US1811820A - Disappearing stairway - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1931. ss 1,811,820

DISAPPEARING I STAIRWAY Filed Feb. 23, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FFmW/f A: EESSLER.

ATTORNEYJ' June 23, 1931. 1 F, E, BESSLEQ 1,811,820

DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY I N VEN TOR. fZwA/K 15'. fiissurz.

ATTORNEY? June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY 5 Sheet-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 25 1929 I N VEN TOR.

FY/I/V/f 5. 35881.53. BY flgwa A TTORNEYJ.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Filed Feb. 25. 1929 ATTORNEYJ'.

Patented June 23, 1931 UNET'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. BESSLER, AKRON, OHIO, ASSIG-NOR TO 'lHE BESSLER DISAPPEARING- .S'IAIEWAY COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATIQN OF OHIO DISAPPEARING STA RWAY Application filed February 23, 1929. Serial No. 342,023.

This invention relates to disappearing stairways of that type cooperating with a ceiling opening between lower and upper floors of a building.

One object of the invention is to provide an easily and safely operable disappearing stairway inwhich the stairstructure may be carried by a movable ceiling panel which closes the ceiling opening and the stair structure is collapsible so as not to take up floor space on the upper floor when the stairway is retracted.

Another object of the invention is to provide power and control means for effectively operating dlsappearing stalrways.

The foregoing and other objects of the in vention are attained in the disappearing stairway illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. It is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to'the specific form and arrangement of th stairway shown.

Of the accompanying drawings, 7 Figure 1. 1s a side elevation, partly in sec- -'tion, of a stairway embodying the invention thereof showing the parts in the positions they assume when the stairway is retracted as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a rear side elevation of the control mechanism as it appearsin Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the power and-control mechanism as it appears in Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram for the motor and control switches.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an opening in the ceiling between lower and upper floors of a building which is arranged to be closed by a movable panel 11, preferably hinged at one end" as at 12 and adapted to carry the stair structure 13.-

The stair structure 13 comprises two sect ons 13 and 13 each of which-may be pro vlded with hand rails 13 and 13 hinged together on the underside thereof as at'li,

the upper end of section 13 being pivoted in the ceiling opening at 15 and thelower section 18 having side grooves 16, 16 in which are fitted elongated slide blocks 17, 17 1nounted on arms 18, 18 pivoted to brackets 19, 19

mounted on each side of the lower end of-the panel 11. Bearingr'roll'ers are provided at 20, 20 on the arms 18 to support the lower stair section 13* thereon so that it may slide freely on said arms. The lower end of section 13 of the stairs may be provided with rollers 21 for engaging the lower floor when the stairway is extended to its position of use. V

The stairway operating means includes cable drums 22, 22 preferably arranged at each side of the opening 10 adjacent the pivot for the stairway and preferably having the ends of a single cable 23 wound thereon, the cable extending from one drum over a sheave 24 on the same side of the ceiling opening, thence downwardly about a sheave 25 on the free end of an arm 18, thence downwardly along side of the lower section 13 of the stair structure and about a sheave 26 mounted on one side thereof, thence across the stair structure to a corresponding sheave 26, thence upwardly along the other side of the stair structure to another sheave 25 on the free end of the other arm 18, thence upwardly about another sheave 24' on'the other side of the opening'and back to the other drum 22. The use of a cable connected across the stairway as shown serves to equalize the tension in the cable stretches on both sides of the stairway.

The power and control mechanism for operating the stairway may be of any'known' type, either power or hand operated, the particular mechanism herein shown being a novel type of mechanism for this purpose.

This power and control mechanism may be mounted as a unit in the ceiling Opening above the panel hinges 12 and comprises a suitable ill motor 27 connected through suitable reduction gearing 28 to reverse bevel gearing 29 controlled by a reversing clutch 30, the reverse gearing 29 being adapted to drive drums 22 which are secured on a shaft 31 through reduction gearing 32.

For starting motor 27, suitable switches 33 and 34 may be used of that well-known type usually provided with interconnected push buttons for operating an electrical device, such as a light in a building from two diff rent points, these switches being mounted in convenient places for manual operation on the respective floors of the building between which the stairway is installed. To stop the motor, a suitable reversing switch 35 may be employed, this being shown in the drawings of standard form operable by a double-acting arm 35 projecting from the switch box. The switches 33, 34 and 35 are arranged in the motor circuit as indicated in Figure 9 so that when the motor is stopped by the reversing switch, the latter sets connections between switches 33 and 34 so that a subsequent operation of either switch 33 or 34 will again start the motor.

The clutch 30 and cut-out switch 35 are arranged to be actuated by movement of the stairway into its extended position of use and into its retracted position. To stop the motor and reverse the clutch as the stairway is moved to its extended position, a slidable bar 36 is arranged in the housing 3. of the motor and control unit and normally projects outwardly of the easing into the ceiling opening so as to be engaged and depressed into the.

casing by abutment means 38 on the upper end of the stair structure as the latter moves into its completely extended position for use.

Bar 36 has a stud thereon at 39 cooperating with an arm 40 on a rock shaft 41 on which is secured a yoke arm 42 adapted to shift the shiftable member 30 of reversing clutch 30. The shiftable clutch member 3O has spaced apertured lugs 43 and 44 thereon through which is extended a fixed guiding rod 45 and the shifting force imparted to said clutch member 30 is arranged to be yieldingly applied by provision of a block 45 slidable on rod 45 by yoke arm 42 and having compression springs 46 and 47 arranged between it and lugs 43 and 44. Spring pressed dogs 48 and 49 are arranged respectively to engage in back of the lugs 43 and 44 as indicated at 43 and 49 in Figures 6 and 5 respectively to lock the clutch 30 in engagement in each of its reversed positions. The dogs 48 and 49 are adapted to be shifted out of such locking engagement when the clutch is to be reversed by engagement of inclined faces 45 45 on block 45 therewith as shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. The shiftable clutch member 30 also has spaced studs 60, 6O thereon for engaging the tumbler or operating arm 35 of the automatic cut-out or reversing switch 35 to throw said switch in reversed directions.

To stop the motor and reverse the clutch when the stairway is retracted, a plunger 52 is arranged so as to project downwardly of the ceiling opening when the stairway is extended and to be pushed upwardly as the panel 11 shuts. The plunger is connected to a bell crank lever 53 which is connected by a link 54 to an arm 55 on rock shaft 41 to rock said shaft in the reverse direction (see Figure 7). Arm 4O cooperating with stud 39 on bar 36 and arm 55 cooperating through link 54 and bell crank 53 and plunger 52 are therefore so interconnected through the rock shaft 41 that when the plunger 52 or the bar 36 is depressed to stop the motor, etc., the other is projected into aposition to be depressed to perform its corresponding function upon a succeeding operation of the stairway, either from its extended to its retracted position or vice versa.

In operation, when the stairway is in its retracted positlon and use thereof 1s desired, either of switches 33 or 34 are actuated starting the motor so as to pay out cable from drums 22. Panel 11 accordingly swings downwardly by gravity and the stair section 13- slides by gravity on arms 18 and thus the stair structure as a unit swings downwardly about pivot 15 and the stair sections swing in the manner of a toggle into line with each other about pivot 14.

As the stairway moves into its position of use, abutment member 38engages and shifts bar 36 which, through the mechanism described above, actuates switch 35 to stop the motor and throws clutch member 30 into its reversed position in which it is held by dog 49, dog 48 being thrown out of its locked position shown in Figure 6 to position substantially as shown in Figure 5.

WVhen the stairway is to be retracted after use, either of switches 33 and 34 are again actuated, starting motor 27 which drives drums 22 so as to wind the cable thereon. The first action of the cable is to swing arms 18 on their pivots whereby the toggle ointed sections of the stair structure swing about pivot 14 and section 13 is drawn upwardly to collapse the stairway on the panel. When arms 18 swing into alignment with the cable stretches to the sheaves 24, the pull in the cable becomes effective on the panel and the panel moves upwardly carrying the collapsed stair structure thereon upwardly through the ceiling opening. 7 i

As panel llswings shut, it engages plunger 52 and through bell crank 53, link 54, arm 55 and yoke arm 42, releases dog 49 and actuates shiftable clutch member 30 to operate switch 35 to stop the motor and to shift clutch 30 for a subsequent reverse operation.

It is to be understood that the reversing type switch 35 is used: aside from stopping the motor merely tochange the connections between switches 33 and 34 so that the motor 7 complete control by the operating means. It

is also apparent that a novel .power operating means and controls therefor. .have been pro vided forstairways of the disappearing type.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A disappearing stairway comprising the combination with a movable panel closure for a ceiling opening, of a stair structure supported at its upper end so as to be movable with the panel, said stair structure comprising a single pair of sections pivoted to each other and supported o'n'the panel so that,

the sections may be swung upwardly in inverted V-formation in the manner of a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly onto the panel whereby the stair structure may move with the panel to a position in the ceiling openingabove the panel when the panel is shut.

2. The combination withthe'ceiling of a lower room havingan opening therein to give access to an upper room, of a stair structure supported at its upper end at said opening so as to be moved upwardly out of the way through said opening and comprising a single pair ofsections pivoted to each other so that the stair structure may be collapsed to inverted V-formation in the manner of a toggle to pass through said opening.

3. A disappearing stairway comprising the combinationwitha panel hinged at one edge of a ceiling opening, of a stair structure pivoted at its upper end so as to be movable with the panel, saidstair structure comprising a plurality of tread carrying stringersv pivoted together at their ends and supported onthepanel so that the sections maybe swung upwardly in the mannerv of a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn up wardly onto the panel whereby the stair ported on the panel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner of a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly onto the panel whereby the stair structure may move with the panel to a position in the ceiling opening above the panel when the panel is shut, and means for operat- Y ing said panel and stair structure,*comprising an arm pivoted on the panel and having a slidable, non-pivotal connection with the lower stair section, a sheave on the'arm and cable means trained about said sheave and connected to the lower stair section. V

5. A disappearing stairway comprising the combination \with a panel hinged at one edge of a ceiling opening, of a stair structure pivoted at its upper end so as to be movable with the panel, said stair structure comprising sections pivotedto each other and supported on the panel so that the sections may be I swung upwardly in the manner of a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawn upwardly onto the panelwhereby the stair structure may move with the panel to a posi- 3 tion inthe ceiling opening above the panel when the panel is shut, and means for operating said panel and stair structure comprising an arm pivoted on the paneland'having a slidable, non-pivotal connection [with the, lower stair section,'asheave on the armand cable means trainedrabout said sheave and; connected to the lower stair section.

6. A disappearing stairway comprising the combination with a -movable panel closure, fora ceiling opening, of a stair structure supported at its upper end so as to be movable with the panel, said stair structurecomprisiIIgJSGCtlOIlS pivoted to each other and sup- I ported on the panel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner of a toggle and the lower end of the stair structure drawnupwardly onto the panel whereby the stair'structure may move with the panelto a position in the ceiling opening above the- I panelwhenthe panel is -shut, means for operating said stairway, said .means being connected to the lowermost section, andv a pivoted mounting on the panel onwhich the lowermost stair sectioncis slidable.

17. A. disappearing stairway comprising the combination with a panel hinged atone edge of. a ceiling opening, 7 of a stair structure.

pivoted at its upper end so as to be movable .with the panel, said stair structure comprising sections'pivoted to-each other and supported on the panel so that the sections may be swung upwardly in the manner of a toggle and the lower end of; the stair structure drawn upwardly onto the'panel whereby the" stair structure may move' with the panel to a-position'in the ceiling opening above the panel when-the panel is shut, means for operating said stairway, said means being con} nectedto the lowermost section, and a pivoted mounting" on the panel on whiclith'lower most stair" section is slid'alb'le;

8; The" combination with" a' disappearing stairwayadapted to be moved between are- 9. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted to be moved between a retracted position andan' extended position of usein' cooperation with a ceiling opening, of power driven means for extending and re tracting said stairway, said means including a motor, reversing clutch means, means for starting the motor, means operable by move;- ment of the stairway into its extended position to stop the motor and reverse the clutch, and means operable by movement of the stairway intoits retracted position to stop the motor and to reverse the clutch.

10. The combinationwith a disappearing stairway movable between a retracted position and an extendedpositionof use in oo- L operation with a ceiling opening, of power means for operating said stairway between said positions, reversing clutch means controlling the operation of the stairway be-' tween said positions'by the power means, and w meansoperable by the stairway as it moves into each of said positions forstopping the pow'crmean'sand reversing the clutch means. 11. The combination with a disappearing stairway movable between a retracted posii tion and an extended position of use in cooperation with ceilingopening, of power means for" operating saidstairway betweensaid positions, reversing clutch means controlling the operation ofthe stairway beub twee'n said positions by'the powermeans, and means operable by the stairway as it moves into each' of said positions'for reversing the clutch means.

12.' The combination with a disappearing. li fstairway movable between a retracted posimeans operable by the stairway as it-moves into each of said positions for-stopping the power means.

# 13. A disappearing stairway comprising a tracte'd position-and an extended position of stain snueture'movable in cooperation with a ceiling opening-between retracted and extended positions,- said stairway including toggle jointed stairsections, and means for extending and collapsing said sections.

14. disappearing stairway comprising a" stair structure movable in cooperation with a ceiling opening between retracted and extended positions, said stairway being pivoted to swing asa unit aboiit'its upper end and incliirling'toggle j oint'ed 'stair sections, and meansforex'tendingand collapsing said sections; 4 i V V 15. A disappearing stairway comprising-a stair structure movable in cooperation with a ceiling opening between retracted and extended positions; said stairway including toggle jointedfstair sections, and means for extending and 'collapsing'said sections, said means comprising a" reversible power driven member and means controlled by extension and retraction ofsaid stairway for stopping said driven memberand setting it for reverse drive.

16; A disappearing stairway comprising a stair structure movable in cooperation with a ceiling opening between retractedfand ex-- tended positions, said stairway including toggle jointed stair" sections, and means for extending and collapsing said sections, said means comprising a motor and reversible" clutch means, and means-controlled by exten sion and retraction of the stairway for stopping themotor' and reversing the clutch.

17. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an'extended' position of use in cooperation with a ceiling opening,

of power drivenmeans" for extending and retracting said stairway, said means including a motor, a cable drum having a cable thereon connected to'the stairway, reversing clutch means between the motor and cable drum, manually operable switches at each floor between which the ceiling opening is located for starting. the'motoif, a switch'for stopping themotor, means operable by movement of the stairway into its extended posi-' tion to operatethe last-named switch and to reverse said clutch and means operable by movement of thestairway into its retracted position to operate said last-named switch andto reverse the clutch, said last-named switch and said manually operable switches being so arranged in a circuit with the'motor that the former uponstopping the motor sets connections between the'latterwhereby the subsequent operation o-feither of the manually operable switches will start the motor.

18. The combination with a disappearing stairway adapted to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position of use in cooperation with a ceiling opening, of power driven means for extending and retracting said stairway, said means including a motor, reversing clutch means, manually operable switches at each floor between which the ceiling opening is located for starting the motor, a switch for stopping the motor, means operable-by movement of the stairway into its extended position to operate the last-named switch and to reverse said clutch and means operable by movement of the stairway into its retracted position to operate said last-named switch and to reverse the clutch, said last-named switch and said manually operable switches being so arranged in a circuit with the motor that the former upon stopping the motor sets connections between the latter whereby the subsequent operation of either of the manually operable switches Will start the motor.

FRANK E. BESSLER.

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