FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is enclosed in the field of modular structures. More particular, the present invention relates to modular stairways.

PRIOR ART

Modular structures are objects that, generally, are built to satisfy specific and temporary needs, being, therefore, structures made with the intention of allowing an easy and quick assembly and disassembly. However, despite their temporary nature, they are structures that must be equally robust, as well as non-temporary structures, in order to guarantee safety and comfort in their use.

In the case of modular stairways, the existing solutions consist of an aluminium structure on which sheet metal steps rest, namely through a locking mechanism based on pegs, which are fitted to the tubular steel profile through slots in that structure. The assembly forces the operator to turn each peg after fitting the step to the structure.

The production of this type of modular stairways, and the respective locking mechanism, requires the assembly of various accessories (pegs) and cutting of the structure (slots), which significantly increases the production cost. As a result, this type of solutions presents gaps that derive from the locking mechanism used, which results in noise and oscillation of the structure when using the stairway, causing an unpleasant and unstable feeling for a user.

The present solution intended to innovatively overcome such issues. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention a modular stairway. Such modular stairway comprising a supporting structure comprised by at least two beams, wherein one end of a beam defines the lower level of the stairway and the opposite end defines the upper level of the stairway; the modular stairway being characterized by comprising: a supporting frame in each beam; said supporting frame projected to partially enclose the respective beam, being formed by a central segment and by two lateral segments; wherein each lateral segment is provided with a flap element which protrudes outwards, forming a first female groove section; at least one tread module comprised by a step platform and by two connection blocks which are adapted to install a step platform between two consecutive beams; each connection block has a 'h' shape, formed by a first and a second vertical segment and by an horizontal segment; said horizonal segment is arranged to divide the first vertical segment in an first upper vertical segment and in a first bottom vertical segment, in such a way to form a hollow space, between the first upper vertical segment and the horizontal segment, projected to receive an end portion of the step platform; and wherein the first bottom vertical segment, the horizontal segment and the second vertical segment defines an inner hollow portion forming a second female groove section, wherein: the first bottom vertical segment of a connection block forms a male profile projected to match with a first female groove; and the flap element of the lateral segment of a supporting frame forms a male profile projected to match with a second female groove section.

The modular stairway of the present invention, in particular its innovative structure and respective elements that compose it, provides: — An improved Structural stability, due to the wedge fitting between supporting frames and tread modules, which eliminates the gap that exists in the locking mechanisms of the state of the art;

— Noise reduction, given the nature of the locking mechanism used; — A greater comfort in its use, because the use of tread modules allows to incorporate step platforms made of wood, for example;

— A simplification in the production process of the elements making up the modular stairway's structure, without the need to mount several accessories or cut slots - unique pieces.

— Ease of assembly by direct fitting the tread module in the supporting frame, without the need for additional accessories or pieces.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 - representation of an embodiment of a modular stairway of the state of the art. The reference signs represent:

1 - slots;

2 - pegs; 3 - step platform.

Figure 2 - representation of an embodiment of the modular stairway developed. The reference signs represent:

4 - modular stairway; 5 - beams of the modular stairway's supporting structure;

6 - supporting frame;

18 - vertical pillars;

19 - tread module. Figure 3 - detailed representation of the modular stairway developed. The reference signs represent:

5 - beam of the modular stairway's supporting structure;

6 - supporting frame;

7 - central segment of the supporting frame;

9 - flat element of the supporting frame's lateral segment;

10 - first female groove section;

16 - second female groove section;

19 - tread module.

Figure 4 - detailed representation of the supporting frame composing the modular stairway developed. The reference signs represent:

7 - central segment;

8 - lateral segment;

9 - flap element;

10 - first female groove section;

17 - rail section.

Figure 5 - detailed representation of the connection block which is part of the tread module composing the modular stairway developed. The reference signs represent:

11 - connection block;

12 - second vertical segment;

13 - horizontal segment;

14 - first upper vertical segment;

15 - first bottom vertical segment;

16 - second female groove section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The more general and advantageous configurations of the present invention are described in the Summary of the invention. Such configurations are detailed below in accordance with other advantageous and/or preferred embodiments of implementation of the present invention.

The modular stairway (4) developed comprises a supporting structure composed by at least two beams (5), wherein one end of a beam (5) defines the lower level of the stairway (4) and the opposite end defines the upper level of the stairway (4). In a preferred aspect of the modular stairway (4) of the present invention, it comprises a supporting frame (6) attached to each beam (5) and at least one tread module (19).

The supporting frame (6) is projected to partially enclose the respective beam (5), being formed by a central segment (7) and by two lateral segments (8). Each lateral segment (8) is provided with a flap element (9) which protrudes outwards, forming a first female groove section (10).

The tread module (19) comprises a step platform (3) and two connection blocks (11) which are adapted to install a step platform (3) between two consecutive beams (5). Each connection block (11) has a 'h' shape, formed by a first and a second vertical segment (12) and by an horizontal segment (13). Said horizonal segment (13) is arranged to divide the first vertical segment in an first upper vertical segment (14) and in a first bottom vertical segment (15), in such a way to form a hollow space, between the first upper vertical segment (14) and the horizontal segment (13), projected to receive an end portion of the step platform (3). The first bottom vertical segment (15), the horizontal segment (13) and the second vertical segment (12) are arranged to define an inner hollow portion forming a second female groove section (16). Both elements (6, 19) were designed, in terms of the respective technical characteristics that constitute them, in order to improve Structural stability and to provide noise reduction, given the nature of the locking mechanism used. Such locking mechanism does not use additional accessories - such as pegs - being provided by the coupling between connection blocks (11) and supporting frames (6) in the following way:

— the first bottom vertical segment (15) of a connection block (11) forms a male profile projected to match with a first female groove (10) of the supporting frame (6); and

— the flap element (9) of the lateral segment (8) of a supporting frame (6) forms a male profile projected to match with a second female groove section (16) of the connection block (11).

In a particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the outer surfaces of the first vertical segment of the connection block (11) and of the lateral segment (8) of the supporting frame (6) are flat, forming a straight angle, so providing the contact between both (8, 14, 15) across the entire surface the segments. Alternatively, the outer surface of the lateral segment (8) of the supporting frame (6) has an angular arrangement, so proving a contact with the first vertical segment of the connection block (11) forming a slit. This embodiment proved to be particularly useful facilitating the assembly and disassembly process, without this slight and purposeful slit causing instability or noise in the use of the modular stairway (4).

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), a central portion of the beam (5), which contacts with an inner part of the central segment (7) of the supporting frame (6), has a groove section embedded along its surface. In this context, the inner part of the central segment (7) of the supporting frame (6) is provided with a rail section (17) adapted to match with the groove section of the beam (5). In this way, the connection between the beams (5) and the supporting frames (6) is strengthened ensuring the correct alignment between both elements (5, 6) which favours the stability of the entire stairway (4).

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the beam

(5) and the respective supporting frame (6) are fixed by a threaded fastener mechanism. Such threaded fastener mechanism can be a nut-bolt joint, for example, or any other similar mechanism.

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the ends of the lateral segments (8) of the supporting frame (6) protrudes inwardly in a direction parallel to the central segment (7). Such structural configuration of the supporting frame

(6) make the connection to a beam (5) robust and adapted to withstand different distributions of forces, which could cause the separation between the two elements (5, 6), and the collapse of the stairway (4). Such effects are increased when this embodiment of the supporting frame (6) is combined with the one that includes rail sections (17) matching the groove section of the beams (5).

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the first and the second vertical (12) segments of the connection block (11) have different thicknesses. The first vertical segment works as a wedge, and therefore its thickness is smaller compared with the thickness of the second vertical segment (12), being projected to present resistance levels suitable for a normal use of the block (11), which is subject to twists and knocks, reducing the risk of bending. In what concerns to the thickness of the second vertical segment (12), its thickness is greater in order to allow to increase the area of support where the step platform (3) is to be installed.

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the beams (5) of the supporting structure are all of identical size. This embodiment is useful when the upper level and the lower level of the ground where the stairway (4) is mounted is level. Alternatively, the beams (5) of the supporting structure have different sizes to better accommodate unevenness of the soil. Consequently, the size of each supporting frame (6) should be projected accordingly, extending to the length of the beams (5).

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the supporting frame (6) is of a zigzag shape, wherein the central segment (7) defining either the maximum width of a stair tread or the length of the riser of the stairway.

In another particular embodiment of the modular stairway (4), the supporting structure further comprises a plurality of vertical pillars (18) connected to the beams (5). Said vertical pillars (18) are projected to provide the contact of the supporting structure with a ground.

As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, and a number of changes are possible which remain within the scope of the present invention.

Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.