WO2016073317A1

WO2016073317A1 - Stanchion for handrail systems

Info

Publication number: WO2016073317A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/058513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard Simmons
Original assignee: Howard Simmons
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2015-10-30
Publication date: 2016-05-12

Abstract

Disclosed is a stanchion used for installation into the lower end of a hollow post to form a post assembly of a handrail system. The system includes an inter-post bottom safety member of a designated size which passes through a pair of clearance holes drilled into the post at coaxial locations on opposite sides. The stanchion has a baseplate adapted for fastening an underlying surface, and a column extending upwardly from the baseplate and shaped to fit into the lower end of a hollow post. The column is configured with at least one through passageway sized and located to allow traverse of the bottom safety member. The column is terminated at opposite ends by a pair of enclosed vertical slots located at opposite side surfaces of the column.

Description

STANCHION FOR HANDRAIL SYSTEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/533,552, filed on November 5, 2014, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/862,169, filed on September 25, 2015; which are each incorporated by reference herein. Note that an excerpt of 14/533,552 is attached hereto as Appendix A.

FIELD

[0001] The present technology is in the field of handrails including indoor and outdoor handrail systems installed over flat horizontal surfaces, inclined surfaces and stairs. More particularly, in stanchions for supporting posts of handrail systems with code-required railing structure including a lower safety member extending between posts., the invention yields overall cost savings through structural simplification and enhanced ease of installation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present writing is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application 14/533,552, filed November 5, 2014 for UNIVERSAL BIFURCATED

STANCHION FOR HANDRAIL SYSTEMS, which is incorporated herein by reference and which in excerpt form is attached hereto as Appendix A.

[0003] Handrails, whether above horizontal surfaces, sloping surfaces or stairs, are generally supported on a series of posts whose lower ends are fastened to the underlying base surface via some form of stanchion. As the structural "backbone" of a handrail system, the stanchion is required to withstand high levels of stress whenever the handrail is impacted by strong external force. For child protection and public safely, building code regulations call for some form of safety grillwork or mesh extending across the space between the posts, typically extending down to a bottom safety member. Safety, building and code regulations limit the separation between safety members, and also limit the spacing between the bottom safety member and the underlying base surface, thus raising physical interference issues since installation of the bottom safety member requires it to pass through the posts in the same low end region already necessarily occupied by the stanchions.

[0004A] Many different design approaches have been created to balance the conflicting demands of facilitating installation and meeting code requirements while also enabling freedom in ornamental and architectural design. Virtually all known handrail systems have as a common basis a bottom safety member which is often implemented as a wire, rod, twisted or braided cable or equivalent, usually of metal, e.g. stainless steel, or alternatively, suitably strong plastics, fiberglass/epoxy, carbon fiber and the like. Commonly the bottom safety member is procured in continuous length and passed through each post; typically requiring drilling through the posts as required at installation.

[0004BJ If the post is hollow and based on an inserted stanchion, the stanchion column must extend from a baseplate far enough up into the lower end of the post to ensure required overall handrail structural strength, especially to withstand strong lateral forces impacting the handrail region, which by leverage, translate to extremely high compressive and bending stresses on the stanchions at the low end of the posts. In practice, the stanchion height is typically made to extend above the upper limit for height of the bottom safety member allowed by code, while the height selected for ornamental design purposes can range far below the code limit, consequently installation of handrail systems using stanchions of known art routinely requires drilling not only through the hollow post walls but also through the (usually solid steel) stanchion column, a burden that makes installation very tedious, time-consuming and costly.

[0005j In practice of the present technology and the technology discussed in the Appendix herein, the parent application, the stanchion columns are configured with clearance slots for through-passage of railing structure, typically cables, thus facilitating railing installation by eliminating any need for drilling holes in the stanchions columns at installation as required in conventional known art.

[0006] For security purposes, the stanchion height is typically made to extend above a bottom safety cable member of the railing structure, required by code to be located within a limited elevation above the baseplate. The safety member height location selected for ornamental design purposes can range far below the code limit, requiring the clearance slots to extend vertically uninterrupted throughout a working range that accommodates all potential cable locations in order to eliminate any need for drilling the stanchion column at installation.

[0007] In the technology of the Appendix, the stanchion column is bifurcated to form a pair of diametrically opposed clearance slots separating the two arcuate wall portions, as shown in the drawings As pointed out in the parent application, the stanchion column must extend far enough up from the baseplate into the lower end of the post to ensure required overall handrail structural strength, especially to withstand strong lateral forces impacting the handrail region, which by leverage due to their cantilevered location at the low end of the posts, translate to extremely high compressive and bending stresses on the stanchion.

[0008] As discussed above, bifurcated tubular stanchions require additional reinforcement in the form of compression spacers such as internal plugs, sleeves or bushings interposed between the two arcuate walls. However, spacers cannot be affixed at an elevation that would interfere with the desired location of the bottom safety member. The invention disclosed in the parent application overcame this problem by utilizing two reinforcement spacers and configuring the stanchion column with three potential fixed spacer mounting locations, i.e. diametrically opposed hole pairs, each located at a different elevation, so that when an installer has established the desired location for the bottom safety member, there will always be at least two of the three locations left available for mounting the two spacers.

[0009] The downside tradeoff of the additional costs, i.e. for reinforcing components and associated skilled labor installer time, left open the opportunity and challenge to seek further improvement, leading to the novel solution and refined stanchion structure of the present invention.

CONSIDERATION

[0010] One consideration with the present technology is providing a stanchion with a column configured to allow through-passage of railing system members including a bottom safety member, typically cables, with no need for stanchion-drill ing at installation.

[0011] It is a further consideration to make the stanchion with sufficient strength to adequately support a post of a handrail system with no need for additional reinforcing components.

[0012] It is a still further consideration to configure the column with a closed-end vertical slot pattern that provides a full and uninterrupted working range of elevation for a desired location for through-passage of a required safety-member and of railing structure for ornamental and safety purposes.

[0013] It is a still further consideration to provide an embodiment wherein the column is tubular with wall thickness made sufficient to provide required strength. SUMMARY

[0014J The present technology is configured with the stanchion column having a plurality of enclosed vertical slots, in a first embodiment, the stanchion column is configured with a pair of vertical slots located on diametrically opposite side locations extending between a lower web at the bottom end region of the column and an upper web at the top end region of the column. In a second embodiment, the column is configured with two sets of quad enclosed clearance slots, each set configured with two diametrically opposed slot pairs, each pair being vertically co-linear, separated by an intermediate web region, the pair otherwise extending, as in the first embodiment, between a lower web at the bottom end region of the column and an upper web at the top end region of the column. The two intermediate web regions of each set are aligned at a designated height for that set on the column, however this designated height is made different for each set, thus the intermediate web regions of the two sets are located offset from each other vertically. This offset, in conjunction with the two sets being located perpendicular to each other about the central vertical axis of the column, enables selection of either set for deployment at installation by rotating the column (typically by rotating the stanchion) a quarter turn, thus facilitating installation by always enabling selection of a set whose intermediate web height does not interfere with a designated safety member location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stanchion configured a pair of vertical slots in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in a version for handrail posts of square cross-sectional shape.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a left hand side view of the stanchion of FIG. 1

[0017] FIG. 3 is a right hand side view of the stanchion of FIG. I .

[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stanchion of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of the stanchion of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 .

[0021] FIGs. 7-12, corresponding to FIGs. 1 -6 respectively, depict a stanchion configured with two working quad sets of vertical slots in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 13 is an enlarged front elevational view of a lower portion of a handrail post assembled onto a stanchion of the present invention, traversed by a bottom safety member of the handrail system at a first designated height above the stanchion flange.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a central cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13. [0024] FIG. 15 is a view of a lower portion of a handrail post assembled onto a stanchion rotated ¼ turn relative to FIG. 13 and traversed by a bottom safety member of the handrail system at a second and lower designated height above the stanchion flange.

[0025] FIG. 16 is a central cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 15.

[0026] FIG. 17 is a further enlarged front elevational view of a lower portion of a handrail post assembled onto a stanchion with a fixed-angle baseplate for mounting onto a sloping surface.

[0027J FIG. 18 is a central cross-section a bolted two-part stanchion in the post assembly of FIG. 17.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a central cross-section of an alternative tanchion for mounting onto a sloping surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stanchion 1 0 configured a pair of vertical slots in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, shown in a version for handrail posts of square cross-sectional shape. A baseplate 1 OA and comer gussets 10D are attached integrally to an upwardly-extending tubular column 10B configured with two enclosed vertical slots, of which a first slot I OC' is visible in this view.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a left hand side view of the stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 showing the column 10B to be non-configured in this view.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a right hand side view of the stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 showing the column 10R to be non-configured in this view.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 showing the column 10B configured with a second enclosed vertical slot I OC", visible in this view.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a top view of the stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 , showing the top end of square tubular column 10B and the square outline of baseplate 10A, with four fastening holes.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 showing baseplate 10B with the four fastening holes.

[0035] FIGs. 7-12. corresponding to FIGs. 1-6 respectively, depict a stanchion configured with two working quad sets of vertical slots in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a stanchion 12, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, showing in this view, a baseplate 12A attached integrally to upwardly-extending tubular column 12B configured with a co-linear vertical slot pair 12C and 12D' , separated by an intermediate web.

[0037] FIG.8 is a left hand side view of the stanchion 12 of FIG. 7 showing the column I 2B configured with a second co-linear vertical slot pair 12E' and 12F'as seen in this view, oriented 90 degrees, i.e. ¼ turn, from slots 12C and 12D' of FIG. 7, separated by an intermediate web that is located lower than that of FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG.9 is a right hand side view of the stanchion 12 of FIG. 7 showing the column 12B configured with a third co-linear vertical slot pair 12E" and 12F^, as seen in this view, coaxial with and diametrically opposite identical slot pair 12E' and 12F' of FIG. 8, and forming therewith a first working quad slot set.

[0039] FIG. 1 0 is a rear view of the stanchion 12 of FIG. 7 showing the column 12B configured with a fourth co-linear vertical slot pair 12C" and 12D" as seen from this viewpoint, co-axial with and diametrically opposite identical slot pair 12C' and 12D' of FIG. 7, and forming therewith a second working quad slot set, oriented 90 degrees, i.e. ¼ turn, and having a higher intermediate web location relative to the first working quad slot set (FIGs. 8 and 9).

[0040] FIG. 1 1 is a top view of the stanchion 12 of FIG. 7, showing the square top end shape of column 12B and the square outline of flange 1 2 A, with four fastening holes.

[0041] Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the stanchion 12 of FIG. 7 showing flange 12B with the four fastening holes.

[0042] Both the first embodiment, i.e. with two slots as in FIGs. 1 -4, and the second embodiment, i.e. with eight slots constituting two working quad slot sets as in FIGs. 8- 10, can be practiced in versions with the column portion made to fit known railing posts of any cross- sectional shape, including a rectangular or square post version as in FIGs. 5 and 6. or circular as in FIGs. 1 1 and 12. Although the baseplates are typically shaped according to the post- column shape as shown, any column version can be practiced in conjunction with any baseplate version.

[0043] FIG. 1 3 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the lower portion of a handrail post assembly with a hollow post 14 installed surrounding the column of a stanchion according to the present invention, exposing only the baseplate 10A. Although normally held in place by gravity alone, for added security the post 14 is preferably fastened in place on the stanchion using epoxy or equivalent industrial adhesive. Also shown is a portion of a horizontal bottom safety member 16 traversing the post-stanchion assembly, [0044] FIG. 14 is a central cross-section showing safety member 16 passing through a pair of holes drilled in post 14 at the designated height above the flange 1 0A, and through two diametrically opposed slots 10F' and lOF" the upper slots of the selected first quad slot set in column.1 OB. Slots I OC" and 10D" are of the unused second quad slot set which is unusable in this case because, as shown, its central web location is at a height that interferes with the designated height location of safety member 1 .

[0045] FIG. 15 shows the subject matter of FIG. 13 with the height of safety member 16 designated to be at lower height above the flange 1 OA

[0046J FIG. 16 is a cross-section showing the stanchion having been rotated a quarter turn to select the second quad slot set, since the first quad slot set, as shown by slots 10E' and 10 is now unusable in this case because its central web location is at a height that interferes with the lower designated height location of safety member 16.

[0047] FIG. 17 is a further enlarged front elevational view of a lower portion of a handrail postl 4 assembled onto a stanchion having an angled baseplate 18, for mounting onto a sloping surface.

[0048] FIG. 1 8 is a central cross-section of a first version of the post assembly of FIG. 17. A separate column part 18A is made with a closed bottom end with a threaded central opening engaged by bolt 20 holding the baseplate part 18A attached to column part 18A .

[0049] FIG. 19 is a central cross-section of a second version of the post assembly of FIG. 17 stanchion for mounting onto a sloping surface. Separate column part 22B is tubular with the bottom end open as shown. The top of baseplate part 22A is configured to extend upwardly close-fitted into column part 22B as shown and attached there with epoxy, industrial adhesive, pinning and/or bolting.

[0050] There are numerous variations possible in the flange portion 10B with which the principle of the invention could be practiced within its spirit and scope, including outline shapes other than circular or square as shown, integrated with or enclosed in underlying structure, e.g. embedded in concrete.

[0051] Regarding overall handrail system strength considerations: assuming a given required width of slots 10D to provide a clear passageway for a traversing safety element, the main parameters in the design tradeoffs are the strength of the material of the stanchion and the wall thickness of the column.

[00521 Increasing the column wall thickness up to the ultimate causes the column to evolve from tubular to solid cylindrical; the slots become tunnel passageways traversing the solid column. [0053] The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[0054] This writing discloses at least the following two embodiments.

A novel stanchion, for insertion into and support of a tubular post of a handrail system for installation on a horizontal surface, slope or staircase, is configured with a bottom flange attached to a tubular upright portion. The upright portion is bifurcated, forming a mirror- image pair of arcuate sidewalls separated at side edges by a pair of vertical slots extending upwardly from closed low ends near the flange to open ends at the top of the upright portion. The slots are sized in width to allow passage of a handrail system bottom safety member passing through a pair of drilled holes in the post at any desired spacing above the flange, with never any need for drilling the stanchion. If required to ensure against deformation of the upright portion from external forces impacting the handrail system, reinforcement can be selectably located and deployed in a manner that avoids interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member.

A novel stanchion, for insertion into and support of a tubular post of a handrail system for installation on a horizontal surface, slope or staircase, is configured with a baseplate attached to a upwardly-extending column configured with at least one pair of identical enclosed vertical siot openings located on diametrically opposite sides of the column, in a first embodiment, the column is configured with only one such pair, extending between a lower web at the bottom end region of the column and an upper web at the top end region of the column. In a second embodiment, the column is configured with eight slots arranged in two quad slot sets, each set configured with two diametrically opposed slot pairs, each pair being vertically co-linear, separated by an intermediate web. The two intermediate webs of each quad slot set are aligned at a designated height made different for each quad slot set, thus the intermediate webs of the two sets are located offset from each other vertically. This offset, in conjunction with the two quad slot sets being located perpendicular to each other about the central vertical axis of the column, enables selection of either quad slot set for deployment at installation by rotating the column a quarter turn, thus facilitating installation by always enabling selection of a quad slot set whose intermediate web height does not interfere with a designated safety member location. All elements, parts and steps described herein are preferably included. It is to be understood that any of these elements, parts and steps may be replaced by other elements, parts and steps or deleted altogether as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

CONCEPTS

This writing discloses at least the following concepts:

Concept 1. A stanchion, for installation into the lower end of a hollow post to form a post assembly of a handrail system which includes an inter-post bottom safety member of designated size passing through a pair of clearance holes drilled in the post at coaxial locations on opposite sides thereof, comprising:

a baseplate adapted for fastening to an underlying surface; and

a column extending upwardly from said baseplate, shaped to fit into the lower end of a hollow post, configured with at least one through passageway, sized and located to allow traverse of the bottom safety member, and terminated at opposite ends by a pair of vertical slots located at opposite side surfaces of said column;

the at least one through passageway being provided in such quantity and location that, at installation of the handrail system, at least one through passageway and an associated pair of surface-located slots is available for traverse of the stanchion and the post, so that there is no need for drilling the stanchion at installation.

Concept 2. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 , wherein:

one and only one a pair of identical enclosed vertical slots, located at directly opposite side surface of said column, the slots extending between bottom an top web regions of said column, dimensioned to include a working range of height locations required by the safety member.

Concept 3. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 or 2 wherein said column is hollow and made with sufficient material strength and wall thickness to provide the handrail system with designated required strength.

Concept 4. The stanchion as defined in concept 2 wherein said column is made solid and said one through passageway is a tunnel having a cross sectional shape simulating the associated pair of surface-located slots. Concept 5. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 , wherein:

said column is configured with eight vertical enclosed slots arranged in two quad slot sets,

each set configured with two diametrically opposed slot pairs, each pair being vertically co- linear, separated by an intermediate web, each pair extending between a lower web at a bottom end region of said column and an upper web at a top end region of said column; the two intermediate web regions of each set being aligned at a designated height, made different for each set, thus locating the intermediate webs of the two sets at a vertical offset relative to each other; and

the vertical offset, in conjunction with the two quad slot sets being located

perpendicular to each other about the central vertical axis of the column, enabling selection of either set for deployment at installation by rotating said column a quarter turn;

whereby installation is facilitated by always enabling selection of a quad slot set whose intermediate web height does not interfere with a designated safety member location.

Concept 6. The stanchion as defined in concept 5 wherein said column is hollow and made with sufficient material strength and wall thickness to provide the handrail system with designated required strength.

Concept 7. The stanchion as defined in concept 3 or 6 wherein said column is made tubular with a circular cross-sectional shape.

Concept 8. The stanchion as defined in concept 3 or 6 wherein said column is made square in cross-sectional shape.

Concept 9. The stanchion as defined in concept 5 wherein said column is made solid and each through passageway is a tunnel having a cross sectional shape simulating the associated pair of surface-located slots.

Concept 10. The stanchion as defined in concept 4 or 9 wherein said column is made tubular with a circular cross-sectional shape.

Concept 1 1 . The stanchion as defined in concept 4 or 7 wherein said column is made square in cross-sectional shape. Concept 12. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 wherein said baseplate is fixedly attached to said column in a horizontal orientation for installation onto a horizontal underlying surface.

Concept 13. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 wherein said baseplate is fixedly attached to said column at a designated angle for installation onto a sloping underlying surface.

Concept 14. The stanchion as defined in concept 1 wherein said baseplate is attached to said column by adjustable means for setting said baseplate at a designated angle for installation onto a sloping underlying surface.

Concept 15. The stanchion as defined in concept 5 wherein said baseplate is angled and is attached to said column by adjustable means for rotating said column relative to said baseplate for purposes of selecting a quad slot set.

Concept 16. A stanchion, for installation into the lower end of a tubular post to form a post assembly of a handrail system which includes an inter-post bottom safety member of designated size passing through a pair of holes drilled in the post, comprising;

a flange portion secured to a base region beneath the post; and

a hollow vertical upright portion, attached at a bottom end to said flange portion and bifurcated so as to form a minOr-image pair of arcuate sidewalls separated at side edges by a pair of vertical slots extending upwardly from closed low ends located at a designated spacing above said flange portion to open ends at a top edge of said upright portion, the slots being sized in width to allow the bottom safety member of the handrail system to pass through the post assembly via a pair of holes drilled in the post at any desired spacing above said flange portion, without the need for drilling said stanchion.

Concept 17. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 wherein said flange portion is configured with a flat bottom surface interfacing and secured to the base region beneath the post.

Concept 18. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 wherein said flange portion is enclosed in a base region beneath the post. Concept 19. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 wherein said vertical upright portion is fixedly attached to said flange portion in coaxial relationship, holding said flange portion horizontal and perpendicular to said upright portion.

Concept 20. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 wherein said vertical upright portion is attached at a predetennined fixed slope angle relative to said flange portion, for installation on a sloping base surface.

Concept 21. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 wherein said upright portion is attached to said flange portion in a pivoted manner enabling the bottom surface of said flange portion to be set at any desired slope angle relative to said vertical upright portion.

Concept 22. The stanchion as defined in concept 16 further comprising:

at least one compression member, made and located to serve as a spacer between the arcuate sidewalls to reinforce said upright portion against risk of deformation damage from external forces impacting the handrail system; and

compression member retaining means, associated with each said at least one compression member, made and an'anged to retain said compression member in place relative to the arcuate sidewalls while avoiding interference with any desired location of the botlom safety member and avoiding any need for drilling said stanchion.

Concept 23. The stanchion as defined in concept 22 wherein said compression member and said compression member retaining means comprise:

each opening of said set of openings being threaded; and

each said compression member being made cylindrical and elongate in shape, threaded end-to-end, and installed with each end occupying and threadedly engaging a corresponding one of a selected pair of the threaded openings, one in each arcuate sidewall.

Concept 24. The stanchion as defined in concept 22 wherein said compression member retaining means comprises:

a core member having a major cylindrical portion traversing a central passageway- configured in said compression member, said core member having a head end configured with a driving recess and being sized in length to extend beyond both ends of said compression member and occupy a selected pair of openings, one in each arcuate sidewall; and

a set of openings, sized to fit ends of said core member , arranged as a pair of matching and aligned vertical arrays configured one in each arcuate sidewall, providing at least two pairs of openings, each pair located at a different elevation above said flange portion, each elevation providing a location of a pair of openings that can be selected for installing one said core member, said set of openings made to have a quantity of pairs that exceeds said at least one compression member in quantity;

whereby an installer is enabled to choose therefrom a location for each of said at least one compression member that avoids interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member, with never any need for drilling said stanchion.

Concept 25. The stanchion as defined in concept 24 wherein:

the openings in the vertical array in a first one of the arcuate sidewails are unthreaded and sized for a sliding fit surrounding said core member;

the openings in the vertical array in a second one of the arcuate sidewails are threaded to threadedly engage said core member; and

said core member is implemented as a cylindrical rod, threaded at least in an end region opposite the head end, and installed with the head end traversing a corresponding unthreaded opening in the first arcuate sidewall, and the threaded end threadedly engaging a selected threaded opening in the second arcuate sidewall.

Concept 26. The stanchion as defined in concept 24 wherein:

said at least one compression member comprises only one compression member; said set of openings comprises four openings arranged as two vertical arrays of two openings, one an'ay in each arcuate sidewall, the two arrays matching and aligned with each other,

whereby the installer is enabled to choose between two reinforcement locations, i.e. lower and upper, in order to avoid interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member, with never any need for drilling said stanchion.

Concept 27. The stanchion as defined in concept 24 wherein:

said at least one compression member comprises two compression members; and said set of openings comprises six openings arranged as two vertical arrays of three openings, one array in each arcuate sidewall, the two arrays matching and aligned with each other;

whereby the installer is enabled to choose between three reinforcement location modes, i.e. upper + middle, upper + lower, and middle + lower, in order to avoid interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member, with never any need for drilling said stanchion.

Concept 28. The stanchion as defined in concept 27 wherein:

said core member, implemented as a grub screw, i.e. a fully threaded cylindrical rod; and

the driving recess in its head end is a screwdriver slot.

Concept 29. The stanchion as defined in concept 25 wherein:

the openings in the vertical array in a first one of the arcuate sidewalls are unthreaded and sized for a sliding fit surrounding said core member;

the openings in the vertical array in a second one of the arcuate sidewalls are threaded to threadedly engage said core member; and

said core member is threaded at least in an end region, and installed traversing a selected unthreaded opening in the first arcuate sidewall and threadedly engaging the corresponding coaxial threaded opening in the second arcuate sidewall.

Concept 30. The stanchion as defined in concept 29 wherein:

said core member is implemented as a flathead machine screw; and

the openings in the vertical array in the first arcuate sidewall are configured at their outer extent to countersink the flathead machine screw;

whereby reinforcement can be enhanced by the flathead machine screw, when tightened, serving to secure the arcuate sidewalls in firm contact against the ends of said compression member.

Concept 31 . The stanchion as defined in concept 29 wherein:

said core member is implemented as an oval-head machine screw; and

the openings in the vertical array in the first arcuate sidewall are configured at their outer extent to countersink the cval-head machine screw; whereby reinforcement can be enhanced by the oval-head machine screw, when tightened, serving to secure the arcuate sidewalls in firm contact against the ends of said compression member.

Concept 32. The stanchion as defined in concept 24 wherein:

all of the the openings in the vertical arrays in both arcuate sidewalls are unthreaded and sized for a sliding fit surrounding said core member;

said core member is implemented as an unthreaded cylindrical rod with ends each occupying a a corresponding one of a selected pair of the unthreaded openings, and retained in place by a surrounding post.

Concept 33. The stanchion as defined in concept 22 wherein:

said compression member is implemented as a cylindrical disk sized to extend to an inner periphery of the arcuate sidewalls and configured with a horizontal through-opening; and

said compression member retaining means comprises a safety member traversing a pair of holes drilled in an associated post, traversing the two slots between the two arcuate sidewalls and traversing the horizontal through-opening

Concept 34. The stanchion as defined in concept 22 wherein:

said compression member retaining means comprises the arcuate sidewalls being made identical, configured internally with a first coaxial horizontal ledge and a second similar ledge, made smaller in diameter than the first ledge and located at a designated distance beneath the first ledge; and

said compression member is implemented as a cylindrical disk made available in two sizes of different diameter to fully occupy regions immediately above each of the two ledges respectively;

whereby the installer is enabled to choose between two reinforcement location modes, (a) the larger first compression disk supported on the first ledge and (b) the smaller second compression disk supported on the lower ledge, in order to avoid interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member, with never any need for drilling said stanchion. Excerpt of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14/533,552

APPENDIX A

"STANCHION FOR HANDRAIL SYSTEMS" Filing date: November 5, 2014

APPENDIX A

UNIVERSAL BIFURCATED STANCHION FOR HANDRAIL SYSTEMS

FIELD

[0001] The present technology is in the field of handrails including indoor and outdoor handrail systems installed over flat horizonta! surfaces, inclined surfaces and stairs, with safety members extending between posts. More particularly it relates to stanchions for supporting posts of handrail systems designed for horizontal surfaces, sloping surfaces and stairs.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Handrails, whether above horizontal surfaces, slopes or stairs, are generally supported on a series of posts whose lower ends are fastened to the under!ying base surface via some form of stanchion. As the structural "backbone" of a handrail system, the stanchion is required to withstand high levels of stress whenever the handrail is impacted by strong external force.

For child protection and public safety, building code regulations call for some form of safety grillwork or mesh extending across the space between the posts, typically extending down to a bottom safety member. Safety, building and code regulations limit the separation between safety members, and also limit the spacing between the bottom safety member and the underlying base surface, thus raising physical interference issues since installation of the bottom safety member requires it to pass through the posts in the same low end region already necessarily occupied by the stanchions.

[0003] Many different design approaches have been created to balance the conflicting demands of facilitating installation and meeting code requirements while also enabling freedom in ornamental and architectural design. Virtually all known handrail systems have as a common basis a bottom safety member which is often implemented as a wire, rod, twisted or braided cable or equivalent, usually of metal, e.g. stainless steel, or alternatively, suitably strong plastics, fiberglass/epoxy, carbon fibre and the like. Commonly the bottom safety member is procured in continuous length and passed through each post; typically requiring drilling through the posts as required at installation. APPENDIX A

[0004] If the post is hollow and based on a stanchion, the standing portion of the stanchion must extend far enough up into the lower end of the post to ensure required overall handrail structural strength, especially to withstand strong lateral forces impacting the handrail region, which by leverage, translate to extremely high compressive and bending stresses on the stanchions at the low end of the posts. In practice, the stanchion height is typically made to extend above the upper limit for height of the bottom safety member allowed by code, while the height selected for ornamental design purposes can range far below the code limit, consequently installation of handrail systems using stanchions of known art routinely requires drilling not only through the hollow post walls but also through the (usually solid steel) stanchion, a burden that makes installation very tedious, time-consuming and costly.

CONSIDERATIONS

[0005] One consideration in arriving at the present technology is providing a versatile "universal" handrail post stanchion that will save labor and facilitate installation of virtually all railing posts and associated post-to-post structural arrangements including installations on stairs, slopes and on flat horizontal base surfaces without requiring any drilling or other modification of the stanchions at installation.

[0006J Another consideration is providing an alternative to making the upright portion of the stanchion in solid form, to yield material, weight, labor and overall cost savings, while preserving the needed strength.

SUMMARY

[0007] The forgoing being of note, the present technology presents a novel stanchion for insertion into and support of a tubular post of a handrail system for installation on a horizontal surface, slope or staircase. The stanchion is configured with a bottom flange attached to a tubular upright portion. The upright portion is bifurcated, forming a mirror- image pair of arcuate sidewalls separated at side edges by a pair of vertical slots extending upwardly from closed low ends near the flange to open ends at the top of the upright portion. The slots are sized in width to allow passage of a handrail system bottom safety member passing through a pair of drilled holes in the post at any desired spacing above the flange, with never any need for drilling the stanchion. If required to ensure against deformation of the upright portion from external forces impacting the handrail system, reinforcement can be selectably located and deployed in a manner that avoids interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member. APPENDIX A

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stanchion in a preferred embodiment of of the present invention.

[0009]

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the stanchion of FIG. 1

[0010]

FIG. 3 is a second and opposite side view of the stanchion of FIGs. l and 2.

looi i]

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stanchion of FIGs. 1-3.

10012J

FIG. 5 is a top view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 .

[0013]

FTG. 6 is a bottom view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 .

[0014]

FIGs. 7-1 2, corresponding to FIGs. 1 -6 respectively, depict an alternative embodiment of the present invention for handrail posts of square cross-sectional shape.

[0015]

FIG. 1 3 is an enlarged front elevationa] view of a lower portion of a handrail system utilizing a stanchion of the present invention in a post assembly traversed by a bottom safety member of the handrail system.

[0016]

FIG. 14 is a top view of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the top edges of a pair of arcuate sidewalls formed by bifurcation of the stanchion and reinforced by an interposed compression member in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]

FIG. 15 is a central cross-sectional front elevational view of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the stanchion in the preferred embodiment with two compression members deployed in a first location mode to avoid interference with the horizontal bottom safety member below.

[00181

FIG, 16 is a cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the compression members deployed in a second location mode to avoid interference with the bottom safety member inclined for a stairway installation. APPENDIX A

100191

FIG. 17 is a cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the compression members deployed in a third location mode to avoid interference with the horizontal bottom safety member, which can be located anywhere above the upper compression member .

I 002 j

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13 taken through axis 18-

18" (FIG.17).

[0021]

FIG. 19 is a central cross-sectional front elevational view showing the stanchion of the invention in a secondary embodiment: a cost-reduced alternative with only one compression element, retained in place by an unthreaded core rod, requiring only four unthreaded holes in the stanchion arcuate walls providing a choice between two selectable compression element locations.

[0022]

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 19, taken through axis 20-

20' (FIG.19).

[0023]

FIG. 21 is a central cross-sectional front elevational view showing an embodiment with a compression element held in place by the bottom safety element traversing a through-hole configured in the compression element.

[0024J FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 21 , taken through axis 22-22' (FIG.21 ), showing the circular disk shape of the compression element, held in place by the bottom safety element traversing the through-hole.

[0025]

FIG. 23 is an enlarged central cross-sectional front elevational view showing a post assembly wherein an embodiment of the stanchion of the invention is made with a stepped

configuration internally that provides two ledges at different elevations as selectable locations for support of a disk-shaped compression element of corresponding size selected from two sizes made available.

[0026J

FIG. 24 is an enlarged top view of the post assembly of FIG. 23 with the disk-shaped compression element removed to show the two concentric circular ledges configured internally. APPENDIX A

[0027]

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-section showing a variation wherein the core rod is implemented as a countersunk flathead machine screw instead of the grub screw of the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 20.

[0028]

FIG. 26 is an enlarged cross-section of a post assembly utilizing an alternative embodiment of the stanchion of the present invention wherein the reinforcing compression element is implemented as a fully-threaded grub screw with ends engaging corresponding threaded holes selected from a vertical array in each of the arcuate sidewalls.

[0029]

FIG. 27 is a front elevationa] view of a lower portion of a post assembly of a handrail system utilizing a stanchion of the present invention in an embodiment wherein the flange portion is attached pivotedly to the upright portion for installation on an inclined base surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stanchion 10 of the present invention showing the basic structure of an upright portion 10A integrally attached to a bottom mounting flange portion 10B. A preferred embodiment is configured with a vertical array of three unthreaded holes I OC in the front arcuate sidewali 1 OA', visible in this view. At the rear of stanchion 10, not visible in this FIG. 1 view, a second arcuate sidewali of identical outline shape is located in mirror-image relation, (see FIG. 4).

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of the stanchion 1 0 of FIG, 1 showing the upright portion 10A with its major upper portion bifurcated into two arcuate sidewalls 10A' and 10A", separated by a pair of vertical slots 1 0D extending from closed lower ends located at a designated height above the flange portion ( 10B, FIG. 1 ) to their open upper ends located at the top edge of upright portion 1 OA.

[0032J FIG. 3 is the opposite side view of the stanchion of FIGs. 1 and 2, showing the bifurcated upright portion forming a vertical slot 10D, aligned with the opposite vertical slot 10D (FIG. 2), between the two arcuate sidewalls 10A' and 10A".

[0033] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the stanchion of FIGs. 1 -3 showing a vertical array of three threaded holes I OC' configured in arcuate sidewali 10A" located diametrically opposite and aligned with the vertical array of the three unthreaded holes I OC in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a top view of stanchion 10 of FIG. 1 , showing the circular outline shape of flange portion 10B and the top edges of the two arcuate sidewalls 10A' and I OA", spaced APPENDIX A apart, mirror image, by the open top ends of vertical slots 10D (FIGs 2 and 3), and showing three holes in flange ! OB for fastening to the underlying base surface.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the stanchion of FIG. 1 showing flange portion 10B with the three fastening holes.

[0036] FIGs. 7-12, corresponding to FIGs. 1-6 respectively, depict an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein, instead to the circular cross-sectional shape of the upright portion 10A shown in FIG. 5, the shape is made square, as seen in FIG. 1 1 , to accommodate a hollow handrail post of square cross-sectional shape. The four corner gusset braces 10E shown provide reinforcement to enhance the working strength of the square flange portion 10B' .

[0037] In this preferred embodiment, the three unthreaded holes I OC in arcuate sidewall I OA' in FIGs. 1 and 7, and the three threaded holes 10C in arcuate sidewalll OA" in FIGs 4 and 10, are arranged in vertical arrays to provide a choice between three locations at different heights for support of a pair of spacer compression members to reinforce the arcuate sidewalls 1 OA' and 10A" of the upright portion 10A.

[0038] FIG. 13 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the lower portion of a handrail post assembly with a hollow post 12 installed surrounding the upright portion of a stanchion according to the present invention, exposing only the flange portion 10B. Although normally held in place by gravity alone, for added security the post 12 is preferably fastened in place on the stanchion using epoxy or equivalent industrial adhesive. Also shown is a portion of a horizontal bottom safety member 14 traversing the post assembly.

[0039] FIG. 14 is a top view of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the circular outline of flange portion 10B and showing the bottom safety member 14 traversing the post assembly through holes drilled in post 12 at installation. Internally, bottom safety member 14 traverses the two slots 10D between the two arcuate sidewalls 10A' and 10A" of the stanchion upright portion I OA, surrounded by post 12. A compression member implemented as a sleeve 16, interposed between the inner surfaces of the two arcuate walls 10A' and 10A", serves to reinforce the stanchion against potential damage from lateral forces impacting the handrail system. Multiplied by leverage at the post 12, these forces translate into extremely strong lateral compressive forces applied to the stanchion as the axis of leverage, tending to bend the arcuate sidewalls 10A' and 10A" inwardly toward each other. Compression sleeve 16, spacing them apart, enables them to support each other, providing the stanchion, as effectively the "backbone^" of the handrail system, with reinforcement that at least doubles the working strength compared to the same stanchion without reinforcement. APPENDIX A

[0040] FIG. 15 is a central elevational cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13, taken at axis 15- 15' of FIG. 14, showing two compression sleeves 16 each surrounding and retained in place by core rod member implemented as an elongate grub screw core 16A and deployed in a first location mode wherein the upper and middle hole locations of the vertical array have been selected for installing the two compression sleeves 16, leaving the lower threaded hole I OC unoccupied as shown, thus enabling the bottom horizontal safety member 14 to be located anywhere in the vicinity of the selected location shown, near the low end of the available location range extending from the bottom of slots 10D upward, obstructed only at the middle location of compression sleeve 16 and unobstructed at the lower location of unoccupied threaded hole IOC .

[00 1 J FIG. 16 is a central elevational cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the compression sleeves 16 (with grub screw cores 16A) deployed in a second location mode wherein the upper and lower hole locations of the vertical array have been selected for installing the two compression sleeves 16, leaving the middle threaded holelOC unoccupied , enabling the bottom safety member 14 to be inclined for a stairway or sloped installation and located anywhere between the upper and lower locations as shown, in a mid-range region that is unobstructed at the middle location of the unoccupied threaded holel 0C .

[0042] FIG. 17 is a central elevational cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 13 showing the compression sleeves 16 (with grub screw cores 16A) deployed in a third location mode wherein the middle and lower hole locations of the vertical array have been selected for installing the two compression sleeves 16, leaving the upper threaded holel 0C¹ unoccupied, thus enabling the bottom horizontal safety member 14 to be located as shown or anywhere in the unobstructed range above the upper compression sleeve 16, unobstructed at the upper location of the unoccupied threaded hole 10C.

[0043] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 1 3 taken at axis 18- 18' of FIG. 17, showing the arcuate sidewalls 10A' and 10A', separated by the two slots l OD, and showing the lower compression element, i.e. sleeve 16, held in place by threaded grub screw core 16 A, having a head end configured with a screwdriver slot, slidingly occupying an unthreaded hole I OC as selected from the three unthreaded holes vertically arrayed in first arcuate sidewall 10A', the opposite end of grub screw corel 6A being threadedly engaged in the corresponding one of the three threaded holes 10C vertically arrayed in the second arcuate sidewall 10A".

[0043BJ As a refinement and installation convenience in the preferred embodiment, instead of headless grub screw 16' being fully threaded as shown in FIG. 18, making it threaded only APPENDIX A over a short end region sized to automatically establish its working location when tightened to a bottomed condition;

[9044] FIG. 19 is a central elevational cross-section of a post assembly of a secondary embodiment of the invention constituting a cost-reduced alternative version of the above- described preferred embodiment, the main difference being that instead of two compression elements and three-hole vertical arrays enabling three location modes as described above in connection with the post assembly shown in FIGs. 15- 17, this secondary embodiment utilizes only a single compression element, i.e. compression sleeve 16, thus requiring only two selectable hole-pair locations as shown, enabling two location modes. The lower location in the preferred embodiment was selected for elimination as contributing least of the three to reinforcement strength, the middle and upper locations being retained in this secondary embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-section of the secondary embodiment post assembly of FIG. 1 9 taken at axis 20-20^' ( FIG. 19), showing the compression element implemented as an unthreaded core rod 16A with ends occupying unthreaded holes 10C in the two identical arcuate sidewalls 1 OA', surrounded by tubular post 12 which retains unthreaded core rod 16A in place, slidingly fitted within compression sieevc 16, which is sized in length and preferably end-shaped for a close fit at the interfaces with the arcuate sidewalls l OA of the bifurcated upright portion of the stanchion so as to enable the two arcuate sidewalls 1 OA to reinforce each other against deformation from external lateral forces impacting the handrail system.

[0046] This secondary embodiment version of compression element retention shown in FIGs 19 and 20 provides benefits of cost reduction in manufacture while preserving full operating strength compared to the preferred embodiment described above; however there is potential of some nuisance disadvantage in handling an assembled stanchion in installation prior to insertion into a post: core rod 22A' , being unthreaded, slidingly fitted and relying on the presence of a surrounding post for retention, could shift endwise and fall out.

[0047] The cross-sectional outline shape of compression sleeve 16 in the preferred and secondary embodiments described above is not critical : it can be made as a circular annular sleeve as shown or the outline can be made any desired shape, e.g. rectangular or square or even extended further e.g. instead of a sleeve, a circular compression disk filling the interior cross-sectional space of the upright portion 10A of the stanchion.

[00481 FIG. 21 is a central elevational cross-section of a post assembly showing an alternative approach for stanchion reinforcement wherein the compression element is implemented as a APPENDIX A circular compression disk 20 retained in place by a horizontal lower safety member 14 traversing a central through-hole in disk 20 as shown.

[0049] FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-section of the post assembly of FIG. 21 , taken through axis 22-22' (FIG.21), showing the circular shape of the compression disk 20, retained in place by the bottom safety element 14 traversing the through-hole, which is aligned with slots 10D in the arcuate sidewalls 10A' .

[0050] FIG. 23 is a central elevational cross-section of a post assembly showing another alternative approach for stanchion reinforcement wherein an identical pair of arcuate sidewalls 10F are made with a stepped configuration internally that provides two concentric ledges 22 and 24 at different elevations strategically designated as selectable locations for support of either a larger compression disk 20' as shown supported on the upper ledge 22, or a smaller compression disk 20" shown in broken outline on the lower ledge 24. Holes and threading are eliminated, and the increased stanchion wall thickness contributes a beneficial increase in working strength.

[0051 j FIG. 24 is an enlarged top view of the post assembly of FIG. 23 with the compression disk removed to show the two different sizes of the concentric circular ledges 22 and 24 configured internally.

[0052] FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-section showing a variation in reinforcement wherein retainment of the compression element in place is implemented as a fully or partially threaded flathead (or oval-head) machine screw 16A" in a countersunk hole in arcuate sidewall 10" instead of the grub screw corel 6A of the preferred embodiment with its head end occupying an unthreaded hole as shown in FIG. 18. This variation enables the arcuate sidewalls to be drawn into firm contact with the compression element when the core screw is tightened.

[0053] FIG. 26 is an enlarged cross-section of a post assembly utilizing an alternative embodiment of the stanchion of the present invention wherein the reinforcing compression element is implemented as a fully-threaded grub screw 16 (optionally larger than in FIG. 1 8) with ends engaging a corresponding pair of threaded holes I OC" selected from the vertical array of threaded holes I OC'^" in each of the identical arcuate sidewalls 10A".

[0054] FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of a lower portion of a post assembly of a handrail system utilizing a stanchion of the present invention in an embodiment wherein the flange portion 10B" is attached pivotedly to the upright portion for installation on an inclined base surface. The bottom end of pipe 12' is cut off at the designated angle Alternatively, flange portion 1 OB^"1 could be attached integrally at a desired fixed slope angle. APPENDIX A

[0055] The technology herein can be practiced in an alternative basic embodiment wherein the two arcuate sidewalls are made identical in basic form with no reinforcement items or associated support holes required. Their appearance would be as shown in the drawings including vertical slots 10D but with all holes omitted. Full design exploitation of the three main parameters in the design tradeoffs, i.e. the strength of the material of the stanchion, the wall thickness of its upright portion 10A, and the designated height of the slot lower ends above the flange, may enable this basic embodiment to be made sufficiently strong alone without need for any reinforcement compression member, thus also eliminating the need for any support holes, threading or countersinking in the arcuate sidewalls.

[0056] There are numerous variations possible in the flange portion 10B with which the principle of the invention could be practiced within its spirit and scope, including outline shapes other than circular or square as shown, integrated with or enclosed in underlying structure, e.g. embedded in concrete.

[0057] As alternatives to a single core rod 22', the compression element may be retained in place by a pair of core pins or screws occupying and preferably threadedly engaging a pair of holes configured in either the opposite ends of the compression element 22 or opposite locations in each of the two arcuate sidewalls, with head ends configured for driving. If the screws are made flatheaded and the threaded hoeds located at the ends of the compression element 22, this arrangement could also potentially enable the flathead screws to provide some additional strength enhancement to the stanchion by enabling tightening of the arcuate sidewalls against the ends of the reinforcement compression sleeve(s).

[0058] The foregoing modifications can retain full versatility and required strength while reducing costs by reducing the number of holes and/or the amount of threading required.

[0059] The technology herein can be practiced in an alternative basic embodiment which requires no reinforcement items or associated support holes, and wherein the two arcuate sidewalls are made identical, appearing as shown in the drawings including vertical slots lODtyp but with all holes omitted. Full design exploitation of the three main parameters in the design tradeoffs, i.e. the strength of the material of the stanchion, the wall thickness of its upright portion, and the designated height of the slot lower ends above the flange, may enable this basic embodiment to be made sufficiently strong alone without need for any

reinforcement compression member, thus also eliminating the need for any support holes, threading or countersinking in the arcuate sidewalls.

[0060] Regarding overall handrail system strength considerations: assuming a given required width of slots 10D to provide a clear passageway for a traversing safety element, the main APPENDIX A parameters in the design tradeoffs are the strength of the material of the stanchion, the wall thickness of its upright portion, and the designated height of the lower slot ends above the flange. Judicious selection of values for these parameters, which in combination dictate the amount of reinforcement required between the two arcuate sidewalls

[0061] The technology herein may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be consideied in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

-APPENDIX A- 1/3

F FIG.3 FIG.4

FIG. 7 FIG. 9 FIG. 1 0

-APPENDIX A-

2/3

FIG. 15 FIG.16 FIG. 17 -APPENDIX A- 3/3

FIG.20 10A' FIG.22 FIG.24

3 F1 IG.26

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A stanchion, for installation into the lower end of a hollow post to form a post assembly of a handrail system which includes an inter-post bottom safety member of designated size passing through a pair of clearance holes drilled in the post at coaxial locations on opposite sides thereof, comprising:

a baseplate adapted for fastening to an underlying surface; and

2. The stanchion as defined in claim 1 , wherein:

3. The stanchion as defined in claim 2 wherein said column is hollow and made with sufficient material strength and wall thickness to provide the handrail system with designated required strength.

4. The stanchion as defined in claim 2 wherein said column is made solid and said one through passageway is a tunnel having a cross sectional shape simulating the associated pair of surface-located slots.

5. The stanchion as defined in claim 1 , wherein:

said column configured with eight vertical enclosed slots arranged in two quad slot sets, each set configured with two diametrically opposed slot pairs, each pair being vertically co- linear, separated by an interaiediate web, each pair extending between a lower web at a bottom end region of said column and an upper web at a top end region of said column; the two intermediate web regions of each set being aligned at a designated height, made different for each set, thus locating the intermediate webs of the two sets at a vertical offset rel tive to each other; and

the vertical offset, in conjunction with the two quad slot sets being located

6. The stanchion as defined in claim 5 wherein said column is hollow and made with sufficient material strength and wall thickness to provide the handrail system with designated required strength.

7. The stanchion as defined in claim 3 or 6 wherein said column is made tubular with a circular cross-sectional shape.

8. The stanchion as defined in claim 3 or 6 wherein said column is made square in cross- sectional shape.

9. The stanchion as defined in claim 5 wherein said column is made solid and each through passageway is a tunnel having a cross sectional shape simulating the associated pair of surface-located slots.

10. The stanchion as defined in claim 4 or 9 wherein said column is made tubular with a circular cross-sectional shape.

1 1 . The stanchion as defined in claim 4 wherein said column is made square in cross- sectional shape.

12. The stanchion as defined in claim 1 wherein said baseplate is fixedly attached to said column in a horizontal orientation for installation onto a horizontal underlying surface.

13. The stanchion as defined in claim 1 wherein said baseplate is fixedly attached to said column at a designated angle for installation onto a sloping underlying surface.

14. The stanchion as defined in claim 1 wherein said baseplate is attached to said column by adjustable means for setting said baseplate at a designated angle for installation onto a sloping underlying surface.

15. The stanchion as defined in claim 5 wherein said baseplate is angled and is attached to said column by adjustable means for rotating said column relative to said baseplate for purposes of selecting a quad slot set.

1 6. A stanchion, for installation into the lower end of a tubular post to form a post assembly of a handrail system which includes an inter-post bottom safety member of designated size passing through a pair of holes drilled in the post, comprising:

a flange portion secured to a base region beneath the post; and

a hollow vertical upright portion, attached at a bottom end to said flange portion and bifurcated so as to form a mirror-image pair of arcuate sidewalls separated at side edges by a pair of vertical slots extending upwardly from closed low ends located at a designated spacing above said flange portion to open ends at a top edge of said upright portion, the slots being sized in width to allow the bottom safety member of the handrail system to pass through the post assembly via a pair of holes drilled in the post at any desired spacing above said flange portion, without the need for drilling said stanchion.

17. The stanchion as deftned in claim 16 wherein said flange portion is configured with a flat bottom surface interfacing and secured to the base region beneath the post.

18. The stanchion as defined in claim 16 wherein said flange portion is enclosed in a base region beneath the post.

19. The stanchion as defined in claim 16 wherein said vertical upright portion is fixedly attached to said flange portion in coaxial relationship, holding said flange portion horizontal and perpendicular to said upright portion.

20. The stanchion as defined in claim 16 wherein said vertical upright portion is attached at a predetermined fixed slope angle relative to said flange portion, for installation on a sloping base surface.

21 . The stanchion as defined in claim 16 wherein said upright portion is attached to said flange portion in a pivoted manner enabling the bottom surface of said flange portion to be set at any desired slope angle relative to said vertical upright portion.

22. The stanchion as defined in claim 16 further comprising:

compression member retaining means, associated with each said at least one compression member, made and arranged to retain said compression member in place relative to the arcuate sidewalls while avoiding interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member and avoiding any need for drilling said stanchion.

23. The stanchion as defined in claim 22 wherein said compression member and said compression member retaining means comprise:

each opening of said set of openings being threaded; and

24. The stanchion as defined in claim 22 wherein said compression member retaining means comprises:

a core member having a major cylindrical portion traversing a central passageway configured in said compression member, said core member having a head end configured with a driving recess and being sized in length to extend beyond both ends of said

compression member and occupy a selected pair of openings, one in each arcuate sidewall; and

25. The stanchion as defined in claim 24 wherein:

26. The stanchion as defined in claim 24 wherein:

said at least one compression member comprises only one compression member; said set of openings comprises four openings arranged as two vertical arrays of two openings, one array in each arcuate sidewall. the two arrays matching and aligned with each other,

27. The stanchion as defined in claim 24 wherein:

28. The stanchion as defined in claim 27 wherein:

the driving recess in its head end is a screwdriver slot.

29. The stanchion as defined in claim 25 wherein:

30. The stanchion as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said core member is implemented as a flathead machine screw; and

31 . The stanchion as defined in claim 29 wherein:

said core member is implemented as an oval-head machine screw; and

the openings in the vertical array in the first arcuate sidewall are configured at their outer extent to countersink the oval-head machine screw;

whereby reinforcement can be enhanced by the oval-head machine screw, when tightened, serving to secure the arcuate sidewalls in firm contact against the ends of said compression member.

32. The stanchion as defined in claim 24 wherein:

33. The stanchion as defined in claim 22 wherein:

34. The stanchion as defined in claim 22 wherein:

whereby the installer is enabled to choose between two reinforcement location modes, (a) the larger first compression disk supported on the first ledge and (b) the smaller second compression disk supported on the lower ledge, in order to avoid interference with any desired location of the bottom safety member, with never any need for drilling said stanchion.

35. The stanchion as defined in claim 7 wherein said column is made square in cross- sectional shape.