Stairway system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6769221
  • Patent Number
    6,769,221
  • Date Filed
    Monday, May 14, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 3, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Friedman; Carl D.
    • McDermott; Kevin
    Agents
    • MacCord Mason PLLC
Abstract
A stairway system is disclosed that includes a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail; and at least two balusters per tread. Each baluster includes a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment including a portion of defined features. According to the present invention, a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster on the same tread according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters. Thus, each of a portion of the defined feature in the bottom length segment of each of the balusters align with the tread for each baluster. In the preferred embodiment, only four different baluster lengths are necessary for both two and three balusters per tread stairway systems.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




(1) Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to stairways and, more particularly, to a stairway system that provides a series of balusters, which include features which align with both the tread and the handrail.




(2) Description of the Prior Art




In stairway systems, the aesthetic aspects of the alignment of features on the baluster with the treads and the handrail were traditionally done through custom carpentry. In such cases, each baluster was custom hand crafted to create the alignment of the bottom features of each baluster with the tread surface while the top feature of each baluster aligned with the slope of the handrail. To accomplish this alignment each baluster component was hand crafted by a craftsman.




Although still possible today, it is prohibitively expensive for most construction and therefore rarely done. To make such features available at a reasonable cost requires the ability to create a system that allows for only the most limited number of balusters to be manufactured and maintained in inventory, which can be selected to achieve the desired alignment between both the tread and the handrail.




To date such a system has eluded the mass manufacturing industry. For example, some systems have been able to align features within a baluster with the handrail or alternatively with the tread; however, none have provided both features without custom manufacturing. In a tapered baluster system having a gradual tapers or small diameters pin tops it may deceptively appear that features have been aligned with both the handrail and the tread; however, this deception is revealed in tapered balusters having steeper tapers and larger diameter pin tops that show that the feature does not align with the hand rail when aligned with the tread.




Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved stairway system which provides a series of balusters which include features that align both with the tread and the handrail while, at the same time, minimize the number of baluster lengths within an inventory.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed to a stairway system, which includes a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail; and at least two balusters per tread. Each baluster includes a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment further includes a portion of defined features. According to the present invention, a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster on the same tread according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters (for example: 7½″ riser÷2 balusters=3¾″ or 7½″ riser÷3 balusters=2½″). Thus, each of a portion of the defined features in the bottom length segment of each of the balusters align with the tread for each baluster on the same tread.




The stairway system also includes an upright lateral support for supporting the handrail. In the preferred embodiment, the upright lateral support is a newel. One end of the newel is connected to the handrail and the other end of the newel is anchored. Preferably, the newel is connected to the one end of the handrail.




Also, in the preferred embodiment, the newel is vertically anchored, such as to the floor of the structure or to at least one tread. The anchor includes a bolt and a mounting column, wherein one end of the bolt is a wood screw for attaching to the newel. The mounting column preferably further includes a mounting plate attached to the mounting column. The mounting plate may also include a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching the plate to the floor of the structure.




The spaced apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching the foot support surface to the structure. The width of the foot support surface generally is greater than the depth of the foot support surface. In the preferred embodiment, the means for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is a stringer. However, the means for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure may also be by wall mounting. For example, a stringer supporting the stairs may be attached directly to a wall or with a skirt board between the stringer and the wall.




In the preferred embodiment, each of the spaced apart treads is spaced at a uniform riser height, which may vary between about 6″ and 9″ with about 7½″ being preferred.




Also, in the preferred embodiment, only four different baluster lengths are necessary for both two and three balusters per tread. In this case, the combined length of the top length segment, turning length segment and bottom length segment of each baluster is between 31″ and 46″. Specifically, the first of the four balusters is about 35″, the second baluster is about 39″, the third baluster is between 42″ and 44″, and there is a mid-size baluster between 35″ and 39″. In the most preferred embodiment, the mid-size baluster is about 37½″ and the third baluster of between 42″ and 44″ is about 44″.




Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a stairway system, the stairway system including: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail; and at least two balusters per tread, each baluster having a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment including a portion of defined features; wherein a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters.




Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a stairway system having a plurality of spaced apart treads and a handrail, the improvement including at least two balusters per tread, each baluster having a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment including a portion of defined features; wherein a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters, wherein each of a portion of the defined features in the bottom length segment of each of the balusters align with the tread for both two balusters and three balusters per tread using only four different baluster lengths.




Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a stairway system, the stairway system including: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail; at least two balusters per tread, each baluster having a top length segment, a bottom length segment and a turning length segment, the turning length segment including a portion of defined features; wherein a length of the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length of the turning length segment of a previous baluster according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters, wherein each of a portion of the defined features in the bottom length segment of each of the balusters align with the tread for both two balusters and three balusters per tread using only four different baluster lengths; and an upright lateral support for supporting the handrail.




These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a stairway system constructed according to the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a schematic illustration of the stairway system of the present invention showing the placement of either two balusters per tread or three balusters per tread;





FIG. 3A

is a schematic illustration of the turning length increment for a two baluster per tread system showing independence with variable tread depth;





FIG. 3B

is a schematic illustration of the turning length increment for a three baluster per tread system also showing independence with variable tread depth;





FIGS. 4A through 4E

are turning length increments for systems having two to six balusters per tread;





FIG. 5

illustrates various examples of turning length features useful according to the present invention;





FIG. 6A

is an anchoring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing it tread mounted;





FIG. 6B

is the anchoring system of

FIG. 6A

showing it floor mounted;





FIG. 7

is an exploded view of the anchor system of

FIGS. 6A and 6B

; and





FIG. 8

illustrates the relationship among baluster along a tread for systems having from one baluster per tread to twelve balusters per tread according to the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.




Referring now to the drawings in general and

FIG. 1

in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in

FIG. 1

, a stairway system, generally designated


10


, is shown constructed according to the present invention. The stairway system


10


includes three major sub-assemblies: a plurality of spaced apart treads


12


; a handrail


14


; and at least two balusters per tread


16


.




As may be seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the at least two balusters


16


include a first baluster


26


and a second baluster


28


. As may be seen in

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


5


, each baluster includes a top length segment


30


, a turning length segment


32


and a bottom length segment


34


. The spaced treads


12


include a foot support surface


22


. Typically, the width of the tread is greater than the depth (designated “D” in

FIG. 2

) of the tread. There is a means for attaching


24


the stairway system


10


to a structure. One method includes a stringer. Other methods are wall supports or floor supports. The handrail


14


is separated from the spaced treads


12


by a upright lateral support


20


. Various types of upright lateral supports might be included including a newel.




With respect to the at least two balusters


16


, it is particularly desirable for portions of features


36


included in the bottom length segment


34


of adjacent balusters communicating with a common tread


12


to define a line segment that aligns with the foot support surface


22


of the tread


12


and portions of features


36


included in the top length segment


30


of adjacent balusters communicating with a common tread


12


as well as balusters communicating with adjacent treads


12


to define a line segment that aligns with the handrail slope. To accomplish this, it is desirable to incrementally change by an integer multiple of the ratio RH/N (where RH is the riser height and N is the number of balusters per tread relative) the length of the turning length segment


32


of the second baluster


28


and, if applicable, any subsequent balusters, relative to the length of the turning length segment


32


of the first baluster


26


.





FIG. 2

sets out a method of determining the number of treads, NT, for a stairway system


10


given the finished floor to finished floor height, FFH, in a structure. The number of treads is dictated by the riser height (designated “RH” in

FIGS. 2

,


3


A,


3


B, and


4


A-E). That is, NT=FFH/RH. Typically, the riser height, RH, is uniform and ranges from about 6″ and about 9″. Within the United States the riser height, RH, more typically is designated at about 7½″.

FIG. 2

shows configurations for a stairway system


10


having two balusters per tread and a stairway system


10


having three balusters per tread. To the lower left of

FIG. 2

is shown the two baluster per tread configuration where the spacing between the balusters is the tread depth, D, divided by the number of balusters per tread, N=2. That is the spacing between the balusters is D/2. To the upper right of

FIG. 2

is shown the three baluster per tread configuration. In this instance, the spacing between the balusters is D/3 or the tread depth, D, divided by the number of balusters, N=3. Each baluster in each stairway system


10


includes a top length segment


30


, a turning length segment


32


and a bottom length segment


34


. It is particularly desirable to have portions of features


36


included in the top length segment


30


to align from baluster to baluster and with the slope of the handrail


14


while portions of features


36


included in the bottom length segment


34


align from baluster to baluster and with the tread


12


with which the baluster communicate. To accomplish this, the length of the turning length segment


32


from one baluster to the next is incrementally changed in length, increment. Unexpectedly, the amount of incremental change, that is the increment, is not substantially dependent on the tread depth; however, it is only dependent on the number of balusters per tread. This is illustrated in

FIGS. 3A and 3B

.




In particular, a reference length of the turning length segment


32


is designated T


n


L


o


. In this case, such a length, T


n


L


o


, could be designated as being the length of the turning length segment


32


of the first baluster


26


. Then the question arises whether the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


changes when the tread depth, D, is changed.

FIG. 3A

illustrates an increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


in a two baluster per tread system (the upper illustration has a tread depth, D, of 15 units and a riser height, RH, of 7½ units). Since the balusters are equidistant, the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


between the first baluster


26


and the second baluster


28


is 3¾ units. Stated differently, the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


is an integral multiple of the riser height divided by the number of balusters per tread, RH/N. In the case where the tread depth is decreased by ½ (the lower illustration has a tread depth, D, of 7½ units and a riser height, RH, of 7½ units) the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


remains 3¾ units or as stated earlier the riser height divided by the number of balusters per tread, RH/N={(7½ units)/(2 balusters per tread)}=3¾ units.




As a further illustration,

FIG. 3B

shows the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


for a three balusters per tread system again with varying tread depths (the upper illustration has a tread depth, D, of 15 units and a riser height, RH, of 7½ units and the lower illustration has a tread depth, D, of 7½ units and a riser height, RH, of 7½ units). As with the two baluster per tread system, the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


between the first, second and third balusters remains the same whether the tread depth, D, is 15 units or 7½ units. Thus, unexpectedly the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


may not be a function of the tread depth, D, but only a function of the riser height, RH.




To create systems as depicted in

FIG. 1

, while minimizing the amount of inventory for accomplishing the alignment a portion of the features


36


with the foot support surface


22


and the slope of handrail


14


, it is helpful to create diagrams of the baluster increments for the various systems.

FIGS. 4A through 4E

are illustrations of increments for the length of the turning length segment


32


for stairway systems


10


having 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 balusters per tread. In each instance on the left hand side, the reference is taken as the first baluster having features


36


so the first turning length is T


n


L


o


.




To each reference length, T


n


L


o


, of the turning length segment


32


, an increment is added as was previously discussed. To determine the minimum number of baluster lengths needed to accommodate a two balusters per tread stairway system


10


and a three balusters per tread stairway system


10


there is always one reference baluster that is useable in the two baluster per tread stairway system


10


and the three baluster per tread stairway system


10


.




Thus, according to the present invention, to be able to maintain an inventory that would allow the manufacture of a two baluster per tread stairway system


10


and a three baluster per tread stairway system


10


, the minimum number of baluster lengths is 4. That is, the reference baluster or the first baluster, a second baluster having an increment of 3¾ units for use in the two baluster per tread stairway system


10


and a third baluster having an increment of 2½ units for use in the three baluster per tread stairway system


10


as well as a fourth baluster having a increment of 5 units for the three baluster per tread stairway system


10


thus making a total of four baluster lengths.




In creating an inventory that allows the manufacture of a 4 baluster per tread stairway system


10


, 3 baluster per tread stairway system


10


and 2 baluster per tread stairway system


10


, the inventory would include 6 unique baluster lengths. To create an inventory that allows the manufacture of a 5 baluster per tread stairway system


10


, 4 baluster per tread stairway system


10


, 3 baluster per tread stairway system


10


and 2 baluster per tread stairway system


10


, the inventory would include 10 unique balusters lengths. To create an inventory that could accommodate 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 balusters per tread, an inventory of 12 unique baluster lengths would be used. The number of balusters per tread might be extended further to higher numbers and in each case the minimum number of baluster lengths needed to accommodate the patterns to have the alignment of features


36


with the foot support surface


22


of the tread


12


and the handrail slope.




For example as can be learned from the data of

FIG. 8

, inventories that would allow the manufacture of a 12 baluster per tread stairway system


10


and less has a minimum of 46 unique baluster lengths, inventories that would allow the manufacture of a 11 baluster per tread stairway system


10


and less has a minimum of 42 unique baluster lengths, inventories that would allow the manufacture of a 10 baluster per tread and less has a minimum of 32 unique baluster lengths, . . . etc. These variations will be determined by those skilled in the art. Typically, one is not interested in having more than about four balusters per tread.




The data of

FIG. 8

may also be used to determine the number of unique balusters for inventories that would allow the manufacture of other ranges of balusters per tread, as shown in Table 1 below. For example, an inventory that would allow the manufacture of a stair system


10


having three balusters per tread through a stair system


10


having six baluster per tread would have 12 unique balusters having the desire features


36


. Note that in

FIG. 8

, each baluster per tread stairway system


10


set-up starts with a first baluster that is not shown at the starting or zero position and the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


of the subsequent balusters are those shown. When the increment for the length of the turning length segment


32


a baluster is in the same fractional position as a previous baluster per tread stairway system


10


setup it is surrounded by a similar shape to designate that it is redundant therewith.















TABLE 1










TOTAL NUMBER OF








NUMBER OF




UNIQUE &




NUMBER OF




NUMBER OF






BALUSTERS/




REDUNANT




UNIQUE




REDUNANT






TREAD




BALUSTERS




BALUSTERS




BALUSTERS


























1




1




1




0






2




3




2




1






3




6




4




2






4




10




6




4






5




15




10




5






6




21




12




9






7




28




18




10






8




36




22




14






9




45




28




17






10




55




32




23






11




66




42




24






12




78




46




32















FIG. 5

depicts and Table 2 below provides a description of a number of features. in balusters A-V, the features being


36


. For example, baluster A's features


36


corresponds to a Williamsburg Baluster with Pin Top, Roped Design & Architectural Square, where the top length segment


30


is that portion of the features


36


including the Pin Top; the bottom length segment


34


is that portion of the features


36


including the Architectural Square; and the turning length segment


32


is that portion of the features


36


including the Roped Design. As another example, baluster Q's features


36


corresponds to a Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design & Vases, where the top length segment


30


is that portion of the features


36


including the Pin Top; the bottom length segment


34


is that portion of the features


36


including the Vases; and the turning length segment


32


is that portion of the features


36


including the Plain Design.




For the at least two balusters


16


including a first baluster


26


and a second baluster


28


according to the present invention, there are portions of the features


36


that align with the tread


12


to which the at least two balusters


16


communicate and portions of the features


36


that align with the slope of the handrail. This alignment is facilitated by incrementally changing the length of the turning length segment


32


of the second baluster


28


and any subsequent baluster by an increment that is an integer multiple of the ratio RH/N, where RH is the riser height and N is the number of balusters per tread. Adding this integer increment to the reference length, T


n


L


o


, of the turning length segment


32


of the first baluster to generate the length of the turning length segment


32


of subsequent balusters accommodates the alignment of portions of the features


36


in the bottom length segment


34


of the balusters with the tread


12


to which the subsequent balusters communicate and portions of the features


36


in the top length segment


30


of the balusters with the slope of the handrail


14


.













TABLE 2









BALUSTER







DESIGNATION







AS SHOWN







IN

FIG. 5





BALUSTER FEATURE DESCRIPTION











A




Williamsburg Baluster with Pin Top, Roped Design &







Architectural Square






B




Williamsburg Baluster with Square Top, Fluted Design







& Architectural Square






C




Williamsburg Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design &







Architectural Square






D




1800's Baluster with Pin Top, Reeded Design &







Stacked Vases






E




1800's Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design &







Stacked Vases






F




1800's Baluster with Pin Top, Octagonal Design &







Stacked Vases






G




Carolina Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design &







Elongated Vase






H




Carolina Baluster with Pin Top, Twist Design &







Elongated Vase






I




Carolina Baluster with Pin Top Fluted Design &







Elongated Vase






J




Jefferson Baluster with Pin Top, Fluted Design &







Inverted Vase






K




Jefferson Baluster with Pin Top, Roped Design &







Inverted Vase






L




Jefferson Baluster with Pin Top, Octagonal Design &







Inverted Vase






M




Jefferson Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design &







Inverted Vase






N




Hampton Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design &







Stacked Vases






O




Hampton Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design &







Stacked Vases






P




Hampton Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design &







Stacked Vases






Q




Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design & Vases






R




Hampton Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design &







Stacked Vases






S




Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design & Vases






T




Baluster with Square Top, Plain Design & Elongated







Vase






U




Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design & Vase






V




Baluster with Pin Top, Plain Design & Vase














In creating the stairway system


10


of the present invention, it is advantageous to anchor it to various portions of a structure.

FIG. 6A

depicts the anchoring of an uptight lateral support


20


to a tread


12


by means of an anchor


42


. In this case the anchor


42


includes a bolt


44


, a plate


52


, a mounting column


46


which is in communication with the plate


52


to create a biasing of the plate


52


against the bottom of the tread


12


, and the bolt


44


has on its other end a wood screw


50


which engages the upright lateral support


20


to create a firm attachment of the handrail


14


to the tread


12


.




An alternative method of using the anchor


42


is as shown in FIG.


6


B. In this case, the plate


52


including the mounting column


46


is fastened to the floor and the bolt


44


has a length such that it can extend through the tread


12


into the mounting column


46


over the riser height. Then the wood screw end


50


engages the upright lateral support


20


.




A more detailed drawing of the flexible anchor


42


is shown in FIG.


7


. Here it is seen that the plate


52


can include apertures for attaching the plate


52


either to the floor by use of for example, a fastener such as a wood bolt, or alternatively to the bottom of a tread


12


. Again there is the bolt


44


that engages the mounting column


46


and a wood screw end


50


that engages the upright lateral support


20


. Although not depicted in

FIG. 7

, there could be a tread


12


placed between the upright lateral support


20


and the plate


52


and as previously described the plate


52


can either be in contact with the tread


12


or mounted directly to the floor.




Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. For example, other methods may be available for anchoring the stairway system


10


of the present invention including, for example, a newel post fastener system having a bolt extending into the newel and a access hole and with a threaded sleeve into which a nut may be inserted (see e.g., part #3072 available from Crown Heritage Stair Systems of North Wilkesboro, N.C., the subject matter of which is incorporated herein in its entirety). It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A stairway system, said stairway system comprising:(a) a plurality of spaced apart treads; (b) a handrail; (c) a number of baluster lengths to accommodate both a construction having the largest pre-determined number of baluster per tread and constructions having lesser numbers of balusters per tread, each baluster having a fixed top length segment adjacent to said handrail, a fixed bottom length segment adjacent to said tread and a variable turning length segment, said top length segment and bottom length segment including defined features; (d) at least two balusters per tread, wherein a length for the turning length segment of a subsequent baluster is greater than a length for the turning length segment of a previous baluster according to the equation of the riser height divided by the total number of balusters per tread; (e) wherein said number of baluster lengths is dependent on the number of balusters per tread according to the following relationship for a given handrail height: for 3 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 4 baluster lengths; for 4 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 6 baluster lengths; for 5 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 10 baluster lengths; for 6 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 12 baluster lengths; for 7 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 18 baluster lengths; for 8 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 22 baluster lengths; for 9 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 28 baluster lengths; for 10 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 32 baluster lengths; for 11 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 42 baluster lengths; and for 12 and fewer balusters per tread, a minimum of 46 baluster lengths.
  • 2. The stairway system according to claim 1, further including a handrail support for supporting said handrail.
  • 3. The stairway system according to claim 2, wherein said handrail support is a newel.
  • 4. The stairway system according to claim 3, wherein one end of said newel is connected to said handrail and the other end of said newel is anchored.
  • 5. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is connected to the ends of said handrail.
  • 6. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is vertically anchored.
  • 7. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is anchored to the floor of the structure.
  • 8. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is anchored to at least one tread.
  • 9. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said vertically anchored newel includes a bolt and a mounting column.
  • 10. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein one end of said bolt is a wood screw for attaching to said newel.
  • 11. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein said mounting column further includes a mounting plate attached to said mounting column.
  • 12. The stairway system according to claim 11, wherein said mounting plate includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching said plate to the floor of the structure.
  • 13. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching said foot support surface to the structure.
  • 14. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein the width of said foot support surface is greater than the depth of said foot support surface.
  • 15. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means for attaching said spaced apart treads to the structure is a stringer.
  • 16. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is by wall mounting.
  • 17. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart treads are spaced at a uniform riser height.
  • 18. The stairway system according to claim 17, wherein said uniform riser height varies between about 6″ and 9″.
  • 19. The stairway system according to claim 18, wherein said uniform riser height is about 7½″.
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Entry
Photocopy of a Coffman catalog; 1995.
Photocopy of L.J. Smith catalog; 1997.
Photocopy of Crown Heritage Stair Systems catalog; Copyright 2000.
Photocopy of Horner Architectual Products catalog; May, 2000.
Photocopy of Sheraton catalog; undated.
Photocop of Creative Stair Parts catalog; 1998.