Folding Staircase
Patent No. US11739534 (titled "Folding Staircase") was filed by Morryde International Inc on May 20, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’534 is related to the field of folding staircases, specifically those designed for recreational vehicles (RVs). RVs typically have a significant height above the ground, necessitating steps for entry and exit. Existing solutions often suffer from instability, requiring considerable user effort, or failing to provide a consistent path to the ground, especially on uneven terrain. The patent addresses the need for a more user-friendly and stable folding staircase for RV applications.
The underlying idea behind ’534 is to create a folding staircase that integrates a pivoting threshold plate with a set of stringers and treads. This threshold plate is designed to span the threshold of the RV door opening and connect to the stringers, allowing the entire staircase assembly to pivot between a stowed and deployed position. A key aspect is the geometry of the threshold plate, which includes a ramped portion to accommodate the height difference between the RV floor and the threshold, and an offsetting portion to properly position the stringers relative to the RV wall.
The claims of ’534 focus on a staircase comprising a mounting portion, a threshold plate pivotally connected to the mounting portion, a ramped portion joined to a spanning portion, an offsetting portion extending from the spanning portion, and a pair of stringers spanned by one or more treads. The claims emphasize the pivotal connection between the threshold plate and the mounting portion, the specific geometry of the threshold plate (ramped, spanning, and offsetting portions), and the connection of the offsetting portion to the stringers, enabling the entire assembly to pivot between stowed and deployed positions. Adjustable legs are included on the stringers to accommodate uneven ground.
In practice, the staircase is mounted inside the RV near the door opening. When stowed, the staircase folds up and remains within the RV's interior. To deploy, the user pivots the staircase outward, causing the threshold plate to span the threshold and the stringers to extend to the ground. The adjustable legs on the stringers allow for leveling the staircase on uneven surfaces. A lifting mechanism, such as gas springs , can be incorporated to assist with the lifting and lowering of the staircase, reducing the effort required by the user.
A key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the integrated threshold plate design. This plate not only provides a smooth transition over the threshold but also serves as a structural element connecting the staircase to the RV. The use of gas springs to provide variable assistance, offering more force when the staircase is heavier to lift, further enhances usability. The design ensures that the staircase remains entirely within the RV's interior when stowed and does not require any external support or attachment points, simplifying installation and improving aesthetics. The adjustable legs also allow for use on uneven terrain, a common issue with RV parking.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’534 was filed, RVs typically had entry staircases that either did not fully reach the ground or required significant user effort to deploy. At a time when such systems commonly relied on multiple linkages and moving parts, providing a steady and consistent path to the ground while minimizing user effort was a non-trivial engineering challenge.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the combination of components, their construction, and their arrangement in the folding staircase was novel. Specifically, the examiner noted that the threshold plate being pivotally connected to the mounting portion, including a ramped portion joined to a spanning portion and an offsetting portion extending from the spanning portion, was not anticipated or made obvious by any known prior art. While prior art staircases existed, none disclosed this particular threshold plate configuration.
Claims
This patent contains 17 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 6, and 11. The independent claims generally focus on staircases with pivotable threshold plates and adjustable legs. The dependent claims generally add specific features, configurations, or relationships to the elements described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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US11739534
- Application Number
- US16878829
- Filing Date
- May 20, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jun 17, 2038
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents