Handrail arrangements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handrail arrangement. The handrail arrangement comprises a handrail defining a grippable exterior surface and a recess in the handrail. The handrail arrangement also comprises an attachment device ( 40, 42 ) which is receivable in part in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured in respect of a part not received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support ( 32 ). The handrail comprises first and second parts ( 34, 36 ) which are configured to releasably attach to each other, the first and second parts when attached to each other defining a substantially continuous exterior surface of the handrail in a circumferential direction, the first part defining more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defining less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail.

1 . A handrail arrangement comprising:
 a handrail defining a grippable exterior surface and a recess in the handrail; and   an attachment device which is receivable in part in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured in respect of a part not received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support,   the handrail comprising first and second parts which are configured to releasably attach to each other, the first and second parts when attached to each other defining a substantially continuous exterior surface of the handrail in a circumferential direction, the first part defining more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defining less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail.   
     
     
         2 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the recess extends between ends of the handrail. 
     
     
         3 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the exterior surface of the handrail is elliptical in cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the first and second parts are configured such that when they are attached the second part is of lesser longitudinal extent than the first part. 
     
     
         5 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 4  in which the first and second parts are configured in respect of their relative lengths and relative disposition such that an end of the first part extends beyond an end of the second part, the attachment device being receivable in the recess where the second part is absent. 
     
     
         6 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 4  in which the handrail comprises a first part and two second parts with each second part being attached to the first part such that facing ends of the second parts are spaced apart whereby there is a gap between facing ends of the two second parts, the attachment device being receivable in the recess in the gap. 
     
     
         7 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  configured such that, in use, the first part is substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to a vertical plane that lies in a direction of the handrail. 
     
     
         8 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the first part defines at least 240 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail and the second part defines no more than 120 degrees of the circumference of the exterior surface of the handrail. 
     
     
         9 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the first and second parts define inter-engaging profiles, the first and second parts being attached thereby to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 9  in which a formation defining a profile of one of the first and second parts is configured to be displaced when the first and second parts are being brought into engagement with each other, with the displaced formation returning from displacement under spring bias when the first and second parts are properly engaged with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 9  in which one of the profiles comprises an indent in which part of the other profile is received when the first and second parts are properly engaged with each other whereby separation of the first and second parts is resisted. 
     
     
         12 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 9  in which the second part defines first and second spaced apart flanges which are substantially parallel and extend in a longitudinal direction, each flange extending from a proximal end to a distal end in a direction away from an exterior surface of the second part. 
     
     
         13 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 12  in which each flange extends orthogonally from a distal end of a respective base planar portion, a proximal end of the base planar portion extending from an edge of a side planar portion, an opposite edge of the side planar portion extending from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the second part. 
     
     
         14 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 12  in which each flange extends from a side of a base portion, an opposite side of the base portion defining an exterior surface of the second part. 
     
     
         15 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 12  in which each of the flanges comprises a protrusion extending therefrom at a distal end of the flange. 
     
     
         16 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the first part defines first and second members which extend inwardly from opposing edges of the first part, each of the first and second members being spaced apart from an edge of the exterior surface defined by the first part whereby each of the first and second members is recessed. 
     
     
         17 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 16  in which the first and second members extend inside the first part towards each other such that there is a gap between their opposing distal edges, the opposing distal edges of the first and second members constituting a profile of the first part which engages with a profile of the second part to provide for attachment of the first and second parts to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the recess receives an attachment member of the attachment device, the attachment device comprising a clamping member and a fixing arrangement, the attachment member, the clamping member and the fixing arrangement being configured such that operation of the fixing arrangement moves the attachment member and the clamping member relative to each other to thereby provide for clamping of part of the first part between the attachment member and the clamping member. 
     
     
         19 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which at least one of the first and second parts is formed integrally. 
     
     
         20 . The handrail arrangement according to  claim 1  in which the attachment device comprises an attachment member, a part of the attachment member being received in the recess defined in the handrail, the attachment device being configured at a part other than the part received in the recess to be attached to a handrail support. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled)