Folding pet staircase

A method for assisting pets in ascending, and descending, between an elevated level and a lower level, the method comprising, deploying a foldable staircase between the elevated and lower levels, wherein the foldable staircase includes at least two stair treads operatively connected by articulating links in such a manner that the treads are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the articulating links position the treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another.

A foldable staircase for assisting pets in ascending and descending between an elevated level and a lower level, the foldable staircase comprising:

• a plurality of treads having respective front and rear edges thereof, and also having opposite side surfaces thereof joined by articulating links that are operatively connected to and disposed adjacently outward from the opposite side surfaces of the treads;
• the plurality of treads including a top tread, a bottom tread, and one or more intermediate treads, with each tread including three attachment points for the articulating links disposed along the opposite sides,
• the three attachment points on each tread including a front tread attachment point disposed adjacent the front edge of the tread, a rear tread attachment point disposed adjacent the rear edge of the tread, and an intermediate tread attachment point disposed substantially halfway between the front and rear tread attachment points along each of the opposite edges of the tread.

An extension kit apparatus, for a foldable staircase for assisting pets in ascending and descending thereupon, wherein the foldable staircase has at least two existing stair treads operatively connected by existing articulating links in such a manner that the existing treads are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the existing treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the existing articulating links position the existing treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another, the extension kit apparatus comprising:

• at least one additional tread, and a corresponding pair of additional articulating links;
• the at least one additional tread being operatively attachable to the existing treads by the corresponding additional articulating links and two or more of the existing articulating links of the staircase, in such a manner that the existing and at least one additional tread are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the existing and at least one additional treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the existing and additional articulating links position the existing and at least one additional treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another.