Part and method for renovating stairs by laying a covering

Abstract

A stair tread covering piece intended to be mounted on a step of a staircase composed of a plurality of steps separated by risers. It has a plate configuration comprising a main flat panel (1) intended to cover a step, said panel (1) being extended, along the long sides of the panel (1) oriented perpendicular to the line of travel, by two lateral panels (2, 3) with a perpendicular appearance to the main panel (1), an upper panel (2) and a lower panel (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of stairs, and more particularly to the repair and restoration of stairs according to a process which consists of covering in order to renovate any type of existing staircase by installing a set of parts specifically designed for this purpose.

[0002] Conventional staircases, such as those found in many residential buildings, are subject to the effects of time and the resulting wear and tear. The consequences of aging can be varied, sometimes requiring only simple renovation or, in extreme cases, replacement. In the former case, numerous techniques exist for renovating old staircases, the diversity of solutions stemming primarily from the choice of materials used: the most commonly used are tiles, natural stone, solid wood, CPL and HPL laminates, wood composite panels, and composite materials based on plastic, glass, etc.Renovations based on concrete plaster, stair carpets, or requiring the application of paints, fine sandblasting, or the installation of various types of coverings such as linoleum, cork, or resins, for example, giving the steps the appearance of tumbled marble, are also quite common. Many other renovation techniques are known; they are numerous, and listing them all would be tedious.

[0003] Each of these techniques requires specific expertise, sometimes linked to the use of specialized equipment. Some of the materials mentioned are also available at high costs: this is the case, for example, for renovations involving natural stone and / or solid wood. When less refined materials are chosen, durability can be an issue: it is important to consider the investment-to-lifespan ratio of the work undertaken, bearing in mind that for some of the solutions mentioned, the renovation cannot be expected to last beyond ten to fifteen years. Among the points to consider, one should also note the need for regular, even demanding, maintenance of some of the existing and commonly used solutions.

[0004] On a more fundamental level, regarding the physical properties and characteristics of the materials used, many known renovation techniques exhibit insufficient resistance to impact and abrasion, or even deformation, and consequently age rather poorly and relatively quickly. Fire resistance and moisture resistance are other areas where most of these materials, especially the inexpensive ones, perform poorly.

[0005] From an economic standpoint, an initially affordable price can therefore quickly "skyrocket" over time if repairs due to breakage or premature wear prove frequent, costly, and / or complicated. For some solutions that may initially seem attractive from a purely economic perspective, deterioration can also necessitate a complete overhaul of the staircase, effectively doubling the costs. The initial investment is then completely absorbed by the overall expenses required later to maintain the chosen renovation configuration in good condition. Finally, it should also be noted that some of the available technologies offer only a limited selection of decorations and / or finishes.

[0006] The present invention aims to address these various shortcomings and implement a stair cladding solution for renovation projects that offers a high degree of standardization, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing and installation time and costs, which is doubly advantageous from an economic standpoint. One of the objectives of the invention's solution is also to provide a durable design, ensuring that when a renovation investment is made, it corresponds to a long-lasting technical configuration.

[0007] For these purposes, and with a view to other advantages which will be explained in more detail later, the invention consists of a stair tread covering piece, classically intended to be mounted on a step of a staircase composed of a plurality of steps separated by risers, which is such that it has a plate configuration comprising a main flat panel intended to cover a step, said panel being extended, along the long sides of the panel oriented perpendicularly to the line of travel, by two lateral panels perpendicular to the main panel, an upper panel and a lower panel.

[0008] The design is standardized, simple, and robust, and essentially the same piece is installed, step by step, along virtually the entire length of the staircase. The installation process thus involves a repetitive operation, resulting in a significant reduction in the cost of installing the renovation structure. Each panel of the invention covers one tread and partially the adjacent risers. The main rectangular panel is oriented with its longest side perpendicular to the line of travel, that is, the theoretical line followed when ascending or descending a staircase, and which is generally located in the center of the treads. This can be a single rectangular panel for straight treads or, for staircases with curved sections, panels of varying widths to cover the radiating or winding treads located in these curved sections.To cover a step located in the middle of a 90° turn of a staircase attached to two perpendicular walls, the central panel can also be a pentagon.

[0009] It has been noted that each panel of the invention covers a tread and partially the adjacent risers, resulting in a crank-like configuration, rather than an L-shaped configuration as found in the prior art. This design, unique to the invention, facilitates the installation of the panels, which can rest on or at least be positioned relative to three surfaces of the staircase. For complete stair covering, this structure is also advantageous because it facilitates overlapping when the panels are installed, as will be seen later, since the side edges of two adjacent panels overlap, which is not necessarily the case in structures with L-shaped panels, which are more difficult to assemble.

[0010] This type of cladding, based on a thin sheet metal design (see below), is easily adaptable to the stair structure, durable, and requires minimal maintenance. Furthermore, it allows for a wide variety of decorative options, resulting in diverse aesthetics. All these characteristics make the invention highly versatile in both its design and application, suitable for a multitude of private and professional uses.

[0011] Ideally, this part should be made of sheet metal. This material offers excellent resistance to impacts, deformation, breakage, and abrasion. Sheet metal also has the advantage of being fire-resistant and moisture-resistant. Furthermore, it is easily workable (cutting, bending, etc.). Finally, as will be detailed below in the section on preferred materials, the selected metal is 100% recyclable, reusable, and natural. It can be aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and / or feature various plate textures and finishes (tread pattern, pickled steel, rolled steel, etc.).

[0012] In one possible configuration, the upper panel may include, at its free end, an upper edge extending parallel to the main panel, forming a sort of horizontal return. In fact, this upper panel can be considered, in stair terminology, a riser, or rather, in this case, a portion of a riser. Optionally, this upper edge may include at least one light fixture, so that the very configuration of the invention can enable the development of stair renovation solutions incorporating new functions, such as step lighting via, for example, LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures, which are inexpensive to power and whose intensity can be easily adjusted if necessary. This option significantly enhances the design aspect of the stair renovation proposed by the invention.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the lower face of each piece can be further separated from the main face by a folded portion in contact with the main face. This fold, with two strips of sheet metal in contact, constitutes, in a way, a stair nosing that overhangs the step immediately below, as well as the lower, vertical face that covers the riser in the direction of said step immediately below.

[0014] The invention also relates to a staircase in which each step is covered with cladding pieces according to the characteristics explained above, provided that the cladding pieces further comprise an upper cladding piece covering the upper landing step, consisting of a main face and a lower side face, and a cladding piece for the lowest riser of the staircase, consisting of an upper face. The entire original staircase is therefore covered by cladding pieces, from the first riser at the bottom to the last landing step at the top of the staircase.

[0015] To enhance the overall aesthetic, the invention provides that, when the cladding panels are installed, the upper and lower lateral edges of two adjacent panels will at least partially overlap. Consequently, the visible surfaces of the old staircase being renovated will no longer be visible at all.

[0016] In this regard, assuming the existence of a top edge extending parallel to and above the main panel at the free end of the top panel, the main panel is then designed to be wider than the width of a step by a factor at least equal to the width of the top edge. A space then remains between the riser of the staircase and the vertical side panel descending from the step above, which has been termed the bottom panel. This space can be used, as previously mentioned, to install and manage lighting fixtures.

[0017] Finally, the present invention relates to a method of covering the steps of an existing staircase using the covering pieces described above, and which comprises the following steps: Modeling of the existing stair covering; Cutting and bending of the sheets corresponding to the modeling; Drilling of fixing holes in each riser; Application of at least one layer of glue on the steps of the existing stair; Installation of the covering pieces and fixing by screwing the upper panel to the risers.

[0018] The implementation of the standardized parts of the invention, for the renovation or repair of a staircase, using this method, is quick and allows all renovation operations to be carried out in a few hours, under controlled technical conditions.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which presents a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is given, however, only by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0020] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings, in which: There [ Fig.1 ] represents a cross-sectional view of a fraction consisting of two steps of a staircase, clad with parts according to the present invention; The [ Fig.2 ] resumes the view of the figure 1 , with a variant of parts of the invention equipped with a fold constituting a walking nose; and La [ Fig.3 ] shows a cross-sectional view of a complete staircase equipped with the parts of the invention.

[0021] With reference to the figure 1 The plate configuration (based on a metal sheet) of the cladding piece of the invention is clearly visible, comprising, on a stair stringer L, a main rectangular panel 1 intended to cover a step, and two lateral panels 2 and 3. These latter panels extend panel 1 towards the immediately adjacent steps of the staircase, said two lateral panels 2 and 3 being perpendicular to the main panel 1, and in practice constituting an upper panel 2 extending towards the upper step and a lower panel 3 oriented towards the lower step. The upper panel 2 has a free edge 20 extending parallel to the main panel 1 in a kind of return, this edge 20 being able to be fitted with at least one light fixture 21. The dimension of the lower panel 3 in the direction of the line of travel of the staircase is such that it covers the upper part of the upper panel 2, and in particular completely conceals said free edge 20 and its light fixture(s) 21.

[0022] The horizontal width of the main panel 1, in the direction of the stair tread, must also be greater than that of the stair tread it covers, so that the lower panel 3 can extend beyond the free return edge 20 of the piece of the step immediately below. A space therefore remains above this edge 20, defined on the one hand by the distance between this edge and the underside of the main panel 1 – in a vertical direction – and on the other hand between the inner face of the lower panel 3 and the stair riser – in a horizontal direction.

[0023] The version of the figure 2 is identical, except for a nosing 10 which overhangs the step immediately below the stair and which is formed by a fold of the single plate forming the part of the invention, a fold made at the contact point with the main face 1, between the latter and the lower vertical face 3. Such a configuration is easy to manufacture because said part is preferably made of sheet metal, and is therefore pliable. It should be noted that the representations of the figures 1 et 2 They artificially, but usefully for explaining the different aspects of the invention, show two steps in which a first step, i.e., the lowest step, and a last step, i.e., the highest step, of a staircase have been synthesized. In reality, a plurality of steps separate them.

[0024] In these figures 1 et 2 This results in a top facing piece covering the upper landing step, also consisting of a main panel 1' and a lower side panel 3', and a facing piece for the lowest riser of the staircase, which is actually only made up of an upper panel 2'. In this case, the top landing piece does not have an upper panel, which is in practice cut out and positioned at the bottom of the staircase. The upper edge 20' of panel 2' is, in this scenario, not fitted with any light fixture(s). In terms of the manufacturing process, this configuration of the end pieces is very advantageous, since a single manufacturing protocol for a standard facing piece can be followed for the entire staircase; one of the manufactured pieces can then be separated by simple cutting into two distinct pieces intended to fit the top and bottom of the staircase.

[0025] According to the invention, the cladding part can be made of any type of steel, for example stainless steel, carbon steel, or Corten steel, which is a self-protecting steel with induced surface corrosion whose raw appearance is aesthetically sought after for its currently popular industrial look. The standardized part of the invention can also be made of aluminum or zinc.

[0026] The installation of the complete stair cladding appearing in figure 3 can be achieved by following a manufacturing process that adheres to the following characteristics: 1: Preparation of the existing surface; a) By removing the old coverings (if necessary) b) By sanding and dusting (also only if necessary); 2: Start the renovation from the bottom of the staircase; 3: Distribution, if necessary, of power supplies for the LEDS 21 luminaires, and installation of the lighting control device (switch and / or detector) to complete the electrical installation; 4: Application of adhesive to the first riser, at the lower end of the staircase; 5: Installation and fixing of the 2' panel to the lower riser of the existing staircase; 6: Bonding of an LED strip under the 20' return edge, at the free end of the upper 2' panel (return which can advantageously be around 20 mm); 7: Bonding of a flexible seal to the upper part of the riser. 8: Spreading of adhesive on the first step.9: Installation on the existing staircase of the first part according to the invention: a sheet steel part comprising a main panel 1 and two lateral panels, upper 2 and lower 3; 10: Fixing said part by screwing, for example by screwing the upper panel 2 onto the riser of the existing staircase. 11: Repetition of the same set of operations on the entire staircase. 12: Installation of the landing step, fixing by gluing supplemented by a flush-finish fixing by screwing onto the step; 13: Finishing with silicone sealant.

[0027] More specifically, for each cladding piece according to the invention, once the cladding has been modeled on the future staircase, the sheets are cut using a hydraulic press or laser cutter. Then, they are bent using a hydraulic press. Finally, fixing holes are drilled in the upper panel 2, 2', for subsequent screwing into the risers, for example, with lag screws.

[0028] Unlike the methods used today, which require a combination of cutting, installation and adaptation techniques for the different configurations at the level of the treads and risers, including the management of the nosings and stringers, methods which must be adapted step by step, the invention proposes instead a single part design, resulting in a high degree of standardization and a great simplification of the covering of the entire staircase.

[0029] The process allows for the workshop fabrication of a single piece through cutting and folding, enabling automatic adaptation to any type of step and size (rise and tread depth). Each piece is both standardized in its design and unique to each staircase due to dimensional adjustments, and it is completely replicable across the entire staircase.

[0030] The process allows for considerable time savings in the standardized manufacturing of each staircase, and also significantly reduces the time required for renovation due to its ease of assembly. Furthermore, this process, which involves interlocking the lower face of one piece with the upper face of the piece installed on the step immediately below, allows for the integration of motion-activated or switchable lighting into the nosing. This feature, which lends an undeniable aesthetic appeal to the staircase renovated using the cladding pieces of the invention, also ensures much greater safety for users ascending or descending the stairs in the dark.

[0031] The design methods illustrated by the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary includes variants of form for its different components.

Claims

1. A stair tread covering designed to be mounted on a single step of a staircase consisting of a plurality of steps separated by risers, characterized in that It has a plate configuration comprising a main flat panel (1) intended to cover a step, said panel (1) being extended, along the long sides of the panel (1) oriented perpendicularly to the line of travel, by two lateral panels (2, 3) with a perpendicular appearance to the main panel (1), an upper panel (2) and a lower panel (3).

2. Stair tread covering piece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that It is made of sheet metal.

3. Stair tread covering piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper panel (2) has, at its free end, an upper border (20) extending parallel and above the main panel (1).

4. Stair tread covering piece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper edge (20) includes at least one luminaire (21).

5. Stair tread covering piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower panel (3) is separated from the main panel by a portion (10) folded in contact with the main panel (1).

6. Staircase in which each step is covered with cladding pieces according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering pieces also include an upper covering piece covering the upper landing step consisting of a main panel (1') and a lower lateral panel (3') and a covering piece for the lowest riser of the staircase, consisting of an upper panel (2').

7. Staircase according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the cladding pieces are laid, the upper (2) and lower (3) side faces of two adjacent cladding pieces overlap at least partially.

8. Staircase according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the main panel (1) is wider than the width of a step by a value at least equal to the width of the upper edge (20).

9. Method for covering the steps of an existing staircase using the covering pieces according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that It includes the following steps: - Modeling the existing stair covering; - Cutting and bending the sheets corresponding to the modeling; - Drilling fixing holes in each riser; - Applying at least one layer of glue to the steps of the existing stair; - Installing the covering pieces and fixing the upper panel (2) to the risers by screwing.

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