Pivotal stairway systems and method

Abstract

An automated pivoting stairway system that raises and lowers through use of a drive actuator to thereby provide access to above or below floor level areas or between an elevated area and the ground floor. The system may utilize modular sections to allow on-site assembly. The stairway may be pivoted at the top of the stairway by way of a pivot drive lever attached on either side of the top step pivot frame assembly so that access on or off the stairway may be directly off the front end of the stairway, or to either side. A separate frame member may extend from the pivot point along the side of the stairway opening to a predetermined distance. This frame member may serve as the anchor point for the base end mount of the actuator.The actuator controls the length of stroke and the amount of torque that is required to operate the stairway up and down.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 195,635, filed 9 Oct. 2008.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to systems and methods for stairway configurations, and more particularly to pivoting stairway systems and methods.[0003]For many years, there has been an interest in systems and methods which offer convenient access to storage space on adjacent floors of a building. The search to create this access has resulted in the creation of numerous approaches and types of ladders or stairway systems.[0004]Stowing stairways and ladders that may be retracted, pivoted or folded into ceiling openings are known from several U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,541,508, 3,789,955, 6,981,572, and 6,802,392. The access devices described in these patents are generally either pull down retractable or foldable ladders that may be stored in the ceiling of a building, or cable driven and articulating stair u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present system and method is believed to ameliorate the above mentioned problems through use of an actuator for stairway movement. The present invention may be described as a pivotable stairway that uses an actuator, such as a screw-drive linear actuator, for raising and lowering the stairway. The present arrangement results in secure, stable and safe to use systems and methods, with the present invention herein described generally as an actuator driven pivoting stairway [ADPS].

[0010]The main object of the actuator driven pivoting stairway is to provide a stable, safe and efficient access from one floor level to another, whether the floor is above or below, or the installation is inside or outside the main building.

[0011]The unique design of the ADPS provides the user with facile, straight off and straight on access at the entrance or exit of the stairway. The straight off and on access may be provided at either or both the top and bottom of the stairway, and eliminates the need to sidestep on or off the stairway, as in known arrangements. This feature may be accomplished through the use of an actuator which may be mounted to the stairway on one or both sides of the stairway unit.

[0015]A preferred method of construction of the invention includes an actuator driven pivoting stairway in which the stairway is manufactured using modular components. The use of modular a design permits the combination of multiple components from stock, pre-assembled sections to accommodate different installation requirements. A modular system offers greater flexibility in assembly, economical shipping, and increased safety in assembly due to the reduced weight of the modular components as compared to a single piece unit. Further, the modular design of the present invention allows in-field assembly to fit a full range of ceiling height measurements, without sacrificing the strong, stable, safe and secure integrity of the entire stairway unit. Alternatively, the ADPS may be completely or partially assembled without the use of modular components.

[0016]The invention offers many benefits including, but not limited to, transforming vacant space into a usable storage or living area, offering additional access points to another floor, and freeing up floor space traditionally encumbered by a permanently located staircase.

Problems solved by technology

The foldable or retractable ladder / stairways are typically spring loaded or counterbalanced and may be difficult for users to fold / unfold and pull up / down from the ceiling level before or after use.

Further, the steep angle and step design of these devices make them difficult and dangerous to climb, particularly while the user carries bulky objects, such as storage bins.

Additionally, known units having an extended counterbalance do not allow the user straight access on and off the unit at the upper level.

This may also result in an unsafe operation.

For example, cable-driven units typically utilize multiple pulleys and cable termination points, all of which are subject to wear and / or to service requirements, and even eventual failure which may result in the falling of the unit.

Further, due to these noted design limitations, known foldable or retractable ladder / stairways may not meet building industry standards of a safe staircase design.

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