US3789955A - Retractable stairway device - Google Patents

Retractable stairway device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3789955A
US3789955A US00281735A US3789955DA US3789955A US 3789955 A US3789955 A US 3789955A US 00281735 A US00281735 A US 00281735A US 3789955D A US3789955D A US 3789955DA US 3789955 A US3789955 A US 3789955A
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Prior art keywords
stair unit
motor
door panel
trap door
opening
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00281735A
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W Knapp
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Lee Raymond Organization Inc
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Lee Raymond Organization Inc
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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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A motor is mounted in an upper floor adjacent an opening between the upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure.
  • a coupling device is provided in a stair unit and the motor so that in one manner of operation the motor retracts the stair unit upward onto the upper floor through the opening and closes the stair unit substantially flush with the upper floor. In another manner of operation, the motor opens the stair unit downward from the upper floor and extends the stair unit downward onto the lower floor through the opening.
  • the present invention relates to a retractable stairway device.
  • the principal object of the invention is to provide a retractable stairway device of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture and functions with efficiency, effectiveness, reliability and rapidity to retract and extend a stairway between adjacent floors of a structure.
  • FIG. I is a side view of the retractable stairway device of the invention in open position.
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the retractable stairway device of the invention in closed position.
  • the retractable stairway device of the invention is provided in an opening 1 between an upper floor 2 and an adjacent lower floor 3 of a structure (FIG. 1).
  • stairway device of the invention selectively provides access between the floors 2 and 3.
  • the retractable stairway unit of the invention comprises a stair unit 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
  • a reversible motor 5 (FIGS. I and 2) is mounted on the upper floor 2 adjacent the opening 1 between the floors and may comprise any suitable motor such as, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, an electrohydraulic motor, or the like.
  • a trap door panel 6 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted in the opening 1 between the floors and is coupled to the motor 5 by a coupling device 7 of any suitable type for pivotal movement by the motor from a position flush with the upper floor and closing the opening, as shown in FIG. 2, to a position extending at an angle between the floors, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the trap door panel 6 has a pair of spaced substantially parallel tracks 8 and 9 mounted therein (FIG. 2).
  • the stair unit 4 is slidably mounted on the tracks 8 and 9.
  • a coupling device such as, for example, a rack and pinion arrangement 10 (FIG. 2) is provided on the stair unit 4 and the motor 5.
  • said motor moves the stair unit 4 via the rack and pinion 10 in an upward direction, indicated by an arrow 11 (FIG. 1), along the tracks 8 and 9 of the trap door panel 6 until the bottom 12 of said stair unit clears the free edge 13 (FIG. 1) of the trap door panel.
  • the trap door panel 6 is then pivotally moved by the motor 5 via the coupling 7 to a position flush with the upper floor 2 in which it closes the opening 1 (FIG. 2).
  • the motor 5 is preferably coupled to the trap door panel via a gear coupling 7, whereby said motor pivotally moves said trap door panel in a desired direction.
  • the motor 5 moves the stair unit 4 in a desired direction via the rack and pinion 10.
  • a retractable stairway device in an opening between an upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure for selectively providing access between the floors, said retractable stairway device comprising a stair unit;
  • a trap door panel mounted in the opening and coupled to the motor for pivotal movement by the motor from a position flush with the upper floor and closing the opening to a position extending at an angle between the floors, the stair unit being slidably mounted on the trap door panel;
  • rack and pinion means coupling the stair unit to the motor means in a manner whereby in one manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in an upward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit clears the free edge of the trap door panel and in another manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in a downward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit is substantially adjacent the lower floor.
  • a retractable stairway device as claimed in claim I wherein the motor means is a reversible motor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Steps, Ramps, And Handrails (AREA)

Abstract

A motor is mounted in an upper floor adjacent an opening between the upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure. A coupling device is provided in a stair unit and the motor so that in one manner of operation the motor retracts the stair unit upward onto the upper floor through the opening and closes the stair unit substantially flush with the upper floor. In another manner of operation, the motor opens the stair unit downward from the upper floor and extends the stair unit downward onto the lower floor through the opening.

Description

United States Patent 1 Knapp Feb. 5, 1974 RETRACTABLE STAIRWAY DEVICE [75] Inventor: William H. Knapp, Selma, Ala.
[73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,
- Inc., New York, NY.
[22] Filed: Aug. 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 281,735
52 us. Cl. 182/78 51 Int. Cl. E06c 9/00 [58] Field of Search 182/68, 77, 78, 79, 80
[56] 2 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS L81 1,707 6/1931 Bessler 182/80 2,931,456 4/ l 960 Harmon 1,035,570 8/1912 Gary et al.
Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmDaniel Jay Tick 5 7] ABSTRACT A motor is mounted in an upper floor adjacent an opening between the upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure. A coupling device is provided in a stair unit and the motor so that in one manner of operation the motor retracts the stair unit upward onto the upper floor through the opening and closes the stair unit substantially flush with the upper floor. In another manner of operation, the motor opens the stair unit downward from the upper floor and extends the stair unit downward onto the lower floor through the opening.
3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures .1 RETRACTABLE STAIRWAY DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a retractable stairway device.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a retractable stairway device of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufacture and functions with efficiency, effectiveness, reliability and rapidity to retract and extend a stairway between adjacent floors of a structure.
In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
FIG. I is a side view of the retractable stairway device of the invention in open position; and
FIG. 2 is an end view of the retractable stairway device of the invention in closed position.
In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.
The retractable stairway device of the invention is provided in an opening 1 between an upper floor 2 and an adjacent lower floor 3 of a structure (FIG. 1). The
stairway device of the invention selectively provides access between the floors 2 and 3.
The retractable stairway unit of the invention comprises a stair unit 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2). A reversible motor 5 (FIGS. I and 2) is mounted on the upper floor 2 adjacent the opening 1 between the floors and may comprise any suitable motor such as, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, an electrohydraulic motor, or the like.
A trap door panel 6 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted in the opening 1 between the floors and is coupled to the motor 5 by a coupling device 7 of any suitable type for pivotal movement by the motor from a position flush with the upper floor and closing the opening, as shown in FIG. 2, to a position extending at an angle between the floors, as shown in FIG. 1.
The trap door panel 6 has a pair of spaced substantially parallel tracks 8 and 9 mounted therein (FIG. 2). The stair unit 4 is slidably mounted on the tracks 8 and 9.
A coupling device such as, for example, a rack and pinion arrangement 10 (FIG. 2) is provided on the stair unit 4 and the motor 5. Thus, when the motor 5 is operated in one direction of rotation, said motor moves the stair unit 4 via the rack and pinion 10 in an upward direction, indicated by an arrow 11 (FIG. 1), along the tracks 8 and 9 of the trap door panel 6 until the bottom 12 of said stair unit clears the free edge 13 (FIG. 1) of the trap door panel.
The trap door panel 6 is then pivotally moved by the motor 5 via the coupling 7 to a position flush with the upper floor 2 in which it closes the opening 1 (FIG. 2).
When the motor 5 is operated in the opposite direction of rotation, said motor opens the trap door panel 6 via the coupling 7 to a position extending at an angle between the floors. The motor then moves the stair unit 4 via the rack and pinion 10 in a downward direction along the tracks 8 and 9 of the trap door panel 6 until the bottom 12 of said stair unit is substantially adjacent the lower floor 3, as shown in FIG. 1.
The motor 5 is preferably coupled to the trap door panel via a gear coupling 7, whereby said motor pivotally moves said trap door panel in a desired direction. The motor 5 moves the stair unit 4 in a desired direction via the rack and pinion 10.
I claim:
1. A retractable stairway device in an opening between an upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure for selectively providing access between the floors, said retractable stairway device comprising a stair unit;
motor means on the upper floor adjacent the opening between the floors;
a trap door panel mounted in the opening and coupled to the motor for pivotal movement by the motor from a position flush with the upper floor and closing the opening to a position extending at an angle between the floors, the stair unit being slidably mounted on the trap door panel; and
rack and pinion means coupling the stair unit to the motor means in a manner whereby in one manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in an upward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit clears the free edge of the trap door panel and in another manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in a downward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit is substantially adjacent the lower floor.
2. A retractable stairway device as claimed in claim I, wherein the motor means is a reversible motor.
3. A retractable stairway device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trap door panel has a pair of spaced substantially parallel tracks mounted thereon and the stair unit is slidably mounted on the tracks.

Claims (3)

1. A retractable stairway device in an opening between an upper floor and an adjacent lower floor of a structure for selectively providing access between the floors, said retractable stairway device comprising a stair unit; motor means on the upper floor adjacent the opening between the floors; a trap door panel mounted in the opening and coupled to the motor for pivotal movement by the motor from a position flush with the upper floor and closing the opening to a position extending at an angle between the floors, the stair unit being slidably mounted on the trap door panel; and rack and pinion means coupling the stair unit to the motor means in a manner whereby in one manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in an upward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit clears the free edge of the trap door panel and in another manner of operation the motor means moves the stair unit in a downward direction along the trap door panel until the bottom of the stair unit is substantially adjacent the lower floor.
2. A retractable stairway device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor means is a reversible motor.
3. A retractable stairway device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trap door panel has a pair of spaced substantially parallel tracks mounted thereon and the stair unit is slidably mounted on the tracks.
US00281735A 1972-08-18 1972-08-18 Retractable stairway device Expired - Lifetime US3789955A (en)

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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5111906A (en) * 1991-02-07 1992-05-12 Auguste Abadia Retractable ladder apparatus
GB2252588A (en) * 1991-02-05 1992-08-12 Douglas Harvey Loft ladder automation
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
US6886661B1 (en) 2003-09-26 2005-05-03 William D. Battenberg Motorized access ladder for elevated areas
US20070125598A1 (en) * 2005-12-02 2007-06-07 Castagno Leo L Structure having a compactable walkway
US20070126252A1 (en) * 2005-12-02 2007-06-07 Castagno Leo L Interior space expansion system
US20070181364A1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2007-08-09 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic Ladder for Attic Access
US20070249280A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-10-25 Dennis Johnson Lift apparatus
US20080060874A1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2008-03-13 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic ladder for attic access
US20100192487A1 (en) * 2008-10-09 2010-08-05 Creative Products of WI, LLC Pivotal stairway systems and method
ES2392421A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2012-12-10 Auga, Estructuras Y Desarrollos Slu Escamoteable security ladder. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US20170362901A1 (en) * 2016-06-16 2017-12-21 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Drilling rig stair tower with integrated utility lines and cable tray
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

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1035570A (en) * 1912-08-13 Charles Gary Truck extension-ladder.
US1811707A (en) * 1928-07-20 1931-06-23 Bessler Disappearing Stairway Disappearing stairway
US2931456A (en) * 1957-08-12 1960-04-05 Prec Parts Corp Disappearing stairway

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1035570A (en) * 1912-08-13 Charles Gary Truck extension-ladder.
US1811707A (en) * 1928-07-20 1931-06-23 Bessler Disappearing Stairway Disappearing stairway
US2931456A (en) * 1957-08-12 1960-04-05 Prec Parts Corp Disappearing stairway

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2252588A (en) * 1991-02-05 1992-08-12 Douglas Harvey Loft ladder automation
GB2252588B (en) * 1991-02-05 1995-03-08 Douglas Harvey Improved method of loft ladder automation
US5111906A (en) * 1991-02-07 1992-05-12 Auguste Abadia Retractable ladder apparatus
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
US6886661B1 (en) 2003-09-26 2005-05-03 William D. Battenberg Motorized access ladder for elevated areas
US7753171B2 (en) 2005-12-02 2010-07-13 Castagno Leo L Structure having a compactable walkway
US8376084B2 (en) 2005-12-02 2013-02-19 Leo L. Castagno Structure having a compactable walkway
US20070126252A1 (en) * 2005-12-02 2007-06-07 Castagno Leo L Interior space expansion system
US20100236864A1 (en) * 2005-12-02 2010-09-23 Castagno Leo L Structure having a compactable walkway
US20070125598A1 (en) * 2005-12-02 2007-06-07 Castagno Leo L Structure having a compactable walkway
US7360814B2 (en) 2005-12-02 2008-04-22 Castagno Leo L Interior space expansion system
US20070181364A1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2007-08-09 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic Ladder for Attic Access
US7841448B2 (en) 2006-02-06 2010-11-30 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic ladder for attic access
US8028804B2 (en) 2006-02-06 2011-10-04 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic ladder for attic access
US20080060874A1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2008-03-13 Jean-Pierre Lair Automatic ladder for attic access
US20070249280A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-10-25 Dennis Johnson Lift apparatus
US8020667B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2011-09-20 Dennis Johnson Lift apparatus
US20100192487A1 (en) * 2008-10-09 2010-08-05 Creative Products of WI, LLC Pivotal stairway systems and method
ES2392421A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2012-12-10 Auga, Estructuras Y Desarrollos Slu Escamoteable security ladder. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US10208539B2 (en) * 2014-11-18 2019-02-19 Michael Beard Extendable access device
US9957720B1 (en) * 2015-11-25 2018-05-01 Majic Stairs Inc. Retractable staircase and method
US20170362901A1 (en) * 2016-06-16 2017-12-21 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Drilling rig stair tower with integrated utility lines and cable tray
US10662718B2 (en) * 2016-06-16 2020-05-26 Nabors Drilling Technologies Usa, Inc. Drilling rig stair tower with integrated utility lines and cable tray
US11945701B1 (en) 2020-11-13 2024-04-02 Majic Stairs Inc. Lift

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