BESSLER 20 User manual

How To Install Bessler Model 20 Disappearing Stairway
All Bessler Disappearing Stairways are
designed for easy operation, safe and
convenient use. These instructions are
intended to speed your assembly and
installation, and allow you to understand
the Bessler system and how it works. If
you will read all the instructions, study
the drawings, check the parts for correct
dimensions (sometimes hardware may
get bent in shipping or rough handling),
it will save considerable time in assem-
bly and installation, and can add years
of life to your stairway.
Before
starting installation, we suggest
you study FIG 1 and acquaint yourself
with all the numbered parts and get a
mental picture of the completed stairway.
STEP 1.
Prepare the fi nished opening
for the size as shown in FIG 6. Finish the
opening with all four jambs (not sup-
plied by Bessler) even with the top of the
attic fl oor as shown in FIG 2 and with all
corners plumb and square.
STEP 2.
Remove the guide frame (Part
5) and panel bracket (Part 10) from the
hardware carton. To make sure these
parts have not been damaged in ship-
ping, measure the distance between the
slide bars on the guide frame and the
slide bars on the panel bracket. These
two dimensions should be 16-5/8” +/-
1/32”, and slide bars should be parallel
to each other.
STEP 3.
Remove the door panel from
carton and make certain this part has
not been damaged in shipping or han-
dling. To install door panel (Part 15),
see FIG 3, draw a line 1-5/8” above the
bottom edge of fi nished jamb all the
way across the header where the door
panel will be hinged. Drive two small
nails half way through the jamb on the
line to act as a guide to hold the hinge
against when fastening hinge to jamb.
While your helper holds the door and
hinge against the nails above, center
the hinge between the side jambs, and
partially drive two more nails through
screw holes in hinge. This will hold door
in position while you complete installa-
tion using #10 x 1” P.H. screws in rest of
holes.
STEP 4.
Install guide frame (Part 5) by hooking the angle on top of the attic fl oor in the center of the fi nished opening,
directly above the door hinge, as shown in FIG 4. Attach with #10 x 1” P.H. screws. After all screws are tightened and guide
frame has been set fi rmly in position, re-measure between the faces of the slide bars to make certain they are still 16-5/8”
+/- 1/32” and also parallel. If any adjustment is needed, now is the right time to do it. Grip the slide bar with vice grips,
crescent wrench, or other tool, and bend as necessary to set slide bars at 16 5/8” apart and parallel when measured from
face to face.
LIST OF PARTS
1. Stringers (2)
2. Treads
3. Handrail
4. Handrail Posts
5. Header Guide Frame
6. Piano Hinge
7. Panel Door Drum (L & R)
8. Stringer Drum (L & R)
9. No Item
10. Panel Brackets (L & R)
11. Door Cables (L & R)
12. Stringer Cables (L & R)
13. Catch Lock
14. Stringer Cable Holders (2)
15. Door Panel
16. Door Panel Chain
Stairwell Depth
Minimum 4-11/16”
Maximum 14-1/2”
FIG 1
FIG 3
FIG 4
FIG 2
Rough
Opening
Finished
Opening
Finished
Ceiling
Ceiling
Stop
Panel
Opening
Stop
Guide Nails 1-5/8” from Bottom
of Finished Jamb
Attach with
#10 x 1”
P.H. Screws

STEP 5.
Install panel drums (Part 7) on both sides of fi nished opening as shown in FIG 4, making sure centerline of each
drum is 30” from the header and that the small tab on the drum mounting bracket sits on top of the attic fl oor. Positioned
correctly, the top of the drum will be above the attic fl oor. Secure each with four #10 x 1” P.H. screws. (NOTE: Parts desig-
nated left or right is from a position facing the front of the lowered ladder.)
STEP 6.
Install the stringer drum (Part 8) on the left side of the fi nished opening with the centerline of the drum 5” from
the header with the short angle of the bracket resting on the attic fl oor. Secure with four #10 x 1” P.H. screws.
STEP 7.
Remove wringers and handrail from long carton. Put the handrail aside for the time being. Lay the stringers on
edge on the fl oor or on saw horses opposite each other with the tread gains or slots toward the inside. Starting at the bot-
tom, insert the treads and ladder rods in all slots except the top three, which will be inserted later. Further secure treads
with two #10 x 1” P.H. screws. (You may want to drill a pilot hole to assist in driving screws.) Make certain the treads are
seated at the bottom of the gains, as the treads have been cut to 16-1/16” length and act as a spacer for the proper width
of the ladder, which will be 17-1/16” wide to the outside upon completion. The three top treads will be installed in Step 9.
STEP 8.
Install panel bracket (Part 10) to the ladder by bending stringers inward at the top where the three treads have
been left out and insert slide bars into the grooves at the outside back edge of the ladder as shown in FIG 5. When install-
ing be certain that the pin that extends from side of panel bracket is on the left side of ladder and let panel bracket slide to
bottom of ladder for now. (Important: Flex stringers inward to install panel bracket and guide frame to prevent changing of
slide bar dimensions which have been pre-set at the factory to 16-5/8” +/- 1/32”.) With one person in the attic to guide lad-
der into the guide frame (Part 5) so that the top stops are above the slide bars on the guide frame, again fl ex the top of the
stringers inward to engage guide frame slide bars into grooves.
STEP 9.
Slide ladder upward and install remaining treads and tighten all ladder rods. (NOTE: While standard treads have
grooves cut in the surface and are made from 1” x 4”, the top tread has a fl at surface and is made from 1” x 6” .) Pull the
ladder all the way down until top tread is level with the attic fl oor and the top stops are engaged with the fl at bar on the
guide frame. The top stops engaging this part of the guide frame is important as this provides the load bearing capability
of the top portion of the ladder.
STEP 10.
Swing door panel to ladder and slide panel bracket up to meet pre-drilled holes in door braces. Secure panel
bracket with six #10 x 1” P.H. screws.
STEP 11.
Install cable holder (Part 14) on ladder with 1/4” x 20 x 1-1/4” R.H. stove bolt through pre-drilled hole at second
tread from the bottom of left stringer.
STEP 12.
Assemble and install handrail (Part 3) and brackets (Part 4) using #10 x 3/4” P.H. screws. Install as shown in
FIG 1 on either side of the ladder with the top bracket about 6” below the top tread. (The handrail can be installed further
down on the stringer or even shortened if space is not available for normal installation.)
STEP 13.
Attach panel drum cables by removing tape that is around one of the drums and discard. (Important: Be Certain
All Cable Is Wound Tightly Around Drum Before Continuing.) Firmly grasp the end of cable, allowing the drum to rotate,
pull the cable down to the panel bracket and hook into the slot on appropriate side. Same procedure for opposite side.
(NOTE: Only minimum tension is needed on these drums.)
STEP 14.
Attach stringer drum cable by removing tape that is around drum and discard. Take the end of the cable in
one hand and pull off enough cable to cause the spring drum to rotate three turns. Firmly grasp the drum with your other
hand and
re-wrap
the three turns of cable onto the drum, and at this point, pull the end of the cable down the side of left
stringer and place knot into slot on cable holder.
FIG 5
FIG 6
NOTE:
If it is necessary to adjust tension on any of the drums, unhook cable, and allow
it to wind up slowly on the drum, and without losing the initial tension, add or remove
a wrap of cable as required and replace cable to holder. Keep tension on both sides of
panel drums as equal as possible. Repeat if necessary, being careful not to let the cable
slip from hand as this may break or backwind the spring.
SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE:
Lubricate spring drum axles and slide grooves on lad-
der annually or as needed. Replace cables is they become frayed.
PLEASE KEEP THIS FOLDER AS IT CONTAINS A PARTS LIST:
When ordering
parts, give Model No. of stair, name and number of part needed, and state whether for
left or right side of stair. Send inquiries to Bessler Stairway Co., 3807 Lamar Ave., Mem-
phis, TN 38118. Phone [phone]
1 7’7” to 7’10” 4’9” 4’2” 3’9” 2’ x 4’
2 7’11” to 8’4” 5’2” 4’7” 3’11” 2’ x 4’
3 8’5” to 8’10” 5’8” 5’1” 4’2” 2’ x 4’
4 8’11” to 9’4” 6’2” 5’7” 4’5” 2’ x 4’
Size
Floor
to Floor
Radius
Above
Plumb Height
Above
Run
Below
Opening