Help an idiot build a small, semi-floating staircase...

[killahog]

Good point. Like those vids of people walking over open cellar trap doors. 20" doesn't sound like a lot of fall, but it could really cause some damage if totally unexpected.

That dude is like well **** he's dead and closes the door.

 

[JRC3]

I think its more he done crippled one person, and "I'll close the door I left open as not to cripple another."

 

[James-W]

Probably the column is 6” from the wall, the voluminous is 10” wide, and the car will be 12” from the column. That gives 28” to work in. 36” would be better but a lift is better than no lift.

To my way of thinking 28 inches, if he even has that much, is not a lot of room to work in, at least in my opinion it isn't. But, if the opening poster is happy with it, that is all that matters.

 

[PugetDude]

I would fab metal stairs that anchor bolt to the concrete floor.
Steel frame, goes to the ground on the right but floats on the left to make room for the arm.

+1

Welded steel frame.
On the left, post as close to the lift arms as possible.
On the right, post can be wherever it needs to be. If you want, build it with a bolt-in matching post for the left for when you move.
Easy to cantilever the treads over the lift arms if they are framed with steel underneath.
Treads can be diamond plate like Bob suggested, or wood.
Frame anchored to the wall and the floor.
Tightest footprint would be 8" risers and 9" treads, (at least that was the code allowed when I built my cabin in the mid1990's) but 10-10-1/2" treads would be a lot more comfortable. BTW, (2) 2x6's=10.5"
Good luck, post pics of the solution.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Fixed steps that are closer to the car than the lift posts will be incredibly in the way.

I'd agree. Fixed step will be completely in the way. A simple baby style gate in front of the door would solve the safety issue.


I don't think it really mattes what the OP does, his lift appears to be in a tight garage. Something out of the norm is what's going to be needed and probably be a PITA either way for ease of lift use or entry into house.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

How about something totally different ?

Build steps as a box with an open end towards the lift arm. They have to be big enough to slide over the arms and caster underneath. This hides the casters from sight and out of the way. The wall side gets a hidden section of barn door track to carry the majority of the weight. Just pin them in place with a sliding door hasp.

When in "stepping" position, all you'll see is the unused end of the barn track. Once the vehicle is in the air, the steps can easier be slid back in place and pinned.


Of course, you'll need room to the side of the stairs for them to slide.

I think I like this idea best...I tried to make a (poor) sketch of it...

The black line is a sliding door rail attached to the wall. The blue circles are the rollers that the stairs "hang" from. There's a similar fixed (non swivel) pair of wheels on the lowest stair that roll parallel to the wall. The sides of the stairs are "open" to allow the hoist arms to go under the stairs. When you want to use the hoist, slide the stairs right so the hoist arms can swing under the car. When you want to use the doorway, the whole thing rolls to the left.

The red safety gate is attached to the green stairs so as you roll the stairs to the right to use the hoist, the safety gate blocks the door to prevent accidents. As you roll it to the left, it just slides along the wall out of the way and opens up the doorway to the now present stairs.

There would be some sort of latch so the stairs don't roll when you don't want them to.

 

[killahog]

Is it possible to relocate the doorway to the right?.

 

[Bill in MI]

Nutts/Fix Until Broke, brilliant idea!

 

[aka Larry]

I think I like this idea best...I tried to make a (poor) sketch of it...

The black line is a sliding door rail attached to the wall. The blue circles are the rollers that the stairs "hang" from. There's a similar fixed (non swivel) pair of wheels on the lowest stair that roll parallel to the wall. The sides of the stairs are "open" to allow the hoist arms to go under the stairs. When you want to use the hoist, slide the stairs right so the hoist arms can swing under the car. When you want to use the doorway, the whole thing rolls to the left.

The red safety gate is attached to the green stairs so as you roll the stairs to the right to use the hoist, the safety gate blocks the door to prevent accidents. As you roll it to the left, it just slides along the wall out of the way and opens up the doorway to the now present stairs.

There would be some sort of latch so the stairs don't roll when you don't want them to.

Winner!

 

[JRC3]

winner winner chicken dinner

 

[pbon]

Stairs you have to remove and a door you have to gate would be my last choice.

 

[James-W]

Stairs you have to remove and a door you have to gate would be my last choice.

After giving that a lot of thought, it does seem to be an accident waiting to happen.