Abstract:
A step assembly for a swimming pool, includes a unitary, one-piece, molded plastic, stand alone, lower step section including two steps, an upper platform at least as high as an uppermost one of the steps, a first supporting structure for supporting the two steps and the upper platform on a ground surface as a stand alone unit without any further supporting structure, a first hollow chamber defined between the first supporting structure, the two steps and the upper platform, and a first opening in the first supporting structure permitting access to the first hollow chamber; a unitary, one-piece, molded plastic upper step section including an upper step at a height greater than the upper platform, a second supporting structure for supporting the upper step on the upper platform, a second hollow chamber defined between the second supporting structure and the upper step, and a second opening in the second supporting structure for permitting water access to the second hollow chamber, the upper step section having dimensions less than the first opening so as to be inserted through the first opening when disassembled from the lower step section and so as to be entirely removably positioned in the first hollow chamber in a disassembled position for storage and shipping; and a securing assembly which removably secures the upper step section on the upper platform of the lower step section in an assembled position.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/192,156, filed Nov. 13, 1998 which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,563 on Nov. 30, 1999, for MULTIPIECE INTERFITTING STEPS FOR A SWIMMING POOL by the same inventors herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to swimming pools, and more particularly, is directed to multipiece interfitting steps for a swimming pool. 
     A problem with swimming pools, and particularly, above-ground swimming pools is the accessability for elderly and infirm people. Generally, a ladder is provided for entering and leaving the swimming pool. However, elderly and infirm people find such ladders difficult to manage. In addition, such ladders are not very sturdy, so that such people can easily fall or lose their balance. 
     In order to overcome these problems, a one-piece plastic molded step assembly has been provided which fits into the pools, and which is weighted down by sand bags or the like. The advantage is that elderly and infirm people can walk down the steps, from a deck into the above-ground swimming pool, or into an in-ground pool, with little difficulty. Such step assembly is relatively sturdy, and generally provides three or four steps, along with one or two handrails secured to the step assembly that can be held by the person. 
     A problem with such step assemblies, however, is that they are very bulky. Therefore, in addition to being difficult to manage, that is, difficult to set up or insert into the pool, such step assemblies are difficult to ship because of the large size thereof. As a result, the shipping costs are relatively high compared to the cost of the step assembly itself. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools that can be easily handled during set-up. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools that is provided in multiple pieces that interfit with each other. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools in which the pieces can fit within each other, substantially reducing the size and bulk of the step assembly for shipping and storage. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools that has high structural integrity when assembled. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a step assembly for swimming pools that is easy and economical to use and manufacture. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a step assembly for a swimming pool, includes a unitary, one-piece, molded plastic, stand alone, lower step section including at least one lower step, each at least at a first height, an upper platform at least as high as an uppermost one of the at least one lower step, a first supporting structure for supporting the at least one lower step and the upper platform on a ground surface as a stand alone unit without any further supporting structure, a first hollow chamber defined between the first supporting structure, the at least one lower step and the upper platform, and a first opening in a wall of the lower step section for permitting access to the first hollow chamber. A unitary, one-piece, molded plastic upper step section includes at least one upper step, each upper step at a height greater than the upper platform, a second supporting structure for supporting the at least one upper step on the upper platform, a second hollow chamber defined between the second supporting structure and the at least one upper step, and a second opening in the second supporting structure for permitting water access to the second hollow chamber when the step assembly is positioned in a swimming pool. The upper step section has dimensions less than the first opening so as to be inserted through the first opening when disassembled from the lower step section and so as to be entirely removably positioned in the first hollow chamber in a disassembled position for storage and shipping. A securing assembly removably secures the upper step section with the lower step section in an assembled position such that the second supporting structure is removably mounted on the upper platform and such that the steps of the lower step section and the upper step section form a sequential order of steps of different heights from a low height to a higher height. 
     The at least one lower step includes two steps of different heights which are offset from each other in a horizontal direction and which are connected to each other by a riser. 
     There is also at least one hand rail, and the lower step section further includes hand rail holding sections for holding the at least one hand rail thereon. Specifically, there are at least two hand rail holding sections, each including a cup-shaped wall for receiving an end of one hand rail therein. 
     Preferably, the lower step section has a sector shape in plan view, and the first supporting structure includes an arcuate front wall connected with the at least one lower step, and first and second side walls connected with the at least one lower step and having first ends connected with the arcuate front wall and opposite second ends connected with each other. The first supporting structure further includes a bottom wall connecting lower edges of the front wall and the side walls, the bottom wall having the first opening therein, with the first opening being a sector shaped opening. 
     The upper step section also has a sector shape in plan view, and the second supporting structure includes an arcuate front wall connected with the at least upper step, and first and second side walls connected with the at least one upper step and having first ends connected with the arcuate front wall and opposite second ends connected with each other. The second supporting structure further includes a bottom wall connecting lower edges of the front wall and the side walls. The bottom wall rests on the upper platform in the assembled position. 
     The securing assembly includes a first securing device on the upper platform; and a second securing device on the second supporting structure for engaging with the first securing device to releasably secure the upper step section with the lower step section. Specifically, the first securing device includes an upper opening in the platform, and the second securing device includes a dowel member integrally formed with the bottom wall as a one-piece member and which removably fits within the upper opening in the assembled position. The first securing device further includes a cup-shaped member at an underside of the upper platform and within the first chamber, the cup-shaped member surrounding the upper opening and being in open communication therewith at an upper edge of the cup-shaped member, for receiving the dowel member inserted through the upper opening. The dowel member has similar dimensions and shape to the cup-shaped member so as to removably fit within the cup-shaped member with a friction fit. 
     Further, two step assemblies can be connected together to form a larger step assembly. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a step assembly for swimming pools according to the present invention, in fully assembled condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is left side elevational view of the step assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the step assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the upper step section of the step assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the upper step section of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the upper step section of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the upper step section of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper step section, taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the upper step section, taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper step section, taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the lower step section of the step assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view of the lower step section of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the lower step section of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the lower step section of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the lower section, taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a sector shaped step assembly for swimming pools according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in fully assembled condition; 
     FIG. 18 is side elevational view of the step assembly of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the lower step section of the step assembly of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the lower step section of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the lower step section of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 22 is a cross-step sectional view of the lower step section of FIG. 19, taken along line  22 — 22  thereof; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross-step sectional view of the lower step section of FIG. 22, taken along line  23 — 23  thereof; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the lower step section of FIG. 19, taken along line  24 — 24  thereof; 
     FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the upper step section of the step assembly of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the upper step section of FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the upper step section of FIG. 25; and 
     FIG. 28 is a top plan view of a step assembly for swimming pools according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in fully assembled condition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically to FIGS. 1-16, a step assembly  20  for swimming pools according to the present invention, is shown to include an upper step section  22  and a lower step section  24  which can detachably interfit with each other to form step assembly  20 . Upper step section  22  and lower step section  24  are formed from a relatively tough, thin walled, molded plastic material. Therefore, as will be appreciated from the discussion hereinafter, upper step section  22  and lower step section  24  each have a hollow interior to reduce the weight thereof and to reduce the size thereof during shipping and storage. 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 1-11, upper step section  22  includes at least one step, and preferably, a plurality of steps. Upper step section  22  is shown with an uppermost step  26  and a next lower step  28 , although the present invention is not limited to two steps. Steps  26  and  28  are formed in a substantially rectangular configuration, although the present invention is not limited thereto, and therefore, steps  26  and  28  can be formed in any other suitable configuration, such as circular, oval, arcuate, etc. Steps  26  and  28  are provided in parallel, vertically spaced relation, with step  26  being higher than step  28 , and with the front edge of step  26  being aligned with the rear edge of step  28 , and connected thereat by a vertical riser  30 . In addition, as best shown in FIG. 11, each step  26  and  28  has a raised edge  27  at the front and side edges thereof to prevent slipping by a person, and the upper surface of each step  26  and  28  can include ribs or the like (not shown) to further prevent slipping. 
     A supporting structure for supporting steps  26  and  28  above a ground surface is provided by a vertical front wall or front riser  32 , left and right vertical side walls  34  and  36 , and a vertical rear wall  38 . Front riser  32  is connected at its upper edge to the front edge of step  28 , and its lower edge provides support for upper step section  22  on a ground surface. Left and right vertical side walls  34  and  36  are connected at their front edges to the side edges of front riser  32 , and are shaped at their upper edges to conform to the shape of uppermost step  26 , riser  30  and the next lower step  28 , and connected therewith. Vertical rear wall  38  has side edges connected to the rear edges of left and right vertical side walls  34  and  36 , and an upper edge connected to the rear edge of uppermost step  26 . The lower portion  38   a  of vertical rear wall  38  is inclined inwardly toward front riser  32  in order to accommodate the cove at the lower edge of the swimming pool. 
     The supporting structure also includes a bottom wall  40  connected at its edges to the lower edges of front riser  32 , left and right vertical side walls  34  and  36 , and lower portion  38   a  of vertical rear wall  38 . 
     As discussed above, upper step section  22  is made from a thin walled, plastic material, and therefore forms a hollow chamber  42  therein. 
     When upper step section  22  is placed in the water in a swimming pool, it is necessary that the water be displaced. In order to aid in the insertion of upper step section  22 , and the displacement of the water, bottom wall  40  has a large opening  44  therein by which the water beneath bottom wall  40  can escape into chamber  42 . In addition, side walls  34  and  36  can be provided with openings  46  to relieve the pressure on side walls  34  and  36  during such insertion. 
     Further, according to an important aspect of the present invention, rear wall  38  includes a large rectangular opening  48  which serves a dual purpose of allowing entry and removal of lower step section  24  into chamber  42  during shipping and storage of step assembly  20 , and also provides for the egress of water that has entered chamber  42  through bottom opening  44  during insertion of upper step section  22  in the water. 
     It will be appreciated that, with lower step section  24  inserted into upper step section  22 , as shown in FIG. 7, the entire shipping dimensions of step assembly  20  are the same as those of upper step section  22  only. This substantially reduces the bulk and size of step assembly  20  to be shipped, so that step assembly  20  can be shipped in conventional packaging, for example, by United Parcel Service (UPS), thereby greatly reducing the shipping costs of step assembly  20  in comparison to a comparable step assembly which is a one piece unit. 
     Upper step section  22  further includes hollow, thin walled semi-cylindrical sections  50  and  52  for holding hand rails  54 , as shown in FIG. 3, and for further aiding in the support of upper step section  22  on a ground surface. Specifically, there are two sections  50  integrally formed at outer surfaces of side walls  34  and  36  adjacent uppermost step  26 , and two sections  52  integrally formed at outer surfaces of side walls  34  and  36  adjacent next lower step  28 . A cup-shaped, cylindrical wall  56  is positioned in each section  50  and  52 , and has an upper annular connecting wall  58  connected with the upper edge of each section  50  and  52 . Accordingly, cup-shaped, cylindrical walls  56  support the ends of hand rails  54  therein, and also limit the extent that such ends can travel within semi-cylindrical sections  50  and  52 , that is, to accurately position hand rails  54  at a particular location. 
     As shown in FIG. 3 only, each hand rail  54  includes a first vertical section  54   a , a second vertical section  54   b  and an inclined connecting section  54   c  such that the respective upper and lower ends of vertical section  54   b  are positioned lower than the upper and lower ends of vertical section  54   a . In this regard, the lower ends of vertical sections  54   a  fit within cup-shaped cylindrical walls  56  associated with semi-cylindrical sections  50  and the lower ends of vertical sections  54   b  fit within cup-shaped cylindrical walls  56  associated with semi-cylindrical sections  52 . Thus, a person walking up or down the steps can grasp hand rails  54  for better support. Screws or bolts can be provided through sections  50  and  52 , and through cylindrical walls  56 , and then through hand rails  54  to lock the same in place. 
     In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, front riser  32  is provided with an elongated vertical groove  60 , which is open at the lower edge of front riser  32 . Preferably, groove  60  has a trapezoidal configuration such that the side edges of groove  60  converge toward each other in an upward direction, although the present invention is not limited thereto. A substantially C-shaped guiding wall  62  is integrally formed at the inner surface of front riser  32  and extends the entire height of groove  60 . Preferably, C-shaped guiding wall  62  inclines away from front riser  32  in a downward direction, thereby defining a substantially oval chamber  64  therein, which is in open communication with groove  60  and which decreases in size from a lower end to an upper end thereof. Groove  60  and guiding wall  62  serve to removably connect lower step section  24  to the front of upper step section  22 , as will be explained hereinafter. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, lower step section  24  includes at least one step, and preferably, a plurality of steps. Lower step section  24  is shown with an uppermost step  66  and a next lower step  68 , although the present invention is not limited to two steps. Steps  66  and  68  are formed in a substantially rectangular configuration, although the present invention is not limited thereto, so that steps  66  and  68  can be formed in any other suitable configuration, such as circular, oval, arcuate, etc. Steps  66  and  68  are provided in parallel, vertically spaced relation, with step  66  being higher than step  68 , and with the front edge of step  66  being aligned with the rear edge of step  68 , and connected thereat by a vertical riser  70 . It will be appreciated that uppermost step  66  is lower than step  28  of upper step section  22 , and forms a next step after step  28  of step assembly  20 . 
     In addition, in the same manner as shown in FIG. 11, each step  66  and  68  has a raised edge  67  at the front and side edges thereof to prevent slipping by a person, and the upper surface of each step  66  and  68  can include ribs or the like (not shown) to further prevent slipping. 
     A supporting structure for supporting steps  66  and  68  above a ground surface is provided by a vertical front wall or front riser  72 , left and right vertical side walls  74  and  76 , and a vertical rear wall  78 . Front riser  72  is connected at its upper edge to the front edge of step  68 , and its lower edge provides support for lower step section  24  on a ground surface. Left and right vertical side walls  74  and  76  are connected at their front edges to the side edges of front riser  72 , and are shaped at their upper edges to conform to the shape of uppermost step  66 , riser  70  and the next lower step  68 , and are connected therewith. Vertical rear wall  78  has side edges connected to the rear edges of left and right vertical side walls  74  and  76 , and an upper edge connected to the rear edge of uppermost step  66 . 
     The supporting structure also includes a bottom wall  80  connected at its edges to the lower edges of front riser  72 , left and right vertical side walls  74  and  76 , and vertical rear wall  78 . 
     Lower step section  24  is made from a thin walled, plastic material, and therefore forms a hollow chamber  82  therein. 
     When lower step section  24  is placed in the water in a swimming pool, it is necessary that the water be displaced. In order to aid in the insertion of lower step section  24 , and the displacement of the water, bottom wall  80  has a large opening  84  therein by which the water beneath bottom wall  80  can escape into chamber  82 . In addition, side walls  74  and  76  are provided with openings  86  to relieve the pressure on side walls  74  and  76  during such insertion. 
     In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, rear wall  78  is provided with an elongated vertical tongue  90  having a C-shaped cross-section and integrally formed on the outer surface thereof. Vertical tongue  90  includes a substantially C-shaped main body portion  91  and a reduced neck portion  92  by which main body portion  91  is connected with rear wall  78 , and extends to the lower edge of rear wall  78 . Preferably, reduced neck portion  92  and main body portion  91  each have a substantially trapezoidal configuration of similar dimensions and shape to groove  60  and oval chamber  64  of guiding wall  62 , respectively, such that the side edges of main body portion  91  and reduced neck portion  92  converge toward each other in an upward direction, although the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, main body portion  91  preferably inclines away from rear wall  78  in a downward direction, in a complementary manner to C-shaped guiding wall  62 , and thereby decreases in size from a lower end to an upper end thereof. Tongue  90  is removably connectable within groove  60  and chamber  64  in order to removably connect lower step section  24  to the front of upper step section  22 . 
     In order to assemble upper step section  22  and lower step section  24 , lower step section  24  is positioned on the floor of the swimming pool. Then, upper step section  22  is positioned in the swimming pool, such that tongue  90  fits within groove  60  and chamber  64 . Hand rails  54  can be inserted before or after positioning of upper step section  22  into the swimming pool. Thereafter, sealed bags of sand or other matter are inserted into chamber  42  in upper step section through large rectangular opening  48  in order to weigh down step assembly  20 . Alternatively, the sealed bags can be placed in upper and lower step sections  22  and  24  just prior to insertion of the same into the swimming pool. Step assembly  20  can be moved a small amount into position such that rear wall  38  is against the side wall of the swimming pool. It will therefore be appreciated that set up of step assembly  20  is relatively easy. 
     Further, during storage and during shipping, lower step section  24  fits within upper step section  22 , that is, through large rectangular opening  48  of rear wall  38 . This is shown in FIG.  7 . In order to do so, it is necessary to turn lower step section  24  by 90°, since lower step section  24  is of the same width as upper step section  22 . Thus, step assembly  20 , during storage and transport, occupies a much smaller space and can be shipped at a greatly reduced cost. 
     It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the claims. For example, the shape of step assembly  20  can be changed to a rounded or any other suitable shape. Further, although only two step sections  22  and  24  have been shown, the present invention is not limited thereto, and more than two sections can be provided which interfit within each other. 
     Further, while the present invention has been described in connection with a tongue and groove arrangement for detachably connecting upper step section  22  and lower step section  24  together, the present invention is not limited thereby. In such case, any other suitable arrangement can be provided, such as a clamp arrangement at the sides of sections  22  and  24 , a strap arrangement, a bolt fastening arrangement, etc. 
     As another variant, tongue  90  can be formed on front wall  32  of upper step section  22 , while groove  60  is formed in rear wall  78  of lower step section  24 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 17-27, a step assembly  120  according to a second embodiment of the present invention, for swimming pools, and particularly, inground swimming pools, will now be discussed. Step assembly  120  is shown to include a lower step section  122  and an upper step section  124  which can detachably interfit with each other to form step assembly  120 . Step assembly  120  is formed in a configuration of a one-quarter sector of a circle in plan view and is particularly adapted to be used in a corner of an inground swimming pool. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and step assembly  120  can take any other suitable configuration, such as the configuration of FIGS. 1-16 or the like. Lower step section  122  and upper step section  124  are formed from a relatively tough, thin walled, molded plastic material. Therefore, as will be appreciated from the discussion hereinafter, lower step section  122  and upper step section  124  each have a hollow interior to reduce the weight thereof and to reduce the size thereof during shipping and storage. 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 17-24, lower step section  122  includes at least one step, and preferably, a plurality of steps. Lower step section  122  is shown with an uppermost step  126  and a next lower step  128 , although the present invention is not limited to two-steps. Steps  126  and  128  are formed in a configuration of a part annular portion of a circle, although the present invention is not limited thereto, and therefore, steps  126  and  128  can be formed in any other suitable configuration, such as rectangular, oval, etc. Steps  126  and  128  are provided in parallel, vertically spaced relation, with step  126  being higher than step  128 , and with the arcuate front edge of step  126  being aligned with the arcuate rear edge of step  128 , and connected thereat by an arcuate vertical riser  130 . In addition, as best shown in FIG. 18, step  126  has an outwardly extending lip  127  at the front arcuate edge thereof, and the upper surface of each step  126  and  128  can include a non-smooth surface formed by a crisscrossing rectangular pattern (checkerboard tread)  129 , ribs or the like, to prevent slipping. 
     A supporting structure for supporting steps  126  and  128  above a ground surface is provided by an arcuate, vertical front wall or front riser  132 , and left and right vertical side walls  134  and  136  which meet at a rear vertical corner  138 . Front riser  132  is connected at its upper edge to the front edge of step  128 , and its lower edge provides support for lower step section  122  on a ground surface. Left and right vertical side walls  134  and  136  are connected at their front edges to the side edges of front riser  132 , and are shaped at their upper edges to conform to the shape of uppermost step  126 , riser  130  and the next lower step  128 , and are connected therewith. The lower portions  134   a  and  136   a  of vertical side walls  134  and  136  are inclined inwardly toward front riser  132  in order to accommodate the cove at the lower edge of the swimming pool. A rear inclined portion  135   a  of a V-shape, as best shown in FIG. 20, connects together the rear edges of lower portions  134   a  and  136   a.    
     The supporting structure also includes a one-quarter sector shaped bottom wall  140  connected at its arcuate front edge to the lower edge of front riser  132 , and at its planar left and right side edges to the lower edges of lower portions  134   a  and  136   a , respectively. 
     As discussed above, lower step section  122  is made from a thin walled, plastic material, and therefore forms a hollow chamber  142  therein. 
     When lower step section  122  is placed in the water in a swimming pool, it is necessary that the water be displaced. In order to aid in the insertion of lower step section  122 , and the displacement of the water, bottom wall  140  has a large one-quarter sector shaped opening  144  therein by which the water beneath bottom wall  140  can escape into chamber  142 . In addition, front riser  132  and/or side walls  134  and  136  can be provided with openings  146  to relieve the pressure on front riser  132  and side walls  134  and  136  during such insertion. 
     Further, according to an important aspect of the present invention, large sector shaped opening  144  serves the additional purpose of allowing entry and removal of upper step section  124  into chamber  142  during shipping and storage of step assembly  120 , as well as providing for the egress of water that has entered chamber  142  during insertion of lower step section  122  in the water. 
     It will be appreciated that, with upper step section  124  inserted into lower step section  122 , the entire shipping dimensions of step assembly  120  are the same as those of lower step section  122  only. This substantially reduces the bulk and size of step assembly  120  to be shipped, so that step assembly  120  can be shipped in conventional packaging, for example, by United Parcel Service (UPS), thereby greatly reducing the shipping costs of step assembly  120  in comparison to a comparable step assembly which is a one piece unit. 
     Lower step section  122  further includes two openings  150  at opposite ends of lower step  128 . Thin walled, cup-shaped members  155  each include a cylindrical wall  156  closed by a bottom wall  157  for holding one end of hand rails  154 . Cylindrical walls  156  depend down from the underside of lowermost step  128  in surrounding relation to openings  150  and are open only at the upper ends thereof. Accordingly, cup-shaped, cylindrical walls  156  support the ends of hand rails  154  therein, and bottom walls  157  limit the extent that such ends of hand rails  154  can travel within cylindrical walls  156 , that is, to accurately position hand rails  154  at a particular location. The opposite ends of the hand rails  154 , as is conventional, extend to the skirt of the inground pool and are mounted in the concrete thereat. 
     As shown best in FIGS. 22 and 23, the inner surface of each cylindrical wall  156  slopes slightly inwardly, and is formed with equiangularly spaced, lengthwise extending ribs  159 . Hand rails  154  include a complementary formation on the outer surface thereof, so as to prevent turning of the hand rails  154  within cup-shaped, cylindrical walls  156 . Thus, a person walking up or down the steps can grasp hand rails  154  for better support. Screws or bolts can further be provided through cylindrical walls  156 , and then through hand rails  154  to lock the same in place. 
     In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, uppermost step  126  is formed as a front curved or arcuate part of a one-quarter sector, upper platform  159  of lower step section  122 . A square opening  161  is provided in upper platform  159  to the rear of uppermost step  126 . A thin walled, cup-shaped member  163  includes a cylindrical wall  165  closed by a bottom wall  167  for holding upper step section  124  thereon in a fixed position. Cylindrical wall  163  depends down from the underside of upper platform  159  in surrounding relation to opening  161  and is open only at the upper end thereof. Alternatively, cup-shaped member  163  can be eliminated entirely. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 17,  18  and  25 - 27 , upper step section  124  includes a single step, although a plurality of steps can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Upper step section  124  is shown with a single step  166  formed in a one-quarter sector configuration, although the present invention is not limited thereto, so that step  166  can be formed in any other suitable configuration, such as rectangular, oval, etc. It will be appreciated that step  166  is higher than uppermost step  126  of lower step section  122 , and forms a next step after step  126 . 
     Step  166  has an outwardly extending lip  167  at the front arcuate edge thereof, to prevent slipping by a person, and the upper surface of step  166  also includes the same non-smooth, crisscrossing rectangular pattern (checkerboard tread)  129 , ribs or the like, to prevent slipping. 
     A supporting structure for supporting step  166  is provided by an arcuate vertical front wall or front riser  172 , and left and right vertical side walls  174  and  176 . Front riser  172  is connected at its upper edge to the front edge of step  166 , and its lower edge provides support for upper step section  124  on platform  159  of lower step section  122 . Left and right vertical side walls  174  and  176  are connected at their front edges to the side edges of arcuate front riser  172 , at their rear edges to each other, and at their upper edges to the side edges of step  166 . The supporting structure also includes a bottom wall  180  connected at its edges to the lower edges of arcuate front riser  172 , and left and right vertical side walls  174  and  176 . 
     It is important that the outer dimensions of upper step section  124  are less than those of opening  144  in bottom wall  140  of lower step section  122 , so that upper step section  124  can fit within lower step section  122  for storage and shipping. 
     Upper step section  124  is made from a thin walled, plastic material, and therefore forms a hollow chamber  182  therein. 
     When upper step section  124  is placed in the water in a swimming pool, it is necessary that the water be displaced. In order to aid in the insertion of upper step section  124 , and the displacement of the water, arcuate front riser  172  and/or side walls  174  and  176  has at least one, and preferably more than one, opening  184  therein by which the water can escape into chamber  182 . Such openings  184  also relieve the pressure on front riser  172  and side walls  174  and  176  during such insertion. 
     In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, bottom wall  180  is provided with an elongated, downwardly extending plastic dowel member  190  integrally formed therewith. Dowel member  190  has a substantially square cross-sectional configuration of similar dimensions and shape to cup-shaped member  163  for fitting therein in a friction tight manner. 
     In order to assemble lower step section  122  and upper step section  124 , sealed bags of sand or the like are placed in lower step section  122 , and then lower step section  122  is positioned on the floor of the swimming pool. The water in chamber  142  and the sand bags retain lower step section  122  on the floor of the swimming pool. Then, upper step section  124  is positioned in the swimming pool, such that dowel member  190  fits within cup-shaped member  163  with a friction fit. Because of this friction fit and because of the water weight, due to the water entering chamber  182  of upper step section  124  through openings  184 , upper step section  124  remains connected with lower step section  122 . Hand rails  154  can be inserted before or after positioning of lower and upper step sections  122  and  124  into the swimming pool. Step assembly  120  can be moved a small amount into position such that lower portions  134   a  and  136   a  of vertical side walls  134  and  136  are against the side walls at the corner of the swimming pool. It will therefore be appreciated that set up of step assembly  120  is relatively easy. 
     Further, as with the first embodiment, during storage and during shipping, upper step section  124  fits within lower step section  122 , that is, through large opening  144  of bottom wall  140 . Thus, step assembly  120 , during storage and transport, occupies a much smaller space and can be shipped at a greatly reduced cost. 
     It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the claims. For example, the shape of step assembly  120  can be changed to a rounded or any other suitable shape. Further, although only two step sections  122  and  124  have been shown, the present invention is not limited thereto, and more than two sections can be provided which interfit within each other. 
     Further, opening  144  can be provided in side walls  134  or  136 , or any other wall, for insertion of upper step section  124 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 28, there is shown a further modification of the present invention, in which two step assemblies  120   a  and  120   b  are placed side by side to form a semi-circular configuration. Step assemblies  120   a  and  120   b  can each be identical to step assembly  120  of FIGS. 17-27, although the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     In such case, side wall  134  of step assembly  120   a  can be detachably connected to side wall  136  of step assembly  120   b  by any suitable means such as the tongue and groove arrangement of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-16, a clamp arrangement, a strap arrangement, a bolt fastening arrangement, etc. 
     Thus, with this latter embodiment, a large semi-circular step assembly, in plan view, can be constructed from two one-quarter sector step assemblies, thereby reducing the shipping size of any package. In such case, steps  126 ,  128  and  166  of step assemblies  120   a  and  120   b  form continuations of each other at the same heights. 
     Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.