AU719227B2

AU719227B2 - Improvements in steps

Info

Publication number: AU719227B2
Application number: AU45854/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William De Bruyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-03
Filing date: 1996-03-01
Publication date: 2000-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-01
Also published as: AU4585496A

Description

F

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN STEPS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 This invention relates to a step forming element for fabrication of a flight of steps, and to a flight of steps utilising such step forming elements.

In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to pre-fabricated metal components, the use of which may simplify the on-site assembly of a flight 5 of steps. The invention is applicable to use in domestic dwellings or in commercial premises or at industrial or warehousing sites.

i. 9 Conventional wooden staircases are difficult and time consuming to construct, requiring a skilled tradesperson and specialised tools. Much of the labour effort involved must be done on-site, especially the assembly and finishing of the 10 stairs. Storage of the unassembled components often consumes a great deal of space giving rise to on-site storage problems and/or increasing transport costs to the construction site.

15 a large quantity of material required to construct the staircase.

Also, it is necessary for the treads to be trenched in the sides of the stringers.

t oo- This dictates that the stringers also be of appreciable thickness, further °•increasing the quantity and bulk of material required to construct the staircase.

o*o9 9.: It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a step forming element which overcomes or at least ameliorates the above-mentioned Sdisadvantages.

The invention provides a step forming element for use in the fabrication of a flight of steps, said flight of steps including a pair of spaced supporting members, a plurality of tread portions, and a series of spaced step forming elements, characterised in that said step forming element is adapted to be mounted between said spaced supporting members, in that said step forming element includes a riser portion having longitudinal edges and lateral edges, in that said Sriser portionextends, in use, substantially vertically, and in that said support 3 means extend from each of said longitudinal edges, the first of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a first one of an adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, the second of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a second one of said adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, such that each of said tread portions may be supported by an adjacent pair of said series of step forming elements.

.0 Preferably, the top longitudinal edge of a step forming element has support means to support the outer longitudinal edge of an upper tread portion. The bottom longitudinal edge of the element has support means to support the inner longitudinal edge of a lower tread portion. Thus a series of tread portions may be supported by a series of spaced step forming elements. In determining the specific structure and materials of the step forming element, it is important to consider that vertical loads are resolved within the riser portion and transmitted as shear forces through the mountings to the supporting members.

Each support means may comprise one or more components defining a common plan upon which a tread portion may be supported. In a particularly preferred -:from, each support means may be in the form of a flange extending the full length of the associated longitudinal edge or only part way therealong. Since the riser portion in use will be mounted substantially vertically, suitably the flange will oo.: 20 extend at approximately 90 to the riser portion, to provide a level support for the associated tread portion. However, the riser portion may also be adapted to be inclined in use whereupon the flange may extend from the riser portion at an appropriate angle to provide a substantially level support for the tread portion.

*0*6 Overall, the step forming element as defined above could take the form of a Z- S 25 section wherein the riser portion is defined by the web and the flanges of the Zsection define the two support means. Alternatively, the step forming element may take the form of an I-section. Similarly, the flanges define the support means and the web defines the riser portion. In this case, the top flange of the I-section overhang the front of the riser portion and therefore the upper tread portion will overhang the lower tread portion in use.

However, the support means is not limited to the form of a flange and may take another form such as a series of tabs spaced along the longitudinal edge. The support means may also be provided with tread securement means such as clips or fasteners. Alternatively, the treads may be secured to the support means by way of adhesives.

ooo* i Preferably the step forming element is comprised of metal and may be formed by 0 the process of extrusion, rolling or folding of sheet metal. It is preferred that the step forming element will be constructed from a single sheet of metal which is bent to define the various components of the step forming element. In such a 10 construction the riser will therefore take the form of a rectangular sheet. In the most preferred form of the invention, the step forming element will be constructed from a single sheet of sheet steel which is first cut to size and then bent to define the support means/tabs/flanges and so on.

*O l Alternatively, the step forming element may be constructed of plastics material.

It is a desirable feature of the present invention that the step forming element will be pre-finished prior to delivery to the construction site. The step forming S: selements may be finished by the process of galvanising or powder coating as desired.

The step forming element may also be equipped with attachment means located at both lateral edges of the step forming element for attachment to the spaced supporting members e.g. stringers. The attachment means may be located at the lateral edges of the riser portion. For instance, the attachment means may take the form of flanges bent at approximately 900 to the riser portion.

Alternatively, the attachment means may take the form of tabs projecting from 25 the lateral edges of either or both of the support means. Preferably, the attachment means are integrally constructed with the step forming element. For instance, the attachment means may form part of the single sheet of metal which is bent to define the various components.

-1 Attachment of the step forming element to the supporting members may take place by interconnection of cooperating members. For example, the step forming element may be provided with downwardly projecting hooks which engage with slots provided in the supporting members. Thus a releasable attachment is provided. Alternatively, apertures may be provided in the attachment means, for example the flanges, to allow fasteners to secure the step forming elements to the supporting members. The supporting members may take the form of spaced stringers, or in the case of a helical staircase, the supporting members may be in the form of a central column and a curved stringer. It is also envisaged that preexisting walls may take the place of one or more of the support members.

10 The invention may also provide a flight of steps including a pair of spaced support members, a plurality of spaced step forming elements mounted between said spaced support members, and a plurality of tread portions, characterised in that each of said step forming elements comprises a riser portion having 0ooo longitudinal edges and lateral edges, in that said riser portion extends 15 substantially vertically, and in that support means extend from each of said longitudinal edges, the first of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a first one of an adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, the *second of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a second one of said adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, such that each of said °o a tread portions is supported by an adjacent pair of said series of step forming elements.

The flight of steps may be in the form of a conventional straight run. However, oo0,° helical stairs and other forms e.g. arcuate, are also envisaged within the scope of the invention. The support members may include spaced stringers, or in the 25 case of helical stairs, a central support column and a curved stringer. Preexisting walls may also serve as support members.

The tread portions may be supported such that the outer edge of each tread portion overhangs the tread below. Thus the tread portion may also be provided with an extruded nosing to protect the edge. The nosing may also have anti-slip properties.

6 The tread portions may be constructed from any suitable material which provides sufficient rigidity and support for the weight of people using the steps. However, as already pointed out, the vertical loads are carried by the riser portions and therefore the demands on the thickness and strength of the tread portions are less than those of conventional staircases. The materials may include timber, 0:00 fibreboard, compressed cement sheet, plastic and metal such as sheet metal.

I'%

The tread portions may be pre-finished prior to delivery to the construction site.

This pre-finishing is preferably a surface finish such as paint or carpet.

Additionally, the flight of steps may include a shim strip located between some of 10 the support means and the underside of the tread portion being supported. This allows for slight adjustment to the effective height of the riser portions depending on the thickness of the shim strip, The effective height of the riser portions may vary between 170 mm and 190 mm. The tread portions are preferably secured to the step forming elements by way of fasteners extending through apertures provided in the support means. Adhesives may also be used.

The stringers may take any known conventional form such as timber beams. In an alternative form, the stringers may be constructed of metal such as channel :--:sections, rectangular hollow sections or any of the other well known sections. A desirable and advantageous feature of the invention is that the step forming 20 element may be directly secured to the stringers through the use of the attachment means. Thus, where the attachment means take the form of flanges at the lateral edges of the riser portions, apertures may be provided through which fasteners extend to secure the step forming elements directly to the stringers.

25 Embodiments of the invention, which may be preferred, will be described in detail

C

hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a step in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of portions of two steps assembled in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of a flight of stairs assembled in accordance with the present invention; and •lIll eq.

S 5 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a helical staircase in accordance with the o invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, a step 10 is constructed of a step forming element 12, a tread portion 14 and a shim strip 16 located between the step forming element S. 12 and the tread portion 14. The step forming element 12 is constructed, in a 10 preferred approach, of a single piece of sheet metal which is cut to shape and bent to define the various components of the step forming element 12. The main part of the sheet of metal is taken up by the riser portion 20 which in use extends substantially vertically. The sheet is bent to define longitudinal edges 22 and support means in the form of flanges 23.

i 15 The top flange 23 extends rearwardly from the plane of the riser portion 20 and S.the bottom flange 23 extends forwardly from the plane of the riser portion thereby defining a Z shape in transverse cross-section. Both of the flanges 23 have a series of spaced apertures 25 extending therethrough for securement of the step forming element to associated tread portions 14.

*SSS

20 The step forming element 12 is also bent to define lateral edges 24 and attachment flanges 26. The flanges 26 also extend substantially vertically at approximately 900 to the plane of the riser portion 20, providing a substantially level surface for supporting associated tread portions 14, The flanges 26 are 9i provided with a pair of spaced apertures 29 for attachment of the step forming element 12 to stringers (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 1, the shim strips 16 may be located between the top flange 23 Sand the underside of a tread portion mounted thereabove. Alternatively, the shim 8 strip 16 may be located on the bottom flange 23 beneath the tread portion 14 which is supported thereabove, as shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 1 and 2 also illustrate a surface finish 30 such as carpet applied to the tread portion 14. Additionally, the outer edge of each tread portion 14 may be 5 protected by a plastic extruded anti-slip nosing 32.

*9 Fig. 3 illustrates the manner of assembling a flight of steps 35 including a pair of spaced stringers 36 and a series of step forming elements 12 extending between the stringers 36 and secured at spaced intervals along the stringers 36. The step forming elements 12 are secured to the stringers by fasteners 38 extending 10 through the apertures 29 provided in the attachment flanges 26 located at both *999 lateral edges of the riser portion o The flight of steps 35 also includes tread portions 14 having the inner edge supported on the bottom flange 23 of a step forming element 12. The outer edge of each tread portion 14 is supported by the top flange 23 of an adjacent step forming element 12 which is mounted below the first mentioned step forming element 12. A shim strip 16 is also provided to ensure the tread portion 14 is level. The tread portion 14 is secured to each of the step forming elements 12 by the use of fasteners 40 extending through apertures 25 in each of the flanges 23.

Fig. 4 illustrates a helical staircase 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The staircase 50 has a central supporting column 52 and a helical stringer 54 in the form of a steam bent laminated beam. A series of step forming elements 12 is secured between the central supporting column 52 and the helical stringer 54 in a similar manner to that discussed in connection with Fig.3. Prefinished treads 55, specially shaped to suit the helical staircase are supported between adjacent step forming elements 12.

Claims

1. A step forming element for use in the fabrication of a flight of steps, said flight of steps including a pair of spaced supporting members, a plurality of tread portions, and a series of spaced step forming elements, characterised in that ~5 said step forming element is adapted to be mounted between said spaced supporting members, in that said step forming element includes a riser portion having longitudinal edges and lateral edges, in that said riser portion extends, in use, substantially vertically, and in that said support means extend from each of said longitudinal edges, the first of said support means being adapted to support 10 an edge of a first one of an adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, the second of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a second :one of said adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, such that each of said tread portions may be supported by an adjacent pair of said series of step 9*l9 forming elements. .9 .o

2. A step forming element according to claim 1, characterised in that in use S°-said longitudinal edges include a top longitudinal edge, and in that said support Go means extending from said top longitudinal edge is adapted to support the outer C :longitudinal edge of an upper one of said adjacent pair of tread portions. oso: .0

3. A step forming element according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in ow. that in use said longitudinal edges include a bottom longitudinal edge, and in that said support means extending from said bottom longitudinal edge is adapted to support the inner longitudinal edge of a lower one of said adjacent pair of tread portions. Sos 4. A step forming element according to claim 3, characterised in that each *i 9 support means includes one or more components defining a common plan upon which one of said plurality of tread portions may be supported. A step forming element according to claim 4, characterised in that each support means is in the form of a flange extending the full length of the associated longitudinal edge or only part way therealong.

6. A step forming element according to claim 5, characterised in that said flange extends at approximately 90° to the riser portion, thus providing, in use, a level support for the one of said plurality of tread portions which in use is to be associated with said flange. 0 9 o*

7. A step forming element according to claim 6, characterised in that said riser portion may also be adapted to be inclined, in use, from the vertical, whereupon said flange may extend from the riser portion at an appropriate angle 0:• to provide a substantially level support for said one of said plurality of tread 10 portions. S8. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said step forming element has the form of a Z-section, wherein said riser portion is defined by the angled portion of the Z-section outline, and the flanges of the Z-section outline define the two support means. 9

9. A step forming element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said step forming element has the form of an I-section, and thus the upper and lower flanges of the I-section outline define said support means, and the upright of the I-section outline defines said riser portion. o

10. A step forming element according to claim 9, characterised in that said top 20 flange of said I-section outline overhangs the front, in use, of said riser portion W*est such that in use, an upper tread portion will overhang a lower tread portion. 9

12. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in s that said support means is also be provided with securement means for said 11 tread portions, said securement means taking the form of clips or fasteners.

13. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said tread portions may be secured to said support means by adhesives.

14. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in 0 *I 5 that said step forming element is formed from a metal.

15. A step forming element according to claim 14, characterised in that said step forming element is formed by the process of extrusion, rolling or folding of GO* sheet metal. 0 0

16. A step forming element according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that .a:0 10 said step forming element is constructed from a single sheet of metal which is bent to define the various components of said step forming element. 00* 0

17. A step forming element according to claim 16, characterised in that said step forming element is constructed from a single sheet of sheet steel which is *l.to first cut to size and then bent to define said support means/tabs/flanges. 15 18. A step forming element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said step forming element is constructed of plastic. 0

19. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in 0,00 that said step forming element is pre-finished prior to delivery to a construction site. 000**** 00*** 20 20. A step forming element according to claim 19, characterised in that said step forming elements are finished by the process of galvanising or powder coating.

21. A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in Fa that said step forming element is equipped with attachment means located at both lateral edges of said step forming element for attachment to said spaced supporting members.

22. A step forming element according to claim 21, characterised in that said attachment means is located at the lateral edges of said riser portion. 5 23. A step forming element according to claim 22, characterised in that said attachment means are flanges bent at approximately 90' to said riser portion.

24. A step forming element according to claim 22, characterised in that said attachment means take the form of tabs projecting from said lateral edges of either or both of said support means. 10 25. A step forming element according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterised in that said attachment means are integrally constructed with said step forming element.

26. A step forming element according to claim 25, characterised in that said *attachment means forms part of said single sheet of metal which is bent to 4 15 define the various components.

27. A step forming element according to any one of claims 21 to characterised in that attachment of said step forming element to said supporting *members takes place by interconnecton of cooperating members. 4. t ••t 28, A step forming element according to claim 27, characterised in that said 20 step forming element is provided with downwardly projecting hooks which are adapted to engage with slots provided in said supporting members, such that a releasable attachment is provided.

29. A step forming element according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterised in that apertures are provided in said attachment means, to allow fasteners to secure said step forming elements to said supporting members. 4 13 A step forming element according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said supporting members take the form of spaced stringers, when said flight of steps is a straight run.

31. A step forming element according to any one of claims 1 to o 5 characterised in that said supporting members are in the form of a central ooo column and a curved stringer, when said flight of steps is helical. *It o•*

32. A step forming element according to any one of claims 1 to characterised in that pre-existing walls take the place of one or more of said spaced support members. S10 33. A flight of steps incorporating at least one step forming element according *o to any preceding claim. •oil

34. A flight of steps including a pair of spaced support members, a plurality of spaced step forming elements mounted between said spaced support members, and a plurality of tread portions, characterised in that each of said step forming t. 61:: 0 15 elements comprises a riser portion having longitudinal edges and lateral edges, that said riser portion extends substantially vertically, and in that support means extend from each of said longitudinal edges, the first of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a first one of an adjacent pair of said plurality of tread portions, the second of said support means being adapted to support an edge of a second one of said adjacent pair of said plurality of tread t portions, such that each of said tread portions is supported by an adjacent pair of o oo said series of step forming elements. A flight of steps according to claim 34, in the form of a straight run. q 9

36. A flight of steps according to claim 34, in the form of a helical stairway.

37. A flight of steps according to claim 34, in the form of an arcuate run. 4 14

38. A flight of steps according to any one of claims 34 to 37, characterised in that said support members include spaced stringers, or in the case of helical stairs, a central support column and a curved stringer.

39. A flight of steps according to any one of claims 34 to 37, characterised in 5 that pre-existing walls also, or alternatively, serve as support members. 0 0*

40. A flight of steps according to any one of claims 34 to 39, characterised in that said tread portions are supported such that the outer edge of each of said tread portions overhangs the adjacent lower one of said tread portions, thus providing each of said tread portions with an extruded nosing to protect the edge. 10 41. A flight of steps according to claim 40, characterised in that said nosing also has anti-slip properties.

42. A flight of steps according to claim 41, characterised in that said tread portions are constructed from any suitable material which provides sufficient rigidity and support for the weight of persons using said flight of steps. I 15 43. A step forming element substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

44. A flight of steps substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 9 o o DATED this 29th day of February 2000 9 JOHN CHRISTIANSEN Member, F6deration Internationale des Conseils en Propriet6 Industrielle (International Federation of Industrial Property Attorneys) Patent Attorney for the Applicant: WILLIAM DE BRUYN