Abstract: A landscaping structure incorporates a plurality of metal spikes secured beneath a first plate. A second plate is removably secured to the top surface of the first plate. A cover is removably secured to the top surface of the second plate. The top cover comprises a plurality of materials and physical appearances capable of mimicking a paving stone or similar structure.

Abstract: A stair box system made of a stair box core, stringers, risers and treads. The inner surfaces of the stringers have a discontinuous series of mortises positioned to engage only with the treads. Each tread is beveled from the front to back surfaces and each of the riser is beveled from the top to the bottom surface. Each tread features one or more notches cut into its back surface and each riser includes a complementary hook cut into its bottom surface. The hooks on the risers engage the notches on the treads forming an open-faced channel. Removable covers fit over the treads of the stair box core. These covers protect the stair box core and/or they feature decorative building materials like hardwood or tile. The system allows the user to upgrade their stairs by replacing the covers with covers featuring a different finished surface.

Abstract: Pre-cast concrete stairs, molds for making pre-cast concrete stairs, and methods of casting pre-cast concrete stairs are provided. The stair is constructed with two beams that are cast with the stair steps as an integral monolithic structure. One of the beams (integral down edge beam) projects below the steps on one side, and the other (integral up edge beam) projects above the steps on the other side. The weight of the stairs and the weight of traffic on the steps creates compression on the tops of the integral down edge beam and integral up edge beam, and tension on the bottoms of the integral down edge beam and integral up edge beam, which enhances the combined strength of the beams. The asymmetric orientation of the members creates a stronger cross-section than if the beams were in the same plane horizontally, allowing greater load handing capability. Lightweight steps are suspended between the two beams.

Abstract: An assembly for creating a three dimensional exterior structure incorporates a plurality of bodies inter-assembled via engaging tongue and groove profiles to create at least one of a multi-tier stepped or extending walkway surface. Each of the bodies further exhibits a hollowed interior to facilitate in-filling of a compactible material in order to weight said bodies during assembly. Either or both of thermal generating elements or effect lighting can be incorporated into one or more of the bodies. The bodies can also include tiered or stackable step blocks, each exhibiting an interior ledge for supporting a thermally conducting insert shelf or pad, additional rectangular assembled blocks providing tongue and groove engagement and supporting the underside of the step blocks.

Abstract: Processes, machines, articles of manufacture and compositions of matter required to construct a habitable structure comprised of a cementitious product, preferably autoclaved aerated concrete (“AAC”), formed in unique blocks, panels and beams. This results in an extremely environmentally friendly habitable dwelling, residential or commercial, which, due to the resultant synergy of embodiments, when compared to a similar structure employing prior art and/or current industry's standard materials and methods of construction, is structurally superior and simultaneously yields substantial savings in labor, time and costs.

Abstract: A boardwalk system including a first component having a pre-formed recess and a second component having a pre-formed recess. The system further includes a connector configured to be positioned in the recesses of the first and second components to connect the first and second components such that the connector limits the movement of first component away from the second component.

Abstract: A method of refacing a staircase having original treads and original risers with replacement treads and replacement risers is disclosed. Each replacement tread overhangs a respective original riser by a distance greater than the thickness of the replacement riser. The replacement riser is shimmed and spaced from the original riser a distance equal to the difference between the replacement riser thickness and the overhang distance. Preferably the replacement treads overhang the replacement risers the same distance that the original treads overhang the original risers.

Abstract: A stadium and arena seating system is provided which utilizes concrete tread surfaces and metallic or other non-concrete vertical risers therebetween. The concrete treads have front and rear embeds embedded within the front and rear ends of the treads respectively. The embeds comprise a metallic or other non-concrete material similar to the vertical risers. The vertical risers are arranged in a shingled or other self-sealing fashion between the embeds of the treads to provide water and debris shedding. In certain embodiments, an overlapping vertical riser may be used which provides water shedding without the need for embeds within the concrete tread surfaces.

Abstract: To reduce the weight of a staircase block so as to be manually carried and installed, prevent adjacent blocks from being displaced from each other after installation, and prevent the blocks from being raised and separated from each other due to heating and cooling by conquering problems with the staircase blocks related to publicly known technologies. In this precast concrete block for building a staircase, large recesses (2) and (9) are formed in the rise surface (1) and the rear surface (8) of the block to reduce the weight, and displacement prevention grooves (7) for connecting the adjacent blocks to each other with mortar are formed in the side faces of the block, and round parts (partially cylindrical recessed surfaces) (10) with a specified radius are formed at the inner corner parts of the recess (9) in the rear surface so that an acute angle part preventing the adhesive mortar from being filled therein is not produced.

Abstract: A modular window well arrangement includes one or more window well members. The window well members can be interconnected in a vertically stacked arrangement to provide the required overall height. Snap-connectors interconnect the vertically adjacent window well members, and a plurality of steps provide for escape. The window well members may have different sizes, and extension walls may be utilized to increase the size of the window well members to provide for a wide variety of configurations. The window well members may be made of a relatively lightweight structural foam material.

Abstract: A multi-story building is constructed by first erecting at least one modular stairwell tower on a concrete base pad. The tower includes a number of horizontally alternating precast concrete modular stairwell units arranged in a stack and corresponding to twice the number of floors in the building. Each stairwell unit includes a precast reinforced concrete tower section having opposite side walls and opposite end walls defining an open top and an open bottom and a height generally equal to one half the vertical distance between two adjacent floors. An inclined stairway and a horizontal landing platform are formed within each tower section and are rigidly connected to the walls. Anchor members are embedded in the base pad and in upper and lower portions of the walls of each tower section, and adjacent anchor members are connected by weld plates. Each stairwell unit has a handrail supported by the corresponding stairway.

Abstract: A blending of geometrical shapes combine the best features of a pipe tank (standpipe) and a common multi-legged elevated tank. The bowl of an elevated tank has been designed as the top section of a standpipe or tube tank. This type design provides the near constant pressure and volume that a true elevated tank provides and a large volume of water for emergency purposes.

Abstract: A step system made up of masonry panels of various sizes pre-formed to resemble natural stone or brick on the outside. These panels have bolts or other securing devices embedded in them at precise locations at the time of their manufacture. These securing devises allow them to be attached together to form the sides and front of a set of steps. They are attached via a metal frame that is also of differing sizes and made with holes at precise locations to accept the bolts of the masonry pieces. When assembled, as directed, the structure has areas where large slabs of natural stone treads can be rested and attached at differing distances and heights from the ground forming a set of steps.

Abstract: A dock pit for a dock leveler mechanism comprises a pre-cast concrete body including integrally formed side, rear panel and front panels, all forming a continuous perimeter open therethrough to receive the load leveler mechanism. Each side panel has a top edge and the rear panel has a rear edge offset below the of the side panel top edges, whereby a concrete slab poured around the body will abut the rear panel edge with the surface of the concrete slab substantially flush with the top edge of each side panel. The side panels define a recess along their length that is situated between the top edge of the side panel and the rear edge of the rear panel, whereby the concrete slab poured around the pre-cast body will integrate within the recesses on each said side panel. The dock slab can be poured using the pre-cast pit as a form.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, a staircase repair device or kit is provided which includes two components, namely, a stair tread repair member and a riser repair member. These members are placed on an existing staircase to provide a protective covering. In the second embodiment, a new staircase construction is provided which includes a plurality of stair tread members spanning between standard stringers. The components of the first embodiment and the stair tread member of the second embodiment are made of metal bent to desired shapes. Each is coated with a synthetic material to coat exposed surfaces or to completely encapsulate them therein. A slip-free wearing surface is formed by a layer of particles placed over the first coating, and a second coating of synthetic material which is applied over the dispersed layer of particles.

Abstract: An improvement to a stair module support system includes a flexible engagement between a post and a channel attached to the underside of a stair module. The flexible engagement enables the stair module support system to be assembled and placed into a stored configuration with each post received by a corresponding channel. The system may then be shipped to an installation site where the posts may be rotated to a deployed position without requiring further assembly or tools.

Abstract: The adjustable modular staircase includes two stringers for rigid attachment to a building structure in parallel, opposed relationship to each other, a plurality of axially parallel pins protrude out of each of the stringers and are spaced equidistant apart there along, the pins in one stringer are axially aligned with the pins in the other stringer when installed in the building structure, and a plurality of step modules, each including a tread and at least one end wall. The end wall has a top edge for supporting one end of the tread, a bottom edge inclined with respect to the top edge, and a notch in the bottom edge for releasably pivotally engaging one of the pins, whereby the step module can pivot around the pin to allow for horizontal leveling of each of the treads so as to form a rough staircase used for the early stages of the building process. Each step module preferably includes a riser having an end supported by a front edge of the end wall.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, a staircase repair device or kit is provided which includes two components, namely, a stair tread repair member and a riser repair member. These members are placed on an existing staircase to provide a protective covering. In the second embodiment, a new staircase construction is provided which includes a plurality of stair tread members spanning between standard stringers. The components of the first embodiment and the stair tread member of the second embodiment are made of metal bent to desired shapes. Each is coated with a synthetic material to encapsulate them therein. A slip-free wearing surface is formed by a layer of particles placed over the first coating, and a second coating of synthetic material which is applied over the dispersed layer of particles.

Abstract: A universal modular tread and riser unit for positioning on a stairway stringer having a predetermined slope. The unit, including an elongate tread wall having two ends including a connecting end and a free end. An elongate riser wall having two ends including a connecting end and a free end. The riser wall having its connecting end joined to the connecting end of the tread wall with the riser wall oriented in a depending perpendicular relation to the tread wall. A pair of spaced apart vertical side walls is secured on either side of the connected tread wall and riser wall. The side walls are spaced apart sufficiently to receive a stairway stringer with the free end of the tread wall resting on the stringer and the free end of the riser wall resting on the stringer.

Abstract: A bracket for use in manufacturing a step supported by a stringer. The bracket includes an anchor block to which a tread for a step may be attached, a pair of frames flanking the anchor block and fixed thereto, and markings formed on at least one of the frames. The markings indicate a rise and a run for the step. The bracket may be used in a method for building a stairs. The method includes the steps of selecting a desired tread distance and rise distance for the stairs to be built, fastening tread receiving portions and riser-receiving portions of a bracket to a first elongate stringer to define the desired tread and riser distances, repeating the above steps with respect to a second stringer, mounting a tread to the tread-receiving portions, and mounting a riser to the riser-receiving portions.

Abstract: A replacement pool step for installation into the interior corner of a swimming pool is disclosed. The pool step is installed such that the vinyl liner of the pool does not cover the pool step but rather is installed in such a manner that it is sealed to the front of the pool step.

Abstract: Flanged Triangular elements for constructing a stairway which can be joined to provide a beam having adjacent tread and riser mounting portions.

Abstract: A lightweight, highly portable, yet strong, fiberglass step unit is presented. The fiberglass step unit is tapered to allow removal of the unit from the mold during the two-step manufacturing process. All of the corners and edges of the fiberglass unit are rounded, thus providing strengthening radii at critical points of the construction of the unit. In addition to the strength of the fiberglass, strengthening braces are placed inside the unit and are sealed to the main portion of the unit with an additional application of fiberglass. These strengthening braces provide additional radii which synergistically add to the strength and reliability of the step. A heating coil may also be fabricated within the fiberglass step thickness itself thus providing a highly portable, lightweight, unitary step which may be electrified to prevent the accumulation of snow or ice on the step.

Abstract: Sheet steel pan forms bent or rollformed to specific "universal" profiles allow the manufacture of concrete tread filled steel stairs or precast concrete stairs. The profiles adjust against each other under the specific angle of 26.565 and thereby, used in series, create stairways of various rise and run relations, maintaing the same profile at all times, satisfying requirements of all building codes and follow the measure of the human step on an incline.These "universal" profiles are designed to standardize stair construction, save labor and material and produce stairs more economically than conventional methods employed in today's construction industry.

Abstract: A three dimensional stringer pad affixed to the stringers of a staircase prior to applying carpet. The stringer pad is dimensioned to substantially completely overlay the stringer, has an inner flat surface which lies substantially flush on the stringer and has an outer surface which billows out from the stringer to create a three dimensional surface upon which carpet is later applied. Prior to applying carpet to the stringers of the staircase, the three dimensional stringer pads are applied to the stringers using nails or any suitable adhesive. Carpet is then applied to the stringers with the stringer pads interposed between the carpet and the stringers. Due to the billowing surface of the stringer pads, the carpeted stringers are provided with a three dimensional look which is aesthetically pleasing and which serves to further define the risers and treads of the staircase. Preferred aspects of the invention include constructing the stringer pads from inexpensive polyurethane foam or equivalent material.

Abstract: A construction unit (10) which is suitable for use in the fabrication of a stair stringer is provided. In one embodiment, the unit has three side members (12, 14, 16) which form a right triangle. The side member (16) forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle has a flat surface for locating the unit (10) against a flat support surface. The side members (12, 14) forming the other two sides of the right triangle are provided with channels (22) extending along their lengths, each for receiving the edge of a stair tread (28) or stair riser (30) forming sheet therein.

Abstract: A precast stair system having releasably mounted steps is disclosed. The system includes first and second elongate, generally parallel stringer elements having respective inner surfaces that face each other and a plurality of individually precast steps that are precast independently of the stringer elements. Each step extends side to side from a first end that engages the inner surface of the first stringer element to an opposite second end that engages the inner surface of the second stringer element. The steps are juxtaposed in an ascending pattern along the stringer elements. Each step is releasably fastened to each stringer element. In particular, a first connector is formed through the inner surface of the first stringer element and through the first end of the step and a second connector is formed through the inner surface of the second stringer element and through the second end of the step.

Abstract: A precast stair system is disclosed, including a plurality of individually precast steps. Each step includes a tread portion and a riser portion that is integrally connected to the tread portion and extends generally downwardly therefrom. One or more elongate stringer elements are precast independently of the steps for supporting the steps and the steps are releasably fastened to each stringer element.

Abstract: A prefabricated stairway formed of a plurality of preformed steps composed of wear-resistant plastic or composite material which can be injection molded in units of one or more steps to permit inexpensive mass production and which are simple and inexpensive to install and can be formed of colored material to provide a highly aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A stair unit structure (10) having at least one stair (12) with a riser (14) and a tread (16) fabricated from rigid material such as fiberglass. A reinforcement member (24) is substantially coextensive with the width of the stair unit structure and is secured thereto by a suitable adhesive or the like. Preferably, a flange member (16) is provided proximate the lowermost riser to facilitate securing the structure (10) to the supporting structure. Further, a turn-down member (20) may be provided proximate the rearward edge of the upper most tread to provide added strength.

Abstract: A construction element having a bridge-like portion of which first and second pillars are provided on the lower part thereof with a plurality of steps. The second pillar being connected by an inclined part to a channel-like portion provided with an outer edge.

Abstract: A constructional element has an L-shaped body of molded metal or synthetic plastics material. The two arms of the body are provided with inclined stepped surfaces so that two adjacent elements can be locked together in one of a number of different relative positions. In this way a plurality of the elements can be used to build-up a staircase or variable height and extent.