Handrail lighting fixture

Abstract

A handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is disclosed. The handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein the handrail lighting fixture further comprises a mounting portion that is integrally formed with the housing and is arranged for attachment to the handrail, wherein the mounting portion has an exterior in which a receiving area is formed, wherein the exterior of the mounting portion is arranged for engaging and receiving part of the handrail in the receiving area.

Description

[0001] HANDRAIL LIGHTING FIXTURE

[0002] The present invention relates to a handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof. The present invention further relates to a handrail lighting system comprising such a handrail lighting fixture and a presence detector for detecting a presence of a person on the path, and to a method of attaching such a handrail lighting fixture to a handrail alongside of a path.

[0003] Paths along railway tracks, for instance at a marshalling yard, are often provided with a handrail alongside of the respective path for safety reasons. The paths are illuminated to enhance the safety of railway workers when it is dark, such as at night. To that end, newly installed handrails may be provided with built-in light sources. However, such integrated light sources are not easily retrofitted in existing handrails. In such cases, an add-on lighting fixture comprising a tubular housing is installed below and fastened to the handrail by means of a pair of clamps or other mounting means such that the lighting fixture is suspended from the handrail. Alternatively, such a lighting fixture may be fastened to and below the handrail by means of tie-wraps wound around the lighting fixture and the handrail. To keep the lighting fixture securely in place, a set of holding blocks are interposed between the handrail and the lighting fixture, wherein the holding blocks correspond, on their upper side, to the cross-sectional shape of the handrail and, on their lower side, to the cross-sectional shape of the lighting fixture. However, installation of the known lighting fixtures is labour-intensive, in particular if a large number thereof is to be installed.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention, amongst other objects, to provide an improved handrail lighting fixture wherein preferably at least part of the aforesaid drawbacks is at least partially alleviated.

[0005] Hereto, a handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, wherein the handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein the handrail lighting fixture further comprises a mounting portion that is integrally formed with the housing and is arranged for attachment to the handrail, wherein the mounting portion has an exterior in which a receiving area is formed, wherein the exterior of the mounting portion is arranged for engaging and receiving part of the handrail in the receiving area. By integrally forming such a mounting portion with the housing, the lighting fixture can be conveniently attached directly to the handrail, i.e., without the interposition of additional mounting means. This facilitates installation of the lighting fixture, as the lighting fixture can be attached to the handrail in essentially a single motion. The lighting fixture is preferably detachable and may be fastened to the handrail by means of a tie-wrap wound around the lighting fixture and the handrail. The tie-wrap can be cut for detaching the lighting fixture.

[0006] As the receiving area is formed in the exterior of the mounting portion, the lighting fixture can be attached at any location along the handrail by moving the mounting portion transversely to the handrail into engagement with the handrail. Since the lighting fixture is not necessarily to be strung onto a free end of a handrail, the possibilities for its location are not limited to the free outer end sections of the handrail.

[0007] The lighting fixture can be installed onto various types of handrails, such as handrails alongside of stairs or alongside of paths along railway tracks, on industrial sites or offshore platforms, or in factories, for illuminating the respective walkway. Herein, the term “path” can refer to, e.g., any passageway, pathway, corridor or gangway that can be walked on by a person, such as any walkway, footpath, sidewalk, boardwalk or footbridge.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the receiving area has a cross-sectional shape that at least partially corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the handrail for form-fittingly engaging the handrail. That is, the exterior of the mounting portion may be shaped according to the shape of the handrail. This way, the lighting fixture can be securely mounted to the handrail in a convenient manner.

[0009] According to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the mounting portion has an engaging surface arranged for engaging the handrail, wherein the engaging surface is, seen in cross-section, concave. The concave engaging surface can form-fittingly engage a convex surface of the handrail. This is particularly convenient since many handrails are tubular, in particular substantially circular in cross-section, although, more in general, the mounting portion may be formed for attachment to, alternatively or additionally, a handrail with a noncircular crosssection, for instance a substantially rectangular or square cross-section.

[0010] Preferably, the radius of curvature of the concave engaging surface, seen in cross-section, is between 0.1 and 1 times the width of the mounting portion, more preferably between 0.3 and 0.7, for instance 0.5. That is, the exterior of the mounting portion may be, seen in cross-section, substantially semi-circular. Such dimensioning of the mounting portion can ensure that the width of the housing of the lighting fixture substantially corresponds to the width of the handrail for the lighting fixture to appear, to some extent, integrated with the handrail. More in general, it is preferred that the mounting portion can be form-fittingly mounted to the handrail. In addition to enabling the lighting fixture to be a more visually pleasant add-on lighting fixture for a handrail, such a lighting fixture has the further advantage that the attached lighting fixture essentially does not form an obstacle for a hand or arm of a person walking along the handrail. Furthermore, as the handrail is received in the receiving area and thereby partly enclosed by the mounting portion, fouling of the area between the handrail and the lighting fixture can be minimised.

[0011] The housing is preferably less than 10 centimetres in width, more preferably less than 8 centimetres, most preferably less than 6 centimetres. The width direction can be defined as the horizontal direction perpendicular to the handrail.

[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the exterior of the mounting portion is provided with a receiving groove extending lengthwise over a length of the housing, wherein the receiving groove defines the receiving area and is arranged for accommodating part of the handrail therein. This way, the handrail can be engaged by the lighting fixture over said part of the length of the housing that is provided with the receiving groove, for a more secure attachment of the lighting fixture to the handrail. Furthermore, the mounting portion can partly enclose the handrail received in the receiving groove.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the mounting portion is formed in an upper side of the housing. The receiving area formed in the exterior of the mounting portion is then open upwards. This way, the mounting portion can be conveniently attached to a lower side of the handrail such that the lighting fixture is installed below the handrail. A person’ s hand that is moved along an upper side of the handrail is then not obstructed by the lighting fixture that is below the handrail.

[0014] Preferably, the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture in at least a lighting direction having a downward component. This way, it can be ensured that the lighting fixture attached to a lower side of the handrail can illuminate the path below and alongside of the handrail.

[0015] The handrail lighting fixture according to a further preferred embodiment is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture in at least a lighting direction having a component that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the handrail. For instance, the lighting direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction. To illuminate the path alongside of the handrail, the light beam is for instance diverging, such that the light beam is directed to illuminate the path over a sufficient extent thereof.

[0016] To illuminate an elongated part of the path alongside of the handrail, the aforenoted known tubular handrail lighting fixture, which mainly emits light in a direction perpendicularly away from the handrail, has an elongated housing and, e.g., an array of light sources distributed in lengthwise direction over the elongated housing. By arranging the handrail lighting fixture, according to the preferred embodiment, to partially direct a light beam towards a longitudinal direction of the handrail, a compact handrail lighting fixture can be provided which is material-efficient and lightweight, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and installation time relative to the known handrail lighting fixtures.

[0017] To provide a compact handrail lighting fixture, according to a further preferred embodiment of the lighting fixture, the housing is less than 40 centimetres in length.

[0018] Furthermore, when an array of the lighting fixtures according to the preferred embodiment is attached along a handrail at intervals, the path can be illuminated more uniformly relative to an array of the known lighting fixtures that mainly emit light perpendicularly away from the handrail, especially when the illumination distributions, respectively provided along the path by consecutive lighting fixtures in the array, at least partially overlap.

[0019] To illuminate the path even more uniformly with such an array, and / or to enable a reduction in the number of handrail lighting fixtures in the array, the handrail lighting fixture according to the preferred embodiment is preferably arranged to direct a first light beam and a second light beam towards respective lighting directions, each having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handrail, wherein the respective components are mutually opposite. More generally, by emitting opposite light beams, the handrail lighting fixture can efficiently illuminate an elongated part of the path alongside of the handrail.

[0020] For instance, the housing may be provided with at least two apertures, wherein the lighting fixture comprises at least two light sources provided in the housing and arranged to emit respective light beams, wherein the lighting fixture is arranged to direct the respective light beams through the respective apertures towards the respective lighting directions. Alternatively, a single light source may be arranged to emit the respective light beams. The housing is preferably provided with at least one recess, wherein the at least one light source is provided in the at least one recess. Preferably, the recess is open so as to form the aperture, wherein the light source is arranged to emit the light beam through the aperture. This way, an even more compact handrail lighting fixture can be obtained.

[0021] By for instance emitting a divergent light beam, the lighting fixture can efficiently illuminate the path alongside of the handrail. To that end, the aperture is preferably provided with an optical element. The optical element may be arranged to receive the light beam emitted by the light source and to direct the light beam towards diverging directions. That is, the optical element may be arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture such that the light beam diverges. The optical element is for instance a lens.

[0022] To illuminate the path alongside of the handrail more efficiently, the aperture is preferably orientated away from the handrail. More specifically, the aperture preferably has an optical axis extending, as seen from above, i.e., in the horizontal plane, at an acute angle with the longitudinal direction of the handrail and away from the handrail as seen along the lighting direction. As such, the aperture is preferably orientated away from the handrail as seen in the horizontal plane. The optical axis is preferably the optical axis of the optical element provided in the aperture.

[0023] A further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture comprises a heatsink body arranged to cool the at least one light source. This allows the handrail lighting fixture to be more compact. The heatsink body preferably comprises aluminium. The heatsink body may be manufactured by extrusion. Thereto, the heatsink body preferably comprises a profile with a fixed cross-section as seen in the extruding direction such that the extrusion process is facilitated.

[0024] Preferably, the housing is monolithic. Hereto, the handrail lighting fixture may be obtained by an insert moulding technique. More specifically, it is preferred if the housing is monolithically formed onto the one or more components of the handrail lighting fixture that are provided in the housing, including the at least one light source, by the insert moulding technique. That is, the housing is monolithically formed, by an insert moulding technique, onto the at least one light source and any other components of the handrail lighting fixture, such that the housing comprises a solidified material that at least partially covers the at least one light source and the respective other components of the handrail lighting fixture that are provided in the housing. For example, the at least one light source may comprise a light emitting element and a printed circuit board supporting the light emitting element. By forming the housing onto the components, the housing can effectively insulate the components such as the printed circuit board. As such, according to another aspect, a method for manufacturing a handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, preferably according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a mould shaped for manufacturing the housing of the handrail lighting fixture; providing the one or more components of the handrail lighting fixture in the mould; injecting a liquid, such as a resin or molten material, into the mould and onto the one or more components to form the housing enclosing the one or more components.

[0025] The components may further include the heatsink body for cooling the at least one light source.

[0026] Using an insert moulding technique, the lighting fixture can be manufactured more efficiently compared to first manufacturing the housing or parts thereof, for instance by additive manufacturing, and subsequently assembling the housing with the components of the handrail lighting fixture.

[0027] To accurately position the components in the mould and / or to ensure that the components remain in place during the moulding in a stable manner, the components are preferably mounted onto an inner frame of the handrail lighting fixture. By connecting the components to the frame prior to insertion of the components into the mould, the components can be efficiently positioned in the mould. As such, it is preferred if the method further comprises the steps of providing an inner frame of the handrail lighting fixture and mounting the one or more components onto the inner frame prior to inserting the components into the mould, wherein it is further preferred if the step of providing the one or more components in the mould comprises inserting the components mounted onto the inner frame into the mould.

[0028] The step of providing the one or more components in the mould preferably further comprises providing at least one removable cover in the mould at the location of the at least one aperture to be provided in the housing, wherein the method further comprises the step of removing the at least one cover after injecting the liquid to form the at least one aperture in the housing. By covering each aperture, specifically the optical element thereof, during the moulding, the liquid can be prevented from fully enclosing the optical element and, more in general, the housing can be efficiently provided with the at least one aperture. Similarly, each electrical connector can be partially covered during the moulding to prevent the liquid from fully enclosing the electrical connector, such that the connector is directly accessible and connectable after moulding.

[0029] According to another aspect, a handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, preferably according to any of the embodiments described above, wherein the handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein an exterior of the housing is provided with a fastener groove extending across the housing for accommodating a tie-wrap or strap fastener for attaching the housing to the handrail.

[0030] The receiving groove enables the fastener to keep the lighting fixture in place in a more secure manner such that, e.g., a single tie-wrap would be sufficient, especially in the case of a relatively compact handrail lighting device.

[0031] Furthermore, as the fastener, such as a steel tie-wrap, is accommodated in the groove, injury of a person’ s hand, due to accidentally brushing such a steel tie-wrap while the person walks along the handrail, can be prevented. Particularly the end of such a tie-wrap, where a section of the tie-wrap has been cut off, can be sharp and may thus cut a person’s hand. Therefore, according to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the exterior of the housing is further provided with a notch that is aligned with the fastener groove for accommodating part of said tiewrap, in particular said end of the tie-wrap. Preferably, a width of the notch exceeds a width of the fastener groove for receiving a cutting end of a tie-wrap cutting tool in the notch for cutting off part of said tie-wrap accommodated in the fastener groove. This way, the disposable end of the tie-wrap can be cut off at a location close to the surface of the housing, such that the extent to which said end of the tie-wrap protrudes beyond the groove, or from the housing as such, can be reduced. That is, since the cutting end of the tie-wrap cutting tool is usually wider than the tie-wrap itself, and since the width of the fastener groove essentially corresponds to the width of the tie-wrap, said cutting end would be too wide to reach into the groove and thus too wide to cut the tie-wrap close to the surface of the housing. The notch enables said cutting end to nonetheless cut off the disposable part of the tie-wrap close to the surface of the housing such that the sharp end does not protrude far from the lighting fixture and skin cuts can be prevented.

[0032] According to another aspect, a handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, preferably according to any of the embodiments described above, wherein the handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein the handrail lighting fixture further comprises at least one electrical connector, each electrical connector having an inner connector end, which extends inside the housing and is connected to the at least one light source, and an outer connector end that is arranged for connecting to a power cable from outside of the housing to connect the at least one light source to a power source for powering the at least one light source.

[0033] The electrical connectors may comprise at least one male connector and at least one female connector. It is then preferred if, in an array of the handrail lighting fixtures, the male and female connectors of respective lighting fixtures are mutually arranged for interconnecting the male connector and the female connector of neighbouring lighting fixtures for electrically connecting the lighting fixtures in the array, preferably in parallel to enable the coupling of handrail lighting fixtures over larger distances. This simplifies installation of the array of lighting fixtures along a handrail and enables customisation of the number of handrail lighting fixtures in the array. Preferably, the connector at an end of the array is then arranged for connecting to a power source. For instance, the light source may be powered at 24 V DC, 36 V DC, or higher, to enable the coupling of handrail lighting fixtures over larger distances. The light source may be alternatively powered by alternating current.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the housing is provided with at least one recessed receptacle having an inlet for receiving a connecting end of a power cable in the recessed receptacle, wherein the outer connector end is arranged within the recessed receptacle for connecting to the connecting end of a power cable received in the recessed receptacle. This way, the outer connector end is already partially covered by the housing, such that the need for additional means to protect the outer connector end and to receive and accommodate the connecting end of the power cable can be reduced or eliminated. This further facilitates the installation of an array of handrail lighting fixtures.

[0035] Preferably, a first section of the inlet is orientated parallel to the handrail such that the recess receptacle is open, seen from the outer connector end, in a direction parallel to the handrail. This way, the outer connector end can face a neighbouring lighting fixture, in particular an outer connector end thereof, for conveniently interconnecting the respective outer connector ends of the two lighting fixtures. It is then further preferred if a second section of the inlet is orientated towards the handrail, wherein the inlet extends continuously from the first section to the second section. This way, insertion of the connecting end of a power cable into the recessed receptacle, prior to attaching the lighting fixture to the handrail, can be facilitated, as the connecting end can be inserted into an inlet opening that extends all the way from the side of the housing that faces a neighbouring fixture, to the side of the housing that engages the handrail upon attachment of the lighting fixture to the handrail.

[0036] As described above, mutually opposite outer connector ends of neighbouring handrail lighting fixtures can be interconnected by a power cable. To support the power cable, a cable tray extending between the neighbouring lighting fixtures may be additionally attached to the handrail in such a manner that the power cable is accommodated in the cable tray. According to a preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the at least one recessed receptacle is arranged for supporting, in the recessed receptacle, an extremity of a cable tray supporting a power cable to be received in the recessed receptacle. As such, the cable tray can be conveniently supported at its extremities by the neighbouring lighting fixtures, which further facilitates the installation of an array of handrail lighting fixtures. Hereto, the at least one recessed receptacle preferably has a U- shaped cross-section.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting fixture, the at least one recessed receptacle at least partially corresponds to the receiving area. In the installed state of the lighting fixture, in which it is attached to the handrail, the handrail then covers the recessed receptacle from above such that the electrically connecting components are efficiently protected. As such, a compact handrail lighting fixture can be obtained.

[0038] According to yet another aspect, a handrail lighting system for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, wherein the handrail lighting system comprises: an array of handrail lighting fixtures according to any of the embodiments wherein the housing is provided with the at least one recessed receptacle and wherein the outer connector end is arranged within the recessed receptacle, wherein the handrail lighting fixtures are arranged for attachment along the handrail at intervals; a cable tray for supporting a power cable for interconnecting respective opposite outer connector ends of neighbouring first and second handrail lighting fixtures in the array, wherein the cable tray has a first extremity supported in the respective recessed receptacle within which the outer connector end of the first handrail lighting is arranged, and a second extremity supported in the respective recessed receptacle within which the outer connector end of the second handrail lighting is arranged. The handrail lighting system preferably further comprises at least one power cable interconnecting said respective opposite outer connector ends of said neighbouring first and second handrail lighting fixtures in the array, wherein the cable tray is arranged to support the power cable.

[0039] According to yet another aspect, a handrail lighting system for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof is provided, preferably according to the embodiment described above, wherein the handrail lighting system comprises at least one handrail lighting fixture according to any of the above embodiments and a presence detector for detecting a presence of a person on the path, wherein the presence detector is arranged to provide a presence detection signal indicative for the presence of a person on the path, wherein the handrail lighting system is arranged to control, based on the presence detection signal, an illumination intensity of the light source of the handrail lighting fixture at a first illumination intensity when the presence detection signal indicates the presence of a person on the path, and at a second illumination intensity when the presence detection signal does not indicate the presence of a person on the path, wherein the first intensity exceeds the second intensity.

[0040] For instance, the detector may sense a presence and / or motion from which, using an algorithm, it can be determined whether the sensed presence and / or motion is that of a person or, e.g., of an animal or an object alongside of the handrail, such as vegetation. This way, it can be prevented that the presence detection signals indicate a presence of an animal or object without the presence of a person, also referred to as false positives.

[0041] A further preferred embodiment of the handrail lighting system is arranged to control, based on the presence detection signal, an illumination intensity of the light source of the at least one lighting fixture at a first illumination intensity when the presence detection signal indicates the presence of a person on the path, and at a second illumination intensity when the presence detection signal does not indicate the presence of a person on the path, wherein the first intensity exceeds the second intensity. For instance, the second intensity may be in the range of 5 to 70 percent, preferably 10 to 50 percent, of the first intensity. To control the illumination intensity based on the presence detection signal, the handrail lighting system or the presence detector may comprise a controller arranged to that end.

[0042] By turning off or dimming the light, the system can be made more energy efficient. It is possible to provide one or more further illumination intensities, such as a third and a fourth illumination intensity, in dependence of the circumstances such as the amount of daylight. In general, it is preferred if the path is sufficiently illuminated whenever a person is to walk said path, particularly for safety. For instance, during the day, when there is sufficient sunlight, the lighting may be turned off, only to turn on when dusk falls. Then, the system can be configured such that the illumination of the path is increased when a person is present. Optionally, the system is arranged to decrease the illumination after a predefined delay time from the moment the presence of a person is detected or the moment from which the presence of the person is no longer detected. The predefined delay time is, e.g., between 10 and 100 minutes, preferably between 20 and 50 minutes. The illumination intensity may change from one intensity to the other either gradually or in one step.

[0043] Specifically, the presence detector may comprise a wave transmitter arranged to emit an electromagnetic wave for reflection by a person, a wave receiver arranged to receive the electromagnetic wave reflected by the person, and a processor connected to the wave receiver and arranged to provide the presence detection signal based on the received electromagnetic wave. The controller may then be connected to the processor to receive the presence detection signal. Preferably, the electromagnetic wave is a microwave or a radio wave. In the handrail lighting system or, more in general, in any outdoor environment, radar detection has been found to be more suitable than, e.g., a passive infrared sensor for presence detection.

[0044] It is preferred if the presence detector is arranged to direct the emitted electromagnetic wave to a detection region above the path. This way, it can be ensured that the path is illuminated when the person is present on the path. It is then further preferred if the presence detector is arranged to direct the emitted electromagnetic wave to only the detection region, in order to further prevent the presence detection signals from indicating a presence of an animal or object not located on the path.

[0045] The detection region is thus preferably limited and may extend, as seen in the horizontal plane, between the handrail and a detection region boundary spaced from the handrail. The width of the detection region may be at least 1 metre and / or less than 3 or 2 metres. Lengthwise, as seen along the handrail, the detection region may be at least 1 metre and / or less than 6 or 3 metres. The height of the detection region, i.e. its vertical dimension, may be at least 1 metre and / or less than 3 metres.

[0046] The handrail lighting system may further comprise a power source connected to the at least one lighting fixture and arranged to power the light source of the at least one lighting fixture, wherein the handrail lighting system is arranged to control the power provided to the light source by the power source in dependence of the presence detection signal. Preferably, the power source is further arranged to power the presence detector. Preferably, the handrail lighting system comprises an array of the handrail lighting fixtures as described herein, wherein the lighting fixtures are attached along the handrail at intervals, preferably such that a substantially uniform illumination of the path is provided. In this case, it is preferred if the handrail lighting system is arranged to control the illumination intensity of each lighting fixture in the array simultaneously. The path may be illuminated by consecutive arrays of the lighting fixtures, wherein each array is controlled independently by at least one distinct presence detector. A presence detector associated with a first array of lighting fixtures may be installed between two lighting fixtures of the first array or at an end of the first array, for instance between the first array and an adjacent second array attached to the handrail consecutive to the first array.

[0047] According to yet another method of attaching a handrail lighting fixture to a handrail alongside of a path according to any of the above embodiments is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing the handrail and the handrail lighting fixture; bringing the mounting portion of the housing of the handrail lighting fixture into engagement with the handrail such that part of the handrail is received in the receiving area formed in the exterior of the mounting portion.

[0048] The method preferably further comprises the steps of providing a fastener and fastening the handrail lighting fixture to the handrail using the fastener.

[0049] Prior to the step of bringing the mounting portion into engagement with the handrail, the method preferably further comprises the steps of providing a power cable, inserting a connecting end of the power cable in the recessed receptacle as described above, and connecting said connecting end to the outer connector end arranged within the recessed receptacle. It is further preferred if the method then further comprises the steps of providing a cable tray and arranging an extremity of the cable tray in the recessed receptacle such that the cable tray supports the power cable.

[0050] The present invention is hereinafter further elucidated with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 depicts an isometric view of a handrail lighting fixture attached to a handrail; Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of only the handrail lighting fixture;

[0052] Figure 3 depicts a side view of the handrail lighting fixture attached to the handrail; Figure 4 depicts a front view of the handrail lighting fixture attached to the handrail; Figure 5 depicts a bottom view of the handrail lighting fixture attached to the handrail; Figure 6 depicts an isometric view of only the inner components of the lighting fixture.

[0053] Figure 1 shows a tubular handrail 1. The handrail 1 has a circular cross-section, as illustrated more clearly in Figure 4. A handrail lighting fixture 10 is attached to the handrail 1 for illuminating a path alongside of the handrail 1. The handrail lighting fixture 10 comprises a monolithic housing 100 attached to a lower side of the handrail 1. The width W of the housing 100 is approximately the width of the handrail 1 to enable an integral appearance of the handrail 1 and the handrail lighting fixture 10. To attach the lighting fixture 10 below and to the handrail 1, the handrail lighting fixture 10 comprises a mounting portion 101 that is shown in detail in Figure 2 and integrally formed in an upper side of the housing 100. The mounting portion 101 has an exterior in which a receiving groove 102 is formed that extends over part of the length of the housing 100 and defines a receiving area 103 and a concave engaging surface 104. As shown in cross-section in Figure 4, the radius of curvature R of the concave engaging surface 104 is 0.5 times the width W of the housing 100, which thus corresponds to the width of the handrail 1. In other words, the radius of curvature R preferably corresponds to the cross-sectional radius of the tubular handrail 1. The receiving area 103 and the engaging surface 104 are shaped in correspondence with the handrail 1 for form-fittingly accommodating the handrail 1 in the receiving groove 102. That is, when the exterior of the mounting portion 101 is brought into engagement with the handrail 1 to attach the lighting fixture 10 to the handrail 1, a lower segment of the tubular handrail 1 is received in the receiving groove 102 and form-fittingly engaged by the engaging surface 104.

[0054] The lighting fixture 10 can be fastened to the handrail 1 by means of a steel tie-wrap or any other suitable mounting strap 2 wound around the lighting fixture 10 and the handrail 1, as shown in Figure 1. The side 110 of the housing 100 is provided with a fastener groove 111 extending across the housing 100 for accommodating the tie- wrap 2. In the fastener groove 111, the tie- wrap 2 can be received. The lower side 120 of the housing 100 is provided with a notch 121 that is aligned with the fastener groove 111, as shown in Figure 3. The width Wj of the notch 121 exceeds the width W i of the fastener groove 111 for receiving a cutting end of a tie- wrap cutting tool in the notch 121 for cutting off part of the tie-wrap 2. The loose end of the tie-wrap can then be cut off at a location close to the lower side 120 of the housing 100 such that the resulting sharp end of the tie-wrap does not protrude beyond the groove 111, i.e., remains within the general contour of the lighting fixture 10.

[0055] As particularly shown in Figures 3-6, wherein the housing 100 is represented by dashed lines in Figures 3-5, a pair of LEDs 70 mounted on a printed circuit board 80 is provided in the housing 100. The handrail lighting fixture 10 further comprises an aluminium heatsink body 50 arranged to cool the LEDs 70 and the printed circuit board 80, which is attached onto the heatsink body 50. The housing 100 is provided with a respective pair of apertures 131, 141, wherein the LEDs 70 and the apertures 131, 141 are arranged such that the light beams emitted by the LEDs 70 are respectively directed through the apertures 131, 141 in partially downward directions for illuminating the path below and alongside of the handrail 1. Furthermore, the respective lighting directions each have a component that is parallel to the handrail 1, wherein the respective components are mutually opposite. Each aperture 131, 141 is provided with a lens 60 for creating a diverging light beam. By emitting a divergent light beam, the lighting fixture 10 can efficiently illuminate the path alongside of the handrail 1.

[0056] The apertures 131, 141 are orientated slightly away from the handrail 1 as seen in the horizontal plane. More specifically, each lens 60 has an optical axis A extending, as seen in the horizontal plane, at an acute angle a with the handrail 1. Shown in cross-section in Figure 4, the optical axis A extends at an acute angle 0 with the vertical plane in which the longitudinal axis of the handrail 1 is contained for downwardly directing the light beam to illuminate the path below and alongside of the handrail 1.

[0057] Referring in particular to Figure 2, the housing 100 is provided with two recessed receptacles 132, 142 with a U-shaped cross-section. The handrail lighting fixture 10 comprises respectively a male electrical connector 30 and a female electrical connector 40. Each electrical connector 30, 40 has an inner connector end 31, 41 inside the housing 100 and electrically connected to a respective LED 70 via the printed circuit board 80, and an outer connector end 32, 42 that is arranged within the respective recessed receptacle 132, 142 for connecting to a power cable to connect the respective LED 70 to a power source. The recessed receptacles 132, 142 are open towards the handrail 1 and in a direction parallel to the handrail 1 for receiving a connecting end of the power cable.

[0058] Mutually opposite outer connector ends 32, 42 of neighbouring handrail lighting fixtures 10 in an array attached to a handrail 1 can be interconnected by the power cable. As particularly shown in Figure 2, to support the power cable, a cable tray 20 in which the power cable can be accommodated is respectively supported at its extremities 21 arranged in and supported by the recessed receptacles 132, 142.

[0059] The handrail lighting fixture 10 is manufactured by insert moulding. Hereto, the heatsink body 50 is attached or clamped onto an inner frame 90 of the lighting fixture 10, specifically by arranging protrusions 91 of the frame 90 (indicated in Figure 5), particularly in a sliding manner, into corresponding grooves 54 formed in the heatsink body 50. In addition, the electrical connectors 30, 40 are coupled to the frame 90, and the printed circuit board 80 supporting LEDs 70 and lenses 60 is glued to the heatsink body 50. The assembly of the handrail lighting fixture components, including the connectors 30, 40, the heatsink body 50, the lenses 60, the LEDs 70, and the printed circuit board 80, all mounted on the frame 90, is inserted into in the cavity of a two-part mould (not shown) that is shaped for manufacturing the housing 100. Here, it is ensured that the lenses 60 and the connectable part of the electrical connectors 30, 40 are covered in the subsequent moulding step, in which a molten material, or a resin, is injected into the mould, such that the lenses 60 and the connectable part of the electrical connectors 30, 40 are shielded from the molten material. The molten material injected into the mould is injected onto the components to form the housing 100 enclosing the components. When the housing 100 is formed and solidified around the components, the handrail lighting fixture 10 is ejected from the mould and the lenses 60 and the connectors 30, 40 are uncovered. By covering the lenses 60 and the connectors 30, 40 during moulding as described herein, the housing 100 is provided with the apertures 131, 141 for the lenses 60 and the recessed receptacles 132, 142 for the connectors 30, 40 which are directly accessible and connectable after moulding.

[0060] The figures and the above description serve to illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and do not limit the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Handrail lighting fixture for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof, wherein the handrail lighting fixture comprises a housing, provided with at least one aperture, and at least one light source provided in the housing and arranged to emit a light beam, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture to illuminate said part of said path, wherein the handrail lighting fixture further comprises a mounting portion that is integrally formed with the housing and is arranged for attachment to the handrail, wherein the mounting portion has an exterior in which a receiving area is formed, wherein the exterior of the mounting portion is arranged for engaging and receiving part of the handrail in the receiving area.

2. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 1, wherein the receiving area has a cross- sectional shape that at least partially corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the handrail for form-fittingly engaging the handrail.

3. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 2, wherein the mounting portion has an engaging surface arranged for engaging the handrail, wherein the engaging surface is, seen in cross-section, concave.

4. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the exterior of the mounting portion is provided with a receiving groove extending lengthwise over a length of the housing, wherein the receiving groove defines the receiving area and is arranged for accommodating part of the handrail therein.

5. Handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion is formed in an upper side of the housing, wherein the handrail lighting fixture is arranged to direct the light beam through the aperture in at least a lighting direction having a downward component.

6. Handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an exterior of the housing is provided with a fastener groove extending across the housing for accommodating a tie-wrap or strap fastener for attaching the housing to the handrail.

7. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 6, wherein the exterior of the housing is further provided with a notch that is aligned with the fastener groove for accommodating part ofsaid tie-wrap, wherein a width of the notch exceeds a width of the fastener groove for receiving a cutting end of a tie- wrap cutting tool in the notch for cutting off part of said tiewrap accommodated in the fastener groove.

8. Handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is monolithic.

9. Handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one electrical connector, each electrical connector having an inner connector end, which extends inside the housing and is connected to the at least one light source, and an outer connector end that is arranged for connecting to a power cable from outside of the housing to connect the at least one light source to a power source for powering the at least one light source.

10. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 9, wherein the housing is provided with at least one recessed receptacle having an inlet for receiving a connecting end of a power cable in the recessed receptacle, wherein the outer connector end is arranged within the recessed receptacle for connecting to the connecting end of a power cable received in the recessed receptacle.

11. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 10, wherein a first section of the inlet is orientated parallel to the handrail such that the recess receptacle is open, seen from the outer connector end, in a direction parallel to the handrail.

12. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 11, wherein a second section of the inlet is orientated towards the handrail, wherein the inlet extends continuously from the first section to the second section.

13. Handrail lighting fixture according to claim 12, wherein the at least one recessed receptacle has a U-shaped cross-section for supporting, in the recessed receptacle, an extremity of a cable tray supporting a power cable to be received in the recessed receptacle.

14. Handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims 10 - 13, wherein the at least one recessed receptacle at least partially corresponds to the receiving area.

15. Handrail lighting system for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof, wherein the handrail lighting system comprises:- an array of handrail lighting fixtures according to at least claim 13, wherein the handrail lighting fixtures are arranged for attachment along the handrail at intervals;- at least one power cable interconnecting respective opposite outer connector ends of neighbouring first and second handrail lighting fixtures in the array;- a cable tray arranged to support the power cable, wherein the cable tray has a first extremity supported in the respective recessed receptacle within which the outer connector end of the first handrail lighting is arranged, and a second extremity supported in the respective recessed receptacle within which the outer connector end of the second handrail lighting is arranged.

16. Handrail lighting system for illuminating part of a path provided with a handrail alongside thereof, wherein the handrail lighting system comprises at least one handrail lighting fixture according to any of the preceding claims 1-14 and a presence detector for detecting a presence of a person on the path, wherein the presence detector is arranged to provide a presence detection signal indicative for the presence of a person on the path, wherein the handrail lighting system is arranged to control, based on the presence detection signal, an illumination intensity of the light source of the handrail lighting fixture at a first illumination intensity when the presence detection signal indicates the presence of a person on the path, and at a second illumination intensity when the presence detection signal does not indicate the presence of a person on the path, wherein the first intensity exceeds the second intensity.

17. Handrail lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the presence detector comprises a wave transmitter arranged to emit an electromagnetic wave for reflection by a person, a wave receiver arranged to receive the electromagnetic wave reflected by the person, and a processor connected to the wave receiver and arranged to provide the presence detection signal based on the received electromagnetic wave.

18. Handrail lighting system according to claim 17, wherein the presence detector is arranged to direct the emitted electromagnetic wave to only a detection region above the path.

19. Handrail lighting system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the electromagnetic wave is a microwave or a radio wave.

20. Handrail lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims 16 - 19, further comprising a power source connected to the at least one handrail lighting fixture and arranged to power the light source of the at least one lighting fixture, wherein the handrail lighting system is arranged to control the power provided to the light source by the power source in dependence of the presence detection signal.

21. Method of attaching a handrail lighting fixture to a handrail alongside of a path according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 14, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- providing the handrail and the handrail lighting fixture; - bringing the mounting portion of the housing of the handrail lighting fixture into engagement with the handrail such that part of the handrail is received in the receiving area formed in the exterior of the mounting portion.

22. Method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of providing a fastener and fastening the handrail lighting fixture to the handrail using the fastener.

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