US 6,578,827 B2 · Handrail system

Abstract

Methods and devices for providing temporary handrail systems such as those used to surround the periphery of a building rooftop. A number of handrail sections are reversibly interconnected to one another to form a continuous protective rail. In practice, the rail is quite stable and resistant to tipping. In described embodiments, the handrail systems of the present invention feature load-distributing support bases and weight support platforms. Weights are selectively added to the weight support platforms to anchor the handrail in place. The weight support platforms are located above the surface of the roof and do not contact the roof surface. The weight load is transmitted via a support leg downwardly to a load-distributing support base that is placed in contact with the roof. As a result, the roof membrane is not damaged by a point load applied to it. In addition, a portion of the weight load from the weight support platform is transmitted directly to the vertical support rails of the rail sections. Thus, the rails are more securely anchored in place and have greater resistance to movement of the rail either forwardly or backwardly. The handrail arrangement of the present invention offers improved stability over conventional systems. The rail sections readily interlock to form a continuous rail. The interlocking structure also allows the rail sections to be angled with respect to one another. The interlocking feature increases the stability of the rail.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A safety handrail assembly for placement upon a support surface, the handrail assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of handrail sections that are reversibly interconnectable to one another in an adjacent, end-to-end relation;
b) each of said handrail sections having:
1) a substantially horizontally disposed rail member having two ends;
2) a substantially vertically disposed rail member affixed to each end of the substantially horizontally disposed rail member;
c) a weight support portion having:
a weight support platform for placement of stabilizing weights thereupon;
and
at least one connecting member extending between the weight support platform and one of the substantially vertically disposed rail members, the connecting member securing the weight support platform at a height above the support surface.

5 more elements

A safety handrail assembly for placement upon a support surface, the safety handrail assembly comprising:

a first handrail section having:
a) at least one a substantially horizontally disposed rail member having two ends;
b) a substantially vertically disposed rail member affixed to each end of the substantially horizontally disposed rail member;
and
c) a weight support portion secured to each vertical rail member, the weight support portion comprising:
a weight support platform;
at least one connecting member securing the weight support platform to the vertical rail member so that the weight support platform is disposed above the support surface;
a second handrail section having:
a) at least one a substantially horizontally disposed rail member having two ends;
b) a substantially vertically disposed rail member affixed to each end of the substantially horizontally disposed rail member;
c) no weight support portion secured to any substantially vertically disposed rail member;
and
the first and second handrail sections being reversibly interconnectable to one another in an end-to-end relation.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Handrail system

Life of this patent

Handrail system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18