Staircase module for a cat staircase

Abstract

The invention relates to a staircase module for constructing a cat staircase, consisting of a tubular main part (1) with a receiving opening (4) which is formed at a first end (3) and has a receiving diameter that is substantially as large as or larger than the outer diameter of the other, second end (5) of the main part (1), wherein the receiving opening (4) has a cross-sectional shape which corresponds to the outer cross-sectional shape of the second end (5) of the main part (1). The staircase module additionally consists of a flat step (20), which surrounds the main part (1) and forms a step surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) of the main part (1), and of a fixing means for releasably fixing the step (20) to the main part (1). The fixing means is, for example, in the form of a closure element (30) which can be moved over at least the first end (3) of the main part (1), can be locked thereto, and can be brought into contact with the step element (20) in the axial direction. A plurality of such staircase modules can be easily plugged together and fixed in order to form the cat staircase.

Description

[0001] Staircase module for a cat staircase

[0002] The present invention relates to a stair module for creating a cat ladder, as well as a cat ladder constructed from such stair modules.

[0003] A cat ladder is a structure that is attached, for example, to the exterior of a building facade to connect a window or balcony to the floor. It allows cats or other small pets to independently reach the window or balcony from the floor surrounding the building, or vice versa, from the window or balcony to the floor surrounding the building. Of course, such cat ladders can also be installed inside tall buildings, for example, in stairwells or high-ceilinged rooms.

[0004] In the simplest form, diagonally arranged boards are arranged from the ground to the corresponding entry point, which, depending on the gradient, are either made of a material or at least have a surface into which the cats can penetrate with their claws or which are provided with strips arranged at a distance from one another as step aids.

[0005] More complex designs are also known, which often have a basic construction consisting of a tube or rod made to the required length (height between floor and window or balcony), which is inserted essentially vertically from the floor, to which spaced-apart, often horizontally arranged and offset steps or platforms are attached. For example, CH 704 614 discloses such a design, which, when fully assembled, forms a type of spiral staircase that is easily accessible for cats. However, the required height must be determined precisely before the cat stairs are installed and the tube manufactured accordingly. Installation requiring a large number of steps makes assembly very complex, and the finished product can only be used in the location intended for it, i.e. it cannot be reused later for another location or can only be done with great effort and adaptation.

[0006] The object of the present invention was to provide components for constructing a stable cat ladder that is flexible in height and can be adjusted to virtually any height. Furthermore, the assembled cat ladder should be prevented from being misused as an entry aid for people to gain access to a window or balcony. Furthermore, the assembly should be possible not only from the bottom up, but also from the top down.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a stair module according to claim 1.

[0008] Further embodiments of the invention emerge from the features of the dependent claims 2 to 10.

[0009] By means of the tubular base body in accordance with the invention

[0010] By design, several of these base bodies can be pushed together or stacked to form a pole whose height is easily adjustable. This makes it easy to meet the practical requirements for the overall height of a cat ladder. By coordinating the cross-sectional shapes of the receiving openings at the first and second ends and the section length, an axially stable connection between the individual base bodies is achieved and cat ladders of great height can be constructed in a simple manner. A step can be attached to each base body which projects outwards essentially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the base body and serves as a tread. Each step can be arranged at practically any angle to the preceding or following step of the preceding or following base body and thus practically form a spiral staircase.The steps can be arranged at regular or irregular offset angles. The steps are supported in a vertical direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body on the collar formed on the outer wall of the base body, which defines their vertical position in relation to the respective base body. Once the desired angular alignment of the step has been achieved, it is releasably fixed to the base body by means of a fixing agent. For example, this can be done by means of a clamping screw which is guided in the step and can be guided directly against the outer wall of the respective base body or can engage in a receiving opening formed there. Of course, the nut thread for the clamping screw can also be formed in the base body and the clamping screw head can be brought into clamping stop against the mouth of a clamping screw feedthrough formed in the step.

[0011] If the base body is advantageously designed as a hollow body, cables or ropes, for example, can be hidden inside the fully assembled cat ladder along the entire height of the cat ladder. Ropes can be used, for example, to stiffen or secure the connection between the individual base bodies. The use of electrical cables enables the cat ladder to be supplied with power or sensor cables. If the cross-section of the base body is advantageously designed to be round, a base body can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. The wall thickness of the base body can be selected to be smaller in the area of ​​the second end than in the first area in order to save weight and material without loss of stability.The stability can be increased by adjusting the inner cross section of the first end to the outer cross section of the second end by realizing a full-surface or at least partial contact, for example via ribs formed in the inner wall and running parallel to the longitudinal axis, between two base bodies which are inserted or pushed into one another.

[0012] The collar for vertically receiving the step can be formed as an at least partially or fully circumferential rib on the surface of the base body and can have a collar surface lying essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base body for receiving the step. For example, angular, radially arranged ribs can be formed on this collar surface, which can engage with suitably designed ribs of the step in the support area. The step is thus pushed onto the base body in the desired angular position in a rotationally secure manner and held by the collar.

[0013] Advantageously, the step is at least two-part, consisting of a first and a second step element, which is split in half in the area of ​​the passage opening for the base element. The connection is advantageously made via a tongue-and-groove connection that overlaps horizontally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the base body. When the two step elements are assembled, this prevents both horizontal and vertical displacement in the assembly direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body, thus providing a stable tread surface.

[0014] Advantageously, one of the two step elements can be semi-circular to form a classic circular staircase. Of course, both step elements can also be designed as outwardly projecting stair surfaces, either symmetrically or asymmetrically to form an intermediate landing.

[0015] Advantageously, the upper tread surface of the step has a non-slip or at least anti-slip surface. This can be achieved, for example, by applying a special layer or, alternatively, by creating a corresponding surface structure.

[0016] Advantageously, a groove running transversely to the radial longitudinal axis of the tread is formed in the first step element or in each step element with a formed tread, which serves as a predetermined breaking point. The groove is preferably dimensioned such that it breaks under a stepping force of 20-30 kg. This prevents the assembled and installed cat ladder from being used for purposes other than those intended. This prevents such a cat ladder from being used to provide easy access to a higher balcony or window, thus providing burglary protection.

[0017] To fix the step to the base body, a closure element is preferably designed which can be pushed over the outer wall of the base body and is axially rotatable and which is designed to be brought into abutment against the step from above and thus encloses or clamps the step between the collar and the closure element in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The closure element and the outer wall of the base body are advantageously designed at this point as a twist lock in the sense of a bayonet lock, in that by rotating the closure element relative to the base body, ribs arranged on the inside of the closure element are screwed into correspondingly arranged receiving grooves in the base body and create a clamping connection.Preferably, such receiving grooves are formed both in the central region of the base body, where a support collar is formed for supporting the mouth of the receiving opening of a further base body, and at the first end of the base body, and the closure element is formed at twice the height of these regions in order to simultaneously fix both a first and a second base body pushed onto the first with a rotary movement.

[0018] To prevent the individual base bodies from twisting relative to each other, fingers and grooves can advantageously be formed at both ends of the base bodies. These engage with each other in the final position of two nested base bodies to prevent the base bodies from twisting relative to each other about their longitudinal axes.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the invention, a cat ladder according to claim 11 or 12, formed from the stair modules according to claims 1 to 10, is claimed.

[0020] If the locking element fixes two nested base bodies and thus also the respective step at the same time, a dimensionally stable cat ladder is provided which can be assembled to any height practically as required, but which is also easy to dismantle.

[0021] Advantageously, the upper end closure can be formed by a closure body whose first end is configured to correspond to the first end region of a base body according to the invention and whose other end is designed as a rounded or pointed cap. This closes or covers the resulting cavity at the top of continuously open profiles, thus inhibiting or preventing the penetration of moisture or water.

[0022] Examples of embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows the longitudinal section of a basic body of a stair module according to the invention;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows the side view of two nested stair modules with the associated step and locking element;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows the longitudinal section of a stair module according to the invention with base body, step and closure element;

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a step consisting of two step elements;

[0027] Fig. 5 shows the side view of the step according to Figure 4:

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the connecting area of ​​the two step elements of Figure 5 before joining;

[0029] Fig. 7 shows a view of a cat ladder according to the invention composed of several stair modules.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a base body 1 of a stair module according to the invention. The base body 1 is designed here as a tubular hollow body which is open at both end faces. The first end 3 of the base body has a length 6 which is less than half the total length of the base body and corresponds to the length of the inner section 13 of the second, lower end 5. Approximately at the level of the end of this second end, a first collar 7 is formed on the outer surface of the base body 1, said first collar having an upwardly directed collar surface 8. The lower region of the side wall of the base body 1 continues upwards after the collar 7 with a reduced diameter.

[0031] Roof-shaped, angular, radially extending ribs 9 are formed on the collar surface 8, as schematically indicated in the drawing. These ribs 9 serve as an axial anti-twist device for a step pushed from above over the first end 3 and supported on the collar 7, as will be described below.

[0032] Above this collar 7, a second collar 10 is formed at a distance, which is shaped as a circumferential flange on the outside of the base body 1. This second collar 10 serves as a support for a further base body 1 ', which is pushed over the first end 3 of the base body 1, as will be described below.

[0033] Between the first collar 7 and the second collar 10, a locking groove 14 is formed on the circumference of the base body 1, which has recesses extending in the axial direction to the groove bottom and accessible from the upper edge of the collar 10 for the introduction of a locking web (not shown here in the drawing).

[0034] At least one notch 12 is also formed in the collar 10, into which a nose 11 of a second base body 1' formed on the lower end face of the base body 1 can engage. For easy positioning of the nose 11 in the notch 12, the latter can have an inclined contour, as can be seen from the figure. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that several noses 11 or notches 12 can also be formed in order to reliably prevent mutual twisting of two base bodies 1 or 1' pushed into one another.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the assembly process for two base bodies, wherein a second base body 1' is pushed onto a first base body 1 from above. It can be clearly seen that the second base body 1' is supported on the first base body 1 via its lower end face on the second collar 10. In the case shown, a two-part step 20, consisting of a half-ring 21 and a tread 22, is brought laterally onto the first collar 7, connected by a vertical movement and then rests on the first collar 7. A closed, ring-shaped closure element 30 is used here to fix both the step 20 and the connection between the two base bodies 1 and 1'. For the sake of clarity, the closure element 30 is shown here next to the already assembled base bodies 1 and 1'.It is clear to the person skilled in the art that this closed closure element 30 must be placed on the upper, first region 3 of the lower base body 1 before the two base bodies 1 and 1' are pushed together, since it must be positioned between the two wide wall regions of the second region 5 of the base bodies 1 and 1', respectively.

[0036] Instead of this annular closure element, the step 20 can of course also be fixed to the base body 1 by a direct screw / clamp connection. It is also conceivable to use a one-piece step 20 with a through opening for insertion over the first area of ​​the base body 1.

[0037] Figure 3 shows again in longitudinal section and schematically the base body 1 with inserted, two-part assembled step 20 and attached closure element 30, before a further base body 1 ' is attached.

[0038] The closure element 30 shown here is designed as a bayonet closure familiar to those skilled in the art, which allows the closure element 30 to be moved parallel to the axis into the closed position and then fixes the vertical position in the closed position by an axial rotational movement of the closure element 30. This means that on the one hand the step 20 is pressed axially against the first collar 7 and fixed and at the same time the two base bodies 1 and 1' are fixed to one another in the axial direction by a locking groove 14 of the closure being formed in both the lower base body 1 and the upper base body 1', into which locking webs 31 arranged on the inside of the closure element 30 can be brought into engagement.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a plan view of an assembled, two-part step 20. The first step element 21, shown here on the right, is designed as a semi-annular plate element whose inner recess corresponds to the outer diameter of the base body 1 above the area of ​​the second collar 10. The second step element 22 is designed as a substantially rectangular tread. The radially outer end is advantageously rounded in an arcuate shape. On the upwardly directed surface of the step element 21, at least one partial area 27 is provided with an anti-slip surface or structure. Furthermore, a groove 28, aligned transversely to the radial axis of the step element 22, is formed in the surface of the step element 22, which groove weakens the material at this point in such a way that if a tread load on the surface of the step element 27 is exceeded, it leads to a break at this point.The groove can advantageously be designed such that the breaking load is reached at 20 to 25 kg. Thus, a staircase constructed from such stair modules can only be used by animals and under no circumstances by humans, since stepping on a step 20 designed in this way will cause it to break.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a side view of a step 20 according to Figure 4. In the area around the opening for the passage of the base body 1, a support surface 23 is formed on the underside of both step elements 21 and 22, which rests on the collar surface 8 of the first collar 7. In this area, ribs 24 projecting further downwards are formed, which, in engagement with the ribs 9 of the collar surface 8 of the base body 1, form an anti-twist device and thus fix the step 20 in the set angular position.

[0041] This figure also shows the function of the tenon-groove connection 25 or 26. For example, in the first step element 21, on the connecting edge to the second step element 22, a groove 25 is formed on each side, into which a tenon 26 of the second step element 22 can be inserted by inserting the first step element 21 from above into the second step element 22. Because the groove 25 and tenon 26 are only formed in the upper region of the thickness of the two step elements 21, 22, a flat connection between these two step elements 21, 22 is achieved, which prevents radial separation in the plane of the two connected step elements 21, 22 due to the obliquely formed cheeks of the tenons 26. Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the connection area between the front edges of the two step elements 21, 22 before the connection.

[0042] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an entire cat ladder consisting of a plurality of stair modules. Instead of a base body 1, a closing body 15 is placed on the last base body 1 as the upper end. The lower end of the closing body 15 is designed to correspond to the lower end of a base body 1 and can thus be connected to the lower base body 1 by a closure element 30, fixing the step 20 at this point.

[0043] Reference table

[0044] 1 base body

[0045] 2 Longitudinal axis of the base body

[0046] 3 First end of the base body

[0047] 4 Recording opening

[0048] 5 Second end of the base body

[0049] 6 Section length first end

[0050] 7 collar (first collar)

[0051] 8 collar area

[0052] 9 ribs

[0053] 10 Second collar

[0054] 11 Positioning element (finger)

[0055] 12 notch

[0056] 13 Inner section length second end

[0057] 14 Locking groove

[0058] 15 end bodies

[0059] 20th level

[0060] 21 First step element

[0061] 22 Second stage element

[0062] 23 Support surface

[0063] 24 ribs

[0064] 25 cones

[0065] 26 grooves

[0066] 27 Anti-slip structure

[0067] 28 Predetermined breaking point (groove)

[0068] 30 locking element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Staircase module for constructing a cat ladder, comprising a tubular base body (1) with a receiving opening (4) formed at the first end (3) with a receiving diameter which is substantially the same size as or larger than the outer diameter of the other, second end (5) of the base body (1), and the receiving opening (4) has a cross-sectional shape which corresponds to the outer cross-sectional shape of the second end (5) of the base body (1), wherein this outer cross-sectional shape extends over a section length (13) which is less than half the total length of the base body (1), and wherein at the first end (3) from the receiving opening (4) into the interior along the longitudinal axis (2) of the base body (1), the cross-sectional opening extends over at least a length (6) which corresponds to the said section length (13) of the second end, wherein further on the outer side in the middle region between the two ends (3;5) of the base body (1) a collar (7) is formed which projects outwards at least in some areas along the circumference and further comprises a flat step (20) which encloses the base body (1) and forms a step surface which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) of the base body (1) and which abuts against the collar (7) in the longitudinal direction of the base body (1), and further comprises a fixing means for releasably fixing the step (20) to the base body (1); 2. Staircase module according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (1) is designed as a hollow body which is continuously open along the longitudinal axis (2) and has a substantially round cross-section, wherein preferably the wall thickness in the region of the second end (5) is less than the wall thickness in the region of the first end (3) .

3. Staircase module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collar surface (8) of the collar (7) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) has ribs (9) arranged at least in regions, preferably distributed over the entire collar surface (8), preferably angular ribs, and the step elements (21; 22) in turn have ribs (24) which fit positively into these ribs (9) in their bearing surfaces (23) facing the collar surface (8).

4. Staircase module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the step is in two parts, consisting of a first (21) and a second (22) step element which can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, the division of the step (20) being designed in such a way that the step elements (21; 22) can be detached or attached radially or axially from the base body (1) after separation.

5. Staircase module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a first step element (21) is semi-annular and can be connected in a form-fitting manner to the second step element (22) via a tenon-groove connection (25; 26), wherein the tenons (25) or the grooves (26) are preferably designed such that in the connected state, they block a vertical displacement of the two step elements (21; 22) in one direction and bring about a planar alignment of the two step elements (21; 22) to one another and block a horizontal movement to one another, preferably by means of a dovetail-like shape of the tenon-groove connection (25; 26).

6. Stair module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second step element (22) is designed as a substantially rectangular surface and at least one surface is provided with an anti-slip structure or coating (27).

7. Stair module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second step element (22) has a groove (28) arranged transversely in at least one surface in the region of the connection to the base body (1) as a predetermined breaking point, preferably dimensioned such that the predetermined breaking point breaks under a load of more than 20 kg in the region of the surface next to the predetermined breaking point (28) remote from the base body (1).

8. Stair module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a closure element (30) which can be pushed over at least the first end (3) of the base body (1) and thus locked and can be brought into axial abutment against the step element is designed as a fixing means.

9. Staircase module according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the closure element (30) is designed as a closed rotary closure ring and has partially circumferential webs or bars arranged on its inner wall. noses (31) which are arranged on the outer surface of the Base body (1) arranged grooves can be screwed in, which have recesses formed corresponding to the width of the webs or noses (31), preferably identically formed grooves are formed in the end region of the first end of the base body (1) and in the region remote from the first end (3) of the base body (1) next to the collar (7), preferably in the sense of a rotary bayonet closure.

10. Staircase module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at the first end (3) of the base body (1) at least one positioning element (11) projecting axially from the end face of the base body (1) parallel to the longitudinal axis (2), preferably designed as a finger, is arranged and a second collar (10) is formed on the peripheral region of the base body (1), in which at least one groove or notch (12) is formed corresponding to the shape of the positioning element (11).

11. Cat ladder, formed from at least two stair modules according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base bodies (1) of the at least two stair modules are pushed into one another and the two step elements (21; 22) of a step module (20) are positively connected to one another and are pushed onto a base body (1) and held by a closure element (30), wherein the closure element (30) simultaneously connects a first base body (1) of the first stair module to the first end (3' ) of a second base body (1' ) of the second Staircase module is at least positively connected and fixed.

12. Cat stairs according to claim 10, characterized in that a closing body (13) is used as the upper end of the cat stairs, the first end of which is identical to the first end (3) of the base body (1) of a stair module according to claims 1 to 9 and the second end is designed as a cap with a rounded tip.

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