Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail for the balustrade or railing of curved, circular and/or spiral stairways capable of being assembled on the site, comprising: a plurality of relatively short-length, generally similarly configured handrail sections each provided with a small-diameter bore extending axially therethrough, rotatable wedge means interposed between the sections of each pair thereof and having small through openings in registry with said bores, a flexible cable extending through the bores of end-to-end related sections and the through openings of said interposed wedge means, said wedge means having external configuration corresponding generally to that of the handrail sections and further incorporating readily accessible means enabling rotation thereof about the axis of the cable, thereby to vary the curvature and/or pitch of the handrail to that desired; and means for tensioning the cable in manner as to secure the plurality of handrail sections and interposed wedge means in the form of an elongate rigid handrail of a desired curvature and/or pitch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail for the balustrade or railing of curved, circular and/or spiral stairways capable of being assembled on the site, comprising: a plurality of relatively short-length, generally similarly configured handrail sections each provided with a small-diameter bore extending axially therethrough, rotatable wedge means interposed between the sections of each pair thereof and having small through openings in registry with said bores, a flexible cable extending through the bores of end-to-end related sections and the through openings of said interposed wedge means, said wedge means having external configuration corresponding generally to that of the handrail sections and further incorporating readily accessible means enabling rotation thereof about the axis of the cable, thereby to vary the curvature and/or pitch of the handrail to that desired; and means for tensioning the cable in manner as to secure the plurality of handrail sections and interposed wedge means in the form of an elongate rigid handrail of a desired curvature and/or pitch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 1, wherein said interposed wedge means comprises at least one washer-form wedge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 1, wherein said interposed wedge means each comprises plural washer-form wedges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 1, wherein said interposed wedge means comprises two washer-form wedges disposed in face engagement, and wherein the means provided in the peripheral edges of said washer-form wedges for individually rotating the same consists of notches enabling cooperation therewith of a spanner wrench.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 1, wherein said cable tensioning means comprises turnbuckle means associated with both ends of the cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 1, wherein said handrail is supported from stairway treads by balusters attached at their upper ends to selected ones of said handrail sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A variable curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 6, wherein said baluster-attaching means comprises metal brackets screw-threaded to the corresponding under surfaces of selected handrail sections, and eye-bolt means extending between said brackets and the upper end of each said baluster.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A variablE curvature and/or pitch handrail according to claim 6, wherein said attaching means comprises tenon and socket connections between the upper ends of the balusters and said selected ones of the handrail sections.