EP0160022B1 - Adjustable staircase - Google Patents

Adjustable staircase Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0160022B1
EP0160022B1 EP84903772A EP84903772A EP0160022B1 EP 0160022 B1 EP0160022 B1 EP 0160022B1 EP 84903772 A EP84903772 A EP 84903772A EP 84903772 A EP84903772 A EP 84903772A EP 0160022 B1 EP0160022 B1 EP 0160022B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
treads
staircase
stiles
link
staircase according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84903772A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0160022A1 (en
Inventor
Ake Nyman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
VIPSTEP AB
Original Assignee
Vipstep AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vipstep AB filed Critical Vipstep AB
Priority to AT84903772T priority Critical patent/ATE39376T1/en
Publication of EP0160022A1 publication Critical patent/EP0160022A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0160022B1 publication Critical patent/EP0160022B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/002—Ramps
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/02—Stairways; Layouts thereof
    • E04F11/022—Stairways; Layouts thereof characterised by the supporting structure
    • E04F11/025—Stairways having stringers
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/02—Stairways; Layouts thereof
    • E04F11/04—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible
    • E04F11/06—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic
    • E04F11/068—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic telescopic
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
    • E04F11/002—Ramps
    • E04F2011/005—Ramps collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to an adjustable staircase comprising two stiles which are rigidly connected to each other and which have at least two intermediate treads. At its ends each tread is pivotally mounted around a bearing shaft in the adjacent stile.
  • the staircase is intended to be used both as a staircase with a variable slope, in which case the treads always can be adjusted so that the upper surfaces are substantially horizontal, and as a ramp having a substantially plain surface of transportation, according to the first part of Claim 1.
  • the main object of the invention is therefore to provide a staircase in which the treads are pivoted in such a way that the staircase easily can be adapted to different angles of inclination and converted into a ramp having a substantially plain working surface, and which has a simple construction.
  • This object has been achieved in accordance with the invention by giving the staircase the features set forth in the characterizing part of Claim 1 and the following claims.
  • the staircase shown in Figure 1 comprises two side stiles 10 and 11 rigidly connected to each other by means of cross bars 12-15.
  • the staircase has four treads 16-19, and the treads are at their ends pivotally mounted on shafts (not shown) in the adjacent stiles.
  • the treads 16-19 can be turned around their bearing shafts, maintaining the upper surfaces of the treads in parallel, so that the angle between the upper surfaces of the treads and the longitudinal direction of the strings is changed. This turning movement is provided by means of an operating lever 20, as will be further explained below.
  • the treads 16-19 are also adapted to be turned to a common plane that is substantially parallel with the plane of the strings.
  • the treads have a width that is so adapted that the front edge of a following, generally higher tread in this position abuts the rear edge of the preceding tread, so that a continuous, substantially plain surface is formed by the treads, as clearly shown in Figure 2.
  • Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the staircase shown in Figure 1.
  • the treads 16-19 are formed of cut pieces of aluminium sections and have been provided with end elements 21-24 at one end for stiffening the treads.
  • the bearing shafts 25-28 of the treads pass through these end elements and run substantially along the longitudinal centerlines of the treads.
  • Each end element 21-24 is at its rear end provided with a projecting tab 29-32, and these tabs are pivotally connected to a link bar 33, e.g. by means of rivets or screws.
  • the top tread 19 is rigidly connected to the operating lever 20, and a locking plate 20A is attached to the string 11 adjacent the operating lever.
  • the locking plate is provided with a plurality of recesses 34-36, and a locking means (not shown) on the operating lever 20 can be positioned in any one of the recesses for locking the operating lever in a definite angle position.
  • the end elements are provided with notches 37-40 for engagement with the cross bars 12-15, when the staircase is converted to a ramp, so that the front edges of the treads in this position along their full length rest upon the cross bars.
  • the strings 10 and 11 are so positioned that the desired inclination is obtained.
  • the treads are then adjusted by means of the operating lever 20.
  • the treads can be adjusted so that the upper surfaces of the treads are substantially horizontal, irrespective of the angle of inclination of the strings to the ground plane, so that the staircase will be comfortable to use.
  • the treads are adjusted so that they form a continuous, substantially plain surface.
  • FIG 4 an alternative embodiment of an adjustable staircase according to the invention is shown.
  • This embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3 in that the stiles 10 and 11 have been designed of telescopic sections of which only the sections 10A, 10B and 10C of the string 10 have been shown.
  • another link means 41 has to be used, e.g. a telescopic arm or any other means capable to take up the reduced distance between the treads 16-19, when the sections 10A, 10B and 10C are telescoped, so that the telescoping of the sections is not restrained.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is primarily intended to be used as an entrance or exit stair or ramp on buses or railway waggons. Therefore, the staircase is at its upper end provided with a shaft 42 around which the staircase can be lifted up when not in use.
  • the treads can be provided with end elements at both ends.
  • a link bar can be provided on either side of the staircase.
  • the treads can also be connected to the link bar by means of tabs provided on the link bar, or by means of separate link arms pivotally connected to the treads as well as to the link bar.
  • the link bar may also be a threaded shaft, the shaft providing the adjustment of the treads when turned. In that case the treads are connected to the shaft over threaded nuts or sleeves which are displaced on the shaft, when the shaft is turned.
  • the operating means for adjusting the treads can also be designed in many different ways, e.g. as a wheel.
  • the operating means may be a hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically driven adjusting means.
  • the operating means can also be adapted to actuate locking means, e.g. movable taps, which can engage in holes in the opposite stile, so that the treads can be locked at the strings at both ends.
  • locking means e.g. movable taps
  • the stiles may also at both ends be provided with wedge-shaped shoulders pivotally mounted on the strings for forming adjustable support surfaces for the side strings.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)
  • Steps, Ramps, And Handrails (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

A staircase having adjustable treads comprises two strings (11) which are rigidly connected to each other and between which a number of treads (16-19) are provided. Each tread is at its ends pivotally mounted on a bearing shaft (25-28) in the adjacent string and is connected to a link arm (29-32), the link arm being connected to an adjustable link means (33). The link means can be adjusted by means of an operating arm (20) in such a way that the treads are turned around their bearing shafts, maintaining the upper surfaces of the treads in parallel, so that the angle between the upper surfaces of the treads and the longitudinal direction of the strings is changed. The treads (16-19) can also be turned to a common plane, so that the treads form a substantially continuous, plain surface. By adjustment of the treads, the treads can be positioned substantially horizontally irrespective of the inclination of the strings to the ground plane, so that the staircase is comfortable to use. Alternatively, the treads can form a plain surface, so that the straircase can be used as a ramp, e.g. for transport vehicles or wheeled chairs.

Description

    Technical field
  • The present invention is related to an adjustable staircase comprising two stiles which are rigidly connected to each other and which have at least two intermediate treads. At its ends each tread is pivotally mounted around a bearing shaft in the adjacent stile. The staircase is intended to be used both as a staircase with a variable slope, in which case the treads always can be adjusted so that the upper surfaces are substantially horizontal, and as a ramp having a substantially plain surface of transportation, according to the first part of Claim 1.
    • Background art
  • Staircases having adjustable treads have been disclosed previously, e.g. in the SE-B-373903, the US Patent Specifications 2,864,542, 2,888,182 and 3,731,761. However, these previously known staircases have had a complicated construction, and it has not been possible to adjust the staircases to a ramp having a plain surface of transportation in an easy way. Therefore, the usefulness of these prior art staircases has been limited.
    • Disclosure of invention
  • The main object of the invention is therefore to provide a staircase in which the treads are pivoted in such a way that the staircase easily can be adapted to different angles of inclination and converted into a ramp having a substantially plain working surface, and which has a simple construction. This object has been achieved in accordance with the invention by giving the staircase the features set forth in the characterizing part of Claim 1 and the following claims.
    • Brief description of drawings
  • The invention will now be described more in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
    • Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of a staircase according to the invention having four treads and an operating lever for adjusting the treads.
    • Figure 2 shows the same staircase as Figure 1 with the treads adjusted to a ramp having a substantially plain surface of transportation.
    • Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the staircase according to Figure 1 with the operating device for adjusting the treads.
    • Figure 4 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the staircase according to the invention in which the strings of the staircase consist of telescopic sections, so that the staircase can be telescoped when not in use.
    Best mode for carrying out the invention
  • The staircase shown in Figure 1 comprises two side stiles 10 and 11 rigidly connected to each other by means of cross bars 12-15. The staircase has four treads 16-19, and the treads are at their ends pivotally mounted on shafts (not shown) in the adjacent stiles. The treads 16-19 can be turned around their bearing shafts, maintaining the upper surfaces of the treads in parallel, so that the angle between the upper surfaces of the treads and the longitudinal direction of the strings is changed. This turning movement is provided by means of an operating lever 20, as will be further explained below.
  • The treads 16-19 are also adapted to be turned to a common plane that is substantially parallel with the plane of the strings. The treads have a width that is so adapted that the front edge of a following, generally higher tread in this position abuts the rear edge of the preceding tread, so that a continuous, substantially plain surface is formed by the treads, as clearly shown in Figure 2.
  • Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the staircase shown in Figure 1. The treads 16-19 are formed of cut pieces of aluminium sections and have been provided with end elements 21-24 at one end for stiffening the treads. The bearing shafts 25-28 of the treads pass through these end elements and run substantially along the longitudinal centerlines of the treads. Each end element 21-24 is at its rear end provided with a projecting tab 29-32, and these tabs are pivotally connected to a link bar 33, e.g. by means of rivets or screws. The top tread 19 is rigidly connected to the operating lever 20, and a locking plate 20A is attached to the string 11 adjacent the operating lever. The locking plate is provided with a plurality of recesses 34-36, and a locking means (not shown) on the operating lever 20 can be positioned in any one of the recesses for locking the operating lever in a definite angle position.
  • At the front edges of the treads 16-19 the end elements are provided with notches 37-40 for engagement with the cross bars 12-15, when the staircase is converted to a ramp, so that the front edges of the treads in this position along their full length rest upon the cross bars.
  • When the staircase is to be used, the strings 10 and 11 are so positioned that the desired inclination is obtained. The treads are then adjusted by means of the operating lever 20. When steps are desired, the treads can be adjusted so that the upper surfaces of the treads are substantially horizontal, irrespective of the angle of inclination of the strings to the ground plane, so that the staircase will be comfortable to use. When a ramp is desired, the treads are adjusted so that they form a continuous, substantially plain surface.
  • In Figure 4 an alternative embodiment of an adjustable staircase according to the invention is shown. This embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3 in that the stiles 10 and 11 have been designed of telescopic sections of which only the sections 10A, 10B and 10C of the string 10 have been shown. However, instead of the link bar shown in Figure 3 another link means 41 has to be used, e.g. a telescopic arm or any other means capable to take up the reduced distance between the treads 16-19, when the sections 10A, 10B and 10C are telescoped, so that the telescoping of the sections is not restrained.
  • The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is primarily intended to be used as an entrance or exit stair or ramp on buses or railway waggons. Therefore, the staircase is at its upper end provided with a shaft 42 around which the staircase can be lifted up when not in use.
  • While only two embodiments of the adjustable staircase according to the invention have been described above, it is evident that many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. E.g., the treads can be provided with end elements at both ends. In that case also a link bar can be provided on either side of the staircase. The treads can also be connected to the link bar by means of tabs provided on the link bar, or by means of separate link arms pivotally connected to the treads as well as to the link bar. The link bar may also be a threaded shaft, the shaft providing the adjustment of the treads when turned. In that case the treads are connected to the shaft over threaded nuts or sleeves which are displaced on the shaft, when the shaft is turned. The operating means for adjusting the treads can also be designed in many different ways, e.g. as a wheel. Alternatively, the operating means may be a hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically driven adjusting means. The operating means can also be adapted to actuate locking means, e.g. movable taps, which can engage in holes in the opposite stile, so that the treads can be locked at the strings at both ends. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the treads are adapted to rest on the cross bars between the stiles, when the staircase is converted to a ramp. Instead, the treads can be adapted to rest upon projections on the strings. The stiles may also at both ends be provided with wedge-shaped shoulders pivotally mounted on the strings for forming adjustable support surfaces for the side strings.

Claims (8)

1. Adjustable staircase, comprising two stiles (10,11) which are rigidly connected to each other and which have at least two intermediate treads (16-19), each tread being pivotally mounted at its ends around a bearing shaft (25-28) in the adjacent string and each tread (16-19) being connected to at least one link arm (29-32), the link arm being connected to a link means (33) arranged to be adjusted in such a way that the treads (16-19) by means of the link arms (29-32) are turned around their bearing shafts (25-28), maintaining the upper surfaces of the treads in parallel, so that the angle between the upper surfaces of the treads (16-19) and the longitudinal direction of the stiles (10, 11) is changed, one angle being such that the upper surfaces of the treads are in substantial alignment with one another, characterized in that the two stiles (10, 11) are connected to each other by crossbars (12-15) and in that the treads (16-19) are of one piece, which have such width that the upper and lower end surfaces of the treads abut when the treads are turned to the common plane, so that a substantially continuous, plain surface is formed by the treads, the treads (16-19) being adapted to rest with their front edges along their full length on the cross bars (12-15).
2. Staircase according to Claim 1, in which the treads (16-19) consist of a section of light metal characterized in that at least one end of each tread (16-19) is provided with an end element (21-24), the rear edge of which is designed with a downward projecting tab (29-32), the tab being pivotally connected to the link means (33) and forming the link arm.
3. Staircase according to Claim 2, characterized in that the end elements (21-24) at the front edges of the treads (16-19) are provided with notches (37-40) engaging with the cross bars (12-15), when the treads are positioned in the plane common to the treads.
4. Staircase according to Claim 1, characterized in that the link arms are pivotally connected to the treads (16―19) as well as to the link means (33).
5. Staircase according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the link means (33) is provided with an operating lever (20) attached to a tread (19) in the staircase and adapted to engage with a recess (35) in a locking plate (20A) provided with a plurality of recesses (34-36), the locking plate being provided adjacent the operating lever (20) along its path of movement for adjustment and retainment of the treads (16-19) in different angle position in relation to the longitudinal direction of the stiles (10, 11).
6. Staircase according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stiles (10, 11) consist of telescopic sections (10A, 10B, 10C), the link means (41) being linked between the sections in such a way that the link means does not retain telescoping of the sections.
7. Staircase according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bearing shafts (25-28) of the treads (16-19) run substantially along the longitudinal centerlines of the treads.
8. Staircase according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stiles (10, 11) at their both ends are provided with wedgeshaped shoulders pivotally mounted on the stiles for forming adjustable support surfaces for the stiles.
EP84903772A 1983-10-14 1984-10-11 Adjustable staircase Expired EP0160022B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84903772T ATE39376T1 (en) 1983-10-14 1984-10-11 ADJUSTABLE STAIRS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8305670 1983-10-14
SE8305670A SE8305670L (en) 1983-10-14 1983-10-14 ADJUSTABLE STEPS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0160022A1 EP0160022A1 (en) 1985-11-06
EP0160022B1 true EP0160022B1 (en) 1988-12-21

Family

ID=20352910

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84903772A Expired EP0160022B1 (en) 1983-10-14 1984-10-11 Adjustable staircase

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0160022B1 (en)
AU (1) AU3503084A (en)
DE (1) DE3475723D1 (en)
NO (1) NO852401L (en)
SE (1) SE8305670L (en)
WO (1) WO1985001769A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29706983U1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1997-07-31 Trepte Wolfgang Construction stairs
CN104176594A (en) * 2014-09-03 2014-12-03 安徽工程大学 Auxiliary stair-climbing device and auxiliary stair-climbing method

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU580621B2 (en) * 1983-10-04 1989-01-19 Leon A. Mccoy Device for transporting loads between various elevations
US5634440A (en) * 1995-08-21 1997-06-03 Cindy L. Mayes Convertible step and ramp combination
US7159261B2 (en) * 2004-04-05 2007-01-09 Carrigan Stephen A Convertible dock ramp
US7383600B2 (en) 2005-04-05 2008-06-10 Carrigan Stephen A Convertible dock ramp
GB2427643A (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-03 Robert David Black An adjustable stair enabling variation in tread angle
EP1772570B1 (en) * 2005-10-09 2009-04-15 Obrist Baugeräte AG Stairway convertible into a walkway
GB2441321A (en) * 2006-08-31 2008-03-05 Sang Ngoc Nguyen Deployable wheelchair ramp
KR100689065B1 (en) * 2006-12-12 2007-03-02 (주)신성건축사사무소 Stairs structure for handicapped person and infant of building
GB0719064D0 (en) * 2007-09-29 2007-11-07 Potter Tom simple steps
FR3004202B1 (en) * 2013-04-04 2016-04-15 Jean Boquet FOLDABLE AND FOLDING STAIRCASE ON A WALL
CN104563839A (en) * 2015-01-31 2015-04-29 朱建国 Step ladder capable of adjusting height
CN106193477B (en) * 2016-07-14 2018-07-20 天津大学 Wheelchair opens up channel with accessible folding

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1791330A (en) * 1929-07-19 1931-02-03 Elmer A Sprague Combination ladder, skid, and bridge
US2864542A (en) * 1957-10-18 1958-12-16 Alexander C Kidd Combination ladder and chute
US3026961A (en) * 1960-06-16 1962-03-27 James H Leverett Combination ladders and chutes
BE760004A (en) * 1970-12-08 1971-05-17 Manduau Robert EMERGENCY DEVICE - SLIDE PLAN FOR BUILDINGS,
SE373903B (en) * 1972-01-28 1975-02-17 R E Gustafsson
GB2023204B (en) * 1978-04-07 1982-09-15 Hucker N L Flight of steps with treads held level by parallelogram linkage sledge trolly shelves

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29706983U1 (en) * 1997-04-18 1997-07-31 Trepte Wolfgang Construction stairs
CN104176594A (en) * 2014-09-03 2014-12-03 安徽工程大学 Auxiliary stair-climbing device and auxiliary stair-climbing method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1985001769A1 (en) 1985-04-25
AU3503084A (en) 1985-05-07
NO852401L (en) 1985-06-14
EP0160022A1 (en) 1985-11-06
SE8305670D0 (en) 1983-10-14
SE8305670L (en) 1985-04-15
DE3475723D1 (en) 1989-01-26

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