U.S. patent application number 12/939464 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for stair component, stair edge nose cover and method.
Invention is credited to Timothy Barrett.
Application Number | 20110162302 12/939464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44223873 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110162302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barrett; Timothy |
July 7, 2011 |
Stair component, stair edge nose cover and method
Abstract
A stair component has foundation member including a nose end.
Upon attachment of the component to a stair, the nose end projects
outwardly from an upper forward edge of the stair. The nose end has
a substantially uniform cross-sectional configuration along
substantially its entire width. A nose cover having an ornamental
exterior surface overlies and covers substantially the entire nose
end. The nose cover comprises a thin continuous sheet of preformed
plastic having first and second substantially parallel planar
portions joined by a curved portion. The foundation member, which
may be constructed on site or formed off-site, is adapted to be
positioned (a) directly next to a riser portion of the stair so
that a vertical support element of the foundation member abuts the
riser portion or (b) indirectly so that the vertical support
element abuts a secondary vertical member disposed between the
foundation member and the riser portion.
Inventors: |
Barrett; Timothy; (Alta
Loma, CA) |
Family ID: |
44223873 |
Appl. No.: |
12/939464 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61258486 |
Nov 5, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/179 ; 52/182;
52/741.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 11/163 20130101;
E04F 11/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/179 ; 52/182;
52/741.2 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/00 20060101
E04F011/00 |
Claims
1. A stair component for attachment to a stair comprising a
foundation member having a predetermined width substantially equal
to the width of the stair to which the component is to be attached
and a pair of legs substantially at a right angle with one of the
legs being adapted to be attached to a riser portion of the stair
and the other leg terminating in a nose end that projects outwardly
from an upper forward edge of the stair upon attaching the
foundation member to the stair, said nose end having a
substantially uniform cross-sectional configuration along
substantially the entire width of the foundation member and being
covered with a thin sheet having an ornamental exterior surface
overlying and covering the nose end.
2. The stair component of claim 1 where the nose end is rounded and
its entire exterior surface is substantially covered.
3. The stair component of claim 1 where the foundation member is
constructed on a job site.
4. The stair component of claim 1 where the foundation member is
formed away from a job site and delivered to the job site for
installation.
5. The stair component of claim 4 where the foundation member
comprises an extruded plastic material.
6. The stair component of claim 4 where the foundation member
comprises a molded plastic material with apertures therein.
7. A stair component for attachment to a stair comprising a
foundation member including a nose end that projects outwardly from
an upper forward edge of the stair upon attaching the foundation
member to the stair, said nose end being covered with a thin sheet
having an ornamental exterior surface overlying and covering the
nose end, said nose end being rounded and its entire exterior
surface being substantially covered by said thin sheet.
8. A stair edge nose cover comprising a thin continuous sheet of
preformed plastic having an ornamental exterior surface and opposed
substantially parallel side edges spaced apart a distance
substantially from 30 to 240 inches, a thickness substantially from
1/8 to 1/4 inch, a first substantially planar portion having a
length substantially from 1.5 to 5 inches and terminating in a
substantially straight rear edge, a second substantially planar
portion having a length substantially from 3/8 to 3/4 inch and
terminating in a substantially straight rear edge that is inward of
the rear edge of the first planar portion, and a curved portion
joining the first and second planar portions, said curved portion
having a radius of curvature of substantially from 3/4 to 1.5
inch.
9. The stair edge nose of claim 8 where the sheet is preformed by
heating and forming a substantially flat sheet of plastic into a
bent sheet to provide the curved portion joining the first and
second planar portions.
10. A stair component for attachment to a stair having a
predetermined width, a substantially horizontal upper landing, and
a riser portion having predetermined height extending from a
substantially horizontal lower landing to the upper landing, said
stair component comprising a foundation member adapted to be
positioned next to the riser portion and including substantially
vertical and horizontal support elements, each element having a
predetermined thickness substantially from 1/2 to 3 inches and a
width that is substantially equal to the width of the stair, said
support elements being substantially at a right angle to each other
and substantially in registration in the width direction, said
vertical support element having a front side and a rear side, and a
bottom edge, said horizontal support element includes a forward
rounded nose end, a rear end, a topside, and distance from the nose
end to the rear end is substantially from 1 to 4.5 inch, upon
positioning the foundation member next to the riser portion, the
rear end of the horizontal support element is substantially flush
with the rear side of the vertical support element and the forward
rounded nose end extends beyond the front side of the vertical
support element substantially from 3/4 to 1.5 inch, upon
positioning the foundation member next to the riser portion, the
vertical support element's front side faces away from the riser
portion and the rear side faces toward the riser portion and the
bottom edge of the vertical support element is near the lower
landing, and the topside of the horizontal support element is
substantially flush with the horizontal upper landing, a first thin
sheet having an ornamental exterior surface overlying and covering
substantially the entire forward rounded nose end and topside of
the horizontal support element, said first thin sheet having a
curved forward end that is preformed to fit snugly over the forward
rounded nose end of the horizontal support element, and a second
substantially flat thin sheet having an ornamental exterior surface
overlying and covering substantially the entire front side of the
vertical support element.
11. The stair component of claim 10 where a fastening member
extends into and though the nose end to hold the stair component in
position, said first thin sheet covering any exposed portion of the
fastening member.
12. The stair component of claim 10 where a secondary vertical
support element is disposed between the foundation member and the
riser portion of the stair.
13. The stair component of claim 10 where the foundation member
consists essentially of wood.
14. The stair component of claim 10 where the foundation member
consists essentially of plastic.
15. The stair component of claim 10 where the first thin sheet has
an upper portion that is bonded to the topside of the horizontal
support element and terminates in a first edge that is inward of
the nose end and a lower portion that terminates in a second edge
that is inward of the nose end and abuts the front side of the
vertical support element.
16. The stair component of claim 15 where the first edge is
substantially adjacent to the vertical rear end of the horizontal
support element or projects inward.
17. The stair component of claim 10 where the foundation member is
adapted to be positioned next to the riser portion directly so that
the vertical support element abuts the riser portion.
18. The stair component of claim 10 where the foundation member is
adapted to be positioned next to the riser portion indirectly so
that the vertical support element abuts a secondary vertical member
disposed between the foundation member and the riser portion.
19. A method of laminating a stair comprising the steps of (a)
attaching a foundation member to the stair, said foundation member
having a nose portion that projects outwardly from an upper forward
edge of the stair upon attaching the foundation member to the
stair, and (b) covering with a thin sheet having an ornamental
exterior surface substantially the entire nose end.
20. The method of claim 19 where the nose portion has a rounded
forward surface and extends at least 3/4 inch outward from a riser
portion of the stair.
21. The method of claim 20 where the foundation member is
positioned next to the riser portion directly so that a vertical
support element of the foundation member abuts the riser
portion.
22. The method of claim 20 where the foundation member is
positioned next to the riser portion indirectly so that a vertical
support element of the foundation member abuts a secondary vertical
member disposed between the foundation member and the riser
portion.
23. A step comprising an upper landing covered with a first
laminate sheet having a predetermined an ornamental exterior
surface, said upper landing having a rounded nose portion
projecting outward from an upper forward edge of the upper landing
to extend beyond a riser portion that is beneath an underside of
the upper landing, said nose portion being covered with a second
laminate sheet having essentially the same predetermined ornamental
exterior surface as the first sheet.
24. The step of claim 23 where the nose portion extends at least
3/4 inch outward from the riser portion.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] This utility application claims the benefit under 35 USC
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/258,486,
entitled "STAIR COMPONENT, STAIR EDGE NOSE COVER AND METHOD," filed
Nov. 5, 2009. This related application is incorporated herein by
reference and made a part of this application. If any conflict
arises between the disclosure of the invention in this utility
application and that in the related provisional application, the
disclosure in this utility application shall govern. Moreover, any
and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other
documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this
application are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of
this application.
DEFINITIONS
[0002] The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and
"including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent
in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any
one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such
item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or
items.
[0003] The words "substantially" and "essentially" have equivalent
meanings
BACKGROUND
[0004] Laminate floor coverings with ornamental exterior surfaces
representing wood, tile, stone, and other decorative finishes are
very popular. There is, however, a problem installing such
coverings on stairs. The accepted manner is to place an edge cover
over abutting adjacent edges of flat sheets, one sheet covering an
upper stair landing and another sheet covering a vertical riser
terminating at one end at the landing. Such edge covers are
unsightly and can be dangerous, presenting an obstacle that a
person may trip over.
SUMMARY
[0005] My stair component, stair edge nose cover and method of
laminating a stair have one or more of the features depicted in the
embodiments discussed in the section entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION
OF SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS." The claims that follow define my
stair component, stair edge nose cover and method, distinguishing
them from the prior art; however, without limiting the scope of my
stair component, stair edge nose cover and method of laminating a
stair as expressed by these claims, in general terms, some, but not
necessarily all, of their features are:
[0006] One, my stair component is easily attached to a stair and
provides a safe and attractive structure eliminating any obstacle
that a person may trip over. It comprises a foundation member and a
thin sheet having an ornamental exterior surface overlying and
covering substantially a nose end of the foundation member. The
nose end may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional
configuration along substantially the entire width of the
foundation member. This nose end may be rounded, and its entire
exterior surface may be substantially covered by the sheet. The
foundation member may be constructed on a job site, or it may be
formed away from a job site and delivered to the job site for
installation. For example, the foundation member may comprise an
extruded or molded plastic material.
[0007] Two, the foundation member has a predetermined width
substantially equal to the width of the stair to which the
component is to be attached and a pair of legs. The legs are
substantially at a right angle, with one of the legs being adapted
to be attached to a riser portion of the stair and the other leg
terminating in a nose end projecting outwardly from an upper
forward edge of the stair upon attaching the foundation member to
the stair. The one leg is adapted to be attached to the riser
portion and may be directly attached so that the said one leg abuts
the riser portion. Alternately, the one leg is adapted to be
attached to the riser portion indirectly so that the said one leg
abuts a secondary vertical member disposed between the one leg and
the riser portion.
[0008] Three, the one leg functions as a vertical support element
and the other leg functions as a horizontal support element, each
having a predetermined thickness substantially from 1/2 to 3 inches
and a width that is substantially equal to the width of the stair.
In addition to these support elements being substantially at a
right angle to each other, they are substantially in registration
in the width direction. The horizontal support element includes the
nose end and a rear end opposite the nose end. The distance from
the nose end to the rear end may be substantially from 1 to 4.5
inch. Upon positioning the foundation member next to the riser
portion, the rear end of the horizontal support element is
substantially flush with a rear side of the vertical support
element and the forward rounded nose end extends beyond the front
side of the vertical support element substantially from 3/4 to 1.5
inch. Also, upon positioning the foundation member next to the
riser portion, the vertical support element's front side faces away
from the riser portion and a rear side faces toward the riser
portion and a bottom edge of the vertical support element is near
the lower landing, and a topside of the horizontal support element
is substantially flush with the horizontal upper landing.
[0009] Four, the thin sheet may be configured into my unique nose
cover, which is especially suited for attachment to the foundation
member on the job site. The thin sheet, which is originally a
substantially flat planar member, is bent into a lazy J
configuration, to provide my nose cover. This nose cover includes a
thin continuous sheet of preformed plastic having an ornamental
exterior surface and opposed substantially parallel side edges
spaced apart a distance substantially from 30 to 240 inches. The
sheet's thickness is substantially from 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The
preformed nose cover structure has a first substantially planar
portion having a length substantially from 1.5 to 5 inches and
terminating in a substantially straight rear edge, a second
substantially planar portion having a length substantially from 3/8
to 3/4 inch and terminating in a substantially straight rear edge
that is inward of the rear edge of the first planar portion, and a
curved portion joining the first and second planar portions. The
curved portion has a radius of curvature of substantially from 3/4
to 1.5 inch. The thin sheet is preformed by heating and forming a
substantially flat sheet of plastic into a bent sheet to provide
the curved portion joining the first and second planar portions. In
other words, the thin sheet has a curved forward end that is
preformed to fit snugly over the forward rounded nose end. A second
substantially flat thin sheet having an ornamental exterior surface
may overly and cover substantially the entire front side of the
vertical support element.
[0010] My method comprises (a) attaching a foundation member to the
stair, the foundation member having a nose portion that projects
outwardly from an upper forward edge of the stair upon attaching
the foundation member to the stair, and (b) covering with a thin
sheet having an ornamental exterior surface substantially the
entire nose end. The nose portion extends at least 3/4 inch outward
from a riser portion of the stair.
[0011] These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this
list intended to be exhaustive.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Some embodiments of my stair component, stair nose cover and
method of laminating a stair are discussed in detail in connection
with the accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes
only. This drawing includes the following figures (Figs.), with
like numerals indicating like parts:
[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional laminated
stair.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my nose
cover.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a foundation member of
my stair component shown attached to a wooden stair structure.
[0017] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of my
stair component having its foundation member attached to a concrete
stair structure.
[0018] FIG. 3B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of my stair component.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
foundation member of my stair component.
[0020] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of
FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional of yet another embodiment of a
foundation member of my stair component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1A
[0022] A conventional stair is illustrated in FIG. 1A where the
stair is covered with thin laminate sheets having an ornamental
exterior surface ES. Mannington, Inc., for example, provides
suitable laminate sheets with adhesive on one side. The sheets
overlie and cover substantially the entire upper landing UL, lower
landing LL, and riser portion RP of the stair, and their undersides
(not shown) are typically bonded to the stair's surfaces with an
adhesive. In typical applications, the upper landing UL has a width
w substantially from 30 to 240 inches, and the riser portion RP of
the same width and a height h substantially from 3 to 8 inches. The
upper landing UL and riser portion RP form a sharp 90.degree.
corner, and the adjacent sheets on the upper landing UL and riser
portions RP have abutting edges AE that an L-shaped edge cover EC
overlaps. This edge cover EC may be an extruded metal such as
aluminum and attached by screws 10, or it may be of rubber or
plastic and glued or otherwise held in place. This is an
unattractive and unsafe way to cover the abutting edges AE.
FIGS. 1 through 5
[0023] One embodiment of my stair edge nose cover NC is depicted in
FIGS. 1 through 3; a second embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 3A and
3B; a third embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 4A and a forth
embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. A foundation member FM
constructed on the job site is fastened directly to a riser portion
RP of a stair as illustrated in FIG. 3, or indirectly to the riser
portion RP using a supplemental foundation member in the form of a
vertical member 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3A. One alternate
embodiment of a foundation member is identified as FM2 in FIGS. 4
and 4A, and another alternate embodiment of the foundation member
is identified as FM3 in FIG. 5.
[0024] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, all the foundation members
FM, FM2 and FM3 include a nose portion 40 that my nose cover NC
overlies and fits snugly against, being bonded to an exterior
surface of the nose portion by an adhesive. The combination of one
of the foundation members FM or FM2 or FM3 and my nose cover NC
forms my stair component. Upon attachment of the stair component to
a stair, the nose portion 40 projects outwardly from an upper
forward edge of the stair as best depicted in FIG. 3A. The nose
portion 40 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional
configuration along substantially its entire width, which is
substantially equal to the width w of the stair. The nose portion
40 has a rounded forward surface at its nose end NE. The nose end
NE extends at least 3/4 inches outward from the riser portion RP of
the stair.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, my nose cover NC is a
laminate sheet having an ornamental exterior surface ES, and it is
a continuous sheet of preformed plastic with a thickness
substantially from 1/8 to 1/4 inch and opposed substantially
parallel side edges ED1 and ED2 spaced apart a distance d1. My nose
cover NC may be an integral structure where the distance d1 may be
substantially equal width w of the stair, or it may comprises
sections abutted together. As shown in FIG. 2, it includes a first
substantially planar portion PP1 having a length I.sub.1
substantially from 1.5 to 5 inches that terminates in a
substantially straight rear edge ED 3 that is substantially at a
right angle to the side edges ED1 and ED2, and a second
substantially planar portion PP2 having a length I.sub.2
substantially from 3/8 to 3/4 inches that terminates in a
substantially straight rear edge ED4 that is inward of the rear
edge ED3 of the first planar portion. The inner ends E1 and E2
respectively of the first and second planar portions PP1 and PP2
are aligned and opposite each other, and a curved portion CP
integral with these inner ends joins the planar portions. The
curved portion CP may be a segment of a circle having a radius of
curvature R of substantially from 3/4 to 1.5 inch. The center C1 of
the curved portion CP is substantially equidistant from the inner
ends E1 and E2 and alone a line intersecting the ends E1 and E2.
The laminate sheet forming the nose cover NC is typically a vinyl
plastic preformed by heating and forming a substantially flat
laminate sheet into a bent sheet to provide the curved portion CP
joining the first and second planar portions PP1 and PP2.
[0026] The foundation members FM, FM2 and FM3 each includes
substantially vertical and horizontal support elements upon
installation, each element has a predetermined thickness
substantially from 1/2 to 3 inches. The elements may be made of one
or multiple plywood planks as in the case of the foundation member
FM, or as in the case of the foundation members FM2 and FM3, they
may be integral elements that provide a rigid, unitary structure
formed of a tough plastic material during a manufacturing process
such as extrusion or molding. A suitable plastic material is, for
example, ABS resin. The foundation members FM, FM2 and FM3 are
substantially identical in overall external configuration and
dimensions when being used with a particular stair and are
interchangeable. They differ in that the foundation members FM2 and
FM3 are performed and are delivered to a job site, whereas the
foundation member FM is constructed on the job site. The foundation
member FM2 is solid and the foundation member FM3 has hollow
portions (FIG. 5) extending along its length (d1) and an upper a
row of apertures 80a passing through its nose portion 40 and a
lower a row of apertures 80b passing through its leg L2. Both
embodiments FM2 and FM3 include a linear, channel 82 on its
backside horizontally oriented upon installation. Both foundation
members FM2 and FM3 may come in different lengths and/or
heights.
[0027] In the foundation member FM the planks are placed in
registration with each other at right angle to form an inverted
letter "L" configuration as shown in FIG. 3. The planks are of
equal length, being each equal to the width w of the stair. One
plank forms a leg L1 (FIG. 3) and the other plank forms a leg L2.
When the foundation member FM is positioned next to the riser
portion RP, the leg L2 forms a substantially vertical support
element VE and the leg L1 forms a substantially horizontal support
element HE. The leg L2, that is, the vertical support element VE,
has a thickness t substantially from 5/8 to 3/4 inches, a front
side FS and a rear side RS, a top edge TE and a bottom edge BE. The
height h2 of the leg L2 is substantially from 3 to 8 inches. The
leg L1, that is, the horizontal support element HE, has a height h
substantially from 3/4 to 2 inches and a length I.sub.3
substantially from 1 to 4.5 inches, the forward rounded nose end
NE, a substantially vertical rear end RE, a topside TS and a bottom
side BS.
[0028] Upon positioning the foundation member FM next to the riser
portion RP, the rear end RE of the horizontal support element HE is
substantially flush with the rear side RS of the vertical support
element VE. Additionally, upon positioning the foundation member FM
next to the riser portion RP, the vertical support element's front
side FS faces away from the riser portion and the rear side RS
faces toward the riser portion and the bottom edge BE of the rests
on the lower landing LL and the top edge TE is below the upper
landing UL, and the topside TS of the horizontal support element HE
is substantially flush with the top surface of the upper landing
UL. A substantially flat thin laminate sheet 50 (FIG. 3A) having an
ornamental exterior surface may overlie and cover substantially the
entire front side FS of the vertical support element VE and be
bonded thereto by an adhesive.
[0029] According to my method of laminating a stair, the foundation
member FM is first put in position next to the stair. The
foundation member FM may be positioned next to the riser portion RP
directly so that the vertical support element VE of the foundation
member FM abuts the riser portion, or indirectly so that the
vertical support element abuts a secondary vertical member 30 (FIG.
3A), i. e. the supplemental foundational member, disposed between
the foundation member FM and the riser portion RP. The nose portion
40 now projects outwardly from an upper forward edge of the stair,
and it is covered my stair edge nose cover NC, which is bonded to
the nose portion's exterior surface. The nose cover NC is typically
bonded to the nose portion 40 after the foundation member FM is
positioned next to the stair. The forward rounded nose end NE
extends a distance d2 (FIG. 3A) beyond the riser portion RP
substantially from 1 to 1.5 inches, including the vertical support
element VE and any secondary vertical member 30, if needed.
[0030] In FIG. 3 the foundation member FM is depicted in a position
directly next to the riser portion RP so that the vertical support
element VE of the foundation member FM abuts the riser portion. As
shown in FIG. 3A, the foundation member FM is positioned next to
the riser portion RP indirectly so that the vertical support
element VE abuts a secondary vertical member 30, for example
another plywood plank, disposed between the foundation member FM
and the riser portion. The horizontal support element HE may be
fastened in place by wood screws 60 spaced apart at about 6 to 8
inch intervals. The wood screws 60 extend into and though the nose
end NE and into either wooden stair structure or the secondary
vertical member 30. This fastens the horizontal support element HE
firmly in place. The nose cover covers an exposed head of the screw
60. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a pair of screws 62 fastens
the vertical support element VE to the wooden stair structure. The
nose end NE of the horizontal support element HE has an edge ED 8
(FIG. 3) extends beyond the front side FS of the vertical support
element VE a distance d5 substantially from 3/4 to 1.5 inch. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, a concrete anchor A passes through the
secondary vertical member 30 to hold this secondary member firmly
against the riser portion RP of a concrete stair. The pair of
screws 62 fastens the vertical support element VE to the secondary
vertical member 30 disposed between the foundation member FM and
the riser portion RP of the stair.
[0031] The edge ED3 of the nose cover NC terminates at the rear end
RE of the horizontal support element HE and abuts a straight edge
ED5 of a laminate sheet 70 (FIG. 3A) covering the upper landing UL.
When the secondary vertical member 30 is employed, the laminate
sheet 70 overlaps and covers the top edge ED6 of the secondary
vertical member. The bottom edge ED7 the secondary vertical member
30 rests against the lower landing LL. The edge ED4 of the planar
portion PP2 abuts the front side FS of the vertical support element
VE. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, a laminate sheet 50a may be applied
to the vertical support element VE prior to assembly of the
foundation member FM and cover this element's entire front surface
FS. In this case, then the edge ED4 abuts this laminate sheet
50a.
[0032] Using my method produces a step having a rounded nose
portion projecting outward from an upper forward edge of the step's
upper landing to extend beyond the step's riser portion beneath the
underside of the step's upper landing. This may be accomplished by
the use of the foundation members FM, FM2 and FM3 as discussed
above to retrofit a stair that has its riser portion RP flush with
the upper landing UL to form a shape 90.degree. corner along the
upper forward edge of the upper landing UL. Alternately, the upper
landing itself may be constructed with a nose portion extending
beyond a riser portion that is offset inward from the step's upper
forward edge and is beneath the underside of the upper landing. In
both cases, the upper landing UL is covered with the laminate sheet
70, which has a predetermined ornamental exterior surface, for
example, a series of vinyl wood planks And in both cases, the nose
portion projects outward from the upper forward edge of the upper
landing to extend beyond the riser portion that is beneath an
underside of the upper landing. The nose portion is rounded along
its entire length and my nose cover NC is curved to conform to the
rounded surface of the nose portion to fit snug against it when
applied thereto. Simply bending a laminate sheet at a 90.degree.
angle and applying it to the 90.degree. corner would be
unsatisfactory, because a 90.degree. bend would crack the laminate
sheet either immediately or within a short period of use. The
curved portion CP in my nose cover NC avoids this potential
problem.
[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, my nose cover NC is a
second laminate sheet having essentially the same predetermined
ornamental exterior surface as the laminate sheet 70. Thus, there
are matching ornamental exterior surfaces on the step's upper
landing and the upper forward edge of the step's upper landing.
This creates a desirable aesthetic effect. The step's riser portion
may also be covered with a third laminate sheet that has
essentially the same predetermined ornamental exterior surface as
the nose cover NC and the sheet 70. In this case, the vertical
support element VE is considered an integral part of the riser
portion, and this riser portion's exterior surface may be covered
with a laminate sheet having essentially the same predetermined
ornamental exterior surface as the nose cover NC and the sheet 70.
This further enhances the desirable aesthetic effect. Moreover,
this step structure, avoiding the use of the L-shaped edge cover
EC, is inherently safer than a conventional step having its upper
landing and riser portion covered by laminate sheets as depicted in
FIG. 1A.
[0034] The foundation members FM2 and FM3 are positioned in a
similar manner as the foundation member FM in FIG. 3 directly
against and abutting the riser portion RP of the stair and may be
held in position by an adhesive applied to the channel 82. In the
case of the foundation member FM3, it is molded in order to form
rows of apertures 80a and 80b in the body of this foundation
member. Fasteners such as screws are inserted through the apertures
80a and 80b into the stair's riser RP directly. Alternately, the
member FM2 or the member FM3, as the case may be, is positioned in
a similar manner next the vertical member 30 as shown in FIG. 3A,
and fastened thereto as discussed above.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The above presents a description of the best mode I
contemplate of carrying out my stair component, nose cover and of
the manner and method of making and using them, in such full,
clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable a person skilled in
the art to make and use. My stair component, nose cover and method
are, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate
constructions from the illustrative embodiments discussed above
which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention
to limit my stair component, nose cover and method to the
particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, my intention is
to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming
within the spirit and scope of my stair component, nose cover and
method as generally expressed by the following claims, which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of
my invention:
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