AU2008100330A4 - Staircase assembly - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 20374430 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: John Curtis Wilson Cnr Union and Merewether Streets, Merewether, New South Wales 2291, Australia DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 "Staircase assembly" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- P:WPDOCSNLNM Spm\20I74431)Johni Cnis WilonSw-ws Awmnbl% dm-I4/A4/2(IMO 00 00 STAIRCASE APPARATUS BackgrField of the Invention The present invention relates generally to portable staircase apparatus suitable for access between floors of a building under construction.

Background to the Invention Tubular steel scaffolds for providing access to upper floors of a building are known, and these may be fitted with ramps, ladders or planks with small grip rails or stair modules for access by climbing or walking. However, the stair modules are fixed for length and height to suit the intermediate fixed dimensions of the scaffold system. None of the existing systems are adapted for internal use and nor are the widths of the scaffold systems generally suitable or adaptable for the many required variations of internal residential stair layouts. Scaffold systems are also bulky. Furthermore, the scaffolds must be assembled from many parts and thus do not provide a safe or easily-installed staircase, or one on which it is easy to ascend or descend just as it is on a staircase. Paradoxically, the many parts of the scaffolding does not provide much variation of stair assemblies for differing access situations such as differing floor-ceiling heights so that stairs are not matched for the height required to be traversed.

Furthermore, access using scaffolding does not allow practical or safe access by workers carrying tools or materials to or from upper level work areas.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

P \WPDOCS\L.M SpcU\2(1rr4lllJohn Cwnts WilonStroo AwnblI doc 14/t/2HIKJ 00 O 2 -2- Summary of the Invention 0 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable staircase apparatus for use in a stair void of a partially-constructed dwelling, the portable staircase apparatus including: at least one free standing platform, the or each platform comprising a 00 0chassis member and a deck mounted to the or each chassis member; at least one staircase N. module, the or each staircase module including one or more frame elements and one or more stairs mounted on the frame elements in a spaced-apart manner; said at least one staircase module being adapted to be attached and detached to and from said at least one platform so as to facilitate access to said deck.

Preferably the portable staircase apparatus includes two said staircase modules, a first staircase module when attached to the platform extending from a first end disposed at a height about that of a base of the platform, to a second end adjacent the deck, and a second staircase module when attached to the platform extending upwardly from a region adjacent the deck.

Preferably the portable staircase apparatus includes a second platform comprising a deck disposed at a different height from the first deck, the second platform being connected to the remote end of the second staircase module so as to facilitate access between decks.

Preferably the portable staircase apparatus includes a releasable locking means for releasably locking the at least one platform to one or more of the at least one staircase module to the at least one platform, wherein the releasable locking means is a locking aperture disposed on one of the platform or staircase module and a locking key which in use passes through the locking aperture to lock the at least one staircase module to the at least one platform.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a portable staircase apparatus, the method including the steps of: standing a P\WPDOCS\LNM Spa\2(I17443I0 John Cnir Wdnon nSia-r Awsiibl doc. I4/J/21M) 00 O 3 -3platform in a staircase void, the platform having one or more chassis members and a deck mounted to the or each chassis member; and attaching one or more staircase modules to the platform so as to facilitate access to the deck.

Preferably the shoulder or flange is a base face of a hollow structural section and the aperture forms the central void of the structural section to provide additional support of the 00 locking key. In preferred forms the structural section is square hollow section constructed Ni from aluminium.

Similarly, the platform may include hollow structural sections to receive the locking key.

In preferred forms the decks of the or each platform are square, and the hollow sections are disposed at the four corners of the or each deck so as to facilitate a wide range of relative staircase positions.

Preferably the locking key is a post, which may be solid, or it may be a square hollow section of slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the locking aperture or hollow void in the structural sections above described.

The staircase modules may have any number of spaced-apart stairs ranging from one to twenty. However, in preferred forms, the stair modules have six stairs each, which may be coupled in a kit, with staircase modules of one and two, so that many differing floorceiling heights may be accommodated.

Preferably, the platforms are sized in heights which correspond with six stair-height staircase modules, however, any number of platform heights may be produced, and kits may require at least three heights six, one and two stair height equivalents, so as to accommodate various building floor-ceiling heights.

Balustrades may be provided to provide a safe ascent and descent on the staircase assembly. The balustrades include balusters and rails, and the balusters may be mounted in similar apertures or voids within structural sections at the ends of staircase modules and k \WPDOCS\LNM\.Spc\2O3744b1)_John Cuns, WironSuoin A=MnblIdoc14AWNUXI2 00 -4in comers of platform decks.

The balusters may be locked into the voids, and provided with a depth stop to inhibit their O falling through to the floor below, and to set the rail height.

The platforms and staircase modules may be combined in order to provide a building site 0 with safe ascent and descent between floors in at least the following arrangements: O6-Staircase:platform:6-staircase (direct or lightning bolt pattern, Z-patter, degree pattern, 180-degree pattern); 6-staircase:platform:2-staircase:platform:6-staircase (direct, Z-,180 and and others outlined below, and shown in detail in the attached drawings.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In order to enable a clearer understanding, the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to drawings and description of preferred embodiments. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a staircase module showing five stairs spaced apart on a main frame according to a portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a 6-riser-high platform having a square deck supported by a chassis which includes cross-bracing for additional support according to a portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a two-step-height platform having a square deck supported by a chassis according to a portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows plan and (ii) and (iv) partial side elevation views and (iii) partial end elevation views of a preferred embodiment of staircase apparatus which includes, in order from the ground up: a 7-step-staircase module; a 7-step platform stack including a 6-step P \WPDOCSLNMSpa 037443U john Conio WdkonSto,,c.m AwrniblI do. IJAf2(NIO 00

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O platform and single-step platform; a two-step staircase module; a 9-step platform stack including 2- and 1-step platforms; and finally a 7-step-staircase module, all arranged in a dogleg or Z-staircase arrangement;

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r 5 Fig 5 shows plan and (ii) side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of staircase apparatus shown in a straight arrangement. A 14-step arrangement is shown, with a 7-riser Sstaircase module connected to a 7-riser platform, in turn operatively connected to a 7-riser staircase module on the opposite side of the platform to the first staircase module; Fig. 6 shows a plan view, (ii) partial side elevation view and (iii) partial end elevation view of a preferred embodiment of staircase apparatus showing a 90-degree arrangement, similar in composition to those shown in Figures 4 and Figure 7 shows a plan view, (ii) and (iv) partial side elevation views and (iii) end elevation view of a preferred embodiment of staircase assembly showing a 180-degree staircase apparatus arrangement, similar in composition to those shown in Figures 4-6.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a component of a preferred embodiment of staircase apparatus being a staircase module shown at 20 which includes a main frame 22 which itself comprises spaced-apart frame elements 24 and 25. Affixed to the main frame 22 are a plurality of stairs 26 arranged along the frame elements in a spaced-apart manner so as to provide ease of ascent and descent. Strengthening means 28 are provided in the form of stair webs 30 and 31 respectively atop and below the or each stair 26 so that the or each stair 26 forms a Z-member for main frame 22 support including for inhibiting of lozenging of frame elements 24 and 25. Gripping means 32 in the form of checkerplate 34 may be provided so as to improve grip of a user's boots while ascending or descending.

Staircase module 20 may have just one stair such as shown at 120 on Figure 4 or several stairs such as shown at Figure 1, or any number in between, to provide flexibility of application, and a safe spacing of stairs for ease of ascent and descent.

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S-6- A platform 40 is provided, and one embodiment is shown at Figure 2. The embodiment _shown in Figure 2 is a six-riser-high platform, having a deck 42 and a chassis 44. The chassis has upright chassis members 45 and also strengthening trusses 46 formed by diagonal members 48 and cross-members 49. Other, shorter platforms 140 (Figure 3) may 5 also be provided so that the assembly may be used in a number of differing arrangements Sand differing floor-ceiling heights. Lower platforms 140 do not require trusses 46 of

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Shigher platforms Attachment means 50 are provided, in one form to releasably lock the platform 40 and the staircase module 52 together. In the embodiment shown the attachment means includes a mounting means 54 including a shoulder or flange 56, in the form of a base edge of a hollow structural section 58 having a void 60 therein for receipt of a locking pin (not shown). Internal walls of the void 60 support the pin and strengthen the assembly when assembled. In the embodiments shown the attachment means 50 are disposed at comers 62 of the staircase modules 20 and decks 42 so that many differing assembly arrangements can be made, such as Z-turns, 90-degree turns, 180-degree turns and straight staircases with landings.

Balustrades may also be provided, which have balusters and rails (all not shown). The balusters may be supported in apertures 70 in the form of voids 72 within hollow structural sections 74 mounted on the webs 24 and 25. Depth stops may also be provided on the balusters so that the rails may be set at ergonomic heights.

The platforms 40 may be affixed to the floor through bolt apertures 41.

In operation, the platforms 40 and staircase modules 20 may be assembled in many differing arrangements such as for example, those shown in Figures 4-7 and generally indicated at 10, 110, 210, 310. The arrangement selected depends on access requirements and space allowances of a building being constructed. As can be seen in those drawings, Z-turns, 180-degree turns, 90-degree turns and the like may be incorporated. The staircase assembly 10 may be assembled quickly, brought straight in, and set up and provide almost P \WPDOCS\LNM\Sp \203744'11_ohI WII-nSM-iWC~, A-nb, do.14ANW21rN* 00 0-7instant access because of the pre-fabricated nature of the components and the simple interlocking feature of preferred embodiments of the locking system The flexibility of the differing arrangements is provided, in part, in preferred embodiments 5 by the releasable attachment means 50. This allows platforms and staircase modules to Slock together in many orientations to provide a staircase which is safe to use and Sessentially complies with many regulated staircase tread heights for additional safety and ease of use. Many differing heights of staircase module may be provided, to combine together with different platforms, to provide flexibility of access in different circumstances.

Landings and handrails may be provided, which gives space and safety for workers engaged in constructing buildings. Several different heights of stairs may be provided so that many different building floor heights may be accommodated safely.

Finally, it is to be understood that the various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. 8- The claims defining the invention are as fbllows: 1. A portable staircase apparatus for use in a stair void of a partially-constructed O dwelling, the portable staircase apparatus including: at least one free standing platform, the ¢€3 or each platform comprising a chassis member and a deck mounted to the or each chassis _member; at least one staircase module, the or each staircase module including one or more 00 0frame elements and one or more stairs mounted on the frame elements in a spaced-apart manner; said at least one staircase module being adapted to be attached and detached to and from said at least one platform so as to facilitate ac&ess to said deck. 2. A portable staircase apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes two said staircase modules, a first staircase module when attached to the platform extending from a first end disposed at a height about that of a base of the platform, to a second end adjacent the deck, and a second staircase module when attached to the platform extending upwardly from a region adjacent the deck. 3. A portable staircase apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the apparatus includes a second platform comprising a deck disposed at a different height from the first deck, the second platform being connected to the remote end of the second staircase module so as to facilitate access between decks. 4. A portable staircase apparatus in accordance with any one of the previous claims wherein a releasable locking means is provided for releasably locking the at least one platform to one or more of the at least one staircase module to the at least one platform, wherein the releasable locking means is a locking aperture disposed on one of the platform or staircase module and a locking key which in use passes through the locking aperture to lock the at least one staircase module to the at least one platform. A method of installing a portable staircase apparatus, the method including the steps of: standing a platform in a staircase void, the platform having one or more chassis PAWPDOCS\UNM\Sp .2ull?443h J)ohn CoflisWilson-Suu-osoA-snblsvdoc. I2XJ 00 -9- members and a deck mounted to the or each chassis member; attaching one or more staircase modules to the platform so as to facilitate access to the deck. 00