Staircase Patents (Class 362/146)
  • Patent number: 5067062
    Abstract: With this illumination device for the illumination of a transport system, such as escalators and passenger walkways, light sources are provided in the balustrade skirting. The light of the light source is reflected by lenses upon intermediate legs of a support device which carries the handrail of the transport system. By ascribing a suitable configuration and surface properties to the intermediate legs the light is deflected in a desired direction. This illumination device serves not only for illumination purposes but also for the decorative or aesthetic appearance of escalators and passenger walkways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Gerhart Rulke
  • Patent number: 4625266
    Abstract: A nose edge of a step of a stairway is to be marked by a lighted strip which can be seen by a person going upstairs and by a person going downstairs. This is to be accomplished by a nosing bar assembly which comprises a single illuminating device and in which transparent covering means for such illuminating device are not liable to be strongly damaged or soiled. For this purpose covering for the illuminating device is so arranged below the level of the tread surface of the step that points of the surface of the covering means can be seen from a space which is disposed above the tread surface of the step and which in the downstairs direction is defined by a vertical plane which contains the front boundary line of the tread surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: Rolf Winter
  • Patent number: 4612606
    Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a stair nosing formation that is particularly adapted to provide an overhang for housing an indirect lighting source thereby to provide both functional and aesthetically appealing effects. The formation consists of a tread plate in perpendicular affixure to a riser plate while extending an overhang portion that is further formed into an overhang plate disposed parallel to the riser plate. A transverse plate is formed to extend between the overhang plate and riser plate to provide high structural strength while also defining a downwardly oriented channel for retention of an illumination source for directing light downward along the adjacent step riser toward the next lower step tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: James R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4425601
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating a plurality of stairs when in use involves a transformer to provide a reduced A. C. voltage; at least one light in proximity to the stairs to illuminate the stairs when at least a portion of the reduced A. C. voltage is supplied to the light and an electrical circuit including the light is formed; a rectifier to convert the reduced A. C. voltage to a D. C. voltage; a plurality of pressure sensitive switches associated with the rectifier and the treads of the stairs; physical pressure on the tread or treads acting to close at least one of the switches; and a relay in association with the pressure sensitive switches and light, and adapted to form the electrical circuit including the light in response to the closing of at least one of the pressure sensitive switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Inventor: Robert Donahue
  • Patent number: 4394718
    Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude P. Balzer
  • Patent number: 4394714
    Abstract: A lighting system for stair treads, risers and the interface of one with the other which can extend the full width of the step is disclosed. The system which employs fiber optics to give the needed safety information, is intended primarily for theatres, moviehouses, auditoriums and other darkened areas. The system can also be equally well employed in banisters and hand rails for both interior and exterior use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventor: James Rote
  • Patent number: 4367517
    Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude P. Balzer
  • Patent number: 4161769
    Abstract: Combined hand rail and lighting fixture for a walkway, such as a stair flight, characterized by a tubular member with spaced openings in a lower portion of its wall in which are disposed lighting fixtures, each comprising an extruded housing, a reflector for supporting an illuminating bulb, and an extruded arcuate window closing an opening, the housing and reflector forming a space for receiving the requisite electrical conductors. Its construction is such that it inherently prevents entry of water and hence may be employed outdoors as well as indoors. After installation and wiring, the housing is preferably secured to the hand rail and replacement of a bulb may be effected by removal of a pair of securing clips and the window, only, without disturbing the housing or permanent wiring connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Zimmerman Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy N. Elliott
  • Patent number: 4143411
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus for architectural usage wherein the lighting structure can be permanently placed in predetermined disposition to render relatively trouble-free and long service life. The apparatus consists of a tubular lighting element, which can be fabricated in any desired length of whatever the selected wattage rating, that is utilized in combination with a seating structure that may be permanently secured in or about the architectural structure utilizing such lighting design. The lighting element consists of a clear tube containing a selected plurality of low wattage light bulbs as used in combination with a retaining structure which is adapted for captive retention within a molded cementitious structure of the like, while defining a groove or insert portion for selective retention of the lighting element thereby to focus or direct light at selected angles to illuminate the desired surface or area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas E. Roberts