US20050081461A1 - Stair bracket system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A stair bracket system and method is provided for constructing the framework of a staircase or terrace seating, having a plurality of modular brackets which are assembled in combination with wooden or steel or composite lumber structural members to result in the risers. Each of the brackets of the present invention has a bottom edge, a front and lower section, a back end edge, a top section and bracing members, so that a staircase or terrace seating can be constructed by forming at least a pair of side frames.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates generally to the assembly of stair risers for the construction of a flight of stairs, and, more particularly, to a bracket suitable for modular construction of risers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Typically, the construction of a flight of stairs has throughout the years involved cutting a pair of stair risers out of elongated pieces of lumber with right angular notches being cut into each piece at appropriate spacings before positioning and nailing down stair treads.
• The building of staircases is therefore time consuming and the cutting of lumber requires great skill, care and craftsmanship. This cutting is often on a custom basis and is usually done offsite. This is all time consuming and is often the cause of delays in the course of construction projects.
• Furthermore, stair risers constructed out of wood have been known to deteriorate, especially when used outdoors.
• In light of the above, there is a need for a system and method for constructing risers easily on site avoiding the need for custom ordering offsite. There exists also a need for making the construction of staircases, or any similar type of construction, easy and convenient for the everyday handyman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved, easy to use system and method for constructing staircases. A bracket system is provided which can be fitted together with a main lumber member directly onsite to fabricate the risers for a flight of stairs. Numerous identical brackets will be used depending on the overall size of the staircase.
• A specific object of the present invention is to provide a modular molded bracket system which when coupled and fastened together with a structural member such as a piece of lumber will provide stair risers quickly and efficiently.
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket for use in the construction of a riser comprising at least one bottom edge, a front section, at least one back end edge, a top section, a lower section and at least one bracing member.
• It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system for the construction of a riser framework comprising a plurality of modular brackets and structural members wherein the brackets are suitably positioned along the structural members and securely attached thereon resulting in a series of risers ready for accepting treads.
• It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method for the construction of a riser framework comprising the steps of cutting to length structural members, securely positioning and fastening a plurality of modular brackets onto said structural members and securely positioning the resulting risers in place.
• The foregoing and other features of the present invention are more fully described with reference to the following drawings annexed hereto. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bracket of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flight of stairs, constructed using the bracket ofFIG. 1; and
• FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bracket and the structural member to be connected thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring first toFIG. 1, abracket10 of the present invention to be used in the construction of a riser is illustrated which is comprised of at least onebottom edge12, afront section14, alower section13, at least one backend edge16, atop section18 and at least onebracing member20 wherein saidlower section13,front section14 andtop section18 enclose an open space providing for great strength and rigidity. As further illustrated inFIG. 1, thetop section18 is comprised ofapertures19 for the secure positioning and attachment of treads therein. Bracingmember20 is also comprised ofapertures21 for secure positioning and attachment to astructural member22 in the construction of risers which may be used for staircases or terrace seating, for instance. It is understood that thebracket10 of the present invention may also be used for other similar purposes calling for the presence of at least one riser member.
• Saidbracing member20 is adaptedly shaped and angled for flush positioning to the structural member forming the basis of the staircase being constructed, for instance.
• Preferably the design of thebracket10 will be such that it is suitable for manufacture by simple molding techniques in order to achieve maximum potential strength and rigidity, using long lasting non-rotting materials. In a preferred case, thebracket10 will be molded from reinforced plastics materials. Referring toFIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary flight of stairs built using a plurality ofbrackets10. The system and method of the present invention allows for the construction of a riser framework which is comprised of a plurality ofmodular brackets10 securely positioned at proper intervals and attached tostructural members22, saidstructural members22 being cut to length depending on the need of the situation and can be made of wood, steel or composite lumber for instance.
• Thebrackets10 are then attached to thestructural members22 throughapertures21 of thebracing members20. As illustrated, thebracket10 is comprised of twobracing members20 having twocorresponding apertures21 for straddling thestructural member22 up to and abuttinglower section13 for easy positioning and securing to saidstructural member22. It is understood that the number ofbracing members20 can be varied and that in some instances it might even be possible to use only one or even up to fourbracing members20 to be positioned on opposite sides of thebracket10 in that case.
• Once thebrackets10 have been secured to the structural members22 a series of risers will result therefrom. The riser framework is then ready for positioning and for receiving thetreads30.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, once the riser framework is in place thetreads30 are securely positioned and attached totop section18 of thebracket10 throughapertures19. Any suitable fastening means may be used to secure thetreads30 but typically these may be screws to be inserted upwardly into the underside of saidtreads30.
• Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only and do not limit the intended scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A bracket for use in the construction of a riser comprising:

(a) at least one bottom edge;

(b) a front section;

(c) at least one back end edge;

(d) a top section;

(e) a lower section; and

(f) at least one bracing member.

2. A bracket according toclaim 1, wherein the bracing member is adaptedly shaped for positioning and secure fastening to a structural member.

3. A bracket according toclaim 2, wherein the bracing member is comprised of at least one aperture for secure attachment of said bracket to said structural member.

4. A bracket according toclaim 1, wherein the top section is comprised of apertures for secure attachment of treads thereon.

5. A bracket according toclaim 1, wherein the bracket is made of reinforced plastics material.

6. A system for the construction of a riser framework, comprising:

(a) a plurality of modular brackets; and

(b) structural members;

wherein the brackets are suitably positioned along the structural members and securely attached thereon resulting in a series of risers.

7. A system according toclaim 6, wherein the brackets comprise bracing members with apertures for secure attachment of said brackets to said structural members.

8. A system according toclaim 6, wherein the brackets are made of reinforced plastics material.

9. A system according toclaim 6, wherein the structural members are made of wood, steel or composite lumber.

10. A method for the construction of a riser framework, comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting to length structural members;

(b) securely positioning and fastening a plurality of modular brackets onto said structural members; and

(c) securely positioning the resulting risers in place.

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