Abstract: A drive assembly for a freight elevator or a stair climber for the handicapped is guided on at least one supporting waling or spar. A driving strip is disposed on the supporting waling or spar. According to one embodiment, the driving strip has recesses formed therein at equal intervals. A load-receiving configuration has a motor-driven drive wheel and drive elements are adapted to the recesses for form-lockingly engaging the drive wheel with the recesses. According to another embodiment, squared blocks of constant length are secured to the supporting waling or spar at equal spacings. A load-receiving configuration has a motor-driven drive wheel and drive elements are adapted to the spacings of the blocks for form-lockingly engaging the squared blocks with the drive wheel.