# US 2014/0150358 A1 · Anchoring system for swimming pool stairs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150358 A1 - Document ID: US20140150358A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/920,860 - Filed: 2013-06-18 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-29 - Assignees: 9189-2356 Quebec Inc. - Applicants: 9189-2356 Quebec Inc. - Inventors: Jacques ST-PIERRE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150358A1 ## CPC - E04H 4/144: {Means for facilitating access, e.g. step units or slides (invalid-lifting devices for swimming pools A61G7/1005)} - E04F 11/022: characterised by the supporting structure - F16B 47/00: Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives {(devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02)} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract The invention provides a staircase arrangement for use within a swimming pool. The staircase arrangement comprises a staircase and at least one suction device. The staircase includes a set of stairs, a bottom-facing surface and a wall-facing surface. Each of the at least one suction devices comprises an attachment portion for attachment to at least one of the bottom-facing surface and the wall-facing surface of the staircase and a suction portion suitable for establishing a suction connection with an interior surface of the swimming pool so as to secure the staircase to the interior surface of the swimming pool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A staircase for use within a swimming pool, comprising: a staircase including at least two steps, a bottom-facing surface, a wall-facing surface, and an interior cavity; said bottom facing surface having a curved edge and wavy side edges and said wall facing surface having straight edges; a plurality of suction devices, said plurality of suction devices are divided into a first set of suction devices and a second set of suction devices, said attachment portions of said first set of suction devices being attached to said bottom-facing surface of said staircase, and said attachment portions of said second set of suction devices being attached to said wall-facing surface of said staircase, and said first and second sets of suction devices being arranged in substantially identical patterns at said bottom-facing surface and said wall-facing surface, respectively; an opening disposed in a sidewall of said staircase providing access to said interior cavity; and a closure device receivable in said opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said first set of suction devices includes at least four suction devices and said second set of suction devices includes at least four suction devices. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein each suction device in said plurality of suction devices includes a release-facilitating portion, said release facilitating portion being operative for breaking the suction connection between the suction device and an interior surface of the swimming pool. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said release -facilitating portion includes a flange portion with a hole therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 4, further comprising a hand railing portion for extending from the staircase to a surface that is outside the swimming pool. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment portion of each of said plurality of suction devices is attached to the at least one of said bottom-facing surface and said wall-facing surface of said staircase via a snap-fit arrangement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said suction portion of each of said plurality of suction devices includes a concave cup-shaped disc, said concave cup-shaped disc having a diameter of between 2.5 to 5 inches. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said staircase is formed from a plastic material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said staircase is formed from a hollow shell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A staircase arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein said hollow shell includes a sealable opening for receiving ballast.