Handrail

Abstract

A handrail 100 comprising a first elongate rigid member 101, a second elongate rigid member 102, an intermediate flexible member 103 disposed between the first and second members and a flexible sleeve member 104 covering the intermediate member and at least part of the first and second members. The intermediate member enables the handrail to be bendable to adjust an orientation of the second member relative to the first member. Further disclosed is a balustrade comprising the handrail and a method of assembling the handrail.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD Examples of the disclosure relate to railing, and in particular handrails. Some examples relate to a flexible handrail and a method for manufacturing the same. BACKGROUND Handrails may be used for assisting users (not least elderly, infirm, children and people with disabilities) walking / moving along walkways, ramps, slopes and going up stairs. Conventional handrails are not always optimal. In some circumstances it can be desirable to provide an improved handrail. In some circumstances it can be desirable to provide an adjustable handrail that is easily adjusted. In some circumstances it can be desirable to facilitate the installation of a handrail. In some circumstances it can be desirable to provide a handrail having a smooth and continuous exterior surface. The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects / examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues. BRIEF SUMMARY According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. Any examples and features described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention. According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a handrail comprising: a first elongate rigid member; a second elongate rigid member; an intermediate flexible member disposed between the first and second members; and a flexible sleeve member covering: at least a part of the first member, the intermediate member, and at least a part of the second members. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method of providing, installing and / or manufacturing a handrail as described herein. According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method comprising: coupling an end of a first elongate rigid member to an end of an intermediate flexible member; coupling another end of the intermediate member to an end of a second elongate rigid member; and sleeving, onto a flexible sleeve member, each of: at least a part of the first member, the intermediate member, and at least a part of the second member. The following portion of this 'Brief Summary’ section describes various features that can be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the 'Brief Summary’ section mutatis mutandis. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function. In some but not necessarily all examples: the at least part of the first member covered by the sleeve defines a first rigid segment of the handrail; the intermediate member covered by the sleeve defines a flexible intermediate segment of the handrail; and the at least part of the second member covered by the sleeve defines a second rigid segment of the handrail. In some but not necessarily all examples, the handrail is, at least one of: bendable via the intermediate flexible segment; and manually adjustable, via the intermediate flexible segment, so as to enable an adjustment of an orientation of the second rigid segment of the handrail relative to an orientation of the first rigid segment. In some but not necessarily all examples, the intermediate flexible segment is configured to enable an orientation of the first rigid segment relative to the second to be adjustable by an angle. In some but not necessarily all examples, the flexible sleeve member comprises or consists of: a single sleeve member; and / or a unitary sleeve member. In some but not necessarily all examples, the flexible sleeve member defines: a substantially continuous exterior surface; a substantially smooth exterior surface; and an exterior surface substantially devoid of one or more: obstructions, protuberances, depressions and / or gaps. In some but not necessarily all examples, the flexible sleeve member is configured to cover: substantially an entire length of the first member, and substantially an entire length of the second member. In some but not necessarily all examples, wherein an exterior diameter of the intermediate member is substantially the same as an exterior diameter of the first and / or second elongate rigid members. In some but not necessarily all examples, an exterior diameter of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as an exterior diameter of the first and / or second rigid segments. In some but not necessarily all examples, a cross sectional shape of the intermediate member is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the first and / or second elongate rigid members. In some but not necessarily all examples, a cross sectional shape of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the first and / or second rigid segments. In some but not necessarily all examples, each of the first, second and intermediate members has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its respective length. In some but not necessarily all examples, each of the first and second rigid segments and the intermediate flexible segment has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its respective length. In some but not necessarily all examples, the intermediate member is one or more of: tubular, a flexible tube; a flexible conduit; and a flexible metal conduit. In some but not necessarily all examples, the flexible sleeve member is one or more of: tubular made from a synthetic polymer; made from a plastic; and made from polyvinyl chloride. In some but not necessarily all examples, the handrail comprises a plurality of elongate rigid members and flexible members sleeved in the flexible sleeve member. In some but not necessarily all examples, a balustrade, a stair handrail, a walkway handrail or a ramp handrail is provided that comprise the handrail as described above. In some but not necessarily all examples, at least a part of the first member, the intermediate member, and at least a part of the second member are sleeved onto the flexible sleeve member, and said sleeving comprises: heating the flexible sleeve member; forcing gas into the flexible sleeve member; and pulling the flexible sleeve member over each of: the at least part of the first member, the intermediate member, and the at least part of the second member. While the above examples of the disclosure and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. It is to be understood that various examples of the disclosure can comprise any or all of the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa. Also, it is to be appreciated that any one or more or all of the features, in any combination, may be implemented by / comprised in / performable by an apparatus or a method as desired, and as appropriate. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a handrail in accordance with an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exploded view of the handrail of FIG. 1; FIGs. 3A - 3C schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of the handrail of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the handrail of FIG. 1 in a bent configuration; and FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a handrail system in accordance with an example of the subject matter described herein. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures. In the description and drawings, a reference number without a subscript (e.g. 123) can be used as a generic reference to a feature or class / set of features. A reference number with a subscript (e.g. 123_1) can be used as a specific reference, e.g. to differentiate different instances of a feature or class / set of features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows an example of a handrail 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The handrail 100 comprises: a first elongate rigid member 101, a second elongate rigid member 102, and an intermediate / intervening flexible member 103 that is disposed between the first and second members. One end of the first elongate rigid member may be coupled, joined or attached (not least for example via welding) to an end of the intermediate flexible member, whilst the other end of the intermediate flexible member may be coupled, joined or attached to an end of the second elongate rigid member. The elongate rigid members may be made of any suitable material, not least for example metal. The elongate rigid members may be tubular. In one non-limiting example, the elongate rigid members are galvanised steel having a diameter (e.g. an external diameter) of between 30 - 45 mm, not least for example 34 mm, 33.7 mm, or 42mm. The intermediate flexible member may be made of any suitable material. The intermediate flexible member may be one or more of: tubular, a flexible tube; a flexible conduit. In one non-limiting example, the intermediate member is a flexible metal conduit having a diameter (e.g. an external diameter) between 30 - 50 mm, not least for example 34 mm, 33.7 mm, or 42mm. The intermediate member may have an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the elongate rigid members. The intermediate member may have a length of, not least for example, 150 mm. In some examples, the intermediate flexible member is welded to the first and second rigid members. In some examples, rather than the intermediate flexible member being a flexible conduit, it may instead comprise one or more: hinges, joints or other mechanical components or means for providing the requisite functionality of flexing, adjusting and / or bending. The first, intermediate and second members are sleeved by (i.e. covered, enclosed or encased within) a flexible sleeve member 104. The first, intermediate and second members are all sleeved concurrently, in this regard, the mechanism that allows for flexible movement (i.e. the flexible intermediate member) is itself covered by the flexible sleeve along with the first and second members. The flexible sleeve member may provide a smooth and continuous layer to the enclosed first, intermediate and second members. The exterior surface of the flexible sleeve member defines an exterior surface of the handrail. The flexible sleeve member may provide a protective layer to the enclosed first, intermediate and second members. The act of sleeving of the first, intermediate and second members may comprise: heating the flexible sleeve member; forcing gas (e.g. blowing compressed air) into the warmed flexible sleeve member; and pulling (e.g. whilst the compressed air is being blown into the flexible sleeve member) the flexible sleeve member over each of the first, intermediate and second members. The flexible sleeve member may be made of any suitable material, not least such as a synthetic polymer; a plastic; or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The flexible sleeve member may tubular. In one non-limiting example, the flexible sleeve member is a PVCtube having a wall thickness of 2 - 6 mm, e.g. 4mm thick. For example, where the intermediate flexible member comprises a flexible steel conduit, the PVC tubing may be sufficiently thick so as to create a smooth finish / exterior surface (for instance since ridges of the flexible steel conduit would not be felt / readily perceivable through 4mm thick PVC). The PVC tube is also sufficiently flexible such that, once sleeved, movement of the intermediate flexible member is still viable (until the handrail is fixed in place such as can be done in a conventional manner, e.g. via the use of mounts / saddles - such as is shown in FIG. 5). In some examples, the external diameter of the overall flexible handrail (i.e. the sleeved rigid and flexible members I the rigid and flexible members sheathed within the flexible sleeve member) has an external diameter of 50mm The above-described sleeved first, intermediate and second members thereby provide a continuous flexible handrail. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the handrail 100 and its first, intermediate and second members 101,103 and 102 as well as the sleeve 104. FIG. 1 (and likewise FIG. 2) shows a section of the handrail. It is to be appreciated that the sleeved first member (i.e. the first member and its sleeve covering) may extend further to the left, and likewise the second sleeved member (i.e. the second member and its sleeve covering) may extend further to the right. The sleeved first member defines a first rigid segment 100_1 of the handrail. The sleeved intermediate member defines a flexible intermediate segment 100_2 of the handrail. The sleeved second member defines a second rigid segment 100_2 of the handrail. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the handrail of FIG. 1 in a bent configuration. Advantageously, the intermediate flexible segment 100_2 (i.e. the intermediate flexible member sleeved in the flexible sleeve) enables the handrail to be bendable / fully adjustable - as represented by the double headed arrow 403. In this regard, due to the provision of the intermediate flexible segment 100_2 between the two rigid segments 100_1, an orientation / angle of the second rigid segment relative to an orientation / angle of the first rigid segment can be readily adjusted. In such a manner, the handrail can be manually adjustable / bent, e.g. so as to fit / conform to a desired shape on-site during installation of the handrail. For instance, the angle of the longitudinal axis 402 of the second rigid segment relative to the angle of the longitudinal axis 401 of the first rigid segment can be manually adjusted by bending the handrail about the flexible intermediate segment to a desired angle. Advantageously, this may enable the handrail to be easily bent and fit into a required shape by an installer on-site at a time of installation and, moreover, effecting such adjustments to the handrail's angles quickly and effectively without the need for any additional tools. Having bent the handrail to the required angle, it can be fixed into position in a conventional manner, such as via the use of mounts / saddles (such as is shown in FIG. 5). The intermediate flexible segment may be configured to enable an orientation of the first rigid segment relative to the second to be adjustable by an angle x, wherein x can be <15°, <30°, <45°, <60°, <90°, <120 <150, or <180. A single flexible sleeve member may be used to cover: at least some or all of the first member, all of the intermediate member, and at least some or all of the second member. In this regard, the first, intermediate and second members may be sleeved by a single unitary sleeve. Advantageously, the use of single unitary sleeve to cover each of the first, intermediate and second members may enable the handrail to have a substantially smooth and continuous exterior surface (i.e. an exterior surface that is substantially devoid of obstructions such as gaps - that a user's hand or item of clothing could catch / snag on). FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C schematically illustrates cross-sectional views of the handrail of FIG. 1 along the lines A-B, B-B and C-C respectively. Preferably, as shown in FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C, the exterior diameter of the intermediate member 103 is substantially the same as the exterior diameter of the first and second elongate rigid members 102 and 103. Consequently, the exterior diameter of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as the exterior diameter of the first and second rigid segments. Advantageously, the similarity in the diameters of the first, intermediate and second members may facilitate the provision of a smooth and continuous handrail at the interface / connection point of the first, intermediate and second members -particularly when sleeved / sheathed in the sleeve member. Preferably, as shown in FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C, the cross sectional shape of the intermediate member 103 is substantially the same as the cross sectional shape of the first and second elongate rigid members 102 and 103. Consequently, the cross sectional shape of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as the cross sectional shape of the first and second rigid segments. Preferably, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, each of the first, intermediate and members has a cross sectional shape that is substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its respective length. Advantageously, the each of above-mentioned configurations of the dimensions and cross sections of the first, intermediate and second members (and first and second rigid segments and the flexible intermediate segment) may enable the handrail to have a substantially continuous and smooth exterior surface (i.e. an exterior surface that is substantially devoid of: obstructions, ridges, protuberances and depressions, or exposed mechanical joints / hinges / components - that a user’s hand or clothing could catch / snag on). FIGs. 1 to 4 show an example handrail with a single: first, intermediate and second member. However, it is to be appreciated that in other examples, a handrail may comprise a plurality of: first members, intermediate members and second members. In this regard, such example handrails may comprise a plurality of rigid segments with flexible intermediate segments. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a handrail system in accordance with an example of the subject matter described herein. The handrail 100 of FIG. 5 comprises a plurality of rigid segments 100_1 with flexible intermediate segments 100_2, i.e. having an intermediate segment between each pair of rigid segments. The handrail is held up / supported via a plurality of mounts 500, such as saddles or other fittings for mounting the handrail to a balustrade or upright post. In some examples, the handrail could be wall mounted. In the example of FIG. 5, the curved portion of the handrail on the right hand side (i.e. the ability of the handrail to bend round back on itself to provide two differing heights of handrail) is effected via a series of rigid segments with flexible intermediate segments. However, in some examples, the curved section may be effected via a single flexible intermediate segment forming the curve / bend, with the two rigid segments either end defining the upper and lower handrail hights. Example handrails and handrail systems in accordance with the present disclosure may enable improved compliance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations, not least with regards to the requirement for the handrail to be smooth and continuous. Typically, conventional handrails may be formed from steel tubes. Some conventional handrail systems may be manufactured to a particular customed fixed overall shape, and the overall shape of the handrail cannot be manually adjusted thereafter, such as on-site upon installation. Some conventional handrail systems may be modular, wherein each module comprises a length of a rigid section of handrail and wherein each module is attached to its neighbouring module via a mechanical joint / component (e.g. such as a clamp). Some modular systems may provide adjustability in the shape of the overall modular handrail by providing mechanical joints / components between each module that permit an adjustment of an angle between neighbouring modules. However, such modular handrail systems may require a tool (e.g. hex tool or Allan key) to loosen / tighten the mechanical joint (e.g. loosening the joint prior to adjusting the relative orientations of the modules into a desired orientation, and then tightening the joint to secure and fix the modules into the desired orientation). Hence, such a tool-based adjustable modular handrail system may not be easily / readily adjustable. Moreover, the exposed mechanical joints / hinges / components between each module (which are exposed to permit tool-based adjustable thereof) of such a modular handrail system may reduce how smooth and continuous the surface of the overall handrail can be (i.e. the mechanical components between each module may give rise to ridges, protuberances, depressions and gaps in the handrail that a user’s hand or item of clothing could catch / snag on during use). Some conventional handrail systems comprise steel tubing and intervening metal components such as joints / hinges that are provided with a powder coating (e.g. spraying a polyester powder through an electrostatic spray gun to a grounded metal surface of the handrail), or dip-coating the tubes and components. However, the coating of such conventionally coated handrail systems may deteriorate when performing any adjustments to the handrail, e.g. causing the coating to chip, break or flake off when its underlying component is bend / adjusted. Advantageously, examples of the present disclosure may address or alleviate one or more of the above described issues with conventional handrails and conventional handrail systems. Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure can take the form of an apparatus (e.g. handrail or handrail system comprising at least one handrail as described above) comprising various components or means; and a method (e.g. a method of manufacturing or installing the same). Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Where a structural feature has been described, it can be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described. For example, whilst the intermediate flexible member is shown in the figures as being a flexible hollow tubular section, in some examples, the intermediate flexible member may be formed on one or more mechanical components such as hinges or moveable joints. Features described in the preceding description can be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions can be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features can also be present in other examples whether described or not. Accordingly, features described in relation to one example / aspect of the disclosure can include any or all of the features described in relation to another example / aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent. Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims. The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one...” or by using "consisting”. In this description, the wording 'connect', 'couple' and 'join' and their derivatives mean operationally connected / coupled / joined. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e. so as to provide direct or indirect connection / coupling / communication. Any such intervening components can include hardware and / or software components. The term "means" as used in the description and in the claims may refer to one or more individual elements configured to perform the corresponding recited functionality or functionalities, or it may refer to several elements that perform such functionality or functionalities. Furthermore, several functionalities recited in the claims may be performed by the same individual means or the same combination of means. In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example’, 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example’, 'can' or 'may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. In this description, references to "a / an / the” [feature, element, component, means ...] are used with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning and are to be interpreted as "at least one” [feature, element, component, means ...] unless explicitly stated otherwise. That is any reference to X comprising a / the Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one’ or 'one or more’ can be used to emphasise an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning. The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result. The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims can be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Separate references to an "example”, "in some examples” and / or the like in the description do not necessarily refer to the same example and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For instance, a feature, structure, process, block, step, action, or the like described in one example may also be included in other examples, but is not necessarily included. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. Further, while the claims herein are provided as comprising specific dependencies, it is contemplated that any claims can depend from any other claims and that to the extent that any alternative embodiments can 5 result from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the various claims and / or changing dependencies of claims, any such alternative embodiments and their equivalents are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

We claim:

1. A handrail comprising: a first elongate rigid member; a second elongate rigid member;an intermediate flexible member disposed between the first and second members; and a flexible sleeve member covering:at least a part of the first member, the intermediate member, and at least a part of the second members.

2. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein:the at least part of the first member covered by the sleeve defines a first rigid segment of the handrail;the intermediate member covered by the sleeve defines a flexible intermediate segment of the handrail; andthe at least part of the second member covered by the sleeve defines a second rigid segment of the handrail.

3. The handrail of claim 2, wherein the handrail is, at least one of: bendable via the intermediate flexible segment; and manually adjustable, via the intermediate flexible segment, so as to enable an adjustment of an orientation of the second rigid segment of the handrail relative to an orientation of the first rigid segment.

4. The handrail of claim 2 or 3, wherein the intermediate flexible segment is configured to enable an orientation of the first rigid segment relative to the second to be adjustable by an angle.

5. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein the flexible sleeve member comprises or consists of:a single sleeve member; and / or a unitary sleeve member.

6. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein the flexible sleeve member defines: a substantially continuous exterior surface;a substantially smooth exterior surface; andan exterior surface substantially devoid of one or more: obstructions, protuberances, depressions and / or gaps.

7. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein the flexible sleeve member is configured to cover:substantially an entire length of the first member, and substantially an entire length of the second member.

8. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein an exterior diameter of the intermediate member is substantially the same as an exterior diameter of the first and / or second elongate rigid members.

9. The handrail of any previous claim when dependent upon claim 2, wherein an exterior diameter of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as an exterior diameter of the first and / or second rigid segments.

10. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein a cross sectional shape of the intermediate member is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the first and / or second elongate rigid members.

11. The handrail of any previous claim when dependent upon claim 2, wherein a cross sectional shape of the flexible intermediate segment is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the first and / or second rigid segments.

12. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein each of the first, second and intermediate members has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its respective length.

13. The handrail of any previous claim when dependent upon claim 2, wherein each of the first and second rigid segments and the intermediate flexible segment has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its respective length.

14. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein the intermediate member is one or more of:tubular,a flexible tube;a flexible conduit; anda flexible metal conduit.

15. The handrail of any previous claim, wherein the flexible sleeve member is one or more of:tubularmade from a synthetic polymer;made from a plastic; andmade from polyvinyl chloride.

16. The handrail of any previous claim, comprising a plurality of elongate rigid members and flexible members sleeved in the flexible sleeve member.

17. A balustrade, a stair handrail, a walkway handrail or a ramp handrail comprising the handrail as claimed in any previous claim.

18. A method comprising:coupling an end of a first elongate rigid member to an end of an intermediate flexible member;coupling another end of the intermediate member to an end of a second elongate rigid member; andsleeving, onto a flexible sleeve member, each of:at least a part of the first member, the intermediate member, and at least a part of the second member.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein sleeving comprises:heating the flexible sleeve member;forcing gas into the flexible sleeve member; andpulling the flexible sleeve member over each of:the at least part of the first member,the intermediate member, andthe at least part of the second member.16

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