Engineered wood handrail

Abstract

An engineered wood handrail for use in stairways and balustrade systems. The engineered handrail includes a top layer, two lower side layers and a lower middle layer which are glued and laminated together. The three layers and core include short lengths or planks of wood which are glued together using finger joints to produce long pieces of material. A modified finger joint known as a staggered shoulder joint is used to improve the outer appearance of the handrail by allowing most of the finger joints to be hidden between the layers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A handrail for use on staircases and balconies comprising:
 a first layer containing longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with staggered shoulder finger joints, said first layer oriented in a vertical position;   a second layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the right side of said second layer, said second layer oriented in a vertical position, a right side of said second layer glued to a left side of said first layer;   a third layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the left side of said third layer, said third layer oriented in a vertical position, a left side of said third layer glued to a right side of said first layer;   a top layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the bottom of said top layer, said top layer oriented in a horizontal position, said top layer being equal in width to a total width of a combination of said third layer, said first layer and said second layer, a bottom surface of said top layer glued to a top side of said third layer, said first layer and said second layer.   
     
     
         2 . A handrail for use on staircases and balconies consisting of:
 a first layer containing longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with vertical staggered shoulder finger joints, said first layer oriented in a vertical position;   a second layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the right side of said second layer, said second layer oriented in a vertical position, a right side of said second layer glued to a left side of said first layer;   a third layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the left side of said third layer, said third layer oriented in a vertical position, a left side of said third layer glued to a right side of said first layer;   a top layer including longitudinal planks of wood connected at the ends with horizontal shouldered finger joints containing only one shoulder and wherein said fingers are oriented at the bottom of said top layer, said top layer oriented in a horizontal position, said top layer being equal in width to a total width of a combination of said third layer, said first layer and said second layer, a bottom surface of said top layer glued to a top side of said third layer, said first layer and said second layer; and   a glued combination of said top layer, said third layer, said first layer and said second layer being milled on a top, a left side and a right side to give a pleasing appearance and comfortable feel.   
     
     
         3 . A handrail comprising:
 a first lower interior longitudinal member having a first end connecting with a second end of a second longitudinal member with cooperatively engaging vertical staggered shoulder finger joints, said first layer being oriented in a vertical position;   a second side outer longitudinal member having a first end connecting with a second end of a second longitudinal member with cooperatrively engaging horizontal shouldered finger joints containing a second side outer shoulder and a plurality of fingers extending horizontally inwardly therefrom, said second side outer longitudinnal member aligned with and adhesively atttaching to a lateral side of said first lower interior longitudinal member;   a thrid side outer longitudinal member having a first end connecting with a second end of a third longitudinal member with cooperatrively engaging horizontal shouldered finger joints containing a third side outer shoulder and a plurality of fingers extending horizontally inwardly therefrom, said third side outer longitudinnal member aligned with and adhesively atttaching to a lateral side of said first lower interior longitudinal member opposite said second side outer longitudinal member; and   a fourth top longitudinal member having a first end connecting with a second end of a fourth top longitudinal member with cooperatively engaging horizontal shouldered finger joints including a top shoulder extending thereacross having a plurality of finger joints disposed at a bottom portion of said the top layer, said top layer covering said frist side outer longitudinal member, said second side outer longitudinal member and said third side outer longitudinal member, said fourth top longitudinal member having a bottom surface adhesively affixed to said first side outer longitudinal member, said second side outer longitudinal member and said third side outer longitudinal member, said fourth top longitudinal member.