Modular step for a window well

Abstract

A modular step that may be composed of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic, metal, or other material. An embodiment of the modular step has a body and two flanges and is configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to a window well. The modular step mates to the window using a friction fit, mechanical fasteners or tabs/slots. Multiple modular steps can be attached to a single window well. The modular step can be used to facilitate egress through a window well and improves the visual aesthetics of a window well. Another embodiment of the modular step includes a body and a plurality of flanges and is configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to a window well, wherein the modular step includes one and only one rung, with the plurality of flanges including two and only two flanges on either side of the rung.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular step comprising a body and a plurality of flanges and being configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to a window well. 
     
     
         2 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein one or more mechanical fasteners are used to detachably affix the modular step to the window well. 
     
     
         3 . The modular step of  claim 2 , wherein the modular step includes one and only one rung, with the plurality of flanges including two and only two flanges on either side of the rung. 
     
     
         4 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein the modular step is detachably attachable to a window well while the window well is installed and attached to a building structure. 
     
     
         5 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein the modular step is composed of metal. 
     
     
         6 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flanges creates a friction fit with grooves of the window well when the modular step is mated to the window well. 
     
     
         7 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein the modular step further comprises one or more magnets, and wherein the one or more magnets are used to detachably affix the modular step to the window well. 
     
     
         8 . The modular step of  claim 1 , wherein the modular step further comprises of one or more tabs, and wherein the one or more tabs are used to detachably affix the modular step to the window well. 
     
     
         9 . A combination of a modular step and a modular handle for attachment to a window well, wherein:
 the modular step comprises a body and a plurality of flanges and being configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to a window well, wherein the modular step includes one and only one rung, with the plurality of flanges including two and only two flanges on either side of the rung;   the modular handle comprises a body and a plurality of flanges and being configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to the window well on a side of the modular step.   
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the modular step and modular handle are both composed of metal. 
     
     
         11 . A method of customizing a window well, the method comprising detachably attaching a modular step to the window well, the modular step comprising a body and a plurality of flanges and being configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to the window well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein one or more mechanical fasteners are used to detachably attach the modular step to the window well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the modular step includes one and only one rung, with the plurality of flanges including two and only two flanges on either side of the rung. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method comprises detachably attaching the modular step to the window well while the window well remains installed and attached to a building structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method comprises attaching a plurality of modular steps to the window well, wherein each of the modular steps includes one and only one rung, with the plurality of flanges of each modular step including two and only two flanges on either side of the rung. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the modular step is composed of a metal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , the method further comprising attaching a modular handle to the window well, the modular handle comprising a body and a plurality of flanges and being configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to the window well to one or both lateral sides of the modular step. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method comprises attaching the modular handle to the window well while the window well remains installed and attached to a structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises of attaching a plurality of modular handles to a window well.