BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the step of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a first side view of the step of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the step of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a second side view of the step of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a first wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the first wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of the first wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a second wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the second wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of the second wedge ring of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of an end of a step support member;
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the end of the step support member in concrete;
FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a step;
DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a step designated generally by reference numeral 100 and which includes a core 102 which is shown as being substantially U shaped. The core 102 is coated with a plastic material such as polymer, polypropylene or other well known plastic material to protect the core 102 from the elements such as moisture. The core 102 may be formed from carbon/forged steel. The core 102 may be handened by either a cold process or heat treatment. With a cold process, the core 102 could be worked to the desired shape by hammering, pressing, rolling or stretching. With a heat treatment, the properties of the core 102 are changed by a series of temperature changes. The core 102 could be shaped to the round, square, I beam or any other suitable shape. The step 100 includes a step member 116 with an upper flat step surface 117 and respective opposed, step support members 118, 120 extending substantially 90° from the step member 116. The core 102 extends substantially the entire length of the step member 106 and extends substantially the entire length of the step support members 118, 120. Each end 119, 120 of the respective step support members 118, 120 is provided with a particular configuration which constitutes a device for retaining each step support member 118, 120 and the entire step 100 in place in concrete 125 by projections such as the first conical barbed retainer wedge ring 110 and the second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112 in a tapered hole or bore 126 shown in cross-section in FIGS. 11 and 12. The tapered opening or bore 126 is made by a drill or any other suitable means. Each end 119, 121 of the step support members 118, 120 is near identical in construction and is formed to include the plurality of staggered near identical, first conical barb retainer wedge rings 110 and second conical barb retainer wedge rings 120 or other suitable projections which may be the same size or which may be smaller or less in diameter from one another beginning with the endmost one leading toward the step member 116 or substantially the same diameter. Each first conical barb retainer wedge ring 110, 112 may be tapered in a direction towards the distal end of the step support member 118, 120 or not tapered.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the step support member 118 showing a flair step riser 108 positioned on opposing sides of the step 100 to prevent the shoe of the user of the step 100 from sliding off. The top surface of the flair step riser 108 may include a light reflector 106 to allow identification of the flair step riser 108 under low light conditions. The flair step riser 108 may include a inclined surface 109. FIG. 2 additionally illustrates the core 102 extending along the length of the step support member 118.
FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the step 100 and shows the core 102 extending along the step member 116. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates the upward projecting protrusions 104 which may be cross (+) shape. These upper projecting protrusions 104 may allow a mating pattern formed on a shoe or boot for increased traction with the shoe or boot and may allow increased traction with a grooved sole.
FIG. 4 illustrates the opposing step support member 120 which shows the core 102 extending along the length of the step support member 120.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the first conical barb retainer wedge ring 110 which includes a continuous inclined surface 502 around the periphery of the first comical barb retainer wedge ring 110.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the first conical barb retainer wedge ring 110.
FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of the first comical barb retainer wedge ring 110.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112 which includes a support section 802 which extends from the surface of the step support member 118, 120 to the inclined surface 804 of the second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112. The support section 802 strengthens the second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112. The second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112 is illustrated with a support section 802 spaced equally distant at approximately 90° with respect to another support section 802. Fewer or additional support sections 802 are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates that spaced between the support section 808 is discontinuous inclined surface 902.
FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of the second conical barb retainer wedge ring 112.
Accordingly, when the ends 119, 121 are aligned with the respective opening 126 in the concrete 125 and then hammered in place by a mallet or small sledge hammer the retaining wedge rings 110, 112 are caused to deform in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and to be forced under pressure into the opening 26. Thus, the resilient and deformable retaining wedge rings 110, 112 are under pressure holding the ends 119,121 rigidly in place in the respective opening 126.
A plurality of steps 100 are installed one above or below, as the case may be, the other by drilling respective holes 126 to accommodate the ends 119,121 driven into place. Steps 100 may be installed in this manner in a wall or concrete manhole without the use of expansion plugs or anchors.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
Patent Application
20080073148
