Wall attachment assembly for handrail and handrail assembly comprising the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handrail attachment systems face challenges in securely attaching handrails to walls with limited space, particularly when the distance between wall studs varies, and often require visible flanges that detract from aesthetics and do not allow for precise alignment with studs.
Innovation Solution
A wall attachment assembly featuring a saucer-shaped body with a central fastener opening and off-centered fastener openings arranged in a specific pattern, allowing for secure attachment to wall studs without the need for a visible flange, and enabling adjustable positioning to align with studs for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flange is used to secure the end of the handrail to the wall, then the handrail can be attached to the wall, but the flange may detract from the appearance of the wall and/or of the handrail
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is extracted from the handrail itself and placed in a separate wall-mounted device. The device includes a mounting plate with fastener openings that attaches to the wall, while the handrail connects to this plate through a connection piece, eliminating the need for a visible flange on the handrail end.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection piece acts as an intermediary between the handrail and the wall attachment device. This connection piece includes a connection collar that receives the handrail end and a connection element that engages with the mounting plate, providing a hidden attachment mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the flange is integral with the grab bar, then the grab bar structure is simplified, but the length of the grab bar is predetermined and fixed, which means that it may not be possible to precisely align the flange with the corresponding studs
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a wall-mounted device with a mounting plate, a connection piece with collar and engagement element, and the handrail. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to be positioned independently on the wall to align with studs, while the connection piece provides flexible connection to the handrail.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection piece includes a connection collar that can rotate or adjust position to accommodate variations in handrail positioning and stud locations. The engagement element can be adjusted along the mounting plate to align with different stud positions, providing dynamic adaptability.
3Area of stationary object
If the space on the wall around the end of the handrail is limited, then wall mounting options are constrained, but a flange cannot be used to secure the end of the handrail to the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The connection piece is nested within the mounting plate structure. The connection collar fits within the mounting plate, and the engagement element is received by the mounting plate, creating a compact assembly that minimizes wall space requirements while maintaining attachment capability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A wall attachment device for securing a handrail to a supporting wall, the handrail having a first end and a second end, at least one of the first and second ends being hollow and including an inner connecting member extending radially inwardly within the corresponding end, the device comprising: a body sized and shaped to be received in the corresponding end, the body including a planar rear face adapted to be positioned against the supporting wall, a front face opposite the rear face and a lateral face, the body further having at least one fastener opening to receive a fastener for securing the body to the supporting wall; and an outer connecting member extending radially outwardly from the lateral face for securely engaging the inner connecting member of the handrail to thereby attach the corresponding one of the first and second ends of the handrail to the supporting wall.