Pivotal stairway systems and method

Abstract

An automated pivoting stairway system that raises and lowers through use of a drive actuator to thereby provide access to above or below floor level areas or between an elevated area and the ground floor. The system may utilize modular sections to allow on-site assembly. The stairway may be pivoted at the top of the stairway by way of a pivot drive lever attached on either side of the top step pivot frame assembly so that access on or off the stairway may be directly off the front end of the stairway, or to either side. A separate frame member may extend from the pivot point along the side of the stairway opening to a predetermined distance. This frame member may serve as the anchor point for the base end mount of the actuator. The actuator controls the length of stroke and the amount of torque that is required to operate the stairway up and down.

1 . A pivoting stairway comprising:
 a stair having a pair of side rails, a plurality of treads extending between the side rails, a stair top and a stair bottom;
 a pivot member upon which the stair is pivotally mounted; 
 a linear actuator having a first end and a second end, said linear actuator providing force to raise and lower the pivoting stairway. 
   
     
     
         2 . The stairway of  claim 1  further including a pivot bracket and a drive lever, wherein said first end of said actuator is pivotally connected to said pivot bracket, and said second end of said actuator is pivotally connected to a first end of said drive lever. 
     
     
         3 . The stairway of  claim 2  wherein said stair top is connected to a second end of said drive lever. 
     
     
         4 . The stairway of  claim 3  wherein said pivot bracket further includes at least one bracket plate said bracket plate being adapted to support said pivot member. 
     
     
         5 . The stairway of  claim 1  further including a power source in communication with said actuator to thereby drive said actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The, stairway of  claim 5  further including at least one'sensor, the sensor being in communication with said power source to thereby control said actuator. 
     
     
         7 . A method of installing a pivoting stairway including:
 providing a stair having a pair of side rails with a plurality of treads extending between the side rails, a stair top and a stair bottom;   selecting a predetermined installation location said location having at least one support member;   providing a pivot assembly, said assembly including at least a pivot bracket, a drive lever and a pivot member;   mounting said pivot assembly to said support member;   coupling said stair to said pivot assembly;   providing an actuator;   coupling said actuator to said drive lever whereby the actuator's driving of the drive lever rotates the stair about the pivot member.   
     
     
         8 . An articulated pivoting stairway comprising:
 a plurality of stair sections, each one of said plurality of stair sections being pivotally connected to an adjacent one of said plurality, each one of said plurality of stair sections having a pair of side rails, a plurality of treads extending between the side rails, a stair top and a stair bottom;   a pivot member upon which the stairway is pivotally mounted;   a linear actuator having a first end and a second end, said linear actuator providing force to raise and lower the pivoting stairway.   
     
     
         9 . The stairway of  claim 8  further including a pivot bracket and a drive lever, wherein said first end of said actuator is pivotally connected to said pivot bracket, and said second end of said actuator is pivotally connected to a first end of said drive lever. 
     
     
         10 . The stairway of  claim 9  wherein one of said plurality of stair sections includes a stair top, said stair top being connected to a second end of said drive lever. 
     
     
         11 . The stairway of  claim 10  wherein said pivot bracket further includes at least one bracket plate said bracket plate being adapted to support said pivot member. 
     
     
         12 . The stairway of  claim 8  further including a power source in communication with said actuator to thereby drive said actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The stairway of  claim 12  further including at least one sensor, the sensor being in communication with said power source to thereby control said actuator.