Abstract: An electric stair lift system for transporting people and/or cargo up and down a flight of stairs includes a pair of parallel rails, a platform that is slidably engaged with the rails, an electric winch with a take-up spool, and pair of straps attached between the slidable platform and the take-up spool of the winch. In a preferred embodiment, the electric stair lift system is portable, so that it may be installed in such a way that it may be easily removed, stored and transported, as desired.

Abstract: A stair lift device laid upon a staircase can support upward and downward movement of a platform of the device along stairs of the staircase. The device has two side supports in at least partial contact with the stairs of the staircase for supporting movement of the platform, and each side support can include a rail of the device along which the platform moves.

Abstract: A mechanically-based arrangement for locking a stairlift chair relative to a stairlift carriage in the event of a failure within the drive that is provided to maintain the chair level as the stairlift is in operation. The arrangement uses inter-engaging components that are engaged and dis-engaged in timed relationship to rotation of the levelling motor. At all times at least one set of inter-engaging components are engaged.

Abstract: A stairlift may include a rail, a chair with an armrest, a carrier that has a drive motor and is drivable along the rail, a control unit, and a first input device located at the at least one armrest and configured to provide a signal to the control unit to transport a user in a first driving direction. The control unit may start or stop a movement of the carrier in the first direction based at least on the signal of the first input device. The stairlift may also include a second input device that is separate from the first input device, and configured to provide a signal to the control unit to transport the user in the first driving direction. Further, the control unit may be adapted to start or stop the movement of the carrier based on the signal of the second input device.

Abstract: A stairlift for conveying a load along a staircase includes a stairlift guide (stairlift rail), a carriage carried by the stairlift guide and moveable along the stairlift guide, the carriage comprising a carriage drive to drive the carriage along the stairlift guide. A stairlift carriage with reduced energy consumption comprises a body of revolution mounted hingably about a first axis to a frame of the stairlift carriage, while being able to rotate about an axis of rotation at a distance from said first axis.

Abstract: A drive unit for a rail-guided displacement device comprising: a base part; a housing comprising: a first yoke shaft sleeve and a second yoke shaft sleeve, the first yoke shaft sleeve and the second yoke shaft sleeve being spaced apart and disposed on opposite sides of the base part, and a cross sleeve rigidly connecting the first yoke shaft sleeve and the second yoke shaft sleeve; wherein the housing is pivotally connected to the base part such that the housing can pivot, in use, relative to the base part about a pivot axis; a first yoke and a second yoke, each of the first yoke and the second yoke comprising: a guide wheel assembly, the guide wheel assembly comprising one or more guide wheels arranged to roll, in use, along a running rail; and a yoke shaft; wherein the yoke shaft of the first yoke is received in the first yoke sleeve and the yoke shaft of the second yoke is received in the second yoke sleeve, the yoke shafts being movable longitudinally within their respective yoke sleeve, in use; and a mir

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding service providers who service customers situated in a relatively fixed position includes a floor, an elevated customer support surface disposed in a first position on the floor, a curved rail connected to the floor in a fixed position about the elevated customer support surface at the first position having a first end with a stop and a second end with a stop. A powered roller mechanism operably connects to the curved rail surface having a chair support surface maintained above the rail and limited in travel between the stops. A service provider chair for handling a customer on the customer support surface is mounted to the chair support surface in a manner to be movable along the rail and a controller on the chair operably connects to the powered roller mechanism for controlling movement of the chair along the rail.

Abstract: An apartment staircase automatic lift, comprising a combined structure of a carrying guiding-rail, a transmission-set main-body and a driving module; wherein the transmission-set main-body is set with a carrying wheel-seat and a transmission-set carrying-shelf; wherein the transmission-set carrying-shelf is set with a foot-pedal; when a person stands on the foot-pedal, the driving module can be controlled to drive the transmission-set main-body and the foot-pedal to move back and forth along the carrying guiding-rail between the upper and lower ends of the carrying guiding-rail; thereby helping the person to go up and down the staircase. The overall structure has the advantages of low cost, easy installation and operation, and compact structure; which can improve the defects of the conventional staircase-lift seat including the large volume size, occupying large staircase space, and being inconvenient to be arranged in a general apartment staircase.

Abstract: A stair lift eliminates a hindrance to the normal use of a staircase. The stair lift comprises two rails disposed along the staircase in parallel to the width of the staircase, a self-propelled gantry-shape carriage having a gantry-shaped structure, traveling on the rails with a restriction to prevent a derailment, and a lift step (1) disposed between left and right leg structures of the gantry-shape carriage and supported by a lifting mechanism provided in the leg structure. When the gantry-shape carriage stands by at a lower floor or a upper floor of the staircase, the lift step (1) lands on the floor adjacent to the staircase or a step of the staircase, and when the gantry-shape carriage travels on the rails, the lift step is held at a position preventing an interference with steps of the staircase. A user gets on the lift step (1) while standing.

Abstract: This application relates to an escalator which comprises a structural frame, said escalator being connectible to a lift or elevator. For this purpose, fastening points for fastening components of the lift or elevator are arranged on the structural frame so that at least some of the components of the lift or elevator can be supported by means of the structural frame.

Abstract: The track-guided mobility seat is a mobility assistance device. The track-guided mobility seat is configured for use with a patient. The track-guided mobility seat comprises a seat, a guide system, and a rail. The guide system attaches the seat to the rail. The rail forms a track that controls the motion of the seat along the rail. The guide system moves the seat along the rail. The seat further comprises a reach extender that allows a patient to grasp an object that would otherwise be out of reach of the patient.

Abstract: A stairlift rail is configured to cause a stairlift carriage and chair to rotate a small amount in a downhill direction adjacent to the lower end of the rail, thus avoiding a clash between the chair and the staircase.

Abstract: A stairlift with an elongated rail includes a first side running surface and a second side running surface; and a carriage movable along the rail. The carriage having a first roller including a first roller friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the first side running surface for guiding the first roller; and a second roller including a second roller friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the second side running surface for guiding the second roller; and a first bridge. The first roller being rotatable around a first axis at a first end of the first bridge and the second roller is being rotatable around a second axis at a second end of the first bridge.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a stairlift (10). The speed of rotation of the carriage (12), whilst traversing bends in the rail (11), is monitored and the speed of the carriage drive motor (13) then controlled in reaction to the speed of rotation. A 3-axis gyroscope (31) is preferably used to monitor the speeds of rotation of the carriage (12) and the outputs from this gyroscope (31) may be processed to provide different degrees of speed control.

Abstract: A stair assistance device for assisting a person to climb up and down stairs. The device may include a handle, a saddle for engagement with a guide rail mounted alongside the stairs, the saddle being connected to the handle and being arranged for sliding motion along the guide rail, a braking rail for mounting alongside the stairs parallel to the guide rail, and a bracket connected to the saddle, the bracket being for selectively engaging with the braking rail to prevent motion of the handle and saddle along the guide rail. The bracket and the braking rail together form a releasable ratchet that, when engaged, prevents movement of the handle in a downstairs direction and allows movement of the handle in an upstairs direction. The handle may be coupled to the pawl of the ratchet such that a predetermined movement of the handle will disengage the pawl from the ratchet.

Abstract: An object transfer system (“OTS”) for a flight of steps for transporting an object on the flight of steps is disclosed. The OTS may include a rail positioned in place of a handrail on the flight of steps, a trolley assembly movably attached to the rail, and an object carrier attached to the trolley assembly. The rail has a rail length and the object carrier is configured to hold the object. Additionally, the trolley assembly is configured to transport the object held by the object carrier along the rail length.

Abstract: A seat for a stair lift, which seat is provided with a fall protection device comprising at least one elongate safety bar which is movable between an open position and a closed position, in which open position a person can freely move into and out of the seat, wherein the safety bar is movably connected to an elongate support that is stationarily connected to the seat, which support extends on a side of the seat, wherein the fall protection device is designed so that in the open position the safety bar takes up a rearward position, in which it extends substantially parallel to and beside the support, and that in the closed position the safety bar takes up a forwardly moved (along the support), inwardly pivoted or rotated position, in which it extends from the front end of the support, in which position it can be locked, such that a person cannot fall out of the seat.

Abstract: A stairlift (12) comprises a carriage (10) moveable along a rail (14) by a drive means (18) and a seat (34) moveably coupled to the carriage. Levelling means are provided for altering the orientation of the seat with respect to the carriage. Further, limiting means (40) are provided for limiting movement of the seat with respect to the carriage so as not to exceed a predetermined angle of inclination of the seat, and comprising locking means (42). When the angle of inclination of the seat reaches the predetermined angle, the limiting means mechanically engages with the seat assembly to prevent further movement of the seat and operates the locking means to secure the seat in position.

Abstract: A modular lift system that can be mounted on a stairway is disclosed. The system includes forks located on a first floor onto which the user rolls their wheelchair. The forks are motor operated to traverse a toothed track between the first floor and a second floor with the wheelchair and the user riding the forks. When the forks reach the second floor, the user rolls the wheelchair off the forks.

Abstract: A stairwell lift installed in or nearby a stairwell connecting in between upstairs and downstairs includes at least two supporting columns, a passenger space, at least two sliding portions, and at least one driving mechanism. Each supporting column has a column top portion and a column bottom portion, wherein the two column bottom portions are oppositely disposed on a space in or nearby the stairwell. The passenger space is disposed between the two supporting columns. Each sliding portion is respectively fixed on a side of the passenger space and encased each supporting column. The driving mechanism is disposed above the top of two supporting columns for driving the passenger space along the supporting columns up to the upstairs or down to the downstairs.

Abstract: The invention provides a kit and method for the assembly of a stairlift guide rail, the kit comprising a plurality of sections of guide rail wherein the sections have predetermined standard dimensions, wherein the kit preferably includes a plurality of sections of straight guide rail and a plurality of sections of curved guide rail and when fitted together according to the method of the invention, the plurality of sections of guide rail facilitates the construction of a stairlift guide rail assembly and a stairlift assembly, such that an operative is able to complete the full assembly on site.

Abstract: A personal stair lift to transport an individual up and down a stairway on a chair assembly supported on a rail mounted rack comprising a carriage assembly configured to support a lift mechanism including a drive member coupled to a reversible drive motor to rotate the drive member wherein the carriage assembly includes at least one pair of upper rollers and at least one pair of lower rollers movably mounted on a stationary rail disposed on each side of the carriage assembly and a rack mounted to one of the stationary rails disposed to engage the drive member to selectively move the chair assembly and person up or down the stairway when the reversible motor rotates the drive member.

Abstract: A stair lift comprising a rail which is mounted along the staircase, at least partially at an angle to the horizontal plane, and a frame which is movable along the rail, on which a chair is mounted, which frame is provided with support and drive means that engage the rail, wherein the chair is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the frame between two extreme rotated positions, wherein the chair comprises a seat on which a person can be seated and wherein the chair comprises a footrest on which a person seated on the seat can rest his or her feet, wherein the seat and the footrest are rotatable at mutually different angles about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A device for conveying a person from a first to a second level, in particular a stair lift, comprising a rail (9) which extends between said first and said second level, a frame (3) which is provided with engaging means designed to engage the rail in such a manner that it can be moved along the rail, and drive means designed to cause the frame to move along the rail, and a carrier (4) on which the person can seat himself, in particular a chair, wherein the device is further provided with a safety device comprising a central processing unit and a wireless communication network designed to communicate status information on components of the device and/or objects in the vicinity of the device to the central processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is designed for deciding, on the basis of the communicated status information, whether or not the frame is to be moved along the rail by the drive means.

Abstract: A device (1) for conveying a load from a first to a second level, in particular a stair lift (4), comprising a rail (3) and a frame (9) which is movable along said rail (3), on which a load carrier (10) is mounted and which is provided with support and guide means (16, 17, 33, 36) that engage around at least part of the rail (3), which rail (3) extends above steps of a staircase near a wall or a handrail on one side of the staircase, the rail (3) comprising a tube and a strip (6) that extends radially away from the tube surface, which strip (6) is engaged by the support and guide means (16, 17, 33, 36), whereby the strip (6) extends obliquely from the tube in a direction that extends between the horizontal direction toward the wall or the handrail and the vertical direction toward the steps.

Abstract: A stairlift and/or a method of supporting a user on a stairlift in which the seat is configured to positively retain the user and in which the seat-to-footrest height is set so as to reduce flexure of the knee joints as well as to reduce the intrusion of the passenger into the stairway.

Abstract: A device, in particular a stair lift, for conveying a person from a first level to a second level, comprising a rail (2) which extends between the first and the second level, a frame (3) which is provided with engaging means designed to engage the rail (2) in such a manner that the frame (3) can be moved along the rail (2), driving means designed to cause the frame (3) to move along the rail (2), and a support (5), in particular a chair, on which the person can be seated, which stair lift is furthermore provided with control means designed to activate the driving means, wherein the control means comprise at least a touch-sensitive surface (9), which surface extends or may extend in such a manner that a person can rest his or her hand, or a part thereof, on the surface so as to activate the driving means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lift system comprising a rail; a carriage assembly comprising a seat or platform for supporting a person to be conveyed along the rail; and drive means coupled to the carriage assembly and adapted to engage the rail and drive the carriage assembly along the rail. The lift system my optionally include a levelling means operable to adjust an orientation of the carriage assembly with respect to the rail, a control means arranged to control the drive means, a slope indicating means and/or a curvature indicating means.

Abstract: An apparatus that permits a wheelchair to traverse stairs. A carriage platform supporting the wheelchair is housed in an inclined ways assembly and moves by means of a rotated threaded rod supported in the ways and traveling nuts fixed to the carriage; a debarkation ramp hinged to the carriage, spans the distance and elevation difference between the carriage and the desired landing point.

Abstract: A stairlift (12) comprises a carriage (10) moveable along a rail (14) by a drive means (18) and a seat (34) moveably coupled to the carriage. Levelling means are provided for altering the orientation of the seat with respect to the carriage. Further, limiting means (40) are provided for limiting movement of the seat with respect to the carriage so as not to exceed a predetermined angle of inclination of the seat, and comprising locking means (42). When the angle of inclination of the seat reaches the predetermined angle, the limiting means mechanically engages with the seat assembly to prevent further movement of the seat and operates the locking means to secure the seat in position.

Abstract: A lift system comprising an elongated rack and a roller pinion drive system. A preferred version has two parallel rack with plurality of rungs extending horizontally between the racks to form a ladder. A plurality of spaced apart mounting brackets are configured for affixing the ladder vertically to a stationary member, the stationary member not forming part of the invention. In this version, a drive unit retained within a carriage is mounted in proximity to the racks. The drive unit interacts with the racks to move the carriage upwardly and downwardly along the racks. A speed limiter is also disclosed that can be retained within the carriage below the drive unit and mounted in proximity to one of the racks. The speed limiter interacts with the rack to produce a breaking action if the drive unit fails, preventing the carriage to drop down quickly. Single rack and inclined rack versions are disclosed as alternatives.

Abstract: Transport unit 1 for climbing or descending a slope or stairs along a rail provided with a strip, the transport unit comprises a main frame 3 and a guide mechanism 5. The guide mechanism 5 may have at least two guides 13 which guide the transport unit along the rail and a drive mechanism with a drive wheel for driving the transport unit along the rail by engaging the strip at an engagement point. The main frame 3 may be suspended from the guide mechanism 5 in a position around, substantially equal and/or lower than the engagement point.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: A roller arrangement (20) for a stairlift carriage is described, the arrangement including a central roller set (22), and outer roller sets (24) and (26). Rollers (42), (43, 44) and (45) in the outer roller sets are mounted in yokes (48) which are mounted for independent pivotal movement, relative to one another, in two orthogonal axes. The axes of each set preferably lie in common planes.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: The invention provides a manual two-way swivel mechanism for a stairlift. The mechanism allows the stairlift chair to be swivelled in an uphill direction only, at the carriage is at the top of the rail; and in a downhill direction only, when the carriage is at the bottom of the rail. An interlock is provided which regulates the direction in which the chair can be swivelled.

Abstract: Supporting assembly comprising a staircase with treads having tread nosing's and a supporting device with a rail mounted at one of the sides of said staircase, the supporting device comprising a carriage movable along the rail, a carriage drive for moving the carriage along the rail between an upper part of the staircase and a lower part of the staircase, a support bracket mounted on the carriage to support a person walking on the staircase and a control system to control the supporting device. The tread line connects the tread nosing's of the staircase and the rail and the carriage are located near the tread line and a substantially vertical bar extends above the carriage and couples the support bracket to the carriage.

Abstract: A stair lift includes a track, a carriage, a drive mechanism and a folding mechanism. The track has a main track section and a lower track section. The lower track section is pivotally mounted to the main track section and is moveable between a lowered position and a raised position. The folding mechanism shifts the lower track section to its lowered position whenever the carriage and seat approach the lowermost stairs and lifts the lower track section to its raised position as the carriage and seat move up the stairway. The folding mechanism is actuated and powered by movement of the carriage and does not require its own motor, cylinder, or other actuator.

Abstract: A stair lift for transporting a load includes a longitudinal guide having a first side running surface and a second side running surface opposing the first side running surface; and a carriage which is transportable along the guide and provided with rollers for guiding the carriage along the guide. The rollers include a first roller having a first roller peripheral friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the first side running surface for guiding the carriage along the guide and a second roller having a second roller peripheral friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the second side running surface for guiding the carriage along the guide. The first roller friction surface is provided with a first roller member, and the first side running surface is provided with a longitudinal first side running surface member which fits complementary with the first roller member.

Abstract: A personal stair lift to transport an individual up and down a stairway on a chair assembly supported on a rail mounted rack comprising a carriage assembly configured to support a lift mechanism including a drive member coupled to a reversible drive motor to rotate the drive member wherein the carriage assembly includes at least one pair of upper rollers and at least one pair of lower rollers movably mounted on a stationary rail disposed on each side of the carriage assembly and a rack mounted to one of the stationary rails disposed to engage the drive member to selectively move the chair assembly and person up or down the stairway when the reversible motor rotates the drive member.

Abstract: The invention describes an over-speed governor (21) for a stairlift (10) which not only triggers upon the carriage (12) exceeding a pre-determined speed, but also triggers in the event the chair (11) departs from the horizontal by more than a predetermined angle. The speed determining function is preferably electronic and the governor operates in both directions without adaptation. Other aspects are described including a trip speed check facility.

Abstract: A passenger lift system has a passenger supporting unit, a drive for the passenger supporting unit, an access control associated with the drive and in particular connected upstream, in or downstream to it and further including a radio field generator generating a spatially activity-limited stray field around the passenger supporting unit, a radio controller capable of being introduced into the stray field, and an activator switching the access control in response to effective introduction of the controller into the stray field, in particular switching it ready for driving. Further, the lift system includes an access authorization control system regulating the authorization for use of at least one such passenger lift system wherein one or more radio controllers is associated with one or more passenger lift systems for switching the access control.

Abstract: A lift apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, a lift apparatus may comprise a support frame and a platform movably coupled to the support frame. Further, the platform may comprise at least one roller and a transmission connected to the at least one roller of the assembly, wherein rotation of the at least one roller causes the platform to move relative to the support frame. In another aspect of the present invention, a lift apparatus may include a telescoping platform. The present invention also contemplates a method of moving a wheelchair lift. Particularly, a wheelchair may be positioned such that at least one wheel of the wheelchair contacts a drive mechanism of a platform or a telescoping platform that are positioned at an initial position. Further, the at least one wheel of the wheelchair may be rotated to cause the platform or the telescoping platform to move relative to their initial positions.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the safety of a stairlift by providing a movement sensor (46) to detect movement of the stairlift chair, such movement being deemed to indicate that a user is attempting to occupy or leave the chair. Upon detection of such movement, the stairlift hand control (38), and remote call controls (22, 24) are rendered inoperative. A chair occupancy sensor (40) may also be provided to restore power to the hand control (38) when the user is safely seated within the chair.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slope lift for climbing or descending a slope or stairs along a guide (9), provided with a transport unit (3), configured to be carried by the guide and to advance along the guide, wherein the transport unit comprises a main frame (11) and a first and second subframe (13, 15), wherein the subframes are provided with at least two guide wheels (39, 41, 17) which guide the transport unit along the guide and the main frame is provided with a support wheel (25) and a drive wheel (19) connected to a drive (21) which advances the transport unit along the guide. The first subframe and the main frame are coupled together in such a way that the movements of the first subframe and the main frame are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry located between the first subframe and the main frame.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a stairlift, the stairlift having non-contact sensors to monitor the path along which the stairlift carriage is traveling, and to determine the presence of an obstruction on that path. Features of the stairlift in a ‘safe’ or ‘un-obstructed’ mode, including the path, may be stored as a ‘map’ in memory and sensor readings compared with the map as the carriage moves along the path. The invention allows the use of momentary commands to initiate and maintain movement of the stairlift.

Abstract: The invention describes an over-speed governor for a stairlift which not only triggers a safety gear or brake upon the carriage exceeding a pre-determined speed, but also triggers the safety gear in the event the carriage unexpectedly reverses its direction. In a preferred embodiment, the over-speed governor also triggers the safety gear in the event the chair departs from the horizontal by more than a predetermined angle. The speed determining function is preferably electronic and the safety gear operates in both directions without adaptation. Other aspects are described including setting the trip speed as a function of carriage position on the rail.

Abstract: The invention provides a manual two-way swivel mechanism for a stairlift. The mechanism allows the stairlift chair to be swivelled in an uphill direction only, at the carriage is at the top of the rail; and in a downhill direction only, when the carriage is at the bottom of the rail. An interlock is provided which regulates the direction in which the chair can be swivelled.

Abstract: A lift apparatus configured to move a passenger platform of the lift apparatus between a first position and an elevated second position. A stairway of the example lift apparatus may be used as a stairway when the passenger platform is arranged in the first position. As the passenger platform is raised to the elevated second position, hinged steps of the stairway are transformed into a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A motorized stair-lift trolley (1) comprises a sling (4) for the attachment of the load to the trolley, comprising at least one pair of idler stabilizer-wheels (4a) located in a first housing (3) mounted rotatable with respect to the sling to adapt to the inclination of the rail and a means (90) of locking the first housing onto the sling; as well as a second housing (10) that houses the means (11) of moving the trolley and that is forced to rotate with respect to the sling to the same angle to which the first housing is rotated.