US 12,421,729 B2Granted

Spiral staircase

OwnerAaron Todd Francis, John C McCuneinventors

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Abstract

A staircase is provided that includes a column and steps. Each step: is coupled to the column and extends outside of, and away from, the column; includes a tread surface; and can move longitudinally along the column. The staircase can transition to a plurality of states by an actuation system, including closed and open states. The closed state includes the steps positioned at the upper end with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps oriented around the upper end and coplanar to a flooring surface of the upper floor. The opened state includes the steps positioned at varying distances longitudinally along the column from the upper end towards the lower end so as to form spiraling steps around the column between the upper and lower floors. The steps can move longitudinally along the column for positioning in the closed and opened states.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A staircase for traversing between an upper floor and a lower floor, the staircase comprising:

a column having an upper end configured for positioning at the upper floor, a lower end configured for positioning at the lower floor, and an interior area;
a plurality of steps coupled to the column, wherein each step of the plurality of steps:
is coupled to the column and extends outside of, and away from, the column;
comprises a respective tread surface;
and
is configured to move longitudinally along the column;
wherein the staircase is configured to transition to a plurality of states by an actuation system during operation, the plurality of states comprising a closed state and an opened state;
wherein the closed state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at the upper end of the column with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps oriented around the upper end of the column and configured to be coplanar to a flooring surface of the upper floor;
wherein the opened state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at varying distances longitudinally along the column from the upper end towards the lower end so as to form spiraling steps around the column between the upper and lower floors;
and
wherein the plurality of steps is configured to move longitudinally along the column for positioning in the closed and opened states;
and
a lifting platform, wherein the lifting platform comprises:
a coupling portion for coupling to the actuation system, wherein the coupling portion is positioned in the interior area of the column;
a contacting portion for contacting and moving the plurality of steps longitudinally along the column, wherein the contacting portion is positioned outside of the column and below the plurality of steps;
and
one or more spokes extending from the coupling portion to the contacting portion;
wherein each of the one or more spokes extend through the column;
and
wherein the lifting platform is configured to move longitudinally along the column to contact and move the plurality of steps along the column.

17 more elements

A staircase for traversing between an upper floor and a lower floor, the staircase comprising:

a column having an upper end configured for positioning at the upper floor, a lower end configured for positioning at the lower floor, and an interior area;
a plurality of steps coupled to the column, wherein each step of the plurality of steps:
is coupled to the column and extends outside of, and away from, the column;
comprises a respective tread surface;
and
is configured to move longitudinally along the column;
wherein the staircase is configured to transition to a plurality of states by an actuation system during operation, the plurality of states comprising a closed state and an opened state;
wherein the closed state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at the upper end of the column with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps oriented around the upper end of the column and configured to be coplanar to a flooring surface of the upper floor;
wherein the opened state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at varying distances longitudinally along the column from the upper end towards the lower end so as to form spiraling steps around the column between the upper and lower floors;
and
wherein the plurality of steps is configured to move longitudinally along the column for positioning in the closed and opened states;
and
a landing barrier coupled to the column, wherein the closed state further comprises the landing barrier positioned below the upper floor, and wherein the opened state further comprises the landing barrier positioned above the upper floor so as to:
enable entry into the staircase from the upper floor in a direction of the spiraling steps around the column;
and
prevent entry into the staircase from the upper floor in a direction opposite of the spiraling steps around the column.

13 more elements

A staircase for traversing between an upper floor and a lower floor, the staircase comprising:

a column having an upper end configured for positioning at the upper floor, a lower end configured for positioning at the lower floor, and an interior area;
a plurality of steps coupled to the column, wherein each step of the plurality of steps:
is coupled to the column and extends outside of, and away from, the column;
comprises a respective tread surface;
and
is configured to move longitudinally along the column;
wherein the staircase is configured to transition to a plurality of states by an actuation system during operation, the plurality of states comprising a closed state and an opened state;
wherein the closed state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at the upper end of the column with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps oriented around the upper end of the column and configured to be coplanar to a flooring surface of the upper floor;
wherein the opened state comprises the plurality of steps positioned at varying distances longitudinally along the column from the upper end towards the lower end so as to form spiraling steps around the column between the upper and lower floors;
and
wherein the plurality of steps is configured to move longitudinally along the column for positioning in the closed and opened states;
and
an outer perimeter assembly, wherein the outer perimeter assembly comprises:
a perimeter base having a top surface, wherein the perimeter base is configured to be positioned in the upper floor such that the top surface is coplanar with the flooring surface of the upper floor, and wherein the perimeter base is oriented around an outer perimeter of the plurality of steps such that the top surface is coplanar with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps when the staircase is in the closed state;
and
a latch actuator and a plurality of latches coupled to the perimeter base, wherein the latch actuator and the plurality of latches are positioned around the perimeter base, and wherein the latch actuator and the plurality of latches comprise:
a latched state that secures the plurality of steps in position in the closed state;
and
an unlatched state that enables the plurality of steps to transition from the closed state to the opened state.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.