WO2008146311A1

WO2008146311A1 - Monobloc modular element for staircases, and relative staircase.

Info

Publication number: WO2008146311A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Piero Denicolò
Original assignee: Albini & Fontanot S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-05-25
Filing date: 2007-05-25
Publication date: 2008-12-04

Abstract

A monobloc modular element for making staircases comprises a main body (1) and two projections (2, 3) for association with adjacent modular elements (10'), each having a plurality of cavities (2a, 3a) alternating with a plurality of protrusions (2b, 3b), the cavities (2a, 3 a) and the protrusions (2b, 3b) being able to interpenetrate. The protrusions (2b; 3b) of at least one projection (2; 3) have slot-shaped through-holes (2d; 3d) which can be aligned during the association of adjacent modular elements (10, 10'), constraining them vertically and horizontally in an arbitrary number of positions. A modular staircase comprises a plurality of the modular elements (10), a corresponding plurality of upper surfaces (30) for steps constrained to the modular elements (10), and a plurality of locking elements (20), each designed to constrain a pair of adjacent modular elements (10, 10') to one another in a fixed position, after adjusting their relative position vertically, horizontally and angularly.

Description

MONOBLOC MODULAR ELEMENT FOR STAIRCASES, AND RELATIVE STAIRCASE.

Technical Field The present invention relates to a monobloc modular element for making staircases, and to the modular staircase obtained from it.

Even in the construction and interior architecture sector, the disappearance of consolidated sizing standards has promoted the spread of modular structures which simultaneously allow both a wide range of end user requirements to be satisfied and the possibility of limiting moulds and storehouse for manufacturers and distributors.

Background Art Modular elements for making staircases which have means for association with the adjacent elements allowing adjustment of the relative position of the two elements both angularly and vertically have, for example, been known for more than twenty years and are the subject matter of patent IT1201580. The vertical adjustment is achieved thanks to the fact that the modular element has projections for association of different heights which can be connected to those of the adjacent elements: in particular, the male projection is shorter than the female projection and the insertion of spacers allows modification of the riser, that is to say, the distance between consecutive steps. The stepped angular adjustment is achieved by means of corresponding vertical toothing made on the associated male and female projections. However, that just described and other prior art modular elements do not allow any adjustment of the relative positioning of adjacent steps in the sense of the depth of the step.

Moreover, both the solution just described and others in practice require the use of spacers which do not integrate aesthetically with the modular elements used.

Finally, the mechanisms which allow assembly are always rather complex, since around a dozen parts are needed to obtain the complete modular element. Moreover, this necessitates the production of many moulds and a considerable storehouse.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to eliminate the above- mentioned disadvantages. The invention, as described in the claims herein, achieves this aim thanks to a modular element made in a single piece which can be associated with identical elements maintaining three degrees of freedom.

The main advantage gained from the present invention is basically the fact that the association of the adjacent steps can also be adjusted in the sense of the depth of the step.

Moreover, the possible production of the modular element in a single piece can allow enormous simplification of assembly of the entire staircase, as well as limiting the number of necessary moulds and the storehouse.

Finally, there is no need for any additional elements which alter the appearance of the whole manufactured article and make it worse. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention are more evident in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment without limiting the scope of the invention, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a monobloc modular element; Figure 2 is a side view of the modular element of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of two assembled modular elements; - Figure 4 is a perspective assembly view of a modular staircase obtained using the modular elements illustrated in the previous Figures.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The invention relates to a monobloc modular element for making staircases, and to the modular staircase obtained. The modular element (10) comprises a main body (1), constituting the load-bearing structure of a step, and two projections (2, 3) for association with adjacent modular elements (10'), the projections (2, 3) comprising a plurality of cavities (2a, 3a) alternating with a plurality of protrusions (2b, 3b), the cavities (2a, 3 a) and the protrusions being able to interpenetrate so as to constrain the adjacent modular elements (10, 10') vertically in a plurality of positions, but leaving the modular elements (10, 10') free to rotate relative to one another. Although not strictly necessary, in a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the Figures, the projections (2, 3) consist respectively of a male projection (2) and a female projection (3), in which one projection (2; 3) has a different number of cavities (2a; 3a) and protrusions (2b; 3b) in respect to the cavities (3a; 2a) and protrusions (3b; 2b) of the other projection (3; 2).

The protrusions (2b, 3b) of each projection (2, 3) each have through-holes (2d, 3d) which can be aligned during the association of adjacent modular elements (10, 10'): as shown in Figure 3, at least the through-holes (2d; 3d) of one projection (2; 3) are slot-shaped (in this case, those of the male projection (2)), so as to horizontally constrain adjacent modular elements (10, 10') in a plurality of positions in a range which can be defined in an arbitrary way by means of the dimensions of the slot-shaped through-holes (2d; 3d). Figure 4 shows the modular staircase (40) obtained using a plurality of the modular elements (10) described above. It also comprises a corresponding plurality of upper surfaces (30) for steps constrained to the modular elements (10), and a plurality of locking elements (20), each suitable for constraining a pair of adjacent modular elements (10, 10') to one another. The upper surfaces (30) may be constrained to the modular elements (10) in an arbitrary way, in any case known to persons skilled in the field. The locking elements (20), visible in Figure 3, each comprise a through-pin (21), which passes through the through-holes (2d', 3d) in the protrusions (2b', 3b) of the opposite projections (T, 3) of two modular elements (10', 10), and a pair of fixing parts (22), to be tightened appropriately so as to keep the modular elements (10, 10') constrained in a fixed position after adjusting their relative position vertically, horizontally and angularly.

The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements. Obviously, in practice modifications and/or improvements are possible, all covered by the claims herein.

Claims

1. A nionobloc modular element for making staircases, comprising a main body (1), constituting the load-bearing structure of a step, and two projections (2, 3) for association -with adjacent modular elements (10'), characterised in that the projections (2, 3) comprise a plurality of cavities

(2a, 3a) alternating with a plurality of protrusions (2b, 3b), the cavities (2a, 3 a) and the protrusions (2b, 3b) being able to interpenetrate so as to constrain adjacent modular elements (10, 10') vertically in a plurality of positions, but leaving the modular elements (10, 10') free to rotate relative to one another.

2. The modular element according to claim 1, characterised in that the projections (2, 3) consist respectively of a male projection (2) and a female projection (3), wherein one projection (2; 3) has a different number of cavities (2a; 3a) and protrusions (2b; 3b) in respect to the cavities (3a; 2a) and protrusions (3b; 2b) of the other projection (3; 2).

3. The modular element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the protrusions (2b, 3b) of each projection (2, 3) each have through-holes (2d, 3d) which can be aligned during the association of adjacent modular elements (10, 10'), wherein at least the through-holes (2d; 3d) of one projection (2; 3) are slot-shaped, so as to horizontally constrain adjacent modular elements (10, 10') in a plurality of positions.

4. A modular staircase, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of modular elements (10) according to one or more of the foregoing claims, a corresponding plurality of upper surfaces (30) for steps constrained to the modular elements (10), and a plurality of locking elements (20), each designed to constrain a pair of adjacent modular elements (10, 10') to one another.

5. The modular staircase according to claim 4, characterised in that a locking element (20) comprises a through-pin (21), designed to pass through the through-holes (2d', 3d) in the protrusions (2b', 3b) of the opposite projections (2\ 3) of two modular elements (10', 10), and a pair of fixing parts (22), designed to keep the modular elements (10, 10') constrained in a fixed position after adjusting their relative position vertically, horizontally and angularly.