WO2014172754A1

WO2014172754A1 - Portable stairs and landing assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2014172754A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trevor Ross Suggate
Original assignee: Trevor Ross Suggate
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2014-04-24
Publication date: 2014-10-30

Abstract

A portable stairs and landing assembly (120) has a stairs unit (122), a landing unit (124) and a pair of stair handrails (146, 148), a flight of steps (126, 127) and a pair of opposing stringers (130, 132). The landing unit has a platform (142) to at least two sides of which are connected platform handrails (174) and vertical support legs (164). The stairs unit is connected to the landing by pivotable connection at the upper end of the stringers. Each step has a pair of downwardly depending pivot brackets (190, 192) fixed to respective opposed ends. Each pivot bracket has a first location which provides a pivotal first connection to a respective stringer. Each pivot bracket is also configured to have one or more of a selectable second angular location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided.

Description

PORTABLE STAIRS AND LANDING ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a portable stairs and landing assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a portable stairs and landing assembly in which both the pitch or angle of inclination of the stairs and the height of the landing are adjustable. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved stairs and landing assembly for use with temporary or mobile buildings, such as those used on construction sites.

BACKGROUND ART

It is common for the door or other entrance to a temporary building on a construction site to be positioned above the ground surface by a distance rendering it necessary to provide stairs and a landing for ease of access to the entrance.

Conventionally, such access has been provided by stairs and landing assemblies which are constructed to have fixed, non-adjustable stair pitches and landing heights. For any such assembly, this can pose problems in that there is no way of quickly and reliably accommodating for different desired heights of the landing above the ground and for different angles of inclination of the stairs to the ground. Such assemblies, because of their non-adjustable structure, cannot be reused for different circumstances of use.

Furthermore, those known stairs and landing assemblies that, because of their construction, can accommodate an uneven or sloping ground surface by on-site adjustment, do so only to a limited degree and do not always achieve such adjustment quickly or reliably.

Another shortcoming of many known portable stairs and landing assemblies is that they take up much space for storage and transportation. This is especially a problem in relation to the stairs of such assemblies which, although they may be detachable from the landing, continue to take up space by virtue of the steps extending at a fixed angle away from their supports or stringers. In those known assemblies where most, if not all, of the components are detachable from each other to enable the assembly to be completely disassembled after use, the bolts and other connector members must be re- used when the assembly is reassembled. Prolonged re-use of the connector members can lead to wearing of surfaces and loss of precision, and this can cause instability and wobbling of the reassembled stairs and landing assembly over time.

It has been found by the present inventor that these problems and shortcomings can be overcome by use of a portable stairs and landing assembly in which both the pitch of the stairs and the height of the landing are adjustable.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the problems and shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable stairs and landing assembly comprising a stairs unit, a landing unit and a pair of stair handrails, the stairs unit comprising a flight of steps and a pair of opposing stringers for supporting opposed ends of each step, each stringer having a lower end for engaging the ground and an upper end, the landing unit comprising a platform with a plurality of sides and to at least two sides of which are connected platform handrails, and a plurality of substantially vertical support legs to support the platform at a desired height above the ground, wherein the stairs unit is adapted for connection to the landing unit by pivotable engagement of the upper end of each stringer with the platform whereby the angle of inclination of the stairs unit to the ground is adjustable, and each stair handrail is connected at a lower end thereof to the lower end of a respective stringer and is connected at an upper end thereof to a platform handrail, wherein each step comprises a tread and a pair of downwardly depending pivot brackets fixed to respective opposed ends of the tread, each bracket of a pair having a first location which provides a pivotal first connection to a respective stringer, each pivot bracket being configured to have one or more of a selectable second location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided, whereby selection of the second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer provides a predetermined angle at which the tread is orientated away from the stringers, and wherein if one of the more than one second locations is selected, that one selected second location will provide a different predetermined angle to that of any of the other second locations.

Preferably, each pivot bracket is configured to enable each step to pivot to a position where its tread lies flat upon the stringers if a second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer is not selected.

It is preferred that the or each selectable second location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided is defined by a hole for receiving a removable connector member that connects the bracket to the stringer. In another preferred form, the stair handrails include pivotable joint means for adjusting the configuration of the stair handrails to accommodate for any adjustment of the angle of inclination of the stairs unit to the ground.

Each stair handrail is preferably connected at a lower end thereof to the lower end of a respective stringer by an adjustable bracket.

Each stair handrail is preferably connected at an upper end thereof to a platform handrail by an elbow joint assembly. Preferably, the adjustable bracket has a pivot aperture which receives therethrough a pivot pin that is also received through a pivot aperture formed in a respective stringer, whereby the adjustable bracket can rotate relative to the stringer. It is further preferred that the extent of the rotation of the adjustable bracket about an axis defined by the pivot apertures is limited by cut-out tracks or slots formed in the adjustable bracket.

In a further preferred form, there are a pair of stop pins which extend from the outer surface of the stringer and through the respective slots of each adjustable bracket, whereby the stop pins will prevent each adjustable bracket pivoting beyond a range defined by the distance between the opposed ends of the slots.

There has been thus outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and put into practical effect, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which the disclosure is based, may be readily utilized as the basis for designing other processes and systems for carrying out the objects of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the broad outline of the invention described above be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable stairs and landing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a top view of the assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a left side view of the assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a stairs unit which can be used in the assembly of Figures 1 to 3,

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the stairs unit shown in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the assembly of Figures 1 to 3, showing in more detail the connection of the stairs unit of Figures 4 and 5 to the landing unit,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the part of the assembly shown in Figure 6, showing in even more detail the connection of the stairs unit of Figures 4 and 5 to the landing unit, Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the stairs unit of Figures 4 and 5 when the steps have been collapsed so that the treads lie flat upon the stringers,

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a pair of opposing stringers and a platform mounting bracket connected to upper ends of the stringers of the stairs unit of Figures 4, 5 and 8,

Figure 10 is a left side view of a second preferred embodiment of a stairs unit which can be used in the assembly of Figures 1 to 3, Figure 11 is a front view of the stairs unit shown in Figure 10, Figure 12 is a left side view of the stairs unit of Figures 10 and 11 when the steps have been collapsed so that the treads lie flat upon the stringers, and when the platform mounting bracket has been pivoted downwardly, Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the platform mounting bracket of the stairs unit shown in Figures 10 to 12,

Figure 14 is a front view of the platform mounting bracket shown in Figure 13, Figure 15 is a top view of the platform mounting bracket shown in Figure 13 ,

Figure 16 is a right end view of the platform mounting bracket shown in Figure 13,

Figure 17 is a front perspective view of a step of the stairs unit shown in Figures 10 to 12,

Figure 18 is a front view of the step shown in Figure 17, Figure 19 is a right end view of the step shown in Figure 17,

Figure 20 is a bottom view of the step shown in Figure 17,

Figure 21 is a front perspective view of the left side stringer of the stairs unit shown in Figures 10 to 12,

Figure 22 is a top view of the stringer shown in Figure 21,

Figure 23 is a side view of the stringer shown in Figure 21, Figure 24 is a front perspective view of the platform of the landing unit shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, Figure 25 is a top view of the platform shown in Figure 24,

Figure 26 is a side view of the platform shown in Figure 24, Figure 27 is an enlarged side view of a corner portion of the platform circled as A in Figure 26, showing in more detail the retaining means for the platform mounting bracket, and a hollow square bracket fixedly secured to each corner of the platform,

Figure 28 is a front perspective view of a support leg of the landing unit shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6,

Figure 29 is a front view of a landing post of the landing unit shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, Figure 30 is a top view of the landing post shown in Figure 29,

Figure 31 is a right side view of the landing post shown in Figure 29,

Figure 32 is an enlarged side view of a bottom portion of the landing post circled as A in Figure 31, showing in more detail a bar for pivotally mounting the retaining means for the platform mounting bracket,

Figure 33 is a perspective view of a platform handrail assembly of the landing unit shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, Figure 34 is a front view of the platform handrail assembly shown in Figure 33,

Figure 35 is a front perspective view of a stairs handrail for connection to the platform handrail assembly shown in Figures 33 and 34, Figure 36 is a side view of the stairs handrail shown in Figure 35, Figure 37 is a front view of the stairs handrail shown in Figure 35,

Figure 38 is a front perspective view of a portable stairs and landing assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 39 is a left side view of the assembly of Figure 38, showing the stairs unit at a first, low angle of inclination to the ground,

Figure 40 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 38 after the stairs unit has been adjusted to a second, higher angle of inclination to the ground,

Figure 41 is a left side view of the assembly of Figure 40,

Figure 42 is another perspective view of the assembly of Figure 38,

Figure 43 is a front perspective view of a support leg of the landing unit shown in Figures 38 to 42,

Figure 44 is a front perspective view of an arrangement of the stairs unit and the connected stairs handrails of the assembly of Figure 38, and also showing the position of a top step cap which is for connection to the platform of the assembly,

Figure 45 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 44, Figure 46 is a front view of the arrangement of Figure 44,

Figure 47 is a left side view of the stairs unit shown in Figures 44 to 46 after the stairs hand rails have been disconnected therefrom, Figure 48 is a front perspective view of a stringer assembly of the stairs unit shown in Figures 44 to 46, the stringer assembly having a pair of opposing stringer side members which are interconnected by stringer cross members, Figure 49 is a rear perspective view of a bottom step of the stairs unit shown in Figures 44 to 46,

Figure 50 is a front view of the step shown in Figure 49, Figure 51 is a right end view of the step shown in Figure 49, Figure 52 is a bottom view of the step shown in Figure 49,

Figure 53 is a rear perspective view of a top step of the stairs unit shown in Figures 44 to 46,

Figure 54 is a side view of a left side stairs handrail for connection at its upper end to the platform handrail assembly shown in Figures 38 to 40 and for connection at its lower end to a stringer side member shown in Figure 48, with the configuration of the stairs handrail having been adjusted for use with the stairs unit shown in Figures 38 and 39 at the first, low angle of inclination to the ground,

Figure 55 is a side view of a right side stairs handrail similar to that of Figure 54, but with the configuration of the stairs handrail having been adjusted for use with the stairs unit shown in Figures 40 and 41 at the second, higher angle of inclination to the ground,

Figure 56 is a perspective view of an elbow joint used to adjust the configuration of the stairs handrails shown in Figures 54 and 55, Figure 57 is a left end view of the elbow joint of Figure 56, Figure 58 is a top view of the elbow joint of Figure 56,

Figure 59 is a front perspective view of a portable stairs and landing assembly according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, and showing the stairs unit at a first, low angle of inclination to the ground,

Figure 60 is another perspective view of the assembly of Figure 59 after the stairs unit has been adjusted to a second, higher angle of inclination to the ground, Figure 61 is a front perspective view of a portable stairs and landing assembly according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, and showing the stairs unit at a first, low angle of inclination to the ground, and

Figure 62 is another perspective view of the assembly of Figure 61 after the stairs unit has been adjusted to a second, higher angle of inclination to the ground.

PREFERRED MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The portable stairs and landing assembly 10 (as shown in Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7) has a stairs unit 12 and a landing unit 14.

The stairs unit 12 (as shown isolated and in more detail in Figures 4, 5, and 8 to 23) includes a flight of steps 16 and a pair of opposing stringers 18, 19 for supporting opposed ends of each step 16. Each stringer 18 has a lower foot 20 for engaging a ground surface. There is a platform mounting bracket 22 connected at an upper end of the stairs unit 12. The stairs unit 12 is ideally provided to a worksite in a preassembled form as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The landing unit 14 (as shown in more detail in Figures 24 to 34) includes a platform 24 with a floor 25 and four sides. Four substantially vertical support legs 26 support the platform at a desired height above the ground surface. Each leg 26 has a plurality of spaced apart mounting holes 28 which allow the platform 24 to be connected at the desired height above the ground surface. There is a retaining means 30 for the platform mounting bracket 22. The retaining means 30 is located at an end of a side of the platform 24.

The stairs unit 12 is connected to the landing unit 14 by engagement of the retaining means 30 with the platform mounting bracket 22.

Each step 16 of the stairs unit 12 has a tread 32 and a pair of downwardly depending pivot brackets 34, 36 fixed to respective opposed ends of the tread. Each bracket 34, 36 of a pair has a first location 38 which provides a pivotal first connection to a respective stringer 18, 19. Each pivot bracket 34, 36 is configured to have one or more of a selectable second location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided. A pivot bracket having only one selectable second location, in the form of a single hole 40, is shown in Figures 4 to 8. A pivot bracket having more than one selectable second location, in the form of a plurality of holes 40, 42, 44, 46 is shown in Figures 10 to 12, 17 and 19. The holes 40, 42, 44, 46 are adapted to receive a removable connector member, such as a bolt, that connects the pivot bracket to the stringer. Selection of the second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer provides a predetermined angle at which the tread is orientated away from the stringers. If one of the more than one second locations is selected, that one second location will provide a different angle to that of any of the other second locations. The angle provided by the selection is such as to enable a person to stand on the step whilst walking up the flight of steps.

If a second location for making a temporary second connection to the stringer is not selected, the step can pivot to a position for storage and transportation where its tread lies flat upon the stringers. In a first embodiment of the platform mounting bracket 22 shown in Figures 4 to 9, the bracket has a back plate 50 with leg mounting portions 52, 54 extending from opposed ends of the back plate. Rearwardly extending from the top of the back plate 50 is a platform mounting portion 56. The top of each stringer 18, 19 is fixed securely to the bottom of a respective leg mounting portion 52, 54, and there are holes 60 in the top of the leg mounting portions which receive connector members to mount the stairs unit 12 to a pair of legs 26 of the landing unit 14. The platform mounting portion 56 has holes 62 which receive connector members to mount the stairs unit 12 to a side of the platform 24 of the landing unit 14.

In a second embodiment of the platform mounting bracket 22 shown in Figures 10 to 16, the bracket also has a back plate 50 with leg mounting portions 52, 54 extending from opposed ends of the back plate, and a platform mounting portion 56 rearwardly extending from the top of the back plate 50. However, at the top of each stringer 18, 19 is fixedly secured a respective locating bracket 64. Each locating bracket 64 is pivotally connected to respective side plates 68, 70 extending rearwardly from opposed ends of the back plate 50 of the platform mounting bracket 22. To connect the stairs unit 12 to the landing unit 14, the platform mounting bracket 22 is pivoted upwardly away from the locating brackets 64, and the holes 60 in the leg mounting portions receive connector members to mount the stairs unit 12 to a pair of legs 26 of the landing unit 14 via corresponding mounting holes 28, and the holes 62 in the platform mounting portion 56 receive connector members to mount the stairs unit 12 to a side of the platform 24 of the landing unit 14 via corresponding mounting holes in the platform.

In this second embodiment of the platform mounting bracket 22, pivoting the platform mounting bracket 22 downwardly towards the locating brackets 64, after the stairs unit has been disconnected from the landing unit, allows the stairs unit to occupy less space for storage and transportation.

The tread 32 of each step 16 of the stairs unit 12 is fixed at each of its opposed underside ends to a transverse portion 70 of a respective downwardly depending pivot bracket 34, 36 via holes 72 in the transverse portion of each bracket. In a main portion 74 of each bracket 34, 36 are a pair of holes, a first of the holes defining the first location 38 which provides the pivotal first connection to a respective stringer 18, 19, and a second of the holes 76 being for receiving a connector member to retain the step 16 in its position for storage and transportation. Evenly spaced along each stringer 18, 19 are seven pairs of holes 78, 80, a first hole 78 of each pair receiving a connector member which is also received through the hole defining the first location 38, and the second hole 80 receiving a connector member which is also received through one of the holes 40, 42, 44, 46, 76.

The retaining means 30 for the platform mounting bracket 22 comprises a pair of arms 82 that are pivotally connected to respective ends of a horizontal bar 84 fixedly secured to a side at a bottom end of a hollow landing post 86 located at each corner of the platform 24. The landing post 86 extends upwardly from a hollow square bracket 88 fixedly secured to each corner of the platform 24. Each arm 82 has a curved edge 90 or cam located at an engaging end of the arm remote of its end at which it is pivotally connected to the bar 84.

The pair of pivot arms 82 engage with the mounting portion 56 of the platform mounting bracket 22 to connect the stairs unit 12 to the landing unit 14 by pivoting the arms 82 so that the curved edge 90 presses the mounting portion 56 firmly against the platform 24.

When each side of the platform 24 is viewed from the front, the pair of arms 82 at the right end corner (as viewed) of the platform 24 are so positioned that they pivot in a direction towards the middle of the platform (towards the left), rather than away from the platform. This means that three arms will engage the mounting portion 56 at any one time (two from the right end corner and one from the left end corner). This arrangement is best seen in Figure 25.

The platform 24, which is ideally provided to a worksite in a preassembled form as shown in Figures 24 to 26, has beneath its floor 25 a series of parallel spaced apart support ribs 91. The ends of each support rib 91 connect to an opposed pair of four frame members 93 which, together with the hollow square brackets 88 at the corners of the platform, define the four sides of the platform.

The top of each support leg 26 engages through the bottom of a respective hollow square bracket 88 and can be slid upwardly therethrough and then through the adjoining bottom of the hollow landing post 86. Each square bracket 88 has a mounting hole 92. A mounting hole 28 of a leg 26 is selected to achieve a desired height of the platform above the ground surface, and that hole 28 is then aligned with the mounting hole 92 and a connector member is fitted through the holes 92, 28.

Connected between each side pair of landing posts 86 is a platform handrail assembly 94. The handrail assembly 94, which is ideally provided to a worksite in a preassembled form as shown in Figures 33 and 34, includes a pair of opposed upright connection posts 96, 98, a pair of top and middle tubular hand rails 100, 102, and a base rail 104 (or kick plate). The rails 100, 102, 104 are connected at their respective opposed ends to each of the connection posts 96, 98, with one end 106 of the top rail 100 extending partially beyond its connection post 96. The connection posts 96, 98 have mounting holes 108 which receive connector members for connecting each connection post 96, 98 to a respective landing post 86.

The assembly 10 also includes a pair of stairs handrails 110, 112, one on either side of the stairs unit 12. Each stairs handrail has a ground engaging foot 114 at its bottom, and a rounded projection 116 at its top which engages tightly within a correspondingly rounded opening or socket at the extended end 106 of the top rail 100.

The portable stairs and landing assembly 120 (as shown in Figures 38 to 42) has a stairs unit 122 and a landing unit 124. The assembly 120 includes many of the general features of assembly 10. The stairs unit 122 (as shown in more detail in Figures 44 to 53) includes a flight of steps 126, 127 and a stringer assembly 128 having a pair of opposing stringer side members 130, 132 which are interconnected by stringer cross members 134, 136. The opposing stringer side members 130, 132 rotatably support the opposed ends of each step 126, 127. Each stringer side member 130, 132 has a lower foot 138, at the end of which is rotatably connected a ground engaging shoe or bracket 139. The stairs unit 122 is ideally provided to a worksite in a preassembled form.

There is a pivot channel 140 at the upper end of each stringer side member 130, 132 to enable the stairs unit 122 to be rotatably connected to a platform 142 of the landing unit 124, such as by use of a pivot pin passing through both a side aperture of the platform and the pivot channel 140. Secured to the upper stringer cross member 136 are a pair of direct mounting hooks 143 which are configured to engage through respective slots formed in a plate which is secured to the bottom of the platform 142. A top step cap 144 is separately secured to an upper edge of the side of the platform 142 to which the stairs unit 122 provides access. The upper surfaces of the top step cap 144 and of the steps 126, 127 are uniformly vertically spaced apart to provide, and maintain over time, the same riser height therebetween. This is achieved in this embodiment by the stairs unit 122 being rotatably and directly connected to the platform 142.

The assembly 120 also includes a pair of stairs handrails 146, 148 (as shown in isolation in Figures 54 and 55), each connected to a respective side of the stairs unit 122. Each stairs handrail has a lower horizontal rail portion 150, to the free end of which is secured an adjustable bracket 151. The adjustable bracket 151 is rotatably connected, but only to a limited extent, to an outer surface of a respective stringer side member 130, 132. (The manner in which the rotatable connection of the adjustable bracket is limited is described in more detail later in this specification.) The lower horizontal rail portion 150 bends upwardly to form a vertical rail portion 152 which is then rotatably connected by an adjustable elbow joint assembly 154 (one elbow joint 155 of which is shown in Figures 56 to 58) to an inclined rail portion 156, at the upper end of which is located another adjustable elbow joint assembly 158. The adjustable elbow joint assembly 158 rotatably connects the inclined rail portion 156 to a post socket 160 for a top rail of a platform handrail assembly of the landing unit 124. The use of the adjustable elbow joint assemblies 154, 158 and the adjustable bracket 151 enable the stairs unit 122 and the connected stairs handrails 146, 148 to have their respective angles of inclination to the ground adjusted to accommodate for different desired heights of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground. For instance, Figures 38, 39 and 42 show the portable stairs and landing assembly 120 with the stringer side members of the stairs unit 122 at a low angle of inclination of 24.5° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired low height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground. Figures 40 and 41 , on the other hand, show the portable stairs and landing assembly 120 with the stringer side members of the stairs unit 122 at a higher angle of inclination of 37.1° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired greater height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground.

In the course of raising the height of the platform 142 above the ground, say, from the height shown in Figure 39 to the height shown in Figure 41, the stairs unit 122 is adjusted in its position by being pivoted downwardly about an axis defined by the pivot channels 140, and the angle of each of the steps 126, 127 is adjusted by rotating them about the stringer side members 130, 132 so that the tread 188 of the steps is again in a horizontally supported position. (The manner in which the pivotal adjustment of the steps is achieved is described in more detail later in this specification.) The ground engaging bracket 139 of the stairs unit 122 is also rotatably adjusted so that it again rests flat on the ground.

The configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 must also be adjusted accordingly. The adjustable bracket 151, which is secured to the lower end of each stairs handrail 146, 148, has a pivot aperture 200 which receives therethrough a pivot pin that is also received through a pivot aperture 202 formed in a respective stringer side member 130, 132. Each adjustable bracket 151 is thereby rotatably connected to the stairs unit 122, but the extent of the rotation of the adjustable bracket 151 about an axis defined by the pivot aperture 200 is limited by cut-out tracks or slots 204, 205 formed in the adjustable bracket 151 (see especially Figures 54 and 55). There are a pair of stop pins which are secured to respective holes 206, 208 formed in each stringer side member 130, 132 (see especially Figure 48) and those stop pins extend from the outer surface of the stringer side member and through the respective slots 204, 205 of each adjustable bracket 151. The stop pins will prevent each adjustable bracket 151 pivoting beyond a range defined by the distance between the opposed ends of the slots 204, 205. However, the distance between the opposed ends of the slots is sufficient to enable the stairs handrails 146, 148 to have their respective angles of inclination to the ground adjusted to

accommodate for different angles of inclination of the stairs unit 122 above the ground brought about by changing, as desired, the height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground. Each of the stairs handrails 146, 148 can also have the angle of inclination of its inclined rail portion 156 to the ground adjusted to accommodate for the same changes. As is shown in Figures 39 and 41, the inclined rail portion 156 of the stairs handrail 148 is adjusted in its position by being pivoted to an angle of inclination that is the same as, or very close to, the desired angle of inclination of the stairs unit 122, and that will enable the inclined rail portion 156 to connect at a desired height to a post socket 160 for a top rail of a platform handrail assembly of the landing unit 124. The adjustable elbow joint assemblies 154, 158, which allow for such adjustment and connection, are formed by elbow joints 155 (see especially Figures 56 to 58) which have a mounting portion 210 for engaging within the hollow ends of rail portions and the post socket, a sleeve portion 212 and a hemispherical portion 214. The

hemispherical portion 214 has an aperture 216 formed axially therethrough for receiving a screw, bolt or pivot pin, the leading end of which can rotatably engage a corresponding aperture through a cooperating joint.

The platform 142 of the landing unit 124 has a floor 162 and four sides. Four substantially vertical support legs 164 (one of which is shown in isolation in Figure 43) support the platform at a desired height above the ground. Each leg 164 has a plurality of spaced apart mounting holes 166 which allow the platform 142 to be connected at the desired height above the ground. A hollow landing post 168 is located at each corner of the platform 142. Each landing post 168 extends upwardly from a hollow square bracket 170 fixedly secured to each corner of the platform 142. The top of each support leg 164 engages through the bottom of a respective hollow square bracket 170 and can be slid upwardly therethrough and then through the desired length of the adjoining hollow landing post 168. Each square bracket 170 has a mounting hole 172. A mounting hole 166 of a support leg 164 is selected to achieve a desired height of the platform above the ground, and that hole 166 is then aligned with the mounting hole 172 of the square bracket 170 and a connector member is fitted through the holes 172, 166.

Connected between three of the landing posts 168 is a platform handrail assembly 174. The handrail assembly 174, which is ideally provided to a worksite in a preassembled form, includes a pair of opposed upright connection posts 176, 178, a pair of top and middle tubular hand rails 180, 182, and a base rail 184 (or kick plate). The rails 180, 182, 184 are connected at their respective opposed ends to each of the connection posts 176, 178. The connection posts 176, 178 have mounting holes 186 which receive connector members for connecting each connection post 176, 178 to a respective landing post 168.

As shown in Figures 49 to 53, each step 126, 127 of the stairs unit 122 has a tread 188 and a pair of downwardly depending pivot brackets 190, 192 fixed to respective opposed ends of the tread. Each pivot bracket 190, 192 of a pair has a first location, in the form of a hole 194, which provides a pivotal first connection to a hole 195 in a respective stringer side member 130, 132. Each pivot bracket 190, 192 is configured to also have a plurality of selectable second locations at which a temporary second connection to the stringer side member can be provided. The plurality of selectable second locations in the pivot brackets 190, 192 is in the form of seven holes 196. The holes 196 are adapted to receive a removable connector member, such as a bolt, that connects the pivot bracket to a hole in the stringer side member. Selection of the second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer side member provides a predetermined angle at which the tread is orientated away from the stringer side members. If one of the seven holes is selected, that one hole (or selected second location) will provide a different angle to that of any of the other second locations. The angle provided by the selection should ideally be such that the tread 188 is horizontal, thereby enabling a person to stand easily and stably on the step whilst walking up the flight of steps.

If a second location for making a temporary second connection to the stringer side member is not selected, the step can pivot to a position for storage and transportation where its tread lies flat upon the stringer side members.

The portable stairs and landing assembly 220 (as shown in Figures 59 and 60) has a stairs unit 222 with two more steps than stairs unit 122, and has a landing unit 124 with its platform 142 elevated to a greater height. The assembly 220 includes many of the specific features of assembly 120.

Figure 59 shows the stairs unit 222 at a first, low angle of inclination to the ground, with the stringer side members of the stairs unit 222 at an angle of 24.5° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground. Figure 60, on the other hand, shows the stairs unit 222 with the stringer side members at a higher angle of inclination of 38.5° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired greater height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground.

The portable stairs and landing assembly 230 (as shown in Figures 61 and 62) has a stairs unit 232 with three more steps than stairs unit 222, and has a landing unit 124 with its platform 142 elevated to an even greater height. The assembly 230 includes many of the specific features of assemblies 120 and 220. Figure 61 shows the stairs unit 232 at a first, low angle of inclination to the ground, with the stringer side members of the stairs unit 232 at an angle of 24.5° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground. Figure 62, on the other hand, shows the stairs unit 232 with the stringer side members at a higher angle of inclination of 38.0° to the ground and with the configuration of the stairs handrails 146, 148 having been adjusted accordingly to accommodate for the desired even greater height of the platform 142 of the landing unit 124 above the ground.

It will also be readily apparent from the above that there are various advantages of the present invention.

One advantage is that the portable stairs and landing assembly of the present invention can be readily adjusted by a user to accommodate for different desired heights of the platform of the landing unit above the ground and for different angles of inclination of the stairs unit to the ground. The assembly can therefore be reusable for different circumstances of use. Another advantage is that the assembly accommodates for an uneven or sloping ground surface to provide level surfaces of the stairs and landing of the assembly, thereby avoiding any dangerous vertical gap that may be created between the required landing height and the actual landing height, and avoiding any dangerous tilt that may be created where the stairs are pitched too steeply.

A yet further advantage of the present invention is that many of its components can be provided to a worksite in a preassembled form, thus reducing the time and effort required to assemble the components together to form the assembly. As not all of the components are detachable from each other after use, the connector members do not need to be detached and then reattached when the assembly is reassembled, thereby avoiding any gradual wearing of surfaces and loss of precision which can cause instability and wobbling of the reassembled stairs and landing assembly over time.

Still further advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

It will also be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the embodiments of the portable stairs and landing assembly, and in the steps of using the assembly described above, without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an

acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates before the filing date of this patent application.

Claims

1. A portable stairs and landing assembly comprising a stairs unit, a landing unit and a pair of stair handrails, the stairs unit comprising a flight of steps and a pair of opposing stringers for supporting opposed ends of each step, each stringer having a lower end for engaging the ground and an upper end, the landing unit comprising a platform with a plurality of sides and to at least two sides of which are connected platform handrails, and a plurality of substantially vertical support legs to support the platform at a desired height above the ground, wherein the stairs unit is adapted for connection to the landing unit by pivotable engagement of the upper end of each stringer with the platform whereby the angle of inclination of the stairs unit to the ground is adjustable, and each stair handrail is connected at a lower end thereof to the lower end of a respective stringer and is connected at an upper end thereof to a platform handrail,

wherein each step comprises a tread and a pair of downwardly depending pivot brackets fixed to respective opposed ends of the tread, each bracket of a pair having a first location which provides a pivotal first connection to a respective stringer, each pivot bracket being configured to have one or more of a selectable second location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided, whereby selection of the second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer provides a predetermined angle at which the tread is orientated away from the stringers, and wherein if one of the more than one second locations is selected, that one selected second location will provide a different predetermined angle to that of any of the other second locations.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each pivot bracket is configured to enable each step to pivot to a position where its tread lies flat upon the stringers if a second location for making the temporary second connection to the stringer is not selected.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the or each selectable second location at which a temporary second connection to the stringer can be provided is defined by a hole for receiving a removable connector member that connects the bracket to the stringer.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the stair handrails include pivotable joint means for adjusting the configuration of the stair handrails to accommodate for any adjustment of the angle of inclination of the stairs unit to the ground.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each stair handrail is connected at a lower end thereof to the lower end of a respective stringer by an adjustable bracket.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each stair handrail is connected at an upper end thereof to a platform handrail by an elbow joint assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the adjustable bracket has a pivot aperture which receives therethrough a pivot pin that is also received through a pivot aperture formed in a respective stringer, whereby the adjustable bracket can rotate relative to the stringer.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the extent of the rotation of the adjustable bracket about an axis defined by the pivot apertures is limited by slots formed in the adjustable bracket.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein there are a pair of stop pins which extend from the outer surface of the stringer and through the respective slots of each adjustable bracket, whereby the stop pins will prevent each adjustable bracket pivoting beyond a range defined by the distance between the opposed ends of the slots.