JP2006299586A - Handrail with lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an area near a pedestrian's feet and the like brilliantly illuminated with lighting by uniformly emitting light from a light source throughout a handrail body, and to impart an added value such as illumination to a handrail, in addition to a function intrinsic in the handrail. <P>SOLUTION: This handrail with lighting comprises the handrail body 21 and a bracket 22; the handrail body 21 is provided with a light guiding material 25 which is elongated along the length direction of the handrail body 21; a reflecting surface 25c, which allows the light introduced from a length-direction end 25d to be derived from an outside surface 25b, is formed on the inside surface of the light guiding material 25; a plurality of cut grooves, which are elongated in a direction crossing the length direction of the light guiding material 25, are formed in the reflecting surface 25c in such a manner as to be arranged with a space in between; the light source 24 is arranged on at least one end of the light guiding material 25 in an opposed manner; and a power source 54 for turning on the light source 24, and a control circuit are built in the bracket 22 for supporting the end of the handrail body 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a handrail for supporting or guiding a walking human being, for example, in a corridor or a staircase, and more particularly to a handrail having an illumination function.

  So far, many handrails that emit light have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4 below).

  Although these are handrails that emit light, that is, emit light, none of them illuminate the bottom of the corridor, the treads of stairs, the feet of pedestrians, and the like.

  In other words, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like is used as a means for light emission, but this does not provide an illuminance that can be said to be an illumination, but only a brightness that can visually recognize the presence of a handrail. I can't.

  In the handrail of Patent Document 1, a light source is incorporated into a bracket, and a light emitting body that emits light upon receiving light from the light source is incorporated into a handrail rod so that the light rail can be visually recognized in a direction in which the handrail rod extends. It is. And the light emitted toward the inner side surface of the linear light emitter exposed from the handrail stick is scattered in the process of passing through the inside of the linear light emitter, and the side surface portion emits light. .

  However, the attenuation rate due to light scattering is very large, and the side portion emits light only in a part of the linear light emitter, and only the portion close to the bracket provided about 1 m away, and the presence of the light is radiated. It's just a thing.

  Patent Document 2 is a long luminaire that can also be applied to a handrail, and uses a light guide member. The light guide member includes an entrance surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction and an exit surface between these entrance surfaces. And a scattering surface on the back side of the exit surface, and the scattering surface is formed into a rough surface.

That is, in this light guide member, “light from the light source enters the light guide member from the incident surface of the light guide member, and the incident light travels while being scattered and reflected between the exit surface and the rough surface (scattering surface). At this time, the light is totally reflected on the exit surface, then scattered and reflected on the scattering surface, and the light reflected from the exit surface at an angle smaller than the critical angle of total reflection is emitted from the exit surface.
“The light emitted from the light guide member in this way is uniformized in this way. And even if the light guide member is lengthened or the width is changed without increasing the number of light sources, the brightness is uneven. Does not occur ".

However, the rough surface is simply a rough surface for scattering and reflecting light.
For this reason, when the light guide member is long, both end portions near the light source are relatively bright, but unevenness occurs such that the distance from the light source becomes darker. That is, as in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it cannot be bright enough to illuminate a pedestrian's feet as illumination.

  The handrail of Patent Document 3 is a hollow handrail main body in which a large number of LEDs are arranged in a line, and the handrail main body has a large amount of light transmission so that light from the LEDs is emitted to the outside. A through-hole for use is formed.

  However, in such a configuration, since the individual LEDs do not shine with such brightness that they can be used as illumination, light can be seen only when the built-in LEDs are viewed directly. For this reason, it is not something which can illuminate others like the technique of said patent document 1,2. Moreover, according to the structure of this patent document 3, many LED is required and it is also uneconomical.

  In the handrail of Patent Document 4, a groove is formed in a handrail member, and a linear EL light emitter is laid in the groove. And the opening of the ditch | groove which accommodates this EL light-emitting body is block | closed with the luminous storage cover.

  However, when an EL light emitter is used, bright light can be obtained and the light can be clearly recognized as compared with the case of using an LED as described above, but the light still indicates the presence of the light emitter. As with the techniques of the above-mentioned patent documents, the light cannot illuminate the feet.

  In addition, when using an EL light emitter, only a predetermined length can be used, and it is difficult to cope with the situation at the site where the handrail is installed. In this handrail, a power source for emitting light from the EL light emitter is incorporated in the end bracket to simplify the mounting, but the effect is diminished.

  Furthermore, in the handrail of this patent document 4, a person detection sensor is provided in the end bracket attached to one end of the handrail member to detect a person approaching from both ends of the handrail, and the EL light emitter emits light. It is configured as follows.

  However, if the human sensor is provided only on one end bracket, the sensitivity differs depending on which handrail is approached by the person from the side, which is not preferable in use. In particular, when used at the corners of corridors and stairs, there is a problem that the lamp does not light up when necessary.

JP 2003-293543 A JP 2001-210106 A JP-A-2005-9093 JP 2004-143924 A

  Therefore, the present invention uses a unique light guide material to emit light from the light source uniformly and evenly over the entire handrail main body, and to illuminate the pedestrian's feet as illumination. In addition to ensuring the further safety and the original function of the handrail, it is a main issue to be able to give added value as illumination, for example.

  Means therefor include a handrail main body and a bracket that supports the handrail main body, and the handrail main body includes a solid light guide material that extends along the length direction of the handrail main body and has translucency. A reflection surface is provided on the inner side surface of the light guide material to guide light introduced from the end in the length direction from the outer side surface, and the reflection surface intersects the length direction of the light guide material. A plurality of cut grooves extending in the direction are formed with a gap between each other, and at least one end of the light guide material is disposed with a light source facing the end, and an end of the handrail body A handrail with illumination in which a power source for turning on the light source and a control circuit are incorporated in a bracket supporting the light source.

  That is, the light from the light source emitted by the power source and the control circuit enters from the end portion of the light guide material extending along the length direction of the handrail body, and proceeds in the length direction (light guide direction) of the light guide material. Then, the light is reflected by the cut grooves on the reflective surface one after another and emitted from the outer surface of the light guide material. At this time, the incident light travels while being totally reflected in the light guide material. The light then strikes the cut groove and changes its direction, and light that is smaller than the total reflection angle is emitted from the outer surface. Since the cut groove extends in a direction intersecting with the length direction of the light guide material, light passing therethrough is reflected and refracted to some extent. The light that has been catadioptrically refracted is emitted from the outer surface and further travels through the light guide.

  In addition, since a gap is provided between the cut grooves, the light component that does not hit the cut groove hits another cut groove at the rear stage in the light guide direction without being attenuated, and is reflected and refracted. Even a component of light once hitting the cut groove is partially transmitted and hits another cut groove at the rear stage of the light guide direction and is similarly catadioptrically refracted. The notch groove at the rear stage of the light guide direction hits the component of the light that travels while being totally reflected and the component of the light that has already passed through another notch groove, and is emitted from the outer surface, and further inside the light guide material move on.

  For this reason, the light of a light source can be radiate | emitted efficiently with respect to the direction orthogonal to the direction to which it progresses. As a result, even with a long light guide material, high-intensity light without unevenness can be obtained, which can act as illumination for illuminating the lower surface of the corridor, the tread surface of the stairs, the pedestrian's feet, and the like.

  By the way, about each said component, it can comprise as follows.

  One of the aspects is that the reflection surface is formed by intermittently arranging linearly with a gap in a direction intersecting with the length direction of the light guide material.

  That is, it is possible to improve the light utilization efficiency by skipping a part of the light component that enters straight into the cut groove without being reflected and refracted by the cut groove, and a part thereof further away.

  In order to improve the light utilization efficiency, for example, the positions of the cut grooves adjacent to each other in the light guide direction among the cut grooves in the direction intersecting the length direction of the light guide material (light guide direction). It is set to be non-identical, or, among the cut grooves, the depths of the adjacent cut grooves are set to be different from each other, and further, the cut groove is straight from the end of the light guide material. It may be formed so as to have an inclined surface on which incident light hits at an angle smaller than the critical angle.

  In another aspect, the power source is constituted by a battery of a size that can be housed in a bracket, and is placed so as to be parallel and close to a fixed surface of the bracket, and the control circuit A board on which the light source is mounted is erected in a direction crossing the fixed surface of the bracket, and the light source is mounted on the board.

  That is, even if the battery is, for example, a dry battery having a size of about AA or AAA, the handrail on the side farther from the wall surface is placed by laying it down and positioning the fixed surface, that is, the wall surface to which the handrail is attached. The size in the vicinity of the end can be reduced. Moreover, since the area of the fixing surface can be set wide by storing the battery, the fixing strength can be increased without a sense of incongruity. Further, since the substrate is mounted upright and the light source is mounted on the substrate, the bracket can be made compact and the assembly of the bracket can be simplified.

  The other one of the aspects is one in which a human detection sensor that detects an approaching person is incorporated in at least the brackets located at both ends of the bracket.

  In other words, there are human detection sensors on the brackets at both ends, so that humans can be detected in the same way at both ends of the handrail, such as at the corners of corridors and staircases, to obtain the desired lighting / extinguishing operation. Can do.

  In another aspect, a portion of the bracket corresponding to the human detection sensor is covered with a cover made of a material that enables detection by the human detection sensor.

  That is, since the cover prevents dust and dirt from adhering to the human detection sensor, the sensitivity of the human detection sensor can be maintained.

  In another aspect, a concave lens portion is formed on the inner surface of the portion corresponding to the human detection sensor of the cover.

  That is, even if the size of the mouth through which waves such as far-infrared rays enter and exit the human detection sensor is set small, the concave lens portion can pick up the waves widely, so that a desired range can be detected. For this reason, it is possible not to impair the external appearance of the bracket.

  As yet another aspect, a battery check circuit for determining whether or not the voltage of the power source is a predetermined voltage can be provided.

  That is, when a battery is used, the time to replace the battery tends to be missed, but by checking appropriately, it is possible to clearly know the time for battery replacement, and light is not obtained when necessary. Can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to illuminate a pedestrian's feet or the like. That is, a lighting function can be added to a handrail that is important as a pedestrian's support and guidance, and a new handrail that contributes to more secure safety can be obtained. Moreover, since the light emitted from the handrails can be emitted sufficiently as lighting, not only general homes, but also various indoor facilities such as nursing homes, facilities for the disabled, concert halls, gymnasiums, parks, It can also be used in various outdoor facilities such as open spaces. Also, because of its brightness, it can also be used for decoration such as illumination.

An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a staircase 12 to which an illuminated handrail 11 (hereinafter referred to as a handrail) is attached. As shown in this figure, when the handrail 11 emits light, the tread 12a of the staircase 12 receives the light and shines brightly. .

  Such a handrail 11 includes a bar-shaped handrail main body 21 and brackets 22 and 23 that support the handrail main body 21.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one end portion of the handrail 11, and the handrail main body 21 is supported in a state in which a part of the end portion is fitted into the bracket 22, and serves as a light source provided in the bracket 22. The light from the light emitting diode 24 is configured to be emitted to the outside through the light guide member 25 provided in the handrail main body 21.

First, the handrail main body 21 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handrail main body 21. As shown in this figure, the handrail main body 21 includes a hollow core member 31 and the light guide member attached to a part of the outer surface of the core member 31. 25 and a decorative member 32 that covers a portion other than the light guide member 25 on the outer peripheral surface of the core member 31.

  The core member 31 is formed of a metal such as an extruded product of aluminum. And the cross-sectional shape is substantially circular, and the flat part 31a is formed in the part. Standing walls 31b and 31b are provided on the left and right sides of the flat portion 31a, and rail portions 31c facing each other inward are formed at the upper ends of the standing walls 31b and 31b. The rail portion 31 c is for holding the light guide member 25.

  The ridges 31d and 31d formed on the upper surface of the flat portion 31a facilitate the insertion operation of the light guide material 25.

  And the recessed grooves 31e and 31e which fall below are formed in the right-and-left both outer side of the said standing walls 31b and 31b. In the same concave groove 31e, the anti-flat part of the core member 31 is also formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange, and the decorative member 32 is held by these three concave grooves 31e.

In the figure, reference numeral 31f denotes a hole for fixing the core member 31 to the brackets 22 and 23 with screws 33 (see FIG. 4).
That is, the core member 31 is fixed to the brackets 22 and 23 so as to maintain a certain positional relationship. For this reason, the arrangement of the above-described portions of the core member 31 is such that the light guide material 25 held by the flat portion 31a on its upper surface, that is, the light guide material 25 when held, is fixed in relation to the brackets 22 and 23. It is set to tilt 45 degrees from the angle. Note that the tilt angle is appropriately set according to the purpose of use of the handrail 11.

  The decorative member 32 has an elongated shape corresponding to the core member 31 and has a substantially C-shaped cross section. It is made of synthetic resin and may be formed by extrusion molding similarly to the core member 31. In this case, a wood-like pattern can be represented on the surface.

  The decorative member 32 is formed with three ridges 32a that enter the three concave grooves 31e of the core member 31, and a large gap between the three when the light guide member 25 is held. Edge portions 32b and 32b having a substantially triangular cross section are also formed at both end edges so as to prevent the damage and prevent damage to the round cross section.

  The light guide member 25 is a solid square member formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic. Specifically, it has the same length as the core member 31, and the cross-sectional shape thereof is substantially rectangular as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and the rail portion of the core member 31 on the left and right side surfaces. A guide groove 25a that engages with 31e is formed over the entire length direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, all the surfaces are mirror-finished and the inner surface opposite to the emission surface 25 b (outer surface) exposed to the outside when attached to the core member 31. A large number of slits 27 are arranged with a gap 28 therebetween to form the reflecting surface 25c. Note that one of both end surfaces in the length direction is an incident surface 25d through which light enters opposite to the light emitting diode 24 as shown in FIG.

  The cut grooves 27 are for reflecting and refracting light components that are transmitted or totally reflected in the light guide material 25 and emitting them from the emission surface 25b. For example, as shown in FIGS. It is formed in a V shape.

  The cut groove 27 is formed so as to extend in the light guide direction, that is, the light guide member 25 in the illustrated example has a rod shape, and thus extends in a direction crossing the length direction.

  Although various arrangements are possible, it is preferable that the gap 28 is formed in two directions, ie, a light guide direction and a direction crossing the light guide direction, as shown in FIG.

  If the cut groove 27 is formed with a gap 28 in the light guide direction, the light component that has been totally reflected is reflected and refracted by the cut groove 27 one after another, and is totally reflected and proceeds in the light guide direction. The proportion of light can be increased. In addition, it is possible to suppress that the light component that has been reflected and refracted by hitting the cut groove 27 and transmitted without being totally reflected is immediately attenuated in the cut groove 27 in the subsequent stage.

  The cut groove 27 is formed with a gap 28 in the direction transverse to the light guide direction. In other words, when the cut groove 27 is linearly intermittently arranged, the cut groove 27 enters the cut groove 27 straight from the incident surface 25d which is the end face. It is possible to improve the light utilization efficiency by skipping some of the components of the coming light far away without being reflected and refracted by the reflecting surface 25c.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the arrangement in the direction crossing the light guide direction, the positions of the cut grooves 27 located adjacent to each other in the light guide direction in the direction crossing the light guide direction are not the same. To do. That is, it is preferable to shift the pattern of the cut groove 27 and the gap 28 in a direction crossing the light guide direction. By shifting the pattern of the cut groove 27 and the gap 28 in this way, the light component once reflected and refracted by hitting the cut groove 27 is not significantly attenuated, but is combined with the light component totally reflected. Further, the light guide material 25 can be advanced (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  Further, the cut groove 27 is formed in a V shape as shown in FIG. 8 as described above, and the light that enters the right angle from the incident surface 25d with respect to the angle of the inclined surface 27a is acrylic. It is preferable to set the angle so as to be smaller than the critical angle (42.2 degrees). When formed in this way, the light striking the inclined surface 27a of the cut groove 27 is not totally reflected, but a part of the light component is refracted and transmitted. Then, it hits the cut groove 27 located at the rear end while being reflected and refracted.

  That is, not all the light components that hit the cut groove 27 are reflected and emitted, but a part of the light components are transmitted toward the cut groove 27 in the subsequent stage and further reflected and refracted as shown in FIG. To do. At the time of this catadioptric refraction, a light component totally reflected in the light guide member 25 is also added, and the light is not significantly attenuated.

  The cut groove 27 as described above can be formed by known laser processing.

  Such a light guide member 25 is integrated with the core member 31 together with the decorative member 32, and is fixed to the brackets 22 and 23 as the handrail body 21. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the end brackets 22 are fixed to both ends of one handrail main body 21 and used, or as shown in FIG. When the handrail main bodies 21 and 21 are used by being supported by one intermediate bracket 23 and two end brackets 22 and 22, the incident surface 25d of the light guide member 25, that is, the light source side surface. An end face reflection sheet 29 made of stainless steel or the like is attached to the end face on the opposite side. As a result, the number of light emitting diodes 24 to be used can be suppressed, and the utilization efficiency of light passing through the light guide member 25 can be increased.

  For this reason, the contents of the brackets 22 and 22 at the same end are different. That is, the light emitting diode 24 is unnecessary in the bracket 22 on the side where the end face reflection sheet 29 is attached. Similarly, the intermediate bracket 23 does not require a light emitting diode.

  Of course, the brackets 22 having the light emitting diodes 24 may be used at both ends so that both end surfaces are incident surfaces 25d without using the end surface reflection sheet 29. In this case, brighter illumination is possible.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the use efficiency of light can be further enhanced by attaching an appropriate reflection sheet to the reflection surface 25c and the like.

Next, the bracket 22 will be described. Here, the bracket 22 at the end provided with the light emitting diode 24 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the bracket 22 includes a main body member 41 made of metal or the like, and a lid member 42 that is detachably attached to the main body member 41.

  The main body member 41 is formed in an L shape in front view by a fixing portion 51 for fixing to a mounted portion 43 such as a wall surface and a standing portion 52 standing from one end of the fixing portion 51. A protruding portion 53 having a short cylindrical shape is formed on the surface of the anti-fixed portion at the upper portion of the portion 52 so as to insert the end portion of the handrail main body 21.

  The space formed by the fixed portion 51 and the standing portion 52 is a storage space for storing necessary members.

  Referring to the power supply control block diagram of the handrail shown in FIG. 13, in this storage space, a battery 54 (for example, a AAA dry battery) as a power source, a battery case 55 for storing the battery, and a light source The battery check for checking the light emitting diode 24, the control circuit 56, the human detection sensor 57 for detecting the approaching human, and the battery check for determining whether or not the remaining capacity of the battery 54 is less than a predetermined value. A substrate 61 on which a circuit 58, a check switch 59, and a display light emitting diode 60 are mounted is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main body member 41 is fixed to the mounted portion 43 by inserting the screw member 71 from the inner bottom surface of the fixed portion 51 that is parallel to the mounted portion 43. The battery case 55 is detachably fixed to the fixing portion 51 in a state of being laid along the fixing portion 51. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, a stepped hollow protrusion 55 a is formed on the bottom surface of the battery case 55 so as not to interfere with the screw member 71 used when the main body member 41 is fixed. The battery case 55 is fixed by screwing screws 72 into the fixing portion 51 surface.

  The substrate 61 is housed in a state where the upright portion 52 is along the ridge so as not to hinder the insertion and removal of the battery 54 into and from the battery case 55. When stored in this manner, the light emitting diode 24 is attached to the position facing the end surface (incident surface 25d) of the light guide member 25 of the handrail body 21 so as to face the incident surface 25d. A sheath-like member provided outside the light emitting diode 24 is a cover 73 for directing light forward.

  The human detection sensor 57 is attached to the side surface of the substrate 61 opposite to the portion where the light emitting diode 24 is fixed. As the human detection sensor 57, an appropriate sensor such as an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a photoelectric sensor can be used, but a pyroelectric motion sensor that operates by receiving far infrared rays emitted from a human may be used.

  The human detection sensor 57 is mounted on the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 61 a that stands vertically with respect to the substrate 61, and is set to face outward at the end of the handrail 11.

  The check switch 59 is mounted on the lower end of the substrate 61 and on the surface facing the upright portion 52. The check switch 59 is ON / OFF switched by a switch button 74 that is attached to the standing portion 52 so as to be operable from the outside.

  The check light emitting diode 60 is disposed at an appropriate position. For example, the check light emitting diode 60 may be mounted side by side on the human detection sensor 57. The check light emitting diode 60 preferably emits light of a conspicuous color such as red.

  As described above, the two human detection sensors 57 and 57 and the light emitting diode 24 are connected to the control circuit 56 that is driven by the power from the battery 54. The control circuit 56 is provided with a one-shot circuit (may be a timer or the like), and is controlled so that the light emitting diode 24 is lit until a predetermined time elapses after the detection signal is turned off.

  That is, once the human detection sensors 57, 57 detect an approaching person, the light emitting diode 24 is turned on until a predetermined time elapses from when no human is detected. The predetermined time may be, for example, about 25 to 30 seconds for a handrail for a staircase for general households. Also, the predetermined time may be configured to be changed by appropriately switching with a changeover switch.

  The battery 54 is connected to a well-known battery check circuit 58. The battery check circuit 58 is driven by ON / OFF switching of a check switch 59. If the voltage of the battery 54 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the check light emission is performed. The diode 60 is controlled to be lit.

  The lid member 42 is formed of a synthetic resin that can transmit far infrared rays. The color is not necessarily transparent, but a light color such as white is preferable.

  And the shape is formed in L shape in front view, and the storage space of the said main body member 41 is engaged with the engagement edge part 41a formed in the edge of a hook so that attachment or detachment is possible. In the figure, 42a is a locking projection for locking.

  Since the lid member 42 is L-shaped when viewed from the front as described above, it has a shape with the outer corners missing, and only the space necessary for organizing and storing the battery case 55 and the substrate 61 is secured. Thus, the bracket 22 can be formed in a compact shape.

  A concave lens portion 42 b is formed on the outer corner of the upper end portion of the lid member 42, that is, on the inner side surface of the portion corresponding to the human detection sensor 57. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a concave lens-shaped depression is formed, which makes it possible to take in far infrared rays from a wider direction.

  In the figure, 42c is a film for decoration, and is formed in a portion excluding the concave lens portion 42b. When the coating 42c is harmonized with the concave lens portion 42b and the main body member 41, a beautiful appearance can be obtained. Further, since the coating 42c is provided, it is possible to obtain the bracket 22 as if each part is integrated.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B as described above, such a bracket is used for the bracket 22 located at either end of the brackets 22 located at both ends of the handrail 11. The bracket 22 used for the other end is the same as the above-described substrate 61 of the bracket 22 except the light emitting diode 24, the battery check circuit 58, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the intermediate bracket 23 has a cylindrical shape that holds the end portion of the inserted handrail main body 21 (the intermediate portion in the case of one handrail main body 21). The holding portion 23a and a support portion 23b that supports the holding portion 23a may be appropriately configured, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. Of course, if necessary, a light source or a human detection sensor can be incorporated in the intermediate bracket 23.

  In the handrail 11 configured as described above, when a person approaches the end of the handrail 11, the light emitting diode 24 is automatically illuminated, and the light is emitted through the light guide member 25, and below the handrail 11. Illuminate. Since the position of the light guide member 25 is directed obliquely downward and outward as shown in FIG. 15, when the height of the handrail 11 is about 80 to 85 cm as a general height, the area as large as that is sufficiently large. Illumination can be performed, and the tread 12a and the like can be brightened as a whole.

  And if a person leaves | separates from the handrail 11, the light emitting diode 24 will be light-extinguished automatically.

  In this way, since the human detection sensor 57 automatically turns on / off when a human is detected, the light is not turned on except when necessary, energy can be saved, and one light emitting diode 24 is used. The number of the handrail main body 21 is one, which is very economical.

  Moreover, since the human detection sensor 57 is provided at both ends of the handrail 11, even if a human approaches from any direction, it can be detected with the same desired sensitivity, and malfunction can be prevented.

  In addition, since all necessary members such as the battery 54 are stored in the bracket 22, the construction is easy and the necessary members are stored in a compact manner, so that compared to conventional brackets. A slim and beautiful appearance can be easily obtained without being too large or having a strange shape.

  Since the battery 54 is a dry battery that can be easily obtained anywhere and easily specified, as described above, for example, even a person who is not familiar with the battery type can easily and quickly replace it. . Combined with the effect of having the battery check circuit, the handrail 11 becomes gentler for the user. For this reason, exceptional convenience is obtained as the handrail 11 with illumination used, for example in the house of a living alone, a nursing home, a disabled person facility, etc.

  Further, since the light guide member 25 that guides the light of the light emitting diode 24 and emits it from the emission surface 25b is formed as described above, the brightness of the light guide member 25 is such that it is configured to emit light using a conventional light emitting diode. Are different and stand out.

  That is, in the light guide material 25, the light incident from the incident surface 25b travels while totally reflecting inside the light guide material 25. In the meantime, the light hits the cut groove 27 and changes its direction, and the light having a smaller total reflection angle is emitted from the emission surface 25b.

  Since the cut groove 27 for reflecting and refracting light extends in a direction crossing the light guide direction, the light passing therethrough is reflected and refracted to some extent as shown by circles in FIG. The light that has been refracted and reflected is partly emitted from the exit surface 25b, and the remaining components are further reflected and refracted in the light guide 25.

  Since the light emitted from the emission surface 25b is collected to some extent, relatively strong light can be obtained as compared with the case where the cut groove 27 is a dot having a rough surface.

  In addition, since the gap 28 is provided between the cut grooves 27, the light component that does not hit the cut groove 27 is totally reflected and proceeds to the subsequent stage in the light guide direction, and another cut groove without any attenuation. 27 is reflected and refracted.

  Even for the component of light once hitting the cut groove 27, the angle of the inclined surface 27a of the cut groove 27 is set in consideration of the critical angle as described above. It hits the groove 27 and is similarly catadioptrically refracted. A light component that travels while being totally reflected and a light component that has already passed through another cut groove 27 hit the cut groove 27 at the rear stage in the light guide direction, and are emitted from the light exit surface 25b. Proceed further through 25.

  In this way, the light incident from the incident surface 25d is a plurality of the cut grooves 27 that cross the light guide direction on the reflective surface 25c in the process of traveling while being totally reflected in the light guide material 25. In other words, the light is intermittently reflected and refracted to some extent, and is emitted from the emission surface 25b, and further proceeds in the light guide material 25. In addition, since the gap 28 is provided between the cut grooves 27, the incident light is scattered and reflected immediately and is not significantly attenuated, and the light reaches the rear stage in the light guiding direction sufficiently.

  For this reason, the light utilization efficiency is high, and even if the light guide material 25 is long, high brightness light without unevenness can be obtained.

  The cross-sectional shape of the cut groove 27 may be other shapes, for example, a U-shape, and any shape, the acrylic light that is the material of the light guide material 25 is incident at a right angle from the incident surface 25d. It is preferable to have the inclined surface 27a having an angle that is smaller than the critical angle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the depth of the cut groove 27 may be different for each cut groove 27. Even if the pattern of the cut grooves 27 located adjacent to each other in the direction crossing the light guide direction is the same, if the cut grooves 27 on the rear stage side are deeper than the cut grooves 27 on the front stage side, the cut grooves 27 on the rear stage side are sufficient. In addition, reflection / refraction of light can be performed, and light attenuation can be suppressed.

  Further, the above-described direction crossing the light guide direction does not mean only a right angle, but may be inclined as shown in FIG. 17A, for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, the cut grooves 27 extending in the direction crossing the light guide direction may not be arranged in a straight line.

  Further, in order to conceal the cut groove 27 and soften the light, the diffusion surface 30 may be formed on the emission surface 25b by sandblasting as shown in FIG. In addition to directly forming the diffusing surface 30 by sandblasting, it can also be formed by sticking a sheet.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the configuration of the above-described embodiment,
The end in the length direction of the light guide in this invention corresponds to the incident surface 25d in one embodiment,
Similarly,
The outer surface of the light guide corresponds to the exit surface 25b,
The light source corresponds to the light emitting diode 24,
The power supply corresponds to the battery 54,
The fixing surface corresponds to the fixing portion 51,
The cover corresponds to a part of the lid member 42,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described one form, and various other forms can be adopted.

  For example, the incident surface 25d may have a U-shaped recess that can accommodate the tip side of the light emitting diode 24, for example, instead of a vertical plane.

  Further, the shape of the handrail body can be formed not only in a circular cross section but also in an appropriate shape.

  Further, as for the battery, a primary battery other than the dry battery or a secondary battery may be used.

The perspective view of an illuminated handrail. The partially expanded perspective view of the handrail with illumination. Sectional drawing of a handrail main body. AA sectional drawing in FIG. The perspective view of a light guide material. The top view of the principal part of a light guide material. Sectional drawing of the principal part of a light guide material. The expanded sectional view of the principal part of a light guide material. Explanatory drawing of the action state of a light guide material. Explanatory drawing of the action state of a light guide material. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a handrail. The exploded view of a bracket part. Control block diagram. BB expanded sectional view of FIG. Explanatory drawing of an action state. Sectional drawing which shows the other example of a light guide material. The top view which shows the other example of a light guide material. Sectional drawing which shows the other example of a light guide material.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Illuminated handrail 21 ... Handrail main body 22,23 ... Bracket 24 ... Light emitting diode 25 ... Light guide material 25b ... Outgoing surface 25c ... Reflecting surface 25d ... Incident surface 27 ... Notch groove 28 ... Clearance 42 ... Cover member 42b ... Concave lens part 51 ... Fixed part 54 ... Battery 57 ... Human detection sensor 61 ... Substrate

Claims (7)

A handrail body, and a bracket that supports the handrail body,
The handrail main body is provided with a solid light guide material extending along the length direction of the handrail main body and having translucency,
On the inner side surface of the light guide material, a reflection surface is formed that guides light introduced from the end in the length direction from the outer side surface,
The reflective surface is formed by arranging a plurality of cut grooves extending in a direction intersecting with the length direction of the light guide material with a gap between each other,
At least one end of the light guide material is disposed to face the light source,
An illuminated handrail in which a power source and a control circuit for lighting the light source are incorporated in a bracket that supports an end portion of a handrail main body. The illuminated handrail according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is formed by linearly intermittently arranging a gap in a direction intersecting with a length direction of the light guide material. The power source is composed of a battery of a size that can be housed in a bracket, and is placed so as to be parallel and close to the fixed surface of the bracket,
The board on which the control circuit is mounted is mounted upright in a direction crossing the fixed surface of the bracket,
The illuminated handrail according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source is mounted on the substrate. The illuminated handrail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a human detection sensor that detects an approaching human is incorporated in at least brackets located at both ends. The illuminated handrail according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the bracket corresponding to the human detection sensor is covered with a cover made of a material that enables detection by the human detection sensor. The illuminated handrail according to claim 5, wherein the cover has a concave lens portion on an inner surface of a portion corresponding to the human detection sensor. The illuminated handrail according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a battery check circuit that determines whether the voltage of the power source is a predetermined voltage.

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