Abstract: A stairs lift system capable of converting stairs climbing operation into a walking movement along a horizontal plane. The system comprises an existing substrate, flight of stairs, and a second, overlying layer of stairs. Each one of the overlying stairs comprises a lifting element. Mechanical, electronic or hydraulic means are provided for lifting the lifting element up to the height of next-in-line overlaying stair. The lifting means are activated when sensing the presence of a subject having stepped on the first-in-line lifting element. The first-in-line lifting element returns to the initial position once the subject has stepped over to the next-in-line stair; and so forth.

Abstract: A stairs lift system capable of converting stairs climbing operation into a walking movement along a horizontal plane. The system comprises an existing substrate, flight of stairs, and a second, overlying layer of stairs. Each one of the overlying stairs comprises a lifting element. Mechanical, electronic or hydraulic means are provided for lifting the lifting element up to the height of next-in-line overlaying stair. The lifting means are activated when sensing the presence of a subject having stepped on the first-in-line lifting element. The first-in-line lifting element returns to the initial position once the subject has stepped over to the next-in-line stair; and so forth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the on-site erection of large arched structures such as airplane hangars, fairs overhead coverings and the like. A plurality of truss or the like structural members each having two free, aligned ends and an intermediate, raised, apex-like section, are lined-up on a flat surface. Adjacent ends of the members are pivotally connected to each other. Adjacent pairs of the apexes are tyed to each other by a number of steel wires, of progressively increasing lengths. The first in-line and the last-in-line members are forcibly pushed one against the other, to close the distance therebetween, and achieve the formation of the arched structure. During this operation, the shorter wires undergo an elastic and then a plastic elongation, except for the longest wires, which remain elastically taut and together serve to support the arched structure.