US20090255757A1 - Folding attic stair assembly - Google Patents
Folding attic stair assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090255757A1 US20090255757A1 US12/421,189 US42118909A US2009255757A1 US 20090255757 A1 US20090255757 A1 US 20090255757A1 US 42118909 A US42118909 A US 42118909A US 2009255757 A1 US2009255757 A1 US 2009255757A1
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- Prior art keywords
- attic stair
- motor
- folding
- assembly
- stair
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- 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
- E04F11/062—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic folding
- E04F11/064—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic folding with stringers overlapping when folded
Definitions
- This invention relates to folding attic stairs.
- a folding attic stair assembly is disclosed in European patent no. 1883739. This essentially comprises a folding stair assembly which can be raised and lowered on a support frame.
- a folding attic stair assembly comprising:
- the position detector is a current sensor for detecting the current drawn by the motor when the motor is operating, the controller being operable to switch off the motor when a preset motor operating current is sensed by the current sensor.
- each reel is mounted on a one-way bearing which is mounted on a driveshaft driveably connected to the motor.
- controller is operable to continue to drive the motor for a preset period after the cable has been unwound from the reel.
- the position detector includes a sensor for sensing the number of turns of the motor output shaft when the motor is running, the sensor being connected to a calculator in the controller for calculating the position of the attic stair relative to the mounting frame in response to the sensed turns of the motor output shaft.
- the senor is operable for measuring the ripple current in the motor, the calculator being operable to calculate the motor turns as a function of the frequency of the ripple current.
- the senor comprises an optical sensor, a hall sensor or a magnetic pickup in the motor.
- the attic stair is hinged at one end of the ceiling opening and the reel is mounted at the opposite end of the opening.
- a pair of spaced-apart actuating cables and associated reels are provided, the cables being connected to opposite sides of the attic stair.
- each reel is mounted on a drive shaft connected to a drive motor for rotation of the reels.
- a hood assembly for the folding attic stair comprising:
- the cover incorporates a layer of insulating material.
- a gas strut is mounted between the cover and the support frame, said gas strut being operable to urge the cover towards the open position.
- a releasable latch is provided on the cover for engagement with the base frame to retain the cover in the closed position.
- collapsible attic stair is hingedly mounted at an opposite end of the support frame to the cover.
- the invention provides the actuating means in kit form for retrofitting to an existing collapsible attic stair.
- FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned elevational view of a folding attic stair assembly according to the invention, shown in a lowered position of use;
- FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned end elevational view of the folding attic stair assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevational view of another folding attic stair assembly according to the invention.
- FIGS. 4-6 schematically illustrate a cable spooling system incorporated in the folding attic stair assembly of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another folding attic stair assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned end elevational view of the folding attic stair assembly shown in FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view of a hood assembly for the folding attic stair assembly according to the invention, showing a cover of the hood assembly in an open position;
- FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view of the hood assembly, showing a cover of the hood assembly in a closed position;
- FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the hood assembly in the closed position.
- FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 11 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a folding attic stair assembly according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 .
- the assembly 1 comprises a rectangular outer mounting frame 2 .
- An inner stairway carrying frame 3 is mounted by a hinge 4 at one end of the outer mounting frame 2 for movement between a raised stored position on the outer mounting frame 2 and a lowered position extending downwardly from the mounting frame 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .
- a folding extendable attic stair 5 is mounted on the inner frame 3 .
- a pair of folding support arms 6 extend between the outer mounting frame 2 and the inner stairway carrying frame 3 .
- a cable 8 connects between each folding support arm 6 and an associated reel 9 mounted on a drive shaft 10 which is connected to a D.C. drive motor 11 .
- This drive motor 11 is operable to wind and unwind the cables 8 on the reels 9 to raise and lower the attic stair 5 in a controlled manner.
- the drive shaft 10 is rotatably supported on bearings 14 which are mounted on support posts 15 upstanding at each side of the outer mounting frame 2 to which they are attached.
- a switch 16 for operation of the motor 11 is mounted on a wall 17 below the stair assembly 1 .
- the outer mounting frame 2 is of rectangular configuration having a pair of spaced-apart side members 20 interconnected at their ends by end members 21 . This outer frame 2 sits in an opening in a ceiling 26 to define an access opening 25 to an attic space above the ceiling 26 .
- the inner stairway carrying frame 3 has a pair of spaced-apart side beams 28 interconnected at their lower ends by a lower end beam 29 and interconnected at their upper ends by an upper end beam 30 .
- the folding attic stair 5 is mounted on the inner frame 3 for movement between a collapsed, stored position as shown in the drawings and an extended in-use floor engaging position.
- An outer door panel 32 on an underside of the inner frame 3 closes off the access opening 25 when the folding attic stair 5 is in the raised closed position.
- Each folding support arm 6 is of two-part construction, having an upper part 34 and a lower part 35 interconnected by a pivot joint 36 .
- An upper end of the upper part 34 is pivotally connected to a side member 20 of the outer mounting frame 2 by an upper pivot mount 38 which engages a mounting bracket 37 secured to an inner face of the side member 20 .
- the lower part 35 is pivotally connected to the inner stairway carrying frame 3 by a lower pivot mount 39 which engages a lower mounting bracket 40 secured to an outer face of the side beam 28 .
- a free outer end 42 of each cable 8 is attached adjacent a lower end 43 of the upper part 34 of the associated folding support arm 6 .
- the attic stair 5 is nested within the outer mounting frame 2 when the assembly 1 is in a closed position.
- the motor 11 is operated to rotate the reels 9 , paying out the cables 8 which lower the inner frame 3 with the extendable attic stair 5 in a controlled manner for deployment of the attic stair 5 .
- the motor 11 is reversed to reel in the cables 8 and gradually raise the inner frame 3 and folded attic stair 5 on the outer frame 2 into the raised stored position.
- a complete folding attic stair assembly 1 may be provided and installed in a ceiling 26 as required.
- a kit comprising the actuating assembly of cables 8 , reels 9 , drive shaft 10 , motor 11 , bearings 14 , and support posts 15 , can be provided for retrofitting to an existing folding attic stair assembly which has already been installed.
- FIG. 3 another folding attic stair assembly 45 is shown. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
- a stop block 46 is mounted within the outer frame 2 for engagement by the inner frame 3 when the inner frame 3 is in the raised closed position.
- the motor 11 is operatively connected to a controller 47 . When operating, the current drawn by the motor 11 is proportional to the mechanical load on the motor 11 .
- the controller 47 includes a current sensor 48 .
- the motor 11 is overloaded (because of the engagement of the stair 5 against the stop block 46 ) and thus it will draw much more current than it did when it was moving the stair 5 . This overload is sensed by the current sensor 48 in the controller 47 prompting the controller 47 to switch off the power supply to the motor 11 .
- this sensed motor overload also provides a safety feature by way of pinch protection, switching off the motor 11 for example if a persons hand is accidentally trapped between the stair 5 and/or inner frame 3 and the mounting frame 2 .
- each cable reel 9 is mounted on the motor driveshaft 10 by a one-way bearing 72 .
- the motor 11 rotates the driveshaft 10 feeding out the cables 8 from the reels 9 .
- the controller 49 allows the motor 11 to run on for a short period to establish that the reels 9 are fully unwound.
- the driveshaft 10 freely turns in the one-way bearings 72 so that the reels 9 do not start winding up the cables 8 again at this stage.
- the motor 11 is reversed and the cables 8 are wound up again on the reels 9 .
- a number of other alternatives for measuring the position of the attic stair by measuring the motor turns with a view to detecting the position of the stair 5 for regulating operation of the motor 11 are also envisaged by the present invention.
- One alternative is to use ripple current measurement. While the motor 11 is operating it draws a current. This current contains a ripple. The frequency and number of cycles on this ripple corresponds to the motor speed and angular movement.
- the controller 47 is provided with means for sensing this ripple and using it to calculate by means of a calculator in the controller 47 how many turns the motor 11 has gone through and its speed of rotation.
- Other alternatives for measuring the turns of the motor 11 include providing a sensor 70 at the motor 11 such as an optical sensor, hall sensor or magnetic pickup. Such sensor 70 could be mounted at the motor shaft, or at an output drive shaft of a gearbox associated with the motor or at the driveshaft 10 and is connected to the controller 47 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown another folding attic stair assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50 .
- the folding attic stair assembly 50 incorporates a safety hood assembly 52 .
- the safety hood assembly 52 has a support frame 53 which sits on top of the outer mounting frame 2 .
- a cover 54 is mounted by a hinge 55 at one end of the support frame 53 for movement between a raised open position as shown in the drawings and a lowered closed position against the support frame 53 .
- a strut 56 extends between the cover 54 and the support frame 53 to hold the cover 54 in the raised open position and to facilitate closing of the cover 54 in a controlled manner, so that it does not slam shut for example.
- the cover 54 can be lowered onto the support frame 53 and secured thereto by a releasable latch 57 .
- a sealing strip 58 seals between mating faces of the cover 54 and the support frame 53 .
- a layer of insulation 59 within the cover 54 minimises heat loss through the cover 54 when the cover 54 is in the closed position.
- the sealing strip 58 prevents drafts between the cover 54 and support frame 53 when the cover 54 is in the closed position.
- the cover 54 is moveable between an open position as shown in FIG. 9 and a closed position as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the sealing strip 58 is mounted around a top edge of the support frame 53 for engagement by a complementary bottom edge 60 of the cover 54 when the cover 54 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 10 .
- a cut-away portion 64 is provided in an end of the support frame 53 opposite the hinge 55 to allow ease of access to persons using the folding attic stair 5 when entering or leaving the attic space above the hood 52 .
- the folding attic stair 5 is hingedly mounted on the outer mounting frame 2 at an opposite end of the outer mounting frame 2 to the cover 52 as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the cover 54 is also of rectangular configuration having side walls 66 interconnected by end walls 67 .
- a rectangular top panel 68 engages in complementary mounting grooves 69 at upper ends of the side walls 66 and end walls 67 .
- the layer of insulation 59 which minimises heat loss through the hood 52 when the hood 52 is in the closed position.
- a person lowers and extends the folding attic stair 5 as previously described.
- the person can then release the latch 57 and push up the cover 54 into the open position as shown in FIG. 9 .
- the cover 54 is then retained in the open position by the strut 56 .
- the person then has free access into the attic space above the hood 52 .
- the person Upon descending again from the attic space the person lowers the cover 54 into the closed position and after stepping down the attic stair 5 this can be folded up into the stored position within the mounting frame 2 beneath the hood 52 as shown in the drawings.
- the sealing strip 58 between the support frame 53 and cover 54 prevents drafts and also the insulation layer 59 prevents heat loss through the cover 54 when the hood 52 is in the closed position.
- the hood 52 can also be closed when persons are in the attic space for safety reasons to prevent anyone accidentally falling through the access opening 25 .
- hood assembly 52 of the invention can be fitted over existing folding attic stairs.
- a folding attic stair assembly comprising the hood assembly 52 and a folding attic stair may be installed together in a ceiling opening.
Abstract
A folding attic stair assembly comprises a rectangular outer mounting frame. An inner stairway carrying frame is mounted by a hinge at one end of the outer mounting frame for movement between a raised stored position on the outer mounting frame and a lowered position extending downwardly from the mounting frame. An extendable attic stair is mounted on the inner frame. A pair of folding support arms extend between the outer mounting frame and the inner stairway carrying frame. A cable connects between each folding support arm and an associated reel mounted on a drive shaft which is connected to a drive motor. This drive motor is operable to wind and unwind the cables on the reels to raise and lower the attic stair in a controlled manner.
Description
- This invention relates to folding attic stairs.
- A folding attic stair assembly is disclosed in European patent no. 1883739. This essentially comprises a folding stair assembly which can be raised and lowered on a support frame.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved folding attic stair assembly of this type.
- According to the invention there is provided a folding attic stair assembly, comprising:
-
- a mounting frame,
- a collapsible attic stair,
- the attic stair mounted on the mounting frame for movement between a raised stored position and a lowered position extending downwardly from the mounting frame,
- an actuator for controlled movement of the attic stair between the raised position and the lowered position,
- said actuator comprising a cable having an inner end connected to a reel and an outer end connected to the attic stair,
- reel drive means operable to wind and unwind the cable on the reel to raise and lower the attic stair,
- the reel drive means comprising an electric motor operatively connected to an associated controller,
- a position detector for detecting the position of the attic stair relative to the mounting frame,
- the controller being operable to regulate operation of the motor in response to the sensed position of the attic stair.
- In one embodiment of the invention the position detector is a current sensor for detecting the current drawn by the motor when the motor is operating, the controller being operable to switch off the motor when a preset motor operating current is sensed by the current sensor.
- In another embodiment each reel is mounted on a one-way bearing which is mounted on a driveshaft driveably connected to the motor.
- In another embodiment the controller is operable to continue to drive the motor for a preset period after the cable has been unwound from the reel.
- In another embodiment the position detector includes a sensor for sensing the number of turns of the motor output shaft when the motor is running, the sensor being connected to a calculator in the controller for calculating the position of the attic stair relative to the mounting frame in response to the sensed turns of the motor output shaft.
- In another embodiment the sensor is operable for measuring the ripple current in the motor, the calculator being operable to calculate the motor turns as a function of the frequency of the ripple current.
- In another embodiment the sensor comprises an optical sensor, a hall sensor or a magnetic pickup in the motor.
- In one embodiment of the invention the attic stair is hinged at one end of the ceiling opening and the reel is mounted at the opposite end of the opening.
- In a preferred embodiment a pair of spaced-apart actuating cables and associated reels are provided, the cables being connected to opposite sides of the attic stair.
- In another embodiment each reel is mounted on a drive shaft connected to a drive motor for rotation of the reels.
- In another embodiment there is provided a hood assembly for the folding attic stair, the hood assembly comprising:
-
- a support frame defining an access opening for the folding attic stair,
- a cover hingedly mounted on the support frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and
- sealing means engagable between the cover and the support frame when the cover is in a closed position to seal the access opening.
- In another embodiment the cover incorporates a layer of insulating material.
- In another embodiment a gas strut is mounted between the cover and the support frame, said gas strut being operable to urge the cover towards the open position.
- In another embodiment a releasable latch is provided on the cover for engagement with the base frame to retain the cover in the closed position.
- In another embodiment the collapsible attic stair is hingedly mounted at an opposite end of the support frame to the cover.
- In another aspect the invention provides the actuating means in kit form for retrofitting to an existing collapsible attic stair.
- The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
-
FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned elevational view of a folding attic stair assembly according to the invention, shown in a lowered position of use; -
FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned end elevational view of the folding attic stair assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevational view of another folding attic stair assembly according to the invention; -
FIGS. 4-6 schematically illustrate a cable spooling system incorporated in the folding attic stair assembly ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 7 is a view similar toFIG. 1 showing another folding attic stair assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned end elevational view of the folding attic stair assembly shown inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view of a hood assembly for the folding attic stair assembly according to the invention, showing a cover of the hood assembly in an open position; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view of the hood assembly, showing a cover of the hood assembly in a closed position; -
FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the hood assembly in the closed position; and -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII ofFIG. 11 . - Referring to the drawings, and initially to
FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof there is illustrated a folding attic stair assembly according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The assembly 1 comprises a rectangularouter mounting frame 2. An innerstairway carrying frame 3 is mounted by ahinge 4 at one end of theouter mounting frame 2 for movement between a raised stored position on theouter mounting frame 2 and a lowered position extending downwardly from themounting frame 2 as shown inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 . A foldingextendable attic stair 5 is mounted on theinner frame 3. A pair offolding support arms 6 extend between theouter mounting frame 2 and the innerstairway carrying frame 3. Acable 8 connects between eachfolding support arm 6 and an associatedreel 9 mounted on adrive shaft 10 which is connected to a D.C. drive motor 11. This drive motor 11 is operable to wind and unwind thecables 8 on thereels 9 to raise and lower theattic stair 5 in a controlled manner. - The
drive shaft 10 is rotatably supported onbearings 14 which are mounted onsupport posts 15 upstanding at each side of theouter mounting frame 2 to which they are attached. Aswitch 16 for operation of the motor 11 is mounted on awall 17 below the stair assembly 1. - The
outer mounting frame 2 is of rectangular configuration having a pair of spaced-apartside members 20 interconnected at their ends byend members 21. Thisouter frame 2 sits in an opening in aceiling 26 to define an access opening 25 to an attic space above theceiling 26. - The inner
stairway carrying frame 3 has a pair of spaced-apart side beams 28 interconnected at their lower ends by alower end beam 29 and interconnected at their upper ends by anupper end beam 30. Thefolding attic stair 5 is mounted on theinner frame 3 for movement between a collapsed, stored position as shown in the drawings and an extended in-use floor engaging position. Anouter door panel 32 on an underside of theinner frame 3 closes off the access opening 25 when thefolding attic stair 5 is in the raised closed position. - Each
folding support arm 6 is of two-part construction, having anupper part 34 and alower part 35 interconnected by apivot joint 36. An upper end of theupper part 34 is pivotally connected to aside member 20 of theouter mounting frame 2 by an upper pivot mount 38 which engages amounting bracket 37 secured to an inner face of theside member 20. Similarly, thelower part 35 is pivotally connected to the innerstairway carrying frame 3 by alower pivot mount 39 which engages alower mounting bracket 40 secured to an outer face of theside beam 28. A freeouter end 42 of eachcable 8 is attached adjacent alower end 43 of theupper part 34 of the associatedfolding support arm 6. - In use, the
attic stair 5 is nested within theouter mounting frame 2 when the assembly 1 is in a closed position. To gain access to the attic space above theceiling 26 the motor 11 is operated to rotate thereels 9, paying out thecables 8 which lower theinner frame 3 with theextendable attic stair 5 in a controlled manner for deployment of theattic stair 5. After use, the motor 11 is reversed to reel in thecables 8 and gradually raise theinner frame 3 and foldedattic stair 5 on theouter frame 2 into the raised stored position. - It will be appreciated that a complete folding attic stair assembly 1 may be provided and installed in a
ceiling 26 as required. Alternatively a kit comprising the actuating assembly ofcables 8,reels 9, driveshaft 10, motor 11,bearings 14, and support posts 15, can be provided for retrofitting to an existing folding attic stair assembly which has already been installed. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 another foldingattic stair assembly 45 is shown. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case astop block 46 is mounted within theouter frame 2 for engagement by theinner frame 3 when theinner frame 3 is in the raised closed position. The motor 11 is operatively connected to acontroller 47. When operating, the current drawn by the motor 11 is proportional to the mechanical load on the motor 11. Thecontroller 47 includes acurrent sensor 48. When thestair 5 is fully raised theinner frame 3 hits against thestop block 46. In the fully raised position the motor 11 is overloaded (because of the engagement of thestair 5 against the stop block 46) and thus it will draw much more current than it did when it was moving thestair 5. This overload is sensed by thecurrent sensor 48 in thecontroller 47 prompting thecontroller 47 to switch off the power supply to the motor 11. - It will be noted that this sensed motor overload also provides a safety feature by way of pinch protection, switching off the motor 11 for example if a persons hand is accidentally trapped between the
stair 5 and/orinner frame 3 and the mountingframe 2. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 to 6 , eachcable reel 9 is mounted on themotor driveshaft 10 by a one-way bearing 72. During lowering of thestair 5, the motor 11 rotates thedriveshaft 10 feeding out thecables 8 from thereels 9. When thestair 5 is fully lowered and thecables 8 are fully paid out, thecontroller 49 allows the motor 11 to run on for a short period to establish that thereels 9 are fully unwound. During this period, thedriveshaft 10 freely turns in the one-way bearings 72 so that thereels 9 do not start winding up thecables 8 again at this stage. To subsequently lift thestair 5 into the raised stored position, the motor 11 is reversed and thecables 8 are wound up again on thereels 9. - A number of other alternatives for measuring the position of the attic stair by measuring the motor turns with a view to detecting the position of the
stair 5 for regulating operation of the motor 11 are also envisaged by the present invention. One alternative is to use ripple current measurement. While the motor 11 is operating it draws a current. This current contains a ripple. The frequency and number of cycles on this ripple corresponds to the motor speed and angular movement. Thecontroller 47 is provided with means for sensing this ripple and using it to calculate by means of a calculator in thecontroller 47 how many turns the motor 11 has gone through and its speed of rotation. Other alternatives for measuring the turns of the motor 11 include providing a sensor 70 at the motor 11 such as an optical sensor, hall sensor or magnetic pickup. Such sensor 70 could be mounted at the motor shaft, or at an output drive shaft of a gearbox associated with the motor or at thedriveshaft 10 and is connected to thecontroller 47. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown another folding attic stair assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by thereference numeral 50. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the foldingattic stair assembly 50 incorporates asafety hood assembly 52. Thesafety hood assembly 52 has asupport frame 53 which sits on top of theouter mounting frame 2. Acover 54 is mounted by ahinge 55 at one end of thesupport frame 53 for movement between a raised open position as shown in the drawings and a lowered closed position against thesupport frame 53. Astrut 56 extends between thecover 54 and thesupport frame 53 to hold thecover 54 in the raised open position and to facilitate closing of thecover 54 in a controlled manner, so that it does not slam shut for example. Thecover 54 can be lowered onto thesupport frame 53 and secured thereto by areleasable latch 57. A sealingstrip 58 seals between mating faces of thecover 54 and thesupport frame 53. A layer ofinsulation 59 within thecover 54 minimises heat loss through thecover 54 when thecover 54 is in the closed position. The sealingstrip 58 prevents drafts between thecover 54 andsupport frame 53 when thecover 54 is in the closed position. - Referring in particular to
FIGS. 9 to 12 , thehood assembly 52 is shown in more detail. Thecover 54 is moveable between an open position as shown inFIG. 9 and a closed position as shown inFIG. 10 . - The sealing
strip 58 is mounted around a top edge of thesupport frame 53 for engagement by acomplementary bottom edge 60 of thecover 54 when thecover 54 is in the closed position as shown inFIG. 10 . - It will be noted that a cut-away
portion 64 is provided in an end of thesupport frame 53 opposite thehinge 55 to allow ease of access to persons using thefolding attic stair 5 when entering or leaving the attic space above thehood 52. Thefolding attic stair 5 is hingedly mounted on theouter mounting frame 2 at an opposite end of theouter mounting frame 2 to thecover 52 as shown inFIG. 7 . - The
cover 54 is also of rectangular configuration havingside walls 66 interconnected byend walls 67. A rectangulartop panel 68 engages in complementary mountinggrooves 69 at upper ends of theside walls 66 and endwalls 67. - Mounted directly beneath the
top panel 68 is the layer ofinsulation 59 which minimises heat loss through thehood 52 when thehood 52 is in the closed position. - In use, a person lowers and extends the
folding attic stair 5 as previously described. Upon ascending thestair 5 the person can then release thelatch 57 and push up thecover 54 into the open position as shown inFIG. 9 . Thecover 54 is then retained in the open position by thestrut 56. The person then has free access into the attic space above thehood 52. Upon descending again from the attic space the person lowers thecover 54 into the closed position and after stepping down theattic stair 5 this can be folded up into the stored position within the mountingframe 2 beneath thehood 52 as shown in the drawings. - It will be appreciated that the sealing
strip 58 between thesupport frame 53 and cover 54 prevents drafts and also theinsulation layer 59 prevents heat loss through thecover 54 when thehood 52 is in the closed position. Thehood 52 can also be closed when persons are in the attic space for safety reasons to prevent anyone accidentally falling through theaccess opening 25. - It will be noted that the
hood assembly 52 of the invention can be fitted over existing folding attic stairs. Alternatively a folding attic stair assembly comprising thehood assembly 52 and a folding attic stair may be installed together in a ceiling opening. - The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A folding attic stair assembly, comprising:
a mounting frame,
a collapsible attic stair,
the attic stair mounted on the mounting frame for movement between a raised stored position and a lowered position extending downwardly from the mounting frame,
an actuator for controlled movement of the attic stair between the raised position and the lowered position,
said actuator comprising a cable having an inner end connected to a reel and an outer end connected to the attic stair,
reel drive means operable to wind and unwind the cable on the reel to raise and lower the attic stair,
the reel drive means comprising an electric motor operatively connected to an associated controller,
a position detector for detecting the position of the attic stair relative to the mounting frame,
the controller being operable to regulate operation of the motor in response to the sensed position of the attic stair.
2. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the position detector is a current sensor for detecting the current drawn by the motor when the motor is operating, the controller being operable to switch off the motor when a preset motor operating current is sensed by the current sensor.
3. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each reel is mounted on a one-way bearing which is mounted on a driveshaft driveably connected to the motor.
4. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the controller is operable to continue to drive the motor for a preset period after the cable has been unwound from the reel.
5. The folding attic stair as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the position detector includes a sensor for sensing the number of turns of the motor output shaft when the motor is running, the sensor being connected to a calculator in the controller for calculating the position of the attic stair relative to the mounting frame in response to the sensed turns of the motor output shaft.
6. The folding attic stair as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the sensor is operable for measuring the ripple current in the motor, the calculator being operable to calculate the motor turns as a function of the frequency of the ripple current.
7. The folding attic stair as claimed in claim 5 , where the sensor comprises an optical sensor, a hall sensor or a magnetic pickup in the motor.
8. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attic stair is hinged at one end of the ceiling opening and the reel is mounted at the opposite end of the opening.
9. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of spaced-apart actuating cables and associated reels are provided, the cables being connected to opposite sides of the attic stair.
10. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein each reel is mounted on a drive shaft connected to the drive motor for rotation of the reels.
11. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a hood assembly for the folding attic stair, the hood assembly comprising:
a support frame defining an access opening for the folding attic stair,
a cover hingedly mounted on the support frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and
sealing means engagable between the cover and the support frame when the cover is in a closed position to seal the access opening.
12. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the cover incorporates a layer of insulating material.
13. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein a gas strut is mounted between the cover and the support frame, said gas strut being operable to urge the cover towards the open position.
14. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein a releasable latch is provided on the cover for engagement with the base frame to retain the cover in the closed position.
15. The folding attic stair assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the collapsible attic stair is hingedly mounted at an opposite end of the support frame to the cover.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IES20080270 IES20080270A2 (en) | 2008-04-09 | 2008-04-09 | A hood assembly |
IES20080269 IES20080269A2 (en) | 2008-04-09 | 2008-04-09 | A folding attic stair assembly |
IES2008/0270 | 2008-04-09 | ||
IES2008/0269 | 2008-04-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090255757A1 true US20090255757A1 (en) | 2009-10-15 |
Family
ID=40823333
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/421,189 Abandoned US20090255757A1 (en) | 2008-04-09 | 2009-04-09 | Folding attic stair assembly |
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Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20090255757A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2108761A3 (en) |
IE (1) | IE86487B1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100192487A1 (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2010-08-05 | Creative Products of WI, LLC | Pivotal stairway systems and method |
US8590229B2 (en) | 2010-09-15 | 2013-11-26 | Shurtech Brands, Llc | Inflatable attic stairway insulation appliance |
US8997411B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2015-04-07 | Josiah Whitten | Safe room system for folding attic stair assembly |
US20150122580A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-07 | Loftease Attic Stairs Limited | Automatic foldable ladder |
US9540824B1 (en) * | 2015-06-05 | 2017-01-10 | Rodney A. Sandburg | Retractable stairs and cord assembly |
US9957720B1 (en) | 2015-11-25 | 2018-05-01 | Majic Stairs Inc. | Retractable staircase and method |
US10208539B2 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2019-02-19 | Michael Beard | Extendable access device |
US11945701B1 (en) | 2020-11-13 | 2024-04-02 | Majic Stairs Inc. | Lift |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20210388669A1 (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2021-12-16 | Brian K. Gates | Escape door assembly for storm shelter |
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US1811709A (en) * | 1929-01-19 | 1931-06-23 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US1811707A (en) * | 1928-07-20 | 1931-06-23 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US1930992A (en) * | 1930-02-19 | 1933-10-17 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US20020112409A1 (en) * | 2001-01-18 | 2002-08-22 | Knowles Stacey Glenn | Method and apparatus for insulation |
US6802392B1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2004-10-12 | Gene S. Davis | Stowing stairway |
US20050029042A1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2005-02-10 | Latimer Brett A. | Positioning system for folding ladder and method of installation of folding ladder using positioning system |
US6866118B1 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2005-03-15 | William D. Battenberg | Motorized access apparatus for elevated areas |
US6886661B1 (en) * | 2003-09-26 | 2005-05-03 | William D. Battenberg | Motorized access ladder for elevated areas |
US7140466B2 (en) * | 2003-09-08 | 2006-11-28 | Spacelift Products, Inc. | Platform lift apparatus with integrated ladder for accessing attic storage space |
US20070095608A1 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2007-05-03 | Taylor Joe H | Insulating cover |
US20070181364A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-09 | Jean-Pierre Lair | Automatic Ladder for Attic Access |
US20080060874A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2008-03-13 | Jean-Pierre Lair | Automatic ladder for attic access |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE602006003426D1 (en) | 2005-05-18 | 2008-12-11 | Michael Burke | COLLAPSABLE STAINLESS STEEL ARRANGEMENT |
IE20060399A1 (en) * | 2005-05-18 | 2007-01-24 | Michael Burke | A folding loft stair assembly |
-
2009
- 2009-04-09 US US12/421,189 patent/US20090255757A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-04-09 EP EP09157786A patent/EP2108761A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-04-09 IE IE20090285A patent/IE86487B1/en unknown
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US1811707A (en) * | 1928-07-20 | 1931-06-23 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US1811709A (en) * | 1929-01-19 | 1931-06-23 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US1930992A (en) * | 1930-02-19 | 1933-10-17 | Bessler Disappearing Stairway | Disappearing stairway |
US20020112409A1 (en) * | 2001-01-18 | 2002-08-22 | Knowles Stacey Glenn | Method and apparatus for insulation |
US6802392B1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2004-10-12 | Gene S. Davis | Stowing stairway |
US6866118B1 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2005-03-15 | William D. Battenberg | Motorized access apparatus for elevated areas |
US20050029042A1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2005-02-10 | Latimer Brett A. | Positioning system for folding ladder and method of installation of folding ladder using positioning system |
US7140466B2 (en) * | 2003-09-08 | 2006-11-28 | Spacelift Products, Inc. | Platform lift apparatus with integrated ladder for accessing attic storage space |
US6886661B1 (en) * | 2003-09-26 | 2005-05-03 | William D. Battenberg | Motorized access ladder for elevated areas |
US20070095608A1 (en) * | 2005-09-28 | 2007-05-03 | Taylor Joe H | Insulating cover |
US20070181364A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2007-08-09 | Jean-Pierre Lair | Automatic Ladder for Attic Access |
US20080060874A1 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2008-03-13 | Jean-Pierre Lair | Automatic ladder for attic access |
US7841448B2 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2010-11-30 | Jean-Pierre Lair | Automatic ladder for attic access |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100192487A1 (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2010-08-05 | Creative Products of WI, LLC | Pivotal stairway systems and method |
US8590229B2 (en) | 2010-09-15 | 2013-11-26 | Shurtech Brands, Llc | Inflatable attic stairway insulation appliance |
US8997411B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2015-04-07 | Josiah Whitten | Safe room system for folding attic stair assembly |
US20150122580A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-07 | Loftease Attic Stairs Limited | Automatic foldable ladder |
US9447637B2 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2016-09-20 | Loftease Attic Stairs Limited | Automatic foldable ladder |
US10208539B2 (en) * | 2014-11-18 | 2019-02-19 | Michael Beard | Extendable access device |
US9540824B1 (en) * | 2015-06-05 | 2017-01-10 | Rodney A. Sandburg | Retractable stairs and cord assembly |
US10066397B1 (en) * | 2015-06-05 | 2018-09-04 | Rodney A. Sandburg | Retractable stairs and cord assembly |
US9957720B1 (en) | 2015-11-25 | 2018-05-01 | Majic Stairs Inc. | Retractable staircase and method |
US11945701B1 (en) | 2020-11-13 | 2024-04-02 | Majic Stairs Inc. | Lift |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2108761A3 (en) | 2012-08-01 |
IE20090285A1 (en) | 2009-10-14 |
EP2108761A2 (en) | 2009-10-14 |
IE86487B1 (en) | 2014-12-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |