EP0662549A1

EP0662549A1 - Staircase jig

Info

Publication number: EP0662549A1
Application number: EP93500169A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Quintana Vinolas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-22
Filing date: 1993-12-22
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-22
Also published as: EP0662549B1; GR3026732T3; ATE163058T1; ES2113514T3; DE69316906D1; DE69316906T2

Abstract

The staircase jig comprises a rack (12) provided with a resting surface (14) that lies on the front edge (15) of the lip of the first step,an element (18) with a vertical projection (19) for engaging the adjacent upper riser (4) and a rest (22) for engaging the underside of the lip of the next upper step together with a regulable stop (23) for the front of the lip of the next upper step. Two such racks (12) can be provided, joined by a telescoping longitudinal bar (13). The purpose of the jig is to ensure that each tread and riser combination has the same depth of tread, height of riser and lip projection.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a staircase module positioner tool whose obvious purpose is to regulate the depth of each step, the verticality of the step riser or rear wall, and the difference in level between steps, all drawn from the horizontal plane of the first step.
Thereore with the aforesaid horizontal plane of the first step, the positioner tool herein invented may be used to obtain step depth, the verticality of the step's riser or rear wall, and the difference in level between said first step plane and the next step plane which will lie parallel to the first, serving as a reference for all following step planes. The tool also works to fix the distance between the edge of the first step and the edges of following steps in vertical projection so that an exact number of modules will fit in between the bottom of the first step and the edge of the plane to which the staircase leads.
In short, the aim is to maintain a constant step height and depth in a staircase of a given height and projection, while the depth and height of each step will be the result of dividing the height and projection exactly by the same number.

STATE OF THE ART

Staircase designing begins by calculating to find the number of steps, their height and their depth. First a master ramp is laid out. This ramp may be arched, and it serves as a foundation so that the bore of the staircase itself can be roughed out and later covered with slabs or prefabricated components and thus finished.
It is necessary for an overhang to lie between each step riser and the plane of the next step, and this overhang must always jut out to exactly the right extent. It is also necessary for the proportions between the plane of any given step and the rest of the steps to be exact, since otherwise the staircase will trip up its users in the classic stair "traps", causing them to stumble and/or fall.
Not for the first time has it been necessary to pull down part of a staircase and then fake it so that its end lengths will match up. This makes it necessary to use maximum precision and therefore all the attention, experience and skill of a specialist, which inevitably means money, i.e. , high cost.
There are no known tools or devices for simplifying the handiwork of these specialists and making precision staircases, that is, for the operation of covering the staircase bore with slabs, placing them on the slope on which the prefabricated step parts lie. It is necessary for the specialist to craft the staircase painstakingly.
Thus a tool has been conceived and designed to fill the vacuum in the field of staircase construction caused by the lack of any apparatuses or devices able effectively to substitute the many precise operations specialists are obliged to perform manually.
Alternative aspects of the invention are set out in claim 1 and claim 7. These definitions take precedence over the following nine paragraphs.
The tool proposed herein is a positioning device that guarantees perfect staircase modularity, that is, that step height and risers will always be uniform so that exact precision will exist throughout, from the bottom to the junction where the staricase's projection meets the upper floor.
To be more specific, the tool herein invented operates by drawing on the horizontal plane of the first step, which is hand-laid by the specialist. Using the horizontal plane of this first step, step depth, the verticality of the riser or rear wall of the step and the difference in level between said first step plane and the next plane may be exactly regulated, one after another.
Thus, as logically follows from the above statements, each step plane will serve as the reference for the next plane, up to crown of the staircase, which will lie perfectly flush with the plane of the upper floor.
Structurally, the device is comprised of what may be considered two transversal racks, joined parallel to one another by a telescoping intervening longitudinal bar whose length may be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the distance between these two racks to match the length of the steps, or rather the width of the step. Each of the aforesaid racks features a surface designed to rest on the edge of the slab forming the horizontal plane of the first step, and a right-angle elbow bend at the other end, on which are mounted resting surfaces for positioning the step riser. Each of these right-angle elbow bends and the regulable components coupled to them constitutes a continuation, which are equipped in turn with an attachment which has the triple function of holding up the slab forming the plane for the next step, correcting the verticality of the riser slab, and marking the amount that the next step plane slab will have to protrude in order to make for precision in the building module.
The surfaces for the edge of the first step's slab to rest upon are also equipped with attachement clips worked by screw spindles, which may be band-cranked to grip the edge belonging to the first step plane.
As said above, the slab or master slab that is going to constitute the horizontal plane of the first step will be set in place by hand, and after it is correctly leveled, the planned projection will jut out from its skirt (here skirt is taken to mean the first riser).
The extendible longitudinal bar affixed to both of the transversal racks that form the aforementioned resting surfaces will ensure the correct parallel coplanar placement in any relative instance betweeen the maximum and the minimum; that is the transversal racks will alawys lie in the perfect flat position.
Both the consolidation of the different telescoping parts of the elements described above and the vertical correction of the riser slab are achieved using threaded ram stems, which also include regulable stops for the overhang of the slab forming the plane. On one or both of these regulable stops, there are facilities for mounting a slide for side arms to mark the position of the step plane flank or staircase string if the staircase has one or both sides exposed and requires a handrail.
Lastly, the longitudinal bar may be complemented with a hinge or circular sector which may be fixed to one of the racks to allow those stairs that swivel 90^º or follow a curved path to be arranged in modules along their angle or curve.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINS

In order to complement the description made herein and help provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, attached to this descriptive report as an integral part hereof is a set of drawings giving a non-limiting illustration of the following:

Figure 1. This is a side elevation diagram of a conventional staircase, which will serve as a reference for understanding the aims and working procedure to be followed using the positioner tool herein invented.
Figure 2. This illustration provides an overall perspective of the positioner tool in its operating position, that is, set up on the slab forming the horizontal plane of a bottom step and the riser or rear vertical wall of that same first step.

PREFERABLE EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in figure 1, it may be seen that a conventional staircase (1), whether arched or straight, is formed of a number of steps constituted by horizontal planes (2) which may, for example, be slabs. These slabs jut forward forming projections (3), while at the rear these horizontal planes (2) are complemented with vertical risers (4) which are also made up of slabs or any other suitable material.
The total projection of the staircase is equal to the distance (5) between the bottom point (6) of the staircase and its junction (7) with the upper floor (8).
The total height (9) of the staircase must be an exact multiple of the module (10), and one module is the exact distance between two horizontal planes (2) or steps; while the projection of the staircase must be an exact multiple of the module (12), which is the same as the distance between two consecutive vertical risers (4), or in other words, the distance between the riser of each step and the corresponding skirt of the first plane (2) of the step. The number of modules coincides in height and risers, and thus the staircase is perfect.
Let us proceed now to figure 1, which clearly shows the positioner tool in place on a first step. This step is made up of the slab (2) forming the step's horizontal plane, featuring the bottom point (6) and the skirt (11) of this starting step, which corresponds with the vertical risers (4) of the following steps. It may be observed that the device as such is made up of a pair of twin racks (12) joined by a telescoping longitudinal bar (13), which is formed by two telescoping spans which may be held by a transversal screw (14) in such a way that the longitudinal bar (13) may be used to shorten or lengthen the distance between these two racks (12), depending on the width of the staircase or, in other words, the width of the step. The racks (12) are lain transversally, as shown in figure 2, and each of them includes a resting surface (14) that lies against the forward edge (15) of the slab (2). This resting surface (14) is complemented by a clamp (16) worked manually with a crank (17) that turns a screw spindle in the clamp (16), so the two clamps, one on each surface, form a means of gripping the forward or front edge (15) of the slab (2).
On the end lying opposite the resting surface (14), each rack (12) has continuations (18) which bend at a right angle, each forming a vertical span (19) on which is mounted a telescoping element (20) whose extensibility may be regulated and which may be anchored with a screw (21).
The elbow bends (19) and elements (20) forming the aforementioned continuations make a surface for the riser slabs (4) to rest upon, while the seats (22) fashioned as a prolongation bent in the opposite direction to the elements (20) mark the difference in level between the slabs; that is, they define the module (10) referenced in figure 1.
On each prolongation forming the rests (22) referred to above are mounted regulable stops (23) provided to help position the front edge (15) of the slab (2) and thus define its projection out over the vertical riser (4) below.
According to the construction described above, the tool is placed on the first step slab (2), as depicted in figure 2, with its surfaces (14) resting on the front edge (15) of this slab (2). The length of the racks (12) is then adjusted, thus finding the depth that the continuations (18) will have to reach, while the upper part (22) of the elements (20) that may be extended from the elbow spans (19) of these continuations (18) will form the seat for the projection of the second slab (2), belonging to the next step, thus forming the horizontal module (12) depicted in figure 1.
As stated above, the clamps (16) are used to immobilize the tool assembly by gripping the front edge of the slab (2) in question so that the next riser slab (4) will be automatically positioned to rest on the surface formed by the vertical spans (19) and (20) of the elbow continuations (18). Logically, the correction or precision of the exact vertical line traced by the riser slab (4) will be determined by turning the stem (21), while the top slab's front edge (15) is positioned using the regulable stops (23), thus regulating their own projection over the riser or vertical slab (4).
A slide housing (24) for each arm (25) is designed into one or both regulable stops (23). The arms (25) have an upper stop face (26) indicating the position of the side edge (27) of the slab (2). These arms (25) also include a square (28), which is also regulable and is for positioning the outer edge of the riser tablet (4) when the staircase has a cambered or face string. As is logical, this device is used in duplicate, one at each side, when the staircase rises with both sides open.
The arms (25) may be regulated inside their slide guides (24) and immobilized using the correct screws (29), like the squares (28), which may be immobilized with their own screws (30).
Lastly, the longitudinal bar (13) includes a compass (31) that is extremely important in making curved or turning staircases and is essential in cases in which the stair case is winding or runs along a curved or continuous path.
Thus the positioner tool referred to above may be used on the horizontal plane (2) of the first step to obtain the step depth, the verticality of the riser slab (4) for that step, and the difference in level (10) between that first horizontal step plane and the net horizontal plane, which will lie parallel to the first and will serve as a referene for all following step planes until the difference in level (9) between the base plane and the upper floor (8) has been covered.
Furthermore, the device herein invented may be used to find the projection between the edge (15) of the slab (2) and the plane of the riser slab (11), maintaining the distance of the riser slabs (1) in accordance with the module (12) illustrated in figure 1.
Lastly, once the first step slab (2) has been placed, its support slabs (11) and all following support slabs (2) may be positioned exactly by merely resting them in the indicated areas and leveling each slab (2) in the traditional way, so the staircase takes impeccable shape.
No further description is considered necessary in order for any expert on the subject to grasp the scope of the ivention and the advantages stemming from it.
The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements may vary provided that the essence of the invention is not altered.
The terms in which this report has been drawn up should always be taken in their broadest non-limiting sense.
It will be seen that the rack (12) and the continuation (18) form a tread depth member whose length is adjustable under the control of the set screw (unreferenced) mounted in the rack (12) and engaging the continuation (18). The rack (12) has a downwards projection with an inner surface (14) engaging the lip of the tread. The continuation (18) has an upwards projection (19) engaging the riser slab (4) (and Figure 2 is incorrect in showing the junction between the tread (2) and the riser (4) being apparently located a small distance behind the junction of the continuation (18) and the elbow bend (19)). The rear surface of the elbow bend (19) engages the riser slab (4). The element (20) adjustably mounted in the elbow bend (19) by means of the set screw (21) forms a riser height guage, the surfaces (22) engaging the underside of the lip of the next upper tread (2) (and again Figure 2 is incorrect in implying that the surface (22) is located above and forward of the underside of the lip); the surface (22) engages the underside of the lip and extends to its junction with the upper edge of the riser. Surface (23) engages a front edge of the lip and the adjustable mounting of this surface 23 on the element (20) provides a lip projection gauge.
The drawing should show the setscrew (14) threadedly mounted on the tube into which the connecting member (13) fits and this cobination forms an adjustable length separator between the tow racks (12). The protractor or compass (31) with its setscrew mounted on the rack (12) allows the unreferenced hinge between the connecting member and that rack (12) to form a controllable angle between the rack (12) and the member (13). The clamp (16) enables the rack (12) to be clamped to the underside of the lip.

Claims

A staircase jig comprising a tread depth member of adjustable length having a downward projection at one end to engage the lip of a tread and a upward projection at the other end to engage the adjacent riser, the riser height gauge adjustably mounted on the upward projection to engage the underside of the lip of the adjacent upper tread and a lip projection gauge adjustably mounted on the high gauge to engage the front of the lip of the adjacent upper tread.
A jig as claimed in claim 1 comprising two sets of tread depth member, riser height gauge and lip projection gauge, the two tread depth members being joined together by a connecting member of adjustable length.
A jig as claimed in claim 2 comprising means to adjust the angle between the connecting member and at least one tread depth member.
A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means for clamping a said tread depth member to its tread by engaging the underside of the lip of the tread.
A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising means adjustably mounted on a lip projection gauge for engaging the side edge of a tread and comprising means adjustably mounted thereon for engaging the side edge of the adjacent lower riser.
A staircase jig substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A staircase module positioner tool whose purpose is to use the correct horizontal plane of a first staircase step to regulate the depth of the step itself, the verticality of the riser or rear wall of the step, and the difference in level between this first step plane and the next plane which will lie parallel to the first and will serve as a reference for following step planed, and to allow the vertical projection distance between the edge of the first step and the edges of following steps to be found, so that an exact number of modules fits in between the bottom of the first step and the edge of the plane to which the staircase runs, wherein the tool is made up of two transversal racks joined to one another by a telescoping longitudinal bar, and the front end of each of these longitudinal bars bears surfaces resting on the front edge of the horizontal plane of the first step, while at the other end the racks extend into extendable continuations bent perpendicularly to form vertical spans to which are attached elements that telescope out from the preceding elements, and the upper part of these telescoping elements constitute supports for the projection of the horizontal plane of the next step, and moreover the elements have prolongations forward on which are mounted regulable stops for the surface of the horizontal plane of the step, with the special feature that the vertical spans of the continuation of each rack form the support for the vertical riser of the step.
A staircase module positioner tool as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the resting surfaces are fitted with clamps for gripping the front edge corresponding with the horizontal plane of the step in question, in order to successfully immobilize the assembly on this horizontal step plane, and said clamps are designed to be operated by means of a screw spindle connected to a manually-turned outside crank.
A staircase module positioner tool as set forth in the claims above, wherein the telescoping longitudinal bar joining the two racks in parallel is complemented with a hinged compass allonwing steps to set in spirals or along continuous curved paths.
A staircase module positioner tool as set forth in the claims above, wherein the extensions fitted at the ends of the racks define the depth of the step, while the spans of these extensions define the verticality of the step riser as well as its height.
A staircase module positioner tool as set forth in the claims above, wherein the regulable stops resting on the front edge are equipped with guides for mounting side arms provided with an upper stop that positions the edge of the correct horizontal step plane, and these arms also feature a square which is also regulable and is the means for positioning the outer edge of the vertical riser itself, in the case of stairs with outer strings and handrails.