Patent US4845841A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4845841A
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Method and apparatus for constructing stairways
Assignee: Laitram LLC
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Filing: 1988-03-23
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A stairway fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame that can support an elongated linear stringer work piece thereupon. A plurality of tread supports include multiple work stations which are movably supported by the frame for simultaneously supporting multiple, selectively pre-spaced stair-step treads in a position against the stringer so that the tread and stringer can be connected to define thereafter horizontal stair-step positions of staircase treads that are of a pre-selected spacing and of a pre-selected angular position with respect to the stringer. Connection of the treads to the stringers can be accomplished by welding, for example, once the correct linear spacing and the correct angular position of the treads are selected.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Lapeyre
- 👤 Christopher G. Greve
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:56
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q37/00; B23K; B23K37/00; B23K37/04; B23K37/0426; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/48; B23Q1/4804; B27; B27M; B27M3/00; B27M3/12; E; E04; E04F; E04F11/00; E04F11/02; E04F11/104; E04F11/1041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/91; Y10S29/00; Y10S29/048; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A stairway fabricating apparatus comprising: (a) a structural machine frame; (b) means for supporting an elongated stringer work piece upon the frame; and (c) tread support means including at least one movable work station, movably supported by the frame for supporting a stair-step tread in a first position against the stringer so that the tread and stringer can be connected to define a horizontal stair-step position of the staircase tread that is at a pre-selected spacing position along the stringer of a pre-selected spacing and of a pre-selected angular position with respect to the stringer; and (d) means for moving the tread support means into a second position upon the frame that is spaced from the first position, and in which a tread supported by the tread support means is correspondingly supported adjacent the stringer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A stairway fabricating apparatus comprising: (a) a structural machine frame; (b) means for supporting an elongated stringer work piece upon the frame; and (c) tread support means including at least one movable work station, movably supported by the frame for supporting a stair-step tread in a first position against the stringer so that the tread and stringer can be connected to define a horizontal stair-step position of the staircase tread that is at a pre-selected spacing position along the stringer of a pre-selected spacing and of a pre-selected angular position with respect to the stringer; and (d) means for moving the tread support means into a second position upon the frame that is spaced from the first position, and in which a tread supported by the tread support means is correspondingly supported adjacent the stringer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising track means supported by the frame for guiding movement of the tread support means upon a controlled path with respect to the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein there are multiple tread support means defining two or more work stations each movably supported upon the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising power means for moving the tread support means into variable tread angular positions with respect to the stringer work piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising adjustable spacing means for simultaneously varying the space between the work stations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The staircase stringer fabricating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the work stations are movably mounted upon the frame upon a common, linear path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The staircase stringer fabricating apparatus of claim 6, further comprising bearing means on the frame for slideably supporting the work stations on the common linear path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The staircase stringer fabricating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adjustable spacing means includes measuring means for simultaneously adjusting the distance between the work stations so that an overall selected distance spanned by all the work stations can be set while maintaining equal spacing of the work stations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The staircase stringer fabricating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the measuring means comprises a plurality of endless cables, each cable supported respectively by a sheave of different circumference and each cable attached respectively to a selected work station, each sheave having a circumference which is an interger multiple, starting at "2", of the smallest sheave to provide said equal spacing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
A stairway fabricating apparatus for assembly of stair-step treads on an elongated stairway stringer work piece comprising: (a) an elongated frame; (b) a stairway stringer work piece support for holding the work piece in an assembly position adjacent the frame; (c) a plurality of tread assembly support means, each mounted for travel on the frame for supporting multiple treads in pre-spaced stair-step assembly positions adjacent the stringer in its assembly position, and at a predetermined adjustable stair-up tread angle, so that a connection can be formed between the treads and the stringer work piece in the assembly position; and (d) adjustable spacing means for selectively varying the overall distance between treads, such as for various rise dimensions and for a variable number of stair-step positions, so that the individual tread support means and correspondingly the individual treads can be adjustably spaced to desired pre-selected tread assembly positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A stairway fabricating apparatus for assembly of stair-step treads on an elongated stairway stringer work piece comprising: (a) an elongated frame; (b) a stairway stringer work piece support for holding the work piece in an assembly position adjacent the frame; (c) a plurality of tread assembly support means, each mounted for travel on the frame for supporting multiple treads in pre-spaced stair-step assembly positions adjacent the stringer in its assembly position, and at a predetermined adjustable stair-up tread angle, so that a connection can be formed between the treads and the stringer work piece in the assembly position; and (d) adjustable spacing means for selectively varying the overall distance between treads, such as for various rise dimensions and for a variable number of stair-step positions, so that the individual tread support means and correspondingly the individual treads can be adjustably spaced to desired pre-selected tread assembly positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The staircase stringer fabricating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adjustable spacing means includes a plurality of endless cables each supported by spaced apart sheaves, including a master sheave with multiple diameter roller surfaces that respectively carry the plurality of cables so that rotation of the cables move different distances responsive to rotation of the master sheave.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
A staircase fabricating apparatus for assembling stair-step treads on an elongated work piece having a linear longitudinal axis, comprising: (a) an elongated support frame; (b) multiple tread support means movably supported for travel upon the frame and spaced longitudinally therealong for holding treads in pre-spaced stair-step positions and at predetermined angles with respect to an elongated stringer work piece positioned adjacent the frame; (c) guide rail means supported by the frame for defining a linear path of movement for the tread support means along a line that is parallel to the stringer during use; and (d) means for moving the tread support means with respect to the frame; (e) clamp means carried by the tread support means for holding a stair-step tread in a position of desired angle and spacing with respect to and adjacent the stringer work piece so that the tread can be connected to the stringer in the same position as it is supported by the clamp means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A staircase fabricating apparatus for assembling stair-step treads on an elongated work piece having a linear longitudinal axis, comprising: (a) an elongated support frame; (b) multiple tread support means movably supported for travel upon the frame and spaced longitudinally therealong for holding treads in pre-spaced stair-step positions and at predetermined angles with respect to an elongated stringer work piece positioned adjacent the frame; (c) guide rail means supported by the frame for defining a linear path of movement for the tread support means along a line that is parallel to the stringer during use; and (d) means for moving the tread support means with respect to the frame; (e) clamp means carried by the tread support means for holding a stair-step tread in a position of desired angle and spacing with respect to and adjacent the stringer work piece so that the tread can be connected to the stringer in the same position as it is supported by the clamp means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the guide rail means comprises at least one elongated bearing path slideably interfacing all the tread support means upon a common linear path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the tread support means includes a clamp on each tread support means for holding an individual stair-step treads.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the tread support means comprises in part, means for pivotally moving the treads into a multiple of angular positions with respect to the stringer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of Claim 15, wherein the pivotally moving means is powered.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the moving means includes a fluid activated cylinder.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the clamp means comprises a tread support plate pivotally mounted with respect to the frame, and a clamping mechanism carried by the tread plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the support means can support multiple, general parallel stringers for assembly of treads thereto.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the frame and support means can support three stringers including a central stringer and two side stringers, and wherein each tread can be attached to a central stringer and to one side stringer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controlled path is generally parallel to the stringer during the assembly of a stairway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the frame includes an elongated beam.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the support means includes a plurality of work stations mounted for travel upon the beam.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the work piece support includes at least a portion of the frame.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the work piece support includes at least in part, a plurality of the tread assembly support means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4673011A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |