Abstract: The present disclosure describes a monopole door hinge assembly. The assembly may comprise a monopole comprising a door, the monopole and door both having an interior surface, and a plurality of hinges. Each hinge may comprise a base member configured to be secured to the interior surface of the monopole; and a rib member having a supporting portion and a mounting portion, the supporting portion having an arcuate profile that corresponds to an arcuate profile of the interior surface of the door and the mounting portion is pivotably attached to the base member. The base member of each hinge is mounted to the interior surface of the monopole and the supporting portion of each hinge is mounted to the interior surface of the door, thereby securing the door to the monopole.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a safe room environment within an attic space utilizing a typical folding attic stair and door assembly. The system includes components that retrofit to an existing folding attic stair in a manner that allows the user to draw the attic stair up behind them and to secure the attic door panel closed and locked while the user is within the attic space. The components include a retractable lift cord attached to a middle section of the attic stair, and a lift rod attached to the attic door. Brackets and frames positioned on the attic door and door frame allow the user to pull up to fold and raise the stair into the attic space. A lock may then secure the attic stair closed preventing access from below. Methods for installing the system and using the system are provided.

Abstract: An expansion joint system for bridging an expansion joint gap between two spaced-apart underlying stair structures. The expansion joint system includes a movable plate that is connected to a fixed plate through a hinge. The hinge connection permits the movable plate to move in response to thermal movements and seismic events that causes the width of the expansion joint to open to a greater width or close to a smaller width. Following the seismic or thermal event, the hinge connection automatically returns the movable plate to its original position.

Abstract: A building is provided with a shutter, a stairway, and a handrail. The handrail has a connection member and a connection apparatus. The shutter opens and closes in a horizontal direction. A gap through which the shutter can pass is formed in the stairway. The handrail is provided at the stairway, and includes a handrail main body and a movable member. A gap through which the shutter can pass is formed in the handrail main body, and the movable member closes the gap in the handrail main body. The connection member connects one end portion of the movable member with the handrail main body such that the movable body is turnable relative to the handrail main body. The connection apparatus releasably connects another end portion of the movable member with the handle main body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system of light weight folding stairs, especially lightweight wooden stairs, designed for installation in the ceiling of a building. For example, the light weight ladder-type stair system may be opened downwards and unfolded towards inside the room located under this ceiling. At least one ladder-type stair section is connected to a flap that fits within a frame in an opening in the ceiling, wherein the flap hinges open to access the folded stair sections. The ladder-type stair section is connected to the flap by a hook-type holder that allows installing the frame in a ceiling opening without the flap, which can be easily and quickly attached during final stage of assembly.

Abstract: A stairway barricade assembly includes a pair of barricade panels and a pair of barricade hinges carried by the pair of barricade panels, respectively, and adapted to pivotally attach the pair of barricade panels, respectively, to the stairway. Each of the barricade panels includes an outside panel portion adapted for positioning outside the stairway handrail, an inside panel portion extending from the outside panel portion and adapted for positioning inside the stairway handrail and a handrail slot between the outside panel portion and the inside panel portion. The handrail slot is adapted to accommodate a corresponding handrail of the stairway. The barricade panels are selectively pivotal between a closed position in which the inside panel portions block the stairway and an open position in which the inside panel portions unblock the stairway.

Abstract: A cover for closing an access opening that leads to an infrequently used space within a building, such as an attic, provides thermal and acoustic insulation at the access opening. The cover may be in one or two portions, including a closure alone or a closure and a frame having an aperture that can be closed by engagement between the closure and the frame. When the cover is used alone it engages a frame or a wall circumscribing the access opening. The cover is sized and shaped to close a hatch, a stairwell, the opening at one end of a stairway, or an opening in a generally vertical wall that is not necessarily associated with a stairway. The closure and frame are each made of one or more components.

Abstract: A cover for closing an access opening that leads to an infrequently used space within a building, such as an attic, provides thermal and acoustic insulation at the access opening. The cover may be in one or two portions, including a closure alone or a closure and a frame having an aperture that can be closed by engagement between the closure and the frame. When the cover is used alone it engages a frame or a wall circumscribing the access opening. The cover is sized and shaped to close a stairwell, or the opening at one end of a stairway, or an opening in a generally vertical wall that is not necessarily associated with a stairway. The closure and frame are each made of one or more components.

Abstract: An insulating cover for an attic or other opening is provided which mounts on top of a stair frame or framed opening or the like without the necessity of attic flooring, characterized by economical construction, economical shipping, ease of assembly, ease of installation above the opening, and a footprint substantially similar to the frame of the folding stair or the empty opening. The present invention further provides an insulating cover that is rugged enough for continued use yet light enough and supported in such as way as to have an ease of opening, staying open and closing as the consumer needs. In a further embodiment, the invention components may be substantially flat packed for ease of shipping and handling. In a further embodiment, the invention provides a multifunction insulating cover that may be fitted with a ventilation means, such as a louver or powered fan to enable ventilation through the framed opening even though the attic cover would be closed.

Abstract: An integrated insulated housing system with handrails and a system of seals for a pull down stairway opening is provided. The integrated housing system reduces air convection, moisture loss and dirt infiltration. The insulation of the housing system reduces heat loss. Handrails as part of the system are deployed by the action of the pull down stairway. No manual intervention is required. As the stairway is pulled down for use, the integrated housing above moves away from the access opening. Simultaneously, the two integrated handrails move into a stable position on the upper floor and to either side of the stairway. As the stairway is returned up to its closed position, the connected insulated housing moves back into position sealing the access opening.

Abstract: A stairwell cover adapted to seal a stairwell opening such as between a first floor living space and a basement when the basement is not in use includes a housing mounted to a wall partition above the base of the stairs, a retractable cover rotatably mounted in the housing, and a pair of roller rails extending along the sidewalls of the stairwell and along which the cover rolls for movement between an retracted position providing open access to the basement and an extended position closing off the basement at the top of the stairwell.

Abstract: An attic access apparatus has a housing with a passage open to the attic and a door located in the passage for closing the passage. Insulating material in the passage above the door limits heat loss and air flow through the passage.

Abstract: A high-efficiency residential structure includes a set of dwelling units, wherein a portion of the dwelling units are first-floor dwelling units and a portion of said dwelling units are second-floor dwelling units, a set of garages comprising a plurality of parking spaces, wherein the dwelling units and the garages are disposed within a footprint associated with the residential structure, a set of interior passageways, each of the interior passageways directly linking one of the dwelling units to one of the garages such that the site-density, yield, direct-access ratio, and efficiency of the structure is substantially optimized

Abstract: The present staircase includes a permanent framing made of metallic stringers, one of which being typically secured to a half-timbering. vertically extending step supports are secured along the stringers and each include upper and front flanges adapted to be secured respectively to a tread and to a riser of each step of the staircase. A temporary staircase may be easily obtained with the present kit for use during construction, wherein a number of L-shaped steel step units are laid onto the step supports to form a successive series of alternating risers and treads. Then, these L-shaped steel units can be removed and replaced by finished steps of various configurations. If the staircase has an exposed side, a finishing stringer is provided thereat to conceal the structural metallic stringer.

Abstract: An economical step shelter is disclosed for use with mobile homes, modular homes, or other homes not incorporating basements. The step shelter is manufactured by modifying the existing molds for making steps and adding an opening large enough for a human being to enter and exit and a means for closing said opening, typically a steel door. The step shelter is economical and efficient and practical for use with existing or new homes.

Abstract: A folding camping trailer having a folding step with an integrated storage compartment generally includes a trailer body defining a doorway opening, a platform having a first side and a second side and a storage compartment connected to the platform. At least one of the platform and storage compartment is pivotally secured to the trailer body such that when the platform is in a first position, the platform is received in the doorway opening, and when the platform is rotated to a second position, the second side of the platform defines a step positioned adjacent the trailer body. In the first position of the platform, the first side of the platform preferably lies substantially in a plane defined by an external surface of the trailer body and the storage compartment is accessible to users of the folding trailer. In the second position of the folding trailer the storage compartment is substantially inaccessible to users of the folding trailer.

Abstract: Openings such as those for attic staircases may be covered with a multipocket member having top, side, and end pockets in which insulation can be placed. The side pockets are of longer length than the top pocket. When the side and end pockets are pivoted downwardly from the top pocket and provided in box-like configuration, the insulation at the pivot edges is compressed thereby filling up these edges.

Abstract: A draft insulator kit for use with an attic pull-down staircase comprises a dimensioned enclosure held together with plastic rivets and resting on weather stripping placed directly on the framing around the pull-down staircase. The edge of the box rests on the weather stripping to seal against drafts. The insulator can be covered with fiberglass batting to increase R value but is itself a cost-effective seal against drafts. It can be folded for increased shipping efficiency, is made of low cost cardboard, and has low manufacturing costs. As a result, its payback time to the consumer is less than one season.

Abstract: An insulating cover for an attic opening comprising a pair of telescoping male and female assemblies operable between a nested retracted position where they interengage and an extended position of a size to fit over the attic opening, each assembly comprising a top panel section, side panel sections depending from the top panel section and an end panel section along a closed end of the top panel section combined to form a hollow assembly and insulating material in the space of the hollow panel sections.

Abstract: A cover devised to be positioned over and to overlay an opening contiguous to a swimming pool such as a stairwell opening. The cover is a preformed modular plastic unit. The cover may comprise a single molded piece or a plurality of pre-molded sections that are secured side-by-side to form a rigid unit. The cover is preferably slightly domed and provided with integrally formed strengthening ribs or channels. The dome shape facilitates flowing of water which may accumulate on the cover surface, to the rear and to the sides of the cover. Suitable means, such as pliable plastic water filled tubes, or other hold down means, function to retain the cover in place when in position, against undesirable dislocation from its covering position. The cover also facilitates the installation of a flexible vinyl liner in a swimming pool by providing means to hold the liner over, and to seal, the opening during the installation of the liner.

Abstract: A stair and stairwell construction for interconnecting two different decks, especially in an aircraft, includes stair treads, stringers, and a stairwell enclosure or housing. At least one of the just enumerated components is constructed to be positionable or tiltable relative to the planes defined by the decks. One of these components is positionable into an open position, thereby providing a passageway, or into a closed position thereby blocking the passageway. In both positions, this positionable component is lockable.

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: An insulation-dome former adapted for receiving and retaining available thermal insulation materials within, and weather strip-type gasketing on the exterior surfaces of same for the purpose of use above a folding stair-type hatch opening where a common-type heat loss condition usually exists. A moisture barrier insert is used when moisture resistant materials for the dome former are not employed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shopping cart placement structure with means for children to ascend the stairway and seat themselves in the child seat of a shopping cart, such structure including a base to rest on the floor, a three sided generally rectangular upright enclosure having one open side for admitting a conventional shopping cart, and a stairway of five steps ascending one side of the enclosure leading to the position of a child's seat in a shopping cart. The stairway has a rail or wall at the outer side and may be entered or exited only from the bottom; a gate at the bottom of the stairway with a spring is self closing; a latch is connected to a cart sensing mechanism so the gate cannot be opened in absence of a shopping cart.

Abstract: A step module is provided for use in constructing stairways. Each step module includes a tread portion and a riser portion connected at a nosing so that a plurality of modules may be secured adjacently in stepwise fashion to create a stairway. A shoulder member attaches to the riser portion of one module along the front riser surface parallel to the nosing and thus forms a tread seat for attachment of the distal tread edge of a lower module. When connected, a channel is formed which may be enclosed and filled with a filler material such as an acoustical damping material. The cover may be a wing projecting forwardly of the riser portion and underlying the tread portion of the lower module.

Abstract: The present invention entails an attic stair insulating cover which can easily be placed in an operational position and a compact stored position. The insulating cover includes a plurality of pieces that when fitted together in the operational position form a cover in the shape of a rectangular box with four sides, a top and an open bottom that fits above and over an attic stair opening to provide a thermal barrier. The pieces of the insulating cover can also be disposed in the compact stored position with packaging materials used to even the shape of the cover in its stored position.

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 molded storage receptable that is disposed in the ground having a sealed, removeable cover that provides for a variety of uses including subterranean water or article storage or a mechanic's working pit. The device includes a molded fiberglass shell having a plurality of integrally molded, lateral reinforcing ribs disposed along the vertical sides and bottom of the fiberglass shell, and at least one molded stairwell disposed at one end of said shell which includes a plurality of molded stairs to allow ingress or egress into or out of the storage receptacle. The shell is premolded and shipped to a site in which the earth is removed and the shell disposed within the hole in the earth. Integrally molded upper laterial flanges can be used to tie down the receptacle to prevent pop up in the event of total water levels. The cover may include rollers for opening or closing movement relative to the receptacle or hinges at one end used in conjunction with a hydraulic piston to raise or lower the cover.