A Stair Case or Series of Steps with Resilient Treads.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
A Stair Case or Series of Steps with Resilient Treads.
I IORGEN CHRISTEN TVEDE of Platanoej 25, Copenhagen, Denmark,
Manufacturer 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 a stair-case, or a series or flight of steps, in which the
steps or treads are adapted to yield under the pressure of the feet, whereby the
ascent of the stairs is considerably facilitated, such resilient steps or treads acting
as a species of accumulators which absorb the power expended by the foot in
pressing on the step, and yield up such power again to the person using the stairs,
as soon as he sets his other foot upon the next step. A similar relieving effect is
produced by the resilient treads in the descent, so that the concussion, and attendant
fatigue or pain, to which the leg (and especially the knee) is subjected as the foot
steps down from one step to the next, is reduced to a minimum.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figures 1 and 2 represent the improved stairs in two vertical sections at right
angles to each other.
It will be seen that the stairs consist of ordinary solid steps a having the usual
risers and fitted between cheeks c. Above the steps a are loosely arranged
bars d, the lower side of which is somewhat rounded. To these bars are secured
the yielding treads f. The steps a and bars d are firmly retained in position by
means of bars or clamps g, which are in their turn retained by small rails or
angle-irons screwed both to the cheeks c and the bars g.
с
Instead of being made of wood, the stair-treads may consist of steel plates
provided with parallel or rectangularly intersecting ribs, supported by angle-irons.
Between the steps and bars, or between the angle-irons, may be interposed india-
rubber plates to avoid the creaking noise which would otherwise be produced in
going up or down the stairs.
When the foot is set upon the step, the tread bends under the stress, but resumes
its straight shape as soon as the foot is lifted from it, so that when a person again
sets his foot upon the step, the resiliency of the tread again gives it relief.
It will be understood that, if preferred, the stationary steps may be dispensed
with, and elastic steps may alone be used, in which case the size of these should
be such as to afford the required safety, and their construction should necessarily
be somewhat modified, the bar d, for example, being secured to the cheek C, instead
of being rigidly attached to the step f, and sufficient space being, of course,
provided for the displacement of the ends of the step, so that it may yield and bend
under pressure.
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. Stairs or steps characterized by the employment of yielding or resilient steps
or treads for the purpose of facilitating the ascent and .descent of the stairs,
substantially as described.
2. A construction or arrangement of stairs or steps, such as referred to in the
first claim, wherein yielding steps or treads f are employed over or above the
permanent steps a, the ends of such steps or treads being provided with cross-pieces
or bars d loosely placed upon the said permanent steps a, and the said steps or

page_text: treads being at the same-time retained in position by rods or bars g arranged
above them and secured to the cheeks c substantially as described and-illustrated.--
Dated this 10th day of November 1893.
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON, Fels. Chartd. Inst. P.A.,
19, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.