Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Stepped; e.g. – stair
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-13
2001-03-27
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Stepped; e.g., stair
C052S183000, C052S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205722
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to molded plastic stairway and rail structures, and the method of assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to hollow molded side support panels and side rail panels used on stairway and deck structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, various types of stairways have been provided in which side panels have been formed with grooves or pockets to receive treads. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 815,840 dated Mar. 20, 1906 shows a stair in which a pair of flat side plates are formed with pockets on grooves to receive treads and risers. However, such a stair or stairway is not self supporting and is adopted to abut a supporting structure such as a wall or other support.
The side members for supporting treads and risers have been formed heretofore of various materials, such as wood, metal, cement or a solid plastic. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,170 dated Dec. 19, 1972 illustrates a stairway in which the sides are formed of a solid plastic material with opposed planar surfaces. Columns are not formed on the sides and the stairway is supported by its weight on a horizontal supporting surface without any separate support members, such as posts embedded in the supporting surface.
It is desired that hollow molded plastic side support panels and side rail panels be provided for stairway and deck structures, particularly for outdoor use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to side support panels and side rail panels for stairway and deck structures particularly for outdoor use. The side support and rail panels are formed of a hollow construction from a molded plastic material. The outer surfaces or sides of lower side support panels have a plurality of spaced integral vertical columns thereon which extend outwardly from the outer faces of the panels. In one embodiment for a stairway, the side support panels support treads and the vertical columns have closed ends for supporting the stairway on a horizontal supporting surface. In another embodiment, the hollow columns have open ends to receive wooden posts which are embedded in the supporting surface for anchoring the stairway.
Side rail panels have vertical columns connected by upper and lower rails. The vertical columns are hollow and have open lower ends to receive wooden support posts embedded in the supporting surface. When combined with lower side support panels, the columns are vertically aligned with the posts extending within vertically aligned columns. The columns on the upper rail panels have open lower ends to receive the posts and closed upper ends for ornamental purposes. The upper rail panels form a continuation of the lower side support panels and are supported thereon.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 815840 (1906-03-01), Knaus
patent: 3706170 (1972-12-01), Argraves et al.
patent: 5349795 (1994-09-01), French
patent: 5402610 (1995-04-01), Salva
patent: 5454196 (1995-10-01), Gaines
patent: 5522182 (1996-06-01), Rogers
patent: 5737884 (1998-04-01), Schrom
patent: 5941030 (1999-08-01), Williamson
Bromley Jan W.
McCorquodale Rex
Bush Gary L.
Lone Star Steps Accessories, Inc.
Mayor Day Caldwell & Keeton, LLP
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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