US20080303012A1 - Isokinetic hand railing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A handrail article containing integral nodes continuously spaced along the axis of the rail at approximate hand spacing to reduce muscle torque strain and fatigue (Isokinetics) resulting from strength applied to overcome sliding of hand grip while sustaining balance during travel on stairways. To incorporate a non-metallic nodal rail component into a railing assembly, metal is embedded into the rail article for welding to posts of the balustrade assembly.

Description

• Hand railings have been in the public domain for decades or longer. Architectural and aesthetic/ornamental railing/balustrade assemblies have been adapted with little related concern for the gripping of folks with physically impaired strength. This invention is not the result of any federally sponsored research or development; no parties are named jointly; it is the sole invention of my applying the principles of Isokinetics engineering analysis to prevent accidents during travel on stairways of folks with impaired physical strength.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• This invention concerns embodiments to assist persons with traverse on and along surfaces that may be difficult to maintain balance by providing locations for hand placement that prevent slipping or falling. Wrought iron or other metal hand Railings are commonly found architecturally on stairways and at the extreme edges of balconies, on mobile surfaces such as boats, public transporters, and specifically emplaced for body locations such as ladders and queues.
• 2. Background Art
• Hand railings are emplaced to prevent movement of persons into hazardous conditions; hand railing configurations focus on construction strength and aesthetics. Hand railings are provided with various continuous profiles for leaning/holding/gripping to maintain human physical balance; said profiles do not vary in configuration along the axis. Physical gripping strains and fatigues muscle groups in the forearm (Brachia Radials, Pronator Teres, Pulmaris Longus, Flexor/Extensor Radialis, Flexor Digitorum Superficalis), the wrist (Flexor Retinaculum) and the hand (Flexor Digiti minimi, abductor/adductor Pollicis Brevis, Digitorum Tendons, lateral bands, inner tendinous bands). Said muscle groups are repeatedly strained and relaxed to apply fiber torsion force in a direction normal to the grip on the railing circumferentially, preventing the hand from slipping axially. Slipping (friction) forces must be overcome by tightening the physical grip using said muscle groups, resulting in repeated exertion of physical muscle strain and fatigue to maintain stabilization and support.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Hand railings with nodal configurations along the rail embodiment are provided for a gripping interface within the normal strength of the human hand, to minimize physical strength for maintaining human structure balance. A method for fastening non-metallic nodal hand railing to the baluster assembly includes a metal rod embedded in the hand interface component, the rail, for welding to the baluster assembly. The advantage of the continuous nodal placements along the railings is muscle strength is applied in the direction of the resistance force, not to overcome friction; far less muscle strain and fatigue are required to retain position on the hand rail. The advantage of the embedded metal rod is to strengthen the rail member, allowing smaller grip diameters to fit comfortably in the average persons' hand without bending or breaking a non-metallic rail component. The primary object of the invention provides stability during traverse for physically handicapped folks, with reduced gripping strength.
DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows the nodes along architectural hand railings, as would be mounted upon existing railing systems.
• FIG. 2 shows the non-metallic nodal rail, strengthened by a metal insert axially incorporated into a railing system. The non-metallic nodal rail insert is welded to a construct of wrought iron or other metal baluster assembly.
• FIG. 1 shows a hand rail with a plurality of node grip surfaces 1 located axially along the rail axis 2 at approximate open hand intervals.
• FIG. 2 shows a preferred balustrade system with a nodal rail as in FIG. 1 containing an insert 4 welded to posts 5; parallel stiffener(s) 3, 6 are welded to metal posts 5. The Isokinetic hand railing system is mounted upon an architectural stairway or balcony 7 by suitable bolts or lag screws at feet 8.

Claims (2)

1. A hand rail integrally containing a plurality of nodes located continually along the hand-gripping surface at approximate open hand span spacing.

2. Non-metallic nodal hand rails as per claim 1, strengthened with a metallic insert and affixed by welding to metal baluster assemblies.

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