Spiral staircase kit

Abstract

A spiral staircase kit has only a few different components, including a plurality of step members with step surfaces, donut-shaped end sections and lower support members. The steps are mounted in offset fashion, through a vertically standing support post. Spacer sleeves separate each of the steps, whose lower support members are positioned against the vertical surfaces of the sleeves to maintain the steps in place without the need for nails, bolts, or other connection components. Proper stacking of the sleeves and steps produces a sturdy and safe staircase structure which includes an upper landing member and which also can be interconnected with a handrail of choice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spiral staircases are both functional and decorative structures which allow for access between floors of residential and commercial spaces. Spiral staircases also are favored because of the smaller amount of space they require, as opposed to straight staircases. There are many occasions in which there simply is insufficient room in a building space for a straight stairway, and no other means to interconnect two levels, except by using a spiral staircase.

However, although a spiral staircase occupies a relatively small area, it presents difficulties in construction. For instance, there are logistically problems with the use of prefabricated spiral staircase units, both in safely packing and protecting them for shipment. The carriage and delivery of prefabricated staircases also may be cumbersome and difficult, especially in getting the staircases into the rooms where they are to be installed. In fact, most standard spiral staircases will not fit into many smaller rooms, resulting in the need to order customized units, with the resulting increase in price. In addition, there are usually installation problems in properly fitting spiral staircases between floors.

To overcome these problems, there have been attempts to provide spiral staircase installations with components which can be assembled on the job. Some examples of these are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,361,918, 3,740,906, 3,964,222, 4,128,976, 4,850,164 and 5,557,893.

However, these and similar spiral staircase installations result in structures which are often not very sturdy. They may be unstable and wobbly, and even unsafe. In addition, most prior assembled spiral staircases are complicated and difficult to put together. They have many different component parts, requiring connection by bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or even welding or brazing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and disadvantages of prior spiral staircases and spiral staircase assemblies and kits.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which, when its components are assembled, results in a spiral staircase which is steady, sturdy, and safe for use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which comprises relatively few different components.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit with components which are inexpensive and easy to manufacture, lightweight, and simple to assemble.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit in which all components are easily handled for assembly and installation of the complete spiral staircase unit.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which, in its disassembled state, is easily transportable to the installation site.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which does not require the use of any screws, nails, bolts, rivets or other connecting elements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit whose components can be configured and manufactured with a plurality of attractive design options.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which allows installation of the staircase between floors where space is limited.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a spiral staircase kit which results in the assembly of a spiral staircase which can be customized for any space.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a spiral staircase kit comprising only a few different components. A plurality of step members with donut-shaped end sections and lower support members are mounted, in offset fashion, through a vertically standing support post. Spacer sleeves separate each of the steps, whose lower support members are positioned against the vertical surfaces of the sleeves. Proper stacking of the sleeves and steps produces a sturdy staircase structure which also includes an upper landing member. The staircase can be interconnected with a handrail of choice.

Novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a completed spiral staircase assembled with the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the beginning stages of assembly of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the continuing process of assembly of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a step of the spiral stairway kit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a step of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a step of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a spacer sleeve of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a spacer sleeve of the spiral staircase kit of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the landing member of the spiral staircase of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the foot member of the spiral staircase of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the foot member of the spiral staircase of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows spiral staircase 1 assembled from the spiral staircase kit of the present invention. The spiral staircase kit itself comprises elongated support post 2 configured to be vertically standing between floor spaces to be connected. Support post 2 is configured to be mounted within a plurality of uniquely designed staircase steps. Each step, using step 4 as a representative example as shown in FIGS. 4-6, comprises an upper step surface 12 and a donut-shaped end section 13 formed with opening 14. End section 13 is shown completely enclosing opening 14. An alternate design could have a part of end section 13 open, substantially enclosing opening 14. Two lateral support members 15 and 16 extend down from step surface 12. Vertical rear surfaces 17 and 18 of support members 15 and 16 extend perpendicularly to step surface 12. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, representative spacer sleeve 20 is cylindrical in configuration and comprises through opening 21. Horizontal staircase landing member 32 comprises a flat landing 33 and donut-shaped end section 34 with opening 35. Staircase foot member 36 has a center through opening 38 and a horizontal lower surface for placement on the floor on which staircase 1 is to be placed.

The spiral staircase kit of the present invention is assembled by initially positioning the lowermost end of support post 2 within opening 38 of foot member 36. Opening 21 of sleeve 20 is positioned over post 2 and then sleeve 20, as shown in FIG. 2, is slid down along support post 2. Opening 14 of end section 13 of step 4 is then positioned over support post 2 and the step is slid down onto sleeve 20. The diameters of opening 38 of foot member 36, opening 14 of end section 13, and opening 21 of sleeve 20 are larger than the outside diameter of support post 2, thus allowing foot member 36, step 4 and sleeve 20 to be positioned over and easily slid down support post 2. The diameter of opening 14 is smaller than the diameter of opening 21 to allow end section 13 to step 4 to rest on sleeve 20. The openings of sleeves 22-28 and steps 5-11 are similarly configured.

Once step 4 is placed in the proper position on sleeve 20, the force of gravity compels the step against the sleeve, resulting in end section 13 resting flush on top of sleeve 20 and vertical surfaces 17 and 18 of lateral support members 15 and 16 resting flush against a lateral surface of sleeve 20. Step surface 12 thus becomes fixedly positioned in a transverse plane in relation to support post 2.

As previously described, since the diameters of the openings of all the sleeves and steps used in the present invention are the same, once the initial sleeve 20 and step 4 are in place, as seen in FIG. 2, sleeve 22 is positioned over support post 2 and slid down the post and positioned in offset fashion to rest on end section 13 of step 4. See FIG. 3. End section of step 5 with its corresponding opening is then positioned over support post 2 and slid down the post such that it rests on sleeve 22. Once again, the vertical surfaces of the lateral support members of step 5 rest against a lateral surface of sleeve 22 to maintain it in place in its offset position. The weight of sleeve 22 and newly added step 5 assists in maintaining step 4 in its originally assembled position.

As can be readily appreciated, sleeves 23-28 and the remaining sleeves to be used for the staircase system and the end sections of steps 6-11 and the remaining steps to be used, are then positioned, in sequence, over support post 2 and slid, alternately, down the post, each step being appropriately offset to form the spiral stairway around post 2. The weight and positioning of step upon sleeve upon step ensures that the steps of the present invention are rigidly maintained around and against support post 2.

After all steps have been placed, sleeve 30 is positioned over and slid onto support post 2. Opening 35 of end section 34 of landing member 32 is then centered over support post 2 and the landing member is slid down onto and positioned on the post, its side surface resting against sleeve 30, to maintain the landing in place.

Handrail 30 with support balusters 32 are provided for additional support and, of course, safety of the user. Lower step support 29 piece is added to provide additional support and stability between lowest step 4 and the floor surface.

It is contemplated that the steps of the present invention, as well as the handrail and balusters, can be configured and fabricated to a design of choice. While the components of the spiral staircase kit can be made of metal or any other sturdy material, it has been found that the use of lightweight wood has several advantages. It is easy to work with and can be fashioned into many different design configurations. The support pole and spacer sleeves can be made of plastic or similar PVC type material. Use of such material as components guarantee the lightweight nature of the individual components and the ease of transportability and ultimate assembly.

It is thus seen that the spiral staircase kit of the present invention results in a spiral staircase which can be assembled to connect adjacent floors in virtually any building space. It is lightweight for assembly purposes and results in a rugged and sturdy staircase unit, whose very weight assists in the stability and rigidity of the staircase. The. staircase components are relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture and the staircase is easily assembled and presents an attractive, as well as functional spiral staircase system.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A spiral staircase kit comprising:

An elongated support post;

a plurality of unitary steps, each unitary step comprising a step surface, means for mounting the step substantially around the support post, and support means extending from the step surface to maintain the step surface in a substantially transverse plane in relation to the support post when the step is mounted on the post; and

a plurality of spacer means to be positioned around the support post, one of the plurality of spacer means being located between every other step in the plurality of steps, for supporting to the steps when the steps are mounted around the support post.

2. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 1 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means to receive the support post.

3. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises at least one step support member extending below the step surface.

4. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 3 wherein there are two support members.

5. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 3 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means for receiving the support post.

6. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeves which substantially circumscribe the support post.

7. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 6 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means for receiving the support post.

8. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 6 wherein the support means comprises at least one step support member extending below the step surface.

9. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 8 wherein there are two support members.

10. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 2 wherein the plurality of spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeve members which substantially circumscribe the support post.

11. The spiral staircase kit as in claim 1 further comprising a landing member with means for mounting the landing member substantially around the post.

12. A spiral staircase comprising:

a central, vertically standing elongated support post;

a plurality of unitary steps mounted offset in relation to each other, each unitary step comprising a step surface, means for mounting the step substantially around the support post, and support means extending from the step surface to maintain the step surface in a substantially transverse plane in relation to the support post; and

a plurality of spacer means positioned around the support post, one of the plurality of spacer means located between every other step in the plurality of steps, for providing support to the steps.

13. The spiral staircase as in claim 12 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means to receive the support post.

14. The spiral staircase as in claim 12 wherein the support means comprises at least one step support member extending below the step surface.

15. The spiral staircase as in claim 14 wherein there are two support members.

16. The spiral staircase as in claim 14 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means for receiving the support post.

17. The spiral staircase as in claim 12 wherein the spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeves which substantially circumscribe the support post.

18. The spiral staircase as in claim 17 wherein the means for mounting comprises a step end section with opening means for receiving the support post.

19. The spiral staircase as in claim 17 wherein the support means comprises at least one step support member extending below the step surface.

20. The spiral staircase as in claim 13 wherein the spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeve members which substantially circumscribe the support post.

21. The spiral staircase as in claim 12 further comprising a landing member with means for mounting the landing member substantially around the post.

22. The method for constructing a spiral staircase, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an elongated support post;

providing a plurality of unitary steps, each step comprising a step surface, a step end section with an opening, and support members extending from the step surface;

providing a plurality of cylindrical sleeves, each sleeve having an opening therethrough;

vertically positioning the support post;

positioning the opening of a first sleeve over the support post;

sliding the first sleeve down the post to the lowermost end of the support post;

positioning the opening of the end section of a first step over the support post;

sliding the first step down the support post;

positioning the first step on the first sleeve such that the step end section and support members of the first step are flush with the sleeve;

positioning the opening of a second sleeve over the support post;

sliding the second sleeve down the post;

positioning the second sleeve on the step end section of the first step such that it is flush with the end section;

positioning the opening of the end section of a second step over the support post;

sliding the second step down the support post;

positioning the second step on the second sleeve such that the end section and support members of the second step are flush with the second sleeve and the second step is offset in relation to the first step; and

continuing in like manner to alternately position the remainder of the plurality of sleeves and the plurality of steps on the support post, offsetting each step in relation to each other in order to form the spiral staircase.

23. The method as in claim 22 further comprising the steps of providing a landing member with a through opening, positioning the opening over the support post, and sliding the landing member onto the post.