Modular stairway system

Abstract

A modular stair system includes a plurality of upright support members which are spacedly positioned form one another to form an array. A plurality of treadle members are positioned adjacent one another to extend between the upright support members. Each of the treadle members is fitted with one or more connection members which are configured to engage and form a detachable union with a counterpart connection member of an adjacently positioned treadle to form a stair system.

1 . A modular stairway comprising: 
 a plurality of upright support elements spacedly positioned from one another in two parallel rows;    a plurality of treadle members, each treadle member comprising: 
 a generally horizontally oriented planar panel having opposing ends,  
 upright panel mounted to each end, each end panel extending above and below said planar panel,  
 a first generally “U” shaped element secured to a first upstanding side of each said end panel, said first “U” shaped element defining a first vertical channel which is accessible and through upper and lower ends of said first channel,  
 a second generally “U” shaped element secured to a second upstanding side of each said end panel, said second “U” shaped element defining a second vertical channel which is accessible through an open upper and lower ends of said second channel,  
 said second channel being positioned elevationally lower than said first channel wherein said treadle members are arranged in an array, a first said treadle member being positioned adjacent a second said treadle member, wherein said planar panel of said first treadle member is oriented elevationally than said first treadle member of said second treadle member, said “U” shaped element of said second treadle member being positioned within said second channel of said first treadle member and an said upright support being positioned within said first channel of said second treadle member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The modular stairway of  claim 1  of said second treadle member wherein said first “U” shaped element is vertically slidable within said second channel of said first treadle member.  
   
   
       3 . The modular stairway of  claim 1 , wherein said upright element is vertically slidable in said first channel of said second treadle member.  
   
   
       4 . The modular stairway of  claim 1 , wherein in each said treadle member said second channel element is positioned elevationally below said planar panel.  
   
   
       5 . The modular stairway of  claim 1 , wherein said second “U” shaped element defines an extension, extending from a vertical edge of said second “U” shaped element, said extension being fitted with a connection structure for securing said connection structure to a said upright panel of an adjacently positioned treadle member.  
   
   
       6 . The modular stairway of  claim 1 , wherein said connection structure comprises a series of apertures configured to receive a connection member.  
   
   
       7 . The modular stairway of  claim 6 , wherein said upright panels are fitted with a cooperative connecting structure configured to engage said connection structure of said extension and form a detachable union.  
   
   
       8 . The modular stairway of  claim 7 , wherein said cooperative connecting structure comprises a plurality of apertures defined in said upright panel configures for receiving said connection member.  
   
   
       9 . The modular stairway of  claim 8 , further including said connection member being positioned within a said aperture in said extension and an aligned aperture in said upright panel.  
   
   
       10 . The modular stairway of  claim 9 , wherein a number of said apertures in said upright panel exceed numerically a number of said apertures in said extension.  
   
   
       11 . The modular stairway of  claim 1 , wherein said upright panel includes a third aperture positioned opposite said second channel and further to communicate with an upright support member positioned within said first channel.  
   
   
       12 . The modular stairway of  claim 11 , further comprising a second connection member which extends through said third aperture to form a connection between said upright panel and said upright support member.  
   
   
       13 . The modular stairway of  claim 12 , wherein said upright panel defines at least one lateral extension which at least partially over a vertically oriented access opening to said second channel.  
   
   
       14 . The modular stairway of  claim 12 , wherein said lateral extension defines said third aperture.