Segmented spiral staircase and kit for its construction

Abstract

A segmented spiral staircase and kit for its construction has a plurality of laterally extending step segments. Each step segment has a step surface with an inboard, donut-shaped end section and lower downwardly extending support members. Each step segment also has an upstanding baluster rail member connected by screws to the outboard end of the step surface. The step segments are each rotatably mounted, at their respective inboard end sections, in offset fashion through a vertically standing support post. The baluster rail members of the step segments are configured to be aligned adjacent to each other and are connected one to the other by screws. Spacer sleeves separate each of the step segments, whose lower support members are positioned against the vertical surfaces of the sleeves. Alternate stacking of the sleeves and step segments and connection of the baluster rail members produces a sturdy staircase structure which also includes an upper landing member. The relatively lightweight nature of the components of the kit make assembly easy and, by simply removing the screw connections between baluster rail members, a step segment or entire section of the staircase made up of several step segments can be rotated around the vertical support post to alter the configuration of the staircase.

1 . A spiral staircase kit comprising:
 an elongated support post;   a plurality of step segments, each step segment comprising:
 (a) a step surface having a transversly extending length; 
 (b) means for rotatably mounting the step segment substantially around the support post; 
 (c) support means extending downward from and the full transverse length of the step surface to maintain the step segment in a substantially transverse plane in relation to the support post when the step segment is mounted on the support post; and 
 (d) a baluster rail member to be connected to the step surface, said member having attachment means for connecting the baluster rail member to the step surface; 
   a plurality of spacer means to be positioned around the support post, one of the plurality of spacer means being located between each of the step segments for supporting the step segments when the step segments are mounted around the support post, each of the step segment support means being in adjacent contact with one of the spacer means when the step segments are mounted around the support post; and   second attachment means for connecting a baluster rail member of one of the step segments to an adjacently aligned baluster rail member of another step segment, whereby when the second attachment means connects all the adjacently aligned baluster rail members of each step segment to each other, the step segments are rigidly secured around the support post to form a spiral staircase.   
   
   
       2 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  wherein the means for rotatably mounting comprises an inboard end section with opening means to receive the support post. 
   
   
       3 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  wherein the support means comprises at least one support member extending below the step surface. 
   
   
       4 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 3  wherein the means for rotatably mounting comprises an inboard end section with opening means for receiving the support post. 
   
   
       5 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeves which substantially circumscribe the support post. 
   
   
       6 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  further comprising a landing member with means for mounting the landing member substantially around the post. 
   
   
       7 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  wherein the second attachment means comprises removeable screw members. 
   
   
       8 . A spiral staircase kit comprising:
 an elongated support post;   a plurality of unitary steps, each unitary step comprising a step surface having a transversly extending length, means for rotatably mounting the step substantially around the support post, and support means extending downwardly from and the full transverse length of the step surface to maintain the step surface in a substantially transverse plane in relation to the support post when the step is mounted on the post;   a plurality of spacer means to be positioned around the support post, one of the plurality of spacer means to be located between each of the steps for supporting the steps when they are mounted around the support post, each of the support means being in adjacent contact with one of the spacer means when the steps are mounted around the support post; and   a baluster rail member to be secured to the step surface of each of the plurality of steps, each baluster rail member having first attachment means for connecting the baluster rail member to a step surface and second attachment means for connecting a baluster rail member to an adjacently aligned baluster rail member, whereby when the first and second attachment means are connected, the steps are rigidly secured around the support post and when the first attachment means are connected and the second attachment means are not connected, each step, with its attached baluster rail member, is free to rotate about the support post.   
   
   
       9 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 8  wherein the means for rotatably mounting comprises an inboard end section with opening means to receive the support post. 
   
   
       10 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 8  wherein the support means comprises at least one support member extending below the step surface. 
   
   
       11 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 10  wherein the means for rotatably mounting comprises an inboard end section with opening means for receiving the support post. 
   
   
       12 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 8  wherein the plurality of spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeves which substantially circumscribe the support post. 
   
   
       13 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 8  further comprising a landing member with means for mounting the landing member substantially around the post. 
   
   
       14 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 1  wherein the second attachment means comprises removeable screw members. 
   
   
       15 . The spiral staircase comprising:
 an elongated support post;   a plurality of step segments, each step segment comprising:
 (a) a step surface having a transversly extending length; 
 (b) means for rotatably mounting the step segment substantially around the support post; 
 (c) support means extending downwardly from and the full transverse length of the step surface to maintain the step segment in a substantially transverse plane in relation to the support post when the step segment is mounted on the support post; and 
 (d) a baluster rail member connected to the step surface, said member having attachment means for connecting the member to the step surface; 
   a plurality of spacer means positioned around the support post, one of the plurality of spacer means located between each of the step segments for supporting the step segments when the step segments are mounted around the support post, each of the step segment support means being in adjacent contact with one of the spacer means when the step segments are mounted around the support post; and   second attachment means for connecting a baluster rail member of one of the step segments to an adjacently aligned baluster rail member of another step segment, whereby when the second attachment means connects all the adjacently aligned baluster rail members of each step segment to each other, the step segments are rigidly secured around the support post and when the second attachment means are not connected between baluster rail members, step segments are free to rotate about the support post.   
   
   
       16 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 15  wherein the means for rotatably mounting comprises an inboard end section with opening means to receive the support post. 
   
   
       17 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 15  wherein the support means comprises at least one support member extending below the step surface. 
   
   
       18 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 15  wherein the plurality of spacer means comprises a plurality of cylindrical sleeves which substantially circumscribe the support post. 
   
   
       19 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 15  further comprising a landing member with means for mounting the landing member substantially around the post. 
   
   
       20 . The spiral staircase kit as in  claim 15  wherein the second attachment means comprises removeable screw members.