Support rail system

Abstract

Support rails, support rail systems, and related methods. In one example, a support rail system includes a support rail and a coupling device. The coupling device can releasably secure the support rail to a fixed structure and can include a first portion secured relative to the support rail, a second portion secured relative to the fixed structure, and engaging structure configured to secure the first portion to the second portion. In another example, a method of installing a support rail includes providing a support rail system including a support rail and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a first portion fixed relative to the support rail and a second portion. The method can also include securing the second portion relative to a fixed structure and securing the first portion relative to the second portion via engaging structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support rail system comprising:
 a support rail; and   a coupling device for securing the support rail to a fixed structure, the coupling device comprising
 a first portion secured relative to the support rail, 
 a second portion configured to be secured relative to the fixed structure, and 
 engaging structure configured to secure the first portion to the second portion at least when the second portion is secured to the fixed structure, wherein the coupling device is configured to quickly release the first portion from the second portion when the first portion is secured to the second portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a stem and a collar extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the collar is secured relative to the support rail. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises a channel configured to receive at least a portion of the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the stem is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the channel at least when the stem is at least partially received within the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a range of rotation of the stem relative to the channel is defined at least in part by the engaging structure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion comprises at least one o-ring disposed about the stem. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one o-ring is configured to offset the stem from the second portion in the radial direction when the stem is at least partially received within the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first portion is cantilevered relative to the second portion via the at least one o-ring. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion is configured to deflect in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion is configured to deflect between one and three inches relative to the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises a radially extending slot configured to receive at least a portion of a tool. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the slot is sized and shaped to complement a cross-section of the portion of the tool configured to be received within the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising the tool. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool comprises a handle and an elongate projection. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging structure comprises:
 a pin; and   a track configured to receive at least a portion of the pin, the track including an abutment surface configured to engage the pin when the pin is received within the track.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the engaging structure includes a biasing member configured to apply a force between the pin and the abutment surface. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the biasing member comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support rail comprises at least one of a hand rail, a grasp rail, a grab bar, and a grab rail. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support rail includes one or more light elements. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more accelerometers or gyroscopes secured relative to the support rail. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication system configured to receive information from the one or more accelerometers and transfer the received information. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one motion sensing device configured to sense the movement of a person relative to the support rail. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one motion sensing device is configured to sense the motion of a person relative to the support rail when the person is not in contact with the support rail or the at least one motion sensing device is configured to monitor the gate of a person disposed near the support rail and determine whether a movement of the person is outside of the normal patterns of the person's gait. 
     
     
         25 . A space having at least a first and a second configuration, the space comprising:
 a first base portion of a coupling device secured relative to a fixed surface of the space, wherein the first base portion is secured relative to a first top portion when the space is in the first configuration, wherein the first top portion is configured to quickly release from the second base portion when the space is in the first configuration, and wherein the first base portion is not secured relative to the first top portion when the space is in the second configuration; and   a second base portion of a coupling device secured relative to the fixed surface of the space, wherein the second base portion is secured relative to a second top portion when the space is in the first configuration, wherein the second top portion is configured to quickly release from the second base portion when the space is in the first configuration, and wherein the second base portion is not secured relative to the second top portion when the space is in the second configuration,   wherein the first and second base portions define at least a portion of a path therebetween.   
     
     
         26 . The space of  claim 25 , wherein the space comprises a rail structure when the space is in the first configuration, the rail structure being secured to, and extending between, the first and second top portions. 
     
     
         27 . The space of  claim 25 , wherein the fixed surface comprises a wall, ceiling, or floor.