WO2013134818A1

WO2013134818A1 - Stairs

Info

Publication number: WO2013134818A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Winfield
Original assignee: Pearls Miihome Ip Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-12
Publication date: 2013-09-19

Abstract

The present invention is directed to stairs including step panel assemblies. Each step panel assembly includes a step panel; and capping for capping the step panel; and fastening means for fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together such that the step panel assemblies are arranged end to end.

Description

STAIRS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to stairs. The present invention has particular although not exclusive application to internal and external building stairs.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Stairs are a construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps.

[0004] Traditionally, stairs are custom made to fit the particular floor to floor height and horizontal space available, which can be a labor intensive task. Carpenters create stairs from wood by carefully sizing and fitting together component parts. Alternatively, stairs may be formed by pouring concrete into formwork which, in turn, involves considerable time and skill to erect.

[0005] The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an improved method for assembling stairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided stairs including:

step panel assemblies, each step panel assembly including:

a step panel; and

capping for capping the step panel; and

fastening means for fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together such that the step panel assemblies are arranged end-to-end.

[0007] Advantageously, the capping may prevent de-lamination of the capped panel. The capping also strengthens each step panel assembly.

[0008] Moreover, by arranging the step panel assemblies end-to-end, the stairs can be constructed quickly and conveniently in a modular fashion.

[0009] The step panel may be an expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sandwich panel. [00010] The capping may include at least one channel. The channel may be formed from steel. The capping may cap the nosing and rear of the step panel. The capping may further cap at least one end of the step panel.

[00011] The stairs may further include stringer panels on either side of the step panel assemblies. The stairs may further include fasteners for fastening each step panel assembly to an adjacent step panel assembly and the stringer panels. The fasteners may extend through the capping. The fasteners may be flat top screws. Each stringer panel may include a balustrade or handrail.

[00012] The stairs may further include a landing. The landing may include a landing panel and capping for capping the landing panel.

[00013] The stairs may include tiles or other finishings to cover a riser and a tread (or going) of each step panel assembly.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling stairs using step panel assemblies, each step panel assembly including a step panel and capping for capping the step panel, the method including the step of fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together with fasteners such that the step panel assemblies are arranged end-to-end.

[00015] The step of fastening may include the steps of passing at least one fastener through first and second capping of respective first and second step panel assemblies. The fastener may extend through the first and second capping and into a first step panel capped by the first capping. The method may further include the steps of inserting a second step panel into the second capping and fastening the second capping to the second step panel.

[00016] The method may further include the step of fastening each step panel between stringer panels. In this manner, edge capping may be fastened to respective stringer panels, and the step panel may be received within the edge capping and fastened thereto.

[00017] The method may further include the step of fastening a step panel to a landing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00018] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00019] Figure 1 is a side sectioned view of stairs in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00020] Figure 2 is a perspective sectioned view of step panel assemblies of the stairs of Figure 1 ;

[00021] Figure 3 is a side sectioned view showing step panel assemblies of the stairs of Figure 1 ; and

[00022] Figure 4 is a front sectioned view of a step panel assembly of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided stairs 10 as shown in Figure 1. The stairs 10 include multiple step panel assemblies 12 as shown in Figure 2. Each step panel assembly 12 includes a step panel 14 and capping 16 for capping and enclosing the edge of the step panel 14. The stairs 10 further includes fastening means 24 (see Figure 3) for fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together such that the step panel assemblies 12 are arranged end-to-end.

[00024] The arrangement of the step panel assemblies 12 end-to-end

advantageously allows the stairs 10 to be assembled quickly and conveniently in a modular fashion on a building site. Alternatively, the stairs can advantageously be pre- assembled prior to installation on the building site.

[00025] Each step panel 14 is an expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sandwich panel and the capping prevents de-lamination of the panel 14. In addition, the capping also strengthens each step panel assembly 12. Advantageously, each step panel assembly 12 is lightweight and able to support significant loads.

[00026] As can best be seen in Figure 2, the capping 16 of each step panel assembly 12 includes a nosing steel channel 18, a rear steel channel 20 and a pair of side steel channels 22 (see also Fig. 4).

[00027] As shown in Figure 3, the stairs 10 include fasteners 24 for fastening each step panel assembly 12a to an adjacent step panel assembly 12b in an end-to-end relationship. The fasteners 24 are flat top screws and extend through the channels 18, 20 of the capping 16. The stairs 10 further include an upper landing 23. In turn, the landing 23 includes a landing panel 25 and capping 27 for capping the landing panel 25. [00028] Turning to Figure 4, the stairs 10 further include a pair of stringer panels 26a, 26b on either side of the step panel assemblies 12. Fasteners 24 also fasten each step panel assembly 12 to the stringer panels 26. Each stringer panel 26 includes a balustrade or handrail (not shown). The stairs also include tiles or other finishings (not shown) to cover a riser and a tread (or going) of each step panel assembly 2.

[00029] A method for assembling the stairs 10 using the step panel assemblies 12 is now described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[00030] Initially, the landing 23 is in position with the capping 27 capping the nosing of the landing panel 25 and fastened in place with upper and lower fasteners 24.

[00031] Next, the rear steel channel 20a of a first step panel assembly 12a is fastened to the landing 23 with intermediate fasteners 24. The fasteners 24 extend through the rear steel channel 20a, landing capping 27 and then into the landing panel 25.

[00032] Next, the two side steel channels 22 corresponding to the first step panel 14a, in turn, are fastened to the stringer panels 26 (see Fig. 4) via intermediate fasteners 24. As shown in Figure 4, the intermediate fasteners 24 extend through each side steel channel 22 and into the respective stringer panel 26.

[00033] Next, the first step panel 14a is inserted into, and fastened to, the two side steel channels 22 and the rear steel channel 20a via upper and lower fasteners 24. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the upper and lower fasteners 24 extend through a respective channel 20a, 22 and into the first step panel 14a.

[00034] In the next step, the nosing steel channel 18a is mounted to a nose end of the first step panel 14a as shown in Figure 3. The first step panel 14a is therefore capped by the rear steel channel 20a and the nosing steel channel 18a. The first step panel 14a is also capped by the steel channels 22, in turn, fastened to the stringer panels 26 (see Fig. 4).

[00035] Similarly, the second step panel assembly 12b can be fastened to the first step panel assembly 12a, and the third step panel assembly 12c can be fastened to the second step panel assembly 12b with fasteners 24, and so on.

[00036] Once the last step panel assembly 12b is secured in place, a bracket, such as an angle iron 30 is fastened to the nosing steel channel 18c of the last step panel 14c via fasteners 24 as shown in Figure 3. The angle iron 30 is also fastened to the floor or ground via fasteners 24. The angle iron 30 thereby secures the third step panel assembly 12c relative to the floor or ground. [00037] In this manner, the stairs 10 can be readily and rapidly assembled when compared with known stair construction techniques.

[00038] Advantageously, the stairs 10 can be easily and conveniently assembled on or off site by fastening consecutive step panel assemblies 12 end-to-end. The capping further strengthens each step panel 14 so that the step panels 14 can withstand significant loads. The capping also protects the ends and sides of the step panels 14 so as to resist wear and tear.

[00039] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the step panels 14 may be pre-assembled with its nose steel channel 18. In such an embodiment, after the rear steel channel 20 is fastened to the landing or the nose steel channel 18 of a preceding step panel assembly 12, and the side steel channels 22 are fastened to the respective stringer panels 26, the step panel 14 having its nose steel channel 18 attached thereto is inserted and fastened as a single unit to the rear steel channel 20 and side steel channels 22.

[00040] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00041] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. Stairs including:

step panel assemblies, each step panel assembly including:

a step panel; and

capping for capping the step panel; and

fastening means for fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together such that the step panel assemblies are arranged end to end.

2. The stairs as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each step panel assembly has a nose end and a rear end, and the fastening means fastens the nose end of each step panel assembly to a rear end of an adjacent panel assembly.

3. The stairs as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the nose end of each step panel assembly forms a riser of the step panel assembly; and

an upper side of each step panel assembly forms a tread of the step panel assembly.

4. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capping includes at least one channel.

5. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capping includes a nose channel and a rear channel for respectively capping a nose end and a rear end the step panel.

6. The stairs as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening means fastens the nose channel of each step panel assembly to the rear channel of an adjacent step panel assembly.

7. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capping includes a pair of side channels for capping sides of the step panel.

8. The stairs as claimed in claim 7, including stringer panels on either side of the step panel assemblies, wherein the side channels are fastened to respective stringer panels.

9. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step panel is an expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sandwich panel.

10. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means include screws which extend through the capping and into the respective step panel.

11. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, including a landing panel and capping for capping a nose end of the landing panel.

12. The stairs according to any one of the preceding claims, including tiles or other finishings to cover exposed portions of each step panel assembly.

13. A method for assembling stairs using step panel assemblies, each step panel assembly including a step panel and capping for capping the step panel, the method including:

fastening adjacent step panel assemblies together such that the step panel assemblies are arranged end to end.

1 . The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of fastening includes:

a. fastening a first capping to a first step panel,

b. fastening a second capping to the first capping, and

c. fastening a second step panel to the second capping.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, further including the step of fastening each step panel between a pair of stringer panels of the stairs.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further including the steps of

fastening a pair of side cappings respectively to the pair of stringer panels, and fastening each step panel to the pair of side cappings so as to fasten each step panel between the pair of stringer panels.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further including the step of fastening a step panel to a landing.

18. A method for assembling stairs including the steps of:

a. fastening a first capping to a nose end of a first step panel,

b. fastening a second capping to the first capping,

c. fastening a pair of side cappings to each one of a respective pair of

stringer panels of the stairs, and

d. fastening a rear end of a second step panel to the second capping and the pair of side cappings.