Wheelchair ramps, hand railings, and modular accessibility systems incorporating the same

Abstract

A modular clamp system includes a first component and a bracket. The first component includes a web defining a body having first and second channels orientated towards one another and defining a first height between exteriors thereof and a second height between interiors thereof. The bracket includes a base having first and second flanges extending from opposite ends thereof, a frame extending from the base, and defines a third height between ends of the first and second flanges greater than the second height and less than the first height. A portion of the bracket is configured for insertion into the first component in a first orientation and is further configured for rotation relative to the first component such that the first and second flanges are respectively received within the first and second channels to engage the bracket relative to the first component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular clamp system, comprising:
 a first component including a web defining a body having a first channel disposed along an upper portion of the body and a second channel disposed along a lower portion of the body, the first and second channels orientated towards one another and defining a first height between exteriors thereof and a second height between interiors thereof; and   a bracket configured for engagement with the first component, the bracket including a base having first and second flanges extending from opposite ends thereof, the bracket further including a frame extending from the base, wherein the bracket defines a third height between ends of the first and second flanges greater than the second height and less than the first height,   wherein a portion of the bracket is configured for insertion into the first component in a first orientation and is further configured for rotation relative to the first component such that the first and second flanges are respectively received within the first and second channels to engage the bracket relative to the first component.   
     
     
         2 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 1 , wherein a second orientation is offset from the first orientation by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame of the bracket defines a passageway therethrough for receipt of a second component. 
     
     
         4 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 3 , wherein the bracket further includes a clamp screw operably engaged with the frame, the clamp screw selectively advancable into and withdrawable from the passageway. 
     
     
         5 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 3 , wherein, a second orientation of the bracket, the passageway is vertically-oriented. 
     
     
         6 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 3 , wherein, with the second component engaged within the passageway, advancement of the clamp screw into the passageway urges the second component towards the first component. 
     
     
         7 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 6 , wherein advancement of the clamp screw into the passageway urges the second component to engage the first component. 
     
     
         8 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 3 , wherein the passageway is offset between about 80 degrees and 90 degrees relative to longitudinal axes of the first and second channels. 
     
     
         9 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a surface-defining assembly, wherein the first component is operatively connected to a side of the surface-defining assembly and wherein the first and second channels are substantially parallel to a top surface defined by the surface-defining assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The modular clamp system according to  claim 9 , wherein the surface-defining assembly comprises a plurality of panels, each panel including: a plate portion; a first connector disposed towards and extending along a first side of the plate portion; and a second connector disposed towards and extending along a second side of the plate portion, wherein the first and second connectors of adjacent panels are configured to engage one another to thereby engage the plurality of panels with one another in side-by-side relation such that the plate portions cooperate to define a continuous surface of the surface-defining assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A modular hanger system, comprising:
 a first component including a web defining a body having a first channel disposed along an upper portion of the body and a second channel disposed along a lower portion of the body, the first and second channels orientated towards one another and defining a first height between exteriors thereof and a second height between interiors thereof; and   a hanger configured for engagement with the first component, the hanger including a base having first and second flanges extending from opposite ends thereof, the hanger further including a saddle extending from the base, wherein the hanger defines a third height between ends of the first and second flanges greater than the second height and less than the first height, wherein the hanger is configured for insertion into the first component in a first position and is further configured for manipulation relative to the first component such that the first and second flanges are respectively received within the first and second channels to engage the hanger within the first component.   
     
     
         12 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein manipulation of the hanger from the first position to the second position includes rotating the hanger relative to the first component. 
     
     
         13 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein manipulation of the hanger from the first position to the second position includes tilting the hanger relative to the first component. 
     
     
         14 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second flanges are respectively received within the first and second channels substantially simultaneously with one another. 
     
     
         15 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 11 , wherein one of the first or second flanges is received within the respective first or second channel before receipt of the other of the first or second flanges within the respective first or second channel. 
     
     
         16 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a surface-defining assembly, wherein the first component is operatively connected to a side of the surface-defining assembly and wherein the first and second channels are substantially parallel to a top surface defined by the surface-defining assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The modular hanger system according to  claim 16 , wherein the surface-defining assembly comprises a plurality of panels, each panel including: a plate portion; a first connector disposed towards and extending along a first side of the plate portion; and a second connector disposed towards and extending along a second side of the plate portion, wherein the first and second connectors of adjacent panels are configured to engage one another to thereby engage the plurality of panels with one another in side-by-side relation such that the plate portions cooperate to define a continuous surface of the surface-defining assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A modular post and rail system, comprising:
 first and second rail segments; and   a post assembly configured to engage the first and second rail segments with one another in end-to-end relation, the post assembly including:
 a first post component defining a first flat outwardly-facing side and a first inwardly-facing side including a first plurality of spaced-apart ribs; and 
 a second post component defining a second flat outwardly-facing side and a second inwardly-facing side including a second plurality of spaced-apart ribs, 
 wherein the first post component is configured to engage the first rail segment with the first flat outwardly facing side abutting an end of the first rail segment, 
 wherein the second post component is configured to engage the second rail segment with the second flat outwardly facing side abutting an end of the second rail segment, and 
 wherein the first and second pluralities of spaced-apart ribs are configured to engage one another in inter-fit relation to engage the first and second post components with one another, thereby engaging the first and second rail segments with one another. 
   
     
     
         19 . The modular post and rail system according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second rail segments includes a web disposed within a hollow interior thereof, each web defining a screw boss, and wherein the first and second post components are configured to engage the first and second rail segments via fasteners extending through apertures defined within the respective first and second post components and into engagement within the screw bosses of the webs of the first and second rail segments. 
     
     
         20 . The modular post and rail system according to  claim 19 , wherein the screws are hidden from view when the first and second post components are engaged with the first and second rail segments and with one another.