GB2309468A

GB2309468A - Device to assist ascent/descent of staircase

Info

Publication number: GB2309468A
Application number: GB9625891A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Wingyett Webber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-01-26
Filing date: 1996-12-13
Publication date: 1997-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-13
Also published as: GB9601637D0; GB9625891D0; GB2309468B

Abstract

The staircase bannister system comprises two bannister rails, disposed on either side of a flight of stairs, together with a rod, disposed substantially horizontally across the staircase and adapted to engage both banister rails. Each bannister rail incorporate a set of vertical grooves 11 in which the ends of the rod can be slotted. In use a person wishing to climb the staircase stands at the foot of the stairs and engages the rod in the lowest set of vertical grooves, and uses the rod to assist climbing the first one, or two stairs. The rod can then be slid up the bannister rail until it engages the second set of grooves. It is then used to assist the climbing of the next one, two steps. This process is then repeated until the staircase has been successfully negotiated. The rod and bannister rails can be thought of as a releasable ratchet mechanism enabling the rod to be moved up, or down, the bannister rail between a series of positions in which the rod is securely located against downward forces. Extension means 4,5 and 6,7 permit use of the rod 2 on landings.

Description

Improvements in, or Relating to, Bannister Rails The present invention relates to a staircase bannister system for aiding persons who have a mobility impairment to ascend, or descend, a staircase, and a bannister rail for use in the said system.

Ascending, or descending, staircases can be a major problem for individuals who suffer from a serious mobility impairment. Chair lifts can be provided to enable such individuals to negotiate staircases. However, the installation and maintenance of chair lifts is expensive. Furthermore, it may be difficult, or impossible, to install a stair lift in a narrow stairwell of the type that may be encountered in older types of dwelling, or building. Staircases with multiple flights of stairs can also create difficulties in, or add to the cost of, installing a chair lift. There is a dear need for a simple, cheap and effective system to enable those suffering from a mobility impairment to ascend, or descend, staircases.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a staircase bannister system, for aiding those with a mobility impairment to negotiate a staircase, which is relatively inexpensive to install, can be installed in a narrow stairwell, can be installed in a stairwell with multiple flights of stairs, does not interfere with normal use of the staircase and is simple to use.

The staircase bannister system of the present invention comprises two bannister rails, disposed on either side of a flight of stairs, together with a rod, disposed substantially horizontally across the staircase and adapted to engage both banister rails. Each bannister rail incorporates a set of vertical grooves in which the ends of the rod can be slotted. In use, a person wishing to climb the staircase stands at the foot of the stairs and engages the rod in the lowest set of vertical grooves, and uses the rod to assist climbing the first one, or two stairs.

The rod can then be slid up the bannister rail until it engages the second set of grooves. It is then used to assist the climbing of the next one, two steps. This process is then repeated until the staircase has been successfully negotiated. The rod and bannister rails can be thought of as a releasable ratchet mechanism enabling the rod to be moved up, or down, the bannister rail between a series of positions in which the rod is securely located against downward forces.

In an alternative arrangement, the vertical grooves are replaced by a serpentine housing, generally parallel to the bannister rail. The serpentine housing includes substantially semicircular portions spaced at regular intervals along the housing and oriented so that the rod engages these portions as it slides downwards within the housing.

It will be appreciated that both the examples, briefly described above, are merely examples of the invention, which is fully defined in the claims to this patent specification.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a staircase bannister system, for aiding a person with a mobility impairment to ascend, or descend, a staircase, comprising a first bannister rail disposed adjacent a first lateral margin of a staircase, a second bannister rail disposed adjacent a second lateral margin of the staircase and a rod having a first end and a second end, said first end and second end adapted to engage a pair of rod retaining means located on said first and second bannister rails respectively, said first and second bannister rails each having a plurality of rod retaining means arranged so that said rod can be located and held in a plurality of substantially horizontal positions transverse said staircase.

Preferably, said first end and second end of said rod are arranged to slide in channels located in said first and second bannister rails.

Said rod retaining means may comprise generally vertical grooves, having a dosed lower end, located in said bannister rail and connected to a lower surface of said channels, so that said first and second ends can be slid in said channels, dropped into said grooves and lifted out of said grooves, to slide further along said channels.

Said channels may have an upper wall arranged to prevent said rod lifting out of said channels.

Alternatively, said channels are serpentine housings and said rod retaining means are shaped slots formed as part of said serpentine housings.

Said shaped slots may be blind circular holes substantially half of which are within said housing, so that said holes appear generally semicircular in elevation.

Said first and second bannister rails may each include an upper extendable section having a plurality of rod engaging means, arranged to extend said bannister rails, at an upper end thereof, along an axis substantially parallel to said first and second bannister rails, in telescopic relation thereto, and means for retaining said upper extendable sections in an extended position.

Said upper extendable sections may have channels adapted to receive an end of said rod, said channels and rod engaging means in said upper extendable portion being of substantially similar form to the channel and rod engaging means formed in said first and second bannister rails.

When said upper extendable sections are extended, said channel in said first bannister rail may align with said channel in said corresponding upper extendable section to form a single continuous channel and said channel in said second bannister rail may align with said channel in said corresponding upper extendable section to form a second single continuous channel.

Said retaining means, for each bannister rail, may comprise a pawl, pivoted to a respective one of said first and second bannister rails, and a detent, cut in each of said upper extendable sections, said pawls adapted to releasably engage said detents and retain said upper extendable sections in an extended position.

Said first and second bannister rails may each include a lower extendable section, having a channel and rod engaging means, arranged to extend said bannister rails, at a lower end thereof, along a substantially horizontal axis.

Said channels in said upper and lower extendable sections may be connected to the channels in said bannister rails, so that said rod can be readily moved from said bannister rails to either said lower, or upper extendable sections.

At least one of said bannister rails may be supported at each end by newel posts.

Said staircase may be located in a stairwell having at least one lateral wall and at least one of said bannister rails may be attached to said lateral wall.

Said staircase may be located in a stairwell having first and second lateral walls and said first bannister rails may be disposed on said first lateral wall and said second bannister rail may be disposed on said second lateral wall.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a staircase bannister rail having a plurality of vertical blind housings formed therein at regular intervals along the length thereof.

Said staircase bannister rail may have a first channel with an upper wall and a lower wall, said vertical blind housings being connected to said lower wall.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a staircase bannister rail having serpentine channel with a plurality of blind circular holes substantially half of each hole being within said housing, so that said holes appear generally semicircular in elevation, disposed along said channel.

Said staircase bannister rail my have an extendable upper section with a channel and a plurality of rod engaging means formed therein.

Said staircase bannister rail may have an extendable lower section with a channel and a plurality of rod engaging means formed therein.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a person descending a staircase, using the staircase bannister system of the present invention, viewed from a side elevation.

Figure 2 illustrates a person ascending a staircase, using the staircase bannister system of the present invention, viewed from a side elevation.

Figure 3 illustrates a person ascending a staircase, using the staircase bannister system of the present invention, viewed from a rear elevation.

Figure 4 is an isometric projection of a portion of the bannister rail of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the present invention with the lower extension assembly retracted and the cover plate removed.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 5 with the lower extension assembly extended and the cover plate removed.

Figure 7 is a section along line A - A of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a section along line B - B of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 5 with the upper extension assembly extended and the cover plate removed.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 9 with the upper extension assembly retracted and the cover plate removed.

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, the staircase bannister system of the present invention comprises three elements, two bannister rails 1, together with a rod 2. The bannister rails each have a channel 14, in which rod 2 can slide. A plurality of vertically disposed grooves, or blind housings 11, connect to a lower wall of the channel 14. In use, the ends of rod 2 can be slide along channel 14 and engage in grooves 11, so that rod 2 is held, or locked, in any one of a plurality of horizontal positions transverse the staircase, 8.

The vertical grooves, 11, are formed. in a rail 13, forming part of the bannister rail. The upper surface of rail 13, defines the lower wall of channel 14.

The upper wall of channel 14 is defined by a second rail 12. The bannister rail may be constructed by machining an integral piece of material with the channel 14 and grooves 11, or may be constructed from individual pieces of material as illustrated in Figure 4. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations in the construction of the bannister rail, according to the present invention, are possible, without affecting its function, or mode of operation, and without departing from the essence of the present invention. In addition, the bannister rail of the present invention can be made from a range of materials, including wood, plastics, metal e.g. aluminium, etc..

The bannister rail may be provided with an upper extendable section 4. As can be seen from Figure 2, the construction of the upper extendable section 4, is similar to the construction of the main rails 1 and 3. The upper extendable section 4 has vertical grooves and a channel for receiving the rod 2. The upper extendable portion 4, of the bannister rail, is attached to the main bannister rail by a mechanism 5, which permits the extendable portion to be extended and locked into position by. When extended, the channel in the upper extendable portion 4 is connected to the channel in the main bannister rail 1, so that rod 2 can slide directly from the channel in the main bannister rail 1 into the channel in the upper extendable section 4.It will be readily appreciated, from Figure 2, that the upper extendable portion of the bannister rail is in a telescopic relationship with the main bannister rail 1, and extends substantially parallel to main bannister rail 1. This enables a person using the staircase bannister rail system to safely reach the head of the staircase, at all times having rod 2 in front of him. By permitting the upper extendable portion of the bannister rail to be stored in an unextended position, problems with obstructed access on an upper landing are avoided.

It is equally important to ensure that the main bannister rail can extend beyond the lower end of a stair case. This can be achieved, as illustrated in Figure 1, by providing a lower extendable section, 7, to the bannister rail. The lower extendable section, 7, of the bannister rail, is of similar construction to the main bannister rail 1, and has a channel and vertical grooves of similar configuration to the main bannister rail. The lower extendable bannister rail is attached to the main bannister rail by a slide mechanism 6, which permits the lower section of the bannister rail to be extended in a substantially horizontal direction, as shown in Figure 1, and locked in position. As with the upper extendable section of the bannister rail, the channel in the lower extendable section of the bannister rail communicates directly with the channel 14, in the main bannister rail.The use of a lower extendable section to the bannister rail permits the bannister rail to be extended, when needed, to permit safe descent of the staircase, without permanently obstructing the area at the foot of the staircase.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown the lower portion of a second embodiment of a bannister rail according to the present invention. The bannister comprises a conventional bannister rail 51 mounted above a member 52 having a housing 53. The housing, or serpentine slot, 53, is adapted to receive one end of a rod 2, see Figures 1 to 3. The serpentine housing 53 includes a series of semicircular portions 54, which are blind holes forming part of the continuous housing 53. The semicircular portions 54 function as rod engaging devices, retaining the rod 2, see Figures 1 to 3, against downward motion. The housing 54, together with rod 2 can be regarded as a linear ratchet. In other words, when rod 2 is held in a horizontal position with its ends slotted into the housings 53 of two bannister rails, it can be moved in an upward direction, but when moving in a downward direction the rod engages the semicircular portions 54 and is retained therein until lifted out.

At the lower end of the bannister rail there is located a lower extension 55 in sliding engagement with a rail 56. The lower extension is held in position, on rail 56, by a cover plate 75, which is illustrated in Figure 8, but is not shown in Figures 5 and 6. The movement of the lower extension 55 is limited by stops 57 and 58.

Stop 57 is attached to the lower extension and protrudes horizontally so as to engage the cover plate 75. Stop 58 is attached to rail 56. Sliding member 55 has a housing, or slot 59 and a handle 60. In the extended position, as illustrated in Figure 6, slot 59 in the lower extension aligns with slot 53 in the main bannister.

This permits rod 2, to move horizontally outwards to the end of housing 59.

Handle 60 is used to move the lower extension 55 from the retracted position shown in Figure 5 to the extended position shown in Figure 6. To better understand the structure of the bannister rail, reference should be made to Figures 7 and 8 which show sections through the bannister rail along lines A - A and B B of Figure 5 respectively. It will be noted that the lower extension 55, is retained on rail 56 by the cover plate 75, see Figure 8.

The upper end of the bannister rail is shown in Figure 9 and 10. The upper end of the bannister rail has an upper extension, in sliding engagement with a rail 63. The upper extension is shown in the extended position in Figure 9 and in the retracted position in Figure 10. The upper extension, has a serpentine housing, or slot, 65, of similar construction to the serpentine slot 53 in the main bannister rail, including semicircular portions 66, which are completely analogous to semicircular portions 54. In the extended position the housing 65 aligns with housing 54 to form a continuous track along which rod 2 can be moved. The mechanism associated with operation of the upper extension is also concealed behind a cover plate, not shown in the drawings.

The upper extension is retained in the extended position by a catch comprising a pawl 67, which pivots about pin 68 located in the main bannister, has a handle 69. Pawl 67 is adapted to engage detent 70 in the upper extension.

Pawl 67 may be biassed into a position where it engages the upper extension by a spring, or by gravity. A stop 71 is provided to prevent the upper extension sliding beyond the normal retracted position. A handle 72 may be attached to the upper extension to facilitate its extension.

It should be noted that both the upper and lower extendable sections of the staircase can be extended by a person using the staircase while they are in the process of climbing the stairs. This is readily apparent from the location of the nobs, in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. A variety of mechanisms can be used to lock both the upper extendable section and the lower extendable section of the bannister rail in position in a secure but releasable manner. The design of such a mechanism is described in the embodiment illustrated by Figures 5 to 10 of the accompanying drawings and the design of alternative mechanisms will be readily apparent to any competent engineer.

Although in both embodiments, herein described, the construction of the bannister rail has been described-with reference to one bannister rail only, it will be readily apparent that the other bannister rail is of similar construction, and that the channels in the two bannister rails and the rod retaining means (vertical grooves, or semicircular portions) are so aligned that the rod 2 slides in a substantially horizontal position when its ends are held in the channel. The rod retaining means in the two banister rails are also arranged in corresponding locations, so that when in a locked position, with its ends held in the rod retaining means, the rod is held in a substantially horizontal position.

As described, the rod 2 is not held captive within the channels 14.

However, if desired, the rod 2 can be so designed that it is held captive within the channels 14 and can only be released at the head, or the foot, of the staircase.

In use, a person wishing to use the staircase bannister system of the present invention to ascend a staircase to which it is fitted, first inserts horizontal rod 2, into channels 14, in both bannister rails 1 and 3, see Figures 1 to 4. The rail is then slid upwards in the two channels until it engages the second, or third, pair of vertical grooves 11, in the two bannister rails. (The first pair of vertical grooves 11, are used when descending the stairs). The rod 2 can then be used to support the person ascending the stairs as he/she climbs the first few stairs. This enables the persons arms to be used, in addition to his/her legs, to aid the climbing process. The rod 2 is then lifted out of the first pair of grooves and slid upwards until it engages the next pair of vertical grooves.This process is then repeated until the person climbing the stairs reaches the point at which they can actuate the upper extendable sections of the bannister rail. This is then done, so that the upper extendable portion is in the position shown in Figure 2. The process of sliding the rod forward until it engages the next pair of vertical grooves is then repeated until the person dimbing the stairs reaches the upper landing at the head of the stairs. The rod is then removed from channel 14, e.g. by twisting the rod from the horizontal, and the upper extendable portions of the bannister rails are then disengaged and slid backwards until they are in the position shown in Figure 1.

The process used in descending the stairs is completely analogous to the process used for climbing the stairs, except that when the person descending the stairs reaches a point at which he/she is able to actuate the lower extendable section of the bannister rail, they push the lower extendable portion out until the locking mechanism is engaged. On reaching the foot of the stairs the lower extendable sections of the bannister rails are slid into the unextended position, see Figure 2.

The embodiment of the present invention described with reference to Figures 5 to 10 can be operated in a manner entirely equivalent to that set out above for the operation of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

The bannister rails of the present invention may be mounted directly on the walls of a stairwell, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or alternatively, one, or both, bannister rails may be mounted on and supported by newel posts.

The use of extendable upper and lower sections to the bannister rail greatly enhances the ease with which the bannister system of the present invention can be installed in confined stairwells, so that access to the foot and head of the staircase is not obstructed. The present invention does not adversely affect the ease with which the staircase can be used by a person who is not disabled.

Claims

1. A staircase bannister system, for aiding a person with a mobility impairment to ascend, or descend, a staircase, comprising a first bannister rail disposed adjacent a first lateral margin of a staircase, a second bannister rail disposed adjacent a second lateral margin of the staircase and a rod having a first end and a second end, said first end and second end adapted to engage a pair of rod retaining means located on said first and second bannister rails respectively, said first and second bannister rails each having a plurality of rod retaining means arranged so that said rod can be located and held in a plurality of substantially horizontal positions transverse said staircase.

2. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first end and second end of said rod are arranged to slide in channels located in said first and second bannister rails.

3. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rod retaining means comprise generally vertical grooves, having a closed lower end, located in said bannister rail and connected to a lower surface of said channels, so that said first and second ends can be slid in said channels, dropped into said grooves and lifted out of said grooves, to slide further along said channels.

4. A staircase bannister system as claimed in either claim 2, or 3, wherein said channels have an upper wall arranged to prevent said rod lifting out of said channels.

5. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said channels are serpentine housings and said rod retaining means are shaped slots formed as part of said serpentine housings.

6. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said shaped slots are blind circular holes substantially half of which are within said housing, so that said holes appear generally semicircular in elevation.

7. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any previous claim, wherein said first and second bannister rails each include an upper extendable section having a plurality of rod engaging means, arranged to extend said bannister rails, at an upper end thereof, along an axis substantially parallel to said first and second bannister rails, in telescopic relation thereto, and means for retaining said upper extendable sections in an extended position.

8. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said upper extendable sections have channels adapted to receive an end of said rod, said channels and rod engaging means in said upper extendable portion being of substantially similar form to the channel and rod engaging means formed in said first and second bannister rails.

9. A staircase bannister system as claimed in claim 8, wherein, when said upper extendable sections are extended said channel in said first bannister rail aligns with said channel in said corresponding upper extendable section to form a single continuous channel and said channel in said second bannister rail aligns with said channel in said corresponding upper extendable section to form a second single continuous channel.

10. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said retaining means, for each bannister rail, comprises a pawl pivoted to a respective one of said first and second bannister rails and detents cut in each of said upper extendable sections, said pawls adapted to releasably engage said detents and retain said upper extendable sections in an extended position.

11. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any previous claim, wherein said first and second bannister rails each include a lower extendable section, having a channel and rod engaging means, arranged to extend said bannister rails, at a lower end thereof, along a substantially horizontal axis.

12. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any of claim 7, or 11, wherein said channels in said upper and lower extendable sections are connected to the channels in said bannister rails, so that said rod can be readily moved from said bannister rails to either said lower, or upper extendable sections.

13. A staircase bannister system as daimed in any previous claim, wherein at least one of said bannister rails is supported at each end by newel posts.

14. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any previous claim, wherein said staircase is located in a stairwell having at least one lateral wall and at least one of said bannister rails is attached to said lateral wall.

15. A staircase bannister system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein said staircase is located in a stairwell having first and second lateral walls and said first bannister rails is disposed on said first lateral wall and said second bannister rail is disposed on said second lateral wall.

16. A staircase bannister rail having a plurality of vertical blind housings formed therein at regular intervals along the length thereof.

17. A staircase bannister rail as daimed in daim 16, having a first channel with an upper wall and a lower wall, said vertical blind housings being connected to said lower wall.

18. A staircase bannister rail having a serpentine channel with a plurality of blind circular holes substantially half of each hole being within said housing, so that said holes appear generally semicircular in elevation, disposed along said channel.

19. A staircase bannister rail as claimed in any of claims 16 to 18, having an extendable upper section with a channel and a plurality of rod engaging means formed therein.

20. A staircase bannister rail as claimed in any of claims 16, to 19, having an extendable lower section with a channel and a plurality of rod engaging means formed therein.

21. A staircase bannister system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A staircase bannister rail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A staircase bannister rail substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 5 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.