US 6,283,457 B1 · Hand rail system

Abstract

The present invention provides a knockdown hand rail assembly that is formed of both metal and plastic. The hand rail assembly is readily and easily assembled and disassembled. The hand rail assembly is maintenance free and requires no paint or other upkeep. The assembly can be used in many applications both indoor and out. The hand rail assembly includes at least two spaced apart vertical rails, two base supports for supporting the vertical rails in an upright position and at least two spaced apart horizontal rails removably engaged with the vertical rails and positioned above the base supports. Each rail is surrounded by removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing having an interior diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the rail. Each rail is also removably engaged to another rail by a slip-on structural fitting that preferably removably secures the rails by set screws.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A knockdown hand rail system comprising:

at least two spaced apart vertical rails;
means for supporting said vertical rails in an upright position;
at least two spaced apart horizontal rails removably engaged with said vertical rails and positioned above said supporting means;
removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing surrounding each of said vertical rails, having an interior diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of said vertical rails and extending the height of the vertical rails;
removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing surrounding each of said horizontal rails, said sheathing having an interior diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of each of said horizontal rails and extending the length of said horizontal rails;
and
a plurality of slip-on structural fittings for removably engaging said horizontal rails to said vertical rails, each fitting having a securing mechanism that releasably secures said polymerized sheathing with said rails to said securing mechanism by forming a press fit between them by penetrating said polymerized sheathing without penetrating said rails.

4 more elements

A knockdown handrail system for protecting people and directing traffic, said knockdown handrail system being formed of at least one modular unit, said modular unit comprising:

a first vertical rail;
means for supporting said vertical rail in an upright position;
a first horizontal rail removably engaged with said vertical rail and positioned above said supporting means;
wherein said vertical rail extends arcuately around said horizontal rail to form a second horizontal rail above said first horizontal rail and to form a second vertical rail opposite said first vertical rail;
a removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing surrounding said vertical rail, said sheathing having an interior diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of said vertical rail and extending between said supporting means;
removable and replaceable polymerized sheathing surrounding said horizontal rail, said sheathing having an interior diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of said horizontal rail and extending the length of said horizontal rail;
and
a plurality of slip-on structural fittings for removably engaging said horizontal rail to said vertical rails, said structural fittings having a securing mechanism that releasably secures said polymerized sheathing with said rails to said securing mechanism by forming a press fit between them by penetrating said polymerized sheathing without penetrating said rails.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hand rail system

Life of this patent

Hand rail system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21