Device that provides assistance in using a handrail and a handrail including such a device

Abstract

A device that provides assistance in using a handrail, the device comprising two parts that together form a stirrup shape and that are clamped onto said handrail using assembly means.

1 / A device that provides assistance in using a handrail, the device comprising two parts that together form a stirrup shape and that are clamped onto said handrail using assembly means.  
     
     
         2 / A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly means comprise bolt or screw means.  
     
     
         3 / A device according to  claim 1 , wherein a “bottom” first part is generally U-shaped.  
     
     
         4 / A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first part includes, on at least one of its two limbs, a recess suitable for housing a spacer.  
     
     
         5 / A device according to  claim 1 , comprising a “top” part having an outside face that is shaped so as to match the inside curvature of a hand.  
     
     
         6 / A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the outside face comprises a rear portion forming an angle greater than 70° relative to the top face of the handrail in register with the assembled device.  
     
     
         7 / A device according to  claim 1 , presenting a longitudinal plane of symmetry.  
     
     
         8 / A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the top part comprises an outside face which, at least locally, is substantially in the form of an arc of a circle or of an ellipse, when seen in a transverse plane.  
     
     
         9 / A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the outside face of the top part, when seen in a longitudinal plane, comprises a rear portion and a front portion that are substantially plane and that are connected by an egg-shaped section.  
     
     
         10 / A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the outside face of the top part is provided with excess thickness limited by a curved line.  
     
     
         11 / A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the top part comprises a bearing portion for the palm of the hand of the user, said bearing portion being made of a material that is much softer than the material forming the rest of the top portion.  
     
     
         12 / A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the two parts are provided with abutment surfaces that are substantially plane and that are suitable for coming into contact with each other when the device is mounted on a handrail of depth not greater than the minimum depth of the opening defined by the two parts.  
     
     
         13 / A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the two abutment surfaces comprise ribs or teeth that are capable of being interfitted.  
     
     
         14 / A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the two abutment surfaces are shaped so as to enable the two pieces to be assembled together using an assembly method selected from the group comprising rebating, barbs, a crossed butt-joint, a dovetail configuration, a pegged butt-joint, and a tenon joint.  
     
     
         15 / A device according to  claim 1 , wherein an external side plate reinforces assembly of the two assembled-together pieces.  
     
     
         16 / A handrail comprising at least one device as presented in  claim 1 , the handrail being mounted on balusters or directly on a wall via brackets or other equivalent means.