Improvements in Stair Treads and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: UNAL
UIT
Improvements in Stair Treads and the like.
I, FREDERICK SAGE of 58, 60, and 62 Gray's Inn Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Shop Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to stair treads and in carrying out the invention I employ
a suitable material preferably wood, and place the grain, not in the direction of
the length of each individual tread as is the present custom, but so that the grain
lies across the length of each tread and in the direction of the movement of the
feet as a person passes up and down stairs. To do this I may employ either a
single piece of the material, say as an example only the wood pitch-pine which
I find gives excellent results, cut across the grain so that the grain shall lie in the
required direction, or 1 may employ several pieces laid side by side, teak or other
suitable wood may be used for this purpose. I find that owing to this alteration
in the direction of the grain the wood will last very much longer than when it is
placed so that the grain lies in the usual direction, and quite a thin layer or tread
is all that is necessary to effect my purpose.
The piece or pieces may be secured in any convenient manner; in the case of
wooden stairs nailing is effective and convenient, but they may be carried in metal
or other frames or the like and may be laid upon or let into stone, metal or other
stairs so as to give the desired tread.
I find many advantages in this arrangement, a few of which I will mention.
The bead or cosing at the edge of the tread which is not infrequently broken off
in use is not liable to damage with these improved treads on account of the direction
of the grain.
A peculiarly soft and agreeable, but thoroughly holding or non-slipping tread is
obtained by means of this invention as well as a greatly extended length of time
during which the tread will last, with the consequent saving in expense.
When any part of the tread becomes worn it can easily be replaced by merely
removing the piece or pieces affected and replacing them, and not in any way
injuring the structure.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Stair Treads and the like.
1, FREDERICK SAGE of 58, 60 and 62 Gray's Inn Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Shop Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to stair treads and in carrying out the invention I employ

page_text: a suitable material preferably wood, and place the grain, not in the direction of the
length of each individual tread as is, the present custom,, but so that the grain lies
across the length of each tread and in the direction of the movement of the feet as
a person passes up and down stairs. To do this I may employ either a single piece
of the material, say as an example only the wood pitch-pine which I find gives
excellent results, cut across the grain so that the grain shall lie in the required
direction, or I may employ several pieces laid side by side, teak or other suitable
wood may be used for this purpose. 1. find that owing to this alteration in the
direction of the grain the wood will last very much longer than when it is placed
so that the grain lies in the usual direction, and quite a thin layer or tread is all
that is necessary to effect my purpose.
The piece or pieces may be secured in any convenient manner; in the case of
wooden stairs nailing is effective and convenient, but they may be carried in metal
or other frames or the like and may be laid upon or let into stone, metal or other
stairs. so as to give the desired tread.
I find many advantages in this arrangement, a few of which I will mention.
... The bead or nosing at the edge of the tread which is not infrequently broken off
in use is not liable to damage with these improved treads on account of the direction
of the grain.
A peculiarly soft and agreeable, but thoroughly holding or non-slipping tread is
obtained by means of this invention as well as a greatly extended length of time
during which the tread,will last, with the consequent saving in expense.
When any, part of the tread becomes worn it can easily be replaced by merely
removing, the piece or pieces affected and replacing them and not in any way
injuring the structure.
In the accompanying drawings
.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a staircase with this invention
applied.
Fig. 2 is a section showing a stair tread constructed in accordance with this
invention...
Fig. 3 is a section showing the method of applying this invention to an existing
stair tread..
...i.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
As shown in Fig. 1 the framework A of the staircase is constructed as ordinarily
but the tread of each step is faced with wood, the grain of which runs transversely
to the length of the tread, that is to say, approximately. in the direction of: the
movement of, the feet upon the tread.. The improved tread is preferably formed of
a series of narrow.planks B placed side by side and attached to, the framework A
in some suitable manner as by nails or screws. The plauks B may be simply laid
on the surface of each step and there fastened or may be countersunk.
The edge B' of the boards may be formed with a bead or moulding to give the
required finish to the step. Fig. 2 shows in section a method of constructing steps
with the improved tread, the boards B being applied to the foundation and the
edge rounded off as clearly indicated. In Fig. 3 will be seen the appearance of an
ordinary step to which the improved tread has been attached and it will be seen
the boards rest upon the tread of the original step, their edges B¹ being suitably
rounded or otherwise shaped.
The thickness of the boards B may vary as desired, also the quality of the wood
of which they are made, but the relative proportions of the thickness of the boards
and framework upon which they rest are preferably much as shown in the drawings.
It is obvious that where a portion of the tread becomes at all worn the board
forming that portion may be renewed or turned end for end without difficulty.
It is to be noted that this invention is applicable to any form of stair or step and
also to step ladders. If desired the boards B may be arranged otherwise than as
above,described either in ornamental or other patterns so long as the direction in
which the grain runs is approximate to that in which movement of the feet o
persons passing up or down the steps takes place.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. A stair tread in which the grain of the wood lies approximately in the
direction of the movement of the feet on the tread.
2. A stair tread having the grain of the wood or other material of which it is
composed running transverse to the length of the tread substantially as described.
3. The combination with an ordinary stair tread of a tread facing composed of
one or more pieces of wood the grain of which lies approximately in the direction
of the movement of the feet upon the tread.
Dated this 10th day of March 1897.
FREDERICK SAGE.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.