US3196997A - Step forming unit - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1965 E. M. HAGER STEP FORMING UNIT Filed 001;. 19, 1961 F/G. i

I NVEN TOR. f1 Mze M #4052 MW United States Patent 3,196,997 STEP FORMING UNIT Elmer M. Hagar, 5024 Berwyn Road, College Park, Md. Filed Oct. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 146,173 1 Claim. '(Cl. 189-43) This invention relates to a step forming unit, and has particular applicability to a pre-formed metal structure adapted to form the ends of a set of steps, the units being provided with inturned flanges having bolt holes therein to permit the ready attachment of steps and risers thereto with absolute accuracy.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which simplifies and expedites the formation of a flight of stairs as all step units forming the flight are of the same shape and dimension.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a prefabricated unit which may be used in multiples to provide a flight of steps of any desired length.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be made of a convenient size to accommodate bleacher seats or other tiered objects.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a unit of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and described in the accompanying specification and shown in the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a flight of steps constructed with a plurality of units in accordance with the instant invention, the risers and threads being omitted.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an individual unit.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view partially broken away of a flight of steps constructed with the units of the instant invention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of construction adapted for use in assembling bleacher seats or the like.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the instant invention is comprised of identical units each having a quadrilateral plate which has a perimetric inturned flange extending entirely thereabout, the flange including an upper horizontal portion 11, a vertical portion 12, a lower horizontal portion 13, and an angularly inclined portion 14. The arrangement is such that a plurality of identical units, each generally indicated at 15, are assembled as shown in FIG. 1 with their vertical top flanges 11 extending inwardly in opposed relation to form the opposite sides of the steps, and with their vertical flanges 12 extending downwardly. The lower flange 13 of each unit is secured to the rear end of the top flange 11 of the next adjacent unit, there being a series of bolt holes 16 extending along each of the flanges to facilitate such assembly.

A step tread 17 is aflixed to the top portion of each unit extending transversely as best shown in FIG. 3 and a riser 18 is affixed between the paired vertical flanges 12. By virtue of this arrangement a complete flight of steps may be assembled with a minimum of eflort and difliculty, avoiding all necessity of preforming the usual wooden side members of the steps, and the angular relation of the flanges 14 is such as to form a smooth, unbroken line extending the full length of the flight of steps.

Where desired, a reinforcing angle iron base or support 18a is positioned under the inclined flanges 14 and bolted thereto, for support and reinforcement purposes.

In FIG. 5 there is disclosed a modified form of construction which comprises a unit of quadrilateral shape generally indicated at 15a and having an outer face plate 10a which has an upper or top horizontal flange 11a, a vertical flange 12a, a lower horizontal flange 13a, and an angularly inclined flange 14a. A series of bolt holes 16a are also provided, and when a plurality of these units are assembled in the manner previously described, the angular alignment of the portions 14 is similar to that of the previously described modification except that a materially wider top surface is provided for the accommodation of bleacher seats or the like.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved unit for the formation of steps, bleacher seats or the like, which may be made of any desired size to accommodate step treads of any desired width, and which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A flight of steps comprising, in combination, an inclined support, a pair of oppositely disposed stringers, each formed of a plurality of identical preformed quadrilateral units, each unit having a perimetric flange extending completely thereabout and forming a horizontal top, a horizontal bottom, a vertical front and an inclined rear side, said inclined rear sides being aligned to form a straight inclined bottom for said stringers, the flanges of the opposed stringers extending inwardly relative to the flight of steps, each flange having bolt holes therein for securing the component units in related assembly, certain of said bolt holes in said horizontal top flange receiving bolts for securing steps thereto and bolt holes in said inclined rear side receiving bolts securing the stringers to said support.

Ret'erences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,593,683 4/52 Lyons 189-43 2,724,466 11/55 Phillips 189-43 3,099,336 7/63 Hawkins 189-43 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, Examiner.

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