FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to building stairs, and more particularly to integrated stairs, or MAXU stairs in other words. MAXU stairs include private stairs and common stairs, which are closely integrated together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multi-floored buildings are generally equipped with common stairs to allow

pedestrians to access different floors. Some multi-floored buildings have

multi-floored units inside, with two-storey units the most popular. Such

multi-floored unit has its own, private, stairs, which are not shared with people from other units.

FIG.l illustrates one example of such buildings. Flights of common stairs (flights 811, 812, 821, 822, 831, 832, 841 and 842) and their associated landings are built within a vertical, columnar space, namely stairwell 800. Also presented in FIG.l are four two-storey units, each has its own door and private stairs. A person entering the door of unit 30 can reach the upper storey 32, from the lower storey 31, via private stairs (including lower flight 381 and upper flight 382 as well as intermediate landing 350). Private stairs can take a large number of forms, combining winders and landings, and theoretically, they can be designed and installed at any feasible spot within the unit. FIG. 1 gives four popular forms of private stair design.

However, no private stairs presented here are directly related to the common stairs.

The common stairs as a whole are grouped within a columnar spatial opening, a vertical shaft, called a stairwell 800.

The freedom to locate private stairs does allow designers to embrace the art of design, but unfortunately, it also brings some drawbacks. Most notably, a large number of private stairs are often too narrow or too steep. The primary reason for such compromised design is because wide, low-rise stairs are very expensive in terms of the space consumed.

FIG.2 illustrates how private stairs waste space in four situations. For a two-storey unit with one flight of straight stairs, the triangle space underneath the flight of stairs, namely a spandrel 51, is difficult to be utilized, and in most circumstances, it is reserved for storage. Above the stairs, there is also another triangle space 52, which is almost a complete waste of space. When "L" shaped or "U" shaped stairs are in place, an intermediate landing will often exacerbate the waste, because in addition to spaces 51, 52 and 53, the space 54 above the intermediate landing is also a complete waste of space, and the space 55 underneath the intermediate landing is usually too short of height to be comfortably used. Similar waste of space exists in three-storey units shown in FIG.2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

The major purpose of the invention is to eliminate the waste of space from private stairs.

Another purpose of the invention is to improve the structure o f multi-floored buildings.

The solution is to integrate private stairs with common stairs, in such a way that the wasted spaces underneath and/or above private stairs are utilized by common stairs. In other words, directly underneath and/or above a flight of private stairs is exactly a flight of common stairs.

To best describe and understand the solution, a new terminology - MAXU stairwell - has to be introduced and clearly defined.

A MAXU stairwell is defined as a virtual, minimum columnar space, which contains a series of common stairs and the walls around them.

For common stairs in FIG.l, a MAXU stairwell is almost the same as a traditional stairwell 800, except that a MAXU stairwell includes the walls around the common stairs.

The section of a traditional stairwell is often shaped like a rectangle; for spiral stairs, it is probably a circle.

By using the new terminology, the solution can be recapped as:

Integrated building stairs, including common stairs and private stairs, said common stairs are grouped within a MAXU stairwell, wherein at least one flight of said private stairs is located within the said MAXU stairwell.

Within a MAXU stairwell, there are usually a series of such flights of private stairs, locating at vertically adjacent floors, with one flight at each floor.

The shape of the section of a MAXU stairwell could be tremendously different from a rectangle or a circle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.l is an illustration of a typical conventional multi-floored building with two-storey units. FIG.2 illustrates the spaces that are difficult to utilize in four popular situations.

FIG.3 is an illustration of one preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG.4 is the section view taken along line A-A in FIG.3.

FIG.5 is the section view taken along line B-B in FIG.3.

FIG.6 is the section view taken along line C-C in FIG.3.

FIG.7 and FIG.8 illustrate two more embodiments evolved from FIG.5.

FIG.9 is an illustration of some possible shapes that a MAXU stairwell can take.

FIG.10 illustrates one more embodiment of MAXU stairs with a three storey unit.

FIG.11 illustrates another embodiment of MAXU stairs.

FIG.12 is an illustration of one additional embodiment of MAXU stairs with only one flight of private stairs and one flight of common stairs on each floor.

FIG.13 is a simplified section view of FIG.12 along line R-R.

FIG.14 further illustrates the two embodiments of level structure of the MAXU stairs shown in FIG.12.

FIG.15 is a 3-dimentional illustration of the MAXU stairs shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13.

FIG.16 illustrates one more embodiment of MAXU stairs with both "U" shaped common stairs and "U" shaped private stairs, where the shape of its MAXU stairwell is a rectangle with rounded corners.

FIG.17 is an illustration of a multi-floored building comprising two-storey units.

FIG.18 and FIG.19 illustrate two different stairs structures that can be applied to the building shown in FIG.17.

FIG.20, FIG.21 and FIG.22 are three more embodiments of MAXU stairs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous ways to implement the invention. The design of MAXU stairs could take numerous forms. Disclosed in this document are just some of the embodiments of the invention. There is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims. Abbreviations used in this document:

P-flight: flight of private stairs

C-flight: flight of common stairs

FIG.3 is an illustration of one preferred embodiment of the invention. On each floor, there are two flights of common stairs: C-flights 811 and 812, 821 and 822, and 831 and 832, respectively. Within two-storey unit 10, there are private stairs (P-flights 181 and 182) that link storey 11 to storey 12. Similarly, within two-storey unit 20, private stairs (P-flights 281 and 282) connect storey 21 with storey 22. The MAXU stairwell 80 not only contains common stairs, but also part of private stairs,

(specifically, P-flights 181, 281 and 381). The key character of this design is that flight 821 of common stairs is directly underneath flight 381 of private stairs, and above flight 181 of private stairs of unit 10. Similarly, P-flight 281 is directly underneath C-flight 831 and above C-flight 811.

Please note that in FIG.3, part of the private stairs on each floor is outside MAXU stairwell 80.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.3:

*n/s: (shown but) not specified

Section views will present more details of this embodiment.

FIG.4 and FIG.5 are section views taken along line A-A and B-B in FIG.3, respectively. In FIG.4, the lower flight 281 of private stairs and intermediate landing 250 of unit 20 are located inside MAXU stairwell 80, while the upper flight 282 is not. Partially visible, upper flight 182 of private stairs of another unit is neither inside MAXU stairwell 80. Common stairs, including lower flight 821 and upper flight 822, are, of course, inside MAXU stairwell 80. In FIG.5, the lower flight 181 of unit 10 is inside MAXU stairwell 80, but the upper flight 182 is not. Compared with FIG.4, the position of common stairs, within MAXU stairwell 80, shifts from left to right, therefore, flight 812 is underneath flight 822, but flight 811 is not directly

underneath flight 821, rather, it is underneath flight 281 of private stairs. It is also clear that the position of wall between private stairs and common stairs has changed. Also in FIG.4, because the upper flight 282 is not inside MAXU stairwell 80, as an improvement, the height of intermediate landing 250 should not be too low. At least 2 meters of height is preferred. Then the total going of flight 822 will be significantly shorter than that of flight 821, which will leave a spacious area in front of the door of unit 20.

FIG.6 is the section view taken along line C-C in FIG.3. Visible in this view include the back side of the door of unit 20, the front side of the door of unit 10, sectioned flight 281 of private stairs in unit 20, and flights of common stairs (sectioned lower flight 831 and upper flight 832). The lower flight 821 and upper flight 822 of common stairs, which are shown in FIG.3, are not visible in FIG.6.

The shape of flight 182 of private stairs in FIG.5 can take other forms, of course. Illustrated in FIG.7 and FIG.8 are two more examples. In FIG.7, flight 182 is designed as a winder. While in FIG.8, flight 182 is simplified as part of straight stairs.

Noticeably, the Ύ shaped intermediate landing 850 of common stairs in FIG.8 makes the shape of MAXU stairwell 80 look like a Chinese character 'ΰ'. The design of curved window 171 and curved wall 162 allows more lights to enter window 870. In both pictures, a part (as little as just one step) of flight 182 is inside MAXU stairwell 80.

The shape of a MAXU stairwell is determined by the shapes and positions of common stairs, the most popular shape is a rectangle as shown in FIG.4, FIG.5 and FIG.7. However, other shapes may better fit a particular situation or special need. FIG.9 just shows some of the possible shapes.

Three-storey unit can also benefit from this invention. A combination of three-storey, two-storey and one-storey units could perfectly fit into to a building with MAXU stairs.

FIG.10 illustrates such an example. The three-storey unit 10 has four flights of private stairs: P-flights 181, 182, 183 and 184; while unit 20 has only one floor with no private stairs.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.10:

*n/s: (shown but) not specified In FIG.10, there is exactly one flight of private stairs on each floor that is inside MAXU stairwell 80.

For multi-purpose buildings, MAXU stairs can also provide effective solutions.

When common stairs of some (usually the lowest) levels of a multi-purpose building have heavy pedestrian traffic, duplicate flight of common stairs could be

accommodated in a MAXU stairwell.

In FIG.11, on each of the two lowest levels, there are three flights of common stairs. Flights 811 and 81 are parallel and duplicated, so are flights 821 and 82 .

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.11:

(shown but) not specified

In FIG.3, FIG.10 and FIG.11, there are exactly three flights of stairs inside MAXU stairwell, including two flights of common stairs and one flight of private stairs, or three flights of common stairs.

The existence of an intermediate landing is preferred as a fall can be arrested at the landing. Secondly, though landings consume total floor space, there is no requirement for a large single dimension, allowing more flexible design.

For private stairs, "L" shaped or "U" shaped stairs with an intermediate landing can provide more privacy for upper floor, because the upstairs is not directly visible from the bottom of the stairs.

Although straight stairs are not often used in modern homes, but in certain circumstances (as shown in FIG.12), they can demonstrate their advantages.

One of the simplest embodiments of MAXU stairs is illustrated in FIG.12. On each level, there are only one flight of common stairs (C-flights 811, 821, 831 and 841, respectively) and one flight of private stairs (P-flights 181, 281, 381, and 481, respectively). This means, inside MAXU stairwell 80, there are only two flights of stairs on each floor. Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.12:

FIG.13 is a simplified section view of FIG.12 along line R-R. Please note that the two doors on the right are actually not visible.

The level structure of the MAXU stairs in FIG.12 is shown in FIG.14 with two examples. The shape of MAXU stairwell 80 on the left is shown separately. For safety reasons, intermediate landings 851 and 852 on the right are preferred, if there is enough space for the entire run of a slightly longer straight stairs.

FIG.15 is a 3-dimentional illustration of the MAXU stairs shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13. Following the trace of the arrow line, a pedestrian entering two-storey unit 20 can walk up to the upper storey. The flight 281 is located vertically between two flights of common stairs with flight 811 underneath it and flight 831 above it.

FIG.16 illustrates one more preferred embodiment of MAXU stairs with both "U" shaped common stairs and "U" shaped private stairs.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.16:

I n this embodiment, "U" shaped private stairs provide more privacy.

A multi-floored bui lding equipped with such MAXU stairs as shown in FIG.16 has a special character, which is clearly illustrated in FIG.17. The lower storey and upper storey of each two-storey unit are located at different sides of the private stairs of the unit. I n FIG.17, the storey 21 is exactly located underneath storey 31 and above storey 11, whi le the storey 22 is exactly located underneath storey 32 and above storey 12.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.17:

It is important that the lower storey and the upper storey are not only vertically separated, but also horizontally, providing more privacy than a normal two-storey structure.

This new character will also enable architects to have more freedom to design better two-storey units without worrying about whether the layout of the upper storey is coordinated with that of the lower storey or not.

The "loose" distri bution may enable the users of a two storey unit to enjoy a variety of surrounding views: the view of the lower storey could be tremendously different from that of the upper storey.

Of course, this design can be extended to three storey units.

Actually, a variety of stairs designs can be applied to buildings with the said special characters.

FIG.18 illustrates such a structure. In FIG.18, private stairs take the form of straight stairs with an intermediate landing 150. The common stairs remain "U" shaped, but the intermediate landings 851 and 852 are slightly expanded. I n addition, there is also a balcony 190 connected to intermediate landing 150 via a door 170. For safety and convenience reasons, an additional, "backup" door 10' could be designed at the upper storey 12.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.18:

FIG.19 illustrates another stairs structure that could also be applied to the building in FIG.17. The common stairs including flights 811, 812 and 813, and intermediate landings 851 and 852 are still "U" shaped, but private stairs have been transformed: flights 181 and 183 become beautifully curved winders. And the curved wall 161 facilitates the access of private stairs.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.19:

C-f light 811

FIG.20, FIG.21 and FIG.22 demonstrates three more embodiments of MAXU stairs.

Spatial relationships of stairs presented in FIG.20, FIG.21 and FIG.22:

CONCLUSION

Disclosure has been provided for the effective implementation of MAXU stairs. While various preferred MAXU stairs have been shown and described, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure. For example, the present invention should not be limited by size, materials, or specific bui lding techniques.