A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for portable stairs. In one embodiment, a support structure extends from a lower level to an upper level. In a certain embodiment, a plurality of steps are coupled to the support structure. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes means for independent, per-step adjustment of step positions relative to the support structure.

Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for portable stairs. In one embodiment, a support structure extends from a lower level to an upper level. In a certain embodiment, a plurality of steps are coupled to the support structure. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes means for independent, per-step adjustment of step positions relative to the support structure.

A box structure building partition constructed out of box designed to be installed in a building partition, articulated relative to box closing hatch, wherein the box structure features a closing hatch locking mechanism in the box and closing hatch features bracket in closing hatch socket for unlocking the locking mechanism, wherein bracket assumes two extreme positions in closing hatch, so that bracket in the first extreme position is retracted into closing hatch and the locking mechanism is locked and in the second extreme position bracket is slid out from closing hatch and the locking mechanism is unlocked and the bracket features a coupling for coupling element, accessible for a user when bracket is not in its first extreme position.

A box structure building partition constructed out of box designed to be installed in a building partition, articulated relative to box closing hatch, wherein the box structure features a closing hatch locking mechanism in the box and closing hatch features bracket in closing hatch socket for unlocking the locking mechanism, wherein bracket assumes two extreme positions in closing hatch, so that bracket in the first extreme position is retracted into closing hatch and the locking mechanism is locked and in the second extreme position bracket is slid out from closing hatch and the locking mechanism is unlocked and the bracket features a coupling for coupling element, accessible for a user when bracket is not in its first extreme position.

A versatile item of home furniture having multiple sections joined by glides to allow all sections to be nested or encapsulated together in an ottoman configuration or, alternatively, be positioned as steps in a step configuration. The sections may include being in a seating configuration wherein the steps are disengaged from each other and include cushions received in recesses at the tops of the structure.

A device for helping a wheeled vehicle pass over an obstacle. The device includes a stationary frame with a bottom and two symmetrical parallel side walls; a plate provided with two ends, a first end being movable between a high position and a low position, and an assembly for driving the first end between a low position and a high position. The drive assembly includes: a linear ram mounted under the plate with a stationary end adjacent to the second end and rigidly connected to the bottom, a mobile end, and a carriage movable in horizontal translation and resting on guides mounted on the bottom of the frame. The carriage includes two tappets and a pair of arms, the arms being symmetrical, each arm resting on one of the tappets of the carriage, and each arm supporting the first end of the plate.

A device for helping a wheeled vehicle pass over an obstacle. The device includes a stationary frame with a bottom and two symmetrical parallel side walls; a plate provided with two ends, a first end being movable between a high position and a low position, and an assembly for driving the first end between a low position and a high position. The drive assembly includes: a linear ram mounted under the plate with a stationary end adjacent to the second end and rigidly connected to the bottom, a mobile end, and a carriage movable in horizontal translation and resting on guides mounted on the bottom of the frame. The carriage includes two tappets and a pair of arms, the arms being symmetrical, each arm resting on one of the tappets of the carriage, and each arm supporting the first end of the plate.

A ceiling ladder having a plurality of sections that can be climbed by a user when in an unfolded position into an attic and that can be folded together into a retracted position to be stored above the ceiling. The ladder has a deep step, which has a width greater than the width of other steps of the ladder, in which is located between about 2-5 feet from the floor when the ladder is in the unfolded position so that a user can stand on the deep step and place objects into the attic without having to climb into the attic.

A cover for closing an access opening that leads to an infrequently used space within a building, such as an attic, that generally provides an air seal, thermal insulation and/or acoustic insulation at the access opening. The cover may be in one or two portions, including a closure alone or a closure and a frame having an aperture that can be closed by engagement between the closure and the frame. When the cover is used alone it engages a frame or a wall circumscribing the access opening. The cover is sized and shaped to close a stairwell, or the opening at one end of a stairway, an opening in a generally vertical wall, a hatch, or a pull down ladder. The closure and frame are each made of one or more components.