Patent 6986485 was granted and assigned to The Boeing Company on January, 2006 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
An overhead area access staircase system (10) for an aircraft (12) includes an aircraft overhead module (20) and multiple stair segments (40). The stair segments (40) are actuated relative to each other when deployed and are configured to be in proximity with the overhead module (20). The stair segments (40) are in contact with the overhead module (20) when deployed. The stair segments (40) include step elements (42) and support members (44) coupled thereto.