GB2431145A

GB2431145A - Stair lift

Info

Publication number: GB2431145A
Application number: GB0520820A
Authority: GB
Inventors: July Strupinsky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2005-10-13
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Also published as: GB0520820D0; IL172860A0

Abstract

A stair lift has a smooth guide rail 1 mounted on a ceiling above and at one side of stairs 32, above a guard rail 21. The lift is self-propelled by a motor 17 driving friction rollers engaging flanges of the guide rail, the frictional engagement of the rollers being ensured by the weight of a hanger 11 and seat 12 being applied through a lever 6. The seat 12 is designed to fold automatically if not in use, to prevent obstruction of the stairs. A friction brake 16 reduces swinging where the hanger 11 is pivoted to the lever 6. The smoothness of the guide rail allows the stair lift to negotiate small-radius turns.

Description

Lift system This invention relates to a lift system with means allowing it

to be installed in stairways of existing homes.

At present, there are homes with several levels with no elevators. People may find it difficult to climb one or more flights of stairs. The problem may be especially difficult to elder people, ill persons or persons with disabilities.

Thus, a person living on a higher floor may suddenly find it difficult to get home or out.

To address this problem, various self-propelled stair lift systems have been proposed, which strive to cope with space limitations in buildings with no space for conventional elevators systems.

Such stair lift systems have, however, various disadvantages, for example due to their low maneuverability.

Some disadvantages of prior art lift systems are related to the propulsion mechanism, which might use rack loading or engagement of driving wheel with stationery chain (U.S. patent 5720364 for instance).

The available trajectory of such stairlift is limited to either a straight line or a large radius curve. Therefore using this stairlifts in common houses obstructs the stairs for pedestrians, which is unacceptable.

Another prior art is a stair lift system with variable force friction drive (international publication number WO 02/05617 dated 24.01.2002).

It describes a guide mounted on a guard rail. A drive unit mounted in the seat increases seat size and reduces passage's size on the stairs for pedestrians. This prevents the usage of this stair lift in common houses.

Another prior art is a stair lift system of a Swiss firm called "HOGG".

This stair lift comprises a guide mounting on the ceiling above the middle (in cross section) of the stairs in order to guarantee necessary turning radius for gear rack mechanism.

In this case, the seat in middle of the stairs completely prevents passing through for pedestrians walking on the stairs.

Blocking of the stairs for pedestrians in common houses is absolutely inadmissible, because of the difficulties arising in emergency circumstances, such as fire, evacuation of sick people, etc. The present invention features a lift system which can be used in conjunction with existing stairways.

The lift system uses a guide rail which is installed on the ceiling, so that it does not causes a disturbance to people. The stairs can be used as well.

The lift can be installed in existing buildings and in stairways where there is no elevator, and at a reasonable cost.

The novel lift comprises a foldable seat, which can take one person. The seat is always folded when the lift is without a passenger therein.

The lift further includes grasping means to an overhead rail, with means for clasping the rail with great force, so it reliably engages the rail and will not slide down.

An electric engine drives the lift along the guide rail in the stairway.

In a preferred embodiment, the current stairlift may use the selfpropelled maneuverable device according to Israel patent No. 122362, patented by the present applicant.

Thus, the new lift can be used in private and shared buildings due to its ability to move on a guide curve with small radius like the radius of a guard rail.

In order to prevent obstruction to pedestrians, the guide mounting is placed on the ceiling, above and in parallel to a guard rail. There is also a driving mechanism above the stairs, which does not block the stairs and guarantees free passage for pedestrians on the stairs. - -3-

Some of the characteristics of the novel lift system: 1. A strong grasp of a lift to a rail using a hoist or lever, thus the weight of the lift as well as additional pressure is used for grasping the rail by a motor's wheel which may be mounted through a gear.

2. Because of the strong force created - there is a large friction force and the lift will not slip. Thus, despite the fact that the rail is smooth and without gears - the lift will not slip. As the motor's wheel rotates, the lift moves steadily and reliably up or down.

3. Because the rail is smooth without gears, sharp turns are allowed.

Thus, a 180 degrees turn can be done in a diameter of about 30 centimeters.

The rail can thus be located above the stairs near the ceiling at about the central part of the stairs' ceiling - so that doors and other openings will not be blocked.

L. The lift is for one person, so it is small. A seat without a passenger is always folded and may include means for easily removing it from the lift in case of emergency.

This is important to prevent blocking of the stairs such as to allow fast evacuation when there is a fire.

Brief description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a novel lift system which is installed within a fixed stairway.

Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of a novel lift system which is installed within fixed stairway.

Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a novel lift system which is hung on rail within fixed stairway.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of a novel lift system which is installed within fixed stairway.

Fig. 5 details a front view of a novel lift system's hanging mechanism.

Fig. 6 details a front view of a novel lift system's hanging mechanism on a rail and driving the lift system using electric motor and a gear.

Fig. 7 details a side view of a novel lift system's hanging on rail mechanism.

Detailed description of the invention

The following invention shell now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a novel lift system which is installed within a fixed stairway. The new lift system may be used in staircases, using a smooth rail mounted on the ceiling.

The new lift can be used just above stairs 32, above which there is a ceiling 31, which may also be the stairs of the next floor.

In cases there are turns, such as a 180 degrees turn 33, the rail of the lift can be implemented using a diameter 34 of about 30 centimeters.

The following rail is above the stairs near the ceiling at about the central part of the staircase - so that doors and other openings will not be blocked.

In this embodiment, a self-propelled device mounting on a lower flange guide or rail 1, which may be I-beam shaped, includes a body 2 with axles 3 for counter wheels 4.

In the Body 2, there is also a mount axle 5, which connects a force lever 6.

At the end of the force lever 6 there are mount in bearings 13 and a driving shaft 7 with driving wheel 8.

In order to preserve passenger's safety, the seat 12 comprises a guard 19. On the guard 19, operating buttons 20 are mounted. Preferably, the buttons include Up and a Down buttons.

In another embodiment, in order to keep the passage and usage of the stairs for pedestrians, when the seat 12 is not in use it is always folded in position 12a. The seat 12 can be also guarded and secured in position 19a.

Moving the lift with a passenger is possible when the seat is in position 12, and the corresponding starting button 20 is pressed.

In this embodiment, the guide 1 is almost above a guard rail 21, and the passage for pedestrians is free.

The passage remains free as a result of the novel lift's ability to advance using a small radius curve, at the size of the radius of guard rail 21.

The mounting lift guide 1, on the staircase's ceiling above the guard rail ensures that there is no obstacle for pedestrians, and makes it possible to use the lift in common houses.

The new lift system may be used in staircases, using a smooth rail in the ceiling.

The new lift can be used just above stairs 32, above which there is a ceiling 31, which may also be the stairs of the next floor. In case there are turns, such as a 180 degrees turn 33, the rail of the lift can be implemented using a diameter 3L of about 30 centimeters.

In a preferred embodiment, in order to keep the passage and usage of the stairs for pedestrians, when the seat is without a passenger it is always folded in position 12a.

Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a novel lift system which is hung on rail within fixed stairway. In this embodiment, a self-propelled device mounting on a lower flange guide or rail 1, which may be I-beam shaped, includes a body 2 with axles 3 for counter wheels 4. In another embodiment, the guide 1 shown in Fig. 1, may be almost above a guard rail 21, and the passage for pedestrians is free.

In the Body 2, there is also a mount axle 5, which connects a force lever 6.

In order to keep passenger's safety, the seat 12 comprises a guard 19. On the guard 19. operating buttons 20 are mounted.

Fig. L illustrates a front view of a novel lift system which is installed within fixed stairway. The lift is for one person. It may be possible to fold and/or take apart the lift, in case of emergency. This is important to prevent blocking of the stairs such as to allow fast evacuation when there is a fire.

Marc Zuta & Co., PC - 7 - July Strupinsky Hanger ii. with a seat 12, are capable to swing around an axle 10, in order to guarantee the proper horizontal position of the seat 12. However in order to prevent spontaneous swinging of the hanger 11 with the seat 12, on axle 10 mounted a regulating brake device 16.

In the present application, spontaneous swinging refer for example to impulsive, unpremeditated, unconstrained, self-generated or other undesirable swinging of the lift, such as caused by the motion of a passenger in the lift, changes in the direction of movement of the lift, changes in lift's speed, etc. In order to keep passenger's safety, the seat 12 comprises a guard 19. On the guard 19, operating buttons 20 are mounted. Preferably the buttons include an up and a down buttons.

Fig. 5 details a front view of a novel lift system's hanging mechanism.

On the force lever 6, there is a mount gear-motor 9, which is connected to the driving shaft 7.

On the other end of force lever 6, on an axle 10, a suspended hanger 11 for a seat 12 and a regulating brake device 16, are placed Hanger 11 with a seat 12, are capable to swing around an axle 10, in order to guarantee the proper horizontal position of the seat 12.

However, in order to prevent spontaneous swinging of the hanger 11 with the seat 12, on axle 10 mounted a regulating brake device 16.

A strong grasp of a lift to a rail is achieved using a hoist, thus the : . weight of the lift as well as additional pressure is used for grasping the rail by a motor's wheel which is after a gear.

In this embodiment, a self-propelled device mounting on a lower flange guide or rail 1, which may be I-beam shaped, includes a body 2 with axles 3 for counter wheels L* I..

In the Body 2, there is also a mount axle 5, which connects a force lever 6. * S

* At the end of the force lever 6 there are mount in bearings 13 and a driving S Pd., I * shaft 7 with driving wheel 8. On the force lever 6, there is a mount gear-motor 9, which is connected to the driving shaft 7.

Marc Zuta & Co., PC - 8 - July Strupinsky On the other end of force lever 6, on an axle 10, a suspended hanger 11 for a seat 12 and a regulating brake device 16, are placed.

Fig. 7 details a side view of a novel lift system's hanging on rail mechanism. The force lever 6, transforms the gravitational force of the seat, pressing the driving wheel 8 on the lower flange of the I-beam, against the counter wheels 4 with increased ratio a/b. This transformed pressure creates friction between the driving wheel 8 and the guide 1, which may be bigger than the gravitational force.

The term gravitational force is meant to include the weight of the lift and its occupant which are applied, through the lever 6, to apply a stronger force on the guide rail 1 so as to create a strong friction between the rail 1 and the driving wheel 8.

This effect prevents the lift from sliding down. By using a worm gear 9, each move of the lift on the guide 1 may be permitted by the driving unit 9 only.

In a preferred embodiment, in case the gear brakes, an eccentric safety device 14 is activated by a counter-weight wedge 15, until the lift on guide 1 is de-energized. Electricity for a DC motor may be supplied by a battery 17. It is possible to recharge the battery 17 using work contacts 18.

Throughout the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the guide rail should be generally located at the central part of the stairwell, that is to one side of the stairs where the guard rail is located, so as not to block the doors and other openings in the stairwell. This is the point, the main point and benefit, of the novel lift's ability to advance using a small radius curve, similar to the radius of curvature of the guard rail.

Various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure together with the Is,. drawings. Other embodiments of the invention may be implemented, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. I, 5 d *

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Claims

Marc Zuta & Co., PC - 9 - July Strupinsky Claims 1. A stair lift system

comprising a smooth guide rail means mounted along a staircase, and lift means comprising hanging means for holding a seat attached to the guide rail and self-propelling means for moving the seat along the rail, further including lever means for attaching the propelling means to the guide rail at a force strong enough so as to prevent slippage of the lift means.
2. The stair lift system according to claim 1, wherein the smooth guide rail is mounted along and to one side of the stairs which is generally located at the central part of the stairwell.
3. The stair lift system according to claim 1, wherein the smooth guide rail is mounted on the ceiling, along and to one side of the stairs which is generally located at the central part of the stairwell.
4. The stair lift system according to claim 1, wherein the lever means include means for applying a force between the guide rail and a driving wheel in the self-propelling means, so as to enhance the friction between the rail and the driving wheel to prevent slippage therebetween.
5. The stair lift system according to claim 4, wherein the force applied by the lever means is derived from the weight of the lift means and its occupant.
6. The stair lift system according to claim 1, further including means for its automatic folding when it is without a passenger.

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