Modular staircase systems

Abstract

Modular staircases and staircase assemblies comprising components with notches that fit into and interweave with each other. Certain embodiments of modular staircases have at least two webs, wherein the perimeter of each web resembles a staircase with steps. The webs may be coupled together by a plurality of cross-beams. Each of the webs and the cross-beams may have notches that fit into and interweave with each other to form the basic structure of a staircase. The staircase may also be provided with cover pieces to cover the exposed webs and cross beams, and thus, to provide a surface for a user to sit or step on. Embodiments described herein are modular, in that they may be coupled together in various configurations and thus coupled to straight walls, curved walls, or any combination thereof. Additionally, embodiments described herein may be installed in either vinyl liner-type pools or concrete pools.

1 . A modular system comprising:
 at least two webs, each web comprising a body defined by at least a first step and a second step, and further comprising a first notch defined by the first step and a second notch defined by the second step; and   at least two cross-beams, each cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined by the body,   wherein the at least two notches of one cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the first notches on the first steps of the two webs, and wherein the at least two notches of the other cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the second notches on the second steps of the two webs such that the cross-beams couple the webs together and the bodies of the cross-beams are substantially received within the bodies of the webs.   
     
     
         2 . A modular system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: at least two cover pieces, wherein one cover piece is dimensioned to couple to and extend between the first steps of the two webs, and the other cover piece is dimensioned to couple to and extend between the second steps of the two webs. 
     
     
         3 . A modular system as in  claim 1 , wherein the body of each web is further defined by a bottom edge and a side edge perpendicular to the bottom edge, and wherein the first step and the second step are each defined by a rising edge and a running edge. 
     
     
         4 . A modular system as in  claim 3 , wherein the bottom edge is tangent to the first step, the first step is tangent to the second step, and the second step is tangent to the side edge. 
     
     
         5 . A modular system as in  claim 1 , wherein the body of each web defines at least one cut-out, and the cut-out defines a third notch, and wherein the at least two notches of one cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the third notches on the cut-outs of the two webs. 
     
     
         6 . A modular system as in  claim 3 , further comprising a third notch on the side edge of each web, and wherein the at least two notches of one cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the third notches on the side edges of the two webs. 
     
     
         7 . A modular system as in  claim 3 , further comprising a third notch on the side edge of each web, and wherein the modular system further comprises a mounting cross-beam dimensioned to fit into the third notches on the side edges of the two webs. 
     
     
         8 . A modular system as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the webs further comprises a cut-out dimensioned to provide a gripping surface for a user's hand. 
     
     
         9 . A modular system as in  claim 1 , wherein the webs and cross-beams are made of a polymer. 
     
     
         10 . A modular staircase assembly for installation into a pool having walls, the modular staircase assembly comprising:
 at least a first modular staircase, the first modular staircase comprising:   at least two webs, each web comprising a body defined by at least two steps and a plurality of notches defined by the steps; and   at least one cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body,   wherein one notch of the cross-beam is dimensioned to fit into and interweave with a notch on a step of one web, and the other notch of the cross-beam is dimensioned to fit into and interweave with a notch on a step of the other web such that the cross-beam couples the webs together; and   at least a second modular staircase coupled to a web of the first modular staircase.   
     
     
         11 . A modular staircase assembly as in  claim 10 , the second modular staircase comprising:
 at least two webs, each web comprising a body defined by at least two steps and a plurality of notches defined by the steps; and   at least one cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body,   wherein one notch of the cross-beam is dimensioned to fit into and interweave with a notch on a step of one web, and the other notch of the cross-beam is dimensioned to fit into and interweave with a notch on a step of the other web such that the cross-beam couples the webs together,   and wherein a web of the second modular staircase is coupled to a web of the first modular staircase.   
     
     
         12 . A modular assembly as in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one spacing piece coupled to a web of the first modular staircase or the second modular staircase, wherein the spacing piece defines an aperture to receive a mechanical fastener to thereby couple the first modular staircase to the second modular staircase. 
     
     
         13 . A modular assembly as in  claim 11 , further comprising a first plurality of cover pieces that are dimensioned to couple to and extend between the steps of the webs of the first modular staircase, and a second plurality of cover pieces that are dimensioned to couple to and extend between the steps of the webs of the second modular staircase. 
     
     
         14 . A modular assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein each cover piece has a length that is dimensioned to cover a gap formed between the first modular staircase and the second modular staircase. 
     
     
         15 . A modular staircase assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein the first modular staircase is dimensioned to couple to a straight portion of a pool wall, and the second modular staircase is dimensioned to couple to a curved portion of a pool wall. 
     
     
         16 . A modular staircase assembly as in  claim 15 , wherein the second modular staircase further comprises at least two cover pieces that are dimensioned to couple to and extend between the steps of the webs of the second modular staircase, and wherein at least one cover piece is defined by at least one curved edge. 
     
     
         17 . A modular staircase assembly as in  claim 10 , further comprising a liner covering the modular staircase assembly and at least a portion of a wall of the pool. 
     
     
         18 . A modular system comprising:
 at least two webs, each web comprising a body defined by a bottom edge, a first step proximate to the bottom edge and defining at least one notch, and a second step proximate the first step and defining at least one notch;   a first cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body; and   a second cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body,   wherein the body of the first cross-beam has a height that is greater than a height of the body of the second cross-beam,   and wherein the at least two notches of the first cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the first steps of the two webs,   and wherein the at least two notches of the second cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the second steps of the two webs such that the cross-beams couple the webs together.   
     
     
         19 . A modular system as in  claim 18 , wherein each of the first step and the second step of each web is defined by a running edge substantially parallel to the bottom edge, and a rising edge perpendicular to the running edge. 
     
     
         20 . A modular system as in  claim 19 , wherein the rising edge and the running edge of the first step and the second step of each web defines a notch. 
     
     
         21 . A modular system as in  claim 20 , further comprising a third cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body; and
 a fourth cross-beam comprising a body and at least two notches defined in the body,   wherein the third cross-beam has a height substantially equal to the height of the first cross-beam, and the fourth cross-beam has a height equal to the height of the second cross-beam.   
     
     
         22 . A modular system as in  claim 21 ,
 wherein the at least two notches of the first cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the rising edges of the first steps of each web, and   wherein the at least two notches of the third cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the running edges of the first steps of each web, and   wherein the at least two notches of the second cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the rising edges of the second steps of each web, and   wherein the at least two notches of the fourth cross-beam are dimensioned to fit into and interweave with the notches on the running edges of the second steps of each web.   
     
     
         23 . A modular system as in  claim 18 , wherein the modular system is enabled to be installed in a pool such that the bottom edges of each web contact a floor of the pool. 
     
     
         24 . A modular system as in  claim 23 , further comprising a liner covering the modular system and at least a portion of the floor of the pool. 
     
     
         25 . A modular system as in  claim 18 , wherein the at least two webs, the first cross-beam, and the second-cross beam are made of a polymer.