EP4200242A1

EP4200242A1 - A home escalator device

Info

Publication number: EP4200242A1
Application number: EP21794954.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Eisenman; Orna EISENMAN
Original assignee: Climber ODE Ltd
Current assignee: Climber ODE Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2021-09-19
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-19
Also published as: IL301430B1; IL301430B2; EP4200242C0; EP4200242B1; IL301430A; WO2022064341A1

Abstract

A home escalator device for transferring users up or down along stairs of a staircase includes a plurality of rests each comprising a base member and an axially extending rod member. The rod member is coupled to the base member by placing an axial end region of the rod member within the base member while a remainder of the rod member extends sideways away from the base member towards an opposing axial end region of the rod member.

Description

A HOME ESCALATOR DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a home escalator device, in particular for lifting and lowering people along stairs, e.g. mobility challenged people.

BACKGROUND

[002] People reaching advanced age and/or suffering from disability resulting in reduced mobility, may encounter less ability to get up and down stairs in their home environment. This may result in a necessity to either re-locate to a new home where stairs do not pose a mobility problem or install expensive mobility solutions such as an elevator. Therefore, there is a growing need for solutions to improve the movement for individuals having difficulty in using stairs or the like, without need to perform substantial construction or changes to an existing staircase and that can be easily removed from the staircase if not needed anymore.

[003] WO2018092125 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a home escalator device for supporting upward and downward movement of people along stairs of the staircase. The home escalator device in one of its examples includes supports that can be fitted to the stairs and rails that can be pivotally coupled to the supports to permit adjustment of the device for use with staircases of different steepness. SUMMARY

[004] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[005] In an embodiment there is provided a home escalator device for transferring users up or down along stairs of a staircase, the device comprising a plurality of rests each comprising a base member and an axially extending rod member that is coupled to the base member, wherein the coupling is of an axial end region of the rod member with the base member while a remainder of the rod member extends sideways away from the base member towards an opposing axial end region of the rod member, and wherein the device further comprises at least one rail that is coupled to the base members of all rests.

[006] Provision of base members that act as interfaces to moving parts of the escalator (e.g. rail and platform) along one lateral side of the staircase, while the rod members extend snugly along intersections between treads and risers of the stairs towards the opposing lateral side of the staircase (to stabilize the device) - leave the staircase substantially free of obstructions to users wanting to advance along the staircase without the use of the escalator.

[007] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[008] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which: [009] Fig. 1 schematically shows embodiments of base members placed on treads of a typical staircase for supporting a home escalator device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[010] Fig. 2 schematically shows base members such as those shown in Fig. 1 coupled each to respective rod members of a home escalator device embodiment;

[Oi l] Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a home escalator device of the present invention with rails fixed to base members such as those shown in the former figures and a platform that is adapted to move along the rails;

[012] Fig. 4 schematically shows a platform embodiment;

[013] Fig. 5 schematically shows escalator device embodiments such as those shown in the former figures (with their respective platforms removed), used in a possible formation for bridging a series of staircases; and

[014] Figs. 6A and 6B schematically show a further platform embodiment.

[015] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[016] Attention is first drawn to Fig. 1 schematically illustrating a typical staircase 10 with base members 12 of a home escalator device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, being seen placed each on a respective tread 11 of the staircase. It is noted that base members (and rests described herein below) may not necessarily be placed on each stair of the staircase and hence may be placed only on part of the stairs.

[017] Base member 12 can be seen in the enlarged view at the upper side of Fig. 1 as including a hollow bar 121 that is formed about an axis X, a generally planar plate (or plank) 123 and two side supports 122 that connect between the bar 121 and the plate 123.

[018] Base member 12 can be placed on a tread 11 of a staircase with its bar extending axially generally alongside an intersection 13 formed between the tread 11 and an adjacent riser of the staircase that extends above the tread. The base members can possibly be laid on the stairs without being positively attached to the stairs, i.e. said base members can be lifted up from the stairs without need to release any fasteners or the like.

[019] Attention is drawn to Fig. 2 illustrating arm- like rod members 14 being placed alongside respective intersections 13 between adjacent treads and risers of the staircase. Each rod member 14 can be seen being coupled adjacent one of its axial ends 141 to a respective base member 12 and extending sideways therefrom along its respective stair. Coupling between a rod member 14 and its respective base member 12 can be formed by inserting an end region of the rod member (adjacent axial end 141) through the hollow bar 121 of the base member 12.

[020] Blocks 16, possibly formed from elastic material such as rubber, may be placed at spaced apart locations along each rod member 14. The blocks may serve for slightly lifting and/or spacing the rod members away from the intersection 13 along which they are placed and/or for providing cushioning or support between the rod members and the treads/risers of the staircase, while possibly increasing friction between the escalator and a staircase while possibly avoiding substantial damage (e.g. scratches) to the staircase.

[021] As seen in the enlarged view at the upper side of Fig. 2, assemblies of a base member and its associated rod member - provide rests 17 for the escalator device against stairs in the staircase. The rests 17 as seen provide on the one hand stability to an escalator device during use while maintaining a relative open passage along the staircase e.g. for users wanting to ascend or descend the staircase not using the home escalator device. [022] As seen in the preceding and following figures, the base that is located at a first lateral side (LI) (here right side) of each stair (and by that occupies only a small lateral portion of each stair) - provides an interface for connecting to further elements of the escalator, while the arm- like rod member that ‘snugly’ extends sideways along the intersection 13 of each stair towards the opposing lateral side (L2) of the stair - is adapted to resist moment forces that may act to tilt the escalator device sideways. See the opposing lateral sides of the staircase LI and L2 indicated in Fig. 3.

[023] Attention is drawn to Fig. 3 illustrating rails 18 connected to the base members that due to the positioning of the bases along a lateral right-hand side of the staircase - are also placed extending along the same lateral side of the staircase. The rails may be fixed to the plate 123 of each base. Preferably, fixing of the rails to the plate of each base member is such that each rail is located generally above a respective side support 122 of the base member that supports it from beneath.

[024] In certain embodiments (not shown) any numbers of rails 18 and/or respective side supports 122 may be provided, such as a single rail 18 possible situated generally above a single side support 122 of a base member.

[025] Coupling between each base member and its respective rod member may be such that the base member can be relatively free to be pivoted about its rod member at least during assembly of a home escalator device to a staircase. Such pivoting of the base member may facilitate adjustment of a home escalator device to staircases of different steepness and/or sizes.

[026] Rails 18 may be of a linear motion guide type supporting motion of carriage slide units there along (such carriage slide units being hidden in the provided figures). A motor 20 coupled to a rail 18 may be used for urging axial movement of a carriage slide unit along the rail by means of an endless belt (or the like).

[027] Fig. 3 additionally shows a platform 22 that can be coupled to the rails of the escalator device for supporting users up or down the staircase. Coupling of the platform can typically be performed to the carriage slide(s) units of the rails. In cases where two rails 18 are provided, one of the rails may be operatively coupled to a motor 20 to form an “operative” active rail that can be used for urging movement of the platform up or down the staircase, while the other rail may be a “passive” rail that is not connected to the motor and by that functions to mainly support the platform against moment forces acting to tilt the device. Possibly, a “passive” rail may be the more outer lateral rail.

[028] Attention is drawn to Fig. 4 illustrating a platform embodiment 22 that may include a foldable chair 24. The chair may be pivoted between a ‘nondeployed’ state where it may optionally be substantially flush with a hand support railing 26 of the platform (see right hand side of figure) and a ‘deployed’ state (see left hand side of figure) where the chair is in a position suitable for supporting a user.

[029] Fig. 5 illustrates possible use of several escalator device embodiments 100 such as those shown and described herein for supporting users up or down a staircase that includes several flights (here three flights).

[030] Attention is drawn to Figs. 6A and 6B illustrating a platform embodiment 22 that may include a foldable standing support 28. The standing support may be pivoted between a ‘non-deployed’ state where it is foldable in this example towards a hand support railing 26 of the platform (see Fig. 6B) and a ‘deployed’ state (see Fig. 6A) where the standing support is in a position suitable for supporting a user. As seen, the platform embodiment 22 in this embodiment may include also a foldable chair, an example of which can be seen in Fig. 4.

[031] Provision of such foldable supports (such as chair and/or standing support) may be useful in maintaining the open passage along the staircase e.g. for users wanting to ascend or descend the staircase not using the home escalator device.

[032] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[033] Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non- restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

[034] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.

[035] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as “about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[036] Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

8 CLAIMS:

1. A home escalator device for transferring users up or down along stairs of a staircase, the device comprising a plurality of rests each comprising a base member and an axially extending rod member that is coupled to the base member, wherein the coupling is of an axial end region of the rod member with the base member while a remainder of the rod member extends sideways away from the base member towards an opposing axial end region of the rod member, and wherein the device further comprises at least one rail that is coupled to the base members of at least some of the rests, possibly all the rests.

2. The home escalator device of claim 1, wherein a rest is adapted to be placed upon a tread of a stair, possibly without positively attaching it to the stair by a fastener or the like.

3. The home escalator device of claim 2, wherein rod members are adapted to extend away from their respective base member along an intersection of the tread and a riser that extends above the tread.

4. The home escalator device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each rod member is pivotally coupled to its base member.

5. The home escalator device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member comprises a hollow bar and coupling of the rod member with the base member comprises placing the end region of the rod member through the hollow bar.

6. The home escalator device of claim 5, wherein a base member comprises a plate that is coupled to the hollow bar, and wherein the plate is adapted to connect to the at least one rail. 9

7. The home escalator device of claim 6, wherein each base member comprises at least one side support for connecting between the hollow bar and the plate, and wherein preferably the number of side supports corresponds to the number of rails connected to the plate to provide support for each rail from beneath.

8. A method for transferring users up or down along a staircase comprising the steps of: providing a staircase within or associated with a dwelling, providing a home escalator device comprising a plurality of rests each comprising a base member and an axially extending rod member that is coupled to the base member, and placing all base members along a first lateral side of the staircase while a rod member of each rest extends sideways away from its associated base member towards an opposing second lateral side of the staircase.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the home escalator device further comprises at least one rail coupled to at least some of the base members, possibly to each one of the base members.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein coupling between a base member and its associated rod member is of an axial end region of the rod member with the base member.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein different rests are adapted to be placed upon treads of different stairs. 10

12. The method of any one of claims 8 to 11 , wherein each rod member is adapted to extend sideways away from its respective base member along an intersection of a tread and a riser that extends above the tread.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein each rod member is pivotally coupled to its base member.

14. A staircase fitted with a home escalator device for transferring users up or down along stairs of the staircase, the home escalator device comprising at least one rail and a plurality of rests each being fitted to a different stair of the staircase, each rest comprising an assembly of a base member and a rod member, wherein all base members are located along a first lateral side of the staircase with the rod member of each rest extending away from its associated base member towards an opposing second lateral side of the staircase, and wherein the at least one rail being fixed to at least some of the base members to thus extend along the first lateral side of the staircase.

15. The staircase of claim 14, wherein the assembly of each base member and its associated rod member is such that the rod member is pivotally coupled to its base member to permit adjustment of the home escalator device to staircases of different steepness and/or size.

16. The staircase of claim 14 or 15, wherein each rest is fitted to its associated stair such that the rod member of the rest extends along an intersection between a tread and a riser of the stair it is fitted with, to thereby occupy only a small portion of the tread adjacent the intersection leaving a remainder of the tread substantially free for passage of users advancing along the staircase without need of the home escalator device. 11

17. The staircase of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein each rod member is adapted to stabilize the home escalator device, e.g. during use, against moment forces acting to tilt the device e.g. sideways.