Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Stepped; e.g. – stair
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-11
2002-08-27
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Stepped; e.g., stair
C052S177000, C052S179000, C219S213000, C219S548000, C156S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06438909
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a staircase and a staircase repair device adapted to be used for both residential and commercial buildings and, more particularly, to a staircase including specially constructed stair tread members for use with standard stringers, and a staircase repair device or kit which can refurbish an existing staircase in need of repair without modification of the original staircase. A heating assembly also is provided for melting ice and snow off of stair treads of a staircase. Methods are also provided for fabrication.
BACKGROUND ART
A number of prior art devices exist which relate to the construction of a staircase, or the repair or refurbishing of a staircase. Particularly for conventional outside stairs and emergency stairs in both residential and commercial applications, such stairs are often constructed of materials which do not withstand heavy traffic or harsh environmental conditions. Because of safety concerns, stairs should always be kept in a high state of maintenance. However, the cost to repair damaged staircases can be quite prohibitive, even for minor flaws. For example, stairs formed of concrete which have chips or other surface defects are not only dangerous, but are also unsightly. Concrete repair is usually a very temporary measure and, particularly in high traffic areas, the concrete repair is never as wear-resistant as the original concrete. For wooden stairs, the wood has a tendency to warp or deform along heavy traffic areas. Even if constructed of treated lumber, the wood becomes unsightly over time.
There are a number of examples of prior art devices which have attempted to overcome one or more of the following problems. These devices can be in the form of either a repair unit, or a complete staircase construction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,724 discloses a stair tread in which rubber sheet material is placed around a metal core section, and then heated to melt the sheets together. Once heated, the core section is encapsulated within the rubber. The stair tread has anti-slip serrations formed on its upper surface. A front face or overhanging front lip forms the front edge of the stair tread, and a vertically extending rear flange forms the rear face or edge of the stair tread. The upper edge of the rear face has a groove to accept the lower edge of a riser board, while the upper edge of the riser board is inserted into a corresponding groove formed in the lower edge of the front face of the next higher stair tread.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,448 discloses an adjustable closed riser metal staircase system. The system includes a plurality of stair treads which may be assembled into staircases having different rise heights. The stair treads include a vertical riser portion and a horizontal walking surface, preferably made of a slip-resistant material such as Mebac™, a coating of thermally sprayed steel encapsulating a dispersion of grit materials, normally aluminum oxide. The nose piece portion of the stair tread is formed at the front of the stair by bending the forward edge of the steel plate downward. When assembled, the upper end of the riser portion is inserted within a channel created by the bent nosepiece of the next higher stair tread assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,939 discloses a composite covering for improving worn-out treadways of steps. This covering includes a stair tread section which is placed over the existing stair tread, and an integral vertical flange which overhangs the front lip of the stair tread section. The covering is constructed of a scuff-resistant plastic. The underside of the stair tread section includes an insert of pressboard, and a binder which helps raise the elevation of worn out sections or indentations, and also serves to bind the layers of the composite covering.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,009 discloses a metal stairway construction in which stair steps are supported between a pair of trimmed sheet metal stringer panels on each side of the stairway. Each step of the stairway is formed of metal treads and risers cut to appropriate lengths from conventional joice members provided on site. The metal treads and risers are attached at opposite ends thereof to respective stringer panels by way of standard angle brackets. Threaded self-drilling fasteners attach each angle bracket to a corresponding stringer panel and to an associated metal tread or metal riser. Wooden treads and risers are attached over the corresponding metal treads and risers by standard self-drilling screws.
While the foregoing references may be adequate for their intended purposes, there are certain advantages with the present invention which are not found in these references. One advantage is that the staircase repair device of this invention can be used with any type of existing staircase, whether it be concrete, wood, or metal. Another advantage is that this staircase repair device can be used to repair a staircase without preparation or modification of the original staircase wear surfaces. Yet another advantage not overcome by the prior art is the use of a staircase repair device which has high strength and weathering capabilities, yet does not detract from the general aesthetic appearance of the staircase. The same advantages discussed above also apply to the staircase of this invention. Additionally, the staircase of this invention is simple in design, and can be used for stairways in a wide array of residential and commercial buildings.
Removal of ice and snow from the stair tread of a staircase is a chronic problem during cold winter weather. Typically, ice and snow are removed by scraping them from the stair tread or applying a chemical thereto which causes the ice and snow to melt. Heating devices are sometimes provided under surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks to melt snow. However, they are quite expensive and not practical for many stairways.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a staircase and a staircase repair device or kit are provided. The staircase repair device or kit forms a first embodiment and is comprised of two major components, namely, a stair tread repair member and a riser repair member. Both of these members are constructed of metal, preferably raw steel, bent to desired shapes. The stair tread repair member includes a front flange and an inward protruding lip. Holes may be drilled in the wearing surface of the stair tread repair member in order to accept fasteners which help to secure the stair tread repair member to an existing stair tread. The riser repair member includes an outward protruding flange. Holes may also be drilled in the riser repair member to accept fasteners for attachment of the riser repair member to an existing staircase riser. Both the stair tread and riser repair members are coated with a synthetic material which protects the metal from corrosion and other environmental hazards. The coating is preferably in the form of a polyurethane which is sprayed in liquid form to encapsulate the members therein. The upper wearing surface of the stair tread repair member also has a slip-free surface. This slip-free surface is formed by particles which are spread or sprinkled over the first sprayed coating of synthetic material. These particles are spread on the first coating while it is wet which allows the particles to become embedded in the first coating. Then, a second coating of synthetic material is sprayed over the embedded particles to seal the particles between the first and second coatings. The particles may be materials such as coal dust, aluminum oxide, walnut shells, and other known granular-type material which is used to create slip-free surfaces. It shall be understood that the stair tread repair member serves as a subcombination which may be used to repair the stair treads of an existing staircase.
In a second embodiment, the invention is a staircase which includes a plurality of stair tread members which span between a pair of spaced stringers. The stair tread member is similar to the stair tread repair member of the first embodiment in that it is also
Birch Larry L.
Eve John S.
Friedman Carl D.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
Tread Ex, Inc.
Varner Steve
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