GB2410261A

GB2410261A - A stair tread

Info

Publication number: GB2410261A
Application number: GB0401394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rainer Clover; Derek Pearce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-22
Filing date: 2004-01-22
Publication date: 2005-07-27
Also published as: EP1557506A3; EP1557506A2; GB0401394D0

Abstract

A tread for a stair, the tread comprises a preformed metal body of generally channel section comprising a base and opposite side walls, the side walls being bent over so that the free ends overlie the respective edge portion of the base; an anti-slip surface being present on at least the upper outer surface of one side wall either by being formed on that surface or on a clip member secured to that side wall; an infill being present in the space defined by the base and the side walls whereby the upper surface of the tread is substantially flat.

Description

STAIR TREAD

It is usual to make a stair tread and later add a nosing or edge designed to prevent slip or skid. This enables the architect to select a wide variety of nosngs according to local requirements and his sense of taste and judgement.

This invention is based on the proposition that the main body of a tread may be preformed with or to accept a slip resistant surface and an infill can be added later in a quick and efficient way.

In one aspect the invention provides a tread for a stair, the tread comprising a preformed metal body of generally channel section comprising a base and opposite side walls, the side walls being bent over so that the free ends overlie the respective edge portion of the base; an anti- slip surface being present on at least the upper outer surface of one side wall either by being formed on that surface or on a clip portion secured to that side wall; an infill being present in the space defined by the base and the side walls whereby the upper surface of the tread is substantially flat.

Preferably the metal body is an extrusion, typically of aluminium.

The slip deformations may be present on the outer surface of both side walls. The deformations may be of any suitable shape and may provide an anti-slip or even anti- skd effect.

The body may be provided with any suitable means by which it can be connected to the vertical supports e.g. stringers of a stair.

The infill will typically be a preformed element e.g. of metal, stone, wood, reinforced plastics or concrete. Pillars may be present on the base for strength and to reduce the volume and height of the infill. The infill may be formed within the space i.e. the space may be used as a mould for concrete.

In another aspect the invention provides a stair comprising a plurality of treads as defined above.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 Is a side view of one stair tread extrusion without the infill; Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1 showing the infill and the support; Figure 3 is a side view of another stair tread extrusion engaged with a clip therefor; and Figure 4 is a side view of a stair tread incorporating treads according to Figure 3.

The tread of Figures 1 and 2 comprise a length of extruded aluminium or the like.

The extrusion has the general shape of a channel having a base 1 and side walls 2, 3. The side walls are bent over the respective edge portions 4 of the base 1 and slip or skid resistant ridges 5, i.e. an antislip nose or edging is formed on the side wall 2 by the extrusion process 1. Elongate sockets 6 are formed in the space between the sidewalls 2, 3 and the edge portions 4 of the base to receive bolts or the like (not shown) by which the tread may be mounted at each end on a support (not shown).

The extrusion includes two ledges 8 adjacent the sockets 6. A pillar 9 is present on the base. The space 10 between the free ends of the side walls 2, 3 defines a socket to receive a preformed infill body or insert 11 (Figure 2) to rest on the ledges 8 and the pillar 9, the Insert being dimensioned to fill the space 10 and be substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the side walls 2, 3. The preformed body may be made of metal, stone, resin bonded aggregate, wood or the like. The upper face 11 a of the Insert may be a different material e.g. carpet, rubber or the like. Because the antiskid surface is preformed on the extrusion time and cost is saved in assembling the tread.

In the embodiment of figures 3 and 4 the tread comprises a length of extruded aluminium or the like. The extrusion has the general shape of a channel having a base 101 and side walls 102, 103. The side walls 102, 103 are bent over to partially overlie the respective edge portions 104 of the base and end in downwardly facing short fingers 105,106.

The finger 106 of the side wall 103 has a small recess or notch 107. The outer surface of the side wall 103 has a tapered slot 108 at about its vertical mid-point. A number of short pillars 109, 110, 111 and 112 stand up from the base 101. The two outer pillars have sockets 113 and 114 and a short vertical slot 115; the inner pillars and 111 have flat heads. A short vertical slot 116 Is present in the base 101 below the socket 113 of the side wall 103. Sockets 118 are present below the pillars 110and 111.

A clip member 120 is of generally inverted L shape comprising a generally horizontal base 121 having at one side a depending short leg 122 which ends in a small end finger 123, and on the other side a longer leg 124 having a wedge shaped shoulder on its inner surface. The base 121 has depending spaced apart feet 128 and a channel shaped slot 129 to receive an infill plate 130 having an ant'-slip upper surface. The clip 120 is engaged with the side wall 103 by reception of the finger 123 in the notch 107 and the wedge shaped shoulder 125 in the slot 108.

The tread is assembled by engaging the clip 120 and the side wall 103. The plate is slid into the channel shaped slot 129 to provide the antiskid surface. An infold 131 is added to finish the assembly. The tread is then fitted to a stair support, not shown, in a variety of ways. Horizontal belts may pass through stringers, not shown, into the sockets 113. The heads of vertical belts may be received in sockets 118 to pass into underneath supports. The sockets 114 may be used to receive clips connected to covers used to conceal the sides of the tread.

As shown in figure 4 a vanity screen 132 may be present between adjacent treads, the upper edge of the screen 132 being received in the slot 116 of the upper tread and the lower edge of the screen in the slot 115 of the lower tread. Advertising or like messages may be present on the screen 132.

The skid ridges may be present on both side walls. The tread may be fixed to a support using means other than the sockets 6, 113 or 114. Where the anti-slip surface is only on one side wall it is not necessary that the side walls be of the same shape

Claims

1. A tread for a stair, the tread comprising a preformed metal body of generally channel section comprising a base and opposite side walls, the side walls being bent over so that the free ends overlie the respective edge portion of the base; an anti-slip surface being present on at least the upper outer surface of one side wall either by being formed on that surface or on a clip member secured to that side wall; an infill being present in the space defined by the base and the side walls whereby the upper surface of the tread is substantially flat.

2. A stair tread comprising a length of metal of generally channel sectional shape, comprising a base and side walls, the sidewalls being bent to overlie a respective edge portion of the base, slip resistant deformations being present on the outer surface of at least one of the side walls, a preformed body being present in the channel and having an upper surface substantial level with the outer surface of the sidewalls of the extrusion.

3. A stair tread comprising a length of metal of generally channel sectional shape, comprising a base and side walls, the sidewalls being bent so that the free ends thereof overlie a respective edge portion of the base, slip resistant deformations being present on the outer surface of a clip member secured at its ends to complementary engagement means of one side wall, a preformed body being present in the channel and having an upper surface substantial level with the outer surface of the sidewalls of the extrusion.

4. A tread according to any preceding Claim, wherein the length is an extrusion.

A tread according to any preceding Claim, wherein at least one pillar is present on the base of the section to provide a floor for the body.

6. A tread according to any preceding Claim, having means at each end for engagement with supports whereby the tread may be incorporated in a stair.

7. A tread according to any preceding Claim, wherein the base has means for engagement with supports whereby the tread may be incorporated in a stair.

8. A stair incorporating a plurality of treads according to any of Claims 1 to 7.