LIGHTED STAIR RAIL

• US 3,740,541 A
• Filed: 12/23/1971
• Issued: 06/19/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James C. Conradt
• Original Assignee: James C. Conradt
• Inventors: Conradt, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US05/211,207
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 240/2R,2B,1R,10.6,9,10.63,84,25,3,2W 52/28
• US Class Current: 362/146
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1872 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails

Abstract

An illuminated stair rail in which a channel-shaped main rail forming member has a downwardly directed opening which is covered over the major portion of its length by a translucent plate. The channel member has a plurality of lamp bulbs connected to a low voltage supply by means of a transformer which is in turn connected to conventional alternating current line voltage, for example, 115 volts, the power supply having selectively connectable storage batteries and a control system for connecting the storage batteries to the bulbs upon failure of the household supply.

Claims

1. An illuminated stair rail comprising an elongated channel having an upper wall, two side walls and a downwardly directed opening, a plurality of incandescent lights, elongated rib means projecting into and extending continuously along the length of said channel, means including screws threaded into said rib means selectively mounting said lights at any position along the length of said rib means, electrical means connected to said lights to energize said lights, and translucent plates removably secured to said channel across said opening.

2. An illuminated stair rail comprising, an elongated extruded channel having an upper wall, two side walls and a downwardly directed opening, a pair of downwardly projecting parallel ribs integral with said upper wall, said ribs having serrated facing surfaces, a plurality of incandescent lights, means, including brackets and screws threaded into said facing surfaces, for mounting said lights at any position along the length of said channel, electrical means connected to said lights to energize said lights, and translucent plates removably secured to said channel across said opening.

3. An illuminated stair rail comprising, an elongated channel having an upper wall, two side walls and a downwardly directed opening, a plurality of incandescent lights mounted in said channel, electrical meAns connected to said lights to energize said lights, translucent plates removably secured to said channel across said opening, an end cap secured to at least one end of said channel, said end cap comprising a plate having at least one opening, and a translucent plug in said opening thereby providing illumination for the end of said rail, and a ventilation screen covering at least a portion of the remaining channel opening.

4. An illuminated stair rail comprising, an elongated channel having an upper wall, two side walls and a downwardly directed opening, a plurality of incandescent lights mounted in said channel, electrical means connected to said lights to energize said lights, translucent plates removably secured to said channel across said opening, said translucent plates covering less than the total length of said channel opening.

5. An illuminated rail comprising, a plurality of channel-shaped members of identical cross section, longitudinally extending ribs projecting internally of said channel-shaped members, mitered joints interconnecting at least some of said channel-shaped members, ribs of adjacent members being welded together to form said joints, a plurality of incandescent lights, means for mounting said lights at any position along the length of said channel-shaped members, and translucent plates removably secured to said channel-shaped members to close said members.

6. A rail according to claim 5 in which said rail is generally rectangular in cross section, said channel-shaped member having an upper wall and downwardly depending side walls.

7. A rail according to claim 6 in which said ribs are located in the upper and lower corners of said rail.

8. An illuminated stair rail comprising an elongated channel having an upper wall, two side walls and a downwardly directed opening, a plurality of incandescent lights, means for mounting said lights at any position along the length of said channel, electrical means connected to said lights to energize said lights, translucent plates removably secured to said channel across said opening, a plurality of posts having their upper ends projecting into said channel to support said channel, elongated mounting ribs projecting inwardly at the lower edge portion of each side wall, flanges projecting laterally from each post and engageable with the undersurface of each said rib, clamping bars disposed on the upper surface of each said rib overlying said flanges, and means securing said bars to said flanges.