Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to tools for use in the building construction industry and, more specifically, to a Step Attachment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    There are a variety of temporary steps, scaffolds and other structures that have evolved over time in the construction industry. Of particular note is Harsh, U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,563 for a “Portable Post Step.” The Harsh device is intended to provide a worker with the ability to turn a sign post into a ladder (so that the worker can work on the sign structure). While the Harsh device may have been suitable for its intended purpose, it is not suitable for use as a step for the construction industry: (1) because the thin sheet metal design provides insufficient rigidity to accommodate the weight of a worker and his or her tools; (2) the flat surface provided by the Harsh step is too easily soiled, after which it may provide a slip hazard to the worker&#39;s footing; and (3) the overall profile and dimensions of the Harsh device are too large to conveniently fit into a worker&#39;s tool belt and/or tool box.  
           [0005]    Another prior device is the Koffski “Portable Step;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,841. The Koffski device seeks to accomplish a similar task as Harsh, but with a different structure. While the Koffski step is likely to be more rigid and durable than the Harsh device, it too has its problems. First, the Koffski device is formed with a totally enclosed “U shaped body” for encompassing a post—because the post is totally encompassed when the step is attached, it mandates that step be either slipped over the top of the post, or under the bottom; as such, it cannot be used on an existing “stud wall.” Furthermore, the Koffski device is anything but sleek and condensed; as with Harsh, this device is unwieldy for storing and use with conventional tools, belts and totes. Also, Koffski has a relatively flat tread for standing upon—like Harsh, this may be susceptible to becoming slippery.  
           [0006]    Yet another temporary step design is provided by Field, U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,372. The Field “Portable Step and Carrying Device for Stud Walls” solves some of the problems of the Harsh and Koffski devices, but still leaves room for improvement. The Field device includes a spring-loaded member having a “stud-engaging end” for pinching a wood stud to prevent the step from sliding down a stud on which it is installed. Although the Field device departs from the wide, flat tread surface, it still fails to provide a truly fail-safe design to prevent it from becoming slippery when soiled. Furthermore, the Field device seeks to reduce its size by addition of the spring-loaded stud-engaging end; a byproduct of this choice is moving parts that will surely reduce the overall reliability of the device. In fact, it would seem to be a generally unsafe design choice to rely on a single spring to hold the device in place on the wooden stud.  
           [0007]    What is needed, therefore, is a step attachment for temporary use in wood-framed structures that has improved slip resistance for footing, a small overall package size, as well as the strength and durability necessary to last in the grueling use patterns of the construction industry.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Step Attachment that is strong enough to be used in the construction profession. The attachment should have as small outside dimensions as possible, such that the device can be easily carried in conventional tool boxes and on tool belts. The attachment should further provide additional slip-resistance for secure footing under a variety of conditions and use patterns. It is a further object that the device be manufacturable from standard stock components and be assembled extremely easily.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the step attachment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a top view of the attachment of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of the attachment of FIGS. 1 and 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of the attachment of FIGS.  1 - 3 ;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway side view of the rung member of the attachment of FIGS.  1 - 4 ; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the attachment of FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Step Attachment.  
         [0017]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the step attachment  10  of the present invention. As with the prior art previously discussed, the attachment  10  of the present invention is design to attach to, and extend from a piece of dimensional lumber  12 , an example of which is a “stud.” Unlike some of the prior devices, however, the attachment  10  of the present invention can be simply slipped over the side of the stud  12 , without the need for slipping it onto one end of the board or the other. Also, the height position of the attachment  10  along the board  12  is infinitely adjustable by simply lifting up on the attachment  10  and then sliding it either up or down, as desired. In order to understand additional detail regarding the invention, we shall now turn to FIG. 2.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a top view of the attachment  10  of FIG. 1. The attachment comprises two main components: the rung member  16  and the bracket member  14 . The bracket  14  is a U-shaped element having a first leg  18  and a second leg  20  in generally parallel aligment. The bracket is preferably manufactured from a flat piece of steel that is bent into the U-shape shown. The bent bracket  14  can thereafter be hardened if desired in order to provide a secure and durable tool. This design lends itself to rapid and low-cost manufacturing.  
         [0019]    The first and second legs  18  and  20  are attached to one another by a connecting leg  22 . In this embodiment, there are curved portions  24 A and  24 B at the point of intersection between the legs  18  and  20  and the connecting leg  22 . These curved portions  24  are provided for two reasons—to simplify the manufacturing process (i.e. by forming the bracket  14  by bending). Second, the curved portions act as an anti-jam mechanism to prevent the bracket  14  from getting jammed against the wood stud after prolonged use and/or after substantial weight has been supported by the attachment  10 , thereby increasing the safety of the unit.  
         [0020]    It should also be readily apparent that the first leg  18  is somewhat longer in length than the second leg  20 . The extra length serves to provide additional stability, while the shorter length of the second leg  20  makes the attachment  10  easier to attach and detach from a wood stud.  
         [0021]    The Rung member  16  is an elongate cylinder in shape, and is defined by a plurality of ridges  26  along its length, each separated from those adjacent by circumferential grooves therebetween. The ridges  26  provide extremely favorable grip stability for footwear, while the grooves  28  contribute additional grip by providing an area for debris to be scraped off of one&#39;s feet prior to and during use.  
         [0022]    As will be discussed more fully below, it is pointed out that the rung member  16  defines a rung axis  32  at the geometric center of its cross-section. Although not visible from this top view, it is a feature of this embodiment that the attachment  10  be substantially symetrical above and below the axis  32 . This will be more clearly depicted below in the front view of FIG. 3.  
         [0023]    This embodiment  10  is made from a combination of steel and aluminum parts; specifically, the rung member  16  is preferably machined from a solid piece of aluminum bar stock. The bracket member  14  is bent from a piece of flat steel stock, and the nipple  30  is preferably a piece of threaded steel for interconnecting the rung  16  and the bracket  14 , as well as possibly to interact with the stud (not shown). In other embodiments and/or for other applications, other materials may be used. Now turning to FIG. 3, we can further explore the features of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a front view of the attachment  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown here, the first leg  18  and second leg  20  are facing the reader. In this front view (and in a back view also), it can be seen that the step attachment  10  is symmetrical around the plane that is parallel to the rung axis  32 . Simply stated, the step attachment is flat in this orientation. This design feature is important because it results in the attachment being extremely compact as compared to any of the prior devices. Because this attachment  10  is very flat, it is easily stored in a toolbox and carried around a job site. Furthermore, and as depicted previously in FIG. 2, the small overall size and shape of the attachment further adds to the packability of the device. As will be clear from FIG. 4, the cross-section of the rung member  16  is circular, providing a consistent profile around its entire circumference for the user to step and stand upon.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a side view of the attachment  10  of FIGS.  1 - 3 . In this view, the rung axis  32  is projecting straight out of the page. It shows that the profile of the rung member  16  is substantially circular. This circular profile means that the ridges and grooves (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 5) are continuously presented all the way around the rung  16 , not only on a single (usually the top) surface. Furthermore, the attachment  10  can be installed from the right or the left side, such that either “top” side can be stepped upon. FIG. 5 provides additional detail regarding the rung member  16 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway side view of the rung member  16  of the attachment of FIGS.  1 - 4 . As shown in this embodiment, the ridges  26  have a roughened, knurled surface; this provides an abrasive surface for secure footing. In contrast, the grooves  28  have a smooth surface  38  that easily captures debris and then allows it to drop away from the user&#39;s footwear. In this embodiment, a diamond-shaped pattern is provided, although other patterns may be used as well. We will now turn to FIG. 6 to take one final look at this novel device.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the attachment  10  of FIGS.  1 - 5 . As should be apparent, when installed, the nipple  30  will likely protrude into the surface of the wood stud to which it is attached. This protrusion aids in preventing the device  10  from slipping down the stud. In this embodiment, the nipple  30  is a threaded steel stem; the threads being in engagement with a threaded bore in the rung member  16  and a threaded aperture formed in the bracket member  14 . This design provides substantial ease in assembly; the rung  16 , nipple  30  and bracket  14  need simply be manufactured separately and then assembled by screwing them into one another.  
         [0028]    The configuration of the legs  18  and  20 , the separation provided by the connecting leg  22 , and the height of the legs  18 ,  20  and  22  all cooperate such that the bracket  14  cantilevers off of the stud and pinches the stud between the legs  18  and  20  to also prevent the attachment from slipping down the stud.  
         [0029]    As discussed above, it should be even clearer here that the top surface  40  of the bracket  14  could also be oriented such that it is facing down when installed on the stud. In either orientation, the rung  16  will provide the same surface upon which the user can stand. For the purpose of later reference, the inner surface  42  of the bracket member  14  is depicted here as well. It is this inner surface  42  that is in contact with the stud when the attachment is installed thereon.  
         [0030]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Category: 1