GB2410038A - Sloping ground foothold or step - Google Patents

Abstract

A sloping ground foothold or step is a single unit comprising two ground fixing plates A, B, connected by a central rectangular tread plate C, the intended uphill plate A being shorter than the downhill plate B: the device is used as shown. A long tread plate may bridge two of the steps to provide a wider step, and in an alternative (Fig 7, not shown), individual spikes may replace plates A and B. The step may be of metal plastics or wood.

Description

1 24 1 0038 at, Outdoor Ground Access and/or Step System Section One: -

Descripli'

Description

The invention relates to the provision of a secure foothold and / or support, for the purpose of gaining access and/or walking over andlor upwards on sloping ground, or the positioning of equipment or features in a garden or other outdoor area. It is intended for the use of, but not exclusively for, Gardeners, Maintenance Workers, Emergency Service Workers, Farmers, Horticulturists, Groundsmen and others working or relaxing in, on or around Gardens, Leisure Centres, Highways, Industrial or Commercial Areas ate Currently, the provision of steps or stairs onto or into an earth bank or sloping grass lawn etc., would require the removal of earth, soil or grass etc. This then forms a level 'bed' or Base' onto or into which is placed stone aggregate and /or poured and levelled concrete or wood or stone or 'concrete slab' to form a level platform on which to walk.

An object of this invention is to provide a level and flat step or support that can be fitted without the use of concrete or hardcore / aggregate and / or the removal of soil / grass / earth from the area.

Accordingly, the invention provides steps and / or supports that can be fitted simply and quickly without the use of any additional materials other than the step / support itself Indeed, in most cases the use of hand-tools is not required.

Preferably, the 'steps' are made from Aluminium or other Metal. However, the use of Wood or Plastic or Pre-formed Concrete or Glass Fibre or a combination, are also suitable, as are other materials.

An important feature of the invention is the dissimilar lengths of each (uphill and downhill) 'side' of the step. The 'uphill' side is always shorter than the downhill' side, allowing for the gradient of the slope to be 'levelled off.' These sides' may be of the same material as the main foot-hold or of a different material. The sides may be of a 'shaped' or pointed plate or spade like type or of individual posts, pegs or spikes.

Sect io' F o - i:M tl( .1 N if.

A preferred EMBODIMENT of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of multiple steps ascending a slope. The spade-like sides are sunk into the ground providing the level foot-hold areas.

Figure 2 shows the exposed step with the uphill and downhill spade-like pointed sides visible. The uphill side ('A') is always the shorter of the two. The downhill ('B') side being longer compensates for the slope of the ground. The void below the foot-hold can be in-filled with soil or a manufactured insert - plastic extrusion, metal or wood if required.

Typically, but not exclusively 4.5 Aluminium tread-plate, pointed at the ends of the fixing-legs with pressed bevels along the edges of the foothold.

Figure 3 shows a sample, but not exclusive, ratio of the upper to lower fixing plates: this ratio can be set to suit different steepness of ground.

Figure 4 shows a side, but not exclusive, view of the ratio of the upper and lower fixing plates.

Figure 5 shows how two of the steps 'E' can be used together to form a support for a 'bridging step' 'F' to be bolted through the steps to form a larger and wider access step. Bridging plates can be metal or wood or plastic or pre-formed concrete etc. Figure 6 shows a wider example 'G' of Figure 2 where the fixing plates are at each corner 'H'. Again, the shorter fixings are on the higher side of the slope.

Figure 7 shows a wooden version of the step with metal spikes 'J' in place of the pointed spade-like plates. Again, the shorter fixings / spikes are on the higher side of the slope. Wood, Plastic or pre-formed Concrete etc., can be used for the foot-hold / step area, with metal or wooden spikes / pegs of dissimilar length being used for the ground- fixings.

Figure 8 shows an alternative / additional use for the invention. The same method of dissimilar lengths for the fixing plates allows a base 'K' to be formed for litter bins, benches or small buildings. Typically, but not exclusively, pre-formed Concrete or Wood or Aluminium would be used.

Figure 9 shows an additional use for the steps. On uneven or wet or difficult ground the steps can used to form a path or walkway.

As shown in Figure 3 and 4, the step is composed of three 'faces"A', 'B' and C': A' is the shorter Ill fixing-section and designed to be pushed fully into the earth until the 'bevelled area"B' becomes Bush with the ground.

B' is the longer Downhill fixing -section and designed to be pushed into the earth until the Foot-hold 'C' becomes both level and square A and B fixing-sections / plates are shaped and pointed in the form of a spade to allow easier ground penetration. The material used is normally, but not exclusively, alumnium tread-plate to provide both grip for the base of the foot at C' and also for the soil to grip onto the tread-plate at 'A' and 'B'.

The pressed bevelled areas at 'D' are for both grip into the soil and grip onto the sole of boots.

While the normal configuration of the steps is to be pressed Ahminium tread-plate it is expected that the invention will, on occasions be configured using other materials and methods, but not exclusively: Preformed Concrete with a possible shorter length to fixing-section 'A'.

Plastic and Metal using plastic for 'C' and metal pegs or spikes for 'A' and 'B'.

Natural or laminated or re-formed Wood for 'C' and Metal or Wooden pegs and spikes for 'A' and'B'.

Metal, other than Aluminium, coated or treated.

or a combination of the above.

Claims (1)

1. A foothold or unequal legnths of front and rear vertical supports connected by a horizonal footplate providing a level step onto sloping ground.

2 A foothold as claimed in proceeding claim is made from metal, plastic material or wood, or from a combination of these materials.

3 A foothold substantially as herein described above and illustrated in accompanying drawings