Hand rail

Abstract

A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail for supporting an elderly or infirm person, comprises a surface-mountable base element, an elongate hand-rail member, and a pivotable clamping knuckle which interconnects the hand-rail member and the base element for in use vertical pivotable movement of the hand-rail member. The clamping knuckle projects laterally to a longitudinal extent of the hand-rail member for preventing or limiting in use horizontal movement of the hand-rail member. A toilet-roll holder is also provided.

1 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail for supporting an elderly or infirm person, the hand rail comprising a surface-mountable base element, an elongate hand-rail member, and a pivotable clamping knuckle which encloses the hand-rail member and which interconnects the hand-rail member and the base element for in use vertical pivotable movement of the hand-rail member, the clamping knuckle projecting laterally to a longitudinal extent of the hand-rail member for preventing or limiting in use horizontal movement of the hand-rail member. 
   
   
       2 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle is separate of the hand-rail member. 
   
   
       3 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle includes two inter-engagable clamping elements between which the hand-rail member is clampable. 
   
   
       4 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each clamping element includes a channel complimentarily shaped to receive at least part of the hand-rail member. 
   
   
       5 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base element includes a channel in which the knuckle is pivotably received. 
   
   
       6 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knuckle includes an axle element which engages the knuckle with the hand-rail member, and the knuckle with the base element. 
   
   
       7 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising damping means for damping a lowering movement of the hand-rail member. 
   
   
       8 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the damping means is included as part of the pivotable clamping knuckle. 
   
   
       9 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the damping means includes one or more frictional projections. 
   
   
       10 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein one or more said frictional projections are provided on the pivotable clamping knuckle and frictionally engage with the base element, or vice versa. 
   
   
       11 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the or each frictional projection is spring-biased. 
   
   
       12 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand rail as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the said spring-biasing is provided by a flexible beam on which the frictional projection is provided. 
   
   
       13 . A clampable toilet-roll holder comprising a body element, clamping means for clamping the body element to a supporting bar, and an elongate member for releasably supporting a toilet roll. 
   
   
       14 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the clamping means comprises a hinge provided on the body element, so that the body element is foldable for clamping. 
   
   
       15 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the hinge is a live hinge integrally formed as part of the body element. 
   
   
       16 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the elongate member comprises two elongate parts which are fastenable together. 
   
   
       17 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the two elongate parts extend in parallel with each other. 
   
   
       18 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the two elongate parts are integrally formed with the body element. 
   
   
       19 . A clampable toilet-roll holder as claimed in  claim 13 , which is a one-piece toilet-roll holder. 
   
   
       20 . A vertically pivotable surface-mountable hand-rail as claimed in  claim 1  in combination with a clampable toilet-roll holder, the clampable toilet-roll holder comprising a body element, clamping means for clamping the body element to a supporting bar, and an elongate member for releasably supporting a toilet roll.