Abstract: An adjustable hand rail wherein a plurality of support posts are arranged for positioning individually between spaced existing rail support members of an existing elongate rail member, wherein the support posts each include a telescoping leg having a resilient pad for frictionally engaging a staircase between the existing rail support posts. The support posts each include a row of slots, with a secondary rail member provided with a plurality of mounting plates, and each mounting plate includes a plurality of projections, wherein the projections of each mounting plate are arranged for reception within a pair of the receiving slots of an individual support post to adjustably position a secondary rail member secured to the mounting plates.

Abstract: A winding stair for spiral ascension within a building structure. The stair includes a newel post which has a plurality of elongated slots horizontally formed around the periphery at different elevations. Each steps of the winding stair is provided with an arched end plate located along an inner narrow end of the step. With each arched end plate formed to hug the outer surface of the newel post. A curved flange portion extends upwardly along a top edge of the arched end plate. Steps are attached to the newel post as by inserting the curved flange portion within the elongated slots and allowing the arched end plate to rest against the periphery of the newel post. Aligned openings in each of the newel post and arched end plate, receive fasteners to secure the step to the newel post. The curved flange also has openings aligned with openings in the newel post receiving fasteners which serves to further secure the step to the post.

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: An aircraft servicing pit located beneath a surface across which aircraft travel while on the ground is provided with a ladder and a pair of reciprocally retractable handrails on each side of the ladder. Each of the handrails has an inverted "J-shaped" configuration. With the lid open the handrails can be drawn up out of the pit and rotated so that their legs can rest upon the tarmac surface at the edge of the pit. Service personnel utilizing the pit are thereby provided with stabilizing hand grips which enhance their safety when entering and leaving the subsurface chamber within the pit. When the pit is to be closed the retractable handrails are lifted, rotated, and lowered to their fully retracted storage positions.

Abstract: Prefabricated handrail fittings are disclosed which contain preformed internal slots which accept simple fasteners for quickly making mitered and butt joints without hand working in the field. A plurality of interconnected slots are arranged internally along a longitudinal axis to provide fittings which are adjustable in length with only a simple transverse saw cut and which adjustably cover the entire range of angular inclination of an inclined handrail to which the fittings may be joined. A single angular fitting can be used to make either left or right turning connections between an uprising easing section and a post. A universal uprising easing is provided. Short extensions can be connected to surfaces while working from upper side without hand working.

Abstract: A railing member comprising a hollow extrusion having a picket-receiving channel along the bottom thereof. The channel has an open bottom. The sides of the member have bottom edges which extend downwardly at least as far as the bottom of the channel. A railing assembly includes the top railing member, a bottom railing member below the top railing member, a plurality of spaced-apart support posts extending between the members and a plurality of pickets between the posts. The support posts have flat tops which are received against the bottom of the top railing member and are connected thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a newel post in a railing comprises a straight, double-ended bolt (12), the lower end of which includes coarse lag threads (14) by which it is screwed into a hole drilled into the underlying floor. The upper end of the bolt (12) includes screw threads (16) which extend through intersecting longitudinal and transverse holes (24, 40) drilled in the bottom end and side of the newel post (22) for receiving a nut and washer (18, 20) by which the newel post is tightened down. The transverse hole (40) is preferably closed with a plug 42.

Abstract: An assembly of a hand rail, a shoe rail, a plurality of parallel balusters joined to the hand rail and the shoe rail through a pair of intermediate plastic webs attached both to the baluster and the adjacent rail so that the rails and balusters can be moved to any angular disposition keeping the balusters parallel to each other and the hand rail and shoe rail parallel to each other. The plastic webs include spaced tabs which are attached to each baluster end and provide total collapsibility to the rail section which is universal in use to any rake of the stair.

Abstract: A rail system for stairs, balconies and the like utilizes standardized components to facilitate rapid and inexpensive assembly. The rail system includes rail sections including upper and lower rails, joined by posts. Transitions comprising connector and corner members accommodate changes in the rake and direction of adjacent rail sections, and provide a continuous upper rail. Connectors and base elements, which also facilitate ease of assembly and adjustment, are disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of parallel safety bars are track-mounted above the stairs of a stairway. The safety bars are formed so as to be gripped by the user in ascending or descending the stairs. The user steps between the bars, with each bar being hinged to permit such access, and grabs the bar in the direction of ascent or descent. The track-mounted end of the bar is pivotally connected to a shoe which slides in the track as the person moves on the bar downwardly on the bar or the weight of the user pulls the bar downwardly, friction braking elements on the shoe and in the track are contactingly engaged to restrict further movement of the bar thereby preventing the user from falling down the stairs.

Abstract: An improved fixture system for mounting a stair support truss to a module stair unit. U channel fixtures are secured to the collar and to the front base riser of a modular set of stairs. These fixtures are used to attach a truss support to the stair module; and, the truss support is itself modified to project upward a plurality of plane tenon supports so that they will engage U channel stair tread braces. In preparation for packaging and subsequent transportation, the collar and buttress fixtures are used as hard mounting points for bundles of the remaining stair support elements which are then banded thereto.

Abstract: A stair rail assembly for attachment on a stairs provides a hand rail design for a toddler or a young child. Several heart-shaped mounted brackets having angular disposed tubular sockets thereon are secured to the stair structure or wall in engagement with the tread and riser portions of the stair and support outwardly angularly extending posts which carry T-fittings on their outer end which in turn engage a longitudinally extending hand rail positioned at an appropriate height so that it is conveniently engaged by a toddler or a young child. Fasteners, such as bolts or screws, are positioned through the heart-shaped mounted brackets to secure the same to the stair structure or wall.

Abstract: Stair apparatus and method of manufacture, wherein the stair apparatus has concrete tread pads and landings which are poured and set during manufacture so that pouring and setting of the concrete does not have to be done in the field, thereby saving much labor and time. The method includes a unique step of clamping the step elements between the stringer elements so that the step elements are firmly held in proper position during welding thereof to the stringer elements. The landings are supported in a novel manner in a stairwell, and the stair assemblies are supported between the landings.

Abstract: A retractable porch for use on motor homes, travel trailers and mobile homes is mounted for movement between erected and collapsed positions. In a first embodiment, a porch frame supports a porch platform and has side members which terminate in attachment struts. A pair of spaced parallel frame rails are secured to the vehicle frame, beneath a door, on the underside of the vehicle. The frame rails are formed from tubular members dimensioned to receive the porch attachment strut members. A pair of porch side railings are secured along perpendicular edges of the porch frame by hinges for movement between a collapsed horizontal position and an erected vertical position. A pair of vertically extending tubular sockets on a side wall of the vehicle for receive the porch attachment strut members during transportation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system to impart controlled rigidity to the flexure of a molded plastic structural module is provided. In the system a means for effectively bonding two plastic members and which maintains the integrity of the bond under severely ambient conditions resulting from differences in coefficients of expansion, moisture, flexing and the like, is disclosed. Delamination of the bond, particularly under the flexing condition is minimized by an intermittent bonding surface such as by bonding at the peaks or top points solely of a serrated surface. The system is particularly useful in the provision of a rigidizing member for treads of a plastic stair module for swimming pools. In use as a support for prefabricated plastic swimming pool stair modules, the preformed stair module is equipped with a suitable structural shaped metal rigidizing element that has been encapsulated in a plastic composition.

Abstract: A circular staircase in which each of the inside and outside stringers are constructed from a plurality of blocks strung together with cables. The blocks are substantially parallogram shaped with vertical ends which are bevelled to the inside. The blocks are strung end to end on tensioned cables. Shear pins inserted at the junction between adjacent blocks prevent relative vertical displacement between blocks. Spaced, horizontal treads join the inside and outside stringers together.

Abstract: A modular porch for a mobile home has vertically adjustable support legs which allow the modular porch to be mounted on a hill side and positioned adjacent the doorway of a wide variety of mobile homes. The modular porch utilizes four vertical support legs, each of which is independently axially adjustable. The modular porch has a stairway which is pivotally mounted to allow adjustment to match the surrounding terrain.

Abstract: Hardware for mounting a rail to a vertical wall includes two sets of hardware, each set including a wall piece and a rail piece. Each wall piece includes a wall mounting plate screwed to the wall, a threaded shank extending integrally outwardly from the wall mounting plate on a shank axis, a cylindrical disk-like rail piece mounting head integral with the outer end of the shank and inscribed on its face with radially extending scribe lines, and a rail piece clamping nut threadably mounted on the shank between the wall mounting plate and the mounting head. Each rail piece includes a rail mounting plate screwed to the rail and a rail piece mounting head receiving plate offset outwardly from the rail mounting plate. This mounting head receiving plate is provided with a shank receiving slot and is inscribed with a scribe line on the axis of this receiving slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the construction of stairs provides a series of specially-designed brackets to enable the builder to screw or bolt the steps to the inside surface of the stringers, thereby obviating the need to notch the stringers, and avoiding undesirable wood-to-wood contact. In addition, such bolting is considerably more efficient than traditional nailing, and allows easy access to and replacement of the steps and/or hardware when necessary. Furthermore, this bolting and bracket method enables the use of precalculated dimensional instructions for proper location of the brackets on the stringers, and thus is especially conducive to the modular construction and prefabrication of stairs.

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 portable deck system comprising a fixed deck surface adapted for structural support through side panel secured thereto and expandable for adaptation to a plurality of sizes. The fixed deck portion is constructed of a wooden frame and deck members adapted for securement to a plurality of other platform sections for expansion in orthogonal directions to form a deck of unlimited size and shape. The side rail frames are constructed for securement to said platform along the edges thereof in structural truss interengagement therewith for providing requisite rigidity for a multiplicity of uses. The side rail sections and steps are constructed for coupling to said platform along interchangeable end portions thereof to facilitate adaptation of the deck to motor homes and the like facilitating selection of direction of entry or assembly.

Abstract: A top rail for handrails comprises a top rail body formed of soft synthetic resin, semi-hard synthetic resin or synthetic rubber and having a bendable metal core incorporated therein extending in the longitudinal direction thereof. The bendable metal core is bendable under a force in excess of a predetermined value and maintains the top rail body in its bent position when the core is bent together with the body. The bendable metal core can be the form of an elongated solid steel bar, to which a lubricant has been applied to the surface thereof and soft or semi-hard synthetic resin is extruded about the lubricant applied surface to form the top rail body. The bendable metal core can also be in the form of an elongated solid aluminum or aluminum alloy bar to which is applied adhesive about the surface thereof and soft or semi-hard synthetic resin is extruded about the adhesive applied surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a step assembly for insertion into swimming pools. A frame having a plurality of steps connected in an end-to-end fashion rests on the bottom of the pool and adjacent to a pool sidewall. An adjustable adapter step is connected near the top of the frame and overlaps a top rail of the pool sidewall. A ballast box is located near the bottom of the frame beneath a lower step to prevent the frame from floating in the water. A pair of hand rails are provided which extend above the steps on both sides of the frame to allow ease of entry and exit into the water. A cushioned strip is provided along the bottom and sides of the frame to guard against tears in a pool liner.

Abstract: A support system for supporting and securing on a substrate and in the desired position a stair module is described. The stair support arrangement advantageously used with swimming pools includes a vertical post which, at the top, supports the stair bottom through a pad member formed or secured underneath the stair module. The post is secured to the pad through vertical depending extensions formed on the pad member. The arrangement facilitates construction by allowing the support to be installed from the top, i.e. the underside of the stair module, down to the ground or supporting level as distinguished from a conventional block support construction which is built from the ground up. A bolt passes through holes formed in the depending legs and through a hole formed near the top of the post such that the top of the post is spaced from contact with the base of the pad member.

Abstract: A storm cellar or the like is disclosed composed of a pair of portable upper and lower pre-cast concrete sections one of which seats in an inverted position on the other to define a closed compartment. Each section includes a portion of a stairway of conventional configuration, the portions matching when the sections are assembled to extend from the lower level of the top of the assembled cellar to near its floor through aligned openings in the walls of the sections, thus permitting the cellar to be fully buried in the ground while at the same time providing ready access to the cellar from ground level without requiring that any portion of the cellar itself protrude above ground level.

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: A porch and stairway assembly for a mobile home, or the like, which may be readily assembled or disassembled, and which comprises a porch section, a handrail section and a stairway section, the sections having cooperating interlocking bracket members for sliding and pivoting engagement to readily lock the sections in the assembled relationship and unlock the sections when the porch and stairway assembly is not needed. The entire assembly may be secured together with a minimum number of securing elements, such as bolts, or the like, thus greatly facilitating both the installation and removal of the assembly.

Abstract: There s disclosed a stariway system having a single stringer assembly and tread members which may be attached to a receiving structure by means of pre-existing through bores therein. The system may be adapted to walls having a horizontal curvature as the stringer assembly is composed of individual stringer sections which may be adjusted to allow each of the treads to be splayed along a radius of the curvature to provide a stairway having a constant tread width along the line of travel.

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 swimming pool has a sidewall and a flexible liner, the sidewall defining an outwardly extending bay having opposed sidewalls between which a stair assembly is sealingly secured. The stair assembly is a molded structure having a continuous depending flange at the ends of the treads and risers and a hollow triangular stiffening rib extending longitudinally and generally centrally along the underside of each tread. A continuous coping embraces the upper edge of the pool sidewall, the upper edges of the opposed sidewalls and the upper edge of the top riser of the stair assembly. The opposed sidewalls of the bay are metal plates to which the depending flanges of the stair assembly are secured and those plates have edge flanges sealed to the edges of the flexible liner at the sides of the bay.

Abstract: A step walker for people with walking disabilities includes a pair of parallel, spaced-apart substantially flat, vertically faced guide railings fixedly positioned above either side of a stairway to lie in parallel relation to the stairway. Each railing is provided with a guide slot extending from top to bottom of the railing. These guide slots are defined by a plurality of ramp sections extending in direction up the stairway from a lower to an upper portion of the railing, and a plurality of ratchet tooth holding sections, one between each ramp section, the ratchet tooth holding sections extending in direction up the stairway from an upper portion to a lower portion of the railing. A walking bar slides in these guide slots to be brought to rest at the bottom end of each holding section so that the step walker user can support his weight on the bar while moving up or down from one step to the next.

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: An expanding fixture for securing an element to a wall or ceiling by securing the element to a bore in the wall or ceiling. The element includes a hollow end portion and an expanding piece adapted to fit within the hollow end for expansion thereof after insertion into the bore. The expanding piece includes at one end thereof two oppositely extending end sections which do not enter the bore and rest on the surface of the wall or ceiling and at the other end of the expanding piece, there is provided an expansion member to press the walls of the hollow section against the wall of the bore. A hammering device which is adapted to fit over the element away from the portion thereof which enters the bore to press the extension member and hollow section when in the bore together to provide a tight fitting engagement between the wall of the bore and the outer wall of the hollow section.

Abstract: In a modular wall and floor structure, the edges of wall panels have upwardly directed hooks projecting outwardly from their opposite vertical edges. Short lengths of multisided hollow extrusion have a downwardly opening longitudinal slot in each side which slots receive the panel hooks of adjacent panels for connecting such panels to form an exhibit array. Adjacent ends of overhead beams are connected to each other and to the upper ends of the panels by downwardly directed beam hooks received in upper longitudinal slots in the lengths of extrusion. The lower portions of the connected or unconnected panels can be clamped between modular floor components.

Abstract: The station, including access stairs and elevator systems are supported by a single vertical girder to reduce the space requirement for the station in a crowded inner city. Various components of the station may be prefabricated and then joined together at the site to standardize and reduce construction costs, and to reduce construction interference at the station site.

Abstract: This device consists primarily of a molded plastic structure having flange mounting means for mounting the structure to the basement wall. The device includes a window portion on a vertical plane adjacent to a hinged top bubble which enables more light to be admitted into the basement and serves as a quick escape means from a basement in the event of fire or a severe storm, and the interior of the structure includes step means molded therein for the user to easily climb out through the pivotable bubble top thereof.

Abstract: A stairs and method of constructing same is disclosed for multi-floored buildings having walled stairwells. Each run of stairs comprises parallel spaced apart stringers having horizontally extending ends for mounting platform members and a plurality of spaced apart risers secured to the stringers intermediate the ends for supporting tread members. The platform and tread members are made of reinforced concrete and contain threaded inserts to receive bolts for mounting them to the stringer ends and risers. A parallel set of stringers are temporarily supported in position prior to the construction of and being secured to the walls of the stairwell by jacks or the like positioned between platforms positioned on the ends of the stringers and the underside of the ends of an adjacent set of stringers.

Abstract: Stairway safety suspension support means that includes overhead means and extending along the stairway above the flight of stairs, from which are suspended successively a plurality of depending loops of flexible strand means with the bottoms of the loops located above the steps less than the heights of people, and also means which dictate that the planes of those loops are oriented generally longitudinally along the stairway.

Abstract: A prefabricated stair construction consisting of a pair of spaced, parallel stair stringers, either one or both being a free span member between support beams with developed strength of a rigid truss by the joining of stair rails, balusters and stringer into a single unit. The stringers are joined together by a plurality of precast treads secured at each end to the stringer by two welded flanges, the treads having a reinforced nose portion and riser to decrease the bending moment of the tread.

Abstract: An integral, open-sided basin is formed with body supporting steps, a number of air jets and fittings for water circulation. The open side is connected to a corresponding opening in the wall of a swimming pool and the opening is selectively closed by a removable divider panel to allow the basin to serve as pool entry or exit, a therapy pool at the side of the swimming pool, or, when connected to another identical therapy basin, to serve as a totally independent and self-contained therapy pool.

Abstract: Hardware for mounting a rail to a vertical wall includes two sets of hardware, each set including a wall piece and a rail piece. Each wall piece includes a wall mounting plate screwed to the wall, a threaded shank extending integrally outwardly from the wall mounting plate on a shank axis, a cylindrical disk-like rail piece mounting head integral with the outer end of the shank and inscribed on its face with radially extending scribe lines, and a rail piece clamping nut threadably mounted on the shank between the wall mounting plate and the mounting head. Each rail piece includes a rail mounting plate screwed to the rail and a rail piece mounting head receiving plate offset outwardly from the rail mounting plate. This mounting head receiving plate is provided with a shank receiving slot and is inscribed with a scribe line on the axis of this receiving slot.