Public Access Stair System
A public access stair assembly for use with a scaffold assembly and methods for assembling or installing such an assembly are disclosed. Advantageously, the stair assembly is connected in-line with the scaffold assembly to create an integrated public access stair system. The system and methods disclosed herein provide numerous benefits including, by way of example and not limitation, quick installation and dismantling.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/890,234, filed on Feb. 16, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference,
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to public access stair system and more particularly to a public access stair system for use with a scaffold system.
BACKGROUNDPublic access stairs can allow users to access temporary or semi-permanent grandstands, private boxes and other platforms. Scaffold assemblies are generally known and typically include vertical and horizontal members that are connected together. Such assemblies typically permit relatively rapid erection and dismantling. However, attempts to utilize public access stair units in conjunction with scaffolding, have either not been feasible, or at best, difficult to execute. For example, large quantities of on-site fabrication of items such as handrails, thresholds, turnarounds, and the like, have typically been required.
As such, it would be desirable to provide a public access stair system that allows for rapid installation of stairs onto scaffolding such that problems, including on-site fabrication of components, are reduced substantially or altogether eliminated.
SUMMARYIn accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, a public access stair assembly for use with a scaffold assembly having horizontal members that are connected to vertical members is disclosed. The public access stair assembly comprises a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies for connection to a scaffold assembly; a stringer mechanism connected to a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies; a guard rail assembly having a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms capable of supporting a guard rail mechanism and a guard panel structure, the post mechanisms connected to the plurality of stair stringer support bracket assemblies; and a plurality of stair units that are connected, at least indirectly to, at least one of the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies, the stair stringer mechanism and the guard rail post mechanisms, the plurality of stair units permitting a user of the public access stair assembly to ascend to an upper end of the stair assembly and/or descend to a lower end of the stair assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a public access stair system is disclosed, The method includes providing a scaffold assembly that includes a plurality of vertical members that are connected to a plurality of horizontal members; providing a plurality of support bracket assemblies and connecting the plurality of support bracket assemblies to the scaffold assembly; providing a public access stair assembly having a guard rail assembly that includes a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms, the stair assembly further including a plurality of stair units; and connecting the public access stair system to the scaffold assembly using the plurality of support bracket assemblies such that the plurality of post mechanisms are in-line with respect to the plurality of vertical scaffold members.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a public access stair system is disclosed. The method includes providing a supporting scaffold assembly having a plurality of horizontal scaffold members that are connected to a plurality of vertical scaffold members; providing a plurality of stringer support brackets assemblies; connecting the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly; providing a plurality of stringer mechanisms having a plurality of stair units secured thereto; connecting and securing the plurality of stringer mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies; providing a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms; connecting the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies; providing a plurality of guard panels; connecting the plurality of guard panels to the plurality of guard rail posts; providing a hand rail or hand rail segment; and connecting the hand rail or hand rail segment to the plurality of guard rail posts and to the plurality of guard panels.
Various embodiments of the invention, including various embodiments of the assembly and methods are disclosed, contemplated and considered within the scope of the present invention. The inventive assembly and methods provide numerous benefits including, by way of example and not limitation, quick installation and dismantling which results in a reduction of costs (e.g., reduced labor costs). Other benefits will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.
Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:
Various items of equipment, such as fittings, fasteners, etc., have been omitted from the drawings. Those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment can be employed as desired. Additionally, in certain of the drawings, various components of the system or of the assemblies or sub-assemblies may be omitted. In general, those skilled in the art will recognize that any such omissions are by design and are to simplify the drawings and associated description of the invention in its many embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONDisclosed herein is a public access stair system that can be used to provide, by way of example, access to temporary or semi-permanent grandstands and private boxes. The access stair system is, advantageously, compatible with scaffolding systems. Advantageously, the inventive system can be used as a means of public access to grandstands and other platforms requiring stairs to accomplish such access.
Still referring to
As shown, the public access stair assembly 22 includes a plurality of stringer mechanisms 40, or stringers, and the stringer mechanisms are connected to and serve, at least in part, to support stair units 42 via stair unit supports 44. Each stringer 40 is a modular unit that is light weight, and inexpensive to fabricate, transport, and handle. As illustrated specifically in
Advantageously, the public access stair system 20 incorporates stringer support brackets, or stringer support bracket assemblies, which are indicated by numeral 54. Each of the stringer support brackets 54 includes a coupler pin or coupler mechanism 55 having a pair of male projections 56a-b on its top and bottom sides which permit engagement (e.g., via sliding insertion) with a top end 57 of a respective vertical scaffold member 32 and a bottom end 59 of a respective guard rail post 46. In at least some embodiments, engagement can be accomplished with the respective coupler mechanism removed from the respective stringer support bracket. The stringer support brackets 54 include plates or plate-like mechanisms, indicated by numeral 60, and which are connected or otherwise secured to their respective coupler mechanism 55. In accordance with at least some embodiments, the plates 60 create a saddle-like space which serves to support a respective stair stringer 40. More specifically, the plates 60 at least temporarily hold the stringers 40 in place, thereby securing the stringers to the scaffold assembly 24. In at least some embodiments, the saddle or saddle-like space can be a V-shaped, or substantially V-shaped space, in other embodiments the saddle-like space can be U-shaped or substantially U-shaped, and in still other embodiments, the saddle-like space can take on other geometries. The top side male projections 56b each include a connecting mechanism 62 which creates a connection for the respective guard rail post mechanisms 46. In the embodiment shown, mechanisms 62 take the form of an internal snap or snap-button mechanism that serves to accomplish the respective connections via snapping engagement. Uplift bracket mechanisms 64, connected to brackets 34, are also incorporated and are utilized as described below. Here again, those of skill in the art will recognize that variations to the illustrated embodiment, for example, changes to the size, shape and geometry of the assembly components, are contemplated and considered to be well within the scope of the present invention.
Use/Installation
With reference to
As already noted, the drawings illustrate segments or portions of an exemplary system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. In practice, and although not shown, additional segments or portions, similar or identical to those shown and described herein (or similar or identical to segments or portions that are provided in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention), can be assembled, connected or otherwise provided in mechanical association with other similar or identical segments or portions to assemble a final public access stair assembly system suitable for use. Further, it is noted that installation, as described herein, is typically a manual process, however, automation of various aspects of the installation procedure are contemplated and considered within the scope of the present invention. In addition, one of skill in the art will recognize that the term “connecting” (and similar terms) used herein shall include, where appropriate, both direct and indirect connection.
The stair assembly, including the guard rail post mechanisms and the stinger support mechanisms, are connected in-line with the support scaffold assembly, including the scaffold assembly vertical support members, such that the scaffold and stair assemblies can be integrated with one another and continuously, or substantially continuously, connected. Accordingly, a public access stair system is provided that allows for public access to and within various seating and other destinations, such as grandstands and private boxes. The access stair system is, advantageously, compatible with scaffolding systems. The system includes a stair assembly that can be installed, so as to be in mechanical association with, an applicable or desired scaffold system, and various benefits of efficiency (e.g., a minimum number of parts).
Although the present invention is intended to be highly reliable, all physical systems are susceptible to failure and provision must be made for such failure. Accordingly, it is understood that safety, in an industrial process, depends on a wide variety of factors outside of the scope of the present invention including, for example, design of the system; installation and maintenance of the components of the system; the cooperation and training of individuals using the system; and consideration of the failure modes of the other components being utilized. No representation is made herein that the present invention in its various embodiments will make an industrial process safe, and no recommendation is made herein to utilize one preferred embodiment over, or to the exclusion of, another. Rather, the invention results in various advantages not achieved by prior solutions.
It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. More generally, while the present invention has been shown and described in terms of various embodiments, including at least one preferred embodiment, it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and considered to be within the scope of the appending claims.
Claims
1. A method of assembling a public access stair system, the method comprising:
- providing a scaffold assembly that includes a plurality of vertical members that are connected to a plurality of horizontal members;
- providing a plurality of support bracket assemblies and connecting the plurality of support bracket assemblies to the scaffold assembly;
- providing a public access stair assembly having a guard rail assembly that includes a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms, the stair assembly further including a plurality of stair units; and
- connecting the public access stair system to the scaffold assembly using the plurality of support bracket assemblies such that the plurality of post mechanisms are in-line with respect to the plurality of vertical scaffold members.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes a coupling mechanism and the connecting includes securing the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly by slidably engaging the respective coupling mechanism to a respective one of the vertical scaffold members.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the connecting includes slidably engaging the respective coupling mechanism to a respective one of the guard rail post mechanisms.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a plurality of stringer mechanisms that are connected to the plurality of stair units and connecting the plurality of stringer mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies.
5. A method of assembling a public access stair system, the method comprising:
- providing a supporting scaffold assembly having a plurality of horizontal scaffold members that are connected to a plurality of vertical scaffold members;
- providing a plurality of stringer support brackets assemblies;
- connecting the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly;
- providing a plurality of stringer mechanisms having a plurality of stair units secured thereto;
- connecting and securing the plurality of stringer mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;
- providing a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms;
- connecting the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;
- providing a plurality of guard panels;
- connecting the plurality of guard panels to the plurality of guard rail posts;
- providing a hand rail or hand rail segment; and
- connecting the hand rail or hand rail segment to the plurality of guard rail posts and to the plurality of guard panels.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein each of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes a coupling mechanism and the connecting of the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly includes slidably engaging the coupling mechanism with one of the vertical scaffold members.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the coupling mechanism includes a male projection where the engaging includes sliding the male projections with respect to the one vertical scaffold member.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the coupling mechanism includes another male projection and wherein the connecting of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to the stringer support bracket assemblies includes slidably engaging the male projection of the coupling mechanism with respect to one of the guard rail post mechanisms.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the connecting of a respective one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to a respective one of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes snap-fit engagement.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein the stringer support bracket assemblies permit at least one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms and the plurality of stringer support mechanisms of the stair assembly to be connected in-line with respect to the scaffold assembly.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms and the plurality of stringer support mechanisms of the stair assembly are connected in-line with respect to plurality of vertical support members of the scaffold assembly.
12. A public access stair assembly for use with a scaffold assembly having horizontal members that are connected to vertical members, the public access stair assembly comprising:
- a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies for connection to a scaffold assembly;
- a stringer mechanism connected to a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;
- a guard rail assembly having a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms capable of supporting a guard rail mechanism and a guard panel structure, the post mechanisms connected to the plurality of stair stringer support bracket assemblies; and
- a plurality of stair units that are connected, at least indirectly to, at least one of the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies, the stair stringer mechanism and the guard rail post mechanisms, the plurality of stair units permitting a user of the public access stair assembly to ascend to and/or descend stair units of the stair assembly.
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the stringer support bracket assemblies include a coupling mechanism for coupling each of the assemblies to a respective guard rail post mechanism and a respective vertical member or a respective horizontal member of the scaffold assembly to which the public access stair assembly can be used.
14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the guard rail assembly includes a guard panel and the guard rail post mechanisms include a mechanism for capturing, containing or otherwise connecting to the guard panel.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the guard rail post mechanisms include a plate-like device for connecting the post mechanism to at least a portion of a handrail.
16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least a portion of a handrail includes a channel and wherein the channel can be used as a handle and/or panel connection channel.
17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a plurality of plate-like mechanisms are connected to the stringer support bracket assemblies and the plate-like mechanisms each create saddle-like area to support the stair stringer mechanism.
18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the stair stringer mechanism is a modular unit.
19. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising an uplift bracket mechanism that is used to secure the stringer support brackets and the stringers to the scaffold assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 21, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 21, 2008
Inventors: Roger S. Frank (New Berlin, WI), Stig Karlsen (Burlington, WI), Scott D. Libert (Greenfield, WI)
Application Number: 11/766,374
International Classification: E04F 11/025 (20060101);