DESCRIPTION

The object of the present invention is a staircase capable of defining a structure which allows one or more users to overcome a level difference in height by ascending or descending.

In more details, the present invention refers to a staircase equipped with multiple steps and with a sliding platform able to connect two rooms located at different heights.

Therefore, the invention falls within the field of construction, particularly in the sector of building architecture.

Obviously, nothing prevents the invention could be extended to fields other than construction, such as the nautical or similar sectors as non-exhausted examples.

The problem that this invention intends to solve concerns the connection of rooms located at different heights, such as two overlapping floors of a building or similar structure.

To date, various technical solutions are known to be able to link such rooms.

As an example, stairs with steps that the user can climb/go down to move from one room to another are known.

Devices, such as lifts or the like, capable of lifting/lowenng one or more users between rooms are further known.

These known solutions, although have been widely used, are not exempt from drawbacks.

In fact, both the staircase and the lift require for dedicated spaces and setle the problem differently as the staircase offers a walking surface on which the user can transit, while the lift offers a mobile or a movable surface that translates the user.

Furthermore, conventional lifts have cabins whose height can be greater than the height of floor to be served, making a complete movement/running of the cabin itself impossible or difficult.

As an example, let’s consider the case of attics or cellars or similar which generally have lower heights than those of the standard floors.

Therefore, both these solutions provide advantages and drawbacks and they are individually unable to definitively solve the aforementioned technical problem.

Therefore, over time, additional solutions have been proposed such as the stairlift or sendee lift. Generally, a stairlift is a device equipped with a mechanical system designed to allow the transportation of people along a traditional staircase.

There are different types of stairlifts available, depending on the shape of the staircase and the location where they are installed; for instance, straight stairlifts for straight stairs or curved stairlifts following, generally, the inner side of the whole staircase are known.

However, the stairlifts solution is not sufficient to solve the aforementioned technical problem.

In fact, stairlifts are bulky, complex, and sometimes not usable in certain contexts where space is limited for their installation or due to the significant visual impact they can bring or the low aesthetical that they express.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of solutions currently in use, defining an innovative staircase able to connect rooms located at different heights.

Further object of the present invention, at least for one or more executive variants, is to provide a staircase able to work as a traditional staircase or as a generic lift/elevator. These and other purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention, with the characteristics listed in the attached independent claim 1.

Further features of the present invention will be better highlighted in the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the atached drawings, in which:

- fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a possible executive variant of the staircase according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the staircase of Fig. 1 without the container body;

--- fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a possible executive variant of the staircase according to the present invention in a standard configuration;

--- fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible executive variant of the staircase according to the present invention in the in-between configuration;

--- fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a possible executive variant of the staircase according to the present invention in the supplementary' configuration;

- fig. 6 shows a top perspective view of the staircase of Fig. 1 ;

- fig. 7 show's a perspective view of the movement means and of the steering means of the staircase of Fig. 3;

--- fig. 8 show's a perspective view of the staircase of Fig. 4 in which only the first and last steps are illustrated;

--- fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the support pole and of some steps;

--- fig. 10 shows a perspective view from below of a possible executive variant of a motorized step of the staircase in Fig. 4.

The components of the apparatus according to the invention are now described, using the references contained in the attached figures.

It should also be noted that any dimensional and spatial term (such as "lower”, "upper”, "inside", "outside", "front", "back”, "vertical", "horizontal" and the like) refers, unless otherwise indicated, to the position according to which the object of the invention is represented in the drawings, w'hich does not necessarily coincide with the position of the same in operating conditions.

With the aim of highlighting some characteristics rather than others, what is reported m the attached drawings is not necessarily perfectly to scale.

With the term staircase, without any limiting intent, from here on is to be understood as any type of infrastructure, of any material and shape, capable of defining a structure equipped with a plurality of steps that allows one or more users to overcome a difference in height by ascending or descending.

In general, this difference in height is vertical and is defined between floors/rooms located at different heights.

From here on, without any limiting intent, the term lift is to be understood as any device or system designed for lifting people, animals and/or things from one floor to another of a building structure or the like.

From here on, the installation floor is to be understood as the room in which essentially the staircase develops vertically.

For example, it is possible to identify:

- a single installation floor when said staircase connects two overlapping rooms (variant illustrated in the accompanying figures); or

- two or more installation floors, when said staircase connects more than two overlapping rooms (variant not illustrated).

Similarly, the wall of the installation floor is to be understood as one of the walls of said floor closest to the staircase and suitable for acting as a support and anchor for the staircase itself.

Furthermore, by slab of the installation floor we mean the building element that separate two overlapping rooms, said element defining the ceiling of the lower rooms and/or the floor of the upper room.

Without any limiting intent, from now on, reference will also be made to a generic spiral staircase arranged at least between a lower floor and an upper floor to connect them.

A spiral staircase is to be understood as a staircase that develops around a central pole from which the steps branch out and can be circular, or polygonal in shape, squared, rectangular or similar.

In the accompanying figures the spiral staircase 1 of the present invention is indicated as a whole with the number 1 hereinafter referred to as staircase 1 for convenience of presentation, which can connect at least two overlapping rooms A and B and which can have different heights. For convenience in describing, from here on, the installation floor is identified as the lower floor A of the accompanying figures.

Said staircase 1 comprises a support pole 10 to which a plurality of steps 2 are appropriately attached.

For reasons that will be clarified later, said plurality of steps 2 can include at least a plurality of moveable steps 2.1 and a least one possible fixed step 2.0.

Said support polelO, hereinafter referred to as just polelO, for ease of explanation, is opportunely fixed at the lower end of the floor 3A of the installation floor A, through at least one first fixing joint 30, and at the upper end to a wall or slab S of said installation floor A via a second fixing joint.

Said two fixing variants substantially have the same technical characteristics and differ only in the different locking of the upper end of the pole 10, with the relative second fixing joint being in one case fixable to the wall of the installation floor A and in other case to the slab S of the installation floor A itself.

In Fig. 4, for example, is shown a second joint, cooperating/coraprising a bracket 50 or beam 50, arranged to be fastened to a wall or slab S of installation floor A of staircase 1.

In both cases, the pole 10 in any case substantially extends at least between the floor 3 A and the ceiling of the installation floor A.

Preferably, the pole 10 can extend beyond the ceiling of the installation floor so that it can pass through the slab S and eventually emerge from the floor 3B of the upper floor B, to be able to act as a support for the installation of a panel 12, on which we will come back later.

Nothing prevents the staircase 1 from developing between two or more overlapping floors, so the pole 10 can extend and connect between the first and last floor served.

The staircase 1 according to the present invention is characterized by the fact it can provide one or more users with both the normal function of connection between two rooms arranged at different heights and an additional function of lifting/lowering the user in the form of a lift/elevator between the rooms.

In essence, staircases 1 includes: - a first configuration, here called "standard" configuration, in which staircase 1 allows one or more users to go up/down the steps 2 to move between said rooms A, B at different heights; essentially in the standard configuration staircase 1 functions as a traditional spiral staircase; --- a second configuration, here called "supplementary" configuration, in which the staircase 1 is able to lift/lower one or more users between said rooms A, B at different heights, essentially in the supplementary configuration staircase 1 acts as a lift.

The staircase 1 , therefore, can perform different tasks by substantially incorporating and combining the characteristics of a traditional staircase with the characteristics of a traditional lift.

The staircase 1, therefore, is able to provide the user with two distinct operating modes that can satisfy different needs.

Said staircase 1 can operate, without distinction, in one operating mode or the other based on the user's needs and preferences and as briefly described, staircase 1 can switch from one mode to another at any moment.

Furthermore, staircase 1 is able to break down architectural barriers and allow' disabled people, people with stroller, wheelchair users or the like, to be able to move between rooms at different heights. Additionally, the staircase 1 can assist the user in carrying loads or objects from one floor to another and can provide a mobile platform like a lift even in restricted spaces. In essence, advantageously, the measurements of the staircase 1, in particular its transverse dimensions, are substantially the same as those of a generic/traditional spiral staircase, with the additional benefit that said staircase 1 can also function as a lift.

In order to perform different functions and pass from one configuration to another, the staircase 1 has a third configuration and is equipped with appropriate means and suitable technical features illustrated below.

Said third configuration, here called "in-between" configuration, provides that at least the moveable steps 2.1 of the staircase 1 can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the pole 10 so as to align with the at least one fixed step 2.0 so as to define a compact and uniform assembly.

During the transition to the in-between configuration, staircase 1 cannot be used in any way due to the rotation of the steps. Basically, the moveable steps 2.1 include:

- a “working position”, in which they provide support and a surface for the deambulation of one or more users, said working position being adopted when the staircase 1 is in the standard configuration (Fig. 3);

- a “switching position”, in which they are aligned and overlapping with respect to a vertical plane so as to define a uniform and geometrically regular structure, said switching position being adopted when staircase 1 is in in-between configuration and is maintained when it is in in-between configuration supplementary (Fig. 4).

The passage of the moveable steps 2.1 from one position to another, as will be explained later, can preferably be automatic and carried out by means of suitable activation means 7.

As already mentioned, it should be noted that the staircase 1, in addition to being usable as a traditional staircase through the plurality of steps 2, can also advantageously be used as a lift or similar, thanks to the aforementioned alignment and stacking of said moveable steps 2.1 with the at least one fixed step 2.0. For this purpose, staircase 1 can be equipped with:

- a pole 10 suitably shaped to cooperate with a platform or loading platform 6, hereinafter referred to as platform 6 only; and

- a plurality of steps 2 properly attached to said pole 10; and

--- the platform 6, capable of receiving and supporting one or more users and of being able to translate vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pole 10; and

--- at least one activation means 7 capable of rotating one or more moveable steps 2.1 from the working position to the switching position and vice versa; and

-- at least one motion means 8 capable of lifting/lowering said platform 6, said platform 6 being capable of moving at least from a lower floor A to one or more upper floors B and vice versa; and - at least one processing and control unit capable of managing the components and operation of said scale 1.

In accordance with a preferred variant, said pole 10 can be properly shaped in order to be internally hollow and provided with at least one substantially vertical groove/opening 101, defined along a longitudinal portion of said pole 10.

Preferably said groove 101 has a longitudinal extension substantially equal to the entire longitudinal extension of the pole 10.

Furthermore, said staircase 1 can be provided with:

--- steering and stabilization means 9 capable of keeping said platform 6 stable during its translator/ movement; and/or

--- sensor means for detecting the position and/or degree of rotation of the moveable steps 2.1 and/or the position of the platform 6 and/or the presence of people, animals or things along the staircase 1, such as for example infrared optical sensors, photocells or similar, and/or weight detection sensors; and/or

- possible user interface means, preferably arranged on each floor connected by staircase 1, including touch screen devices, dedicated buttons or the like; and/or

- possible warning/alarm means of an acoustic, luminous or similar type.

In accordance with a possible executive variant said staircase 1 can be further provided with a container body 100 inside which the staircase 1 and the relative means are arranged.

Said container body 100 substantially acts as a structure for containing and delimiting the staircase 1 and can prevent people, animals and/or things from falling into the void, especially when the staircase 1 is in an in-between or supplementary configuration.

Preferably, the container body 100 has dimensions and a shape capable of housing, without interference, the platform 6 and the moveable steps 2.1, so that during the translation movement of said platform 6 and the rotation of said moveable steps 2,1 there is no sliding, friction or similar between the parties.

The container body 100 can be made with different materials, colors or patterns, also based on the decor or on the installation environment; for example, it can be made of wood, with metallic materials, such as steel or aluminum or the like, or transparent materials such as polycarbonate, glass, crystal or the like.

Furthermore, the container body 100, as well as the steps 2 of the staircase 1 which it contains, can be provided with lighting means such as, for example, lamps, neon lights, LEDs or the like.

The container body 100 can be equipped with at least two openings which act as entrance/exit gates of the staircase 1 for the floors it connects, where:

- a first opening 111, here called lower opening 111, is capable of serving the lower floor A;

--- a second opening 121, here called upper opening 121, is likely to be able to serve the upper floor B.

According to a possible execution variant, the container body 100 can be made:

--- in a single element which provides for a vertical development such as to be able to extend for the entire height of the installation floor A and to be able to protrude from the floor 3B of the upper floor B so as to be able to act as a parapet or similar (variant not illustrated); or

- at least in two elements, where the first element 110 can extend substantially to cover the entire height of the installation floor A, while the second element 120 rises vertically from the upper floor B to act as a parapet (Fig. 1).

For example, said second element 120 can preferably have a height of at least 100 cm so as to be able to satisfy current safety regulations.

Each opening can be provided with temporary closing means such as swing doors, sliding doors or the like, which can be opened or closed manually by the user, for example through handles 130 or the like, or mechanically, for example through the user interface, or automatically, for example by detection means such as photocells, infrared sensors or the like.

If said closing means, hereinafter called doors for simplicity of explanation, provide for an opening/closing of the mechanical or automatic type, it is possible to set up their timed closing following a previous opening.

In general, based on the configuration with which staircase 1 operates, it is possible to provide different operating modes for said doors, namely:

- when staircase 1 is in the standard configuration, said doors can be kept constantly open, for example to speed up entry/exit from said staircase 1, or closed, for example to isolate the environments;

- when the staircase 1 is in the supplementary' and/or in-between configuration, these doors are closed so as to prevent the user from accessing the staircase 1 and not finding the platform 6 or the moveable steps 2.1 to welcome him.

In a supplementary configuration, said doors can obviously be opened by the user or by the control unit when the platform 6 is at the user's floor or has reached it.

As already partially anticipated, these doors can allow staircase 1 to be isolated from the floors with which it is in communication and consequently the environment of the floors themselves, thus making it possible to:

--- separately manage the microclimate of the two environments, thermally isolating them from each other;

-- acoustically insulate the two environments, guaranteeing acoustic comfort;

- manage the two environments independently, re. ensuring a degree of privacy corresponding to that of two totally separate rooms.

In accordance with a possible executive variant each step 2 is preferably shaped so as to provide:

- a first portion 21 , hereinafter referred to as the "walkable portion" 21 , capable to act as a surface that can be walked on by the user;

--- and a second portion 22, integral with the first portion 21, hereinafter referred to as the "collar” 22, which acts as a binding portion of the walkable portion 21 of step 2 to the pole 10.

In the case of the moveable steps 2.1, said collar 22 is of the type which allows the moveable step 2.1 to be able to rotate with respect to the pole 10 itself.

In accordance with different possible executive variants, each step 2 can be shaped according to different shapes and geometries suitable for the purpose, that is the walkable portion 21 can be defined in such a way as to provide a support surface sufficient for resting at least the foot of the user, while the collar 22 can be defined so as to be able to contain/ embrace, at least partially, a transversal portion of the pole 10. Basically, the transversal section of the pole 10 and of the collar 22 are substantially similar and complementary so that they can cooperate with each other.

According to the executive variant shown, by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying figures, the moveable step 2.1 can include a walkable portion 21 with a substantially trapezoidal plan and a collar 22 shaped according to a substantially “C- shaped” profile so as to allow rotation of said moveable step 2.1 around the pole 10, the pole 10 having a substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably the moveable steps 2.1 are constrained to the pole 10 by coupling the collar 22 of each moveable step 2.1 with the pole 10.

The moveable steps 2.1 , therefore, are arranged one above the other, the height of the collar 22 being able to define the distance between the walkable portions 21 of two consecutive steps and consequently the so-called "step width" of a user.

In accordance with a possible executive variant, it is possible to provide between each collar 22 of a step 2 and the next, at least preferably between the collars 22 of two mobile steps 2,1, adjacent and capable of rotating, sliding means such as axial bearings, thrust bearings, washers or similar, in order to facilitate the rotation of a mobile step 2.1 with respect to the other, reducing possible friction and sliding noises of the parts.

In accordance with a preferred variant of the invention, of scale 1 it is possible to identify:

--- at least one fixed and non-rotatable step 2,0 with respect to the pole 10, preferably, as shown without any limiting intent in the accompanying figures, said fixed step 2.0 being able to consist of at least in the last upper step of the staircase 1, that is the step which allows passage from staircase 1 to the room on the upper floor B;

- a plurality of moveable steps 2.1 including:

- at least one "motorized" moveable step 2.10 which by the aforesaid activation means 7 is able to rotate itself and the remaining moveable steps 2.1 with respect to the pole 10, from the working position to the switching position and vice versa; - one or more moveable steps 2.11 that can be harpoon / hooked onto each other in succession so as to pass from the working position to the switching position and vice versa, where the rotation movement is imparted and supplied by said at least one motorized step 2.10.

From here on, this upper fixed step 2.0 is called threshold step 2.0, in order to distinguish it from the other moveable steps 2.1 of the staircase, and is here considered fixed because it is generally positioned close to structural elements that hinder/prevent its rotation, such as the floor slab S.

Nothing prevent, in accordance with different possible variants, that both the number of fixed steps and the number of motorized ones may be different from what was indicated above; for example:

--- there can be at least two fixed steps, i.e. the aforementioned threshold step 2,0 and the first lower step of the staircase 1, said fixed steps being preferably oriented and vertically aligned with each other so as to define the base and top of the set of steps 2 defined and reachable in switching position;

- the motorized steps can be all the moveable steps 2.1 envisaged by the staircase 1 , in this case providing that each moveable step 2.1 is equipped with the aforesaid drive means 7.

In accordance with a possible executive variant, the fixed step 2.0 can preferably be equipped, above or inside it, with an additional rotatable element capable of increasing the walkable surface and connecting the fixed step 2.0 to the upper floor B (variant not shown).

Preferably said element can rotate with respect to the pole 10 in a fan-like manner in order to define a threshold (or landing) of larger dimensions than the single fixed step 2.0; in this case, in fact, the rotatable element is arranged near the side wall of the fixed step 2.0 opposite to the one facing the first moveable step below when the staircase 1 is in the standard configuration.

Said rotatable element is capable of rotating, through dedicated operation means, from a working position, when it acts as a further walkable surface with staircase 1 in the standard position, to a rest position, when it rotates and fits, for example, inside a compartment of the fixed step 2.0 or above it with staircase 1 in in-between position, or vice versa.

It should be noted that the rotation of the moveable steps 2.1 can preferably be achieved in such a way as to align said moveable steps 2.1 with the fixed steps, for example with the threshold step 2.0, so that all the steps of the staircase 1 are aligned with each other and are able to assume the aforementioned compact switching position and define the in-between configuration of staircase 1.

Essentially in the switching position, the steps 2 define an assembly similar to a wall which extends "flag" or "cantilever" substantially from the pole 10, for example, towards the internal walls of the container body 100 (when provided).

Preferably, according to the variant shown in the accompanying figures, the moveable steps 2.1 can pass from the working position to the switching position or vice versa, from the top to the base of the staircase 1.

In this case, the motorized step can preferably consist of the penultimate upper step of staircase 1, that is the step immediately below the threshold step 2.0.

As shown in Figs. 9 and/or 10, each hookable moveable step 2.11 comprises a gripping means 210 able to engage with an adjacent hookable moveable 2. 11 to hook it and drag it in the rotation around the pole 10 necessary for the passage from the working position to the switching position or vice versa.

In accordance with a possible executive variant, said gripping means 210 can be placed protruding from the walkable portion 21 of at least each movable hookable step 2.11.

Said gripping means can comprise a pm 210 or the like.

Furthermore, each walkable portion 21 of the moveable steps 2.1 can preferably be defined as a box-shaped body in which:

- the upper wall acts as a surface that can be walked on directly and on which said pin 210 can be arranged;

- at least one first longitudinal side wall 211 which acts as a matching surface for a pin 210 of an adjacent hookable step 2.11 during the passage from the working position to the switching position; - at least one second longitudinal side wall 212 opposite the first, which serves as an additional matching surface for a pin 210 of an adjacent hookable step 2.11 during the opposite passage from the switching position back to the working one.

Said box-shaped body can be without a bottom wall to allow the pin 210 to move freely between the side walls 211 and 212 of the same moveable step 2 during the relative passages from the working position to the switching position or vice versa.

Nothing prevents that in the case in which the box-shaped body has a back wall, said pin 210 can move inside a specific guide seat or similar means appropriately made, sized and shaped on said back wall (variant not shown).

Said pin 210 is capable of cooperating with the side walls 211 and 212 of the moveable step 2.1 immediately above.

It can therefore be seen that, preferably, the box-shaped body and the collar 22 have a substantially similar height, or vertical development, so that the pin 210 can be hidden and protected inside the container body of the overlying step, preventing the pin 210 acting as an obstacle or stumbling block for the user.

It should also be noted that the position of the pin 210 on the walkable portion 21 can be modified and redefined as needed.

Preferably, the box-like body can be shaped and defined to be able to house the activation means 7 described shortly .

By way of example, but not limited to, the sequence with which the moveable steps 2.1 pass from the working position to the switching position is described here, assuming, as already anticipated, that their rotation takes place in succession from the top to the base of said staircase 1 and that the motorized moveable step is the first upper step free to rotate.

Then:

- said motorized step 2.10 guides and commands from the top the sequential rotation of all the underlying hookable moveable steps 2.11,

- each of said hookable moveable step 2.11 is able to transfer the rotation to the hookable moveable step 2. 11 immediately below; said transfer taking place through the cooperation of the side walls 211 and/or 212 of an overlying moveable step 2.1 with the pm 210 of the immediately below moveable step 2.1.

In other words, each moveable step 2.1 is capable of hooking and dragging the step immediately below it in rotation so that the plurality of moveable steps 2.1 can gradually rotate in succession from the top to the base of the staircase 1, going from the working position to the switching, by rotating in one direction, or vice versa, by rotating in the opposite direction.

It should be noted that the amount of rotation of the motorized step 2.10 is what allows the correct passage of the moveable steps 2.1 from the working position to the switching position and vice versa.

In general, the extent of this rotation may depend on:

- by the number of steps; and/or

--- the width of the step 2, in particular the dimensions of the walkable portion 21; and/or

--- from the position of pin 210.

For example, the motorized step 2.10 can make one or more rotation and/or fractions of a rotation.

Nothing prevents that, contrary to what has been hypothesized up to now, the moveable steps 2.1 can rotate from the working position to the switching position or vice versa, from the base to the top of the staircase 1 and that the motorized moveable step can in this case consist of the first or penultimate lower step of staircase 1 and is fitted with pin 210 so as to be able to hook the hookable step 2.11 above.

In general, the aforesaid activation means 7 of the motorized step 2.10 are responsible for making it rotate first around the longitudinal axis of the pole 10.

Said activation means 7 can provide for different devices and operating modes known per se to the skilled technician.

In accordance with a possible executive variant, said activation means 7 may include electric motors 70 or similar devices possibly equipped with at least one adapter 71 capable of cooperating with motion transmission means 72 such as for example a toothed belt 72 or the like. Said toothed belt 72 is arranged between said adapter 71 and at least two supports 73, preferably cylindrical in shape and suitably distanced from each other, arranged and constrained on the collar 22, so as to be positioned substantially close to the two longitudinal side walls 211 and 212 of the box-shaped body that defines the moveable step 2.1, internally to it.

An opening 220 is provided on the collar 22, defined in the vicinity of said supports 73, through which said belt 72 is in intimate contact with the surface of the pole 10 which acts as a gripping and adherent surface for the belt 72 itself.

The mam task of the 73 supports is to act:

- as tensioners so as to stretch/tension the belt 72 and define the portion of the belt 72 in contact with the pole 10; and/or

--- as push elements in order to press the belt 72 against the pole 10 and improve the adherence between the parts.

The distance between said supports 73, suitably chosen in the design phase, establishes the belt portion 72 actually in contact with the pole 10.

This portion of belt 72 can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the distance between the supports 73.

Between said supports 73 and the collar 22 a cavity is provided for the passage and insertion of the belt 72.

Essentially, the belt 72, rotated by the motor 70, rotates and grips the pole 10 and, by virtue of the rotatable coupling between the motorized step 2.10 and the pole 10, is capable of moving and rotating the motorized step 2.10 itself.

This possible mode of activation of the motorized step or steps 2.10 is only one of the many possible variants which can be implemented to rotate said motorized step 2.10.

For example, with reference to the variant illustrated above, the pole 10 can be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis assuming that the aforesaid means for fixing the pole 10 to the floor 3 A or to the ceiling/ stab S allow this rotation (mode not illustrated).

Alternatively, for example, it is possible to replace the toothed belt 72 with a toothed wheel or similar devices capable of cooperating with a toothed crown suitably arranged or obtained on the pole 10.

In this case the toothed wheel, which substantially acts as a pinion, can advantageously be driven by electric motors or similar devices.

The platform 6, when the staircase 1 is in the standard configuration, is preferably housed inside a seat made in the screed of the floor 3A, so that the walking surface of the platform 6 is coplanar with that of the floor 3A.

The platform 6 provides a plan section dimensionally similar to that of the staircase 1 or to the section of the container body 100 and is preferably fixed coaxially with respect to the pole 10.

Said platform 6 includes:

- a first opening 61 able to lodge at least the transversal section of the pole 10 and of the collar 22 of at least one step 2, and for this purpose it therefore has dimensions similar to that of said pole 10 and of the collar 22, provided that they are sufficient to guarantee a translation of the platform 6 without interference with said components;

--- a second opening 62 shaped as to lodge the transversal section of the walkable portion 21 of a step 2 so that when the moveable steps 2.1 are in the switching position, the platform 6 is still free to move vertically without obstacles along the assembly of the steps 2.

Basically, with respect to the assembly defined by the steps 2 overlapping and aligned vertically in the switching position, said second opening 62 allows the platform 6 to slide vertically (Fig. 5).

It should be noted that when the staircase 1 is in the standard configuration, the opening 61 of the platform 6 is suitably "closed" or "filled" to avoid possible empty spaces or surface discontinuities which can create discomfort or falls for the user.

Preferably said opening 61 can be filled by:

- the first lower step of the staircase 1, said first lower step being able to be fixed, for example because it lacks the pin 210 so as not to be draggable by the moveable step 2.1 above;

--- a special tile or similar, also fixed suitably shaped in order to be housed "flush" in said first opening 61.

With reference to fig. 7 will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, a possible executive variant of the motion means 8 capable of liftmg/lowering said platform 6.

The motion means 8 of the platform 6 may include hydraulic devices 80, oil-hydraulic or similar, suitably connected to the platform 6, and a bracket 81 suitably shaped so as to transmit the movement of the hydraulic device 80 to the platform 6 itself.

Said hydraulic device 80 and bracket 81 can preferably be housed inside the pole 10. Preferably the hydraulic device 80 comprises a hydraulic piston 80 suitably sized so as to be able to lift/lower the platform 6 substantially for the entire height of the staircase 1, said height essentially defining the difference in height between two or more floors served, and of the maximum weight which must lift and/or lower.

As shown in fig. 7, the bracket 81 can be equipped with a first portion 810 cooperating with the free end of the piston rod 80 and with a second portion 811 which can be constrained to the platform 6.

In accordance with a preferred variant, said second portion 811 is integral with a cursor 91 of any steering and stabilizing means 9 described shortly.

Said steering means 9, which can cooperate with said motion means 8 to keep the translation of the platform 6 stable and steady, may include:

-- at least one guide 90, preferably made in the form of a beam or rail or the like, inserted inside the pole 10 and with a longitudinal development substantially equal to that of the pole 10;

- at least one cursor 91 suitably shaped so as to be able to accommodate at least part of the cross section of said guide 90 so as to be able to slide along it, and capable of acting as an intermediate interface element between the motion means 8, in particular the aforementioned portion 811, platform 6 and said guide 90.

Said cursor 91 therefore, cooperating with the bracket 81, is capable of following the outward/retraction movements of the piston rod 80, and, being slidably constrained to the guide 90, is able to provide support for the translation of the platform 6, avoiding wobble or excessive oscillations of the parts. Furthermore, the cursor 91 can optionally provide support to the piston rod, keeping it in axis and avoiding/reducing possible deformations, for example due to the peak load, during operation.

In general, said cursor 91 can be made of plastic, polymeric or similar materials, particularly hard and resilient so as to resist wear and the mechanical stresses to which it is subjected, such as for example Teflon.

In addition, in order to ensure correct sliding of the platform 6, the cursor 91 is preferably arranged, at least in part, inside the groove 101 of the pole 10 so as to be able to slide therein and allow the translation of the platform 6 along the pole 10 itself. The platform 6, preferably close to the first opening 61, is also provided with at least one ledge 610 which can be constrained, for example through bolts or the like, to said cursor 91 .

It should be noted that the steering and stabilizing means 9 are preferred but not indispensable components for the operation of the staircase, according to the present invention.

In accordance with simpler variants, the staircase 1 can in fact be devoid of said steering means 9, for example because the difference in height between the lower floor A and the upper floor B is reduced.

It is further specified that the drive of the platform 6 can be implemented with any other type of motion means 8 suitable for the purpose, for example magnetic-type devices capable of exploiting the principle of magnetic levitation.

As anticipated, the staircase I is preferably provided with a plurality of sensor means which allow the control unit, with which they communicate, to monitor and detect at least the position and/or rotation of the moveable steps 2.1 so as to verify that their arrangement is correct and allows staircase 1 to assume the required configuration, and/or the position of platform 6 and/or the presence of people, animals or things along staircase 1.

The possible use and functioning of staircase 1 will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example.

In general, the passage of staircase 1 from the standard configuration to the supplementary one or vice versa can be requested or activated by the user via a user interface, dedicated buttons/commands, voice control systems, "presence" or similar systems.

Said user interface means can therefore include:

- a main control panel through which the manufacturer, installer and/or user can communicate with the control unit and define the main settings of staircase 1 , such as for example the default configuration, and/or the operating parameters such as the direction and speed of rotation of the motorized step 2.10 or similar (by default configuration we mean the preferred and most frequently set mode of use for staircase 1, generally it can correspond to the "standard" one);

--- keys or command buttons, reachable/accessible from inside and/or outside the staircase 1, through which the user can at least:

--- request the passage from one configuration to another on scale 1 ; and/or

- when said staircase 1 is in supplementary configuration, call the platform 6 at the floor and consequently request the opening of the doors; and/or

- when said staircase 1 is in the standard configuration, ask for the doors to be opened.

Furthermore, nothing prevents the possibility of associating or replacing said user interface with appropriate applications or "apps" for remote management, for example from smartphones or tablets or similar, preferably with the installation of weight sensors or similar.

Furthermore, the activation of said passage from one configuration to another and/or the opening of the doors of the relative container body 100 can take place with traditional systems, such as keys or alphanumeric codes, or with more innovative fingerprint or voice recognition systems, facial or similar, possibly to guarantee and limit the use of staircase 1 to authorized users only.

The staircase 1 can be further provided with electrical energy storage means, for example preferably rechargeable batteries, to guarantee, in the event of a blackout or the like, the operation of the staircase 1 at least for the time necessary to complete any lifting/ lowering of the platform 6 already in progress and/or to switch from the supplementary configuration to the standard one.

As already mentioned, the standard configuration is, in general, the one that staircase 1 has by default (operating choice made by a system in the absence of instructions from the user) to allow passage from one floor to another; this is particularly important for the safety of people who can still move from one floor to another in the event of danger or adverse situations.

In the standard configuration, in fact, the staircase 1 is accessible simultaneously from both the bottom and the top, depending on the direction of travel of the user, and is therefore usable more quickly as there is no need to wait for the platform 6 to be lifted/lowered.

Similarly, doors can also be set either always closed or always open.

It should be noted that the default configuration assumed by staircase 1 can be modified and set by the manufacturer, by the installer and/or by the user according to personal needs or those of the type of application.

The passage from the standard configuration to the additional configuration of staircase 1 can take place according to the following steps.

The user, via the user interface or dedicated buttons or from the app, selects the additional configuration.

The control unit processes the signals received from the different sensor means to verify that there are no people, animals and/or things on steps 2 of the staircase 1 .

Having completed this check and verified that the staircase 1 is free from unwanted objects, the control unit proceeds by closing the inlet/ outlet openings and activating the activation means 7 of the motorized step 2.10 so that the staircase 1 moves to the in-between configuration i.e. with the steps in the switching position, according to the methods previously described.

Once the configuration change has been completed, the control unit verifies, via the signal received from the sensor means, that all the moveable steps 2.1 are correctly aligned and allows the staircase 1 to be able to operate as a "lift" in accordance with the supplementary configuration according to present invention.

Similarly, the control unit can handle the opposite transition from in-between to standard configuration with similar controls.

In particular, to guarantee the user's safety, the control unit, by the sensor means, verifies that the moveable steps 2.1 have moved to the correct working position to ensure the presence of a foothold surface for the foot of the user.

The use of the staircase 1 in a supplementary configuration, that is the opening/ closing of the upper/lower doors of the container body 100 (when present) or the lifting/lowering of the platform 6, can preferably take place according to methods and sequences that are completely similar or equivalent to those known and used in traditional lifts, elevators, freight elevators or the like.

The purpose is to safeguard the safety of users.

For example, m the supplementary configuration, staircase 1, in particular the control unit, is programmed to prevent the user from not finding the platform 6 at the opening of the doors.

This eventuality can create potential dangers for the user; for example, if the platform is close to the lower floor and the user opens the door on the upper floor, there may be a danger of a potential fall into the void.

The control unit, therefore, in response to a call/request from the user, before authorizing the opening of the doors, regardless of whether this opening takes place manually, mechanically or automatically, proceeds by detecting the position of the platform 6 with respect to the floor from which the user made the call/request.

At this point:

- if platform 6 is on the same floor as the user, the control unit allows the opening of the respective door, keeping the door of the other floor closed, and the user can access staircase 1 ; while

- if platform 6 is on a different floor, the control unit, keeping the lower and upper doors closed, proceeds bringing platform 6 to the user's floor, then allowing the relative door to open.

From what has been described so far, it is clear how the staircase 1 according to the present invention combines in a single element the characteristics and advantages of a traditional staircase with those of a generic lift. As anticipated, the staircase 1 can thermally and/or acoustically insulate the rooms between which it is arranged, by the container body 100 and the closure of the relative doors.

Furthermore, staircase 1 can be managed remotely, for example via dedicated apps, or via a user interface or similar.

It should be noted that the staircase 1, according to the present invention, allows for costs reduction, since the user is not forced to install a lift and a possible traditional staircase in the same room.

It is clear how numerous variants of the staircase 1 described above are possible for the skilled person, without thereby departing from the areas of novelty' inherent in the inventive idea, just as it is clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the various equipment described above can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

For example, the staircase 1 according to the present invention can develop, according to what has been said, between more than two superimposed floors to be able to serve and put several rooms in communication with each other.

For this purpose, it is necessary to suitably size at least the pole 10, the motion means 8, any steering means 9, the number of moveable, motorized and fixed or threshold steps.

In general, it is clear that in the design phase, once you know, for example, the height of staircase 1 or the height difference that staircase 1 must cover, it is preferable to establish at least:

--- the number and dimensions, in particular the height, of the steps 2; and/or

- the number and position of the fixed steps; and/or

- the number and position of the motorized moveable steps 2.10; and/or

- the entity of the rotation of each hookable step 2.11 and/or of the motorized steps 2.10; and/or

--- the position of the pm 210, so that the moveable steps 2, 1 can suitably compact and move to the switching position and create the assembly which allows and facilitates the movement of the platform 6 or the access/exit of the user from the staircase 1.

Furthermore, the materials of the staircase 1 and its components such as, for example, pole 10, steps 2 and/or container body 100, can be chosen and varied to be able to adapt the staircase 1 to different architectural styles and can therefore also be installed in prestigious contexts.

Finally, nothing prevents the motorized step from being one of the steps constrained near the median region of the pole 10 and also in this case from being equipped with the pin 210 so as to cooperate with the hookable step 2.11 above.

This possible arrangement of the motorized step can facilitate any maintenance operations on the activation means 7, which are more easily accessible by the maintenance technician without the aid of ladders or the like.

As anticipated, the pole 10 can also be shaped and sized to protrude from the upper floor reached by the staircase 1, to be able to act as a support for fixing a panel 12 which can rotate with respect to the pole 10 itself.

The panel 12 can extend "flag" or "cantilever" substantially from the pole 10, for example, towards the internal walls of the container body 100, when provided (Fig. 6). Said panel 12 is likely to be able to at least define and circumscribe the upper entrance gate of staircase 1 , allowing the user to access the threshold step 2,0 in total safety.

As anticipated, the panel 12 is capable of rotating with respect to the pole 10 to preferably be able to align itself vertically:

- with steps 2 below when staircase 1 is in in-between /supplementary configuration (Fig. 6);

- with the side wall of the fixed step 2.0 or of its rotating element, if provided, opposite to that facing the first moveable step below when the staircase 1 is in the standard configuration; the rotation of the panel 12 being able to be managed by the control unit and monitored by suitable sensor means.

In this way the panel 12 can:

- when staircase 1 is in the standard configuration, act as an additional parapet to secure access to staircase 1 from the upper floor B, preventing the user from falling into the void below (not shown);

- when staircase 1 is in supplementary configuration, act as a "guide/invitation" for access to platform 6.

The rotation of said panel 12 can be implemented by: - dedicated drive means; or

--- the same drive means capable of rotating, when envisaged, the rotatable element capable of increasing the walkable surface of the fixed step 2.0; in this case said panel 12 and rotatable element being able to be solidly constrained and cooperating with each other.