Abstract: The platform of a stairlift is moved along a rail in a stairwell. During the movement, the platform is automatically rotated relative to the rail about a vertical shaft, at angles depending on a position of the platform along the rail. The stairway contains, for instance, a virtually straight part and a bend, wherein the platform is rotated, at positions in the bend, at an orientation or orientations which make a smaller angle with a part of the rail going downstairs than an orientation of the platform in the straight part. In a stairwell with a wider part and a narrower part, wherein the stairwell is insufficiently wide to let the platform rotate through, at a position preceding the entering of the narrower part, the platform is rotated at an angle from which the platform can be rotated to a position for getting on and off in the narrower part without obstruction from walls of the stairwell.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a step assembly that facilitates stair climbing. This can aid a person with leg or back pain, decreased range of motion or limited physical strength, due to handicap, injury or infirmity. This free standing, user customizable height step with flat expanding deck surface. The disclosed present invention is a significant improvement over previous attempts to assist individuals by creating a fully adjustable and flat tread surface for the user. The present invention step also provides user customizable heights, by adding adjustment layers, so that the present invention can be used in a variety of step heights.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stairlift assembly in which the stairlift chair can be tilted forward and backward to compensate for sections of the stairlift rail being slightly out of vertical. According to the invention tilting is achieved by a novel form of interface which is mounted between the chair and the stairlift carriage. Thus the tilt function need only be provided as and when needed.

Abstract: The invention provides a stairlift having a rail which terminates, at its lower end, on or closely adjacent the lower step of a staircase. This rail is combined with a carriage and footrest which allows the footrest to be positioned below the level of the first step. The arrangement obviates the need for a hinge in the rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide along a staircase, along which a carriage of for instance, a stair walking aid or a stair lift is displaceable. This can herein comprise at least one elongate tube and engaging means for the carriage, wherein the tube comprises a stationary segment and at least one tiltable segment which are connected by means of a tilting mechanism in order to tilt the tiltable segment selectively away from and to a position lying in the line of the stationary segment, wherein the tilting mechanism is situated substantially in the interior of at least one of the tiltable segment and the stationary segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transport along a staircase of persons and/or goods, which staircase extends between two platforms, and wherein the device includes: a guide which in the arranged situation extends at least along the staircase, a stationary segment and at least one tiltable segment; a tilting mechanism between the segments so as to selectively tilt the tiltable segment between a position lying in line with the stationary segment and a position substantially folded out of the space above one of the platforms; a carriage with transport means for persons and/or goods and a drive for advancing movement along the guide; and a transmission to selectively engage the carriage in the vicinity of the tilting mechanism to transmit movement of the carriage along the guide onto the tiltable segment for a tilting movement thereof.

Abstract: A lift using a step-shaped shaft for raising and lowering a person or goods on a platform over one or more steps from one elevation to another elevation. The lift is especially suited for use over porches and raised thresholds of buildings and in and out of vehicles. The lift is suitable for use by persons without or without a wheelchair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-purpose transportation system, including: a carrying platform including a gap path; a conveying module located underneath the carrying platform and extending along the gap path; and a carrying device coupled through the gap path onto the conveying module via a conveying base, wherein the carrying device further includes a control unit for controlling the moving direction of the conveying module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lifting a wheelchair in non-residential indoor facilities. Guide rails extend from a wheeled-base and include a bearing and transmission system for raising and lowering a platform on which a wheelchair occupant travels. The bearing system is powered by a hydraulic cylinder with a cable or chain connected to the bearing system. The chain or cable traverses over idler pulleys at various positions about the guide rails and connects to the bearing system at one end and to one of the guide rails at another end. As the hydraulic cylinder is operated, the lifting cable translates the bearing system linearly through the guide rails, which in turn lifts the platform to a desired level. The platform may be adjusted to maintain a generally level orientation even as the guide rails are tilted to accommodate inclinations. Additional outriggers and/or supports may be provided to increase balance and stability of the lift.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting an elderly or physically limited individual in walking or carrying items up or down a stairway includes a guide rail assembly fixedly positioned along the wall of a stairway. A handle is connected to a support bar assembly, and the support bar assembly attaches to the guide rail assembly. The guide rail assembly typically has a tubular inner rail fixedly housed within a tubular outer rail, the outer rail typically includes a guide track along its length, and the inner rail typically includes a pin slot which aligns with the guide track. To operate the apparatus, the user grasps the handle while supporting the upper body on the support bar and moves the support bar assembly along the guide track while walking along the stairway. The handle and support bar assembly can be placed into a braking position as needed while moving along the stairway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stairway chairlift system that includes a rail assembly mounted adjacent a wall along a stairway and further includes a motorized chair unit movable along rail assembly in ascending and descending directions along stairway. More particularly, the stairway chairlift system is normally powered from an Electric power supply 108. However, during AC power failure, the chair lift system automatically switches to battery power to enable chairlift 10 to run a number of trips after a power failure. After the power outage ends, the chairlift system automatically switches back to AC power supply for lift operations and the batteries are then recharged. Thus, if AC power is available, the batteries are not used or drained. Furthermore, the batteries are not continually charged and discharged as they are in a DC battery-operated system.

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. Another aspect of the present invention relates to 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, wherein platform is positioned at an initial position. Further, the at least one wheel of the wheelchair may be rotated to cause the platform to move relative to the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stairlift rail of non-circular cross-section. The wall surfaces of the rail define a single internal cavity and the outer surface of the rail is free of additional members added to the rail in order to prevent rotation of a stairlift carriage about the rail axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a staircase lift for transporting a disabled person between floors, including at least one guide rail extending substantially parallelly to a stairway, a moveable carrier frame suspended from the guide rail means including carrier support means, and drive means of a rack and pinion type drive for displacement of the carrier frame along the guide rail, in which the vertically disposed pinion engaging the rack is provided on the lower side of the guide rail, wherein the at least one guide rail includes internal support surfaces which may be engaged by the carrier support means. Hereby, a satisfactory solution is provided making a side rail guided staircase lift suitable for running along a straight as well as a curved track in a stabile and smooth manner while also offering a comfortable and smooth ride in a dignifying way for the disabled persons using the lift.

Abstract: A convertible lift assembly is provided in which a vertical lift can be reversibly converted into a set of stairs. The assembly of the present invention uses less space than prior art system, and utilizes a set of movable side panels that can be contracted or extended to provide resting points for a series of stair panels. When in a contracted position, the side panels provide resting points in a stair configuration for the stair panels. When in an extended position, the stair panels are collected on a frame to provide an essentially flat, horizontal platform that can be raised or lowered on a movable frame.

Abstract: A stair lift for lifting and lowering at least one person on a rail on a stairway. There is a carriage mountable to the rail, the carriage having a track engaging drive, and a motor to power the drive, the powered drive causing the carriage to move along the rail. There is a central support post mounted on the carriage and an offset arm connected to the seat support post. The offset arm is mounted to the carriage in one of a left side or a right side position. A seat is mounted on the offset arm, and a notched plate secures the seat in position on the offset arm in either the left side or right side position and permits the seat to swivel between a sideways facing position and an upward facing position to facilitate the person getting into and out of the seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide for a lift along a staircase, comprising an elongate profile with at least one edge thereon, which edge extends along a considerable part of the length of the profile, wherein the edge of the profile is serrated and forms a gear rack for engagement thereon by a drive of the lift.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromechanical traversing step system for transporting elderly users 12, infirm and others between floors of a building. A single moveable step 14 ascends or descends on a set of tracks 16 secured to the wall of the stairway 18 or the staircase structure above the flight of stairs 20. Travel is initiated by the user 12 positioning themselves on the movable step 14, selecting the ascension 22 or descension 24 switch and then gripping the handrails. Motion of the step commences and continues when a pressure sensor 26 responds to a force on the step 14 and the omic resistance of the user 12 is detected by sensors 28 in each of the handrails. Ascending motion continues until the tread of the movable step 14 is flush with the upper floor 30. The movable step 14 automatically returns to the docked position 32 at the bottom 34 of the staircase 18 once the user 12 departs from the step to the upper floor 30.

Abstract: A stair lift includes a lift assembly arranged to be driven along a rail. The lift assembly includes a chassis supporting a load bearing member such as a seat. The chassis is formed by a main member on which are mounted a drive assembly and a levelling assembly for maintaining the seat horizontal by altering the orientation of the chassis with respect to the rail as the lift assembly moves along the rail. One or both of the drive and levelling assemblies may be pivotally mounted on the chassis to permit rotation about a vertical axis so as to accommodate bends in the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors the locking of the safety bar of the chairs of an aerial cableway system. A first sensor determines the occupancy of the chairs and a second sensor determines the locking of the safety bar. The sensor output signals from these two sensors are led to a control device, which is enabled to switch the chairlift system off.

Abstract: There is described a stairlift (1), comprising: a carriage (3) displaceable along a bent path, and a chair (5) carried by said carriage (3) and mounted on said carriage (3) for tilting about a horizontal axis of rotation (11); a horizontal-keeping mechanism (100) for keeping the chair (5) upright, comprising: an angle sensor (110) providing a signal (S(?)) indicative of the instantaneous value of an angle of rotation (?) between the chair (5) and the carriage (3); an orientation sensor (130) associated with the carriage (3) and providing a signal indicative of variations in the position (?) of the carriage (3); and an absolute-orientation sensor (140) associated with the chair (5), providing a signal (S(?) representative of the instantaneous value of the position (?) of the chair (5). The control members (101, 102) control said angle of rotation (?) on the basis of the signals (S(?), S(?) received.

Abstract: A stairlift includes a rail cross-section and mounting rollers which, in combination, allow a stairlift assembly to be achieved which occupies little space and has a reduced visual impact. The rollers engage rolling surfaces arranged about the outer periphery of a tubular rail. The surfaces are preferably defined by structural components of the rail and are preferably non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the stair surfaces upon which the stairlift is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention describes a formed of curved stairlift rail (12) formed by bending two sections (20a), (20b) of a relatively small diameter, standard, round tube to a mating configuration; nestling the tube sections together, one above the other; and then fixing the sections together by, for example, welding along the junctions between the tubes. The invention also describes novel forms of carriage (11) described having fixed central roller assemblies (42, 44); (65), (70), (71); and two outer, leading and trailing, roller assemblies (41, 43); (73a), (73b) which move in a substantially mirror fashion to one another when negotiating inside/outside bends, but which move together, along spaced parallel axes, when the carriage is negotiating transition bends. Spring (50), (90) are provided to bias the outer roller assemblies against the rail.

Abstract: A staircase guide for a device for ascending a staircase, the device has a frame with a carrying element for people or goods and a drive connected to the frame. The guide has a cylindrical tube to be adapted to a staircase with at least one protrusion which extends in longitudinal direction of the tube. The tube has an engaging surface for co-action with a drive element of the drive for the purpose of displacing the stairlift and a support surface for support of the drive by a support member in order to hold at least the carrying element upright.

Abstract: A stair-climbing system includes a guide rail laid along stairs, a chair slidably mounted on the rail, and a lifter for moving the chair along the rail. The chair is provided with a switch for activating the lifter, and a sensor for detecting that a person is sitting on the chair and keeping the switch inoperative while a person is not sitting on the chair. The system further includes at least one lamp having a sensor adapted to turn on the lamp only while a person is near the lamp. The system further includes a chair stop mechanism having a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the chair, a brake mounted on the lifter for braking the lifter, and a control unit for deactivating the lifter and activating the brake if the speed of the chair, detected by the sensor, exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A drive configuration for stair lifts is described. The drive configuration has a load-bearing configuration which is mounted displaceably on a first (bottom) guide rail and a second (top) guide rail. A drive unit interacts with a drive rail. The drive rail is formed by a perforated bar which has engagement openings spaced apart at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction and also has two uninterrupted, mutually opposite running surfaces. The drive unit has two gearwheel-shaped drive wheels which are disposed opposite one another, and accommodate the perforated bar with a radial contact-pressure force between them. The drive wheels have drive surfaces which are uninterrupted in the circumferential direction and radially projecting drive protrusions, the drive protrusions interacting with the engagement openings in a form-fitting drive connection and the drive surfaces interacting with the running surfaces in a force-fitting drive connection.

Abstract: A removable lift assembly for moving a wheelchair or other heavy object over an outdoor set of steps includes:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting persons along a staircase, comprising:

Abstract: An installation for transporting people and/or goods, suitable for transporting people with reduced mobility and people in a wheelchair notably, comprising in combination:

Abstract: Chair Lift for Stairs with a light weight metal chair frame mounted to a pair of metal slidable sled rails, the chair frame supporting a fabric seat and back, a set of wheels mounted to the base of the rails, a thigh retaining sling mounted below the chair frame, an electric winch type mechanism mounted between the sled rails, the winch mechanism having a pulling cable located near the center line of the chair frame, the chair frame also containing a rechargeable battery to be used as a power source for said winch, said chair frame also having a manual pull strap attached to the top cross rail of said chair frame, said chair frame being collapsible for easy transport, and said chair frame also includes a retractable third wheel that can be deployed at the bottom rear center of said chair so that said chair can act as an emergency wheel chair.

Abstract: A stairlift has a vertically displaceable load-receiving device on which a platform, hinged ramps and barriers are disposed, vertically movable barrier-actuating bars, which protrude downward over the load-receiving device and individually link the barriers, a spring-loaded pretensioning device for the platform, which forces the platform upward, a tilt lever on the platform, which interacts with a tilt stop of the guide body and swings the platform up and down in the unloaded state, and two lifting bars linked to the platform, for interaction with rotating stops of the barriers in order to move the barriers out of the lowermost into the horizontal position as the unloaded load-receiving device is lowered.

Abstract: In a chair type stair elevating device in which upper and lower rails and a rack or chain parallel to the rails are provided along the stairs, an elevating mechanism mounted on the rails is moved by a pinion or sprocket of a driving machine meshing with the rack or chain. A chair is mounted on the elevating mechanism, and the rack or chain is received in the rail in a hidden state. In this way, the rack or chain is invisible, so that the design value of the entire device improves, and it is also possible to prevent injury and soiling of clothes by the rack or chain.

Abstract: A running gear (3), for a drive mechanism of a rail-guided displacement device, such as a passenger lift, comprising a base part, a drive and at least two sets of guide wheels (9), arranged behind each other, viewed in direction of travel of the running gear, so that, during use, the running gear is guided along the rail in a desired position by the guide wheels, the base part comprising at least a bridge piece (5), a first and a second frame part (6, 7), the frame parts each being connected to the bridge piece so as to be movable about at least one pivotal axis, each frame part carrying a set of guide wheels and the frame parts being mutually coupled by coupling means which form a mechanical mirror, so that the movements of the first and the second part are always each other's mirror image in a first plane of symmetry extending at right angles to the driving direction of the running gear between the first and the second frame part, and viewed relative to the bridge piece.

Abstract: A variable-incline ramp system guides a vehicle through the incline between a first site and a second site while at all times maintaining the vehicle in its natural horizontal orientation. The ramp system includes a separate set of rails for guiding the front and the rear wheels of the vehicle. In profile, the two sets of rails form a parallelogram having one pair of sides of a length equal to the wheelbase of the vehicle. So long as these parallelogram sides are horizontally oriented, the vehicle traveling along the rails will maintain its normal orientation because its wheelbase axis will be parallel to the horizontal sides of the parallelogram. In one embodiment suited for use in marine settings, the rails are movably connected to the first and second sites such that as the site elevations change, the parallelogram is free to skew while still remaining a parallelogram with the same length sides.

Abstract: A skate for a stairlift chair assembly (10) comprises two spaced-apart pairs of rollers, the two rollers (e.g., 27, 28) of each pair being arranged to run respectively above and below a circular section support rail (12) of the stairlift. The two rollers of each pair are rotatable about respective axes (C, D) transverse of the skate, and each roller is able to turn about a further axis (E) which intersects and is orthogonal to the rotary axes (C, D) of the pair of rollers. Each roller is constrained so that its rotary axis (C or D) remains substantially in a plane to which said further axis (E) is perpendicular.

Abstract: An incline lift system for incline operation. The lift system includes a pair of guide rails that run parallel to each other at a constant vertical gauge, on which a pair of traction roller sets move thereto. The pair of traction roller sets are mounted to a carriage frame which travels on the pair of guide rails. Each traction roller set includes a driven roller which is positioned on top of the respective guide rail and a pair of pressure rollers which are positioned below the respective guide rail. The periphery of the pressure rollers are driven into the guide rail by means of a restrained compression spring in such a way as to augment the natural gravity contact such that the primary motive force is transferred via traction. The traction roller sets are arranged in such a manner that the pressure rollers press against the respective guide rail and into the driven roller with sufficient force as to increase the gravity traction and create an adequate traction contact area to support the carriage frame.

Abstract: An inclined lift device for transporting an individual passenger includes a rail, a carriage adapted for being movable along the rail, a drive mechanism coupled to the carriage for moving the carriage along the rail, and a support secured to the carriage for supporting the individual passenger. The rail has at least one retaining surface and a guide surface. The carriage includes a housing pivotally coupled to the rail about an axis spaced from the guide surface, a retaining mechanism pivotally coupled to the housing about the axis and a follower coupled to the housing and spaced from the axis by a predetermined distance. The retaining mechanism engages said at least one retaining surface of the rail to retain the carriage relative to the rail during movement of the carriage along the rail. The follower engages the guide surface to pivot the carriage about the axis based upon a distance between the guide surface and the axis.

Abstract: A convertible lift mechanism for lifting an object from a first surface to a vertically displaced second surface includes a source of motive force, a conversion stair, and a lift linkage. The convertible lift mechanism may be utilized as a platform lift or a wheelchair lift. The conversion stair has a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the conversion stair functions as a stair within a stairway. In the second configuration, the conversion stair has a substantially horizontal lifting surface movable between a first position and a second position. The substantially horizontal lifting surface forms at least a portion of a lift platform.

Abstract: A tandem driving device (1) of a stair lift to bring the stair lift (10, 11) along a guiding system (2, 3), consists of an upper calibrated guiding rail (2) and a lower guiding rail (3), enabling the stair lift to pass sharp corners during inclination of the lift. Two driving roller units (M1, M2) with on pair of rollers (4, 6; 5, 7) in each, are interconnected by a broken hinge (8a, 8b), the longitudinal axis of which intersects the longitudinal axis of the guiding system. The contacting surfaces of at least the driving roller (rollers) (4; 5) engage the upper rail (2) and have a friction-increasing resilient layer. The rollers are biased toward the upper guiding rail (2) by a spring.

Abstract: A staircase hoist for wheelchair users includes a hoist carrier plate having a pair of brackets, two guide rails in slidable engagement with the pair of brackets to maintain the hoist carrier plate in a prescribed attitude, the guide rails being disposed vertically parallel to one another on a staircase wall along an angle of flight of the staircase, a drive motor on the hoist carrier plate, a plurality of arms radiating from a drive shaft rotated by the motor that rotate in opposition to the staircase wall, a tip of each arm having a roller, and a plurality of drive guides disposed between the guide rails at a prescribed distance from the wall that sequentially engage with the rollers on the arms. The drive shaft that rotates the arms is set at an angle to the staircase wall to prevent rollers that have terminated engagement with a drive guide coming into contact with other drive guides while being rotated around into position for the next engagement.

Abstract: A stairlift comprises a carriage for movement along a fixed rail the angle of inclination of which varies along its length. A seat is pivotally mounted to the carriage and an actuating device is used for turning the seat relative to the carriage. A control device of the stairlift responds to the position of the carriage along its rail and the stored data representing the desired angle between the seat and carriage at different positions along the rail, to control the actuating device so as to maintain the seat substantially level as the carriage moves along the rail.

Abstract: A monorail access system for making a boat handicapped accessible. More specifically, a battery powered chair assembly is suspended from an overhead monorail track system, whereby by activating a control mechanism an individual may maneuver anywhere in the boat where the track is installed. Once an individual is seated in the chair assembly, the monorail system allows the individual to travel to the cabins, flying bridge, downstairs to the galley, outside to the rear deck for sunbathing or fishing or over the side to a dock.

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.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift system enabling wheelchair accessibility between stair levels for persons incapable of traversing stairs under their own power. The key of the invention is a free-rolling, wheeled platform suspended between two arcuate tracks which are lifted and lowered by synchronized, reversible, worm-gear drive mechanisms. The platform and tracks are mounted on a frame in which also resides peripheral equipment needed to raise and lower the system. A seven-foot-high portal frame supports the drive mechanism which comprises pivoting, worm-gear type drive motors, turning long worm-gears extending vertically downward from the top of the frame to the floor and engaging pivoting worm-gear heads that are attached to the arcuate tracks, while allowing normal access to the stairs.

Abstract: A method and device for moving an occupied wheelchair between two levels involves tracks mounted on stairs and a pull cable that is substantially aligned with the center of gravity of the chair and is anchored above the upper level. The tracks have a transition section between the lower level and a main slope of the tracks. The device can be used by a wheelchair occupant to ascend or descend the stairs without assistance from any other person. The cable has a winch which can be manually operated by the wheelchair occupant or power operated and controlled by a remote control in the hands of the wheelchair occupant. Previously, wheelchair occupants are moved between two different levels by ramps or elevators.

Abstract: A chairlift providing a seat for transporting a passenger along a rail inclined at a substantially uniformly angle, includes a chair assembly with a base housing a motor unit and a carriage supporting the chair assembly in a substantially upright position for movement along the rail and being positionable relative to the chair assembly to provide a spatial relationship therebetween for accommodating the angle of the inclined rail. The chairlift further includes a swivel mechanism incorporating a sliding component and a swivel component for enabling the seat to move along an arcuate path relative to the base, between a transport position and offset access positions. The chairlift also includes a safety interlock for locking the seat in the transport position and for disabling chairlift operations unless the seat is locked in the transport position.

Abstract: A system and method for aiding physically-impaired persons in moving between different positions employs a longitudinally-extending elongate track, an upper body support assembly movably mounted on the track, and a motor for driving the support assembly along the track. The support assembly, which preferably comprises a handgrip extending transversely from the track, can be placed adjacent a toilet, chair, bathtub or bed to aid a disabled person in rising or seating himself. Preferably, the support assembly is selectively detachable from the track and transferable matingly to another such track or tracks located elsewhere for similar purposes, or to a similar but longer track located alongside a stairway or level surface such as a hallway.

Abstract: A stairway lift is provided on the treads of a stairway along a sidewall. A guide of the lift is provided on the treads along the sidewall so that a space is formed between the sidewall and the guide. The guide has a first side that faces the sidewall, a first rail provided on the first side, a chain rack on the first side that extends along the sidewall and a second side that faces away from the sidewall. A mobile body is supported by the first rail in the space formed between the sidewall and the guide. The mobile body has a drive sprocket engageable with the chain rack and an electric motor coupled with the drive sprocket for rotatively driving the drive sprocket. A carrier is provided for carrying a person or object to be moved along the stairway. A coupling arrangement couples the mobile body and the carrier so that the carrier is removably supported by the mobile body on the second side of the guide and guided for travel by the guide.

Abstract: A substantially straight rail assembly on which a carriage of a stationary inclined elevator is guided includes two track rails, each having two legs joined by a web having a plurality of holes. Box-shaped frames, each comprising two rails having holes and coupled together with transverse bars, are screwed to the track rails at arbitrary positions in the longitudinal direction of the track rails to couple the track rails together at a predetermined distance from each other. Splice frames connect additional pairs of track rails to the track rails. The box-shaped frames and splice frames are removably mounted to foundations positioned along a gradient surface to mount the rail assembly to the gradient surface at desired angles of inclination. A cable winch or revolving cable drive moves a carriage of the inclined elevator along the track rails.