Porch apparatus for modular structures with adjustable stair and handrail assembly

Abstract

A modular and dismantleable porch apparatus including a deck frame for supporting decking material, a handrail assembly attached about the circumference of the deck frame, an modular step assembly attached to the deck frame, and a modular handrail assembly attached to the step assembly. The deck frame is constructed of a plurality of support members having swedged ends that interlock to form a rectangular body. The step assembly is constructed of step frame members that may be added as needed to add additional steps. The handrail assembly also provides a modular design using handrail segments with swedged ends in which additional rail segments may be added to accommodate the length of the completed step assembly.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A modular porch apparatus comprising: 
 a main deck frame constructed of a plurality of support members having connecting end members, including swedged end members having reduced circumference and female receiving end members arranged to receive the swedged end members for interconnecting said support members;    vertically adjustable legs attached to the main deck frame and extending downwardly;    a decking material secured on the main deck frame providing a flat horizontal deck surface;    a railing assembly attached to said deck surface;    said railing assembly including at least two vertically oriented elongate lower members;    said lower members each including a first connecting end;    said lower members supporting a lower horizontal rail having a plurality of apertures along its span;    a plurality of balusters inserted into the apertures of said lower horizontal rail;    an upper horizontal handrail including second connecting ends;    either said first connecting ends or second connecting ends being swedged and of reduced circumference;    said vertically oriented lower members connected to said upper horizontal handrail by insertion of the first connecting end of the lower members into the second connecting ends of the upper handrail; and,    said upper horizontal handrail further including a plurality of apertures along its span that receive said balusters and lock said balusters into place with the connection of the upper horizontal handrail to the lower members.    
     
     
         2 . A modular porch apparatus comprising: 
 a pair of elongate peripheral C-shape support members, each C-shape support member having an axially aligned receiving end and two perpendicular disposed receiving ends;    a pair of elongate peripheral L-shape support members, each L-shape support member having a perpendicular disposed receiving end and an axially aligned receiving end;    a pair of elongate peripheral third support members, each third support member having two axially aligned receiving ends thereon and a perpendicularly disposed receiving end centrally located on each of the third pair of support members;    an elongate interior T-shape support member having axially aligned receiving ends and perpendicular receiving ends centrally located on the T-shape member and extending outwardly to form a T-shape;    a pair of elongate interior fifth support members that are substantially straight, each fifth support member having axially aligned receiving ends;    said C-shape support members, L-shape support members, third support members, interior T-shape support member, and interior fifth support members connected to form a rectangular main deck frame;    vertically adjustable legs attached to the main deck frame and extending downwardly; and    a decking material attached to the main deck frame to form a deck surface.    
     
     
         3 . A modular porch apparatus as in  claim 2  including: 
 a step assembly attached to said main deck frame;  
 said step assembly having at least two connected step frame members;  
 each step frame member including a vertically disposed top member, a horizontally disposed center step support member connected to the top member, and a vertically disposed lower member connected to the center step support member;  
 said vertically disposed lower member having a tubular section for receiving the top member of an additional step frame member or a telescoping leg member; and  
 a step decking material attached to the center step support member of each step frame member.  
 
     
     
         4 . A modular porch apparatus as in  claim 3  including an adjustable handrail assembly attached to said step assembly said handrail assembly including: 
 a first handrail member;  
 a first handrail segment;  
 said first handrail member having an open end for receiving said handrail segment, and said handrail segment having a swedged end of reduced circumference for insertion into said open end for connection of the first handrail segment to the first handrail member, and said handrail segment having an open end for receiving an additional handrail segment; and  
 a support leg attached to said first handrail member, first handrail segment, or additional handrail segment.  
 
     
     
         5 . A modular step assembly comprising: 
 at least two modularly connected step frame members;    each step frame member including a vertically disposed top member, a horizontally disposed center step support member connected to the top member, and a vertically disposed lower member connected to the center step support member;    said vertically disposed lower member having a tubular section for receiving a top member of an additional step frame member or a telescoping leg member; and    a step decking material attached to the center step support member of each step frame member.    
     
     
         6 . A modular handrail assembly comprising: 
 a first handrail member;    a first handrail segment;    said first handrail member having an open end for receiving said handrail segment, and said handrail segment having a swedged end of reduced circumference for insertion into said open end for connection of the first handrail segment to the first handrail member, and said handrail segment having an open end for receiving an additional handrail segment; and    a support leg attached to said first handrail member, first handrail segment, or additional handrail segment.    
     
     
         7 . A combination modular step assembly and modular handrail assembly comprising: 
 at least two modularly connected step frame members;    each step frame member including a vertically disposed top member, a horizontally disposed center step support member connected to the top member, and a vertically disposed lower member connected to the center step support member;    said vertically disposed lower member having a tubular section for receiving a top member of an additional step frame member or a telescoping leg member;    a step decking material attached to the center step support member of each step frame member;    a first handrail member having a first support leg for supporting and attaching the first handrail member to the step assembly;    a first handrail segment;    said first handrail member having an open end for receiving said handrail segment, and said handrail segment having a swedged end of reduced circumference for insertion into said open end for connection of the first handrail segment to the first handrail member, and said handrail segment having an open end for receiving an additional handrail segment; and    a support leg attached to said first handrail member, first handrail segment, or additional handrail segment and supporting said handrail assembly on the step assembly.