A rail system that may be comprised of various components such as an upper rail, support rail, bottom rail, squash blocks, balusters, post covers, and ancillary components, such as post skirts and caps. In one exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be uniquely designed to accommodate perpendicular and angled installations (e.g., both in the horizontal and vertical planes). Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be easily assembled such that the support hardware is substantially hidden from view after installation, thereby enhancing the appearance of the railing.

The invention relates to a lifting system (1) for a stairway, wherein said lifting system can take at least two positions: a stairway position and a platform lift position. The lifting system is provided with a rotatable ramp (9) for enabling a walking-impaired person to enter or exit the lifting system, when the lifting system is in a platform lift position, said ramp being rotatable mounted along at least a part of an outermost edge of the step (2, 3). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of operating a lifting system, wherein the operation transforms the lifting system from a stairway position to a platform lift position to enabling a walking-impaired person and/or an aid for a walking-impaired person to get from a lower level to an upper level or to get from an upper level to a lower level. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer program.

A staircase is provided that includes a column and steps. Each step: is coupled to the column and extends outside of, and away from, the column; includes a tread surface; and can move longitudinally along the column. The staircase can transition to a plurality of states by an actuation system, including closed and open states. The closed state includes the steps positioned at the upper end with the tread surfaces of the plurality of steps oriented around the upper end and coplanar to a flooring surface of the upper floor. The opened state includes the steps positioned at varying distances longitudinally along the column from the upper end towards the lower end so as to form spiraling steps around the column between the upper and lower floors. The steps can move longitudinally along the column for positioning in the closed and opened states.

A modular platform system utilizing a number of components including a platform. The platform is configured so that each of the components may interchangeably connect to any side of the platform. The components include, for example, handrails and stairways, as well as other platforms. The platform and most of the components are formed from single, continuous pieces of metal.