Hand Rail with Light Source Inside the Mounting Bracket and Back Up Power Supply

Abstract

There is provided a hand rail comprising a balustrade defining a hollow tubular cavity; and plural mounting brackets for mounting said balustrade to a support surface of a building. At least one of said plural mounting brackets is provided with at least one light source for emitting guide light therefrom and wherein, a back up power supply for said at least one light source is provided within said hollow tubular cavity. The hand rail is suitable for use in providing emergency lighting for stairways and/or corridors of buildings.

1 . A hand rail comprising:
 a balustrade defining a hollow tubular cavity; and   spaced along said balustrade, plural mounting brackets for mounting the balustrade to a support surface of a building,   wherein at least one of said plural mounting brackets is provided with at least one light source for emitting guide light therefrom and wherein, a back up power supply for said at least one light source is provided within said hollow tubular cavity.   
   
   
       2 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein all of the plural mounting brackets are provided with the at least one light source. 
   
   
       3 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises one or more LED lamps. 
   
   
       4 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plural mounting brackets defines a cavity for housing the at least one light source. 
   
   
       5 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plural wall mounting brackets comprises
 a mounting plate for mounting to the support surface of a building;   an arm for holding up the balustrade; and   a cavity housing for housing the at least one light source.   
   
   
       6 . A hand rail according to  claim 5 , wherein said cavity housing is shaped to direct such as in use, to guide light generally downwards. 
   
   
       7 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow cavity of the balustrade houses mains supply cabling. 
   
   
       8 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , wherein the back up power supply comprises a rechargeable battery arranged for recharging by a mains power supply. 
   
   
       9 . A hand rail according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a scheduler for scheduling regular timed periods of operation of the back up power supply.