GB2446281A

GB2446281A - Adjustable height step for grandstand / stadium having slotted height adjustment

Info

Publication number: GB2446281A
Application number: GB0801631A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Stuart Baglin; Keith Wilkinson
Original assignee: Tensarc Ltd
Current assignee: Tensarc Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2008-01-30
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Also published as: GB0801631D0; GB0701855D0

Abstract

An adjustable height step, which may be for use in grandstands, stadium or auditorium venues, has an upper frame 2 and a lower frame 1, wherein in an open position said upper and lower frame may move with respect to each other to adjust the height of said step. A plurality of slots and guides / blocks, 6 and 7 provide stepped adjustment, an angled open channel 8 or a vertical channel 9 allows blocks to pass rapidly there through to quickly adjust the height of said step. A non slip tread surface 5 may be provided. Advertising slogans, logos etc may be positioned on the riser portion 3 of the step. A luminous strip 4 may be provided on the edge of the tread. In an alternative embodiment the positions of the guides and blocks may be reversed from one frame to the other.

Description

I Title

Adjustable step

Background

This invention relates to an adjustable step to be used for access. In particular this invention relates to an adjustable step for access on a grandstand.

Grandstands are made of tiered platforms. The platforms are tiered to allow spectators to see events while standing or seated within the grandstand (the height of this tier is known as the rise). Access routes are defined within a grandstand to allow spectators to arrive and leave (these routes are known as gangways). These gangways Predominantly run up the tiers of a grandsta,j When the rise of a tier in a gangway exceeds the maximum limit for a single step then an additional step must be added to divide that tier into two or more smaller steps.

In order to provide the best view for spectato the height of the tiers can be varied, typically shallow at the front and steep and the rear. This variation in riser height is not constant and changes for different venues and for different events at the same venue. With a different height step required for each variation in rise, a large number of additional steps must be available to meet the changing requiremen for each installation.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a step that can be adjusted to suit the size of each tier. Each step unit can then be used at any location within the grandstand.

Advantages The adjustJy)ent in height of the step will reduce the total number of step units required for installation of the grandstand for multiple use.

Preferably, the increments are achieved by moving the upper section of the step relative to the lower section of the step, without the use of additional parts, gears, cables or screw drives.

Preferably, the step is indexed and only adjustable in increments that correspond to the increments of the grandstand.

Preferably, the two sections do not need to be completely separated before adjustment can be made.

Preferably, the adjusting slot is stepped to allow positive location at each of the step heights.

Optionally, the adjusting slot is inclined to allow positive location at each of the step heights.

Preferably, the step connects to the grandstand to limit movement of the step.

Preferably, the step can be locked in place to hinder removal.

Preferably, the top section can be locked in position relative to the lower section.

Preferably, the upper surface of the step has a non-slip surface.

Preferably, the front edge of the step can be marked with an illuminous strip for use at night or in low light conditions.

Preferably the front face of the step can accept an information or advertising banner.

Preferably the upper and lower sections are made from steel, aluminium, reinforced plastic or plastic.

Specific Description

The present invention wifl now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1. shows an adjustable step unit according to the invention.

Figure 2. shows a Section through the indexing system that allows the height of the step to be adjusted.

Figure 3. shows a view of the indexing system that allows the height of the step to be adjusted.

Figure 1 shows the assemblecj step. The assembled step comprises the lower frame I and the upper frame 2. In the open position these components can move relative to each other to allow the height of the step to be adjusted. In the closed position these components are located in a way that allows the weight of people on the step to be transferred through the step to the supporting grandsc deck. The upper frame has an advertising or information insert 3, an illuminous edge strip 4 and a non-slip tread surface 5.

Figure 2 shows a section through the Upper and lower frames. The lower frame I has locating blocks 7 fitted intermittently to the top edge. In the closed position these blocks locate in the indexing fins 8 of the upper frame 2 to support the upper frame 2. In the open position these blocks can move vertically through gaps in the fins 6 to allow the height of the step to be adjusted.

Figure 3 shows the indexing fins 6 of the lower frame 2. The fins have slots cut into them 8 to allow the locating blocks to move between the fins to provide the adjustment of the step height.

The slots 8 are cut in a stepped arrangernerfl to allow positive location during adjustment of the step height. Slot 9 allows easier adjustment of the step to its maximum height.

In an aftemative embodiment the locating blocks 7 could be sliders or wheels.

In an alternative embodiment the locating blocks 7 could be formed as part of the lower section I. In an alternative embodime, the locating blocks 7 could be fitted to the upper frame 2 and the indexing fins 6 fitted to the lower frame 1.

Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable step to allow access on a grandstand the step

comprising upper and lower parts which move relative to each other to change the height of the step.
2. An adjustable step as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper part is supported directly by the lower part. -
3. An adjustable step as claimed in claims I and 2 wherein the adjustment and support is provided is by at least one fin.
4. An adjustable step as claimed in any of claims I to 3 where 2 or more fins are located to provide indexing for the step height
5. An adjustable step as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 where adjustment of the step does not require separation of the parts.
6. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the claims I to 5 where the adjustment slots in the fins are inclined or stepped to allow positive indexing of the step height during adjustment.
7. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the step connects to the grandstand to limit movement of the step.
8. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the step can be locked to the grandstand to hinder removal.
9. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the upper part can be locked to the lower part to hinder removal.
10. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the step has a non-slip surface.
11. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the edges can be marked with an illuminous strip to highlight the edge.
12. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the front face of the step can accept an information or advertising banner.
13. An adjustable step as claimed in any of the proceeding claims where the adjustable step is made from a material selected from the following group comprising steel, aluminium, plastic and reinforced plastic.
14. An adjustable step substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figures 1,2 or 3.
15. An adjustment mechanism substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figures 1,2 or 3.