Stair wall mounting device

Abstract

Stair wall mounting device (300) for fixation of a stair (100) to an interior wall (200), wherein the stair wall mounting device (300) comprises a wall fixation member (310) and a wall string (110) or step (130) fixation member (320), wherein the mentioned fixation members (310, 320) are attached to each other by a sound absorbing member (330) for integrated sound reduction.

Description

[0001] STAIR WALL MOUNTING DEVICE

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to a stair wall mounting device for fixation of a stair to an interior wall.

[0003] The disclosed embodiments especially relate to a stair wall mounting device providing dampening of experienced footstep sound / noise.

[0004] Background

[0005] In many buildings sound / noise from footstep is an acute problem that deteriorates the living conditions for the owners. The mentioned sound / noise is defined as noise pollution and there are building regulations that sets demands for levels of such sounds / noise.

[0006] There are regulations of the mounting of internal stairs in apartments or rooms, stating that they have to be built and deigned so that they do not result in annoying sound / noise into the neighboring apartments or rooms.

[0007] Footstep sound / noise in steps set the stair construction in vibrations. When the stair construction has a fixed connection to the building (walls), the vibrations are easily transferred / propagated and results in / experienced as embarrassing noise in neighboring apartments / rooms. Light stairs of wood can give powerful sound transfer / propagation if they are fixed directly to the interior walls. Especially concrete walls are known to transport / propagate sound, noise and vibrations to the neighboring apartment / room if the stair is fixed directly to the wall.

[0008] Different methods for the reduction of footstep noise and response are known. One of the methods is to use a soft coating / flooring on the steps, but the effect is very limited at low frequencies.

[0009] Other known solutions are mounting the stair on poles or supporting the stair on rubber angles. This results in undesired design and in addition brings along additional costs with regards to the mounting.

[0010] Another approach to solve the mentioned sound / noise problem is by ensuring that the stair is not directly fixed to an interior wall of an apartment, i.e. between rooms of the apartment, or walls between two neighboring apartments. There have been made many attempts to provide sound / noise insulation of stairs against the interior walls. One of the solutions to reduce the noise / sound of footsteps is to use insulating units with plug and associated sleeve, wherein the sleeve associated with sound-damping materials (rubber, synthetic resin, etc.), as e.g. shown in NO180728 and DE19850061 Al. Elastic support solutions can provide an improvement also in the low frequency area to make the steps meet the regulations and demands, however the results are still not satisfying. The solutions are also cumbersome, costly and time demanding to mount.

[0011] From JP2016089415 A is known the use of a vibration dampening material between a wall string and the wall, as well as provides a solution creating a distance between the wall and wall string.

[0012] In DE102004024036 Al is described a similar solution to JP2016089415 A wherein a vibration dampening material is arranged around the screws and between the wall and wall string.

[0013] From JP2007138426 A2 it is known to use angle hinges / brackets, wherein one is fixed to the wall and one is fixed to the (wall) string, and wherein the two hinges / brackets are attached to each other via elastic materials that, among others, damp vibrations.

[0014] In KR 101728294 Bl is described a stair wall mounting device for fixation of a stair to an interior wall comprising a continuous fixation member that at one end is attached to a wall and at the opposite end is attached to step fixation member, and wherein a sound absorbing member is arranged to the continuous fixation member to be positioned between the wall and the step fixation member for sound reduction.

[0015] One of the major disadvantages with the prior art solutions is that the do not completely decouple the components of the stair, resulting in that the vibrations caused by footsteps are allowed to propagate into the wall.

[0016] Another disadvantage with the prior art solutions is that they are consisting of many components and are cumbersome to mount.

[0017] There is accordingly a need for a stair wall mounting device providing an improved sound reduction, compared to prior art solutions.

[0018] It is further a need for a stair wall mounting device enabling plain mounting of a stair to an interior wall. Summary

[0019] The disclosed embodiments provide a stair wall mounting device partly or entirely solving the mentioned drawbacks and lacks of prior art solutions.

[0020] Provided herein is a stair wall mounting device with integrated footstep sound / noise reduction.

[0021] Also provided herein is a stair wall mounting device providing improved footstep sound / noise reduction compared to prior art.

[0022] Also provided herein is a stair wall mounting device wherein physical (solid) parts of the stair is not directly in contact with an interior wall.

[0023] Also provided herein is a stair wall mounting device providing a spacing between a wall string of the stair and the interior wall.

[0024] Also provided herein is a stair wall mounting device enabling blind mounting of the stair to the interior wall.

[0025] Also provided herein is a stair wall mounting device that can be used on wall strings as well as steps of a stair.

[0026] The invention

[0027] A stair wall mounting device according to the present invention is defined by the technical features of claim 1. Preferable features of the stair wall mounting device are described in the dependent claims.

[0028] The inventive embodiments of the present invention are related to a stair wall mounting device configured to provide footstep sound / noise reduction for especially interior stairs arranged to an interior wall.

[0029] The inventive principles of the present invention are suitable both for fixation of the stair to the interior wall via a wall string and for fixation of a step to the interior wall. The inventive principles of the present invention are also suitable for fixation of the stair exterior walls.

[0030] According to the inventive embodiments of the present invention, the stair wall mounting device comprises a wall fixation member and a wall string or step fixation member, wherein the mentioned fixation members are attached to each other by a sound absorbing member for integrated sound reduction. Accordingly, in the present invention, the sound absorbing member is positioned between the mentioned fixation members.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sound absorbing member is formed by one or more sound absorbing materials or a composition of sound absorbing materials.

[0032] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sound absorbing member exhibits a structural stiffness that is capable of supporting the loads of the stair, as well is elastic enough to allow the fixation members to be attached thereto.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sound absorbing member is formed by multiple layers of rubber or rubber compositions of different elastic properties and structural stiffness.

[0034] In accordance to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the wall string or step fixation member is provided with multiple fixation holes distributed along the outer circumference thereof for accommodating fixation screws or bolts for fixation to a wall string or step of the stair.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the wall fixation member is provided with multiple fixation holes for accommodating fixation screws or bolts for fixation to the wall.

[0036] In accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the wall fixation member and sound absorbing member have a corresponding shape and size.

[0037] According to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the wall fixation member and sound absorbing member have an outer circumference being smaller than the arrangement of the multiple fixation holes of the wall string or step fixation member.

[0038] In accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the wall string or step fixation member and sound absorbing member are provided with corresponding access holes having larger interior circumference than the fixation holes of the wall fixation member and aligned with the fixation holes.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wall string or step is provided with a recess adapted for receiving and accommodating the wall string or step fixation member.

[0040] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the stair wall mounting device positions the wall string or step at a spacing from the interior wall.

[0041] By the present invention is provided a stair wall mounting device with integrated sound / noise reduction capable of also absorbing low frequent vibrations.

[0042] The stair wall mounting device according to the present invention provides a solution wherein there is no direct connection between the wall string and the interior wall or fixation screws or bolts.

[0043] The stair wall mounting device in accordance with the present invention further provides a plain assembly (fixation) of a stair to an interior wall.

[0044] By the present invention is provided a stair wall mounting device that provides a desired spacing between the wall and the wall string or step.

[0045] Further preferable features and advantageous details of the present invention will appear from the following example description, claims and attached drawings.

[0046] Example

[0047] The present invention will below be described in further detail with references to the attached drawings, where:

[0048] Fig. 1 is a principle drawing of a common stair installed in an apartment,

[0049] Fig. 2a-c are principle drawings of a stair wall mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0050] Fig. 3a-c are principle drawings showing mounting steps of a wall string to an interior wall by use of the stair wall mounting device according to the present invention. Reference is first made to Fig. 1 showing a principle drawing of a common interior stair 100 extending from one floor to an elevated floor of an apartment, and wherein the stair 100 comprises a wall string 110 for attachment to an interior wall 200 of the apartment, and an outer string 120, as well as steps 130. The stair 100 may further have risers 131 between the steps 130. The stair 100 may further also comprise one or more handrails 140 on the outer side and / or arranged to the interior wall 200, with or without balusters 141 and / or support posts (newels) 142. The stair 100 may further be designed without the outer string 120 and wherein the steps 130 are arranged to the ceiling / roof by appropriate fixation means. The interior wall 200 is an interior wall between rooms in the same apartment or walls between neighboring apartments.

[0051] There are different types of interior stairs 100, such as saddle stairs, inserted stairs (skeleton-step stairs) and mortised stairs, or a combination thereof. E.g. the stair 100 may have a mortised wall stair 110 and saddled outer string 120 or vise versa. The components of the stair 100 may further be in different materials, such as wood, concrete, metal, etc.

[0052] The design of such stairs 100 are well known for a skilled person and requires no further description herein.

[0053] The present invention is especially suitable for mounting of wooden interior stairs 100 and footstep sound / noise reduction. However, the principles of the present invention also apply to interior stairs of other materials, as well as are applicable for exterior stairs.

[0054] Reference is now made to Fig. 2a-c showing principle drawings of a stair wall mounting device (SWMD) 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 2a-b show the SWMD 300 from different sides, while Fig. 2c is an exploded view of the same. The SWMD 300 according to the present invention consists of three main components in the form of a wall fixation member 310 and a wall string or step fixation member 320, as well as a sound absorbing member 330 attaching the mentioned fixation members 310, 320 to each other. In accordance with the present invention, the sound absorbing member 330 is arranged between the mentioned fixation members 310 and 320 and in this manner forms a connection between them without being in physical contact with each other. Accordingly, the SWMD 300 forms a layered (sandwich) construction with the sound absorbing member 330 in the middle.

[0055] The fixation members 310 and 320 have in the shown embodiments a rectangular shape, however, the shape may be circular, elliptic, hexagon or similar, as long as the size (height and length) is adapted the wall string 110 or step 130 of the stair 100 in question. In the shown embodiments the fixation members 310, 320 are plates. The wall string or step fixation member 320 is further provided with multiple fixation holes 321 distributed along the outer circumference thereof for accommodating fixation screws or bolts 322 (Fig. 3a-c) for fixation to the wall string 110 or step 130 of the stair 100.

[0056] In the shown embodiment, the wall fixation member 310 has an outer circumference that is smaller than the arrangement of the multiple fixation holes 321 of the wall string or step fixation member 320. The wall fixation member 310 is further provided with multiple fixation holes 311 distributed in a desired pattern for accommodating fixation screws or bolts 312 (Fig. 3b-c) for fixation to an interior wall 200.

[0057] The sound absorbing member 330 according to the shown embodiment has a shape and size corresponding to the wall fixation member 310, and is formed by a sound absorbing material or a composition of sound absorbing materials. The sound absorbing member 330 further exhibits a structural stiffness that is capable of supporting the loads of the stair 100, as well as is elastic enough to allow the mentioned fixation members 310, 320 to be attached thereto. Non-limiting examples of sound absorbing materials with the desired structural stiffness are rubber, rubber compositions, synthetic resin, etc. By e.g. combining different materials with different properties, suitable properties of the sound absorbing member 330 is achieved that may be tailored to the vibration frequencies of the footstep sound in question. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sound absorbing member 330 is formed by multiple layers of sound absorbing materials, such as rubber, rubber compositions or synthetic resin with different elastic properties and structural stiffness, wherein the most elastic layer(s) are arranged in the middle while the layers with highest structural stiffness is arranged at the outer layers. In this manner one achieves high structural strength and attachment properties to the fixation members 310, 320 as well as sound reduction properties.

[0058] The mentioned sound absorbing member 330 and the wall string or step fixation member 320 are further provided with corresponding access holes 331, 323, respectively, which access holes 331, 323 have a larger interior circumference than the fixation holes 311 of the wall fixation member 310 and fixation screws or bolts 312 to ensure that there is no physical contact between the wall fixation member 310 and fixation screws or bolts 312 for the same and the wall string or step fixation member 320 and sound absorbing member 330.

[0059] According to a non-limiting example embodiment of the sound absorbing device 330, it is formed by three layers of sound absorbing material glued or vulcanized to each other to form one sound absorbing device 330 with a layered (sandwich) structure. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the middle layer is more elastic than the respective outer layers of stronger stiffness that are facing the mentioned fixation members 310, 320.

[0060] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sound absorbing device 330 is glued or vulcanized to the mentioned respective fixation members 310, 320 for attachment thereto.

[0061] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the mentioned fixation members 310, 320 are metal plates. Other alternative materials for the fixation members 310, 320 are composite materials, wood, etc., with the required structural integrity. Other suitable materials for the mentioned fixation members 310, 320 are within the knowledge of a skilled person. The important property of the fixation members 310, 320 is that they have the required structural integrity to ensure proper fixation to the wall 200 and wall string 110 or step 130.

[0062] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the wall string 110 of the stair 100 in question is fixed to the wall 200 by means of multiple SWMDs 300 distributed in longitudinal direction of the wall string 110. The number of SWMDs 300 required will depend on the design of the stair 100. For a solution without the wall string 110, each step 130 will have to be fixed to the wall 200 by a SWMD 300.

[0063] Reference is now made to Fig. 3a-c showing principle drawings the use of the SWMD 300 according to the present invention for fixation of a stair 100 by fixation of the wall string 110. The SWMD 300 according to the present invention will provide an even spacing D (Fig. 3b-c) between the wall 200 and the wall string 110 ensuring that there is no direct contact between the wall 200 and the wall string 110.

[0064] In Fig. 3a is further shown a wall string 110 that is provided with a recess 111 at the side facing the wall 200, which recess 111 is adapted the shape and size of the wall string fixation member 320 for accommodation and fixation of the same therein. The depth of the recess 111 is adapted the thickness of the SWMD 300, such that when the SWMD 300 is arranged to the wall string 110 and the wall string 110 is fixed to the wall 200 a desired spacing D is achieved between the wall string 110 and the wall 200. This spacing D is e.g. between 1 mm and 1 cm, typically around 0.5 cm.

[0065] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the recess 111 is arranged in connection with mounting holes 112 for mounting steps 130 to the wall string 110, wherein the SWMD 300 is arranged such that at least two mounting holes 112 align with at least two of the fixation holes 311 of the wall fixation member 310. In this manner the SWMD 300 can be fixed to the wall string 110 by means of the wall string fixation member 320 being accommodated in the recess 111 and fixed by means of fixation screws or bolts 322. In this manner the SWMD 300 is fixed to the wall string 110 prior to the wall string 110 being fixed to the wall 200. After the SWMD 300 is arranged to the wall string 110, the wall string 100 is fixed to the wall 200 via the SWMD 300, wherein fixation screws or bolts 312 are inserted through the mounting holes 112 and via the access holes 323 and 331 of the walls string fixation member 320 and sound absorbing member 330 and into the fixation holes 311 of the wall fixation member 310 for fixation of the wall fixation member 310 to the wall 200, and thus the wall string 110 to the wall 200. Fig. 3b also shows a recess 113 (mortise) on the interior side of the wall string 110 for accommodating one end of a step 130.

[0066] Accordingly, by the shown embodiment, also a blind / hidden mounting is achieved, where the SWMD 300 as well as fixation screws or bolts 312, 322 are arranged in a hidden manner, which is a preferable design choice.

[0067] Accordingly, as can be seen from Fig. 3c, the SWMD 300 according to the present invention provides a plain fixation of the wall string 110 to a wall 200, with a desired spacing D between the wall 200 and the wall string 110. Further, by the SWMD 300 according to the present invention, there is no direct connection between the wall string 110 and the wall 200 or between the fixation screws or bolts 312, 322 between the wall fixation member 310 and wall string fixation member 320, resulting in that there is direct connection at all between the wall string 110 and the wall 200. The intermediate connection between the wall string 110 and wall 200 is provided by the sound absorbing member 330, which is configured with elastic properties that will prevent vibrations and sound from footsteps from propagating from the step 130 via the wall string 110 to the wall 200. In this manner a considerably higher sound / noise reduction is achieved compared to the prior art solution.

[0068] The inventor has performed sound measurement tests for documenting the effects of the present invention. In a test case, where an interior wooden stair 100 was fixed to a concrete interior wall 200 between two neighboring apartments by fixation of the wall string 110 directly to the wall 200 and via the SWMD 300 according to the present invention. The test was performed by using a beating device and performing sound measurements in the same room and in adjacent rooms within the same apartment for both solutions. Without the SWMD 300, i.e. by fixing the wall string 110 directly to the concrete wall 200, one measured 97 dB in the same room and 72 dB in the adjoining room, while by the use of the SWMD 300 to arrange the walls string 110 to the concrete wall 200, one measured 93 dB in the same room and 69 dB in the adjoining room. Accordingly, a considerable experienced sound reduction. The building regulations demands that the step sound experienced in a neighbor apartment should be below 53 dB. In the same test, one also measured the sound experienced in the neighbor apartment and wherein one with the use of the SWMD 300 measured only 40 dB, which is considerably below the demands for footstep sound between apartments. The mentioned test clearly shows the effects of the present invention.

[0069] The SWDM 300 according to the present invention is also applicable for stairs 100 that does not use wall strings 110, by that the SWDM 300 is arranged between a single step 130 and the wall 200. The shape and size of the components of the SWDM 300 will then of course be adapted the shape and size of the steps 130. Even though the present invention is especially suitable for interior stairs 100 arranged to interior walls, the principles of the present invention is also applicable for exterior stairs.

[0070] Further, the components of the SWDM 300 according to the present invention, especially the fixation members 310, 320, but also the sound absorbing member, may be formed by 3D-printing, composite casting or similar.

Claims

Claims1. Stair wall mounting device (300) for fixation of a stair (100) to an interior wall (200), wherein the stair wall mounting device (300) comprises a wall fixation member (310) and a wall string (110) or step (130) fixation member (320), wherein the mentioned fixation members (310, 320) are attached to each other by a sound absorbing member (330) for integrated sound reduction.

2. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the sound absorbing member (330) is formed by one or more sound absorbing materials or a composition of sound absorbing materials.

3. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 2, wherein the sound absorbing member (330) exhibits a structural stiffness that is capable of supporting the loads of the stair (100), as well is elastic enough to allow the fixation members (310, 320) to be attached thereto.

4. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound absorbing member (330) is formed by multiple layers of rubber or rubber compositions of different elastic properties and structural stiffness.

5. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the wall string or step fixation member (320) is provided with multiple fixation holes (321) distributed along the outer circumference thereof for accommodating fixation screws or bolts (322) for fixation to a wall string (110) or step (130) of the stair (100).

6. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the wall fixation member (310) is provided with multiple fixation holes (311) for accommodating fixation screws or bolts (312) for fixation to the wall (200).

7. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 5, wherein the wall fixation member (310) and sound absorbing member (330) have a corresponding shape and size.

8. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 7, wherein the wall fixation member (310) and sound absorbing member (330) have an outer circumference being smaller than the arrangement of the multiple fixation holes (321) of the wall string or step fixation member (320).

9. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall string or step fixation member (320) and sound absorbing member (330) are provided with corresponding access holes (323, 331) having larger interior circumference than the fixation holes (311) of the wall fixation member (310) and aligned with the fixation holes (311).

10. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1, wherein the wall string (110) or step (130) is provided with a recess (111) adapted for receiving and accommodating the wall string or step fixation member (320).

11. Stair wall mounting device (300) according to claim 1, wherein it positions the wall string (110) or step (130) at a spacing (D) from the interior wall (200).

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