Adjustable support for steps

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to stairs structure, particularly supports to position the steps and risers along a stringer.

[0004] 2. Description Of The Prior Art

[0005] Certain patents particularly drew our attention:

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,977 Lawrence, Jul. 18^th, 2000, illustrates a method and an apparatus to build staircases. It comprises a support to build steps supported by a longitudinal beam. Several holes allow different heights and lengths, that is the tread of the steps. The support is made of a central block with legs that overlap the stringer. A total of four (4) parts is required. The external sheet is visible and must be covered.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,032, Buzby, May 4, 1999, illustrates a staircase structure. It shows supports for steps. The horizontal side has a flared portion 8, which allows adjusting the height. The step run cannot vary.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,520, Vochatzer, has sides comprising two lower brackets 42,48 screwed in place, without means to control height or length. Top strip 29 is positioned lengthwise onto a dotted stringer thanks to a return 32. The same applies to the flanges 59,58. Locating flanges are measured beforehand to correspond to a desired slope, for instance 7 inch rise and 11 inch length. Such a system cannot be adapted to various slopes unless designed at the time of stamping of bracket 41.

[0009] It is a general objective of the invention to provide a support for steps that can be used for all types of staircases and be easy to install. This support includes a horizontal side, which supports the steps on the stringer while allowing a variation of angle of the stringer. At the same time a vertical side allows fixing the riser.

[0010] Another objective is to provide a support for steps including a corner plate whose ends include wider parts intended to overlap, when installed. These sides, horizontal and vertical, have reinforcements to fix the steps and risers. Moreover, the wide part of the horizontal side may include a horizontal adjustment slit and the wide part on the vertical side includes a series of holes among which at least one will coincide with the slit at the time of the installation. Each wide part comprises a second series of fixing holes, sufficiently spaced apart to secure the contact with the stringer. Instead of a slit one may use a pair of overlapping rulers.

[0011] The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the drawings in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a support for steps.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective of an alternative to the support of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the support of FIG. 1, installed on top of a stringer.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the support of FIG. 3.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows the support of FIG. 2, installed against a stringer.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows the support of FIG. 3, installed as an alternative.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective for the foot of a staircase.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of the support of FIG. 1 in mirror image.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings wherein the same numbers identify the same characterising elements.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a support for steps 20 identified by an arrow. The support for steps 20 is a metal piece at right angles defining a set-square, with a horizontal side 24 and a vertical side 26, which widen out to create an upper wide part 28 and a lower wide part 30. Each side is folded to make an L-shaped section, that is a horizontal fold 32 and a vertical fold 34. The upper wide part 28 includes some close holes 46 close with respect to the centre of the support 20 and some further apart 48 and a series of horizontal 58 and vertical holes 60. The lower wide part 30 has a series of holes, some closer 52 and some farther apart 54. The wide part 30 of the vertical side 26 is graduated 55 to measure a step rise of the support 20. A ruler 55′ is placed on the horizontal side 24 to measure a step run of the support 20. This ruler 55′ can be fixed, removable, flexible or magnetised.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an alternative identified by an arrow as “French” support 120. The French support 120 is adapted to be installed on the inner side of a stringer, that is to support steps and risers according to the method known as “French”. There is a horizontal side 124 and a vertical side 126, a horizontal fold 132 and a vertical fold 134. There also are horizontal 158 and vertical holes 160.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the support of FIG. 1 installed on top of a stringer, according to a method known as “English”, that is fixed on the inner side of the stringer and straddling the stringer. A tread 36 will be fixed to the horizontal fold 32 by screws 59 (see FIG. 4). A riser 38 is fixed on the vertical fold 34. The horizontal part of a step, known as the step run of the tread, must be of at least 8¼″ to comply with certain building codes such as the Canadian national building Code. A short support allows a step run between 8¼″ and 10½″. The shorter step run corresponds to the length of the horizontal fold, providing a maximum of resistance. A larger support provides step runs from 10¼″ to 12½″. The same applies to the height known as step rise of the riser, which generally varies from 6″ to 8″. The horizontal 32 and vertical 34 folds have a series of holes for step 40 and riser 42 to fix them in place. In upper wide part 28 two screws are installed one in closer holes 46 and another screw in remote holes 48. There also is a ruler 55′ on the horizontal part. Graduations 55 are drawn on the end of the vertical part. In lower wide part 30 two screws are installed, one in close hole 52 and another screw in remote hole 54.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the coupling of supports for step 20 inferior and 21 superior. Upon installation one positions the upper support 21 first, followed by the next lower support 20 The ruler 55′ of support 20 is placed so it gives the step run and the graduations 55 of support 20 are positioned according to the desired step rise then the support is screwed to the stringer. The lower wide part 30 of the support for steps 21 is under the rule 55′ of the support for steps 20 just above. First, the support is fixed on the stringer with series of holes that are closer together 52 and 46. Then with the series of holes that are farther apart 48,54 when the step run of tread and the step rise are determined with the graduations 55. The series of holes that are further apart 54 forms a line of three holes, one of which will be used. This hole becomes a point of coupling 57 and receives a screw #8. One sees such a screw 59 used to hold steps. The metal of the support 20 is thin enough to be sawed with the stringer 22. This makes the completion of the staircase much easier, as it is possible to cut the stringer 22 and support 20 at the foot of the staircase. In the present drawing, the support 20 is installed according to the method known as “English”, the support 20 being above the stringer 22.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates another method that can be used with the support of step 120 that is known as “French”. It shows the support of FIG. 2 installed against the inner side of the stringer 122. The support for steps is fixed with a series of horizontal 158 and vertical holes 160 located on the horizontal 124 and vertical 126 sides. To install, one draws horizontal 161 and vertical 163 lines on the inner side of the stringer according to step run and step rise.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows the support of FIG. 3 installed on the inner side of a stringer. This is an alternative to the “English” method. It differs from that of FIG. 3 in that the horizontal 32 and vertical 34 folds, although the support 20 is fixed on the inner side of the stringer 22, are directed towards the outer side of the stringer while being above the stringer. The disadvantage of this alternative is the difficulty in screwing steps and risers from the outer side of the staircase.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a foot support 23 at the foot of the staircase that was cut in its vertical side 70. The horizontal side 72 is fixed on the inner side of the stringer. One sees a base 25, ending with a strip 27 that folds on the back 29 of the stringer. To install, one fixes the base 25 at the foot of the stringer with screws 74. The builder then fixes the strip with screws 76. One fastens the staircase to the floor with a screw into the heel 25 through a floor hole 77 and positions a first step by means of a step hole 79.

[0028] FIG. 8 indicates a ruler offset 141 of the thickness of the wide part away from the bearing face 132.

[0029] The measurements mentioned in the description are the reflection of the standards of Quebec and Canada. These will vary in accordance with the country where the support for steps is used. For example, the minimal step run, stated as 8¼″ in description, will be 9″ if the support for steps is adapted to the American market.

[0030] The support for steps is fixed on the stringer. The horizontal and vertical folds form a right angle. The wide parts on the horizontal and vertical sides are important for the strength of the supports.

[0031] It is possible to use adjustment slits. However graduations allows adjusting a support in relation with the support directly over or above. Horizontal graduations can be on parts that are removable, flexible or even replaceable. Some characteristics of the steps themselves must be taken into consideration. The staircase may be of the “French” type where the steps are installed inside the stringer. The staircase can be of the so-called “English” type, where the steps are installed over the stringer. The English type may also be referred to as “rack” when the stringer is cut, the stringer being made of wood. When the stringer is not cut, the type may nevertheless be referred to as “rack” as the supports are fixed on the stringer by their wide parts. FIG. 6 shows the “English” type and FIG. 5 shows the “French” type. The French support is similar to the English support but for the wide parts that are not necessary as the support is fixed against the sides both horizontally and vertically. It suffices to draw an outline with a pencil and a set-square. The supports are aligned on the outline and screwed in this position. In the case of the “English” type, the support is positioned with the vertical and horizontal rulers and fixed through the wide part.

[0032] It is clearly understood that the mode of realisation of this invention which was described above, in reference to the annexed drawings, was given as an indication and is by no means restrictive, and which modifications and adaptations can be brought without the object deviating from all that the framework of this invention.

[0033] Other embodiments are possible and limited only by the scope of the appended claims.