Year: 1899

page_text: I, THOMAS FEWSTER WILKINSON, of Bartle Garth, Reepham-by-Lincoln, in
the County of Lincoln, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to improved constructions of stair-cases intended
to economise space and to provide within a given space easier means of ascending
and descending than the ordinary staircase."
For these purposes I provide a separate series of steps for each foot, and make
the stair-case sufficiently narrow to ensure the placing of the user's feet successively
upon the proper treads, also with the same object providing at each side a hand-
rail or equivalent.
As seen in plan the front of each step is in continuation of a line midway or
thereabout between the front and back of the tread of the next lower step towards
the back of which it is or conveniently may be curved, so as to terminate in a
face forming a downward continuation of the rise or front face of the next higher
step, and so on.
To render ascent easy, without increasing the space occupied by a staircase I
increase the number of steps and reduce the rise of each step.
As compared with an ordinary staircase I am thus able to reduce by one half
the rise of each step without reducing the tread from back to front in a staircase
occupying a given space and rising to a given height. Or if the greater rise be
retained, then I am able to provide within the same space double the tread
(i.e. from back to front of step).
Sometimes I combine in one staircase a set of steps of each of the two kinds
just described, with a dividing rail and with self-closing gates or doors opening
outward, the steps having the lesser rise being for the purpose of ascending and
the others for descending, and the gates or doors being placed respectively at the
top of the ascending and at the bottom of the descending stairs so as to indicate
the proper staircase to take. But I do not as a rule recommend this combined
arrangement of two kinds of steps; two staircases of one of the kinds described
may however be advantageously juxtaposed, one for ascending, the other for
descending.
The arrangement with small rise may be advantageously employed where
space is extremely limited, as for instance in cottages and tenements, and in
cases such as those in which it is now usual to have recourse to winding or spiral
staircases.
Where two sets of steps are arranged side by eide with a dividing hand-rail it
may be made removable to facilitate carrying furniture etc. up and down.
Sometimes I combine with an ordinary staircase two of my improved sets
of steps one at each side and preferably of the greater rise type thus enabling
persons to descend quickly and safely whilst the ordinary steps are being
uspended

page_text: The increase of the tread from back to front of each step as in my arrangement
with the greater rise provides in such a staircase an element of safety inasmuch
as anyone stumbling will be less likely to fall to the bottom.
Staircases of both my improved types above described can be easily formed of
cast iron or artificial stone. I consider it advantageous to round off or curve all
parts that would otherwise constitute angles joining vertical and horizontal parts
as thereby liability to accumulations of dust is obviated.
I sometimes recess the treads and cement thereto kamptulicon or other suitable
floor covering.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
Improvements in Stair-cases.
I, THOMAS FEWSTER WILKINSON, of Bartle Garth, Reepham-by-Lincoln, in
the County of Lincoln, Gentleman, 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 has reference to improved constructions of staircases intended
to economise space and to provide within a given space easier means of ascending
and descending than the ordinary stair-case.
For these purposes I provide a separate series of steps for each foot, and make
the stair-case sufficiently narrow to ensure the placing of the user's feet successively
upon the proper treads, also with the same object providing at each side a hand-
rail or equivalent.
As seen in plan the front of each step is in continuation of a line drawn midway or
thereabout between the front and back of the tread of the next lower step towards
the back of which it is or may be conveniently curved, so as to terminate in a
face forming a downward continuation of the rise or front face of the next higher
step, and so on.
To render ascent easy, without increasing the space occupied by a staircase I
increase the number of steps and reduce the rise of each step.
As compared with an ordinary staircase I am thus able to reduce by one half
the rise of each step without reducing the tread from back to front in a staircase
occupying a given space and rising to a given height. Or if the greater rise be
retained, then I am able to provide within the same space double the tread
(i.e. from back to front of step).
Referring to the accompanying illustrative drawings,
Fig. 1 shows in perspective a staircase of my improved construction, with
square treads.
Fig. 2 shows a modification wherein the treads as seen in plan are of a curved
formation such as herein before referred to. Fig. 3 is a similar view to Figs. 1
and 2 showing a modified staircase according to this invention, wherein to
increase the tread without occupying more ground space the number of steps is
reduced and they have a greater rise than those represented in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows a compound staircase comprising two staircases such as that
represented in Fig. 1.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show in side elevation, front elevation and plan, respectively,
a staircase in which are combined two sets of steps one like that shown in Fig. 2
the other like that represented in. Fig. 3.-..

page_text: Fig. 8 shows a modification in which the two sets of steps are alike.
Fig. 9 shows in perspective a compound staircase comprising an ordinary
staircase and two of my improved sets of steps respectively such as represented
in Fig. 2 and as shewn in Fig. 3.
In all the views the same reference letters denote like parts where they occur.
Of my improved steps a a are the treads whereof 6 indicates the front, and c
the back; ee are the risers, f f downward continuations thereof.
As will be seen on reference to the several figures my improved steps are
arranged in double series, one for each foot of a person using the staircase, the
treads a of the steps of the one series being midway between the treads a of the
juxtaposed steps of the other series. In all the examples save those represented
in Figs. and 4 the front b of each step is in continuation of a line (see x, .
Fig. 2) midway between the front b and back c of the tread a of the next lower
step, towards the back c of which it is curved as at d, terminating in the face f
which forms a downward continuation of the rise or front face e of the next
higher step. My staircases are made narrow namely of sufficient width for only
one person and hand rails 9 are provided to ensure the placing of the user's feet
successively upon the proper treads. These handrails will not be needed where
both sides of the staircase are bounded by walls; and where there is a wall at
one side one of the handrails may be dispensed with; but for the sake of greater
safety afforded by handrails, I preferably place one on either side whenever there
is sufficient width to permit of this.
The steps in the staircase shown in Fig. 2 and at A in Fig. 9 have but half the
rise of the steps in the ordinary staircase B, Fig. 9, their number being corre-
spondingly increased; while the tread a from back c to front b remains the
same thereby rendering ascent easy without increasing the space occupied.
In the staircase shown in Fig. 3 and at C in Fig. 9, the rise of the steps of my
improved staircase is kept the same as that of the steps in the ordinary staircase,
so that within the same space double the area of tread a is obtained.
I consider the arrangement represented in Fig. 4 very suitable for use on
passenger steamers and the like where the space available is limited.
The steps in this example are so arranged that with practically the same rise
as in an ordinary staircase a much larger tread can be secured without increasing
the total area occupied by the staircase.
The steps instead of being rectangular may be of the curved form illustrated
in Figs. 2 and 3.
k, k, are dividing hand rails and g g are hand rails at either side; 7 and r are
signs in the shape of hands pointing upward and downward respectively; they
indicate the proper set of steps to take.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive there are combined
with two sets of steps a dividing hand-rail & placed between them and at each
outer side a hand rail 9 and self-closing gates or doors m, n opening outward,
and preferably kept in their closed position by a suitable door spring, the steps
having the lesser rise being for the purpose of ascending and those having the
ordinary rise, for descending, and the gates or doors m, n being placed respectively
at the top of the ascending stairs and at the bottom of the descending stairs so
as to indicate the proper staircase to take. I do not however as a rule recommend
this combined arrangement of two kinds of steps; two staircases of one of the
kinds described may however be advantageously juxtaposed as shown in Fig. 4
and in Fig. 8 one for ascending the other for descending, gates or doors m and n
and hand rails and g being arranged as hereinabove described; or, sometimes,
the gates or doors may be dispensed with, and hands as in Fig. 4, or other
pointers be provided.
The arrangements with small rise may be advantageously employed where
space is extremely limited, as for instance in cottages and tenements, and in
cases such as those in which it is now usual to have recourse to winding or spiral
staircases.

page_text: The increase of the tread from back to front of each step as in my arrange-
ments with the greater rise, provides in such a staircase an element of safety
inasmuch as anyone stumbling will be less likely to fall to the bottom.
Where two sets of steps are arranged side by side as in the arrangements
illustrated respectively by Fig. 4, Figs. 5 to 7, and by Fig. 8 the dividing hand-
rail k may be made removable to facilitate carrying furniture etc. up and down.
Sometimes I combine with an ordinary staircase two of my improved sets of
steps one at each side. In the arrangement of this kind represented in Fig. 9
one of the compound staircases of my construction is represented with steps of
higher rise than the other; but usually I prefer to adopt the greater rise for
both. Suitable handrails are provided, thus enabling persons to descend quickly
and safely by my steps whilst the ordinary steps are being ascended.
Staircases constructed as herein described can be easily formed of wood, metal,
or artificial stone, and in the arrangements represented by Figs. 1 and 4 where the
treads are rectangular in shape they may if desired be carpeted like a staircase of
ordinary construction, it being understood that a separate carpet will be required
for each series of steps. I consider it advantageous to round off or curve all parts
that would otherwise constitute angles joining vertical and horizontal parts as
thereby liability to accumulations of dust is obviated.
I sometimes recess the treads and cement thereto kamptulicon or other suitable
floor covering.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. A staircase comprising two series of steps one series for each foot of a
person using the staircase, the treads of the steps of the one series being midway
between the treads of the juxtaposed steps of the other series substantially as
described.
2. In a staircase the combination of two series of steps relatively arranged so
that one series shall serve for one foot the other series for the other foot of a
person ascending or descending and at each side of the combined series a handrail
or equivalent whereby the way is made sufficiently narrow to ensure the placing
of the user's feet successively upon the proper treads substantially as described.
3. A staircase comprising two series of steps arranged one series for each foot
of a person using such staircase the front of each step being in continuation of a
line drawn midway or thereabout between the front b and back c of the tread a
of the next lower step substantially as described.
4. The several arrangements of staircases described with reference respectively
to and illustrated in Fig. 2, in Fig. 3, in Fig. 4, in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, in Fig. 8
and in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of Mouch 1000
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
Ե
Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered l'atent Agent.