WO1990004692A1

WO1990004692A1 - A staircase and a staircase tread member

Info

Publication number: WO1990004692A1
Application number: PCT/GB1989/001247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Henry Moon
Original assignee: The Wessex Guild Limited
Priority date: 1988-10-20
Filing date: 1989-10-20
Publication date: 1990-05-03
Also published as: GB8824609D0; GB9108602D0; GB2244299A

Abstract

A staircase (10) comprises a plurality of tread members (12) mounted by stringers (11). A modesty panel (22) is mounted between each two adjacent tread members (12). Each modesty panel (22) is received at top and bottom edge in a groove (21) in a mounting member (19) which is provided on a tread member (12). Each upper mounting member (19) can be mounted in different positions on the trad member (12) such that the modesty panels (22) can be mounted substantially vertically when the staircase (10) is erected at various angles to the vertical. Each tread member (12) is arranged to carry a temporary cover (9), such as a sheet of wood, and is also arranged to carry one or more long term covers (26, 27) in place of the temporary cover (9). In this way the tread members can be used, for example, during staircase erection, without damage being caused to the final long term surface or cover of the tread member.

Description

A STAIRCASE AND A STAIRCASE TREAD MEMBER

This invention relates to a staircase and a staircase tread member and particularly, but not exclusively, to staircase tread members extruded from aluminium and to staircases made therefrom.

When a building is under construction, it is useful to be able to use the staircases of the building. However, this may result in the problem of the staircases becoming damaged, for example by scratching or chipping, or by accidental spillage of, for example, paint or wet cement.

An object of the present invention is to provide a staircase or staircase tread member in which that problem is reduced. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a tread member for use in a staircase, the tread member being arranged to carry a temporary cover having a tread member engaging lower surface and also being arranged to carry at least one long term cover in place of the temporary cover.

Thus, the surfaces of the tread members of a staircase can be simply covered by a temporary cover which may have a substantially flat lower surface, such as a plank of wood. and this may be replaced by one or more long term cover when desired.

The tread member upper surface may take any suitable form, but preferably is substantially flat.

The tread member may include a recess in its front end surface for mounting the said at least one long term cover. The recess may be of any shape but preferably is a longitudinal groove and preferably extends over substantially the whole of the length of the tread member.

The tread member may include screw threaded apertures for mounting said at least one long term cover.

The tread member may be arranged to mount any desired number of long term covers but preferably is arranged to mount two long term covers.

The tread member is preferably formed by extrusion and may be formed from aluminium.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a staircase comprising tread members as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses associated therewith. The staircase preferably includes at least one removably mounted modesty panel between two adjacent tread members. Thus, the or each modesty panel may be fitted late in construction of the staircase so as to avoid damage and may be removed as desired.

It is known to provide a staircase which may be erected at plurality of different angles to the vertical. An example of such a staircase is disclosed in GB 1315738 in which ste members are supported on tube parts which extend from stringers. Each step member is supported on four tube parts, two on each side. The tube parts are slidably mounted with respect to the stringers so that the step members can be horizontally mounted with the stringers at different angles of rake. However, as the angle of rake of the staircase is decreased the tube parts are moved further apart. Each hollow step member therefore includes a plurality of spaced support projections depending thereinto at the rear thereof for engagement with the rear tube parts so that as the angle of rake of the staircase is decreased the rear tube parts engage support projections closer to the rear of each step member. Riser plates are provided between adjacent step members. Each riser plate is mounted in a pair of grooves in two step members, one groove being at the rear of the upper surface of one step member and the other being at the front of the lower surface of the other step member. Clearly, when the staircase is constructed at different rake angles to the vertical, a problem arises in that the riser plates will be arranged at different angles to the vertical which is undesirable.

Preferably we reduce the problem by providing a plurality o said tread members in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and any of the consistory clauses associated therewith, a web or other element for extending between two adjacent tread members, and mounting means for mounting the element, the staircase being erectable at a plurality of different positions at different angles to the vertical, an the mounting means being arranged to mount the element substantially vertically at each of the staircase angles.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a staircase comprising a plurality of tread members, a web or other element for extending between two adjacent tread members, and mounting means for mounting the element, the staircase being erectable at a plurality of different positions at different angles to the vertical, an the mounting means being arranged to mount the element substantially vertically at each of the staircase angles.

In this way the staircase is provided with a constant and regular appearance with the web always extending at right angles to the tread member. The mounting means is preferably provided in two parts, one at each end of the element. Preferably, the mounting means are provided on the tread members. The mounting means may both be movably adjustable, but preferably one of the mounting means is fixed with respect to its tread member and the other mounting means is adjustable with respect to its tread member. The movable mounting means is preferably the upper mounting means with respect to the element. The mounting means may be located on the tread members by interengage ent of complementary projections and recesses. The projections and recesses are preferably ridges and grooves. The projections may be provided on the tread members and the grooves on the mounting means.

Preferably, the element is removable from the mounting means. Thus, the element may be replaced, or may be inserted late in construction to preserve its appearance, as discussed above. Resilient biasing means may be provided, such that the element is removable from the mounting means by movement of the element against the resilient biasing means. In the case where the element is received in a groove in the mounting means, the resilient biasing means is preferably provided in the groove. The resilient biasing means may be a rubber member.

The element may include apertures or slots, for example, but preferably, the element is continuous. The tread members may be manufactured by any suitable method, but preferably the tread members are extruded. Similarly, the mounting means is preferably extruded.

The tread members may be made from any appropriate material, but preferably are made from aluminium. Similarly, the mounting means is preferably made from aluminium.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a tread member for use in a staircase as described in relation to the third aspect of the invention or any of the consistory clauses associated therewith.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a staircase as described in relation to any previous aspect of the invention which is arranged to be erected prior to installation.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the part of a staircase, incorporating treads in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross section through staircase treads in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of a tread member in accordance with the invention.

A staircase 10 comprises a pair of elongate stringers 11 which are fastened at their upper ends to mount the staircase 10. The stringers 11 mount tread members 12 therebetween (the tread members 12 being shown diagrammatically in Fig.1).

The stringers 11 are in the form of elongate plates and may be fastened at their upper ends, for example, by angle members 13 which are bolted to the stringers 11 and to a mounting 13a.

The tread members 12 are preferably formed by extrusion. As shown in Figs.2 and 3, such tread member 12 is in the form of flattened sleeve having a plurality of internal longitudinal dividing walls 14. The tread members 12 are mounted on support members 15 which are in the form of square cross section rods. Each tread member 12 is mounted on four support members 15 two on each side. The support members 15 fit within the sleeve formed by each tread member 12 and are positioned adjacent dividing walls 14. Each support member 15 includes a screw threaded bore 16 in its outer end by means of which it is screwed to a stringer 11.

At the rear of each tread member 12 on the upper surface thereof is provided a plurality of longitudinal channels defining longitudinal ridges 17. Similarly, at the front of each tread member 12 on the lower side thereof are provided further channels defining longitudinal ridges 18. Mounting members 19 are provided including channels 20 corresponding to the ridges 18, 19. Oppositely disposed to the channels 20 on each mounting member 19 is a groove 21 for receiving web 22 in the form of a plate. The web 22 forms a modesty panel. Each mounting member 19 includes resilient biasing means 23 in the form of a resilient member such as an elastomeric strip within the groove 21. The biasing means 23 is arranged to engage the web 22.

At the front end of each tread member 12 is provided a longitudinal square cross-section groove 24. The groove 24 is for receiving a corresponding longitudinal projection 25 on a nosing member 26 which is arranged to protect the fron edge of the tread member 12. The nosing member 26 is furthe fastened to the tread member 12 by means of screws (not shown) . The outer edge of the nosing member 26 is rounded. A protective grip member 27 is arranged to be fastened to the flat upper surface of the tread member 12. The grip member 27 may include projections on its upper surface to aid grip and which may be in a barley seed pattern. The grip member 27 is secured to the tread member 12 by screws (not shown). The grip member 27 and nosing member 26 are arranged to fit adjacent one another with a smooth junction therebetween.

Balustrading 28 may be provided for the staircase and may b mounted so as to extend upwardly from the stringers 11 as shown in Fig. 1.

In use, the angle members 13 are bolted to the stringers 11 and the tread members 12 are then mounted on the stringers 11 by means of the support members 15. The balustrading 28 may then be bolted to the stringers 11. Such assembly may be performed off-site and the staircase may then be transported to the site and lifted into position so that th angle brackets 13 can be secured to mountings 13a by bolts. The staircase 10 in this form includes all of the necessary structural parts for it to be used and the further parts which are at least partially cosmetic may be added at a later stage if desired. A temporary protective cover 9 (Fig.2), preferably having flat upper and lower surfaces 9a, 9b and for example, made from wood, may be placed on or attached to the upper surface of the tread members 12 to protect them if the staircase is to be used in this form. The temporary protective cover may be used in place of the protective grip member 27, the latter being placed in position after the removal of the temporary protective cover.

Lastly, any final coatings may be applied to the staircase and the webs 22 may then be mounted, as follows. A mounting member 19 is located on the upper ridges 17 of a tread member 12 and a further mounting member 19 is located on the lower ridges 18 of the tread member 12 above. While only one set of upper ridges 17 is provided on each tread member 12, a plurality of sets of lower ridges 18 are provided so that the further mounting member 19 can be mounted in a plurality of positions at different distances from the front of the tread member and can be mounted so as to be substantially vertically aligned with the first mounting member 19. The web 22 is then inserted in the groove 21 of the lower mounting member 19 and pushed downwardly against the resilient member 23 so that its upper surface can be aligned with the groove 21 of the upper member 19. The web 22 on being released moves upwardly into the groove 21 of the upper mounting member 19.

The temporary protective covers 9, if these have been used, are then removed and the nosing members 26 and protective grip members 27 are secured in place.

The staircase 10 may be provided at a plurality of angles o rake e.g. A ^η , A ² depending upon where the apertures in the stringers 11 are drilled to receive the screws to mount the support members 15 for the tread members 12. The plurality of spaced sets of ridges 18 provided on the lower face of each tread member 12 allow the mounting members 19 to be located at different distances from the front ends of the tread members 12 so that the webs 22 can be mounted so as to be substantially vertical at any of the staircase 10 rake angles.

The tread members 12, mounting members 19, webs 22, and nosing members 26 may all conveniently be formed by extrusion and may be made from any suitable material such as aluminium. The protective grip member may also be made from aluminium. The stringers 11 and support members 15 may be made from mild steel.

The balustrading 28 need not be provided if desired.

The stringers 11 need not be in the shape as shown, but may be of any suitable shape.

The staircase 10 need not be secured by angle members 13 as shown but may be secured in any suitable way.

The tread members 12 need not be supported by support members 15 as shown but may be supported by any other suitable support means. The webs 22 need not be mounted in the manner shown, but may be mounted in any suitable manner.

The protection for the tread members 12 need not be provided by the nosing member 26 and protective grip member 27 as shown, but may be provided by any suitable members which may not cover the entire upper and front surface of the tread member 12.

The tread member 12 need not be shaped as shown but may be of any suitable shape.

The expression "tread member" as used herein is intended to encompass any cross member arranged to extend between supporting parts of a staircase which is arranged to be trodden on by a user either directly or indirectly through further members provided thereon.

Claims

1. A staircase comprising a plurality of tread members, a web or other element for extending between two adjacent tread members, and positioning means for the element, the staircase being erectable at_. plurality of different positions at different angles to the vertical, and the positioning means being arranged to position the element substantially vertically at each of the staircase angles.

2. A staircase as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the positioning means enables the position of the element relative to one of the tread members to be varied.

3. A staircase as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the positioning means positions the element in a fixed position relative to one of the treads.

4. A staircase as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fixing means includes recess and/or projection means.

5. A staircase as claimed in Claim 4 and where the positioning means enables the position of the element relative to one of the tread members to be varied, wherein a plurality of recess and/or projection means is associated with said one tread member.

6. A staircase as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 and where the positioning means positions the element in a fixed position relative to one of the treads wherein one said recess and/or projection is associated with that tread.

7. A staircase as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein mounting means for the element is provided for co-operation with at least part of the positioning means.

8. A staircase as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the mounting means is provided in two parts, at opposite edges of the element.

9. A staircase as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the mounting means are provided on the tread members.

10. A staircase as claimed in Claim 9, wherein one of the mounting means is fixed with respect to its tread member and the other mounting means is adjustable with respect to its tread member.

11. A staircase as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the movable mounting means is an upper mounting means with respect to the element.

12. A staircase as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11 and where said projections and/or grooves are provided wherein at least one of the mounting means is located on its tread member by interengagement of complementary said recesses and/or projections.

13. A staircase as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the projections and recesses are ridges and grooves.

14. A staircase as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the projections are provided on the tread members and the grooves are provided on the mounting means.

15. A staircase as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 14 wherein the element is removable from the mounting means.

16. A staircase as claimed in Claim 15, wherein resilient biasing means is provided, such that the element is removable from the mounting means by movement of the element against resilient biasing means.

17. A staircase as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the element is received in a groove in the mounting means and the resilient biasing means is provided in the groove.

18. A staircase as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the resilient biasing means is a rubber member.

19. A staircase as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the element is continuous.

20. A staircase as claimed in any preceding Claim and where the mounting means is provided, wherein the mounting means is formed by extrusion.

21. A staircase as claimed in any preceding Claim and where the mounting means is provided, wherein the mounting means is made from aluminium.

22. A staircase as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each tread member is arranged to carry a temporary cover having a tread member engaging lower surface and is also arranged to carry at least one long term cover in place of the temporary cover.

23. A tread member for use in a staircase, the tread member being arranged to carry a temporary cover having a tread member engaging lower surface and also being arranged to carry at least one long term cover in place of the temporary cover.

24. A tread member as claimed in Claim 22 or a staircase as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the.tread member is arranged to carry a temporary cover having a substantially flat lower surface.

25. A tread member as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim

24 or a staircase as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 24, wherein the tread member upper surface is substantially flat.

26. A tread member as claimed in Claim 23, 24 or

25 or a staircase as claimed in Claim 22, 24 or 25, wherein the tread member includes a recess in its front end surface for mounting the said at least one long term cover.

27. A tread member or a staircase as claimed in Claim 26, wherein the recess is a longitudinal groove.

28. A tread member or a staircase as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the longitudinal groove extends over substantially the whole length of the tread member.

29. A tread member as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 28 or a staircase as claimed in Claim 22 or in any of Claims 24 to 28 wherein the tread member includes screw threaded apertures for mounting said at least one long term cover.

30. A tread member as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 29 or a staircase as claimed in Claim22 or in any of Claims 24 to 29, wherein the tread member is arranged to carry two long term covers.

31. A tread member as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 30 or a staircase as claimed in Claim 22 or in any of Claims 24 or 30, wherein the tread member is formed by extrusion.

32. A tread member as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 31 or a staircase as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 22 or24 to 31, wherein the tread member is made of aluminium.

33. A staircase comprising tread members as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 32.

34. A staircase as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the staircase includes at least one removable mounted modesty panel between two adjacent tread members.

35. A tread member for use in a staircase as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 22 or 24 to 32.