GB2275942A - Stairway with half steps - Google Patents

Abstract

The Stairway half Step is a disability aid to assist climbing and descending of stairways, especially in the home. Half steps A are added to the existing stairway, staircase or flight of steps, either to the left or right, so as to double the number of stair treads without any structural alteration. The physical effort of each step or stair ascent is greatly reduced, since by inserting half Steps into a 13 step stairway, it is climbed in 26 stages instead of 13. The stairway can still be used in normal manner, to the right of the Stairway half Steps shown. <IMAGE>

Description

STAIRWAY h STEP The invention, called a Stairway ~ Step, is a disability aid to ease the physical effort required in climbing and descending flights of stairs or steps especially when in the home environment.

When climbing stairs or steps becomes difficult due to impaired health, painful knee joints, stiffness, heart conditions, shortness of breath etc. positive assistance becomes necessary.

Often thoughts turn to selling the home and moving to a bungalow, avoiding the problem. This is usually a very expensive operation. It generates great upheaval and impacts upon the established social pattern. Friendly neighbours are lost as is an established well-loved garden and local amenities etc.

The Stairway e step is a means of doubling the number of stair risers and treads in flights of stairs or steps without altering the original height or construction of the staircase or flight of steps. It is the halving of the height of the stair risers that eases the physical effort of each movement.

The Stairway Step consists basically of a set of rectangular boxes or platforms, labelled A in figure 1. The height, labelled 6, of each step is equal to half the height or thereabouts of each stair riser labelled C in figure 2.

The F steps, are placed and secured one to each step or stair of the staircase or flight of steps, in line with each other vertically. The F steps may be placed either to the left or right of flights of stairs or steps as shown in figures 2 and 3. Staircases or steps so adapted can still be ascended or descended in the normal manner on the opposite side. The width of the F step suits the needs of the infirm person without affecting normal usage.

The depth of the ss step, labelled 5 in figure 1, is equal to the depth of the original stair or step, labelled B in figure 2. The height of the F step, labelled 6 in figure 1, is equal to half the height or thereabouts of the stair riser, labelled C in figure 2.

The F steps may be positioned on internal or external stairways, staircases or flights of steps. They may be constructed of any type of suitable construction material in order to blend with and complement the existing staircase or step. Wood, metal, plastic, stone, tile, etc. are all acceptable materials. They may be hollow or solid and vary in shape. The steps may also incorporate anti-slip surfaces to the upper tread face.

The F steps are securely fitted to stair risers, side walls, stair strings and stair treads, illustrated in figures 2 and 3.

To climb a stairway fitted with 4 steps, positioned on left of stairway viewed from the bottom see figure 2, the left foot is placed on the first F step, then the right foot is placed on the first original stair or step. Next the left foot is moved to the second g step and the right foot to the second original stair or step. Balance and ease of effort are also assisted by the use of hand rails or balustrades. This action is repeated until the whole of the stairway is climbed and is the developed method of use.

It will be noted that with e steps mounted to the left of a stairway the left foot is always used to mount the steps, the right foot being always on the normal tread of the original stair or step. To descend the reverse applies.

With steps mounted to the right of the stairway, illustrated in figure 3, viewed from the bottom, it will be seen that the climbing of the stairway will be ascended by the right foot always being placed on the steps and the left foot always placed on the normal tread of the stair or step. To descend the reverse applies.

The remainder, or majority of stairway not occupied by the steps can be used in the normal manner.

A 13 step staircase using ~ steps will become a 26 step staircase reaching the same overall height as the original structure. By reaching the same given height in 26 steps instead of 13 steps the physical effort for each movement needed is greatly reduced. Those with limited or restricted limb movement will also be able to use the staircase or steps where previously this was not possible, a considerable aid to mobility.

The benefit is found to apply to both climbing and descending stairs or steps.

Claims (6)

1. The Stairway F Step is a disability aid. When used in conjunction with any staircase or flight of steps containing any number of steps it will greatly reduce the physical effort of each movement required for climbing or descending the stairs or steps.

2. The Stairway ~ Step can be added to the existing stairway without any alteration to the existing structure.

3. The Stairway e Step doubles the number of stair treads whilst at the same time halving, or thereabouts, the height of stair risers.

4. The Stairway F Step maintains all of the structural dimensions of existing stairway and still allows the basic stairway to be used as normal.

5. The Stairway F Step may be incorporated either to the left or to the right of the existing stairway as desired.

6. The Stairway e Step can be fitted on an internal or external stairway, staircase or flight of steps.