BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention
The present invention relates to stair cover that is placed over an existing stairway to convert the pathway into a ramp.
Description of Related Art
Mobility challenges affect many individuals including the disabled or simply someone who suffers from arthritis. Mobility issues may relate to simple movements or the ability to traverse a staircase. Stairs are particularly challenging in that the stairs place extra strain on the joints and when ascending the stairwell there could be additional strain on the individual's cardiovascular system. Nonetheless, mobility issues need to be addressed as related to traversing over a stair case. Many stairwells may include adequate railing which is normally sufficient for some individuals. Further attachments to staircases have been developed, where an individual may sit in a seat that automatically moves up and down the stairwell to avoid any contact with the staircase. Also, many commercial buildings have developed ramp systems to allow entry and exit into the building through a ramp system as opposed to stairs. The object of the present invention is to provide a convertible staircase cover that keeps the stairway exposed for normal use and may be automatically placed over the staircase converting the staircase into a ramp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a convertible ramp stair cover with short end segments installed in a vertical position in a stairwell next to a staircase in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 depicts the convertible ramp stair cover with short end segments installed over the existing staircase and end segments laid out in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 depicts a convertible ramp stair cover with long end segments installed in a vertical position in a stairwell next to a staircase in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 depicts the convertible ramp stair cover with long end segments installed over the existing stairs and end segments laid out in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 depicts a top view, end view and side views of the variable lengths of the convertible ramp stair cover and end segments in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 depicts the steps of a method for covering a staircase of stairs including covering the staircase from a first run to a last riser with a convertible ramp stair cover of a total variable length in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is a convertible stair cover system that converts the staircase into a ramp. This convertible cover system has a first position, where the cover is vertically adjacent to a target staircase and a second position on top of the stair case to convert the staircase to a ramp.
FIG. 1 depicts a convertible ramp stair cover 15 with short end segments installed in a vertical position in a stairwell next to a staircase 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The stair cover 15 is adapted for placement over the flight of stairs on staircase 20. The ramp includes a short top end segment 18 connected to the ramp at top corner 19. The short top end segment 18 is similar in length to a run length of the staircase. The ramp also includes a short bottom end segment 16 connected to the ramp at bottom corner 17. The short bottom end segment is similar in length to a run length of the staircase. The ramp stair cover 15 converts or is automatically placed over the staircase and adjacent floor 25 as shown in FIG. 2. The top surface 12 of the ramp includes friction inducing material including grit, fine sand and short carpet according to predetermined needs for the ramp.
FIG. 2 depicts the convertible ramp stair cover with short end segments installed over the existing staircase and end segments laid out in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numbers are the same for similar limitations of other drawings. FIG. 2 depicts the second position, where the ramp stair cover 15 is placed over the staircase 20 creating a ramp system. A bottom edge 16 approaches or abuts a floor 25 at the bottom of the staircase 20. An angle of the bottom edge 16 with respect to the ramp 15 is set by the length of the bottom edge piece and the rise and the run of the first stair. This system includes mechanical systems that enable the ramp stair cover 15 to convert from a vertical position to a horizontal position over the target staircase. Further attachments are provided to join the cover to the sidewalls adjacent to the target stairwell.
FIG. 3 depicts a convertible ramp stair cover with long end segments installed in a vertical position in a stairwell next to a staircase according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers are the same for similar limitations of other drawings. Longer top end and longer bottom end segments are shown for more secure placement and a gentler ramp from the floor 25 to the ramp surface 12. A seam is disposed from the top and bottom joints to the convertible ramp stair cover and a seam at each transition from a riser to a run thereof and wherein the convertible ramp stair cover folds up at the seams for storage and for transportation. The seams are supported by the staircase at each transition from rise to run or from rise to tread. Therefore the ramp is rigid and supported though it may also fold up into multiple segments of length equal to a tread run.
FIG. 4 depicts the convertible ramp stair cover with long end segments installed over the existing stairs and end segments laid out in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers are the same for similar limitations of other drawings. Anchors 35 are used to secure the approach of the bottom end segment to the adjacent floor 25. Holes 30 are defined in the top end segment for anchors to the top run or top floor of the staircase.
FIG. 5 depicts a top view, end view and side views of the variable lengths of the convertible ramp stair cover and end segments in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers are the same for similar limitations of other drawings. The two longitudinal portions 12 and 14 of the ramp are adjoined by the compression clamp 30 as are respective sliding top end 18 and bottom end 16 portions. The wedge 13 provides a gentle transition from one surface to another. The side view seen above the top view of the ramp shows the top end and the bottom end portions non-extended. The side view seen below the top view of the ramp shows the top end and the bottom end portions at changed angles with respect to the ramp body, in other words, non-parallel thereto for gentle transitions to respective surfaces.
FIG. 6 depicts the steps of a method for covering 210 a staircase of stairs including covering the staircase from a first run to a last riser with a convertible ramp stair cover of a total variable length in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method also includes extending 220 a top end segment from a top joint of the convertible ramp stair cover a variable length to abut a top run of the staircase. The method additionally includes extending 230 a bottom end segment from a bottom joint of the convertible ramp stair cover a variable length to abut the floor adjacent the staircase. The method further includes changing an angle of the top segment with respect to the convertible ramp stair cover to match a surface of the top run of the staircase. The method yet includes changing an angle of the bottom segment with respect to the convertible ramp stair cover to approach a surface of the floor adjacent the staircase.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Patent Application
20190383023
