Tread cap and related methods of use and manufacture
AssigneeZamma Corporation, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Bremer, Nathan R. Werkheiser, Nicholas D. Buser, Russell W. Marks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A capping apparatus for covering a pre-existing stair structure can include: a tread element; and a trim piece attached to the tread element proximate a longitudinal edge of the tread element. The trim piece includes a back surface defining: a first recess for receiving a thick sub-tread for a first type of pre-existing stair structure; and a second recess for receiving a thin sub-tread for a second type of pre-existing stair structure. Methods of manufacturing and installing the capping apparatus are described.
Claims20
A rigid capping apparatus for covering a pre-existing stair structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a tread element comprising a substantially planar uppermost surface;
- and
- a trim piece attached to the tread element proximate a longitudinal edge of the tread element, the trim piece comprising a top edge aligned with the substantially planar uppermost surface of the tread element,
- wherein the trim piece comprises a back surface defining:
- a first recess for receiving a thick sub-tread for a first type of pre-existing stair structure, the first recess having a height greater than or equal to 39 mm;
- and
- a second recess for receiving a thin sub-tread for a second type of pre-existing stair structure, the second recess having a height greater than or equal to 25 mm, and
- wherein at least one of:
- (a) the second recess is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are substantially parallel, or
- (b) the trim piece comprises a bullnose portion having a substantially uniform thickness.
A method of manufacturing a rigid capping apparatus for covering a pre-existing stair structure, the method comprising:
- providing a tread element comprising a substantially planar uppermost surface;
- machining a groove in a surface of the tread element proximate a longitudinal edge of the tread element;
- attaching a cap precursor element to the groove;
- and
- machining the tread element and the cap precursor element to form a front surface comprising a convex surface and a back surface defining:
- a first recess for receiving a thick sub-tread for a first type of pre-existing stair structure, the first recess having a height greater than or equal to 39 mm;
- and
- a second recess for receiving a thin sub-tread for a second type of pre-existing stair structure, the second recess having a height greater than or equal to 25 mm, wherein at least one of:
- (a) the second recess is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are substantially parallel, or
- (b) the machined cap precursor element comprises a bullnose portion having a substantially uniform thickness,
- wherein the machined cap precursor element comprises a top edge aligned with the substantially planar uppermost surface of the tread element.
A method of installing a rigid capping apparatus to cover a pre-existing stair structure, the method comprising:
- providing a capping apparatus comprising:
- a tread element comprising a substantially planar uppermost surface;
- and
- a trim piece attached to the tread element proximate a longitudinal edge of the tread element, the trim piece comprising a top edge aligned with the substantially planar uppermost surface of the tread element,
- wherein the trim piece comprises a back surface defining:
- a first recess for receiving a thick sub-tread for a first type of pre-existing stair structure, the first recess having a height greater than or equal to 39 mm;
- and
- a second recess for receiving a thin sub-tread for a second type of pre-existing stair structure, the second recess having a height greater than or equal to 25 mm, and
- wherein at least one of:
- (a) the second recess is defined by a top surface and a bottom surface, and the top surface and the bottom surface are substantially parallel, or
- (b) the trim piece comprises a bullnose portion having a substantially uniform thickness;
- and
- attaching the capping apparatus to either the first type of pre-existing stair structure or the second type of pre-existing stair structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.