Auxiliary handrail for use along stairways

Abstract

An auxiliary handrail apparatus for use along a stairway is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pivot support fixed to an existing handrail or other support structure in the proximity of an existing handrail to allow positioning of the auxiliary handrail in two positions. In the first position, the auxiliary handrail is not in use. The auxiliary handrail is then in a vertically collapsed, or relaxed, position that brings the handrail into a position substantially underneath the supporting handrail, which, in turn, leaves the stair way to approximately its full width. The second position is such that the auxiliary handrail is rotated upward to within the range of 18 to 25 inches from a second, fixed position handrail disposed opposite the auxiliary handrail along the stairway. The distance of 18 to 25 inches depends upon the width of the hallway or stair well and the length of the side arms of the auxiliary handrail. The distance may well be greater or less than this. While there may be any number of ways to support the auxiliary handle in the horizontal position where it is ready to be used, a way we chose to do this is by attaching a pivoting support leg to the approximate midpoint of the auxiliary handrail. When the auxiliary handrail is rotated up to the horizontal, the support leg is then rotated down to support the auxiliary handrail as is shown.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An auxiliary handrail structure comprising: 
 means to be supported on a fixed support with a pivot axis; strut means mounted on the pivot means for pivoting up and away from a vertical position underneath said fixed support; a handrail supported on the strut means; support leg (or legs) means attached to the auxiliary handrail to provide support to restrain handrail in a horizontal position in such manner as to create a set of handrail supports consisting of it and an existing handrail on the opposite side of the stairway.    
     
     
         2 . The handrail positioning structure of  claim 1  wherein the struts and the auxiliary handrail are combined into one part consisting of a tube bent into an approximate “U” shape.  
     
     
         3 . The handrail positioning structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper pivot means comprises a plurality of axially aligned hinges.  
     
     
         4 . The handrail positioning structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the strut means comprises a plurality of parallel struts, each strut having an inner end pivotally connected a hinge and an outer end connected to a movable handrail.  
     
     
         5 . The handrail positioning structure of  claim 4 , wherein the handrail is supported on the outer ends of each of the plurality of struts.  
     
     
         6 . The handrail positioning structure of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary handrail is laterally displaced a predetermined distance from the fixed support when the strut means is in the maximum pivoted position.  
     
     
         7 . The handrail positioning structure of  claim 1  and further comprising means for releasably holding the struts means in the extended position.  
     
     
         8 . The handrail positioning structure of  claim 1  and further comprising a means for releasably holding the strut means in the maximum pivoted position.  
     
     
         9 . A handrail support system for use along a stairway, the support system comprising: 
 a pair of parallel handrails disposed opposite on another along the stairway; and at least one of the pair of handrails being laterally positionable with respect to the other handrail on a handrail positioning structure having:    pivot means to be supported on a fixed support with an upper pivot axis,    strut means mounted on the pivot means for pivoting away and up from a vertical position beneath said fixed support,    
     
     
         10 . The handrail support system of  claim 9  wherein the laterally positionable handrail is displaced between 18 and 26 inches from the nondisplaced handrail when the handrail positioning structure for the displaced handrail is in the maximum pivoted position.  
     
     
         11 . An auxiliary handrail system as desribed and illustrated herein.