US 5,273,258 AGranted

Corner/return construction for impact-resistant handrails

AssigneePawling Corporation

InventorMichael A. Bedics

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A corner structure is provided for impact-resisting handrail installations. The design of the structure is such that the same principal components may be employed in constructing outside corners, inside corners and returns. The corner structure includes a molded tubular shell of arcuate configuration, for connection to each of two right angularly related straight handrail sections or from one handrail to an adjacent wall. An internal skeletal support member is mounted within the hollow tubular shell, by closure panels secured to and closing the opposite ends of the shell. The skeletal support member includes an arcuate central portion arranged in confronting and supporting relation to the outwardly facing wall of the shell. Connecting elements project outward through each of the closure panels for rigid connection to the adjacent straight handrail sections. By substitution of two different internal skeletal supports, the corner structure can be configured for inside and outside corners. The skeletal supports themselves are adapted to be inexpensively produced by extrusion processes. Substantial savings in manufacturing costs are realized.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A handrail corner structure for joinder with a linear handrail assembly, wherein the handrail assembly comprises an elongated linear internal support member of generally uniform cross section mounted on an architectural structure and an elongate, open-sided external cover shell constructed for snap-on application over said internal support member, said corner structure comprising

(a) a tubular corner shell formed with first and second ends and a generally arcuate configuration for alignment with and connection at one end to an end of a handrail assembly,
(b) said corner shell having radially inside and outside arcuate walls and top and bottom walls connecting said arcuate walls to form a hollow tubular cross sectional configuration,
(c) said corner shell having one arcuate wall thereof facing outwardly with respect to the architectural structure,
(d) an internal skeletal support for said corner shell,
(e) said internal skeletal support comprising a first portion of arcuate contour arranged in confronting and supporting relation to said outwardly facing wall to support said wall against impact deflection toward said architectural structure,
(f) said internal skeletal support having end flanges located adjacent the respective ends of said corner shell and extending from said outwardly facing arcuate wall toward the other arcuate wall,
(g) said internal skeletal support having at least one connecting portion joined with one of said end flanges and projecting beyond the adjacent end of said corner shell,
(h) said connecting portion having a portion aligned in overlapping relation with an end portion of said elongated linear internal support member and being tightly secured thereto.

5 more elements

A corner structure for joining to a horizontally disposed linear handrail section, which comprises

(a) a hollow tubular corner shell formed with first and second ends and a generally arcuate configuration,
(b) said corner shell having radially inside and radially outside arcuate walls and top and bottom walls connecting said arcuate walls to form an arcuate tube open at each of said ends,
(c) an internal skeletal support for said corner shell received within the hollow tubular corner shell,
(d) said internal skeletal support comprising a first portion of arcuate contour arranged in confronting and supporting relation to a selected one of said arcuate walls to support said selected walls against impact deflection toward the interior of said shell,
(e) said internal skeletal support having end flange portions located adjacent the respective ends of said corner shell and extending generally transversely from said selected one of said arcuate walls toward the other of said arcuate wall,
(f) said internal skeletal support having at least one connecting portion joined with one of said end flange portions and projecting out of said corner shell at one end for attachment to said linear handrail section at one end thereof.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.