Abstract:
A width-adjustable step tread has first and second members, each extending along at least an appendage of a width of the step tread. Each of the first and second members have identical cross-sectional shapes as defined by a web with two opposing edges. A first appendage extends along one edge of the web defining an exterior surface and a second appendage extends along the other edge of the web defining an interior surface. The interior surface of the second appendage forms a female part which receives a male part formed by the exterior surface of the first appendage so that the first appendage of each member couples in sliding engagement with the second appendage of the other member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to stairway devices and, more particularly, to step treads and the like. 
     During new construction or remodeling of multiple level buildings, for example, a temporary stairway may be installed and used until such time as a finished stairway may be installed without probable risk of subsequent damage from the construction activity. The step treads of such temporary stairways are commonly fabricated from scrap construction materials, including, but not limited to, structural sheet goods like plywood and oriented strand board and structural framing materials like two-by-fours and two-by-sixes. However, these scrap materials are often not intended for step tread use, and the resulting temporary tread is commonly structurally inadequate or otherwise unsafe. 
     Locally enforced building codes specify minimum requirements for stairways, including minimum tread depth and maximum rise height. The Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) national building code for 1991 and 1993, for example, specifies a maximum rise height of 7 inches and a minimum tread depth of 11 inches with an exception for residential construction, wherein a maximum rise height of 8 1/4 inches and a minimum tread depth of 9 inches is required. Clearly, the use of scrap materials to construct temporary stair treads can easily take the stairway outside of code requirements. A set of three two-by-fours with a dimensional depth of 3 1/4 inches will fall short of the minimum required 11 inch tread depth for general construction by 1 1/4 inches, while the combination of a two-by-four and a two-by-six (5 1/4 inches dimensional depth) will fall short of the residential minimum tread depth of 9 inches by 1/2 inch. Further, the stringers used for construction of a temporary stairway will commonly be used for the finished stairway. Thus, if the finished stair tread material has a dimensional thickness of one inch, for example, the use of two inch framing lumber can easily exceed the maximum allowed riser height. 
     Builders may use scrap materials for temporary stairway treads to minimize costs and maximize material utilization. However, such perceived savings may, in fact, be lost to work site accidents and resulting safety costs. Thus, there is a clear need for a cost-effective and safe stairway step tread which may be used for temporary stairway construction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems and concerns discussed above are addressed and resolved by the clever, width-adjustable tread of the present invention. 
     A width-adjustable tread according to the present invention has first and second members, each extending along at least a portion of the width of the tread and having identical cross-sectional shapes. The cross-sectional shape of each tread member is adapted or configured for interlocking engagement of the first and second members so that the members couple in sliding engagement with one another in a width-wise direction. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the first and second members are made from one extruded piece of metal cut into equal lengths and having a cross-sectional shape defined by a web having two opposing edges with a first appendage extending along one of the two opposing edges, defining a male part having an exterior surface, and a second appendage extending along the other of the two opposing edges, defining a female part, the interior surface of which corresponds to the exterior surface of the male member. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the first appendage includes a flange which extends in a first direction, away from the web, to the male part. Further, the second appendage includes a flange extending in a second direction, generally opposite the first direction of the first appendage flange, away from the web, to the female part. Further yet, the female part of the second appendage of the first tread member, when properly oriented, is adapted to at least partially wrap around the male part of the second tread member and vice versa. The first appendage of each member may have a part with a thickness greater than a thickness of the web. 
     Thus, in accordance with the above structure, an adjustable stairway tread is provided that is constructed of one extruded or molded length of material which can be cut to provide any number of first and second telescoping members to form a temporary stairway step that can be used at various construction sites. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, partially cut away perspective view of a stairway incorporating width-adjustable treads according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the treads of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III--III of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tread showing the two members of the tread and edge-for-edge rotation of one member for coupling with the other member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Now referring to the drawing figures in greater detail, a width-adjustable tread according to the present invention is generally designated in the drawing figures by the reference number 10. Tread 10 has a first member 12 and a second member 14 which couple in sliding engagement in a width-wise direction (FIGS. 2 and 6). 
     First member 12 is an elongated member defined by a web 16 having opposing edges 18 and 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4). A first appendage or flange 22 extends along edge 18 of web 16, defining a male part 24 having an exterior surface. Flange 22 extends in a first direction, most preferably generally perpendicular to web 16, away from web 16, at edge 18, to a terminal end 26, most preferably having a thickness greater than a thickness of flange 22 or of web 16. 
     A second appendage or flange 30 extends along the outer edge 20 of web 16, defining a female part 32 having an interior surface corresponding to the exterior surface of male part 24. Flange 30 extends in a second direction, generally opposite flange 22 and most preferably generally perpendicular to web 16, away from web 16, at edge 20, to a terminal end 34. 
     Second member 14 is an elongated member identical to first member 12 (FIGS. 2-4). Second member 14 has a web 16&#39; with opposing edges 18&#39; and 20&#39;. A first appendage or flange 22&#39; extends along edge 18&#39; of web 16&#39; defining a male part 24&#39; having an exterior surface. Flange 22&#39; extends in a first direction, most preferably generally perpendicular to web 16&#39;, away from web 16&#39;, at edge 18&#39; to a terminal end 26&#39; most preferably having a thickness greater than a thickness of flange 22&#39; or of web 16&#39;. 
     A second appendage or flange 30&#39; extends along the other edge 20&#39; of web 16&#39; defining a female part 32&#39; having an interior surface corresponding to the exterior surface of male part 24&#39;. Flange 30&#39; extends in a second direction, generally opposite flange 22&#39; and most preferably generally perpendicular to web 16&#39; away from web 16&#39; at edge 20&#39; to a terminal end 34&#39;. 
     First member 12 and second member 14 are effectively produced as lengths cut from the same extruded or molded structural shape or piece of material. The members are preferably made from an extruded metal material including, but not limited to, steel or aluminum alloy, for example. The extrusion or molded piece may also be made from any appropriate structural plastic. 
     First member 12 and second member 14 may be cut from the extruded structural shape by shearing or by other commonly known methods appropriate for the specific material used. By flipping member 14, for example, edge-for-edge relative to member 12 (FIGS. 5 and 6), the members can be oriented and telescoped together to interlock flange 22 of member 12 with flange 30&#39; of member 14 and flange 30 of member 12 with flange 22&#39; of member 14. Thus, member 12 and member 14 are coupled in sliding engagement in a width-wise direction. It will be noted that web 16, flange 22, and flange 30 are identical to web 16&#39; flange 22&#39; and flange 30&#39; respectively, since members 12 and 14 are formed from the same extruded or molded piece. 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 3, it will be noted that terminal end 34 of flange 30 most preferably wraps at least partially around terminal end 26&#39; of flange 22&#39; to effectively capture flange 22&#39; in sliding engagement (FIG. 4). Likewise, terminal end 34&#39; wraps at least partially around terminal end 26. Thus, male part 24 slidably fits into female part 32&#39; while male part 24&#39; slidably fits into female part 32. 
     Each of first member 12 and second member 14 is provided with a mounting aperture 40 generally centered along the depth of web 16 near each of two opposing ends 42 and 44 of web 16 (FIGS. 1 and 6). As shown in FIG. 1, mounting apertures 40 facilitate the installation of tread 10 to stringers 46 of a stairway 48 with fasteners 60, which may be screws or nails or the like. When nailing, commonly available duplex or double-headed nails are preferably used for temporary use of tread 10. Although, single-headed nails may also be used and are most easily removed if the nail head is not set tightly against, but left spaced at least slightly from web 16. 
     OPERATION 
     In accordance with this invention, the width-adjustable tread 10 is utilized in a method of constructing a stairway. As is disclosed in FIG. 1, the stairway is constructed by first providing a plurality of studs 50 spaced a desired distance from each other, corresponding to the width of the ultimate stairway. Side stringers 46 are mounted to the studs 50 and 51 and in many instances, a center stringer 46 is provided depending upon the width of the stairway. The greater the width, the more essential is the central stringer. Further, a spacer 52 may be positioned between an outer or side stringer 46 and studs 50 to provide space for drywall or other wall surfacing material. 
     A plurality of width-adjustable treads 10 are provided for the stairway depending upon the number of steps. The width of each tread 10 is adjusted by sliding the two members 12 and 14 relative to each other to span at least the distance between the outer or side stringers 46. Each tread 10 is then easily fastened in place by driving fasteners 60 through apertures 40 into the side stringers 46. 
     This provides a temporary stairway that is strong and is easily and quickly installed. Thus, it conserves labor and produces a safer temporary stairway. In many instances, telescoping treads 10 also eliminate the use of good boards by eliminating the need to cut these boards to lengths the width of the stairway, and subsequent waste of such boards. 
     At an appropriate time during the construction of the building, the fasteners 60 are removed, permitting the removal of the treads 10, and a finished tread such as a one-inch particle board or one-inch oak or pine is substituted for the treads 10 which are reusable in subsequent construction of buildings. 
     While those who practice this invention, through manufacture, sale, or use or otherwise, will realize that flanges 22, 30, 22&#39;, and 30&#39; may be configured in a variety of different shapes, other than the flanges specifically shown and described, and still provide the clever interconnection of first member 12 with second member 14, discussed in greater detail above, it will be noted that flanges 22, 30, 22&#39;, and 30&#39; as shown and described above add the further benefit of stiffening webs 16 and 16&#39; to provide tread 10 with great load bearing capacity. In addition, the flanges provide for a first stop at a front edge of tread 10, to fit over the vertical edges of the stringers 46, and a second stop at a back edge of the tread 10. 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.