Handrail, Kit, and Method for Installation of Same

Abstract

Embodiments of a handrail kit are provided. The handrail kit includes a cover, a first endcap, a second endcap, and a support member. The support member includes a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. The first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface. The first endcap is configured to mate with the first end of the support member and the second endcap is configured to mate with the second end of the support member. The cover is configured to be placed over the second lateral side of the support member and to engage the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handrail kit, comprising:
 a cover;   a first endcap;   a second endcap; and   a support member comprising a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side;   wherein the first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface;   wherein the first endcap is configured to mate with the first end of the support member and the second endcap is configured to mate with the second end of the support member; and   wherein the cover is configured to be placed over the second lateral side of the support member and to engage the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member.   
     
     
         2 . The handrail kit of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a slot on the first longitudinal side and a ledge on the second longitudinal side, wherein the cover comprises a first curved section with a first edge and a second curved section with a second edge, and wherein the first edge the cover is configured to be inserted into the slot and the second edge of the cover is configured to hook around the ledge. 
     
     
         3 . The handrail kit of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge comprises a protrusion on the first lateral side and wherein, when the cover is installed on the support member, the second edge is proximal to the protrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The handrail kit of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap comprise an engagement section, the engagement section comprising:
 a side surface from which a ridge extends, the ridge having a contoured support section that matches a contour of the cover, a curved support section, and a central section between the contoured support section and the curved support section;   wherein the first curved section of the cover is configured to contact the curved support section; and   wherein the second curved section is configured to contact the contoured support section.   
     
     
         5 . The handrail kit of  claim 4 , wherein the ridge is continuous along the contoured support section, the curved support section, and the central section. 
     
     
         6 . The handrail kit of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap further comprises a first plank and a second plank located on opposite sides of the ridge in the central section;
 wherein the support member comprises a central strip disposed between the slot and the ledge; and   wherein the first plank and the second plank form a slot configured to receive the central strip of the support member.   
     
     
         7 . The handrail kit of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first end cap and the second end cap further comprise a first panel arranged substantially perpendicularly to the central section of the ridge, a second panel angled relative to the first panel, a first lip extending from the first panel, and a second lip extending from the second panel;
 wherein, on the first lateral side, the support member comprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, wherein the second mounting arm is angled relative to the first mounting arm; and   wherein the first lip and the second lip are configured to be inserted between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm when the first endcap and the second endcap are mated with the support member.   
     
     
         8 . The handrail kit of  claim 7 , wherein, when the first endcap and the second endcap are mated with the support member, the first panel is configured to form a substantially continuous surface with the first mounting arm and the second panel is configured to form a substantially continuous surface with the second mounting arm. 
     
     
         9 . The handrail kit of  claim 1 , wherein the second endcap is configured for installation in an inside corner or an outside corner. 
     
     
         10 . The handrail kit of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is formed from extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . The handrail kit of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is formed from an extruded impact resistant plastic. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing a handrail, the handrail comprising a first endcap, a second endcap, a support member, and a cover, wherein the support member comprises a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 mating the first endcap to the first end of the support member and the second endcap to the second end of the support member;   attaching the first lateral side of the support member directly to a mounting surface; and   attaching the cover to the support member over the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the support member comprises a slot on the first longitudinal side and a ledge on the second longitudinal side, wherein the cover comprises a first curved section with a first edge and a second curved section with a second edge, and wherein the step of attaching the cover to the support member further comprises:
 hooking the second edge of the cover around the ledge; and   flexing the cover so as that the first edge of the cover can be inserted into the slot.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the support member comprises a central strip between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side and wherein the step of attaching the first lateral side of the support member directly to the mounting surface further comprises the step of inserting at least one fastener through the central strip and into the mounting surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first endcap comprises a first plank and a second plank that define a slot, wherein the support member comprises a central strip between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, and wherein the step of mating the first endcap to the first end of the support member further comprises the steps of:
 inserting a central strip between the slot of the first endcap; and   joining the first plank, the central strip, and the second plank with at least one fastener that extends through each of the first plank, the central strip, and the second plank.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first end cap comprises a first panel arranged substantially perpendicularly to the central strip of the support member and a second panel angled relative to the first panel;
 wherein, on the first lateral side, the support member comprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, wherein each of the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm extends from the central strip wherein the second mounting arm is angled relative to the first mounting arm; and   wherein, after mating the first endcap to the first end of the support member, the first panel is configured to form a substantially continuous surface with the first mounting arm and the second panel is configured to form a substantially continuous surface with the second mounting arm.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap further comprise a first lip extending from the first panel and a second lip extending from the second panel, and wherein the step of mating the first endcap to the first end of the support member and the second endcap to the second end of the support member further comprises inserting the first lip and the second lip of the respective first endcap and the second endcap between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm of the support member. 
     
     
         18 . A handrail, comprising:
 a support member comprising a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side;   a first endcap mated with the first end of the support member;   a second endcap mated with the second end of the support member; and   a cover placed over the second lateral side of the support member and engaged with the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member;   wherein the first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface.   
     
     
         19 . The handrail of  claim 18 , wherein the support member comprises a slot on the first longitudinal side and a ledge on the second longitudinal side, wherein the cover comprises a first curved section with a first edge and a second curved section with a second edge, and wherein the first edge the cover is inserted into the slot and the second edge of the cover is flexed around the ledge. 
     
     
         20 . The handrail of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap further comprises a first plank and a second plank that define a slot, wherein the central strip is disposed in the slot, and wherein the first plank, the second plank, and the central strip are secured together with a fastener. 
     
     
         21 . The handrail of  claim 20 , wherein each of the first end cap and the second end cap further comprise a first panel arranged substantially perpendicularly to the central strip, a second panel angled relative to the first panel, a first lip extending from the first panel, and a second lip extending from the second panel;
 wherein, on the first lateral side, the support member comprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, wherein the second mounting arm is angled relative to the first mounting arm; and   wherein the first lip and the second lip are configured to be inserted between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm when the first endcap and the second endcap are mated with the support member.   
     
     
         22 . The handrail of  claim 21 , wherein the first panel is configured forms a substantially continuous surface with the first mounting arm and the second panel forms a substantially continuous surface with the second mounting arm.