Improvements in Stair Treads.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left. 20th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stair Treads.
ROBERT LESLIE, Engineer, Mayfield, Sprowston Road, Forest Gate, E., do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The stair treads consists of groved pieces of wood into which is inserted india
rubber strips either round or square.
improvements in Stair Treads.
I, ROBERT LESLIE, of "Mayfield," Sprowston Road, Forest Gate, London, E.,
Engineer, 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.:―
My invention relates to improvements in stair treads or to treads for steps or
the like the object of same being to provide an effective non slipping silent tread
which may be readily renewed when worn.
To clearly explain the nature of my invention I will describe it in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1. is a sectional elevation of
one form of my improved tread applied to a wooden stair. Figure 2. is a plan
Figure 3. is a sectional elevation of another form. Figure 4. being a
of same.
plan of the latter.
As will be seen by reference to Figures 1. and 2. I employ round strips of
rubber a. a number of same being laid on the stair and spaced apart by wooden
blocks or ribs b. which are curved or grooved on their sides so as to hold the rubber
down as shown. The blocks b. may be affixed to the stair in any suitable way but
I prefer to employ screws so that they may be readily removed or loosened when
the rubber is worn in order that the latter may be turned partially round to present
a fresh face upward until the rubber is worn too much for further use.
latter case it is possible to cut out the centre portions where the greatest wear
takes place and to slide the end portions to the middle or to reverse same the worn
parts being replaced at the ends or to alter the position of the rubber steps by
bringing those nearest the "risers" which have less wear to the front.
In this way
In the
an economical and lasting tread is provided. I prefer to employ a metal cap-piece c.
on the edge of the stair as shown to give a finished appearance and to hold the front
rubber in place. In place of the loose blocks b. I may employ a suitable metallic
or other frame on which these blocks are formed the rubber being placed in end wise
or wedged in; said frame if desirable forming the stairs themselves.
In Figures 3. and 4. the rubber strips employed are square with grooves in their
four faces with which corresponding ribs in the blocks a. engage.
These rubber
strips as will be evident may be reversed and generally treated in a similar manner
to those illustrated in Figures 1. and 2. It will be evident that I do not confine
myself to the particular forms shown in the drawings or to the materials described
for instance instead of rubber strips vulcanised fibre strips or even hard rope might be
employed while in place again of the wooden blocks or of the frames, suitably shaped.
rolled or stamped ribs may be employed.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is:
1. A stair tread, composed of strips of rubber or the like spaced apart and held b
grooved blocks or ribs substantially as described.
2. The improved stair treads substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated the 20th day of February 1890.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Applicant's Agent.