CA2151984A1 - Stair minder - Google Patents
Stair minderInfo
- Publication number
- CA2151984A1 CA2151984A1 CA 2151984 CA2151984A CA2151984A1 CA 2151984 A1 CA2151984 A1 CA 2151984A1 CA 2151984 CA2151984 CA 2151984 CA 2151984 A CA2151984 A CA 2151984A CA 2151984 A1 CA2151984 A1 CA 2151984A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- carriage
- rail
- climbing
- assist
- pawl
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B9/00—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures
- B66B9/06—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures inclined, e.g. serving blast furnaces
- B66B9/08—Kinds or types of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures inclined, e.g. serving blast furnaces associated with stairways, e.g. for transporting disabled persons
- B66B9/0846—Guide rail
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/18—Balustrades; Handrails
- E04F11/1863—Built-in aids for ascending or descending stairs
Abstract
A device for use as an assist in climbing includes a channel shaped railing adapted for attachment to a wall in a stairway. The channel shaped rail has a hollow profile, and a longitudinally extending slot. A carriage is contained within the hollow rail and a handle extends from the carriage, through the slot and substantially across the stairway. The carriage includes locking means cooperatively engaging catch means in the hollow rail to permit incremental upward or downward manipulation of the carriage in the rail. The carriage locks itself in the rail between periods of upward or downward manipulation.
Description
2151~4 .
The present invention relates to a device for assisting a person to climb or to descend a flight of stairs in safety.
As a person ages, and becomes pL~ ssively weaker, and less steady on their feet, a number of activities that are virtually taken for granted in earlier years can become difficult or impossible. In particular, many elderly person are unable to climb stairs unassisted, and many others are injured while climbing or ~ n~lin~ stairs.
This causes many older persons to move away from houses they have lived in for years, but which have stairways to negotiate .
Heretofore, the only solutions to the problem of stairways being too difficult for older persons to climb, besides moving, has been the provision of an elevator, or other form of lifting device. Basically, such devices fall into two categories. Conventional elevators, whether lifted by cables from above, or hydraulics from below, require extensive structural and electrical modification of a residence. They are also quite expensive, and bulky.
Essentially, they are a viable option only in the largest and most well funded residences.
21~1984 .
A cheaper alternative to a conventional vertical elevator has been the provision of a single seat elevator travelling on an inclined track up an existing stairway.
Such a system requires much less structural modification or power than a conventional elevator, but it is still quite expensive, and forms an awkward; ~~~;r~nt to the use of the stairway by others.
The obj ect of the present invention to provide an ;nPYr~Pn~ive but effective device that can be mounted in a stairway, to assist persons in climbing or ~lp~cpn~;n~ a stairway. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device that can be swung conveniently away so that the use of the stairway by persons not requiring the assistance of the device of the present invention is substantially ~n; ,A~lP~l.
In a broad aspect, therefore, the present invention relates to a device for use as an assist in climbing including: (a) a channel shaped railing adapted for attachment to a wall in a stairway, said channel shaped rail having a hollow profile, and a longitudinally extending slot; (b) a carriage contained within said hollow rail; and (c) a handle P~tPn~l;ng from said carriage, through said slot and substantially across said stairway;
said carri2lge including locking means cooperatively 21519~
engaging catch means in said hollow rail to permit incremental upward or downward l--n;rlllation of said carriage in 6aid rail, said carriage locking itself in said rail between periods of upward or downward manipulation.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention, mounted in a stairway;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the central vertical plane of the rail of the device of Figure l; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the central horizontal plane of the rail of the device of Figure 1.
Re Eerring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, which show the device of the present invention in its basic form, a rail 1 is provided, adapted for mounting to a wall in a stairway. The rail is configured as a channel with a rear wall 11 that is f lat, to be mounted against a wall in a stairway. ~he top 12 and bottom 13 walls of the channel Qxtend away from the rear wall, and each then terminates in an inwardly extending flange 14, the opposing top and bottom flanges being separated by a slot 15. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that with only minor modification, the slot 15 may be in the top wall 12, rather 21~g84 than its illustrated position which is essentially the location of a front wall.
The inside surface of the rear wall 11 is provided with a central longitudinally extending series of ratchet teeth 7, each of which has a surface 71 perpendicular to the rear wall 11, on the "upstairs end" of the tooth, and an ;n~l;ned ramp-like surface 72 on the "downstairs end" of the tooth. Flanking the central line of teeth 7 are flat tracks 6.
Each end of the rail 1 is capped with a cap means 30 to prevent escape of the carriage 2 that travels in the channel of the rail 1. The carriage 2 comprises a spaced apart pair of wheels 4 on an axle 5, the axle being f ixed at the "upstairs end" of a locking arm, the other end of which is provided with a pawl 8 f or engaging the ratchet teeth. In the vicinity of the pawl, as can be seen from Figure 2, the locking arm 9 is as wide as the channel of the rail, so that the pawl 8 is kept centred on the line of ratchet teeth. On the outer surface of the locking arm, opposite the pawl are located springs 10, bearing against one or preferably both flanges 14, to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth 7.
21~1~84 .
Between the pawl 8 and the axle 5, handle 3 extends outwardly from locking arm 9. Ilandle 3 may be provided with a hinged joint 31 near its junction with locking arm 9, to permit handle 3 to be pivoted upwardly, yet permit handle 3 to be pulled to release the pawl 8 from the ratchet teeth.
As illustrated in Figure 3, as the handle 3 is pulled in an upstairs direction, pawl 8 will be pulled away from the ratchet teeth, which permits the arm 9 to be slid up or down the channel 1, which it will do quite easily due to the rolling action of the wheels 4 on the track 6.
In order to use the device of the present invention to assist in climbing up a flight of stairs, a user first lowers the handle from an upright position to a horizontal position. The handle is then grasped with both hands and pushed up the rails a distance of one to one and one half steps, as is comfortable. The pushing action on the handle 3 will cause the arm 9 to rotate about the axle 5, against the action of the spring 10. This clears the pawl 8 from engagement with a ratchet teeth 7, and the carriage 2 (comprising the arm 9, axle 5, wheels 4 and pawl 8) slides up the rail 1, wheels 4 rolling on track 6. When the handle is released, the pawl 8 descends to between two ratchet teeth, bearing against the flat "upstairs surface"
The present invention relates to a device for assisting a person to climb or to descend a flight of stairs in safety.
As a person ages, and becomes pL~ ssively weaker, and less steady on their feet, a number of activities that are virtually taken for granted in earlier years can become difficult or impossible. In particular, many elderly person are unable to climb stairs unassisted, and many others are injured while climbing or ~ n~lin~ stairs.
This causes many older persons to move away from houses they have lived in for years, but which have stairways to negotiate .
Heretofore, the only solutions to the problem of stairways being too difficult for older persons to climb, besides moving, has been the provision of an elevator, or other form of lifting device. Basically, such devices fall into two categories. Conventional elevators, whether lifted by cables from above, or hydraulics from below, require extensive structural and electrical modification of a residence. They are also quite expensive, and bulky.
Essentially, they are a viable option only in the largest and most well funded residences.
21~1984 .
A cheaper alternative to a conventional vertical elevator has been the provision of a single seat elevator travelling on an inclined track up an existing stairway.
Such a system requires much less structural modification or power than a conventional elevator, but it is still quite expensive, and forms an awkward; ~~~;r~nt to the use of the stairway by others.
The obj ect of the present invention to provide an ;nPYr~Pn~ive but effective device that can be mounted in a stairway, to assist persons in climbing or ~lp~cpn~;n~ a stairway. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device that can be swung conveniently away so that the use of the stairway by persons not requiring the assistance of the device of the present invention is substantially ~n; ,A~lP~l.
In a broad aspect, therefore, the present invention relates to a device for use as an assist in climbing including: (a) a channel shaped railing adapted for attachment to a wall in a stairway, said channel shaped rail having a hollow profile, and a longitudinally extending slot; (b) a carriage contained within said hollow rail; and (c) a handle P~tPn~l;ng from said carriage, through said slot and substantially across said stairway;
said carri2lge including locking means cooperatively 21519~
engaging catch means in said hollow rail to permit incremental upward or downward l--n;rlllation of said carriage in 6aid rail, said carriage locking itself in said rail between periods of upward or downward manipulation.
In drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention, mounted in a stairway;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the central vertical plane of the rail of the device of Figure l; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the central horizontal plane of the rail of the device of Figure 1.
Re Eerring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, which show the device of the present invention in its basic form, a rail 1 is provided, adapted for mounting to a wall in a stairway. The rail is configured as a channel with a rear wall 11 that is f lat, to be mounted against a wall in a stairway. ~he top 12 and bottom 13 walls of the channel Qxtend away from the rear wall, and each then terminates in an inwardly extending flange 14, the opposing top and bottom flanges being separated by a slot 15. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that with only minor modification, the slot 15 may be in the top wall 12, rather 21~g84 than its illustrated position which is essentially the location of a front wall.
The inside surface of the rear wall 11 is provided with a central longitudinally extending series of ratchet teeth 7, each of which has a surface 71 perpendicular to the rear wall 11, on the "upstairs end" of the tooth, and an ;n~l;ned ramp-like surface 72 on the "downstairs end" of the tooth. Flanking the central line of teeth 7 are flat tracks 6.
Each end of the rail 1 is capped with a cap means 30 to prevent escape of the carriage 2 that travels in the channel of the rail 1. The carriage 2 comprises a spaced apart pair of wheels 4 on an axle 5, the axle being f ixed at the "upstairs end" of a locking arm, the other end of which is provided with a pawl 8 f or engaging the ratchet teeth. In the vicinity of the pawl, as can be seen from Figure 2, the locking arm 9 is as wide as the channel of the rail, so that the pawl 8 is kept centred on the line of ratchet teeth. On the outer surface of the locking arm, opposite the pawl are located springs 10, bearing against one or preferably both flanges 14, to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth 7.
21~1~84 .
Between the pawl 8 and the axle 5, handle 3 extends outwardly from locking arm 9. Ilandle 3 may be provided with a hinged joint 31 near its junction with locking arm 9, to permit handle 3 to be pivoted upwardly, yet permit handle 3 to be pulled to release the pawl 8 from the ratchet teeth.
As illustrated in Figure 3, as the handle 3 is pulled in an upstairs direction, pawl 8 will be pulled away from the ratchet teeth, which permits the arm 9 to be slid up or down the channel 1, which it will do quite easily due to the rolling action of the wheels 4 on the track 6.
In order to use the device of the present invention to assist in climbing up a flight of stairs, a user first lowers the handle from an upright position to a horizontal position. The handle is then grasped with both hands and pushed up the rails a distance of one to one and one half steps, as is comfortable. The pushing action on the handle 3 will cause the arm 9 to rotate about the axle 5, against the action of the spring 10. This clears the pawl 8 from engagement with a ratchet teeth 7, and the carriage 2 (comprising the arm 9, axle 5, wheels 4 and pawl 8) slides up the rail 1, wheels 4 rolling on track 6. When the handle is released, the pawl 8 descends to between two ratchet teeth, bearing against the flat "upstairs surface"
2~5198~
71 of a ratchet tooth, thereby locking the arm 9 in position. The user then ascends a step, with the aid of the handle, and repeats the process until they have reached to top of the stairs, when they can once again swing the handle upwards, out of the path of the stairway. In this regard, the hinge should be made somewhat resistive to movement, in a manner that will be obvious to one skilled in the art.
To descend the stairway in a safe and controlled way, a user lowers the handle, and grasps it with both hands.
Then, using their hand near the rail as a fulcrum, they pull the other end of the handle slightly, to disengage the pawl. In this regard, it will be understood that spring 10 is quite weak, and the pawl remains in engagement with the ratchet teeth primarily by gravity. The user can then either descent the entire staircase slowly, holding the bar with the same slight pawl-release pressure on the way down, or they may descent one step at a time, lowering the handle from step to step, and then using the handle to lean on while actually ~ nflinq. In either event, it will be readily understood that should the user stumble, they can grasp the handle to prevent themselves from falling, and the handle will be locked in place.
21~198~
Referring to Figure 1, the handle may be a straight bar, or it may as illustrated be made in a shape permitting it to be grasped at more than one level. The handle may al60 be provided with a basket or the like to permit a person to carry articles up or down a stairway easily.
Moreover, the handle may be provided with a safety strap 20 with which a user may further ensure their safety in case of a fall.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field to which the present invention pertains without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention .
71 of a ratchet tooth, thereby locking the arm 9 in position. The user then ascends a step, with the aid of the handle, and repeats the process until they have reached to top of the stairs, when they can once again swing the handle upwards, out of the path of the stairway. In this regard, the hinge should be made somewhat resistive to movement, in a manner that will be obvious to one skilled in the art.
To descend the stairway in a safe and controlled way, a user lowers the handle, and grasps it with both hands.
Then, using their hand near the rail as a fulcrum, they pull the other end of the handle slightly, to disengage the pawl. In this regard, it will be understood that spring 10 is quite weak, and the pawl remains in engagement with the ratchet teeth primarily by gravity. The user can then either descent the entire staircase slowly, holding the bar with the same slight pawl-release pressure on the way down, or they may descent one step at a time, lowering the handle from step to step, and then using the handle to lean on while actually ~ nflinq. In either event, it will be readily understood that should the user stumble, they can grasp the handle to prevent themselves from falling, and the handle will be locked in place.
21~198~
Referring to Figure 1, the handle may be a straight bar, or it may as illustrated be made in a shape permitting it to be grasped at more than one level. The handle may al60 be provided with a basket or the like to permit a person to carry articles up or down a stairway easily.
Moreover, the handle may be provided with a safety strap 20 with which a user may further ensure their safety in case of a fall.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field to which the present invention pertains without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention .
Claims (7)
1. A device for use as an assist in climbing including:
a) a channel shaped railing adapted for attachment to a wall in a stairway, said channel shaped rail having a hollow profile, and a longitudinally extending slot;
b) a carriage contained within said hollow rail; and c) a handle extending from said carriage, through said slot and substantially across said stairway;
said carriage including locking means cooperatively engaging catch means in said hollow rail to permit incremental upward or downward manipulation of said carriage in said rail, said carriage locking itself in said rail between periods of upward or downward manipulation.
a) a channel shaped railing adapted for attachment to a wall in a stairway, said channel shaped rail having a hollow profile, and a longitudinally extending slot;
b) a carriage contained within said hollow rail; and c) a handle extending from said carriage, through said slot and substantially across said stairway;
said carriage including locking means cooperatively engaging catch means in said hollow rail to permit incremental upward or downward manipulation of said carriage in said rail, said carriage locking itself in said rail between periods of upward or downward manipulation.
2. A device for use as an assist in climbing as described in Claim 1, wherein said carriage is provided with wheels bearing against a track in said rail.
3. A device for us as an assist in climbing as described in Claim 2, wherein the end of said carriage opposite said wheels is provided with said lock means cooperatively engaging said catch means in said rail.
4. A device for use as an assist in climbing as described in Claim 3, wherein said lock means comprises a pawl, and said catch means comprise a series of ratchet teeth on the inside surface of said rail.
5. A device for use as an assist in climbing as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said handle extends out from said carriage between said wheels and said pawl, extending in a direction substantially opposite said pawl.
6. A device for use as an assist in climbing as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said carriage is provided with spring means biasing said pawl into said ratchet teeth.
7. A device for use as an assist in climbing as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said handle includes a safety strap fastenable about a user of said device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2151984 CA2151984A1 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-06-16 | Stair minder |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2151984 CA2151984A1 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-06-16 | Stair minder |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2151984A1 true CA2151984A1 (en) | 1996-12-17 |
Family
ID=4156065
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2151984 Abandoned CA2151984A1 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-06-16 | Stair minder |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2151984A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2436555A (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-03 | King S College London | Staircase climbing aid with ascent and descent handles attached to a carriage, which is held in a guide rail. |
| WO2012143741A3 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2013-02-28 | Stairsteady Limited | A stair assistance device |
| WO2014195227A2 (en) * | 2013-06-05 | 2014-12-11 | Assitech As | Stair assistance device |
| WO2017165980A1 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2017-10-05 | Bradley Burke | Fall control system and method of controlling a movement during fall event |
| EP3409863A1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-12-05 | Chao-Hsuan Ho | Stair assistance device |
-
1995
- 1995-06-16 CA CA 2151984 patent/CA2151984A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2436555A (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-03 | King S College London | Staircase climbing aid with ascent and descent handles attached to a carriage, which is held in a guide rail. |
| GB2459791A (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2009-11-11 | King S College London | Apparatus to assist traversal of stairs in which a handle initiates an increment of movement |
| GB2436555B (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2010-08-18 | King S College London | Apparatus to assist the traversal of stairs |
| GB2459791B (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2010-11-17 | King S College London | Apparatus to assist the traversal of stairs |
| AU2012246096B2 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2017-07-06 | Stairsteady Limited | A stair assistance device |
| GB2504046A (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2014-01-15 | Stairsteady Ltd | A stair assistance device |
| GB2504046B (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2017-03-15 | Stairsteady Ltd | A stair assistance device |
| WO2012143741A3 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2013-02-28 | Stairsteady Limited | A stair assistance device |
| US9850665B2 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2017-12-26 | Stairsteady Limited | Locking system for a stair assistance device |
| WO2014195227A2 (en) * | 2013-06-05 | 2014-12-11 | Assitech As | Stair assistance device |
| WO2014195227A3 (en) * | 2013-06-05 | 2015-01-29 | Assitech As | Stair assistance device |
| US10077560B2 (en) | 2013-06-05 | 2018-09-18 | Assitech As | Stair assistance device |
| WO2017165980A1 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2017-10-05 | Bradley Burke | Fall control system and method of controlling a movement during fall event |
| US10864393B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2020-12-15 | 2Innovate Llc | Fall control system and method of controlling a movement during fall event |
| EP3409863A1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-12-05 | Chao-Hsuan Ho | Stair assistance device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |