Abstract: A portable collapsible porch is provided for use with campers, camping trailers and the like which includes a foldable platform structure and collapsible legs, stairway and protective rail structure, thereby requiring minimal space for storage and transportation, and further includes adjustable legs to facilitate use in uneven terrain.

Abstract: A returned tread for use on an open portion of a stairway having a stair tread constructed of wood and a return nosing joined on at least one side edge of the stair tread so as to form an exposed shaped or mitered joint on a forward side edge portion of the assembly. The surface of the nosing which opposes the stair tread and the side edge of the stair tread are joined along at least a part of their adjoining surfaces by tongue and groove construction. A single finishing nail, wood screw or other suitable fastener secures the nosing to the stair tread at a position just rearward of the exposed joint. As a result, the stair tread and nosing will not slide relative to one another at the position of the fastener or in a region next to the fastener that includes the exposed joint as the rest of the stair tread expands and contracts in width over a range due to ambient temperature and humidity changes.

Abstract: Stair brackets are provided for mounting on stringers and supporting treads in stair structures extending between upper and lower floors. Lower brackets interconnect the lower floor, lower ends of the stringers and the lowermost tread. Angle brackets are mounted on the stringer between the lower bracket and the upper floor. Hangers secure the stringer upper ends to the upper floor.

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: The securing element (16) for tensionally fastening additions like roof balustrades (14), exterior stairways (15), roofs (11), arbors, greenhouses (13), pergolas (12), advertising elements, poster walls, etc. that function as extensions or expansions, to structures, especially single-story structures erected with with a kit of components. The securing element (16) extends over the total length of one side of the main structure (10) and has at least one fastening rail (22 or 23) that extends over its own total length.

Abstract: A stairway construction, specifically, an articulating self-supporting staircase. The staircase comprises a plurality of individual, interconnected elements, each element having a tread and a riser. A new wedge locking means to lock the interconnected elements firmly together is disclosed. This construction allows for a variety of widths, materials and layouts of the elements and is sufficiently strong to comply with building codes yet is light weight and easy to install in a variety of configurations. Modularity of assembly and ease of construction is achieved which provides an improvemenmt over the prior art.

Abstract: A tornado shelter, specially adapted for use with mobile home lots. The shelter is an underground enclosure defined by an annular sidewall and a top and bottom. The top of the enclosure has an entrance and egress passageway in communication with both the enclosure and the bottom of a mobile home. The passageway is surrounded by a flexible sidewall which is moveably attached to the top of the underground disclosure and the bottom of the mobile home. An associated collapsible stepladder allows convenient and egress. When the mobile home unit is moved, the passageway sidewall may be removed, and the shelter sealed until a new unit is moved in place.

Abstract: Escape devices for multi-story buildings characterized by a deployable chute or slide which provides for rapid and easy transfer of building occupants from elevated stories to a lower attitude. An escape device comprises a chute deployable so as to provide an inclined slide surface having an entry end and an exit end, and means for selectively supporting the chute with its entry end positioned at any one of the emergency exits and its lower end at a lower attitude whereby the chute may be positioned as needed to evacuate persons from above ground level stories of the building. Such an escape device may be conveniently stored and only deployed when and where needed.

Abstract: A device in U-shape has two plates, one lower one upper, by which the vertical bar of a handrail can be welded. It can increase the stability of the handrail on the one hand, and the plates can be adjusted to match the location of the lower end of the vertical bar on the other hand.

Abstract: A solar generator support structure mounting standard photovoltaic panels thereon is disclosed. The solar panels are housed in flat planes (bays and courses) which include a plurality of parallel, symmetrically faceted and stepped areas that are a maximum at the base and over the center of the support structure and which planes define a dome-shaped segment called a hemidome. The planes face upwardly and are stepped, ramped (or a combination thereof) with respect to each other. Single or double axis tracking is provided so that the sun's movement is followed.

Abstract: Several horizontal links have inward-projecting horizontal flanges for supporting the treads of a stairway. Such links are uniformly spaced apart elevationally by upright parallel links pivoted to the horizontal links to form a lazy tongs linkage. One such lazy tongs linkage is permanently attached in inclined attitude to the conventional weight-bearing supports for the stair treads, such as sidewalls or inclined stringers, at each side of the rough opening for the stairway. Prior to permanent installation, the lazy tongs linkage can be extended or contracted by conjoint swinging of the upright links to adjust the spacing of the horizontal tread support flanges so that the total rise of the linkage matches the total rise between adjacent floors as actually constructed. The support is designed to fit a range of expected total rises between the adjacent floors while maintaining a rise and run for each step within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A spiral staircase comprising a central hollow column of circular cross-sectional shape and a plurality of treads, said column having a plurality of apertures in its wall spaced spirally, each said tread having a curved locking plate at its inner end which lies contiguous with the outer face of the column and a locking pin projecting radially inwardly from the locking plate and extending through a respective aperture in the wall of the hollow column, each said locking pin having surfaces defining an upwardly extending slot which accommodates portion of the column wall, one of said slot surfaces bearing against the inner face of the column thereby inhibiting tilting of that tread.

Abstract: My invention relates to an extensible stairway capable of being shipped in a knockdown condition and erected with a minimum of labor and without special tools. The stairway has a pair of stair step stringer assemblies each stringer assembly having a pair of telescoping channels nesting slidably together that can be extended to a required height. The vertical load bearing side walls of said channels are provided with a series of registering groups of equally step spaced in-line bores arranged to lie in a substantially horizontal line when the stringer channels are placed in stair inclined position. A plurality of stair step assemblies having tread supports are adapted to be swivably mounted and clamped to said groups of in-line bores to maintain the treads in a horizontal position when the stringers are inclined forwardly to an ascent angle. A rotatable bracket is located at the upper end of each of the inside channels enabling them to be mounted in an inclined position to the upper level of a structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a staircase system featuring modular construction components, wherein the framework of the staircase itself is produced by assembly of modular components paired one with the next in sequence so as to form a bearing structure for the single stair treads. The modular components are prismatic in shape and slot together reciprocally in a number of positions one relative to the other so as to a give a variety of reciprocal positions--at least, in the vertical plane. Each modular component consists of a length of molding whose cross section has an elongated profile which remains constant throughout. The molding is disposed so that its main longitudinal axis is horizontal following assembly. The reciprocal type of connection between one component and the next is brought about by tongues and grooves formed on the vertical side faces of one component and on the mutually-opposed and inwardly-set vertical faces of the next component, between which the first component is partially inserted.

Abstract: A modular carrier for stair treads (15) is provided so that treads may be evenly spaced and hung between a pair of stringers (25, 25'). A pair of vertical side walls (16, 16') extend above the tread and have a mounting plate connected thereto lying in a plane which intersects the plane of the tread at a predetermined angle (.phi.). With the stringer set at this angle with respect to the horizontal, the treads lay in proper horizontal orientation. The plurality of notches or score lines are provided at the ends of the mounting plate (19, 20) which may be broken off, or overlapped, facilitating easy construction of evenly spaced stairs. Alternately, the left and right hand carriers are provided as separate units having a bottom plate 48 so that treads of varying widths may be used with the device.

Abstract: An exercise walkway has a pair of aligned stairways that are arranged end to end and have a horizontal section therebetween so that a person may walk up one and down the other. Each stairway has a central handrail and the stairs on either side of it are of differing height and length so that a user may select which side he wishes to use of the walkway.

Abstract: A fixing mechanism of stair units which are used for assembling a curved stair. Each stair unit has an upwardly projecting cylindrical member and a downwardly projecting cylindrical member at opposite ends. The upwardly projecting cylindrical member of the lower stair unit is inserted into the downwardly projecting member of the upper stair unit rotatably and slidably in the vertical direction. These two cylindrical members are fixed to each other by a screw member disposed on the axis of the upwardly projecting cylindrical member and a pair of nut members, which are engaged with the screw member with clamping an anchor member fixed to the downwardly projecting cylindrical member.

Abstract: A stair or ladder which has a central stringer adapted for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a relatively steep angle of inclination, and a plurality of tread members disposed in alternating arrangement on respective sides of the stringer, each of the tread members having a foot support portion outwardly extending from the stringer. A pair of handrails is disposed substantially in a plane forward and parallel to a plane passing through the front edges of the foot support portions and positioned with respect to the foot support portions to provide support of the user. The tread members are substantially identical, except for the top tread and bottom tread of the stairway and include a foot support portion and an outwardly extending support adapted for connection to a rail. The stairway is preferably composed of components preformed of aluminum and welded together to provide a completed structure which is relatively light weight, rigid, and strong.

Abstract: A curvilinear stairway construction for mounting to a curvilinear wall includes a plurality of stringers which are mountable one above the other and which are normally straight, but bend such that the curvature of the stringers is substantially concentric to the curvature of the wall when the stringers are mounted by the steps to the wall. Reinforcing means extend in opposite directions from the plane of the stringers adjacent the longitudinal edges of the stringers. The ends of the stringers contain a plurality of apertures for directly attaching the stringer ends together and the apertures and reinforcing means are positioned so as to allow horizontal movement of the stringer ends relative to each other to adjust for differing degrees of curvature of the wall.

Abstract: The support comprises a horizontal resting deck for a respective step. A first wall including a vertical cylindrical portion is made rigid, on the convex side thereof, with said resting deck and extends above the latter. An additional wall including a vertical cylindrical portion extends fixedly below the resting deck with its concave side facing the convex side of the first wall. Said additional wall has an outer surface matching the outer surface of the first wall.

Abstract: Elements to be assembled to form in situ a temporary stair, from a pair of planks (1,1') or longitudinally sawn boards, or identical cross-section, intended for serving as stringers and which elements consist of steps (2), identical with one another, the steps being self-locking one by means of another onto and against the planks (1,1'), with the exception of the top step which has to be wedged against these planks (1,1'); each step (2) rests, at each side at the front, on the upper edge of a plank and, at the rear, is brought against the lower edge of the plank by a pair of flats (14,14') terminating in a hook (16) and mounted freely pivotal in the step placed next above.

Abstract: A modular, self supporting flight of stairs, comprising at least one pair of stringer units for supporting at least one step thread. Each stringer unit comprises a vertical side plate provided with an horizontal, upper flange and a vertical front plate defining with the side plate, a rectangular dihedron. This front plate is also provided with an horizontal, upper flange defining together with the upper flange of the side plate, a rigid, L-shaped support very stable in use for supporting one end of the thread. Each stringer unit also comprises a small, fixation plate integrally extending the side plate in the same plane as, or in a plane parallel to, the plane of the side plate. The stringer units of each pair are fixed to the corresponding units of a pair immediately superior or inferior thereto by riveting or bolting the fixation plates of one pair to the side plate of the other pair through a plurality of holes punched fixation plate and the lateral plate of the stringer units for receiving the bolts.

Abstract: A freestanding stair assembly which is simple and chemical to produce and assemble is disclosed. The assembly utilizes a plurality of interengagable tubular links each of which is provided with pair of axially directed parallel slots in the annular wall. The slots extend from one end of the link and are oriented and dimensioned so as to receive therein the other end of a superjacent link. The links may be rotated relative to each other to achieve a linear or a non-linear stairway. Each link is adapted to have a stair tread member secured thereto. Also each main slot may be provided with a locking slot in the annular wall which is perpendicular to the main slot. Each riser may than have a lower flange at the other end, which flange can engage with the locking slots as relative rotation of the risers is performed. The circumferential extent of the lower flange is such that adjacent risers are locked together thereby at any reasonable relative angular orientation.

Abstract: A segmented apparatus is mounted to a tower or other vertically extending structure on a plurality of spaced supporting members such as I-beams or the like. Each apparatus segments is mounted on a pair of supporting members such that the weight of the segment loads the supporting members either through or proximal to the shear center thereof for minimization of supporting member torsional loading.

Abstract: A supporting bolt structure for connecting the ends of steps of a fabricated stairway including an elongated middle part having both internal and external threads at the ends thereof, a pair of internally threaded retainers mating with the external threads on the middle part and a pair of externally threaded headed portions mating with the internal threads of the middle part.

Abstract: A handrail support assembly has a tee member fitting into a support baluster above each tread of a spiral staircase. The upper cross member of the tee member fits into channels formed under the handrail. The channels are formed by return bending the sides of the rail. The tee member will support and position a spiral rail while being rotatable somewhat in the channels of the rail so that a predrilled nonprecision hole in the lower portion of the tee member may be aligned with a hole in the baluster for attachment with a screw. Precision components are avoided.

Abstract: A step for a passenger conveyor has a tread formed with a plurality of cleats defining grooves therebetween and adapted to mesh with comb-shaped teeth provided on step-on and step-out landings, and side frames on which the tread is mounted. The tread is provided with flat and cleat-less mounting sections each having a width greater than the width of the groove between each adjacent pair of cleats. The tread is removably connected at the mounting sections to the side frame members. The flat mounting sections are covered with covering members removably mounted on the tread.

Abstract: A guard and staircase unit for a drop-side crib, with vertical rods supporting the drop-side thereof, comprises a supporting framework consisting of a plurality of supporting members arranged in a rectangular support. A plurality of supporting members extend vertically from said rectangular support and support a plurality of steps with the top step being at the level of the crib mattress. A guard barrier wall is supported on said vertically extending support members for positioning along the open side of the crib with the drop-side opened or removed. An opening is provided in the guard barrier wall at the level of the top step. A railing is provided along the side of the steps opposite the wall and around the top step. The unit is provided with eyelets or other suitable fastening means for securing the same to the vertical rods of the crib.

Abstract: A ladder which can be ascended and descended at either of two rates and which comprises an array of half treads on one side of a stringer and an array of full treads on the opposite side of the stringer, each array being vertically spaced from the other along the length of the stringer. Treads are affixed to and extend from respective sides of the stringer, and at least one of the arrays includes outwardly extending portions affixed to a handrail.

Abstract: Reinforced tread assemblies for a stairway system having a tread formed of a reinforced concrete material and supported on a metal base member bonded to at least a portion of the underside of the tread to create a laminated construction. A nose section is integrally coupled to the base section and extends upward to protect the front portion of the tread from damage during use.

Abstract: A self-supporting staircase of which the treads are mounted on structural elements which interconnect in series to form an ascending center post. Each structural element comprises two spaced cylinders connected by a radial arm, the upper end of the first cylinder telescoping with the lower end of the second cylinder of an adjacent element in the series. Means is provided for securing the elements together. Thus the assembled elements are horizontally offset from each other to the extent required by the successive treads mounted on the elements.

Abstract: An externally reinforced concrete structure including a plurality of elongated C-channels interconnected to form a unitary body. The unitary body created by the C-channels is utilized to function as formwork to aid in erection of a concrete structure and to lend structural support of the concrete upon the concrete being set by creating a stressed-skin construction.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment a two-part bracket assembly is provided for securing a downwardly sloping stringer to the upper of two building levels. Preferably, each part of the bracket is formed from a sheet of metal. One part of the bracket comprises a vertical flange which abuts against and is secured to the frame of the upper building level. A side panel of the bracket part lies in the vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the flange and abuts against the side of the stringer. A flat support flange extends perpendicularly away from the lower edge of the side panel and extends underneath and abuts against the lower surface of the stringer. The plane of the support flange is angled downwardly relative to the vertical flange so that with the lower surface of the stringer abutting against the support flange, the stringer slopes downwardly from the upper building level.

Abstract: A staircase having a small base area is formed with one or more stringers and a plurality of horizontal treads placed along the stringer, the leading edges of alternate treads being set back from the usual tread edge and the setbacks alternating from side to side along the treads. The arrangement permits the treads in their unset back regions to overhang one another while the setback regions permits the foot to clear each tread in passing through the tread thereabove or therebelow. The arrangement permits a steep staircase to be negotiated with ease.

Abstract: A crossover or bridge for shipment as a compact unit for assembly at an installation site comprising a bridge section and a pair of stairways for connection with opposite ends of the bridge section. The bridge section is disposed in an elevated position relative to bottom ends of the stairways when assembled therewith for spanning an object. The bridge section comprises a pair of transversely spaced crossover panels with a grating or decking carried thereon. Readily assembled joint means are provided between the stairways and the bridge section at its opposite ends.

Abstract: A stairway capable of being shipped in a knock-down condition and erected with a minimum of labor and without special tools is disclosed. The stairway comprises a square tubular elongated support member having mounting brackets at each end enabling it to be mounted in inclined relation between different levels of a structure. A plurality of step assemblies are clamped in spaced relation onto the support member. Each step assembly includes a tread support having a horizontal load bearing portion and an angulated integral strut portion both fastened to a mounting flange which engages the topside of the support member. A locking sleeve surrounds the bottom and side walls of the support member and has outturned flanges which are fastened to the mounting plate by bolts. In one embodiment, the bottom of the locking sleeve has a slight upward convexity which flexes elastically when the bolts are tightened to maintain clamping pressure against the support member.

Abstract: A manhole-pit lining is formed of a base, a tubular middle portion, and a top to which a manhole cover is fittable. The base is custom-made in accordance with the particular requirements of the pit being lined. The middle tube provided with pipe connections is then fitted over this base with the pipe connections aligned with the trough formed in the base and is secured thereto by means of an epoxy resin. The middle and base are then placed in an excavation and the pipe connections on the middle are hooked up to the pipes to be joined at the manhole pit. The cover is secured to the top and the excavation is then backfilled. The entire assembly is made of waterproof reinforced concrete and the middle tube itself may be constituted as a standard waterproof pipe section.

Abstract: A townhouse unit built with the ground floor level at the approximate grade line in the front and being generally three stories in height is disclosed, appearing to be about two stories in height at the front and featuring, for example, two standard entrance doors (for individuals) in the front, each door leading to a different floor level, one being a formal main entrance door, leading to the main or middle level and opening into a spacious, two-level formal entrance area of substantially the same width throughout, with an interconnecting, fully exposed, decorative stair treatment, and the other door being a fully exposed, service or convenience door, opening into a generally, centrally located service or convenience entrance corridor at the ground floor level.

Abstract: A staircase construction is disclosed in which a plurality of identical riser units are bolted together in series, each riser unit comprising a tread member in the form of a flat slab, and two bracket members each supporting a respective end of the tread member.Each bracket member is formed from metal strip bent to shape in one plane and welded as and where appropriate and has a first horizontal planar part supporting the respective tread member and a second horizontal planar part spaced above the first part by the unit riser height and supporting a rear part of the first horizontal planar part of the next higher bracket member on the same side of the staircase, the last mentioned bracket member being set forward with respect to the bracket member being set forward with respect to the bracket member which supports it.

Abstract: Wall panels are formed with horizontal edge faces. An edge portion integral with the panel projects from one of these edge faces. Another edge portion is recessed into the opposite edge face and is shaped to fit the projecting edge portion of another panel. A groove extends into each projecting and recessed edge portion to form a pair of grooves facing one another between the edge portions of successive panels. Sealing material, substantially filling the pair of grooves, completes the wall structures.

Abstract: This case discloses a stairway having a plurality of treads which are compressed between spacer blocks functioning as stringers. The compression is effected by rods, the heads of which are encased in mortises which are suitably covered.

Abstract: A novel step bracket is provided and is adapted for securing a step in a horizontal position to a downwardly sloping stringer. Preferably, the bracket is formed from a sheet of metal and comprises an upper horizontal portion secured to the bottom surface of a step. A generally triangularly shaped vertical section of the bracket extends downwardly from the horizontal portion and a flat portion is formed along the bottom edge of the vertical section and is perpendicular thereto. The plane of the flat portion is skewed relative to the horizontal plane so that the flat portion flatly abuts against the upper surface of the stringer. A downwardly extending vertical lip is formed along one edge of the flat portion section so that the lip flatly abuts against the side of the stringer. Fasteners are then used to secure the lip and the flat portion to the stringer and likewise to secure the upper horizontal portion to the step.