Collapsible Spiral Stair

Abstract

A spiral stair that can be collapsed allowing the permanent footprint of the stair to be decreased or eliminated. The stair can be constructed of metal or other common material possessing sufficient strength and rigidity for the application. The stair can be constructed with either a fixed center pole along which then individual steps translate vertically or a telescoping center pole that can be collapsed in sections similar to an automatic antenna. The individual steps would be attached to the various sections and when the center pole is collapsed, the steps would be compressed with the pole into a smaller overall space. A stair could also be constructed in similar fashion to current spiral stairs except the stair case as a unit can be translated vertically, preferably the stair would be raised as a unit into an attic.

1 . A spiral stair apparatus comprising 
 individual steps that are not permanently fixed and can be moved either vertically, horizontally, or angularly from their in-use position.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  also comprising 
 a permanently fixed center pole.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 a center pole having integral longitudinal tracks along which individual steps are allowed to move.    
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 a center pole having one track that encircles the center pole as it extends along the length of the pole and serves to facilitate attachment between the center pole and all steps with    each step, with the possible exception of the uppermost step, being moveable along the track such that the total of the steps can be raised or lowered with    each step being attached to the step immediately above and below by some mechanical means, preferably a metal cable, that would prevent the spacing between steps from exceeding a predetermined limit.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 a stationary and permanently fixed center pole along which individual steps can translate vertically.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 a stationary and permanently fixed center pole about which individual steps can be rotated in order decrease the swept area occupied by the spiral stair while not in use.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 a stationary and permanently fixed center pole and comprising    individual steps that are hinged in relation to the center pole in such a way as to allow the individual steps to be folded either up or down so they lay parallel to the center pole when not in use.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  also comprising 
 a telescoping center pole that can be collapsed by some amount when the stair is not in use.    
   
   
       9 . A spiral stair comprising 
 an apparatus that can be retracted and stored in a location or configuration that is different than the location or configuration during use, for example retracting into the ceiling when used as an attic stair.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  also comprising 
 individual steps that are shaped such that the collapsed configuration resembles a pie, creating a new flat surface comprising the individual steps laying within a single plane.    
   
   
       11 . An apparatus comprising 
 a spiral stair made in the common fashion that can be translated vertically, preferably the stair would be used for attic access and raised into said attic as a permanently assembled spiral stair unit when not in use.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  also comprising 
 an automatic electronic or other suitably powered mechanism to raise and lower the individual steps.