Staircase Cladding Profile With Elastic Locking Rib

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current staircase renovation methods, such as total replacement or temporary covering, are inefficient and costly, and existing cladding devices require numerous assemblies and additional covering elements, making them tedious to install and difficult to dismantle without damaging the profiles.

Innovation Solution

A cladding device with L-shaped profiled elements that assemble via a locking mechanism without separate fixing elements, allowing for easy installation and removal without tools or additional covering elements, and featuring wedging sites for secure and removable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional cladding devices are used to cover staircase steps, then the staircase can be renovated without total replacement, but the installation process requires numerous assembly screws and additional covering elements to hide the screws, making the installation tedious and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidnumber of assembly screws and covering elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the base profile and nosing profile into a single integrated L-shaped profile element. This unified profile eliminates the need for separate assembly screws and additional covering elements to hide the screws, as the continuous L-shaped structure provides both support and aesthetic coverage in one component, directly reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The L-shaped profile element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as a base, forms the visible nosing edge, and covers the joint area where screws would normally be exposed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate covering elements and reduces the overall number of components required for installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If profiles are assembled using notched engagement with ridges and grooves, then the connection is secure, but disassembly requires forced operations with tools like crowbars that irreparably damage the notches and may break the wing or profile sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidreusability of profiles
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the connection system into separable functional elements: a removable wing component that can be detached from the L-shaped profile without damage. This segmentation allows the main profile structure to remain intact and reusable while the wing can be removed and reinstalled multiple times, eliminating the damage caused by forced disassembly of integrated notched connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from a static, permanent notched engagement to a dynamic, reversible connection. The wing can be easily attached and detached through simple operations without requiring forced actions or tools, allowing the connection to adapt between assembled and disassembled states while preserving the integrity of all components for repeated use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If known profiles are used for concrete staircases, then covering can be achieved, but the profiles cannot accommodate staircases with projecting nosings or create new projecting nosings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different staircase typesVSAvoidprojecting nosing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The L-shaped profile extends the connection geometry into a new dimensional configuration by incorporating both a horizontal base portion and a vertical nosing portion in a single continuous structure. This dimensional extension allows the profile to create and support projecting nosings on concrete staircases, adapting to various staircase geometries that previous flat or single-plane profiles could not accommodate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1746217B1Device for covering a stair
Publication Date: 2010.10.06 SOC FINANCIERE YVES JUDEL
  • EP1746217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1746217B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The device (1) has nosing or cornice (7) cooperating with a vane (10) of a sectioned unit (4) during the mounting of the nosing or cornice on a sectioned unit (3). The nosing or cornice has a sectioned vane whose edge of a free end is provided laterally with a protruding rib (10`). The rib grips elastically the nosing or cornice, when the unit (4) is mounted on the unit (3) by wedging in position, after exceeding from corresponding hard point to a deformation of the rib for removable or releasable locking of the mounting of the unit (4) on the unit (3).