IMPROVEMENT IN OR RELATING TO STAIRCASES

Abstract: A staircase is surfaced by applying cladding panels (1, 2) to the tread and riser surfaces. The tread panel (2) is in two parts (2A, 2B) one (2A) of which is the same as the riser panel (1), and the other (2B) is adapted to clad the nose of the step. The cladding panels may be metal or plastics and can be adhered to the staircase by screeding or adhesive. The cladding eliminates the need for screeding of a rough concrete staircase.

Description: Improvements in or relating to staircases This invention relates to staircases, and particularly to a new method for the surfacing of staircases Staircases in new buildings are in the main constructed from pre-cast concrete beams or of concrete cast in situ. The surfaces of staircases constructed by either method are rough and uneven, and have to be screeded on both the riser and tread by the builder, to provide a dimensionally correct and level structure, with a smooth surface for the ultimate acceptance of a floor covering. To ensure the stairs are level and dimensionally acceptable it is necessary for the builder to level and fix wooden battens on each step edge and infill with a screeding compound. After screeding each step, the staircase is closed to pedestrians for some hours, until the screed is set; imposing a restraint on further building activity, the wooden battens being left in position to act as a step edge protector against construction damage. The recesses left on ultimately removing the battens are filled in by the flooring contractor, with more screeding compound, when the building is virtually completed. We have now devised a means of overcoming the present building restraints using a prefabricated staircase cladding. According to the present invention there is provided a Cladding for a pre-formed staircase which comprises a plurality of cladding panels including tread and riser cladding panels adaped to fit together and rest on said staircase to provide a surface suitable to carry a floor covering. Concrete staircases are provided with either a 90 angle or an 81" angle between the tread and riser. In the present invention a riser cladding panel is provided which can preferably also be used as part of the tread cladding panel. The remainder of the tread cladding panel can then be a piece to clad the nose of the tread, and which can be provided in different widths and configurations to suit the different staircase types. Preferably the cladding panels comprise metal or plastics facings and support means, and the latter are preferably integral with the facings. The support means may usefully extend transversely relative to the stair for which the cladding is intended, and preferably substantially the whole width of the stair. In this way the cladding panels may be metal or plastics extrusions. The invention also provides a method for the surfacing of a staircase which comprises applying to said staircase a cladding described above. The cladding panels are preferably bonded to the staircase, for example by bedding the supports into screeding or an adhesive composition, but may, if desired, be attached to the staircase by other means eg. screws. The invention will now be more particularly described by means of the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a staircase and cladding according to the invention Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view showing a variation of the cladding shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the use of part of the cladding to surface a landing. As shown in figure 1 a staircase cladding consists of a riser cladding panel 1 and a tread cladding panel 2 in two parts A and B. Part A of the tread cladding panels is identical with the riser cladding panel 1. All parts of the cladding panels are metal or plastics extrusions with facings 3 having grooves 4 profiled to take self-tapping screws 7 for the a-ttachment of fittings such as carpet grippers 5, 6, or staircase nosings 8 (see figure 2). Support legs 9, which are an integral part of the extrusions, extend across the transverse width of the cladding panels, and during laying are bedded in adhesive or screeding compound. Type A panels have a beaded head end 10, and a grooved depressed tail end 11, arranged so that it will allow the head end 10 to overly it. The groove in the tail end 11 accepts the bead of the head end when two type A panels are laid head to tail as in figure 3 to cover a landing or when the two type A panels are at 810 or 900 as at positions X and Y in figure 1. Part B of the head cladding panel is intended to cover the nose of the stair. It has a flat head portion 12 which will overly the tail of the part A, and a tail portion 13 dimensioned to overhang the concrete step edge and having a slot 14 into which the beaded head portion 10 of a type A riser cladding panel will fit. Part B may he provided in different widths to allow for different step depths. Figure 2, illustrates a variation of Part B of the tread cladding panel which has a step 15 up to an high facing 16 and an extra overhanginy portion 17 both of which are to allow a carpet edge to be fitted up to it, the intention being to stick the carpet onto the other parts of the cladding, or fit it to grippers located as shown in figure 2. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations are possible on the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. Some of the many advantages of the invention are a. The stairs do not require to have wood screed levelling battens fitted. b. Eliminates the necessity for the builder to screed and level the stairs and landings. c. The staircase does not have to be closed when building is in progress d. The flooring contractor does not have to remove the wooden battens and make good with screeding compound. e. The longitudinal grooves between the support legs on PART A type cladding panels can he used as electric wiring ducts. f. The upper surface of the cladded staircase provides a clean surface for the fitting of the flooring material.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Cladding for a pre-formed staircase which comprises a plurality of cladding panels including tread and riser cladding panels adapted to fit together and rest on said staircase to provide a surface suitable to carry a floor covering. 2. Staircase cladding according to claim 1 in which the tread cladding comprises two parts, one of which is the same as the riser cladding and the other is to cover the nose of a step. 3. Staircase cladding according to claim 1 or 2 which comprises plastics or metal facings and support means and said panels each extend across the whole width of the staircase. 4. Staircase cladding according to claim 3 in which the support means are an integral part of the cladding panels. 5. Staircase cladding according to claim 3 or 4 in which the support means extend transversely relative to the stair for which the cladding is intended. 6. Staircase cladding according to any preceding claim in which the cladding panels are plastics or metal extrusions and the support means are ribs on said extrusions. 7. Staircase cladding according to any one of the preceding claims in whose surface V section grooves are provided in locations suitable to receive fastenings for conventional carpet grippers and/or staircase nosings. 8. A method for the surfacing of a staircase which comprises applying to the staircase a cladding as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 9. A method according to claim 7 in which the claddin; panels are bonded to the staircase by means .)E a screeding compound or adhesive.

Inventors: MELLOR, PETER GORDON, PERRY, JOSEPH WILLIAM
Applicants: FERODO LIMITED
Application year: 1982
Main classification: E04F11
IPC codes: E04F11