Handrail connection system

Abstract

A handrail pivot joint facilitates the use of handrail sections having square-cut ends, rather than miter cuts, at transitions between flat and sloped sections. Handrail sections have an adjustable angle via the pivot joint, allowing for precise alignment with the adjacent structures, such alignment between the pitch of stairs and the pitch of the handrail. The pivot joint also presents a clean appearance and a robust connection between handrail sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pivotable joint for a handrail system, the pivotable joint comprising:
 a first endcap sized to be fixed to a first opening of a first tubular handrail;   a second endcap sized to be fixed to a second opening of a second tubular handrail; and   a pivot component defining a longitudinal axis, the pivot component fixed to the first endcap and pivotably connected to the second endcap, such that the second endcap is pivotable relative to the first endcap about the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The pivotable joint of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot component has a cylindrical outer surface defining the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The pivotable joint of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the pivot component is a truncated cylinder including the cylindrical outer surface and a planar surface substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis,   the cylindrical outer surface is pivotably engaged with the second endcap, and   the planar surface is fixed to the first endcap.   
     
     
         4 . The pivotable joint of  claim 3 , wherein the second endcap includes a cylindrical recess correspondingly sized with the cylindrical outer surface of the pivot component, such that the cylindrical outer surface of the pivot component is pivotably received by the cylindrical recess when the pivot component is assembled to the first endcap. 
     
     
         5 . The pivotable joint of  claim 3 , wherein the pivot component includes at least one counterbored aperture formed in the cylindrical outer surface and passing through the planar surface, the pivotable joint further comprising a fixation fastener received in the counterbored aperture, with a fastener head of the fixation fastener recessed below the cylindrical outer surface and a fastener shank of the fixation fastener passing through the planar surface and fixed to the first endcap. 
     
     
         6 . The pivotable joint of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot component includes a pivot aperture formed in the planar surface and passing through the cylindrical outer surface, the pivotable joint further comprising a pivot fastener received in the pivot aperture, with a fastener head of the pivot fastener recessed below the planar surface and a fastener shank of the pivot fastener passing through the cylindrical outer surface and fixed to the second endcap. 
     
     
         7 . The pivotable joint of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot aperture comprises an elongate opening which traverses an angular sweep of the cylindrical outer surface, the fastener shank moveable through the angular sweep to allow the pivoting of the second endcap relative to the first endcap through an angular adjustment range. 
     
     
         8 . The pivotable joint of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the elongate opening has a first angular terminus defining a first axis generally parallel to an axis of the counterbored aperture, and   the elongate opening has a second angular terminus opposite the first angular terminus, the second angular terminus defining a second axis angled relative to the axis of the counterbored aperture to define the angular sweep,   whereby the angular adjustment range of the second endcap relative to the first endcap by is equal to the angular sweep.   
     
     
         9 . The pivotable joint of  claim 8 , wherein the angular sweep is about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The pivotable joint of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first endcap and the second endcap comprises an assembly including a base and a plate. 
     
     
         11 . A railing system comprising:
 a first tubular handrail defining a first axial-end opening;   a second tubular handrail defining a second axial-end opening;   a first endcap fixed to the first axial-end opening;   a second endcap fixed to the second axial-end opening; and   a pivot component fixed to the first endcap and pivotably connected to the second endcap, such that the second tubular handrail is pivotable relative to the first tubular handrail.   
     
     
         12 . The railing system of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot component defines a longitudinal axis about which the second tubular handrail is pivotable. 
     
     
         13 . The railing system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first endcap defines a press fit or a friction fit with the first axial-end opening, and   the second endcap defines a press fit or a friction fit with the second axial-end opening.   
     
     
         14 . The railing system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the first endcap and the second endcap includes a tube-fixation aperture configured to receive a fastener inserted through a sidewall of the respectively attached first or second tubular handrail. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing a handrail system using a pivotable joint, the pivotable joint including a first endcap, a second endcap and a pivot component fixed to the first endcap and pivotably connected to the second endcap, the method comprising:
 fitting the first endcap to a first handrail section;   fitting the second endcap a second handrail section; and   pivoting the second endcap relative to the first endcap, via the pivot component of the pivotable joint, until a desired angle is achieved between the first handrail section and the second handrail section.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, before to the steps of fitting and pivoting:
 fixing the first endcap to the pivot component by a fixation fastener received through a counterbore formed in a cylindrical outer surface of the pivot component, such that a fastener head of the fixation fastener is recessed below the cylindrical outer surface; and   pivotably connecting the second endcap to the pivot component by a pivot fastener received through a pivot aperture formed in the planar surface and passing through the cylindrical outer surface, such that a fastener head of the pivot fastener is recessed below the planar outer surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of pivoting includes traversing a shank of the pivot fastener through an angular sweep defined by elongate opening of the pivot aperture in the cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of pivoting includes establishing an angle between the first tubular rail and the second tubular rail between zero degrees and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of pivotably connecting comprises rotating a cylindrical outer surface of the pivot component within a correspondingly cylindrical recess formed in the second endcap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the steps of fitting are performed before the step of pivoting.