METHOD OF FORMING A SPLICED JOINT IN A HANDRAIL OR OTHER ELONGATE ARTICLE

A handrail has a thermoplastic body having a generally C-shaped cross section, a stretch inhibitor in the thermoplastic body above a T-shaped slot and a slider fabric layer. The handrail includes first and second end portions, each comprising a forward part extending from an end surface of the end portion and a rear part adjacent the forward part. A method of forming a joint can include: providing cuts to separate a top section of the thermoplastic body from a base section including shoulder portions; for each end portion, removing at least shoulder portions from the forward part thereof, to leave a central portion including a forward part at the slider fabric layer and a layer of thermoplastic; cutting the forward parts to a required shape; and assembling the first and second end portions together to form a spliced joint for moulding.

MOULD ASSEMBLY FOR FORMING A SPLICED JOINT IN A HANDRAIL OR OTHER ELONGATE ARTICLE

A core mould element can be mounted between first and second mould parts. The first and second mould parts and the core mould element can be mounted between first and second thermal platens. The thermal platens can have generally planar faces for mounting in a press, for maintaining a desired pressure within the mould assembly. The thermal platens can provide for heating and cooling the mould assembly, and each can include a central portion and end portions, with thermal breaks between the central portion and the end portions. Bores can extend through the central and end portions, for receiving heating elements and pipes for cooling fluid. The end portions can include bores for a cooling fluid for cooling the end portions.

COMPACT COMPOSITE HANDRAILS WITH ENHANCED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

A handrail includes a carcass, a stretch inhibitor arranged within the carcass, a cover bonded to the carcass, and a sliding layer secured to the carcass. At a central width axis of the handrail, a face height between an upper exterior surface of the cover and a bottom surface of the sliding layer may be less than about 8.0 mm. The carcass may be formed of a first thermoplastic material, the cover may be formed of a second thermoplastic material, and the first thermoplastic material may be harder than the second thermoplastic material. The first thermoplastic material may have a modulus at 100% elongation of between 10 and 16 MPa, and may have a hardness of between 93 and 96 Shore A.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRUSION OF THERMOPLASTIC HANDRAIL

A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of "birdcaging".

COMPOSITE HANDRAILS WITH REDUCED DENSITY CARCASS

In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

Method and apparatus for extrusion of thermoplastic handrail

A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of “birdcaging”.

Method and apparatus for extrusion of thermoplastic handrail

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

Method and apparatus for extrusion of thermoplastic handrail

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

COMPACT COMPOSITE HANDRAILS WITH ENHANCED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

A handrail includes a carcass, a stretch inhibitor arranged within the carcass, a cover bonded to the carcass, and a sliding layer secured to the carcass. At a central width axis of the handrail, a face height between an upper exterior surface of the cover and a bottom surface of the sliding layer may be less than about 8.0 mm. The carcass may be formed of a first thermoplastic material, the cover may be formed of a second thermoplastic material, and the first thermoplastic material may be harder than the second thermoplastic material. The first thermoplastic material may have a modulus at 100% elongation of between 10 and 16 MPa, and may have a hardness of between 93 and 96 Shore A. 1. A handrail , comprising:a carcass comprising a first side carcass portion, a second side carcass portion spaced apart from the first side carcass portion, and a central carcass portion of generally uniform thickness extending between the first and second side carcass portions, the carcass tapering in thickness around the first and second side carcass portions, the central carcass portion defining an upper interior surface, and the first and second side carcass portions defining first and second concave interior surfaces, respectively, adjoining the upper interior surface on either side thereof;a stretch inhibitor arranged within the central carcass portion;a cover bonded to the carcass, the cover comprising a first side cover portion covering the first side carcass portion, a second side cover portion covering the second side carcass portion, and a central cover portion of generally uniform thickness extending between the first and second side cover portions adjacent to the central carcass portion, the central cover portion defining an upper exterior surface, the first and second side cover portions defining first and second convex exterior surfaces, respectively, adjoining the top exterior surface on either side thereof, the first and second side cover portions further defining ...

Compact composite handrails with enhanced mechanical properties

A handrail includes a carcass, a stretch inhibitor arranged within the carcass, a cover bonded to the carcass, and a sliding layer secured to the carcass. At a central width axis of the handrail, a face height between an upper exterior surface of the cover and a bottom surface of the sliding layer may be less than about 8.0 mm. The carcass may be formed of a first thermoplastic material, the cover may be formed of a second thermoplastic material, and the first thermoplastic material may be harder than the second thermoplastic material. The first thermoplastic material may have a modulus at 100% elongation of between 10 and 16 MPa, and may have a hardness of between 93 and 96 Shore A.

Compact composite handrails with enhanced mechanical properties

A handrail includes a carcass, a stretch inhibitor arranged within the carcass, a cover bonded to the carcass, and a sliding layer secured to the carcass. At a central width axis of the handrail, a face height between an upper exterior surface of the cover and a bottom surface of the sliding layer may be less than about 8.0 mm. The carcass may be formed of a first thermoplastic material, the cover may be formed of a second thermoplastic material, and the first thermoplastic material may be harder than the second thermoplastic material. The first thermoplastic material may have a modulus at 100% elongation of between 10 and 16 MPa, and may have a hardness of between 93 and 96 Shore A.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRUSION OF THERMOPLASTIC HANDRAIL

A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of “birdcaging”. 1. A method of extruding an article of uniform cross-section , the article comprising a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article , the method comprising:supplying the at least one cable to a respective at least one tube, the tube having upstream and downstream ends, a length extending between the upstream and downstream ends, and an inner dimension;conveying the cable through the tube between the upstream and downstream ends;supplying the thermoplastic material to the downstream end of the tube;bringing the thermoplastic material together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate; andpermitting the composite extrudate to cool and solidify,wherein at least one of the length and the inner dimension of the tube is selected to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end of the tube.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , in the step of conveying claim 1 , the cable is guided through the tube having the length that is between 200 to 300 times a diameter of the cable.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein claim 2 , in the step of conveying claim 2 , the at least one cable is guided through the tube having ...

COMPACT COMPOSITE HANDRAILS WITH ENHANCED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

A handrail includes a carcass, a stretch inhibitor arranged within the carcass, a cover bonded to the carcass, and a sliding layer secured to the carcass. At a central width axis of the handrail, a face height between an upper exterior surface of the cover and a bottom surface of the sliding layer may be less than about 8.0 mm. The carcass may be formed of a first thermoplastic material, the cover may be formed of a second thermoplastic material, and the first thermoplastic material may be harder than the second thermoplastic material. The first thermoplastic material may have a modulus at 100% elongation of between 10 and 16 MPa, and may have a hardness of between 93 and 96 Shore A. 1. A handrail , comprising:a carcass comprising a first side carcass portion, a second side carcass portion spaced apart from the first side carcass portion, and a central carcass portion of generally uniform thickness extending between the first and second side carcass portions, the carcass tapering in thickness around the first and second side carcass portions, the central carcass portion defining an upper interior surface, and the first and second side carcass portions defining first and second concave interior surfaces, respectively, adjoining the upper interior surface on either side thereof;a stretch inhibitor arranged within the central carcass portion;a cover bonded to the carcass, the cover comprising a first side cover portion covering the first side carcass portion, a second side cover portion covering the second side carcass portion, and a central cover portion of generally uniform thickness extending between the first and second side cover portions adjacent to the central carcass portion, the central cover portion defining an upper exterior surface, the first and second side cover portions defining first and second convex exterior surfaces, respectively, adjoining the top exterior surface on either side thereof, the first and second side cover portions further defining ...

COMPOSITE HANDRAILS WITH REDUCED DENSITY CARCASS

In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail. 1. A handrail , comprising:a carcass;a stretch inhibitor within the carcass; anda sliding layer bonded to the carcass,wherein at least a portion of the carcass comprises a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix.2. The handrail of claim 1 , wherein the gas phase reduces a density of the at least a portion of the carcass by at least 5% as compared to a density of the polymer matrix.3. The handrail of claim 2 , wherein the gas phase reduces the density of the at least a portion of the carcass by at least 10% as compared to the density of the polymer matrix.4. The handrail of claim 3 , wherein the gas phase reduces the density of the at least a portion of the carcass by about 15% as compared to the density of the polymer matrix.5. The handrail of claim 1 , wherein the carcass has a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix.6. The handrail of claim 5 , wherein the gas bubbles define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix.7. The handrail of claim 1 , wherein the gas phase is formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix.8. The handrail of claim 7 , wherein the particles comprise Expancel™ expanded microspheres ...

Method and apparatus for extrusion of thermoplastic handrail

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRUSION OF THERMOPLASTIC HANDRAIL

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables. 1. A method of extruding an article of constant cross-section and comprising a first thermoplastic material , a stretch inhibitor and a web of fabric on one side of the article , the method comprising the steps of:a) supplying the stretch inhibitor to a die assembly;b) supplying the first thermoplastic material to the die assembly in a molten state, an extrusion temperature of the first thermoplastic material being below a melting point of the stretch inhibitor;c) bringing the first thermoplastic material together with the stretch inhibitor, thereby to embed the stretch inhibitor within the first thermoplastic material;d) supplying an elongate flexible web fabric of constant width, the extrusion temperature of the first thermoplastic material being below a melting point of the fabric;e) bringing the fabric up against the first thermoplastic material below the first thermoplastic material to support the first thermoplastic material, the stretch inhibitor and the fabric thereby forming a composite extrudate; andf) permitting the composite extrudate to cool and solidify.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (f) further comprises extruding the composite extrudate from the die assembly at an intermediate cross-section and at a temperature above a crossover temperature of the ...

Mould assembly for forming a spliced joint in a handrail or other elongate article.

Se puede montar un elemento de núcleo del molde entre la primera y la segunda partes de molde. La primera y la segunda partes de molde y el elemento de núcleo del molde se pueden montar entre la primera y la segunda platinas térmicas. Las platinas térmicas pueden tener caras generalmente planas para montarse en una prensa, con el fin de mantener una presión deseada dentro del montaje de molde. Las platinas térmicas pueden proporcionar el calentamiento y el enfriamiento del montaje de molde, y cada una puede incluir una porción central y porciones de extremo, con roturas térmicas entre la porción central y las porciones de extremo. Los agujeros se pueden extender a través de las porciones central y de extremo, para recibir los elementos de calentamiento y las tuberías para el fluido de enfriamiento. Las porciones finales pueden incluir agujeros para un fluido de enfriamiento con el objeto de enfriar las porciones de extremo.

Method and apparatus of extruding an article of uniform cross section

A presente invenção refere-se a um método de e aparelho para extrudar um artigo de seção transversal uniforme, o artigo incluindo um material termoplástico, e pelo menos um cabo para inibir o estiramento do artigo. O cabo é suprido a um respectivo tubo, e é transportado entre extremidades à montante e à jusante. O material termoplástico pode ser suprido para a extremidade à jusante do tubo. O material termoplástico é trazido junto com o cabo para embutir o cabo no interior do material termoplástico, formando, desse modo, um extrudado composto. O tubo é configurado para pelo menos impedir o movimento dos enrolamentos soltos do cabo a partir da extremidade à jusante em direção à extremidade à montante, que pode impedir ou pelo menos reduzir a incidência de "birdcaging". The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material, and at least one cable to inhibit the stretching of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube, and is transported between upstream and downstream ends. Thermoplastic material can be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least prevent movement of the loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which can prevent or at least reduce the incidence of birdcaging.

Method of forming a spliced joint in a handrail or other elongate article

Mould assembly for forming an elongate article

Mould assembly for forming an elongate article

Method of forming a spliced joint in a handrail or other elongate article

A handrail has a thermoplastic body having a generally C-shaped cross section, a stretch inhibitor in the thermoplastic body above a T-shaped slot and a slider fabric layer. The handrail includes first and second end portions, each comprising a forward part extending from an end surface of the end portion and a rear part adjacent the forward part. A method of forming a joint can include: providing cuts to separate a top section of the thermoplastic body from a base section including shoulder portions; for each end portion, removing at least shoulder portions from the forward part thereof, to leave a central portion including a forward part at the slider fabric layer and a layer of thermoplastic; cutting the forward parts to a required shape; and assembling the first and second end portions together to form a spliced joint for moulding.

método de formação de uma junta emendada em um corrimão ou em outro artigo alongado

A presente invenção refere-se a um corrimão que possui um corpo termoplástico possuindo uma seção transversal em formato geralmente de C, um inibidor de estiramento no corpo termoplástico acima de uma fenda em formato de T e uma camada de tecido deslizante. O corrimão inclui primeira e a segunda partes de extremidade, cada uma compreendendo uma parte dianteira se estendendo a partir de uma superfície de extremidade da parte de extremidade e uma parte traseira adjacente à parte dianteira. O método de formação de uma junta pode incluir: proporcionar cortes para separar uma seção de cima do corpo termoplástico a partir de uma seção de base incluindo partes de ressalto; para cada parte de extremidade, remover pelo menos partes de ressalto a partir da parte dianteira da mesma, para deixar uma parte central incluindo uma parte dianteira na camada de tecido deslizante e uma camada de termoplástico, cortar as partes dianteiras até um formato requerido; e montar a primeira e segunda partes de extremidade juntas para formar uma junta emendada para moldagem.

Method of forming a spliced joint in a handrail or other elongate article

A handrail has a thermoplastic body having a generally C-shaped cross section, a stretch inhibitor in the thermoplastic body above a T-shaped slot and a slider fabric layer. The handrail includes first and second end portions, each comprising a forward part extending from an end surface of the end portion and a rear part adjacent the forward part. A method of forming a joint can include: providing cuts to separate a top section of the thermoplastic body from a base section including shoulder portions; for each end portion, removing at least shoulder portions from the forward part thereof, to leave a central portion including a forward part at the slider fabric layer and a layer of thermoplastic; cutting the forward parts to a required shape; and assembling the first and second end portions together to form a spliced joint for moulding.

Composite handrails with reduced density carcass

In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

Método de formação de uma junta emendada em um corrimão rolante

A presente invenção refere-se a um corrimão que possui um corpo termoplástico possuindo uma seção transversal em formato geralmente de C, um inibidor de estiramento no corpo termoplástico acima de uma fenda em formato de T e uma camada de tecido deslizante. O corrimão inclui primeira e a segunda partes de extremidade, cada uma compreendendo uma parte dianteira se estendendo a partir de uma superfície de extremidade da parte de extremidade e uma parte traseira adjacente à parte dianteira. O método de formação de uma junta pode incluir: proporcionar cortes para separar uma seção de cima do corpo termoplástico a partir de uma seção de base incluindo partes de ressalto; para cada parte de extremidade, remover pelo menos partes de ressalto a partir da parte dianteira da mesma, para deixar uma parte central incluindo uma parte dianteira na camada de tecido deslizante e uma camada de termoplástico, cortar as partes dianteiras até um formato requerido; e montar a primeira e segunda partes de extremidade juntas para formar uma junta emendada para moldagem.

Method of forming a spliced joint in a handrail or other elongate article

A handrail has a thermoplastic body having a generally C-shaped cross section, a stretch inhibitor in the thermoplastic body above a T-shaped slot and a slider fabric layer. The handrail includes first and second end portions, each comprising a forward part extending from an end surface of the end portion and a rear part adjacent the forward part. A method of forming a joint can include: providing cuts to separate a top section of the thermoplastic body from a base section including shoulder portions; for each end portion, removing at least shoulder portions from the forward part thereof, to leave a central portion including a forward part at the slider fabric layer and a layer of thermoplastic; cutting the forward parts to a required shape; and assembling the first and second end portions together to form a spliced joint for moulding.