Handrail bracket

Abstract

To provide a handrail bracket allowing relative positions of two handrail members around a column to be freely changed.SOLUTION: A first clamp body 14 and a first arm 10 are connected with a first connection structure 22. A second clamp body 15 and a second arm 11 are connected with a second connection structure 23. A connection posture of at least one of the arms 10, 11 with respect to the clamp bodies 14, 15 through the first and second connection structures 22, 23 is selectably switchable to one of a first connection posture where an extension direction of a cylindrical shaft center C of an arm cylinder 26 coincides with a left / right direction and a second connection posture where the extension direction of the cylindrical shaft center C of the arm cylinder 26 is different from the left / right direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a handrail bracket for fixing a handrail member to a support column.

Background Art

[0002] In a house or a care facility, a support column may be erected between the floor surface and the ceiling, and a handrail may be installed in the indoor space by fixing a handrail member to this support column using a handrail bracket. As a known example of the handrail bracket used at this time, for example, Patent Document 1 by the present applicant can be cited. The handrail bracket (joint) described in FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1 is composed of a pair of clamp bodies (half cylinders) having substantially the same shape, and each clamp body is integrally provided with a cylindrical arm into which a handrail member is inserted and fixed. In this handrail bracket, the cylindrical axes of both arms are arranged on a straight line orthogonal to the central axis of the support column. That is, in a plan view, the angle formed by the central axis of each handrail member is always set to 180 degrees. Further, FIGS. 13 and 14 of Patent Document 1 disclose a handrail bracket in which an arm is provided only on one clamp body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Handrail materials are widely known in U-shapes and reclining U-shapes. Furthermore, when standing up or sitting down, it is easier to stabilize the body by grasping two handrail materials with each hand rather than grasping a single handrail material with both hands. Therefore, it is preferable to attach two handrail materials to the support post as a pair. However, there are individual differences in the optimal relative position of handrail materials fixed to the support post (the mounting angle between handrail materials and the distance between handrail materials). In addition, differences in the fixing position of both handrail materials to the support post are unlikely to be a major problem for able-bodied individuals, but for the elderly and disabled, a misalignment in the fixing position of both handrail materials to the support post may have a significant impact on standing up and sitting down.

[0005] When using the handrail bracket described in Patent Document 1 to attach a pair of handrail members to a support column, two configurations are possible: one in which two handrail brackets with one arm are placed above and below the support column, and the handrail members are fixed to each bracket; and another in which two handrail brackets with two arms are placed above and below the support column, and the handrail members are fixed to each of the upper and lower brackets. In the former configuration, since the ends of each handrail member are fixed to the support column by a separate handrail bracket, the relative positions of the handrail members around the support column can be arranged in various ways. However, since the two handrail brackets are fixed to the support column in an up-and-down arrangement, it is unavoidable that the fixing heights of the upper and lower handrail members will not match. In the latter configuration, it is possible to match the height at which a pair of handrail members are attached, but it is not possible to change the relative positions of the handrail members around the support column.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a handrail bracket that allows for the fixing height of two handrail members to be the same when fixing a pair of handrail members to a support post, and also allows for the relative position of the handrail members around the support post to be changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a handrail bracket comprising a bracket base 9 fixed to a vertically extending support column 1, and first and second arms 10 and 11 connected to the bracket base 9 to support a handrail material 2, wherein these arms 10 and 11 are connected to the bracket base 9 via connecting structures 22 and 23. The bracket base 9 comprises first and second clamp bodies 14 and 15 attached to the circumferential surface of the support column 1 in a cradling manner, the first clamp body 14 and the first arm 10 are connected by a first connecting structure 22 formed between the two 14 and 10, and the second clamp body 15 and the second arm 11 are connected by a second connecting structure 23 formed between the two 15 and 11. Each of the arms 10 and 11 is provided with a cylindrical arm tube 26 that extends horizontally and into which the end of the handrail material 2 is inserted. Furthermore, the connection posture of at least one of the arms 10 and 11 with respect to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 via the first and second connecting structures 22 and 23 is configured to be selectively switchable between a first connection posture in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 coincides with the left-right direction, and a second connection posture in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 is in a direction different from the left-right direction.

[0008] The first arm 10 and the second arm 11 are made of the same material, and the first connecting structure 22 and the second connecting structure 23 are made of the same connecting structure.

[0009] Each of the first clamp body 14 and the second clamp body 15 is made of a semi-cylindrical half-body. Each connecting structure 22 and 23 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of each clamp body 14 and 15 and includes a receiving portion 35 that receives each arm 10 and 11 in a first or second connecting position, first and second through holes 36 and 37 that penetrate the receiving portion 35 in an inward and outward direction, a female threaded portion 38 provided on each arm 10 and 11 that is received by the receiving portion 35, and a male threaded body 39 that is screwed into the female threaded portion 38 from the inner circumferential surface side of each clamp body 14 and 15 through the first through hole 36 or the second through hole 37. The first through hole 36 and the second through hole 37 are provided at different angular positions in the circumferential direction of each clamp body 14 and 15. The arms 10 and 11 are configured to assume a first connected position when the male threaded body 39 is screwed into the female threaded portion 38 through the first through-hole 36, and to assume a second connected position when the male threaded body 39 is screwed into the female threaded portion 38 through the second through-hole 37.

[0010] The receiving portion 35 consists of a socket hole 40 formed as a recess on the outer surface of each clamp body 14 and 15, which receives the arm base 27 of each arm 10 and 11. The arm base 27 is fitted inward into the socket hole 40, thereby restricting the relative movement of each arm 10 and 11 with respect to each clamp body 14 and 15. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As in the handrail bracket of the present invention, the bracket base 9 fixed to the support column 1 is equipped with first and second clamp bodies 14 and 15 that are attached to the circumferential surface of the support column 1 in a cradling manner, and first and second arms 10 and 11 that support the handrail material 2 are connected to these clamp bodies 14 and 15. This allows the fixing height positions of both arms 10 and 11 with respect to the support column 1 to be aligned. Therefore, by fixing handrail brackets at two locations, upper and lower, on the support column 1 and supporting two handrail materials 2 and 2 between the arms 10 and 11 of these upper and lower handrail brackets, the fixing heights of both handrail materials 2 and 2 can be aligned.

[0012] As in the present invention, if the connection position of at least one of the arms 10 and 11 with respect to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 via the first and second connecting structures 22 and 23 is configured to be selectively switchable between a first connection position in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 coincides with the left-right direction, and a second connection position in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 is in a direction different from the left-right direction, then the mounting angle of the handrail material 2 and 2 supported by the arms 10 and 11 can be selected from two types: the left-right direction and other angles. In other words, for example, if both arms 10 and 11 are configured to be selectively switchable between a first connected position and a second connected position, the form of the handrail bracket, as defined by the mounting angle of the handrail material 2 and 2, can be one of three forms: a form where both arms 10 and 11 are in the first connected position, a form where both arms 10 and 11 are in the second connected position, or a form where one arm 10 and 11 is in the first connected position and the other arm 11 and 10 is in the second connected position. Also, for example, if only the first arm 10 is configured to be selectively switchable between a first connected position and a second connected position, the form of the handrail bracket, as defined by the mounting angle of the handrail material 2 and 2, can be one of two forms: a form where the first arm 10 is in the first connected position, or a form where the first arm 10 is in the second connected position. As described above, according to the present invention, the relative positions of the handrails 2 and 2 around the support column 1 can be changed by changing the mounting angle of the handrails 2 and 2 or the distance between them.

[0013] In a handrail bracket in which the first arm 10 and the second arm 11 are made of the same material, the increase in manufacturing costs of the handrail bracket due to the diversification of changes in the relative positions of the handrail materials 2 and 2 can be suppressed by sharing the types of materials that make up the handrail bracket. Furthermore, if the first connecting structure 22 and the second connecting structure 23 are made of the same connecting structure, the complexity of the handrail bracket configuration can be eliminated, and in this respect as well, the increase in manufacturing costs of the handrail bracket can be suppressed.

[0014] In the first connected position, the arms 10 and 11 can be connected to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 in the first connected position by screwing the male threaded body 39 through the first through hole 36 into the female threaded portion 38 of each arm 10 and 11 that is received by the receiving portion 35, and in the second connected position, the arms 10 and 11 can be connected to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 in the second connected position by screwing the male threaded body 39 through the second through hole 37 into the female threaded portion 38 of each arm 10 and 11 that is received by the receiving portion 35, and in the second connected position, the arms 10 and 11 can be connected to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 in the second connected position. As a result, each connecting structure 22 and 23 can be constructed with a simple operation of just tightening the male threaded body 39, making it easy to install handrails in indoor spaces.

[0015] The receiving portion 35 consists of a socket hole 40 formed as a recess on the outer surface of each clamp body 14 and 15, which receives the arm base 27 of each arm 10 and 11. When the arm base 27 is fitted inward into the socket hole 40, the relative movement of each arm 10 and 11 with respect to each clamp body 14 and 15 is restricted. This prevents the arms 10 and 11 from moving unintentionally relative to each clamp body 14 and 15 due to the load on the handrail material 2 and 2, thereby improving the safety of handrails installed using handrail brackets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional plan view of a handrail bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the handrail bracket in its first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the handrail material fixed to the support post with a handrail bracket. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional plan view showing the handrail bracket in a disassembled state. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional plan view of the handrail bracket, showing the handrail bracket in its second configuration. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional plan view of a handrail bracket, showing the handrail bracket in a third form. [Figure 8] It is a front view showing a state where a handrail member is fixed to a support column with a handrail bracket, showing another fixing form. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional plan view of a handrail bracket, showing the handrail bracket in a fourth form.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0017] (Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 9 show an embodiment of a handrail bracket according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions follow the cross arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down indications written near each arrow. As shown in FIG. 2, the handrail bracket is used to fix a handrail member 2 to a tension-fixed type support column 1 installed in a stretched state between the floor surface and the ceiling. The handrail member 2 attached to the support column 1 includes a pair of U-shaped handrail members 2A(2) that are grasped when standing or sitting to stabilize the body, and a handrail member 2B(2) that is installed horizontally along the traffic line and is used to hang the hand when walking. The former handrail members 2A·2A are fixed to the support column 1 by a pair of handrail brackets arranged above and below the support column 1, and the latter handrail member 2B is fixed to the support column 1 by a pair of handrail brackets arranged on adjacent support columns 1·1.

[0018] The support column 1 includes an upper frame body 3 and a lower frame body 4 having a nested structure made of a round pipe, and a lock mechanism 5 provided between both frame bodies 3·4 for locking and fixing the upper frame body 3 drawn out from the lower frame body 4 so as not to move up and down with respect to the lower frame body 4. The installation procedure of the support column 1 is as follows: First, with the lock lever of the lock mechanism 5 switched to the unlock position, the floor contact body provided at the lower end of the lower frame body 4 is grounded on the floor surface. Next, the upper frame body 3 is pulled out upward from the lower frame body 4, and the ceiling push-up body provided at the upper end of the upper frame body 3 is aligned with the ceiling. Finally, the lock lever is switched to the lock position to lock and fix both frame bodies 3·4. From the above, the support column 1 can be installed in a stretched state between the ceiling and the floor surface.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 5, the handrail bracket includes a bracket base 9 responsible for fixing to the support column 1, and a pair of arms 10 and 11 (the first arm 10, the second arm 11) connected to the bracket base 9 and responsible for supporting the handrail member 2. The bracket base 9 includes a pair of left and right clamp bodies 14 and 15 (the first clamp body 14, the second clamp body 15) that are mounted in a holding manner on the circumferential surface of the support column 1 (the lower frame body 4), a connecting shaft 16 that pivotally supports the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 so that they can rotate relative to each other between a fixed posture in which the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 hold the lower frame body 4 and a detachable posture in which the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 are detachable from the lower frame body 4, and a fastening body 17 that holds the pair of clamp bodies 14 and 15 in the fixed posture.

[0020] Each clamp body 14 and 15 is composed of a plastic molded product and is formed of a semi-cylindrical half body in which the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface are formed in a semi-arc surface shape. As shown in Fig. 1, the bracket base 9 is fixed to the support column 1 by holding the lower frame body 4 in a state where the inner circumferential surface of the first clamp body 14 is in close contact with the left circumferential surface of the lower frame body 4 and the inner circumferential surface of the second clamp body 15 is in close contact with the right circumferential surface of the lower frame body 4. The front ends of the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 are pivotally supported by the connecting shaft 16 so as to be rotatable relative to each other about a vertical axis, and by rotating the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 about the connecting shaft 16, the posture can be changed between the fixed posture shown in Fig. 1 and the mounting posture shown in Fig. 5.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the fastening body 17 includes a tightening bolt 18 provided at the rear end of the first clamp body 14 and a nut body 19 provided at the rear end of the second clamp body 15 into which the tightening bolt 18 is screwed. The tightening bolt 18 is inserted into a bolt hole that penetrates the rear end of the first clamp body 14 from left to right. The nut body 19 is embedded and fixed such that its screw hole is exposed on the left surface of the rear end of the second clamp body 15. By switching the two clamp bodies 14 and 15 to the fixed posture so that the inner circumferential surface is in close contact with the circumferential surface of the lower frame body 4 and screwing the screw shaft of the tightening bolt 18 into the screw hole of the nut body 19, the bracket base 9 can be fixed to the lower frame body 4.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the first arm 10 is connected to the first clamp body 14 and the second arm 11 is connected to the second clamp body 15 with respect to the bracket base 9. The first clamp body 14 and the first arm 10 are connected by a first connecting structure 22 provided between them, and the second clamp body 15 and the second arm 11 are connected by a second connecting structure 23 provided between them. The first arm 10 and the second arm 11 are made of the same material. Furthermore, the first connecting structure 22 and the second connecting structure 23 are made of the same material, differing only in left and right orientation. In the following, the first arm 10 and the first connecting structure 22 will be described, and for the second arm 11 and the second connecting structure 23, the same reference numerals will be used for identical materials and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0023] The first arm 10 is made of a plastic molded product and, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, comprises an arm cylinder 26 that extends horizontally and into which the end of the handrail material 2 is inserted, and an arm base 27 that is integrally formed with the arm cylinder 26 and is received by a receiving portion 35 of the first connecting structure 22, which will be described later. The arm cylinder 26 is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder having a bottom wall 28. The arm base 27 is composed of three walls: a main wall 29 that extends to the right from the front edge of the bottom wall 28, an upper peripheral wall 30 that connects the upper ends of the main wall 29 and the bottom wall 28, and a lower peripheral wall 30 that connects the lower ends of the main wall 29 and the bottom wall 28. The extended ends of the peripheral walls 30 are formed in a concave arc shape that coincides with the curved surface of the receiving portion 35 in a plan view. A long rectangular block-shaped metal plate 31 is embedded in the bottom wall 28.

[0024] The first arm 10, which is connected to the first clamp body 14 by the first connecting structure 22, is configured to be selectively switchable between a first connected position shown in Figure 1, in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis of the arm cylinder 26 coincides with the left-right direction, and a second connected position shown in Figure 6, in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis of the arm cylinder 26 is different from the left-right direction. In the first and second connected positions, the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 is positioned on the same plane perpendicular to the central axis of the support column 1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the first connecting structure 22 includes a receiving portion 35 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first clamp body 14 to receive the first arm 10 in a first or second connecting position, two through holes 36 and 37 (first through hole 36, second through hole 37) that penetrate the receiving portion 35 in an inward and outward direction, a screw hole (female screw portion) 38 provided in the first arm 10 that is received by the receiving portion 35, and a connecting bolt (male screw body) 39 that is screwed into the screw hole 38 from the inner circumferential surface side of the first clamp body 14 via the first through hole 36 or the second through hole 37. The connecting bolt 39 is a countersunk bolt, and both through holes 36 and 37 are holes with screw washers that receive the countersunk portion of the connecting bolt 39. The first through-hole 36 and the second through-hole 37 are positioned side by side at different angular positions in the circumferential direction of the first clamp body 14, with the first through-hole 36 on the rear side and the second through-hole 37 on the front side.

[0026] The receiving portion 35 consists of a socket hole 40 formed as a recess on the outer circumferential surface of the first clamp body 14, which receives the arm base 27 of the first arm 10. As shown in Figure 4, the socket hole 40 is a circumferentially elongated rounded rectangular recess along the outer circumferential surface of the first clamp body 14, and the bottom of the socket hole 40 is formed as a curved surface. The arm base 27 is formed to match the outer shape of the socket hole 40, and in each connecting position (first and second connecting positions), its extended tip portion is received in an internally fitted manner in the socket hole 40.

[0027] In Figure 3, reference numeral 31 indicates a metal plate embedded in the bottom wall 28. A screw hole 38 is formed in the center of the metal plate 31, consisting of a through hole and a female thread engraved on the inner surface of the through hole. Screw holes 41, 41 are provided above and below the screw hole 38 in the metal plate 31. These screw holes 41, 41 are provided for fixing the handrail material 2, which is inserted into the arm cylinder 26, to the first arm 10. A material cutout is provided in the bottom wall 28 directly opposite the screw hole 38 and screw holes 41, and the screw holes 41 are exposed on the outer surface of the first arm 10 through this material cutout.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, when the first arm 10 is connected to the first clamp body 14 in the first connected position, the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 coincides with the left-right direction. By rotating the first arm 10 180 degrees around the cylindrical axis C1, the first arm 10 can be placed in the second connected position (see dashed lines in Figures 6 and 1). In this second connected position, the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 is tilted 45 degrees with respect to the left-right direction.

[0029] When connecting the first arm 10 to the first clamp body 14 in the first connected position, as shown in Figure 1, the main wall 29 of the arm base 27 is positioned to the front, and the arm base 27 is fitted into the socket hole 40 in this position. In this state, the screw hole 38 faces the first through hole 36, and the connecting bolt 39 is screwed into the screw hole 38 through the first through hole 36 and tightened. In this way, the first clamp body 14 is sandwiched between the arm base 27 and the connecting bolt 39, and the first arm 10 can be connected to the first clamp body 14 in the first connected position.

[0030] When connecting the first arm 10 to the first clamp body 14 in the second connection position, as shown in Figure 6, the main wall 29 of the arm base 27 is positioned to the rear, and the arm base 27 is then fitted into the socket hole 40. In this state, the screw hole 38 faces the second through hole 37, and the connecting bolt 39 is screwed into the screw hole 38 through the second through hole 37 and tightened. In this way, the first clamp body 14 is sandwiched between the arm base 27 and the connecting bolt 39, and the first arm 10 can be connected to the first clamp body 14 in the second connection position. In the first and second connection positions, the relative movement of the first arm 10 with respect to the first clamp body 14 is restricted because the arm base 27 is fitted into the socket hole 40.

[0031] Figure 1 shows the state in which both arms 10 and 11 are connected to the bracket base 9 in the first connected position, and this connected state is referred to as the first form. Figure 6 shows the state in which the first arm 10 is connected to the bracket base 9 in the second connected position and the second arm 11 is connected to the bracket base 9 in the first connected position, and this connected state is referred to as the second form. Figure 7 shows the state in which both arms 10 and 11 are connected to the bracket base 9 in the second connected position, and this connected state is referred to as the third form.

[0032] In the first form of the handrail bracket shown in Figure 1, the angle between the cylindrical axis C1(C) of the arm cylinder 26 of the first arm 10 and the cylindrical axis C2(C) of the arm cylinder 26 of the second arm 11 is 180 degrees. In the second form of the handrail bracket shown in Figure 6, the angle between the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 of the first arm 10 and the cylindrical axis C2 of the arm cylinder 26 of the second arm 11 is 135 degrees. In the third form of the handrail bracket shown in Figure 7, the angle between the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 of the first arm 10 and the cylindrical axis C2 of the arm cylinder 26 of the second arm 11 is 90 degrees.

[0033] In addition to the above, it is also possible to connect the first arm 10 to the bracket base 9 in the first connected position and the second arm 11 in the second connected position. In this case, the angle between the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 of the first arm 10 and the cylindrical axis C2 of the arm cylinder 26 of the second arm 11 is 135 degrees, the same as in the second form described above. However, there is a difference in whether the cylindrical axis C1 of the arm cylinder 26 of the first arm 10 or the cylindrical axis C2 of the arm cylinder 26 of the second arm 11 is aligned in the left-right direction.

[0034] The procedure for fixing a pair of U-shaped handrail members 2A-2A to the support column 1 with the handrail brackets in their first form will be explained. The pair of handrail members 2A-2A are fixed to the support column 1 (lower frame 4) with a pair of upper and lower handrail brackets. First, the first arms 10 are attached to each end of one handrail member 2A, and the second arms 11 are attached to each end of the other handrail member 2A. Specifically, the first arms 10 are attached to the handrail member 2A so that the end of the handrail member 2A is inserted into the arm cylinder 26, and in this state, screws 42 are screwed into the handrail member 2A through the upper and lower screw holes 41 to fasten and fix the handrail member 2A and the first arms 10. This is done at the end of the handrail member 2A. At this time, the orientation of the main wall 29 of each first arm 10 is such that it is positioned towards the front or back when the handrail member 2A is viewed from the front. In the other handrail material 2A, the handrail material 2A and the second arm 11 are fastened and fixed in the same manner as described above. This forms a handrail material 2A with the first arm 10 attached to each end and a handrail material 2A with the second arm 11 attached to each end.

[0035] Next, the first arm 10 is connected to the first clamp body 14, and the second arm 11 is connected to the second clamp body 15. At this time, the connection position of both arms 10 and 11 to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 is the first connection position. Specifically, the arm base 27 is fitted into the socket hole 40 so that the main wall 29 of the first arm 10 faces the front side (connecting shaft 16 side) of the first clamp body 14, and in this state, the connecting bolt 39 is screwed into the screw hole 38 through the first through hole 36 and tightened. This operation is performed for the upper and lower handrail brackets. The same operation is performed for the second clamp body 15 and the second arm 11. With this, the connection between the bracket base 9 and the first and second arms 10 and 11 is completed, and the bracket base 9, both arms 10 and 11, and the pair of handrail members 2A and 2A can be made into a single unit.

[0036] Next, the bracket bases 9 of the upper and lower handrail brackets are rotated to the attachment / detachment position, and at the desired fixed height of the support column 1 (lower frame 4), the bracket bases 9 are switched from the attachment / detachment position to the mounting position, and the support column 1 is held by the first clamp body 14 and the second clamp body 15. In this state, the tightening bolts 18 of the upper and lower handrail brackets are screwed into the nuts 19, and the support column 1 is tightened with both clamp bodies 14 and 15. In this way, the pair of handrail members 2A and 2A can be fixed to the support column 1 using the handrail brackets.

[0037] In Figure 1, etc., reference numeral 43 denotes a liner interposed between each clamp body 14 and 15 and the circumferential surface of the support column 1. The liner 43 is made of a rubber sheet and has openings for passing connecting bolts 39 through the portions facing the first and second through holes 36 and 37. By providing the liner 43 between each clamp body 14 and 15 and the circumferential surface of the support column 1, the liner 43 is elastically deformed in the thickness direction by tightening the fastener 17, thereby improving the adhesion between each clamp body 14 and 15 and the circumferential surface of the support column 1. In addition, the liner 43 improves the frictional force between each clamp body 14 and 15 and the circumferential surface of the support column 1, preventing the handrail bracket from shifting vertically even when a load is applied to the handrail material 2A.

[0038] In the second form of the handrail bracket, the procedure for fixing a pair of handrail members 2A-2A to the support column 1 is the same except that the arm base 27 is fitted into the socket hole 40 so that the main wall 29 of the first arm 10 faces the rear side (connecting bolt 18 side) of the first clamp body 14, and in this state, the connecting bolt 39 is screwed into the screw hole 38 through the second through hole 37 and tightened. In the third form of the handrail bracket, the procedure for fixing a pair of handrail members 2A-2A to the support column 1 is the same except that, in addition to the above, the arm base 27 is fitted into the socket hole 40 so that the main wall 29 of the second arm 11 faces the rear side (nut body 19 side) of the second clamp body 15, and in this state, the connecting bolt 39 is screwed into the screw hole 38 through the second through hole 37 and tightened.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the handrail bracket can also be used to fix a horizontal handrail member 2B(2) that spans between adjacent support posts 1, 1. In this case, by using the first form of the handrail bracket, the handrail member 2B fixed to the support post 1 can be provided in a straight line. Alternatively, by using the second or third form of the handrail bracket, the handrail member 2B fixed to the support post 1 can be provided in a folded line shape.

[0040] In some cases, three handrail brackets are fixed vertically to the support column 1, resulting in the installation configuration of the handrail members 2A and 2A as shown in Figure 8. In this case, both arms 10 and 11 are connected to the bracket base 9 in the central handrail bracket, but one of the arms 10 and 11 is omitted in the upper and lower handrail brackets. When the first arm 10 is omitted, for example, the socket hole 40 of the first clamp body 14 is exposed in a recessed state. Therefore, the handrail bracket of this embodiment is configured to include a cap body 46 that is fitted inward to fill the socket hole 40. A handrail bracket with the first arm 10 omitted is shown in Figure 9, and this connected state is referred to as the fourth form.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the cap body 44 comprises a rounded plate-shaped cap base 47 with a smooth outer surface that fits into the socket hole 40, and engaging claws 48, projections 49, etc., that protrude from the inner surface of the cap base 47. The engaging claws 48 are for holding the cap body 44 to each clamp body 14 and 15, and each of the first clamp body 14 and the second clamp body 15 is provided with an engaging hole 50 adjacent to the first through hole 36 into which the engaging claws 48 engage. When the cap body 44 is attached to the socket hole 40, the tips of the engaging claws 48 engage with a stepped portion formed on the inner surface of the engaging hole 50. The projections 49 are inserted into the first through hole 36 in an internal manner and hold the cap body 44 together with the engaging claws 48. When the cap body 44 is attached to the first clamp body 14, the outer surface of the first clamp body 14 and the outer surface of the cap base 47 are substantially flush. Furthermore, when the cap body 44 is attached to the first clamp body 14, the first and second through holes 36 and 37 are covered by the cap base 47.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment of the handrail bracket, the bracket base 9 fixed to the support column 1 is equipped with first and second clamp bodies 14 and 15 that are attached to the circumferential surface of the support column 1 in a cradling manner, and the first and second arms 10 and 11 that support the handrail material 2 are connected to these clamp bodies 14 and 15. With this configuration, the fixing height positions of both arms 10 and 11 relative to the support column 1 can be made to match, so by fixing the handrail bracket at two locations, upper and lower, on the support column 1 and supporting two handrail materials 2 and 2 between the arms 10 and 11 of these upper and lower handrail brackets, the fixing heights of both handrail materials 2 and 2 can be made to match.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection posture of at least one of the arms 10 and 11 with respect to the clamp bodies 14 and 15 via the first and second connecting structures 22 and 23 can be selectively switched between a first connection posture in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 coincides with the left-right direction, and a second connection posture in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis C of the arm cylinder 26 is in a direction different from the left-right direction. Therefore, the mounting angle of the handrail material 2 and 2 supported by the arms 10 and 11 can be selected from two types: the left-right direction and other angles. In other words, the form of the handrail bracket defined by the mounting angle of the handrail material 2 and 2 can be any one of three forms: a form in which both arms 10 and 11 are in the first connection posture, a form in which both arms 10 and 11 are in the second connection posture, and a form in which one arm 10 and 11 is in the first connection posture and the other arm 11 and 11 is in the second connection posture. As described above, with the handrail bracket of this embodiment, the relative position of the handrails 2 and 2 around the support column 1 can be changed by changing the mounting angle of the handrails 2 and 2 and the distance between them.

[0044] In a handrail bracket in which the first arm 10 and the second arm 11 are made of the same material, the increase in manufacturing costs of the handrail bracket due to the diversification of changes in the relative positions of the handrail materials 2 and 2 can be suppressed by sharing the types of materials that make up the handrail bracket. Furthermore, by configuring the first connecting structure 22 and the second connecting structure 23 with the same connecting structure, the complexity of the handrail bracket configuration can be eliminated, and in this respect as well, the increase in manufacturing costs of the handrail bracket can be suppressed.

[0045] By screwing the connecting bolt 39 through the first through hole 36 into the screw holes 38 of each arm 10 and 11 that are received by the receiving part 35 in the first connected position, each arm 10 and 11 can be connected to each clamp body 14 and 15 in the first connected position. By screwing the connecting bolt 39 through the second through hole 37 into the screw holes 38 of each arm 10 and 11 that are received by the receiving part 35 in the second connected position, each arm 10 and 11 can be connected to each clamp body 14 and 15 in the second connected position. As a result, each connecting structure 22 and 23 can be constructed with a simple operation of just tightening the connecting bolt 39, making it easy to install handrails in indoor spaces.

[0046] The receiving portion 35 consists of a socket hole 40 formed as a recess on the outer surface of each clamp body 14 and 15, which receives the arm base 27 of each arm 10 and 11. The arm base 27 is received in an internally fitted manner by the socket hole 40, thereby restricting the relative movement of each arm 10 and 11 with respect to each clamp body 14 and 15. This prevents each arm 10 and 11 from moving unintentionally relative to each clamp body 14 and 15 due to the load on the handrail material 2 and 2, thereby improving the safety of the handrail installed using the handrail bracket.

[0047] The first arm 10 is detachably connected to the first clamp body 14 by the first connecting structure 22, and the second arm 11 is detachably connected to the second clamp body 15 by the second connecting structure 23. For example, when the first arm 10 is not needed, the handrail bracket can be configured to have only the second arm 11 connected. In addition, since the handrail bracket is configured to have a cap body 46 that is fitted inside to fill the socket hole 40 instead of the first arm 10 or the second arm 11, the two through holes 36 and 37 that make up the first connecting structure 22 can be covered by the cap body 46, and the aesthetic design (appearance) of the handrail bracket can be prevented from being compromised by omitting the first or second arm 10 or 11.

[0048] In the above embodiment, both the first and second connecting structures 22 and 23 are configured to be selectively connectable to either the first or second connecting position. However, it is also possible to configure one of the connecting structures 22(23) of the first and second connecting structures 22 to be selectively connectable to either the first or second connecting position. The first and second connecting structures 22 and 23 do not need to have the same configuration and can be composed of connecting structures with different structures. The receiving portion 35 can be composed of a protrusion projecting from the outer circumferential surface of each clamp body 14 and 15. In this case, a recess is provided in the arm base 27 so that the arm base 27 is externally fitted and received by the protrusion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 post 2 Handrail material 9 Bracket base 10 First Arm 11. Second Arm 14. First clamp body 15. Second clamp body 22 First connecting structure 23. Second connecting structure 26 Arm tube 35 Receptacle 36 First through hole 37 Second through hole 38 Female thread section (thread hole) 39 Male threaded body (connecting bolt) 40 socket holes 46 Cap Body C(C1·C2) Center of the cylinder of the arm tube

Claims

1. A handrail bracket comprising a bracket base (9) fixed to a vertically extending support column (1), and first and second arms (10 and 11) connected to the bracket base (9) to support a handrail material (2), wherein these arms (10 and 11) are connected to the bracket base (9) via connecting structures (22 and 23), The bracket base (9) comprises first and second clamp bodies (14 and 15) that are attached to the circumferential surface of the support column (1) in a cradling manner, the first clamp body (14) and the first arm (10) are connected by a first connecting structure (22) formed between them (14 and 10), and the second clamp body (15) and the second arm (11) are connected by a second connecting structure (23) formed between them (15 and 11). Each of the arms (10 and 11) is provided with a cylindrical arm tube (26) that extends horizontally and into which the end of the handrail material (2) is inserted. A handrail bracket characterized in that the connection position of at least one of the arms (10, 11) with respect to the clamp body (14, 15) via the first and second connecting structures (22, 23) can be selectively switched between a first connection position in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis (C) of the arm cylinder (26) coincides with the left-right direction, and a second connection position in which the extension direction of the cylindrical axis (C) of the arm cylinder (26) is in a direction different from the left-right direction.

2. The first arm (10) and the second arm (11) are made of the same material. The handrail bracket according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting structure (22) and the second connecting structure (23) are composed of the same connecting structure.

3. The first clamp body (14) and the second clamp body (15) are each made from a semi-cylindrical half-body. Each connecting structure (22, 23) includes a receiving portion (35) provided on the outer circumferential surface of each clamp body (14, 15) that receives each arm (10, 11) in a first or second connecting position, first and second through holes (36, 37) that penetrate the receiving portion (35) in an inward and outward direction, a female threaded portion (38) provided on each arm (10, 11) that is received by the receiving portion (35), and a male threaded portion (39) that is screwed into the female threaded portion (38) from the inner circumferential surface side of each clamp body (14, 15) via the first through hole (36) or the second through hole (37). The first through-hole (36) and the second through-hole (37) are provided at different angular positions in the circumferential direction of each clamp body (14 and 15). The handrail bracket according to claim 2, wherein the arms (10 and 11) are configured to assume a first connected position by screwing the male threaded body (39) into the female threaded portion (38) through a first through hole (36), and the arms (10 and 11) are configured to assume a second connected position by screwing the male threaded body (39) into the female threaded portion (38) through a second through hole (37).

4. The receiving portion (35) consists of a socket hole (40) formed as a recess on the outer surface of each clamp body (14, 15) to receive the arm base (27) of each arm (10, 11). The handrail bracket according to claim 3, wherein the arm base (27) is internally fitted and received by the socket hole (40), thereby restricting the relative movement of each arm (10, 11) with respect to each clamp body (14, 15).

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