Abstract: A stairway (1) comprising a plurality of steps (2) each defining a top surface or tread (3) is converted into a lift platform by employing a mechanism concealed beneath an envelope defined by the treads of all of the steps to guide each step of the plurality vertically from a stairway configuration in which the steps form a stairway enabling access from a lower (7) level to an upper level (8) to a flat configuration in which the top edge of each step is substantially in a horizontal plane level with one of the lower and upper levels from which a wheelchair user may wish to travel to the other of the lower and upper levels. As a result, a wheelchair user may move horizontally from the said one of the lower and upper levels on to a platform defined by the top edges of the plurality of steps in the flat configuration. The stairway and flat configurations occupy the same footprint.

Abstract: A stairway (1) comprising a plurality of steps (2) each defining a top surface or tread (3) is converted into a lift platform by employing a mechanism concealed beneath an envelope defined by the treads of all of the steps to guide each step of the plurality vertically from a stairway configuration in which the steps form a stairway enabling access from a lower (7) level to an upper level (8) to a flat configuration in which the top edge of each step is substantially in a horizontal plane level with one of the lower and upper levels from which a wheelchair user may wish to travel to the other of the lower and upper levels. As a result, a wheelchair user may move horizontally from the said one of the lower and upper levels on to a platform defined by the top edges of the plurality of steps in the flat configuration. The stairway and flat configurations occupy the same footprint.

Abstract: A combined stairway and lift installation has a stairway which comprises a stack of horizontally movable step members whereby the stairway is retractable to expose a lift which is installed in a cavity which is covered by the stairway when the latter is extended. Uncovering of the lift allows it to be operated to raise its load carrying platform to the level of the top of the stairway. A chain is anchored by either end in the bottom step member. The chain is led from the anchorage up through the step members, alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members, clockwise around a guide roller and a motor-driven cog wheel in the top step member, and back down through the movable step members to the other anchorage again alternately clockwise and counter clockwise around further guide rollers mounted in each of the movable step members.