Patent ID: 6769221
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
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.