US5557893A — Adjustable pitch spiral stairway kit

Claim 1

Independent Claim 169 words

A spiral stairway comprising: (a) a plurality of steps, each step having an inner end and a peripheral end; (b) an upper railing defining a continuous longitudinal channel; (c) a plurality of pickets each having a first end portion and a second end portion; (d) a plurality of elongate inserts, each having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the first end portion of each picket being engageable with an insert, the first end portions of the pickets and their engaged respective inserts being receivable within the upper railing channel with the inserts arranged in a longitudinal array to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined spacing; (e) means for securing the inserts and engaged first picket end portions within the upper railing channel at a desired longitudinal position; and (f) a center support pole, wherein the inner end of each step is secured to the center support pole and the peripheral end of each step is coupled to at least one corresponding picket.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 169 words

A spiral stairway comprising: (a) a plurality of steps, each step having an inner end and a peripheral end; (b) an upper railing defining a continuous longitudinal channel; (c) a plurality of pickets each having a first end portion and a second end portion; (d) a plurality of elongate inserts, each having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the first end portion of each picket being engageable with an insert, the first end portions of the pickets and their engaged respective inserts being receivable within the upper railing channel with the inserts arranged in a longitudinal array to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined spacing; (e) means for securing the inserts and engaged first picket end portions within the upper railing channel at a desired longitudinal position; and (f) a center support pole, wherein the inner end of each step is secured to the center support pole and the peripheral end of each step is coupled to at least one corresponding picket.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 76 words

The spiral stairway of claim 1, further composing: (a) a lower railing defining a longitudinal channel; (b) a second plurality of elongate inserts, each having a length equal to the predetermined picket spacing, the second end portion of each picket being engageable with an insert, the inserts and engaged second picket ends being received within the lower rail channel; and (c) means for securing the inserts and engaged second picket ends within the lower railing channel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

The spiral stairway of claim 2, wherein the pickets are adjustable in angular orientation relative to the first and second railings, the means for securing the inserts and engaged first and second picket ends within the upper and lower railing channels serving to secure the pickets in a selected angular orientation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

The spiral stairway according to claim 1, wherein the channels of the upper and lower railings are capable of receiving the plurality of inserts and picket end portions at multiple locations along the length of the rails.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The spiral stairway according to claim 1, wherein the first railing comprises a flexible coiled plastic tube.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

The spiral stairway according to claim 1, further comprising a projection formed on a side of the insert and projecting laterally therefrom for securing the insert with engaged picket end therein within the longitudinal channel at a particular location.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 102 words

An adjustable railing assembly, comprising: (a) a first railing defining a longitudinal channel; (b) a plurality of pickets, each having an end portion; (c) a plurality of elongate inserts, each insert having a length equal to a predetermined distance between pickets, the end portion of each picket being engageable with a corresponding insert, the picket end portions and engaged inserts being receivable within the first railing channel with the inserts arranged end to end to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined distance; and (d) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket ends within the first railing channel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 102 words

An adjustable railing assembly, comprising: (a) a first railing defining a longitudinal channel; (b) a plurality of pickets, each having an end portion; (c) a plurality of elongate inserts, each insert having a length equal to a predetermined distance between pickets, the end portion of each picket being engageable with a corresponding insert, the picket end portions and engaged inserts being receivable within the first railing channel with the inserts arranged end to end to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined distance; and (d) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket ends within the first railing channel.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the channel is capable of receiving the plurality of inserts and picket end portions at multiple locations along the length of the first railing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first railing includes a cylindrical tube having a tube wall and the longitudinal channel includes a slot through the tube wall.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 55 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first railing further includes a pair of opposed flanges defining sides of the channel slot and extending from a base of the slot defined by an inside surface of the tubular first railing to project beyond an opposed outer surface of the tubular first railing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first railing comprises a flexible coiled plastic tube.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein each picket defines a second end portion, further including a second railing parallel to the first railing defining a second longitudinal channel and a second plurality of inserts capable of engaging the second picket end portions, the second railing being capable of receiving the second plurality of inserts with engaged second end portion disposed therein.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, further including a projection formed on a side of each insert and projecting laterally therefrom for securing the insert with engaged picket end therein within the first railing channel at a selected location.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 54 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the inserts each comprise a flat, substantially rectangular member having a partially circular cutout for receiving a correspondingly contoured picket end portion, the picket end portion being adjustable in angular orientation relative to the rail by rotating the picket end portion within the insert cutout.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 54 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the inserts comprise first and second opposed plates hingedly joined at one edge, the inserts including a partial circular cutout formed in each of the opposed plates capable of receiving the correspondingly contoured picket end portion by folding the opposed plates about the end portion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

A adjustable railing assembly according to claim 7, wherein the insert includes a latch disposed on the insert near the cutout for allowing insertion of the picket end portion into the insert after the insert has been inserted into the channel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 176 words

A spiral stair kit including: (a) a plurality of steps, each step having an inner end and a peripheral end; (b) an upper railing and a lower railing, each defining a continuous longitudinal channel; (c) a plurality of pickets each having a first end portion and a second end portion; (d) a plurality of elongated inserts, each having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the first and second end portions each picket being engageable with an insert, the first and second end portions and their respective inserts being receivable within the upper and lower railing channels with the inserts arranged in a longitudinal array to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined spacing; (e) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket end portions within the corresponding railing channels; and (f) a center support pole, wherein the inner end of each step is securable to the center support pole and the peripheral end of each step is securable to one or both of the plurality of pickets and lower railing.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 176 words

A spiral stair kit including: (a) a plurality of steps, each step having an inner end and a peripheral end; (b) an upper railing and a lower railing, each defining a continuous longitudinal channel; (c) a plurality of pickets each having a first end portion and a second end portion; (d) a plurality of elongated inserts, each having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the first and second end portions each picket being engageable with an insert, the first and second end portions and their respective inserts being receivable within the upper and lower railing channels with the inserts arranged in a longitudinal array to locate the end portions of the pickets at the predetermined spacing; (e) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket end portions within the corresponding railing channels; and (f) a center support pole, wherein the inner end of each step is securable to the center support pole and the peripheral end of each step is securable to one or both of the plurality of pickets and lower railing.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 87 words

An adjustable railing assembly, comprising: (a) a railing defining a longitudinal channel; (b) a plurality of pickets, each having an end portion; (c) at least one insert for engaging at least one picket end portion, each insert having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the channel including an opening of sufficient width to permit radial insertion of the insert with engaged picket end therein; and (d) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket ends within the railing channel at a selected angular orientation.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 87 words

An adjustable railing assembly, comprising: (a) a railing defining a longitudinal channel; (b) a plurality of pickets, each having an end portion; (c) at least one insert for engaging at least one picket end portion, each insert having a length equal to a predetermined spacing between pickets, the channel including an opening of sufficient width to permit radial insertion of the insert with engaged picket end therein; and (d) means for securing the inserts and engaged picket ends within the railing channel at a selected angular orientation.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

An adjustable railing assembly according to claim 18, wherein the channel is capable of receiving the plurality of inserts and picket end portions at multiple locations along the length of the first railing.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-09-24	2000-03-25	2000-09-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-09-24	2004-03-25	2004-09-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-09-24	2008-03-25	2008-09-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Adjustable pitch spiral stairway kit

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