Log Staircase Notch and Tread Opening Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of log staircases requires skilled laborers to ensure proper alignment and attachment of treads to stringers, which can be time-consuming and may not meet building codes, posing safety hazards and compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
A log staircase design featuring stringers with notches that do not extend through half of the diameter and treads with openings aligned at an acute angle to mate with protuberances on the stringers, allowing for secure horizontal attachment without the need for shims, enabling quicker and more efficient installation by less skilled laborers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If C-shaped notches extending through more than half the diameter are used in stringers, then treads can be positioned within notches, but proper horizontal alignment requires time-consuming shimming and adjustment by skilled laborers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming notches in the stringers that do not extend through more than half the diameter, and pre-configuring treads with specific geometric features (semicircular periphery with flat surface). These preliminary configurations enable the treads to self-align horizontally when installed, eliminating the need for time-consuming shimming and adjustment during installation.
2Manufacturing precision
If notches extend through more than half the diameter of stringers, then treads can be positioned in notches, but alignment precision requires skilled labor and may not meet building codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the notches to extend through less than half the diameter of the stringers, creating an asymmetric geometry where the tread's semicircular periphery with flat surface naturally seats against the asymmetric notch. This asymmetric design inherently guides the tread into proper horizontal alignment, ensuring manufacturing precision without requiring complex installation procedures or skilled labor.
3Reliability
If traditional C-shaped notches are used, then treads can be attached to stringers, but improper alignment creates safety hazards and building code violations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the notch and tread geometry such that the tread automatically self-aligns and self-secures in the proper horizontal position when installed in the notch. The semicircular periphery with flat surface of the tread complements the asymmetric notch shape, creating a self-aligning mechanism that ensures safety compliance and proper alignment without requiring skilled laborers to perform complex alignment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A log staircase is disclosed along with a method of producing components for the log staircase. The log staircase includes an elongated stringer capable of angularly extending from a lower level to an upper level. The stringer has an outer circumference with a notch formed therein. A protuberance extends upward from the notch. The log staircase also includes a tread having a semicircular periphery with a flat surface. An opening is formed in the semicircular periphery of the tread. The opening is designed to mate with the protuberance to retain the flat surface crossways to the stringer. The method includes cutting a number notches and protuberances in each of a pair of stringers, and cutting a pair of openings in a predetermined number of treads which are capable of mating with the protuberances to retain each of the treads crossways to the pair of stringers.