Stair lift systems and methods for assembling, installing, and using such systems
Disclosed herein are embodiments of stair lift systems arranged such that a number of configurable subcomponents can be assembled to form a wide variety of stair lift systems that meet the spatial, dimensional, and physical arrangement of an equally wide variety of pre-existing stairways and staircases in residential and commercial settings. Each embodiment of a stair lift system is highly configurable, can generally be installed in one session, and provides enhanced and additional functionality as compared to prior art stair lift systems. A stair lift system generally comprises a modular and configurable rail assembly, a plurality of modular and configurable post assemblies for securing the rail assembly to the pre-existing staircase, and a chair that engages with and traverses the modular rail assembly to move a user up and down the staircase.
1 . A stair lift system for a staircase, the stair lift system comprising:
a modular rail system including,
at least one modular rail assembly having a first end and an opposing second end, the modular rail assembly comprising:
a first rail component having a central aperture defined therethrough along a length of the first rail component,
a second rail component having a central aperture defined therethrough along a length of the second rail component and coupled to the first rail component such that the central apertures of each of the first and second rail components are aligned, and
a cable tensioning assembly having a tension cable disposed through the central apertures of each of the coupled first and second rail components, and affixed at opposing ends of the cable tensioning assembly to each of the first end and opposing second end of the modular rail assembly, the cable tensioning assembly configured to transfer tension forces applied to the tension cable into compressive force acting on opposing ends of the coupled first and second rail components, sufficient to maintain the coupling of the first and second rail components and provide structural support to the modular rail assembly;
a drive system engaged with the modular rail system, and configured to drive along an outer surface of the modular rail assembly;
a chair coupled to the drive system and configured to be propelled along modular the rail system by, and with, the drive system.
2 . The stair lift system of claim 1 , wherein the modular rail system comprises a pair of modular rail assemblies configured as:
an upper rail assembly; and
a lower rail assembly.
3 . The stair lift system of claim 2 , wherein:
the upper rail assembly includes:
a plurality of first rail components that are straight components; and
at least one second rail component that is a curved component; and
the lower rail assembly includes:
a plurality of first rail components that are straight components; and
at least one second rail component that is a curved component.
4 . The stair lift system of claim 3 , wherein each of the curved components of the upper rail assembly and lower rail assembly include:
a first coupling component with an interlocking feature;
a second coupling component with an interlocking feature; and
a plurality of inter-engaging discs, each with:
a first face with a first interlocking feature; and
a second face with a second interlocking feature.
5 . The stair lift system of claim 4 , wherein for each curved component:
the first interlocking feature of each disc is engaged with either the interlocking feature of the first coupling component or the second interlocking feature of another disc; and
the second interlocking feature of each disc is engaged with either the interlocking feature of the second coupling component or the first interlocking feature of another disc.
6 . The stair lift system of claim 5 , wherein for each disc, the first face is disposed at a five degree angle relative to the second face.
7 . The stair lift system of claim 6 , wherein when fifteen discs are assembled with the first coupling component and the second coupling component, the resulting curved component curves ninety degrees from the first coupling component to the second coupling component.
8 . The stair lift system of claim 4 , wherein:
the first coupling component includes an aperture defined through the first component;
the second coupling component includes an aperture defined through the second component; and
each disc includes an aperture defined through the disc.
9 . The stair lift system of claim 8 , wherein each aperture is teardrop shaped.
10 . The stair lift system of claim 8 , wherein each aperture is configured to accommodate therein the tension cable of the cable tensioning assembly disposed therethrough.
11 . The stair lift system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a first terminal post secured to a tread of the staircase proximate to the top of the staircase;
a second terminal post secured to a tread of the staircase proximate to the bottom of the staircase; and
an intermediate post secured to a tread of the staircase between the top and bottom of the staircase.
12 . The stair lift system of claim 11 , wherein:
a height of the intermediate post is adjustable.
13 . The stair lift system of claim 11 , wherein:
the upper rail system is secured to the first terminal post, second terminal post, and the intermediate post; and
the lower rail system is secured to the first terminal post, second terminal post, and the intermediate post.
14 . The stair lift system of claim 13 , wherein the drive system comprises:
a pair of upper rollers engaged with the upper rail system;
a pair of lower rollers engaged with the lower rail system; and
a motor arranged to rotate the pair of upper rollers and lower rollers.