GB2327099A

GB2327099A - Stairway system; prefabricated modules

Info

Publication number: GB2327099A
Application number: GB9809619A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas James Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-10
Filing date: 1998-05-07
Publication date: 1999-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-07
Also published as: GB9711944D0; HK1017915A1; GB9809619D0; GB2327099B

Abstract

A stairway system comprises one or more prefabricated modules of stairway 10,11 which can be laid on a structure or slope and attached to each other and/or the ground and/or static objects to restrict movement. Attachment can be achieved using a variety of fixings including, for example, pins 31 located in housings in the stairway such as holes or slots 30 and inserted or driven into the ground approximately perpendicular to the slope of the ground. Accessories such as a handrail 20, a connector plate 24, a module of walkway 25 and landing plates 26 together with fixings such as nuts and bolts 21 can be incorporated as required The system can be used for temporary or permanent installation and the components are re-usable.

Description

STAIRWAY SYSTEM This invention relates to a prefabricated modular stairway system intended primarily for use on open ground following minimal site preparation.

A stairway comprises a series of stairs at intervals enabling a user to travel between two or more levels.

Stairways are normally rigid assemblies installed between fixed points on 2 structure or slope. The construction of a stairway normally entails significant site preparation, time and cost.

According to the present invention one or more prefabricated modules of stairway are laid on a structure or slope and attached to each other and/or the ground and/or static objects to restrict movement. Attachment is achieved using a variety of fixings including, for example, pins located in housings in the stairway such as holes or slots and inserted or driven into the ground approximately perpendicular to the slope of the ground. Accessories such as handrails, landings and walkway are incorporated as required. The prefabricated modules of stairway are provided in various designs and sizes and with various multipies of stairs. The stairway system can be used for temporary or permanent installation and the components are re-usable.

The stairway system minimises the need for preparation and reinstatement of the site and the time and cost of instaltation and removal.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows an example of a complete assembly in perspective; Figures 2-6 show five alternative designs for modules of stairway in profile; Figure 7 shows examples of accessories for use in conjunction with modules of stairway; Figure 8 shows examples of fixings for use in conjunction with modules of stairway andlor accessories; Figure 9 shows a design for a reversible module of stairway in perspective; Figure 10 shows a design for a module of shallow stairway in perspective; Figure 11 shows a design for a module of walkway in perspective; and Figure 1 2 shows a design for part of an assembly for supporting a handrail or guide-rope.

Referring to the drawing the stairway as shown in Figure 1 comprises two rigid modules of stairway 10, 11 selected for the gradient of the site which are attached to each other and to the ground using fixings such as pins 31. The fixings are located in housings in the stairway such as holes or slots 30 and inserted or driven into the ground approximately perpendicular to the slope of the ground. Accessories such as a handrail 20, a connector plate 24, a module of walkway 25 and landing plates 26 together with fixings such as nuts and bolts 21 are incorporated to form a complete assembly.

Referring to the drawing Figure 2 shows a rigid module of stairway 10.

Referring to the drawing Figure 3 shows two rigid modules of stairway 11 which can be reversed to accommodate different gradients of site.

Referring to the drawing Figure 4 shows a module of stairway 12 in which the stairs are permanently or releasably linked together to permit limited movement and in which the stair treads 13 are curved to accommodate variations in the gradient of the site. The links between the stairs 14 comprise interlocking mschanisms or bolts, pins, rivets, straps, hooks, rings, shackles or other connectors Inot shown in detail). The stair treads 13 incorporate a 'non-slip' surface such as a ribbed, patterned, textured or perforated surface or an area of mesh (not shown in detail).

Referring to the drawing Figure 5 shows two rigid modules of stairway 1 5 with curved treads 1 3 which can accommodate variations in the gradient of the site.

Referring to the drawing Figure 6 shows a module of stairway with rigid, curved treads 1 6 which are mounted on a flexible structure 1 7 to accommodate variations in the gradient of the site. The flexible structure 1 7 can, for example, incorporate moulded plastic, fibreglass, rubber, mesh or woven fibre (not shown in detail), Referring to the drawing Figure 7 shows examples of accessories for use in conjunction with modules of stairway, comprising a handrail 20, supports for a handrail or guide-rope 22, a guide-rope 23, a connector plate 24, a module of walkway 25 and a landing plate 26.

Referring to the drawing Figure 8 shows examples of fixings for use in conjunction with modules of stairway and/or accessories, comprising two pins, pegs or nails 31, a hooked fixing 32, a bolt, screw, threaded or spiral fixing 33 and a barbed, splayed or expanding fixing 34.

Referring to the drawing Figure 9 shows a module of stairway which can be reversed to accommodate different gradients of site (as in Figure 3). The module of stairway can be produced from a variety of materials including steel treadplate (with or without a galvanized finish), aluminium treadplate, metal, plastic or fibreglass. Housings such as holes or slots 30 are provided for fixings such as pins 31. Housings such as holes or slots 35 are provided for attaching supports for a handrail or guide-rope.

Referring to the drawing Figure 10 shows a module of stairway for use on sites with shallow gradients. The module of stairway can be produced from a variety of materials including steel treadplate (with or without a galvanized finish), aluminium treadplate, metal, plastic or fibreglass. Housings such as holes or slots 30 are provided for fixings such as pins 31. Housings such as holes or slots 35 are provided for attaching supports for a handrail or guiderope.

Referring to the drawing Figure 11 shows a module of walkway which can be produced from a variety of materials including steel treadplate (with or without a galvanized finish), aluminium treadplate, metal, plastic or fibreglass. Lateral bars (such as steel or aluminium angle) 36 are attached to a base 37 to produce a 'non-slip' surface and housings such as holes or slots 30 are provided for fixings such as pins 31.

Referring to the drawing Figure 12 shows part of an assembly for supporting a handrail or guide-rope. A base plate 38 is provided with a recess 39 to fit over the side of a stair tread. The base plate is secured to the stair tread using a quick-release pin or clip or other fixing passed through holes 40 in the upper and lower faces of the base plate and in the stair tread. Alternatively the base plate is secured to the stair tread using two bolts or other fixings passed through holes 41 in the upper and lower faces of the base plate and in the stair tread. A support for a handrail or guide-rope is provided with a housing 42 attached to the base plate.

Claims

1 A stairway system comprising one or more prefabricated modules of stairway which can be laid on a structure or slope and attached to each other and/or the ground and/or static objects to restrict movement.

2 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 incorporating at least one rigid module of stairway.

3 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 incorporating at least one flexible module of stairway.

4 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 incorporating at least one module of stairway which consists of both rigid and flexible components.

5 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4 incorporating a; least one rigid tread mounted on a flexible structure.

6 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the tread of at least one stair is curved to accommodate variations in the gradient of the site.

7 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the tread of at least one stair incorporates a wnon-slip' surface such as a ribbed, patterned, textured or perforated surface or an area of mesh.

8 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one module of stairway is reversible.

9 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one module of stairway is re-usable.

10 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one module of stairway incorporates one or more stairs.

11 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one module of stairway incorporates two or more stairs which are permanently or releasably linked together.

12 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 11 wherein the links between the stairs comprise interlocking mechanisms or bolts1 pins, rivets, straps, hooks, rings, shackles or other connectors.

1 3 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein two or more modules of stairway are attached to each other to restrict movement.

14 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the stairway is attached to the ground to restrict movement.

1 5 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 14 wherein the stairway is attached to the ground by at least one pin, peg, nail, hook, bolt, screw or threaded, spiral, barbed, splayed, expanding or other fixing.

16 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the stairway is attached to the ground by at least one fixing which is located in a housing in the stairway such as a hole or slot.

1 7 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 14 or Claim 1 5 or Claim 16 wherein the stairway is attached to the ground by at least one fixing which is inserted or driven into the ground approximately perpendicular to the slope of the ground.

18 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the stairway is attached to at least one static object to restrict movement.

19 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the stairway is provided with at least one handrail or support for a handrail or guide-rope or support for a guide-rope.

20 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the stairway is provided with at least one connector plate or landing plate or module of watkway.

21 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed for temporary installation.

22 A stairway system as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed for permanent installation.

23 A stairway system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-12 of the accompanying drawing.