JP7776372B2 - Freestanding handrail - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a free-standing handrail, and in particular to a free-standing handrail equipped with a three-way universal joint that connects handrail bars extending in three different directions in an angle-free and easily detachable manner.

Temporary handrails have long been known as aids for elderly people with weak legs and hips, people requiring care assistance, and physically disabled people when walking indoors or outdoors. Examples of temporary handrails include a free-standing handrail, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-8113 (Patent Document 1), which includes a base plate, a support pole erected on the base plate, and a joint attached to the support pole, with a handrail bar connected to the joint; and a non-free-standing handrail, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-92034 (Patent Document 2), which includes a support pole installed to brace the floor and ceiling, and a joint attached to the support pole, with a handrail bar connected to the joint.

By the way, temporary handrails need to be placed evenly along indoor and outdoor routes of movement so that elderly people and others can move freely between indoors and outdoors. For this reason, for example, if one route of movement branches into two along the way, not only will it be necessary to place the first temporary handrail along one route of movement, but it will also be necessary to place a second temporary handrail along the other route of movement that branches off along the other route of movement.

However, in the case of the freestanding and non-freestanding handrails mentioned above, the reality is that no handrails suitable for branching one handrail bar into two bars midway along the path of daily life - in other words, handrails suitable for connecting handrail bars extending in three different directions - or handrail bar connecting joints suitable for use with such handrails - have yet to be developed.

As a result, when one daily activity route branches into two along the way, it is not possible to connect the second temporary handrail to the first one mentioned above, and the handrail bars become separated, resulting in the problem of not being able to adequately assist elderly people and others in walking.

Furthermore, in freestanding handrails made up of multiple bars, posts and base plates are generally provided at the ends and connecting points of each bar to support the ends and connecting points so that each handrail can stand independently. For this reason, particularly with freestanding handrails, if the bars separate as described above at a branching point in daily life routes, additional posts and base plates must be installed for each end of the separated bars, resulting in wasted parts supporting the bars.

On the other hand, although not intended for use in freestanding or other temporary handrails, a universal joint (hereinafter referred to as a "spherical interlocking joint") has been developed as a joint for use in brackets supporting handrails permanently attached to stairs, etc., as described in, for example, JP 2005-308011 A (Patent Document 3). This joint connects handrail bars extending in three different directions with free angle adjustment.

However, the universal joint described in Patent Document 3 connects multiple handrail bars at any angle by fitting a spherical convex fitting portion into a concave fitting portion with multiple open spherical surfaces on the joint body. This essentially means that the range of adjustment for the handrail bar's attachment angle relative to the joint body is extremely narrow, and it is not easy to attach or detach the handrail bar's connecting portion. For this reason, applying the spherical fitting joint described in Patent Document 3 to free-standing handrails, where the attachment angle and length of multiple handrail bars must be adjusted on-site, particularly indoors or outdoors, not only makes it difficult to freely position the free-standing handrail to match the route of daily life, which generally has many bends and undulations, but also makes it difficult to replace the handrail with a handrail bar of an appropriate length.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-8113 JP 2013-92034 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-308011

The present invention aims to provide a freestanding handrail that can branch into two handrail bars midway along the path of daily life.

After extensive research into joints for connecting freestanding handrails and handrail bars, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems could be solved if the freestanding handrail had a three-way universal joint that could connect to handrails extending in three different directions at any angle, leading to the completion of this invention.

In other words, the present invention provides a free-standing handrail characterized by comprising a base plate, a support pole erected on the base plate, and a three-way universal joint attached to the upper end of the support pole, which can connect to handrails extending in three different directions in a plan view and can support each handrail at any angle.

The freestanding handrail of this invention allows handrail bars extending in three different directions to be easily attached and detached, and can be connected at any angle. This means that even in cases where one activity path branches into two midway, i.e., where the activity path extends in three different directions, or even where the activity path has bends or undulations, handrail bars can be placed seamlessly along all of the activity paths.

Furthermore, by using the freestanding handrail of the present invention, there is no need to use multiple freestanding handrails at the branching point of the handrail bars; it is sufficient to support the three-way universal joint with one support post and one base plate, thereby reducing waste caused by the duplication of parts that support the handrail bars.

In the freestanding handrail of the present invention, the base plate is preferably approximately rectangular in plan view, and more preferably approximately square in plan view. In this specification, "approximately rectangular," "approximately square," and "approximately oblong" refer not only to rectangles, squares, and rectangles in the strict sense, with four right-angled corners and straight sides, but also to rectangles, squares, and rectangles with rounded corners, or with curved sides.

If the base plate of the support post supporting the handrail bars is roughly rectangular or square in shape, it will be able to evenly resist any moment acting on the support post by each handrail bar, tending to tilt the post, regardless of the horizontal direction in which the three handrail bars are connected, thereby improving the self-standing ability of the freestanding handrail of the present invention.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, in order to ensure that the force that counteracts the moment acting on the support pillar in all directions is generated more evenly in the radial direction, it is preferable to install the support pillar in the center of the base plate.

In order to achieve the same effect in the freestanding handrail of the present invention, the base plate may be circular in plan view, and the support post may be erected in the center of the base plate. However, a circular base plate requires punching or other processes compared to a roughly rectangular or roughly square base plate, which can be processed simply by cutting, which may result in the disadvantage of lower raw material yield.

In the freestanding handrail of the present invention, the three-way universal joint comprises a first connecting joint, a first holder part having a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting part at one end for connecting to the end of the handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the first connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction; a second connecting joint, a second holder part having a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting part at one end for connecting to the end of the handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the second connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction; The joint body preferably has a flat horizontal sliding surface for supporting the first and second connecting nodes coaxially so that they can rotate horizontally, a flat vertical sliding surface for supporting the third holder section so that it can rotate vertically, and a receiving section for attaching to the support section.

In this invention, a horizontal sliding surface is provided on the joint body, and a first connecting node extending in a first direction and a second connecting node extending in a second direction different from the first direction are journaled on the horizontal sliding surface. This allows the first connecting node and the second connecting node to rotate horizontally over a wide range of connecting angles, approximately 180°, relative to the joint body. Furthermore, by journaling the first holder section so that it can rotate vertically on the first connecting node and the second holder section so that it can rotate vertically on the second connecting node, the first and second holder sections can rotate vertically over a wide range of connecting angles, approximately 180°, relative to the joint body. Therefore, the handrail bar connected to the first and second holder sections can rotate three-dimensionally over a wide range of connecting angles, approximately 180°, both horizontally and vertically.

In this specification, "ability to rotate over a wide range of connection angles, approximately 180°" means that it is possible to rotate over a connection angle ranging from at least 90° to 180°.

In addition, with this invention, a vertical sliding surface is provided on the joint body, and a third holder part extending in a third direction different from the first and second directions described above is supported on this horizontal sliding surface. This allows the third holder part to rotate vertically relative to the joint body over a wide range of connection angles, approximately 180°. Furthermore, with this invention, each connecting section and holder part can be easily supported using standard bolts, making it easy to attach and detach each connecting section and holder part.

In the freestanding handrail of the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation axes of the first and second connecting joints of the three-way universal joint are arranged coaxially with the central axis of the receiving part of the joint body, in other words, with the central axis of the support pole after the receiving part is attached to the support pole.

According to the present invention, the first and second connecting nodes are supported coaxially on the horizontal sliding surface of the joint body, eliminating the need for separate supporting means for each connecting node, allowing the external shape of the joint body to be made compact. Furthermore, by arranging the rotation axes of the first and second connecting nodes coaxially with the central axis of the receiving portion of the joint body, the load transmitted to the first and second connecting nodes can be directly received by the support column and supported on the floor or ground, thereby improving the load-bearing capacity and stability of the free-standing handrail of the present invention, which uses a three-way universal joint.

In the freestanding handrail of the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation axis of the third holder part of the three-way universal joint is positioned above the horizontal sliding surface of the joint body and so as not to intersect with the rotation axes of the first and second connecting joints.

By arranging the rotation axis of the third holder section and the rotation axes of the first and second connecting sections as described above, the third holder section and the first and second connecting sections can freely rotate over a wide range of connecting angles without interfering with each other. Furthermore, the top surface of the third holder section and the top surface of the first or second connecting section stacked on the horizontal sliding surface can be positioned at approximately the same level (approximately horizontal), thereby suppressing the occurrence of steps at the connecting sections and improving the usability and safety of the free-standing handrail of the present invention, which uses a three-way universal joint.

The present invention provides a freestanding handrail that includes a base plate, a support pole that stands upright on the base plate, and a three-way universal joint that is attached to the upper end of the support pole and can connect to handrails that extend in three different directions in a plan view and can support each handrail at any angle.

For this reason, with the freestanding handrail of the present invention, handrail bars extending in three different directions can be easily attached and detached, and can be connected at any angle. This means that even in cases where one activity path branches into two midway, or where the activity path has bends or undulations, handrail bars can be placed seamlessly along all activity paths.

Furthermore, by using the freestanding handrail of the present invention, there is no need to use multiple freestanding handrails at the branching point of the handrail bars; it is sufficient to support the three-way universal joint with one support post and one base plate, thereby reducing waste caused by the duplication of parts that support the handrail bars.

According to the present invention, a three-way universal joint comprises a first connecting joint, a first holder part having at one end a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting part for connecting to the end of a handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the first connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction; a second connecting joint, a second holder part having at one end a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting part for connecting to the end of the handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the second connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction; and a second holder part having at one end a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting part for connecting to the end of the handrail bar. A free-standing handrail can be provided that includes a third holder section having a short-column-shaped mating section, and a joint body for connecting the first and second connecting sections and the third holder section in three different directions in a plan view. The joint body has a flat horizontal sliding surface for coaxially supporting the first and second connecting sections so that they can rotate horizontally, a flat vertical sliding surface for supporting the third holder section so that it can rotate vertically, and a receiving section for attaching to the support section.

As a result, the freestanding handrail of the present invention allows the handrail bar, which is connected directly or indirectly to the first and second connecting nodes of the three-way universal joint and the third holder section, to be rotatably connected over a wide range of mounting angles and easily attached and detached.

In addition, in this invention, a vertical sliding surface is provided on the joint body, and a third holder part extending in a third direction different from the first and second directions described above is supported on this horizontal sliding surface, so the third holder part can rotate vertically relative to the joint body over a wide range of connection angles, approximately 180°.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example layout of a freestanding handrail system using a three-way universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing a three-way universal joint used in the free-standing handrail system according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the three-way universal joint shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a joint body of the three-way universal joint shown in FIG. 2 . 3 is a perspective view showing a first connecting node of the three-way universal joint shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second connecting node of the three-way universal joint shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing first, second, and third holder portions of the three-way universal joint shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 8(a) is a plan view showing an example layout of a temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system using a conventional universal joint, and FIG. 8(b) is a plan view showing an example layout of a freestanding handrail system using a three-way universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A free-standing handrail using a three-way universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the examples shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example layout of a freestanding handrail system 10 using a three-way universal joint 1a according to one embodiment of the present invention. The symbols X, Y, and Z represent the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction, respectively. Therefore, in this specification, "horizontal" means something that is parallel to the X-Y plane, and "vertical" means something that is parallel to the Z-axis. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the freestanding handrail system 10 comprises a first freestanding handrail 11a according to one embodiment of the present invention, a second freestanding handrail 11b, a third freestanding handrail 11c, a fourth freestanding handrail 11d, a first handrail bar 14a spanning between the first and third freestanding handrails 11a and 11c, a second handrail bar 14b spanning between the first and fourth freestanding handrails 11a and 11d, and a third handrail bar 14c spanning between the first and second freestanding handrails 11a and 11b.

The first freestanding handrail 11a according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first base plate 12a, a first support post 13a erected on the first base plate 12a, and a three-way universal joint 1a (hereinafter referred to as the "first universal joint 1a") attached to the upper end of the first support post 13a.

The second freestanding handrail 11b comprises a second base plate 12b, a second support 13b erected on the second base plate 12b, and a second universal joint 1b attached to the upper end of the second support 13b. The third freestanding handrail 11c comprises a third base plate 12c, a third support 13c erected on the third base plate 12c, and a third universal joint 1c attached to the upper end of the third support 13c. In the freestanding handrail system 10, the second freestanding handrail 11b and the third freestanding handrail 11c have similar configurations, and therefore the second and third base plates 12b and 12c, the second and third support columns 13b and 13c, and the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c that constitute the second and third freestanding handrails 11b and 11c each have similar, compatible configurations.

The fourth freestanding handrail 11d comprises a fourth base plate 12d, and a fourth support post 13d and a fifth support post 13e erected on the fourth base plate 12d. A fourth universal joint 1d is attached to the upper end of the fourth support post 13d. Furthermore, in the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, a fourth handrail bar 14d is directly suspended between the fourth support post 13d and the fifth support post 13e, with one end connected via the fourth universal joint 1d and the other end connected to the upper end of the fifth support post 13e via a connection adapter 7. Therefore, the fourth handrail bar 14d has an L-shape with a 90-degree bend in the middle, allowing the end of the fourth handrail bar 14d to be directly attached to the upper end of the fifth support post 13e.

In the freestanding handrail system 10, the first through fifth posts 13a through 13e are all similar in shape to ensure compatibility, and are each extendable. However, the first through fifth posts 13a through 13e do not necessarily have to be the same in shape, nor do they necessarily have to be extendable.

Furthermore, in the freestanding handrail system 10, the first through third handrail bars 14a through 14c each have the same shape and are each extendable. However, the first through third handrail bars 14a through 14c do not necessarily have to have the same shape, nor do they necessarily have to be extendable.

The following describes the first to fourth freestanding handrails 11a to 11d and the first to third handrail bars 14a to 14c that make up the freestanding handrail system 10 described above.

<First freestanding handrail>
As described above, the first freestanding handrail 11a according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first base plate 12a, a first support 13a erected on the first base plate 12a, and a first universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) attached to the upper end of the first support 13a. The universal joint, base plate, and support that make up the first freestanding handrail 11a will be described below.

[Universal joint (first universal joint)]
(1) Overview of the Universal Joint Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the first universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) connected to the first to third handrail bars 14a to 14c in the free-standing handrail system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1. Also, Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the first universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first universal joint 1a of this embodiment includes a first connecting section 2a, a second connecting section 2b, a third holder section 3c, and a joint body 4 for connecting the first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b, and the third holder section 3c in three different directions in a plan view. Furthermore, in the first universal joint 1a, the first connecting section 2a may be connected to the first holder section 3a, and the second connecting section 2b may be connected to the second holder section 3b.

In this case, the first connecting section 2a is connected to the joint body 4 so that it can rotate horizontally, the first holder section 3a is connected to the first connecting section 2a so that it can rotate vertically, and the first handrail bar 14a is attached to the first holder section 3a. Therefore, the attachment angle of the first handrail bar 14a can be adjusted three-dimensionally, both horizontally and vertically, relative to the joint body 4.

The second connecting section 2b is connected to the joint body 4 so that it can rotate horizontally, the second holder section 3b is connected to the second connecting section 2b so that it can rotate vertically, and the second handrail bar 14b is attached to the second holder section 3b. Therefore, like the first handrail bar 14a, the attachment angle of the second handrail bar 14b can be adjusted three-dimensionally, both horizontally and vertically, relative to the joint body 4.

The third holder portion 3c is connected to the joint body 4 so that it can rotate vertically, and a third handrail bar 14c is attached to the third holder portion 3c. This allows the attachment angle of the third handrail bar 14c to be adjusted vertically relative to the joint body 4. Although not shown, instead of the third holder portion 3c, a third connecting node that can rotate vertically can be connected to the joint body 4, and the third holder portion 3c can be connected to the third connecting node so that it can rotate horizontally, and the third handrail bar 14c can then be attached to the third holder portion 3c. In this case, the attachment angle of the third handrail bar 14c can be adjusted three-dimensionally, both horizontally and vertically, relative to the joint body 4.

(2) Joint Body Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the joint body 4 of the universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the joint body 4 has a receiving portion 42 that is inserted internally or externally into the opening at the upper end of the first support column 13a and attached to the first support column 13a with a bolt 50 (see Figure 3), and a generally L-shaped direction change portion 43 that extends upward from the side of the receiving portion 42 and is bent horizontally at the top.

A flat horizontal sliding surface 40 is formed on the top of the receiving portion 42, and a vertical hole 44 is formed near the center of the horizontal sliding surface 40 for inserting a bolt 51 (see Figure 3) to rotatably support the first connecting section 2a and the second connecting section 2b. A flat vertical sliding surface 41 is formed on the side of the direction changer 43, and a horizontal hole 45 is formed near the center of the vertical sliding surface 41 for inserting a bolt 52 (including a nut, see Figure 3) to rotatably support the third holder portion 3c.

(3) First Connecting Joint Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the first connecting joint 2a of the universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the first connecting joint 2a extends horizontally for a short distance, with a flat horizontal sliding surface 20a formed at one end and a flat vertical sliding surface 21a formed at the other end. Furthermore, instead of the vertical sliding surface 21a, the first connecting joint 2a may be provided with a cylindrical socket (not shown) at the other end for connecting a handrail bar.

A vertical hole 22a is formed near the center of the horizontal sliding surface 20a of the first connecting section 2a, through which a bolt 51 (see Figure 3) is inserted to rotatably connect the first connecting section 2a to the second connecting section 2b and the joint body 4. A horizontal hole 23a is formed near the center of the vertical sliding surface 21a, through which a bolt 53 (including a nut, see Figure 3) is inserted to rotatably support the first holder section 3a.

(4) Second Connection Joint Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the second connection joint 2b of the universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 6, the second connection joint 2b extends horizontally for a short distance, with a flat horizontal sliding surface _20b1 formed at the top of one end, a flat horizontal sliding surface _20b2 formed at the bottom of the same end, and a flat vertical sliding surface 21b formed at the other end. Instead of the vertical sliding surface 21a, the second connection joint 2b may be provided with a cylindrical socket (not shown) at the other end for connecting a handrail bar.

In addition, vertical holes 22b are formed near the centers of the upper horizontal sliding surface 20b _-1 and the lower horizontal sliding surface 20b- ₂ of the second connecting section 2b, for inserting bolts 51 (see Figure 3) therethrough to rotatably connect the second connecting section 2b to the first connecting section 2a and the joint body 4, and horizontal holes 23b are formed near the center of the vertical sliding surface 21b, for inserting bolts 54 (including nuts, see Figure 3) therethrough to rotatably support the second holder part 3b.

(5) Holder Section Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first, second, and third holder sections 3a, 3b, and 3c of the universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) shown in Figure 2. The difference between the first holder section 3a and the second and third holder sections 3b and 3c is that the second and third holder sections 3b and 3c are equipped with adapters 34 for adapting to the shapes and outer diameters of the second and third handrail bars 14b and 14c to be connected, whereas the first holder section 3a does not have such adapters 34; otherwise, the configuration is the same (see Figure 3).

As shown in Figure 7, the first to third holder sections 3a to 3c extend horizontally in short lengths, with one end formed with a cylindrical socket 30 for connecting the first handrail bar 14a and the adapter 34 (described below), and the other end formed with a flat vertical sliding surface 31. In this embodiment, the mating sections of the first to third holder sections 3a to 3c for connecting the first handrail bar 14a and the adapter 34 are cylindrical socket-shaped, but they may also be cylindrical insert rod-shaped if the connection object is cylindrical, for example.

In addition, the sockets 30 of the first to third holder sections 3a to 3c are formed with vertical holes 32 (see Figure 3) into which the end of the first handrail bar 14a or the end of the adapter 34 is inserted or inserted, and which are then secured with bolts 55 (see Figure 3). Near the center of the vertical sliding surface 31, horizontal holes 33 are formed for inserting bolts 52, 53, 54 (including nuts, see Figure 3) through which the first, second, and third holder sections 3a, 3b, and 3c are rotatably connected to the first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b, and the joint body 4, respectively.

(6) Adapter As described above, in this embodiment, the second and third holder parts 3b and 3c are equipped with adapters 34 (see FIG. 3). The adapters 34 are used to adjust the shape and inner diameter of the sockets 30 of the second and third holder parts 3b and 3c. Therefore, if the shape and inner diameter of the original sockets 30 match the shape and outer diameter of the handrail bar, there is no need to use the adapters 34.

As shown in Figure 7, the adapter 34 has a cylindrical shape. One end of the adapter has an insertion portion 35 for insertion into the socket 30 of the second and third holder portions 3b and 3c, and the other end has a socket 36 into which the ends of the second and third handrail bars 14b and 14c are inserted or inserted and into which the second and third handrail bars 14b and 14c are secured with bolts 55 (see Figure 3). The adapter 34 and the second and third holder portions 3b and 3c may be connected with bolts 55 (see Figure 3) or with adhesive. Furthermore, the mating portion of the adapter 34 for connecting to the second and third handrail bars 14b and 14c is a cylindrical socket, but if the object to be connected is cylindrical, it may also be shaped like a short, cylindrical rod.

(7) Connection Mode of Each Component In this embodiment, the horizontal sliding surface 20a of the first connecting section 2a and the upper and lower horizontal sliding surfaces _20b1 , _20b2 of the second connecting section 2b are connected to the horizontal sliding surface 40 of the joint body 4 by bolts 51 so as to be rotatable on the same axis. Furthermore, in the joint body 4, the direction change section 43 supporting the third holder section 3c is disposed at a position offset from the central axis 420 of the horizontal sliding surface 40 of the receiving section 42. Therefore, the first connecting section 2a and the second connecting section 2b can rotate horizontally relative to the joint body 4 over a wide range of connection angles, approximately 180°, without interfering with the direction change section 43.

As described above, the rotation axes 200ab of the first and second connecting joints 2a and 2b are arranged coaxially with the central axis 420 of the receiving portion 42 of the joint body 4, in other words, with the central axis 130 of the first support 13a after the receiving portion 42 is attached to the first support 13a (see Figure 3). This eliminates the need to provide separate support means for each connecting joint 2a, 2b, allowing the external shape of the joint body 4 to be compact. Furthermore, since the load transmitted to the first and second connecting joints 2a and 2b can be directly borne by the first support 13a and supported by the floor or ground, the load-bearing capacity and stability of the freestanding handrail 11a using the first universal joint 1a can be improved.

The vertical sliding surface 31 of the first holder part 3a may be rotatably connected to the vertical sliding surface 21a of the first connecting section 2a by a bolt 53, and the vertical sliding surface 31 of the second holder part 3b may be rotatably connected to the vertical sliding surface 21b of the second connecting section 2b by a bolt 54. In this case, the first holder part 3a can rotate vertically relative to the first connecting section 2a over a wide range of approximately 180°, and can rotate three-dimensionally relative to the joint body 4 over a wide range of approximately 180° in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The second holder part 3b can rotate vertically relative to the second connecting section 2b over a wide range of approximately 180°, and can rotate three-dimensionally relative to the joint body 4 over a wide range of approximately 180° in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

In this embodiment, the vertical sliding surface 21c of the third holder part 3c is rotatably connected to the vertical sliding surface 41 of the joint body 4 by a bolt 54. This allows the third holder part 3c to rotate vertically relative to the joint body 4 over a wide range of connecting angles, up to approximately 180°. Alternatively, instead of the third holder part 3c, the horizontal sliding surface of a connecting section (not shown), such as the first connecting section 2a, may be rotated 90° and rotatably connected to the vertical sliding surface 21 of the joint body 4. Furthermore, the vertical sliding surface 31 of the third holder part 3c may be rotated 90° and rotatably connected to the vertical sliding surface of the above-mentioned connecting section rotated horizontally, thereby allowing the third holder part 3c to rotate three-dimensionally relative to the joint body 4 over a wide range of connecting angles, up to approximately 180°, both horizontally and vertically.

In addition, in this embodiment, the rotation axis 330 of the third holder portion 3c is positioned above the horizontal sliding surface 20a of the joint body 4 and does not intersect with the rotation axis 200ab of the first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b. This allows the third holder portion 3c to rotate over a wide range of connecting angles without interfering with the first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b. Furthermore, the upper surface of the third holder portion 3c and the upper surface of the first connecting section 2a stacked on the horizontal sliding surface 40 of the joint body 4 can be positioned at approximately the same level (approximately horizontal), thereby preventing steps from occurring at the connecting portion and improving the usability and safety of the freestanding handrail 11a using the first universal joint 1a.

In this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the materials used for the joint body 4, first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b, first to third holder sections 3a-3c, and adapter 34 that make up the first universal joint 1a. However, they are preferably made of a metal material such as aluminum, a hard resin material such as polyvinyl chloride, or a composite material that combines these. Furthermore, in this embodiment, standard bolts (including some nuts) can be used for the bolts (including some nuts) 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 that connect the joint body 4, first and second connecting sections 2a, 2b, first to third holder sections 3a-3c, and adapter 34, making it extremely easy to attach and detach each of the above components.

[Base plate (first base plate)]
1, the first base plate 12a used in the first freestanding handrail 11a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, more specifically, a substantially square shape in a plan view. The first base plate 12a is also provided with a mounting portion 120 having a plurality of holes (not shown) for mounting the first support posts 13a (described later). While the number of mounting portions 120 may be one, multiple mounting portions 120 may be provided so that the mounting position of the first support post 13a can be changed.

In this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the material used for the first base plate 12a, but it is preferable that it be made of a metal material such as iron or stainless steel, taking into consideration the stability provided by its weight, ease of molding and processing, durability, etc.

In particular, if the first base plate 12a of the first freestanding handrail 11a is roughly square in shape, regardless of the horizontal direction in which the three handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c are connected, it will be possible to evenly resist any moment acting on the first support post 13a by each of the handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c that tends to tilt the first support post 13a, thereby improving the independence of the first freestanding handrail 11a.

For this reason, as described above, in order to ensure that the force acting against the moment acting on the first support column 13a in all directions is generated more uniformly in the radial direction, it is preferable to erect the first support column 13a at the center of the first base plate 12a. In this embodiment, the center of the first base plate 12a refers to the intersection of two diagonals drawn on the approximately rectangular or square first base plate 12a.

Furthermore, to achieve the same effect, the first base plate 12a may be formed in a circular shape (not shown) in a plan view, and the first support column 13a may be erected in the center of the base plate. However, if the first base plate 12a is formed in a circular shape, punching or other processes will be required, compared to a roughly rectangular or roughly square base plate that can be processed by cutting alone, which may result in the disadvantage of lower raw material yield.

[Support (first support)]
3, the first support column 13a has an outer cylinder 131 and an inner cylinder 132 that is slidably inserted into the outer cylinder 131. In addition, a leg portion 133 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the lower end of the outer cylinder 131 for aligning and fixing the outer cylinder 131 to the mounting portion 120 of the first base plate 12a.

The first support column 13a can be erected on the first base plate 12a by fixing the leg portion 133 to the mounting portion 120 using fixing means such as bolts (not shown). Although not shown, if the first base plate 12a has multiple mounting portions 120, the mounting position of the first support column 13a can be changed by selecting the mounting portion 120 on which the first support column 13a is erected. Furthermore, the overall length (height) of the first support column 13a can be freely adjusted by adjusting the sliding length of the outer tube 131 and inner tube 132 and fixing the outer tube 131 and inner tube 132 so that they cannot slide using locking means such as screws (not shown).

In this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the materials used for the outer tube 131 and inner tube 132 of the first support 13a, but it is preferable that they be made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel, taking into consideration high strength, ease of molding and processing, durability, etc.

<Second and third freestanding handrails>
The second freestanding handrail 11b includes a second base plate 12b, a second support 13b erected on the second base plate 12b, and a second universal joint 1b attached to the upper end of the second support 13b. The third freestanding handrail 11c includes a third base plate 12c, a third support 13c erected on the third base plate 12c, and a third universal joint 1c attached to the upper end of the third support 13c, and has a configuration similar to that of the second freestanding handrail 11b. The universal joint, base plate, and support that make up the second and third freestanding handrails 11b and 11c will be described below.

[Universal joints (second and third universal joints)]
1, the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c are each composed of a joint body for connection in two different directions in a plan view, a connecting joint connected to the joint body so as to be rotatable horizontally, a holder connected to the connecting joint so as to be rotatable vertically, and a handle 6 curved sideways into a U-shape and connected to the joint body so as to be rotatable horizontally. In the third universal joint 1c, the holder is equipped with an adapter for adjusting the shape and inner diameter of its socket.

The second and third universal joints 1b and 1c differ from the first universal joint 1a described above in that the joint body 4 of the first universal joint 1a has a generally L-shaped direction change portion 43 that is bent horizontally, whereas the joint bodies of the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c do not have such a direction change portion.

Another difference is that instead of the second connecting section 2b used in the first universal joint 1a, the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c have a short section extending horizontally, with a flat horizontal sliding surface formed on the upper part of one end and a flat horizontal sliding surface formed on the lower part of the same end. Furthermore, the other end has a handle section 6 formed with a handle body curved sideways into a U-shape, which is rotatably connected to the horizontal sliding surface of the joint body of the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c by bolts.

Other than the configuration described above, the second and third universal joints 1b and 1c basically have the same configuration as the first universal joint 1a, so detailed explanations of them will be omitted here.

[Base Plate (Second and Third Base Plates)]
1, the second and third base plates 12b and 12c used in the second and third freestanding handrails 11b and 11c are formed to have a generally rectangular shape in plan view, more specifically, a generally rectangular shape in plan view. The second and third base plates 12b and 12c are provided with a row of three mounting portions 120 each having a plurality of holes (not shown) for mounting the second and third support posts 13b and 13c, respectively.

In particular, with the second freestanding handrail 11b, the connected third handrail bar 14c functions as a fall prevention member, making it less likely to tip in the direction along the third handrail bar 14c, and with the third freestanding handrail 11c, the connected first handrail bar 14a functions as a fall prevention member, making it less likely to tip in the direction along the first handrail bar 14a. For this reason, with the second freestanding handrail 11b, the second base plate 12b can be shaped so that its short side is aligned with the third handrail bar 14c and its long side is perpendicular to the third handrail bar 14c, and with the third freestanding handrail 11c, the third base plate 12b can be shaped so that its short side is aligned with the first handrail bar 14a and its long side is perpendicular to the first handrail bar 14a.

Other than the configuration described above, the second and third base plates 12b and 12c basically have the same configuration as the first base plate 12a, so detailed description of them will be omitted here.

[Supports (first and second supports)]
In the second and third freestanding handrails 11b, 11c, the first and second support posts 13b, 13c have the same configuration as the first support post 13a, so detailed explanations thereof will be omitted here.

<Fourth freestanding handrail>
The fourth freestanding handrail 11d includes a fourth base plate 12d, a fourth support post 13d, and a fifth support post 13e erected on the fourth base plate 12d. A fourth universal joint 1d is attached to the upper end of the fourth support post 13d. In addition, in the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, a fourth handrail bar 14d is directly suspended between the fourth support post 13d and the fifth support post 13e, with one end connected via the fourth universal joint 1d and the other end connected to the upper end of the fifth support post 13e via a connection adapter 7. The universal joint, base plate, support posts, and handrail bar that make up the fourth freestanding handrail 11d are described below.

[Universal joint (fourth universal joint)]
As shown in Figure 1, the fourth universal joint 1d is composed of a joint body for connection in two different directions in a plan view, a connecting joint connected to the joint body so as to be rotatable horizontally, and a holder part connected to the connecting joint so as to be rotatable vertically.

The joint body of the fourth universal joint 1d, although not shown, has a receiving portion that is inserted or inserted into the opening at the upper end of the fourth support post 13d and attached to the fourth support post 13d with a bolt, a flat horizontal sliding surface formed on the top of the receiving portion, and a tubular socket extending laterally from the end of the horizontal sliding surface for connecting the fourth handrail bar 14d.

The fourth universal joint 1d has essentially the same shape and configuration as the first universal joint 1a, except that its joint body has the shape and configuration described above, so detailed description of these aspects will be omitted here.

[Base plate (fourth base plate)]
1, the fourth base plate 12d used in the fourth freestanding handrail 11d is formed in a generally rectangular shape in plan view, more specifically, a generally rectangular shape in plan view. The fourth base plate 12d also has three mounting portions arranged in two rows, each having a plurality of holes (not shown) for mounting the fourth and fifth supports 13d and 13e.

In particular, with the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, the connected second handrail bar 14b functions as a fall prevention member, making it less likely to tip in the direction along the second handrail bar 14b. For this reason, with the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, the shape of the fourth base plate 12d can be such that the short side is in the direction along the second handrail bar 14b and the long side is in the direction perpendicular to the second handrail bar 14b.

Other than the configuration described above, the fourth base plate 12d basically has the same configuration as the first to third base plates 12a to 12c, so detailed description of these will be omitted here.

[Supports (4th and 5th supports)]
In the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, the fourth and fifth supports 13d, 13e have the same configuration as the first to third supports 13a, 13b, 13c, and so detailed descriptions of them will be omitted here. However, in order to attach the fourth handrail bar 14d (described later), the fifth support 13e is equipped with a connection adapter 7, one end of which is inserted into the upper end of the fifth support 13e and the other end of which is inserted outside the end of the fourth handrail bar 14d (see Figure 1).

[Handrail bar (fourth handrail bar)]
In the fourth freestanding handrail 11d, the fourth handrail bar 14d is formed from a hollow pipe made of a metal material such as aluminum, a hard resin material such as polyvinyl chloride, or a composite material that combines these, and has an L-shaped shape bent 90 degrees in the middle so that one end of the fourth handrail bar 14d can be connected horizontally to a universal joint 1d attached to the fourth support 13d, and the other end can be connected vertically to the upper end of the fifth support 13e via a connection adapter 7.

<Handrail bars (1st to 3rd handrail bars)>
In the freestanding handrail system 10, the first, second, and third handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c all have the same shape and configuration. Although not shown, each of the first through third handrail bars 14a through 14c has an outer tube and an inner tube that is slidably inserted into the outer tube. The overall length (height) of the first through third handrail bars 14a through 14c can be freely adjusted by adjusting the sliding length between the outer tube and the inner tube and fixing the outer tube and inner tube together non-slidably using locking means such as screws.

In the freestanding handrail system 10, the first handrail bar 14a is connected to the first and third freestanding handrails 11a and 11c so as to be rotatable in three dimensions via the first holder portion 3a of the first universal joint 1a and the holder portion of the third universal joint 1c. The second handrail bar 14b is connected to the first and fourth freestanding handrails 11a and 11d so as to be rotatable in three dimensions via the second holder portion 3b of the first universal joint 1a and the holder portion of the fourth universal joint 1d. The third handrail bar 14b is connected to the first freestanding handrail 11a so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction via the third holder portion 3c of the first universal joint 1a, and is connected to the second freestanding handrail 11b so as to be rotatable in three dimensions via the holder portion of the second universal joint 1b.

In addition, the second holder portion 3b and third holder portion 3c of the first universal joint 1a and the holder portion of the third universal joint 1c are connected to inner tubes with smaller outer diameters than the outer tubes of the first to third handrail bars 14a to 14c mentioned above, so an adapter 34 for reducing the inner diameter is attached to the socket of each holder portion (see Figure 1).

In this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the materials used for the first to third handrail bars 14a to 14c. However, taking into consideration their high strength, ease of molding and processing, and durability, it is preferable that they be made from hollow pipes made of a metal material such as aluminum, a hard resin material such as polyvinyl chloride, or a composite material that combines these.

<Freestanding handrail system>
Figure 8(a) shows a plan view illustrating an example layout of a temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system 15 using a conventional universal joint, and Figure 8(b) shows a plan view illustrating an example layout of a freestanding handrail system 10 including a first freestanding handrail 11a using a three-way universal joint 1a according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Conventional temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system]
In the conventional temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system 15, there were no universal joints suitable for connecting handrail bars extending in three different directions, nor were there any temporary handrails equipped with such universal joints. For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), if one activity line o branches off to form a second activity line p, first, second, and third temporary handrails 16a, 16b, and 16c must be installed along the first activity line o and connected to the first and second handrail bars 17a and 17b, respectively, and fourth and fifth temporary handrails 16d and 16e must be installed along the second branched activity line p and connected to the fourth and fifth temporary handrails 16d and 16e with the third handrail bar 17c.

For this reason, with the conventional temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system 15, it was not possible to install a continuous handrail bar between the first temporary handrail 16a and the fourth temporary handrail 16d along the second branched activity line p, which resulted in the first temporary handrail 16a and the fourth temporary handrail 16d being separated, resulting in the problem of not being able to adequately assist the walking of the user of the temporary handrail system 15. Furthermore, at the branching point of the first activity line o, in order to install the third handrail bar 17c along the second activity line p, there was the problem that the fourth temporary handrail 16d had to be installed independently of the first temporary handrail 16a.

[Freestanding handrail system of this embodiment]
The freestanding handrail system 10 of this embodiment uses a freestanding handrail 11a equipped with a first universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) according to one embodiment of the present invention, which can connect handrail bars extending in three different directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, if one activity line o branches off to form a second activity line p, first, third, and fourth freestanding handrails 11a, 11c, and 11d are installed along the first activity line o, and the freestanding handrails 11a, 11c, and 11d are connected with first and second handrail bars 14a and 14b. Then, for the second branched activity line p, only the second freestanding handrail 11b is installed along the second branched activity line p, allowing the third handrail bar 14c to be seamlessly connected from the first freestanding handrail 11a to the second freestanding handrail 11b.

In other words, by using a freestanding handrail 11a equipped with a first universal joint 1a (three-way universal joint 1a) according to one embodiment of the present invention, handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c can be placed seamlessly along all of the activity lines o and p, even in cases where the activity lines extend in three different directions from a branching point.

Furthermore, in the freestanding handrail system 10 of this embodiment, the first universal joint 1a can rotatably connect the first, second, and third handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c connected to the first, second, and third holder portions 3a, 3b, and 3c over a wide range of mounting angles. Therefore, even if there are large steps, undulations, bends, etc., like stairs, between the first freestanding handrail 11a and the second, third, and fourth freestanding handrails 11b, 11c, and 11d, the first, second, and third handrail bars 14a, 14b, and 14c can be connected and positioned seamlessly, unlike conventional spherical fitting joints.

Furthermore, by using the first freestanding handrail 11a of this embodiment, the third handrail bar 14c can be connected to the first freestanding handrail 11a at the branching point of the handrail bars without using another temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) 16d (see Figure 8(a)), thereby reducing waste caused by the use of extra parts, etc. to support the third handrail bar 14c.

1a: First universal joint (three-way universal joint)
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 1b, 1c, 1d...Second, third, fourth universal joints 2a, 2b...First, second connecting joints 20a...Horizontal sliding surface _20b1 , _20b2 ...Horizontal sliding surface 200ab...Rotation axis of first, second connecting joints 21a, 21b...Vertical sliding surface 22a, 22b...Vertical holes 23a, 23b...Horizontal holes 3a, 3b, 3c...First, second, third holder parts 30...Socket 31...Vertical sliding surface 32...Vertical hole 33...Horizontal hole 330...Rotation axis of holder part 34...Adapter 35...Insertion part 36...Socket 4...Joint body 40...Horizontal sliding surface 41...Vertical sliding surface 42...Receiving part 420...Central axis of receiving part 43...Direction change part 44: Vertical hole 45: Horizontal hole 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55: Bolts 6: Handle portion 7: Connection adapter 10: Freestanding handrail system 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d: First, second, third, fourth freestanding handrails 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d: First, second, third, fourth base plates 120: Mounting portion 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e: First, second, third, fourth, fifth support pillars 130: Central axis of first support pillar 131: Outer tube 132: Inner tube 133: Legs 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d: First, second, third, fourth handrail bars 15: Conventional temporary handrail (freestanding handrail) system 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e... 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th temporary handrails 17a, 17b, 17c... 1st, 2nd, 3rd handrail bars X... Left and right direction Y... Front and back direction Z... Up and down direction o... First daily activity line p... Second daily activity line

Claims (6)

A base plate and
A freestanding handrail includes a support pole portion erected on the base plate, and a three-way universal joint attached to the upper end of the support pole portion, which can connect to handrails extending in three different directions in a plan view and can support each handrail at any angle. The three-way universal joint is
a first connecting node;
A first holder portion having a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting portion at one end for connecting to the end of the handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the first connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction;
a second connecting clause; and
A second holder portion having a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting portion at one end for connecting to the end of the handrail bar, and the other end of which is supported by the second connecting joint so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction;
a third holder portion having a short cylindrical or short columnar fitting portion at one end for connecting to the end of the handrail bar;
a joint body for connecting the first and second connecting nodes and the third holder portion in three different directions in a plan view, and the joint body includes:
a flat horizontal sliding surface for supporting the first connecting joint and the second connecting joint coaxially so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction;
a flat vertical sliding surface for supporting the third holder portion so as to be rotatable in a vertical direction;
A freestanding handrail characterized by having a receiving portion for attachment to a support portion . A freestanding handrail as described in claim 1, characterized in that the base plate is approximately rectangular in plan view. A freestanding handrail as described in claim 2, characterized in that the base plate is approximately square in plan view. A freestanding handrail as described in claim 3, characterized in that the support portion is erected at the center of the base plate. The freestanding handrail according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation axes of the first and second connecting joints are arranged coaxially with the central axis of the receiving portion. A free-standing handrail as described in claim 5, characterized in that the rotation axis of the third holder part is positioned above the horizontal sliding surface and so as not to intersect with the rotation axes of the first and second connecting joints.