Adjustable Telescoping Stringers for Variable Floor Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temporary staircases in construction settings often face challenges due to varying floor heights and increasing safety requirements, making them difficult to reuse and increasing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A stair system comprising length-adjustable telescoping stringers and tread assemblies with adjustable pitch and vertical registration, allowing for easy adaptation to different floor heights and safe installation, including features like engagement channels and keying projections for secure mounting and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed-length stringers are used, then the staircase structure is simple, but the staircase cannot be reused when floor heights differ
Solution Approach 1:
The stringers are designed with telescoping sections that allow dynamic adjustment of length. Inner telescoping sections slide within outer stringer sections, enabling the stringer length to be changed to match different floor height requirements while maintaining structural integrity through engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The stringer is divided into multiple segments including outer stringer sections and inner telescoping sections. These segmented parts can be adjusted relative to each other to achieve different lengths, allowing the same stringer to be reused across projects with varying floor heights.
2Reliability
If safety requirements are increased, then the staircase safety is improved, but the complexity and costs of temporary staircases increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features serve multiple functions: they secure treads to stringers, lock telescoping sections at desired lengths, and provide vertical registration with floor structures. This multi-functionality meets safety requirements while avoiding the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple safety features into integrated components. The engagement features combine locking, securing, and positioning functions. The tread assembly integrates with stringers through these combined features, creating a unified safety system rather than separate safety components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping stringers with engagement features are used, then the staircase can be adjusted to different floor heights, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping design nests inner stringer sections within outer stringer sections. This nested structure allows for compact storage and transport while enabling length adjustment. The manufacturing complexity is managed by using standardized nested components that can be produced efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A stair system (20; 300) comprises: a first length-adjustable stringer (40A; 308A); a second length-adjustable stringer (40B; 308B); and a plurality of tread assemblies (148; 350) installable to the first and second stringers. The system further includes at least one handrail (268; 302A, 302B). A plurality of balusters (280A, 280B; 360, 362) are attached or attachable to the tread assemblies and handrail. The tread assemblies each have an adjustable tread pitch.