Handicap rail palm assist system and method

Abstract

A handicap palm assist system includes a first shell, and a second shell, and at least one connector for removably attaching a first shell to the second shell. The first shell and the second shell are sized to fit a handrail, such as for disabled individuals. In some embodiments, the handicap palm assist system includes a handrail. The first shell and second shell are sized to removably attach to the handrail.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A handicap palm assist system comprising:
 a first shell;   a second shell;   at least one connector for removably attaching a first shell to the second shell.   
     
     
         2 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 1  further comprising a handrail, the first shell and second shell sized to removably attach to the handrail. 
     
     
         3 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 1  further comprising a handrail,
 the first shell having a first concave portion having an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the handrail, 
 the second shell having a second concave portion having an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the handrail, the first shell and the second shell placing a force on the outside diameter of the handrail when connected to one another, wherein the two shells can be moved along the handrail when loosely connected, and can be tightened to one another with sufficient force that the two shells do not move with respect to the handrail 
 
     
     
         4 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 1  where the first shell and the second shell are symmetrical. 
     
     
         5 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 3  wherein the concave portion of the first shell, and wherein the concave portion of the second shell further include a friction material. 
     
     
         6 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 3  wherein the outer surface of at least one of the first shell and the outer surface of the second shell includes a surface treatment to enhance gripping of the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 1  where the first shell and the second shell are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         8 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 7  wherein one the first shell and the second shell includes a handle. 
     
     
         9 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first shell and the second shell includes a screw opening therein, the screw opening accepting a set screw which can be tightened so that one end of the set screw contacts the hand rail. 
     
     
         10 . A method for adding to the assistance provided by a handrail, the method comprising:
 placing a first concave surface of a first shell portion onto a handrail;   placing a second concave surface of a second shell portion onto a handrail; and   connecting the first shell to the second shell to form a handicap palm assist unit so that the first shell and the second shell are substantially immovable with respect to the handrail.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of adjusting the position of the first shell and second shell along the length of the handrail. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of adjusting the attachment point and position of the first shell and second shell along the length of the handrail to provide additional leverage for a user when using the handrail. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion are substantially symmetrical. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion are asymmetrical. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the larger of the first shell portion and the second shell portion is placed on the handrail to provide additional leverage for a user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the larger of the first shell portion is placed above the second shell portion on the handrail. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the larger of the first shell portion is placed below the second shell portion on the handrail. 
     
     
         18 . The handicap palm assist system of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of the first shells and a corresponding plurality of second shells sized to removably attach to the handrail.