Folding pet staircase

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided, for allowing pets to ascend to and descend thereupon, through use of a foldable staircase having a plurality of stair treads operatively connected by articulating links in such a manner that the treads can be pivoted in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the links position the treads in a spaced and parallel relationship to one another. A latch selectively secures the staircase in a selected one of the extended positions. The latch is configured for preventing further pivoting of the treads in either direction between the stowed and extended positions of the staircase, when the latch is engaged.

1 . An apparatus for assisting pets in ascending and descending thereupon, the apparatus comprising: 
 a foldable staircase, having at least two stair treads operatively connected by articulating links in such a manner that the treads are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the articulating links position the treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable staircase further includes a selectively engagable latch for selectively securing the staircase in a selected one of the extended positions, when the latch is engaged.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the latch, when engaged, precludes further pivoting of the articulating links.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the articulating links and treads are cooperatively configured and connected in such a manner that, in a fully extended one of the extended positions, the treads form a relatively flat surface, thereby allowing the staircase in the fully extended position to be used as a litter for transporting a person, animal, and/or cargo.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the staircase further comprises a selectively engagable latch for selectively securing the staircase in at least one of the extended positions, when the latch is engaged; and    the latch being disconnect able, and operatively connected to the treads and articulating links in such a manner that the staircase may only be placed in the fully extended position when the latch is disconnected.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein, the latch is configured for selectively securing the staircase in the fully extended position.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the articulating links are removable for use as splints for stabilizing fractured bones.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the treads include an upper and a lower surface thereof, with an upper and/or lower surface of at least one tread including a non-slip portion thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, one or more of the treads includes openings therethrough for passage of water through the tread.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the treads includes hand-holds therein, positioned to facilitate adjustment of the staircase folded to an extended position thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting bracket operatively connectable to the staircase, and adapted for attachment to a supporting structure.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein, the folding staircase is pivotably attached to the mounting bracket, for pivoting motion from a stowed position to a deployed position of the staircase.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising, a staircase holder, adapted for receiving the staircase in the folded position.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the foldable staircase comprises: 
 a plurality of treads having respective front and rear edges thereof, and also having opposite side surfaces thereof joined by articulating links that are operatively connected to and disposed adjacently outward from the opposite side surfaces of the treads;    the plurality of treads including a top tread, a bottom tread, and one or more intermediate treads, with each tread including three attachment points for the articulating links disposed along the opposite sides,    the three attachment points on each tread including a front tread attachment point disposed adjacent the front edge of the tread, a rear tread attachment point disposed adjacent the rear edge of the tread, and an intermediate tread attachment point disposed substantially halfway between the front and rear tread attachment points along each of the opposite edges of the tread.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the articulating links include long links and short links, with each of the long and links having an upper and a lower tread attachment points at opposite ends thereof, and the long links also having an intermediate tread attachment point disposed between the upper and lower tread attachment points;    a given intermediate tread of the staircase is attached to an adjacent tread by a given pair of long links having their respective intermediate long link connection point pivotably attached to the intermediate tread attachment points of the intermediate tread;    the upper long link connection points of the given pair of long links are pivotably connected to the front tread attachment points of either the top tread, or another adjacent intermediate tread disposed above the given intermediate tread;    the lower long link connection points of the given pair of long links are attached to the rear tread attachment points of either the bottom tread or another adjacent intermediate tread disposed below the given intermediate tread;    the top tread is pivotably connected to an adjacent intermediate tread immediately below the top tread by a top pair of short articulating links having their respective upper short link connection points pivotably connected to the intermediate tread attachment points of the top tread, and their respective lower short link connection points pivotably connected to the rear tread attachment point of the intermediate tread immediately below the top tread; and    the bottom tread is pivotably connected to an adjacent intermediate tread immediately above the bottom tread by a second pair of the short articulating links, with each short articulating link of the second pair of short articulating links respectively having its lower short link connection point pivotably connected to the intermediate tread attachment point of the bottom tread, and its upper short link connection point pivotably connected to the front tread attachment point of the intermediate tread immediately above the bottom tread.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the foldable staircase further includes a selectively engagable latch for selectively securing the staircase in a selected one of the extended positions, when the latch is engaged.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the latch, when engaged, precludes further pivoting of the articulating links.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the latch operatively connects, at opposite ends thereof, to the intermediate attachment points of two adjacent treads.  
   
   
       19 . A method for assisting pets in ascending, and descending, between an elevated level and a lower level, the method comprising, deploying a foldable staircase between the elevated and lower levels, wherein the foldable staircase includes at least two stair treads operatively connected by articulating links in such a manner that the treads are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the articulating links position the treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another.  
   
   
       20 . A foldable staircase for assisting pets in ascending and descending between an elevated level and a lower level, the foldable staircase comprising: 
 a plurality of treads having respective front and rear edges thereof, and also having opposite side surfaces thereof joined by articulating links that are operatively connected to and disposed adjacently outward from the opposite side surfaces of the treads;    the plurality of treads including a top tread, a bottom tread, and one or more intermediate treads, with each tread including three attachment points for the articulating links disposed along the opposite sides,    the three attachment points on each tread including a front tread attachment point disposed adjacent the front edge of the tread, a rear tread attachment point disposed adjacent the rear edge of the tread, and an intermediate tread attachment point disposed substantially halfway between the front and rear tread attachment points along each of the opposite edges of the tread.    
   
   
       21 . The foldable staircase of  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the articulating links include long links and short links, with each of the long and links having an upper and a lower tread attachment points at opposite ends thereof, and the long links also having an intermediate tread attachment point disposed between the upper and lower tread attachment points;    a given intermediate tread of the staircase is attached to an adjacent tread by a given pair of long links having their respective intermediate long link connection point pivotably attached to the intermediate tread attachment points of the intermediate tread;    the upper long link connection points of the given pair of long links are pivotably connected to the front tread attachment points of either the top tread, or another adjacent intermediate tread disposed above the given intermediate tread;    the lower long link connection points of the given pair of long links are attached to the rear tread attachment points of either the bottom tread or another adjacent intermediate tread disposed below the given intermediate tread;    the top tread is pivotably connected to an adjacent intermediate tread immediately below the top tread by a top pair of short articulating links having their respective upper short link connection points pivotably connected to the intermediate tread attachment points of the top tread, and their respective lower short link connection points pivotably connected to the rear tread attachment point of the intermediate tread immediately below the top tread; and    the bottom tread is pivotably connected to an adjacent intermediate tread immediately above the bottom tread by a second pair of the short articulating links, with each short articulating link of the second pair of short articulating links respectively having its lower short link connection point pivotably connected to the intermediate tread attachment point of the bottom tread, and its upper short link connection point pivotably connected to the front tread attachment point of the intermediate tread immediately above the bottom tread.    
   
   
       22 . An extension kit apparatus, for a foldable staircase for assisting pets in ascending and descending thereupon, wherein the foldable staircase has at least two existing stair treads operatively connected by existing articulating links in such a manner that the existing treads are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the existing treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the existing articulating links position the existing treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another, the extension kit apparatus comprising: 
 at least one additional tread, and a corresponding pair of additional articulating links;    the at least one additional tread being operatively attachable to the existing treads by the corresponding additional articulating links and two or more of the existing articulating links of the staircase, in such a manner that the existing and at least one additional tread are pivotable in unison from a stowed position of the staircase, in which the existing and at least one additional treads are substantially stacked upon one another, to a plurality of extended positions, in which the existing and additional articulating links position the existing and at least one additional treads in a spaced parallel relationship to one another.