Public Access Stair System

Abstract

A public access stair assembly for use with a scaffold assembly and methods for assembling or installing such an assembly are disclosed. Advantageously, the stair assembly is connected in-line with the scaffold assembly to create an integrated public access stair system. The system and methods disclosed herein provide numerous benefits including, by way of example and not limitation, quick installation and dismantling.

1 . A method of assembling a public access stair system, the method comprising:
 providing a scaffold assembly that includes a plurality of vertical members that are connected to a plurality of horizontal members;   providing a plurality of support bracket assemblies and connecting the plurality of support bracket assemblies to the scaffold assembly;   providing a public access stair assembly having a guard rail assembly that includes a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms, the stair assembly further including a plurality of stair units; and   connecting the public access stair system to the scaffold assembly using the plurality of support bracket assemblies such that the plurality of post mechanisms are in-line with respect to the plurality of vertical scaffold members.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes a coupling mechanism and the connecting includes securing the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly by slidably engaging the respective coupling mechanism to a respective one of the vertical scaffold members. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the connecting includes slidably engaging the respective coupling mechanism to a respective one of the guard rail post mechanisms. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a plurality of stringer mechanisms that are connected to the plurality of stair units and connecting the plurality of stringer mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies. 
   
   
       5 . A method of assembling a public access stair system, the method comprising:
 providing a supporting scaffold assembly having a plurality of horizontal scaffold members that are connected to a plurality of vertical scaffold members;   providing a plurality of stringer support brackets assemblies;   connecting the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly;   providing a plurality of stringer mechanisms having a plurality of stair units secured thereto;   connecting and securing the plurality of stringer mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;   providing a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms;   connecting the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;   providing a plurality of guard panels;   connecting the plurality of guard panels to the plurality of guard rail posts;   providing a hand rail or hand rail segment; and   connecting the hand rail or hand rail segment to the plurality of guard rail posts and to the plurality of guard panels.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein each of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes a coupling mechanism and the connecting of the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies to the supporting scaffold assembly includes slidably engaging the coupling mechanism with one of the vertical scaffold members. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the coupling mechanism includes a male projection where the engaging includes sliding the male projections with respect to the one vertical scaffold member. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the coupling mechanism includes another male projection and wherein the connecting of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to the stringer support bracket assemblies includes slidably engaging the male projection of the coupling mechanism with respect to one of the guard rail post mechanisms. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the connecting of a respective one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms to a respective one of the stringer support bracket assemblies includes snap-fit engagement. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the stringer support bracket assemblies permit at least one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms and the plurality of stringer support mechanisms of the stair assembly to be connected in-line with respect to the scaffold assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the plurality of guard rail post mechanisms and the plurality of stringer support mechanisms of the stair assembly are connected in-line with respect to plurality of vertical support members of the scaffold assembly. 
   
   
       12 . A public access stair assembly for use with a scaffold assembly having horizontal members that are connected to vertical members, the public access stair assembly comprising:
 a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies for connection to a scaffold assembly;   a stringer mechanism connected to a plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies;   a guard rail assembly having a plurality of guard rail post mechanisms capable of supporting a guard rail mechanism and a guard panel structure, the post mechanisms connected to the plurality of stair stringer support bracket assemblies; and   a plurality of stair units that are connected, at least indirectly to, at least one of the plurality of stringer support bracket assemblies, the stair stringer mechanism and the guard rail post mechanisms, the plurality of stair units permitting a user of the public access stair assembly to ascend to and/or descend stair units of the stair assembly.   
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the stringer support bracket assemblies include a coupling mechanism for coupling each of the assemblies to a respective guard rail post mechanism and a respective vertical member or a respective horizontal member of the scaffold assembly to which the public access stair assembly can be used. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein the guard rail assembly includes a guard panel and the guard rail post mechanisms include a mechanism for capturing, containing or otherwise connecting to the guard panel. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein the guard rail post mechanisms include a plate-like device for connecting the post mechanism to at least a portion of a handrail. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the at least a portion of a handrail includes a channel and wherein the channel can be used as a handle and/or panel connection channel. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of plate-like mechanisms are connected to the stringer support bracket assemblies and the plate-like mechanisms each create saddle-like area to support the stair stringer mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the stair stringer mechanism is a modular unit. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 12  further comprising an uplift bracket mechanism that is used to secure the stringer support brackets and the stringers to the scaffold assembly.