trim piece is installed and the effect of an impact;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a terminal end of a section of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and showing a decorative and protective end cap installed at such terminal end;

FIG. 4 is an end cross-section taken generally along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view from the rear of an end of a handrail having another form of decorative and protective end cap installed, the view also illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an end cap for the end of a section of a handrail of form illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an end view in cross-section taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 6 and in the direction of the arrows and also showing how the end cap is secured to the retainer.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, handrails with which the invention is concerned are intended primarily for mounting directly on a wall in a corridor or room. An exemplary installation, which is illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, is on a plaster wall in which a base coat l0 and a finish coat 12 of plaster are applied to metal lath 14. Inasmuch as the handrail must be rigidly and strongly mounted on the wall, it is best for it to be integrated into the structural frame-work of the wall. For example, horizontal girts 16 extending between structural studs and strongly secured to them may be appropriate as a backup behind the handrail. The handrail, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20, is appropriately bracketed or mounted by a fastener and spacer system (as illustrated in the figures) an appropriate distance away from the wall. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the handrail 20 is mounted by toggle bolts 22 that extend through the retainer, a rigid spacer 24, a hole in the plaster and lath wall and through the web of the girt 16. Various ways of mounting the handrail other than those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are, of course, appropriate and well within the ordinary skill. For example, various types of brackets and various fastening systems for use with wall constructions other than plaster can be employed. Moreover, the handrail may be as an element of a railing or can be used on free standing posts. Ordinarily, it will be mounted in the positions indicated in the figures with the handgrip portion uppermost and will have the handrail portion at a uniform distance above a floor, stair or ramp.

Although there are, as is readily apparent from the drawings, specific differences between the two embodiments of the handrail illustrated in the accompanying drawings, both of the handrails are characterized by certain common features. Both embodiments are composed of two principal elements, a substantially rigid elongated retainer 30 and a trim piece 32 that is substantially coextensive longitudinally with the retainer. The upper ends of the retainer and trim piece are formed with convexly curved portions that together constitute a handgrip portion (designated generally by the reference numeral 34) of the handrail system. The lower termination of each trim piece 32 has an inturned flange 36 that is received on a retainer flange 38 on the retainer. In both embodiments substantial portions of the handgrip portion of a trim piece and retainer are of matching curvature and are in engagement with each other. Moreover, the handgrip portions curve through an angle of something in excess of so that the terminal end of the handgrip portion of the trim piece returns back generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and is thereby captured by the handgrip portion of the retainer. Other similarities in the structural and functional characteristics of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings will be evident from the descriptions below of the individual embodiments in greater detail.

The retainer of a handrail, according to the invention, is preferably made of extruded aluminum, although rolled or bent members of other metals or rigid plastics formed by appropriate methods are possible. Aluminum, however, has the advantages of light weight, high strength, ease of workability, corrosion resistance and other desirable characteristics that make it preferred. The trim piece, as mentioned above, is preferably extruded from an appropriate polymeric material, many of which are well known to those skilled in the art. Polymeric materials (commonly referred to as plastics) can be manufactured in various colors and can be processed to provide attractive finishing surfaces. The ability to obtain color coordination for decorative purposes, the resistance of the highly durable plastics to marring and many chemicals, durability under and ease of cleaning andthe energy absorption characteristics offer significant advantages over wood, metal and other materials commonly used for handrails.

The embodiment of FIG. I of the drawings includes a retainer having, in cross-section, a medial portion composed of a planar part 48 and a pair of mutually

divergent portions

50 and 52 extending from the ends of the planar portion 48. The retainer flange 38 turns downwardly and generally away from the medial portion of the trim piece 32 at the end of the divergent portion 52. The handgrip portion 34 of the retainer 30 extends from the end of the other divergent portion 50 and is designated generally by the reference numeral 54. A large part of the handgrip portion 54 matches in cross-section the shape of the handgrip portion of the retainer 32 and is in engagement with it. The free end of the handgrip portion 54 of the retainer is formed diverging portion 50 of the medial portion and the handgrip portion 54 of the retainer. The end of the with an inwardly extending flange 56 that strengthens and stiffens the terminal end of the handgrip portion. A portion of the handgrip part of the retainer, however, extending from approximately halfway along its extent in cross-section is spaced a substantial distance from the corresponding portion of the handgrip part of the, trim piece to leave a generally crescent shaped space 58. The existence of the space 58 is primarily a result of providing a dimension A across the handgrip portion 54 of the retainer (see FIG. 1A) which, although somewhat greater than the'dimension B between the free edge of the trim piece and a generally oppositely located point along the medial portion of the trim piece,

is not so great as to make it difficult to push the trim piece into place over the top of the retainer.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a'shoulder 60 is left at the juncture between the matching portion of the handgrip of the retainer and the set back portion to facilitate initially capturing and aligning the handgrip portion of the trim piece with the handgrip portion of the retainer prior to pushing the handgrip portion of the trim piece onto the retainer by applying a force in the direction indicated by the arrows F in FIG. 1A.

The trim piece 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a medial portion composed of a pair of mutually

divergent portions

62 and 64 that merge relatively smoothly in a region 'near the vertical center of the overall cross-section. The corresponding mutually divergent portions of the retainer and trim piece generally converge so that the overall form of the handrail is a hollow box-like structure. The upper end of the upper diverging portion 64 of the trim piece merges smoothly into the curved handgrip portion of the trim piece, which is designated in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 66. The handgrip portion 66 curves through an angle somewhat in excess of 180, and the free end-returns generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and is received in a slot 68 that opens away from the trim piece and is defined by the, juncture between the lower diverging portion 62 of the medial part of the trim piece terminates in the return flange 36 and defines a slot that opens generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and receives the retainer flange 38 on the retainer.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C of the drawings, the trim piece 32 is initially formed with an overall dimension along the generally vertical axis of the handrail (the dimension labelled C in FIG. 1A) that is slightly less, say one-fourth to one-half inch less, than the maximum dimension along the vertical axis be tween the extremities of the retainer (labelled D in FIG. 1A).

Accordingly, in order to assemble the trim piece onto the retainer, it is necessary that the initial shape of the trim piece 32 be deformed by opening up the dimension C to correspond to the dimension D. In the process of so deforming the trim piece, energy becomes stored in it, and such energy generates a force that holds the trim piece in place on the retainer.

The process of installing the trim piece on the retainer involves first positioning the trim piece with the free end of the handgrip portion 66 captured under the shoulder 60 on the retainer. This involves a moderate deformation of the handgrip portion in a manner slightly enlarging the dimension B over the original dimension B. The next step is to apply a force in the general direction of the arrows F in FIG. 1A to push the handgrip portion 66 of the trim piece into position over the handgrip portion 54 of the retainer, thereby reaching approximately the position illustrated in FIG. 1B.

The dimension E (FIG. 1B) between the free edge of the handgrip portion 66 of the trim piece and a point generally opposite such free edge on the medial portion of the trim piece is somewhat greater in the trim piece as installed on the retainer than it was in the trim piece as originally formed. Accordingly, attainment of the position illustrated in FIG. 1B involves storing energy in the handgrip portion of the trim piece, such energy producing a preload force tending to draw the lower portion of the trim piece into engagement with the lower portion of the retainer, as shown in FIG. 1B, and also tending to hold the trim piece in place on the retainer upon final installation. It should be mentioned at this point that each step of installation of a section of the trim piece on a section of the handrail is best performed by beginning at one end of the length of handrail and working progressively along the rest of the length of the handrail toward the other end.

Upon attaining the position illustrated in FIG. 1B, the retainer flange 36 of the trim piece can be pushed over the extremity of theretainer flange 38 of the retainer by applying'a force at the medial portion of the trim piece in the manner depicted generally by the arrows in FIG. 11C of the drawings, again working from one end toward the other end. Such a force reduces the angle between the mutual

divergent portions

62 and 64 of the trim piece and thereby enlarges the dimension of the trim piece in the generally vertical direction, thereby allowing the

respective retainer flanges

36 and 38 of the two parts to clear each other. Upon attaining the shape depicted in FIG. 1C, which inherently stores energy in the trim piece, the stored energy is recovered in the form of forces that reduce the angle between the mutually divergent portions and thereby draw the lower end of the trim piece into position with the

respective retainer flanges

36 and 38 of the parts in captured relation, as illustrated in phantom lines in IC and in full view in FIG. 1.

An impact to the trim piece of the handrail illustrated in FIG. 1 (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C) produces an effect essentially the same as that provided by the installation force applied along the frontal extremity generally in the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 1C; to wit, an impact opens up the angle between the divergent portions which involves the storage of energy in the trim member. Upon termination of the impact, the stored energy generates forces that return the trim piece into position. In the meantime, the energy of the impact is thus absorbed by the trim member and has a limited influence or affect on the retainer or the mounting by which the handrail is mounted. Although it is not evident from the drawings, there is some absorption of energy through deformation and deflection of the handgrip portion of the trim piece, although the degree of such energy absorption is small. It will also be noted that almost all impacts will occur at the outward extremity of the trim piece, which is a zone that is at generally a maximum distance from two areas where the trim piece is supported through engagement with the retainer; accordingly, impact forces are imposed at a region that is the most subject to deformation through flexure and the energy absorption characteristics of the trim piece are used to the maximum extent.

It will be observed that the area of engagement between the handgrip portions of the trim piece and the retainer is substantial. Accordingly, the retainer, which is substantially rigid and sufficiently strong to endure rather heavy loads, including impact loads, provides for a rigid, strong, firm, supporting, hand hold portion of the handrail which is, of course, essential if the handrail is to function properly in its primary role as a support to assist persons moving about. Thus, significant resilient deformation or deflection of the handgrip portion of a handrail, according to the invention, is to be avoided. The impact resistance and toughness of the material of the trim piece permit it to endure almost any impact likely to occur in the normal use of the facilities in which the handrail is employed. Even a direct frontal impact generally perpendicular to the handrail should be sustained without damage to the handrail or its mounting. In any case, most impacts are likely to be glancing blows delivered at relatively small angles to the longitudinal axis of the handrail.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 of the drawings includes a trim piece 32 having a medial portion 70 that is generally planar, a hand hold portion 72 that curves through an angle somewhat greater than 180 and merges smoothly with a medial portion and an outwardly convexly curved lower portion 76 that merges smoothly with the medial portion 70 and also curves through an angle slightly in excess of 180. Each of the convexly

curved portions

72 and 76 is formed with a return flange 78. It is appropriate to make the trim piece 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 symmetrical about a longitudinal, horizontal plane (relative to the position illustrated in FIG. 2) so that it can be mounted in either of its two relatively upside down positions.

The retainer 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a medial portion consisting of a generally planar center part 80, a pair of generally L-shaped portions 82 and slotted portions 84 connected to the planar portions 80 by the L-shaped portions 82 and defining slots that open generally away from the trim piece. The center legs of the L-shaped portions 82 provide, in effect, continuations of the curvatures of the upper and lower convexly

curved portions

72 and 76 of the trim piece and thus provide continuity between the trim piece and the rearwardly facing part of the retainer. A handgrip portion 88 extends from the upper slotted portion 84 of the retainer and is shaped to match the curvature of the handgrip portion 72 (or the curved portion 76) of the trim piece and is in engagement with such portion. The handgrip portion 88 of the retainer, however, terminates some distance away from the juncture between the handgrip portion 72 and the medial portion of the trim piece, thereby leaving a space 90 between the trim piece and a generally downwardly extending leg 92 connected at the extremity of the handgrip portion 80 of the retainer. The leg 92 has a dove-tail shaped slot 94 that receives a correspondingly shaped projection 96 on the back of a resilient cushion or shockabsorber element 98.

At the lower portion of the retainer 30, still considering it in cross-section, is the retainer flange 38 that forms one wall of the slot in the lower slotted portion 84. A cam portion 100 extends from the flange 38 generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and terminates in a leg 102 that is disposed generally vertically and is formed with a dove-tail slot 104 of the same size and shape as the slot 94 in the upper leg 92. A shock-absorber element 98 which, in the embodiment, is identical to the shock-absorber element in the upper leg 92, is installed in the dovetail slot 104 of the lower leg 102 of the retainer.

Each of the shock absorbent elements 98 is a member made of a moderately resilient elastomeric material. It may be extruded from an appropriate elastomeric material and extend continuously along the length of the retainer. It is interposed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, between the trim piece 32 and the retainer 30 and is present to absorb impact and to isolate the retainer from forces due to impact on the trim piece.

The functions of the various parts of the trim piece and retainer in the handrail, as constructed in accordance with FIG. 2 of the drawings, are better understood by reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C of the drawings. More particularly, the trim piece 32 is installed on the retainer by hooking the free edge of the uppermost retainer flange 78 of the trim piece into the upper slot 84 of the retainer, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 2A. The trim piece is then rolled downwardly in a manner generally rotating the trim piece about the point of engagement between the extremity of the flange 78 and the slot 84 to reach the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2A. The force applied is generally along a variable direction near the bottom of the trim piece to produce the pivoting motion. A continued application of the force generally depicted by the arrows in FIG. 2A pushes the end of the lower curved portion 76 into engagement with a convexly curved portion 100a of the cam portion 100 of the retainer. As initially formed, the dimension I between the extremities of the curved portions of the trim piece is somewhat less than the dimension between the cam surface 100a and the upper retainer slot 84, the dimension G in FIG. 2B. In addition, the dimension H between each of the extremities of the return flanges 78 on the trim piece and points generally opposite such extremities on the medial portion of the trim piece is somewhat less than the final dimension at the same region when the trim piece is in place on the retainer. Accordingly, the installation of the trim pieceon the retainer involves deformation of the trim piece from its original shape and the storage of energy that is recovered in the form of forces that hold the trim piece in place on the retainer. Inasmuch as the geometrical relationships between the trim piece and the retainer in cross-section involve securely capturing the trim piece on the retainer, the preload and initial deformation need not be substantial. However, in order to push the trim piece into final position on the retainer it is necessary to open up the dimension G sufficiently for the extremity of the lower curved portion 76 to ride over the lower retainer flange 38 on the retainer. This is best accomplished in a two-step operation.

More particularly, the cam portion 100 on the lower portion of the retainer includes an outwardly concavely curved portion 10012 that is set back some distance toward the upper slot relative to the convexly curved portion 100a. Accordingly, the trim piece, once it is pushed over the convexly curved portion 100a, tends to pull itself down into the concavely curved portion 100b. Actually the operations depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B are best performed in sequencebeginning at one end of a length of the handrail and moving progressively toward the other end. After the trim piece is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2B, further application of force along the lower portion of the medial part of the trim piece in the direction of the arrows indicated in FIG. 2C urges the extremity of the curved portions 76 out over the retainer flange 38 on the retainer. 'Ihe downwardly facing surface of the retainer flange 38 is concavely curved to facilitate smoothly urging the trim piece into final position. Moreover, the curvature of the downwardly facing surface of the flange 38 near the rearward extremity (relative to the front of the trim piece) tends to allow the trim piece to pull itself into position by its inherent resiliency and the preload. In particular, the dimension between the curved portions opens up resiliently to allow the trim piece to be received in final position, and the stored force tends to help pull the lower end into position. The lower cushion 98 is deformed in the process of installing the trim piece, thereby facilitating final positioning. The inherent resiliency of the trim piece and the preload forces developed as it is installed, plus the resiliency of the lower cushion 98 ultimately bring the trim piece into final position (see FIG. 2) and maintain it in that position.

An impact to the trim piece produces deformation and deflection of the trim piece relative to the retainer. Such deformation and deflection results in deformation of the shock-absorbing elements 98, and the absorption of the energy of an impact is shared between the shock absorbing elements and the trim piece. Thus the impact absorbing characteristics of the embodiment of FIG. 2 resemble those provided by the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Inasmuch as a handrail according to the invention is a hollow structure, it is desirable for esthetic and functional reasons to provide end caps at both ends of a length of handrail with the possible exception of an end that terminates at a corner where only one of the meeting walls has a handrail. Even where two handrails meet at angles, it is best to provide an appropriate end cap.

FIGS. 3 to 7 of the drawings illustrate exemplary forms of end caps that have been developed, in accordance with invention, to provide substantial durability and capability of taking impacts to an extent. commensurate with the capability of handrails themselves. Since the end caps are at free ends of the handrail sections, they are highly subject to frontal impact by a misguided cart or other object and must be very rigidly and strongly secured to the handrail. Moreover, it is desirable that they be readily installed in the field with a minimum of field fitting and other field operations.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a form of end cap 106 composed of an appropriately shaped, generally blunt external portion 108 and a relatively long internal portion 109 (internal in the sense that it is received telescopically with the end portion of the trim piece and retainer). As evident from the figures, the external portion 108 has at its juncture with the end of the trim piece a shape matching the external surface of the trim piece so that there is contiguity between the surface of the external portion 108 of the end cap 106 and the external surface of the trim piece. The internal portion 109, as may be best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, has a cross-sectional shape matching the shape of the internal surface of the trim piece. Accordingly, the internal portion 109 tends to shape and size the end portion of v the trim piece and maintain the contiguity between the external surfaces of the trim piece and the end cap. Moreover, the matching shapes of the internal portion and the trim piece provide for secure telescoping relation between them, thereby providing a durable installation of the trim piece. The end cap 106 may be glued into the trim piece.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an installation in which the trim piece extends a short distance longitudinally beyond the end of the retainer of the handrail to an extent slightly greater than the length of the internal portion 109 of the trim piece. Such an installation means that the deflection of the trim piece in the end portion occupied the end cap is not impeded by engagement of the end cap with the retainer. Accordingly, the end of a handrail so installed will deflect upon impact. An alternative installation of essentially the same form of end cap will involve terminating both the trim piece and the retainer at the same transverse or cross-sectional plane and shaping the internal portion 109 of the end cap appropriately to engage the retainer. In this case, how

ever, the end portion of the handrail and the end cap are rigidly related, and the end portion is incapable of deflecting.

The end cap depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings includes an appropriately sculptured external portion 110, the portion of which immediately adjacent to the end of the trim member 32 matches the external surface of the trim member to provide contiguity. The end cap further includes an internal portion 112 that matches the internal shape and size of the trim piece and is telescopically received within it. As is evident in the cut-away portion of FIG. 5, a bracket 114 extends out of the internal portion 113 of the cap and into the end cap. An end cap may be made of a durable impact resistant plastic, and the bracket 114 appropriately cast or molded in place when the end cap is fabricated.

As is evident from the end cross-sectional portion of FIG. 5, the bracket is composed of a base 116 and three mutually divergent legs 118, the outer two of which terminate in outwardly open generally C-shaped portions 120. The retainer is similar in cross-section to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 but has been modified by adding beads 122 at the upper and lower portion of the retainer that are received within the C-shaped portions 120 of the upper and lower legs 118 of the bracket 114. Consequently, the end cap is installed by sliding it endwise onto the end of the retainer, preferably prior to installing the trim piece. Adhesive may be employed to ensure retention of the end cap, or screws or other fasteners installed through the bracket and the retainer.

The end cap illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings is quite similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5, except that it has a cross-sectional shape appropriate for use as an end cap for the embodiment of the handrail illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Like the embodiment of FIG. 5, the end cap in FIG. 6 has a sculptured external portion 130, an internal portion 132 that telescopes into the end of the handrail, and a bracket 134 which, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 6 extends into the internal portion and external portion of the end cap, preferably by being cast in place. The bracket is of a substantially uniform cross-section along its length and includes a base 136 and three diverging flanges 138, the outer ones of which are oriented to match the external surface of the retainer. The two outer most flanges 138 have generally C-shaped hook portions 140 that receive matching beads 142 formed on the retainer. It is evident that the end cap may be slid into place at the end of the retainer and appropriately secured by glue or fasteners.

The above described embodiments of the invention are intended to be merely exemplary, and numerous variations and modifications may readily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A handrail comprising:

an elongated substantially rigid retainer constituting the primary structural components of the handrail, the retainer being of substantially uniform cross section along its length and having in cross-section a medial portion, an outwardly opened convexly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion and a retainer flange portion at the other end of the medial portion; and

an elongated trim piece received on the retainer, the

trim piece being a member made of a durable impact-resistant resilient material adapted to flex toward the retainer upon impact and having a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, the trim piece having in cross-section a medial portion spaced from the medial portion of the retainer, the space adapted to allow the medial portion of the trim piece to flex inwards upon impact, an outwardly convexly and smoothly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion, the curvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the trim piece substantially matching the curvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the retainer and such matching portions being in engagement with each other such that the handgrip portion of the trim piece is substantially rigidly supported and maintained in position by the handgrip portion of the retainer such that one end of the trim piece is retained on the retainer and the flange portion of the trim piece being received on and captured by the retainer flange of the retainer.

2. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the retainer and trim piece together define in cross-section a closed box-like structure, the respective medial portions of the retainer and trim piece defining opposite walls of such box-like structure.

3. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the handgrip portions of the trim piece and retainer curve away from the respective medial portions thereof in opposite directions, as viewed in end cross-section, to provide engagement of said matching portions thereof.

4. A handrail according to claim 3, wherein the handgrip portion of the trim piece is curved to an extent such that the minimum dimension (in cross-section) between the free end thereof and a point opposite therefrom on the medial portion of the trim piece is substantially less than the maximum dimension across the opening defined within the handgrip portion, wherein the free end of the handgrip portion of the trim piece engages a point on the handgrip portion of the retainer intermediate the free end thereof and the medial portion of the retainer, and wherein said point of engagement is substantially closer to a part of the trim piece opposite therefrom than are other points intermediate said point of engagement and the free end thereof, whereby the handgrip portion of the trim piece embraces and is captured by the handgrip portion of the retainer.

5. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the retainer is oriented relative to the medial portion of the trim piece such that the free end thereof points generally away from the medial portion of the trim piece and wherein the flange portion of the trim piece is oriented relative to the medial portion of the trim piece such that the free end thereof points generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece, the retainer flange portion of the retainer and the flange portion of the trim piece thereby interengaging to retain the trim piece on the retainer while affording upon an impact to the trim piece resilient deformation of the trim piece and displacement of the flange portion of the trim piece relative to the retainer flange portion of the retainer.

6. A handrail according to claim 1, further comprising resilient means interposed between the trim piece and the retainer for absorbing impact energy upon an impact to the trim piece, thereby at least partially to isolate the retainer from impact forces, and for permitting controlled resilient deformation of the trim piece and displacement of the trim piece relative to the retainer.

7. A handrail according to claim 6, wherein the resilient means includes at least one resiliently deformable spacer positioned between the trim piece and the retainer.

8. A handrail according to claim 7, wherein the deformable space is elongated and extends substantially continuously along the length of the retainer and trim piece.

9. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the trim piece as installed on the retainer is under a deformation relative to its initial shape and holds itself in position on the retainer by forces generated by the energy stored in it by virtue of such deformation.

10. A handrail according to claim 2, wherein the retainer and trim piece are substantially coextensive to provide a unit, and further comprising an end piece at the end of the retainer-trim piece unit, the end piece being a body of durable impact resistant material and being substantially rigidly installed on such unit, the end piece having at the portion thereof immediately outwardly of the end of said unit an external surface that is substantially contiguous to the external surface of the trim piece and covers the otherwise open end of the box-like structure formed by said unit.

11. A handrail according to claim 10, wherein the end piece further includes a mounting portion extending into the space within the box-like structure formed by said unit, said mounting portion having in crosssection a shape closely matching the shape of the internal surfaces of the trim piece and retainer and in close fitting engagement therewith so as to insure contiguity between the trim piece and end piece.

12. A handrailaccording to claim 10, further comprising a mounting bracket for the endpiece having a portion securely joined to the end piece and a portion securely joined to the retainer.

13. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein the bracket includes a portion extending into and embedded within the' end piece.

14. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the bracket extends into the space within the box-like retainer-trim piece unit, the portion thereof within the unit being of substantially uniform crosssection, such cross-section including a substantial portion matching the cross-section of a portion of the retainer and in engagement with such retainer portion.

15. A handrail according to claim 14, wherein said portion of the bracket within the unit and the retainer have matching mutually interfitting tongue-and-groove formations to retain the bracket rigidly on the retainer.

16. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the medial portion of the trim piece has in cross-section a pair of angularly related leg portions diverging from an apex portion.

17. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the media] portion of the trim piece is substantially flat.

18. A handrail according to claim 17, wherein the handgrip portion and the flange portion of the trim piece are of matching shape in cross-section.

19. A handrail according to claim 18, wherein the retainer includes in cross-section a pair of spaced apart leg portions positioned in proximate spaced relation to the medial portion of the trim piece, and further comprising an elongated resilient spacer disposed between and in engagement with each leg portion of the retainer and a zone of the medial portion of the trim piece.

20. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the retainer adjacent the flange portion thereof 14 is shaped and dimensioned as a cam surface for engagement by the flange portion of the trimpiece to guide the flange portion of the trim piece into captured position in retaining engagement with the flange portion of the retainer.

21. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein both the retainer and the trim piece includes in cross-section a pair of divergent portions, corresponding divergent portions of the retainer and trim piece converging, one divergent portion of the trim piece smoothly merging into the convexly curved handgrip portion thereof and the divergent portion of the retainer corresponding to said one divergent portion of the trim piece terminating at a zone or intersection with the handgrip portion of the retainer to define a slot opening generally away from the trim piece, said slot receiving and capturing a freeend of the handgrip portion of the trim piece.

22. A handrail according to claim 21, wherein a portion of the handgrip portion of the trim piece and a corresponding portion of the handgrip portion of the retainer in facing relation thereto outwardly from said slot, relative to the medial point of the retainer, are spaced apart and define, in end cross-section, a gener ally crescent-shaped open space.

23.-A handrail according to claim 21, wherein the other divergent portion of the trim piece and the corresponding divergent portion of the retainer in facing relation thereto engage adjacent the ends thereof, wherein the retainer flange of the retainer turns generally away from the trim piece in generally coplanar relation to and in engagement with said other divergent portion of the trim piece, and wherein the trim piece includes a retainer flange on the end of said other divergent portion and defining a slot opening generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and receiving the retainer flange therein.

24. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the re tainer includes in cross-section a pair of spaced apart slots opening generally away from the trim piece, and wherein the trim piece in cross-section includes a generally flat medial portion, and convexly curved portions merging smoothly with the medial portion, one of such curved portions being the handgrip portion, the convexly curved portions curving smoothly through at least and including end portions that return at least slightly generally toward the medial portion, and the trimpiece further including the end of each curved portion and flange portion received in a corresponding slot in the retainer.

25. A handrail according to claim 24, wherein the trim piece is substantially symmetrical in each part thereof on either side of a longitudinal bisector plane.

Claims

1. A handrail comprising: an elongated substantially rigid retainer constituting the primary structural components of the handrail, the retainer being of substantially uniform cross-section along its length and having in cross-section a medial portion, an outwardly opened convexly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion and a retainer flange portion at the other end of the medial portion; and an elongated trim piece received on the retainer, the trim piece being a member made of a durable impact-resistant resilient material adapted to flex toward the retainer upon impact and having a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, the trim piece having in cross-section a medial portion spaced from the medial portion of the retainer, the space adapted to allow the medial portion of the trim piece to flex inwards upon impact, an outwardly convexly and smoothly curved handgrip portion at one end of the medial portion, the curvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the trim piece substantially matching the curvature of at least a part of the handgrip portion of the retainer and such matching portions being in engagement with each other such that the handgrip portion of the trim piece is substantially rigidly supported and maintained in position by the handgrip portion of the retainer such that one end of the Trim piece is retained on the retainer and the flange portion of the trim piece being received on and captured by the retainer flange of the retainer.

11. A handrail according to claim 10, wherein the end piece further includes a mounting portion extending into the space within the box-like structure forMed by said unit, said mounting portion having in cross-section a shape closely matching the shape of the internal surfaces of the trim piece and retainer and in close fitting engagement therewith so as to insure contiguity between the trim piece and end piece.

12. A handrail according to claim 10, further comprising a mounting bracket for the end piece having a portion securely joined to the end piece and a portion securely joined to the retainer.

13. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein the bracket includes a portion extending into and embedded within the end piece.

14. A handrail according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the bracket extends into the space within the box-like retainer-trim piece unit, the portion thereof within the unit being of substantially uniform cross-section, such cross-section including a substantial portion matching the cross-section of a portion of the retainer and in engagement with such retainer portion.

17. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the medial portion of the trim piece is substantially flat.

20. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the retainer adjacent the flange portion thereof is shaped and dimensioned as a cam surface for engagement by the flange portion of the trim piece to guide the flange portion of the trim piece into captured position in retaining engagement with the flange portion of the retainer.

21. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein both the retainer and the trim piece includes in cross-section a pair of divergent portions, corresponding divergent portions of the retainer and trim piece converging, one divergent portion of the trim piece smoothly merging into the convexly curved handgrip portion thereof and the divergent portion of the retainer corresponding to said one divergent portion of the trim piece terminating at a zone or intersection with the handgrip portion of the retainer to define a slot opening generally away from the trim piece, said slot receiving and capturing a free end of the handgrip portion of the trim piece.

22. A handrail according to claim 21, wherein a portion of the handgrip portion of the trim piece and a corresponding portion of the handgrip portion of the retainer in facing relation thereto outwardly from said slot, relative to the medial point of the retainer, are spaced apart and define, in end cross-section, a generally crescent-shaped open space.

23. A handrail according to claim 21, wherein the other divergent portion of the trim piece and the corresponding divergent portion of the retainer in facing relation thereto engage adjacent the ends thereof, wherein the retainer flange of the retainer turns generally away from the trim piece in generally coplanar relation to and in engagement with said other divergent portion of the trim piece, and wherein the trim piece includes a retainer flange on the end of said other divergent portion and defining a slot opening generally toward the medial portion of the trim piece and receiving the retainer flange therein.

24. A handrail according to claim 1, wherein the rEtainer includes in cross-section a pair of spaced apart slots opening generally away from the trim piece, and wherein the trim piece in cross-section includes a generally flat medial portion, and convexly curved portions merging smoothly with the medial portion, one of such curved portions being the handgrip portion, the convexly curved portions curving smoothly through at least 180* and including end portions that return at least slightly generally toward the medial portion, and the trim piece further including the end of each curved portion and flange portion received in a corresponding slot in the retainer.