A stair tread cover suitable for covering at least one step in a staircase. The stair tread cover includes at least a front portion and a back portion. The front and back portion each have a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one friction region is optionally positioned on the bottom surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover, and at least one gripping region is optionally positioned on the top surface of the front portion of the stair tread cover.

A method of folding plastic composition flooring, including but not limited to LVP, LVT, SPC or WPC, to form a desired shape, such as stair noses, baseboards, quarter rounds, T-moldings, endcaps, or the like. The method includes the steps of incorporating a thermal insulation layer between the plastic composite flooring and a heat generator, applying heat until reaching a heat transmission coefficient to allow the plastic composite flooring to become malleable, removing the heat, applying pressure to the heated section of the plastic composite flooring to form into a desired shape using a positive and negative embossing die mold on the top and bottom heated section of the plastic composite flooring, and removing the embossing die-molds once the plastic composite flooring has cooled down to its initial temperature.

In a method for recycling energy from stairs, a step platform is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device, coupled to the platform, stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (also releases stored energy as the step platform moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (locks the step platform in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform to move into the lower position. A sensor determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform. A controller signals the controllable locking mechanism to unlock the step platform when the step platform is in the lower position, and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform.

Systems and methods can include scoring a backing material of a luxury vinyl plank (“LVP”) to allow an otherwise rigid plank to flex within a scoring section. The scoring section can include multiple parallel grooves that reach a depth that partially scores the backing material. The LVP can be positioned on a stair tread such that the scoring section wraps around an edge of the tread nose. The LVP can be clamped on top and bottom of the stair tread nose to allow adhesives to take effect. A scoring device can include a blade assembly with multiple blades to create multiple scored grooves in one pass.

Systems and methods can include scoring a backing material of a luxury vinyl plank (“LVP”) to allow an otherwise rigid plank to flex within a scoring section. The scoring section can include multiple parallel grooves that reach a depth that partially scores the backing material. The LVP can be positioned on a stair tread such that the scoring section wraps around an edge of the tread nose. The LVP can be clamped on top and bottom of the stair tread nose to allow adhesives to take effect. A scoring device can include a blade assembly with multiple blades to create multiple scored grooves in one pass.

A stair step jig assembly for smoothing treads on concrete steps includes a jig that is elongated to a predetermined length to extend along a full length of a tread on a concrete step for smoothing the tread before the concrete has cured. A riser adjustment is hingedly coupled to the jig and the riser adjustment unit abuts a concrete form that is positioned against the riser of the step adjacent to the tread upon which the jig is positioned. A leg is hingedly coupled to the jig and the leg slidably engages the riser adjustment such that each of the leg, the riser adjustment and the jig forms a triangle. The leg has engages a top of the riser of the step adjacent to tread upon which the jig is positioned for keeping the jig at a fixed angle on the tread.

A stair step jig assembly for smoothing treads on concrete steps includes a jig that is elongated to a predetermined length to extend along a full length of a tread on a concrete step for smoothing the tread before the concrete has cured. A riser adjustment is hingedly coupled to the jig and the riser adjustment unit abuts a concrete form that is positioned against the riser of the step adjacent to the tread upon which the jig is positioned. A leg is hingedly coupled to the jig and the leg slidably engages the riser adjustment such that each of the leg, the riser adjustment and the jig forms a triangle. The leg has engages a top of the riser of the step adjacent to tread upon which the jig is positioned for keeping the jig at a fixed angle on the tread.

A returned stair tread assembly comprises a tread plate, a front nosing and a return nosing fitted flush against each other to form an exposed joint between the front and return nosings, and a device for securing the return nosing to the front nosing and the stair tread plate. The tread plate has a side tongue. The front nosing has a front nosing tongue spaced from a forward end of a side edge surface of the front nosing. The return nosing receiving the front nosing tongue of the front nosing and the side tongue of the stair tread plate therein. A front end of the side groove is spaced from a forward end of the return nosing. The front nosing tongue and the side tongue are disposed in the side groove and configured to slidably connect the stair tread plate and the return nosing.

A stair tread overlay for installation on the stair steps of an existing stairway construction. The overlay includes a stair tread member having a top planar tread surface, a bottom surface for positioning on top of an existing stair step, and a front edge extending along the stair tread member and forming a nosing for receiving the weight of a user. A face strip member extends along the front of the stair tread member and projects downwardly from the bottom surface thereof. The face strip member is positioned beneath the nosing of the stair tread member and, thereby, is protected thereby. The stair tread member is fabricated of a more dense material for withstanding wear and tear on the overlay, and the face strip member is fabricated of a less dense material for facilitating shaping or machining of the face strip member.

A foot traction panel assembly includes a panel body having an exposed top surface, opposing sides, and opposing ends. The panel body defines a number of slots extending between the opposing sides and opposing ends. A number of removable spiked inserts are adapted for being custom arranged adjacent selected slots of the panel body. Each of the spiked inserts has a base and a series of spaced apart rigid spikes attached to the base. The spikes are configured to extend vertically above the top surface of the panel body.