Removable stairway

Abstract

An adjustable stairway system provides access between a first elevation level and a second elevation level. The system includes a pair of expandable and retractable scissor stringers and multiple spaced apart treads joining the pair of stringers. The system further includes a first mounting assembly structured to allow a top portion of the stairway to be relatively permanently secured to a landing or other man-made structure, and second, different mounting assembly that allows a bottom portion of the stairway to be removably secured to natural terrain such as a beach. The system sometimes includes a control assembly to assist in expanding or retracting of the stairway.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority pursuant to 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 776,259, filed Feb. 24, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]The present invention is drawn to methods and assemblies for providing adjustable access from one level to another, for example, from a platform such as a platform associated with a dwelling or other structure, which is located at a first elevation different to a second elevation to which access is desired to be gained.[0003]Particularly, but not exclusively, in regions that are subject to accretion and / or erosion of sediment, sand, driftwood or other material, or which may be subject to periodic flooding or water inundation, providing or maintaining access to a given location may be difficult. For example, providing access to beach areas can be particularly troublesome since sand dunes, driftwood, and the like may accumulate or disappear within a given season. While access m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use, durable and adjustable and removable access system, specifically a stairway system, for providing pedestrian access, for example, between a bluff and a beach.

[0023]For example, an owner of the present access system may desire to use the system only on occasion, for example, seasonally, in order to gain access to and from a home located on an elevated bluff and a beach therebelow. The present invention allows the owner the ability to easily retract the stairway device, for example, during long-term non-use, or in order to hinder unauthorized persons from using the stairway device to gain access to his home from the beach. Alternatively, and preferably, the access system may be removed entirely from the points of securing the stairway device at the first and second levels and stored, for example, in a locked shed or garage to prevent theft.

[0030]The present access system of the present invention may be constructed from wood, plastics, composite materials, stainless steel, and / or other metals or metal alloys. However, it is preferred that the stringer assembly and anchor assembly are both made in whole or in part of strong, light, weather resistant materials, for example, marine-grade aluminum. This will help maintain the stairway functioning and relatively unaffected by rain, snow, water, salt and sun for long periods of time.

[0035]In another embodiment of the invention, each approximately vertical link (except near the distal and proximal ends) is pivotally attached to four or more approximately horizontal links and each approximately horizontal link is pivotally attached to four or more approximately vertical links. Although heavier than the simpler scissor stringer described above, an advantage to such a configuration is that when extended the sides of the stairway may be higher and thus provide a person some lateral support when ascending or descending the staircase. In either case, the tops of the approximately vertical links may be connected with cable, rope or line such that it provides a handhold when the stairway is in the extended position. In one embodiment, a cable, rope, rod, wooden member or line forming a handhold is part of the stairway retraction system.

Problems solved by technology

Particularly, but not exclusively, in regions that are subject to accretion and / or erosion of sediment, sand, driftwood or other material, or which may be subject to periodic flooding or water inundation, providing or maintaining access to a given location may be difficult.

For example, providing access to beach areas can be particularly troublesome since sand dunes, driftwood, and the like may accumulate or disappear within a given season.

While access may sometimes be possible by walking through sand dunes or driftwood piles, returning to the higher elevation can be quite challenging; for example, climbing through sand can be physically exerting, and may not be practical for elderly or physically challenged persons.

In areas that are subject to strong storm surge and hurricanes there can be swift and dramatic shifting in shoreline, sand level, and water level that preclude the maintenance of a permanent stairway without frequent damage and destruction of the staircases.

In particular, subsidence of the ground upon which at least part of the stairway is placed is a major problem leading to a need for improved means of gaining access to various outdoor features, such as beach surfaces.

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