EP1365102B1 - Stepstool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a step kick, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A step kick is known for example from DE-GM 82 18 519. Such step treads serve as aids when it comes to reaching the upper compartments of cabinets, for example, without having to use a ladder. Such step treads have been proven to be practical and easy to handle in the application.

On the other hand, the achievable additional height is limited in step treads and kick stools and is for example about 40 cm.

In a person with a height of about 160 cm is typically the overhead reach 40 cm, so that even with a step step with a height of 40 cm objects that are stored in floor-to-ceiling shelves above, are unreachable for this person. Therefore, additional ladders are required to exploit floor to ceiling shelves.

Simple step stools also have limited acceptance because they require climbing either with a stepped slot at a height of, for example, 20 cm or even without a stepped slot to the height of 40 cm. This ascent is - especially by people of smaller body size - perceived as cumbersome. The person tends to feel insecure when ascending freehand, which favors the risk of accidents.

In order to improve the acceptance of step treads, it has already been proposed to reduce the step height of the step treads. However, this reduces the overall height, which further restricts the usability of the step treads.

Therefore, persons with a larger body length of, for example, 1.90 m tend regularly to resort to ladders when handling upper compartments in shelves or cupboards, but on the other hand are not always available. Although ladders can also be made as ladders and are then - at least with proper handling and non-slip surface - quite stable. Often, however, collapsible ladders are used. Such ladders must be made quite precisely, so they do not make a spongy / shaky impression. In addition, there is the problem that the ladder due to time constraints must be fully unfolded with their tread plate, if they should be safe.

This results in a distance between the cabinet or shelf when walking the ladder from the front and installation of the ladder in the direction of operation, which means that the conductor user must maintain a fairly long stand distance from the shelf or the wall.

For example, if the user wants to make a wall hole, it is convenient if he keeps a small distance from the wall, even if he stands on the ladder. Therefore, users are used to turning the ladder over so that they extend parallel to the wall with their longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the ladders in this position are less tip-over, which is all the more regrettable because the user would like to exert force on his drill when attaching the wall bore to promote the drilling progress. Therefore, the use of a commercially available stepladder is unfavorable in such cases.

The application of force to a drill is best done when the person carrying the drill has the hole at eye level, for example. With the previously known step treads, such a large operating height can not be achieved even for persons of greater body height.

US 5,992,563 discloses multi-part, on each other mountable steps with mutually parallel supports. It discloses a step tread having all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Therefore, the invention is based on the object to provide a step step according to the preamble of claim 1, which provides improved acceptance and stability especially for small people who need to work in room height, without requiring a consuming to install and problematic to be stored as well as expensive work platform would be required.

This object is achieved by a step tread according to claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

The solution according to the invention is characterized by the realization of a modular step kick concept, which allows a surprisingly simple means of significantly increased stability in the application of boreholes or the like in large wall heights. The solution according to the invention makes it possible for the user to also stand, for example, on a cabinet or the like, for example in a standing height of one meter, and also work well above the cabinet. The step according to the invention extends in the main direction of movement of the user away from the cabinet, so that the user is supported torque-safe, although it is possible that it is close to the actuating surface. However, the step kick configured according to the invention also makes it possible for the user to decrease the higher additional body of the step tread via the quick-release closures according to the invention and, for example, to obtain a compact step tread with a lower working height with only three tiers.

Although it is known per se to provide conductors with plug-in couplings, for example from the DE-OS 197 41 953 or the DE-OS 198 58 550 for stairs. However, such solutions require on-site targeted measures for height adjustment, while the solution of the invention provides the first opportunity to give the user as desired a step kick and thus a safe work platform at room height on the hand, which he can adjust at will and according to his height to the needs ,

The step kick according to the invention makes it possible to realize the optimum working height in the manner of a height-adjustable platform. By adding or removing auxiliary bodies, the working wall can be provided immediately adjacent to the desired height. By realizing substantially parallelepipedal additional bodies, unnecessary additional bodies can be easily stored and stacked, for example. In a modified embodiment, it is provided to give the step kick a trapezoidal shape in plan view, which allows to accommodate the next smaller additional body in the next larger additional body.

According to the invention, it is particularly favorable if, due to the adaptation to the optimum working height, no components that are too high must be used. The stability of a Stufentritts is regularly then lower, if the object has a greater height. Conversely, the stability of a same width, but lower step tread is higher. According to the invention, it is accordingly envisaged to strive for the optimum height for the step kick, in which the user can work well, but the optimum stability is guaranteed for the relevant working height. According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that closures or other elements for the attachment of additional bodies to each other with respect to the rear wall of the additional body do not protrude. On the one hand, this minimizes the risk of injury to the users of the step step and, on the other hand, it allows the narrowest possible installation of the step step on the working wall.

In the step according to the invention, the supports of the additional body and of the base body are each slightly inclined. This embodiment provides a larger footprint than tread, so that the stability is still slightly improved. However, the step size keeps the stepped step regularly at a distance from the working wall, it also being possible to realize the inclination only in one direction, for example in the transverse direction of the step step, so that no gap is created between the uppermost working steps and the working wall.

In an advantageous embodiment, the base body already has two stages. He then has an approximately square base and significant stability, so that the first additional body can already be well supported on the base body.

Due to the slight inclination of the supports of the additional body can also achieve the desired in stairs and ladders regularly non-existent overlapping of the steps in vertical projection that significantly increases the security when walking.

Preferably, in a base body having two stages, the pitch of the stages is adjusted according to the stages of the auxiliary body. For example, it is 16, 18 or 20 cm between adjacent stages.

Further advantages, details and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Stufentritts;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführung eines Details des Stu fentritts gemäß Fig. 1, nämlich des Basiskörpers;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Details der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1, nämlich Sonder-Zusatzkörpers;

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Details der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1, nämlich des ersten Zusatzkörpers;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Details der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1, nämlich des zweiten Zusatzkörpers;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Details der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1, nämlich des dritten Zusatzkörpers;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht einer modifizierten Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Stufentritts;

Fig. 8

eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Details aus Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Details aus Fig. 7;

Fig. 10

eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Details aus Fig. 1; und

Fig. 11

eine Unteransicht einer weiteren nicht beanspruchten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Stufentritts.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a Stufentritts invention;

Fig. 2

a side view of the execution of a detail of Stu fentritts according to Fig. 1 namely the base body;

Fig. 3

a side view of a further detail of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , namely special additional body;

Fig. 4

a side view of a further detail of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 namely, the first additional body;

Fig. 5

a side view of a further detail of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 namely the second additional body;

Fig. 6

a side view of a further detail of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 namely, the third additional body;

Fig. 7

a side view of a modified embodiment of the invention Stufentritts;

Fig. 8

an enlarged view of a detail Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

an enlarged view of a detail Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 10

an enlarged view of a detail Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 11

a bottom view of another unclaimed embodiment of a Stufentritts invention.

The in Fig. 1 Step step 10 shown in a first embodiment has a base body 12 and a first, a second and third auxiliary body 14, 16 and 18.

The base body 12 has two steps 28 and 30 and stands on four supports 20, 22, 24 and 26, which are slightly inclined, for example at an angle of 8 ° or 10 ° to the vertical are aligned, wherein the base surface of the base body 12 is greater than the region of the steps 28 and 30.

Between the rear supports 24 and 26 of the base body 12 extends a horizontal cross tube 32. Further, a groove is provided on the underside of the step 30 in the vicinity of its rear region, which is true for the engagement of closures be.

Out Fig. 1 it can be seen that the first auxiliary body 14 is fastened with two closures 36 and 38 on the cross tube 32. The closures are each hook-shaped and engage around the cross tube 32. In addition, hooks, not shown, are provided which extend approximately at the level of the step 30 and are intended for engagement in the grooves, not shown, on the step 30. The additional body 14 can thus be fastened to the base body 12 at four points to form a form-fit connection member 40.

The additional body 14 has a step 42 which extends in the grid above the step 30. The same applies to the steps 44 and 46 of the second auxiliary body 16 and the third additional body 18. Apart from their height, the additional body are each formed substantially the same, to which the embodiment according to the 4, 5 and 6 Reference is made.

Fig. 2 shows a base body 12 in side view. In this embodiment, a cross tube 48 is provided for the formation of a groove, which extends at the rear end of the step 30. It can be seen that the post 26 extends substantially parallel to the center post 52 of the base body 12 while the post 22 extends mirror symmetrically to the post 26. In this embodiment, the return angle is 7 ° relative to the vertical.

Out Fig. 3 is another additional body 54 can be seen, the height of the height of the base body 12 according to Fig. 2 equivalent. One Such additional body serves to double the depth of the step 30 by a further step 56 at the same height, so that a fairly large work platform is formed.

It is understood that a plurality of similar additional body 54 can be coupled together, resulting in a correspondingly enlarged work platform.

Out Fig. 3 Furthermore, the construction of the closure 38 and the closure 58 can be seen extending from the front auxiliary support 60 of the additional body 54 to the front. The closure 58 consists essentially of a hook, with a correspondingly formed hook on the other side of the step 56 is provided and is adapted to engage around the cross tube 48. Preferably one is out Fig. 3 not apparent insertion provided, and the hook-shaped closure 58 engages around the cross tube 48 with a certain bias. This makes it possible to produce a very strong bond, which may optionally be supported by known locking means.

A corresponding hook-shaped connection is found for the closure 38 on the cross tube 32. In the embodiment shown here, a screw 62 is additionally provided as a securing means which prevents the closure 38 - and thus the shutter 58 unintentionally triggers. It is understood that also here instead of the bolt or additionally locking means may be provided.

Out Fig. 4 an embodiment of a first additional body 14 can be seen. The additional body 14 has on its front side closures 38 and 58, which are formed according to the closures of the additional body 54. The closure 58 is provided in the height of the cross tube 48 of the base body, wherein the additional body 54 also has a corresponding cross tube 48. The coupling of the first auxiliary body 14 can thus take place both on the additional body 54 and on the base body 12. The height dimensioning of the closure 58 on the first auxiliary body 14 is dimensioned such that it is arranged clearly below the step 42 of the auxiliary body 14, and just below the step 30 of the base body 12.

In addition, in the rear region in the first auxiliary body 14, a further cross tube 64 is formed, which allows several first auxiliary body 14 together to form a platform under extension of the step 42. Through these cross tubes 48 and 64, a stepped configuration or a platform-like configuration of the step step according to the invention is provided at will. If necessary, even a "downstroke" can be formed in which a further, deeper additional body 54 is connected to the rear of the first additional body 14 at the rear.

The second additional body is constructed in a similar manner as the first auxiliary body 14, so that a detailed description can be omitted here, wherein the height of the step 44 projects beyond the height of the step 42 in the grid.

The same applies to the third additional body 18 with the third stage 46th

Out Fig. 7 it can be seen from which way a base body 12 and two first auxiliary bodies 14 can be joined together. By this configuration, a work platform with a work surface with, for example, 50 cm by 50 cm in the desired height can be formed.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of the connection between the cross tube 64 and the closure 58. As can be seen, the closure 58 is hook-shaped and extends to another cross tube 70 which is mounted between the auxiliary supports 60 of the first auxiliary body 14, namely the auxiliary support 60th right next to it as it is Fig. 1 is apparent.

It is understood that any adjustments can be made to the requirements; for example, the cross tubes would not have - not like it out Fig. 8 it can be seen - be designed as a highly rectangular hollow tubes, but it can also be used in place of C or T-profiles or any other profiles.

Out Fig. 9 it can be seen how a closure 38 can be formed. The closure extends hook-like about the cross tube 32 on the first auxiliary body 14. A bolt 62 penetrates the cross tube 32, the hook-shaped closure 38 and a cross tube 72 extending below between the cross braces.

Out Fig. 10 it can be seen in which way feet 80 of the supports 26 can be formed. The design of such feet is known per se. A molding of elastomer composition is inserted into the hollow support 26 below and secured transversely with a fastening bolt 82. The bottom surface of the feet 80 is adapted to the inclination of the support 26.

Out Fig. 11 is a further unclaimed embodiment of a Stufentritts invention can be seen. The illustration shows the underside of a complete step step, which consists of the base body 12, first, second and third auxiliary bodies 14 to 18 and a fourth additional body 82. The bodies 12 to 18 and 84 each have a trapezoidal profile when viewed from below. Each body accordingly has longitudinal tubes 86 and 88 which, viewed in relation to a center axis 90, are each formed obliquely. The angle of inclination is about 10 °. Depending on the configuration, the angle in question can be adapted to the requirements.

In this solution, the base body 12 can be inserted from behind into the first auxiliary body 14, after which he is at his Front outside is wider than the first additional body 14 inside. This is with the distance 92 in Fig. 11 indicated.

A corresponding embodiment is provided for the further additional body, so that the step tread for storage can easily be plugged into each other. If necessary, the embodiments according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 11 combine, so that the base body 12 also in the embodiment according to Fig. 11 can be twice the length.

Claims (13)

1. A step stool, which comprises a base module (12) and at least one extension module (14, 16, 18), wherein the base module provides at least one step (28, 30) of a specified height, to which the at least one extension module, which provides a step, which is supported on supports, with a step height, which is higher by the rise of one step than the height of the higher step of the base module, can be attached, and wherein detachable closures (36) are embodied on the sides of the base module (12) and the extension module (14, 16, 18), facing towards one another, characterised in that
   the at least one step (28, 30) of the base module (12) is supported by four supports (20, 22, 24, 26) of corresponding height,
   that each extension module (14, 16, 18) comprises a step (42, 44, 46), which is supported by four supports of corresponding height,
   that detachable closures (36) are also embodied at the sides facing towards one another between further extension modules,
   that the supports of the extension modules (14, 16, 18) are embodied with an equal inclination towards the vertical, and adjacent steps (28, 30, 42, 44, 46) of different height overlap one another in the vertical projection, and
   that the supports of the extension modules (14, 16, 18) and the supports (24, 26) of the base module (12) which face towards the extension modules provide a common inclination in one direction, such that the step stool provides a larger floor-standing area than tread area.
2. The step stool according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a plurality of extension modules (14, 16, 18) can be attached together one behind the other, and the step stool (10) is embodied as multi-step stool.
3. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the base module (12) is embodied with two steps and provides four supports (20, 22, 24, 26).
4. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   each extension module provides two supports (20, 22), which extend downwards from the rear side facing away from the base module (12).
5. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   each extension module (14, 16, 18) provides a tubular frame, of which one side is limited by a step, and on the other side of which two feet of the supports (20, 22) of the extension module project.
6. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that,
   for the connection between two extension modules and/or between the base module (12) and an extension module (14, 16, 18), a form-fit connecting element is embodied, which allows a form-fit connection of the modules relative to one another without additional fastening means, and that the closures are provided in addition to the form-fit connecting elements.
7. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the closures (38, 58) are embodied as quick-fastening closures, which are arranged especially internally on the supports.
8. The step stool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that
   the closures (38, 58) each provide a threaded bolt (62), of which the fastening nut holds the modules together.
9. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the closures (38, 58) hold mutually adjacent modules together under tension.
10. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the closures (38, 58) of different modules are each attached at the same height, and form-fit fastening elements are arranged at the front side of each extension module (14) just below the height of the step of the extension module or base module (12) disposed in front.
11. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the rear plane of each extension module and of the base module (12) is embodied without projections.
12. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    two extension modules of the same height can be attached to one another to form a platform.
13. The step stool according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the form-fit fastening element at the rear end of each extension module provides a holding element approximately at the height of the step and a further holding element approximately at the height of the step of the previous extension module.

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