Stair assistance device and system
View Patent ↗A stair assistance device and a system for assisting individuals with traversing stairways is provided. Each stair assistance device includes a platform. The platform has a first end that is defined opposite of a second end. Each end has an interface. Each interface is designed to secure the end of the platform to one of a pair of lifts. The lifts are designed to vertically displace the platform from a raised position to a lowered position and vice versa. Multiple stair assistance devices may be used to assist an individual with traversing an entire stairway.
1. A stair assistance device, comprising:
a platform;
the platform defining a first end opposite a second end;
the first end of the platform defining a first interface;
the first interface to engage a first lift;
the second end of the platform defining a second interface;
the second interface to engage a second lift; and
wherein the first lift and the second lift vertically displace the platform between a raised position and a lowered position;
wherein the first lift comprises a first motor, such that force is directly applied to the first end of the platform via the first interface;
wherein the first motor is internally disposed within the housing of the first lift and directly applies bidirectional force to the first end of the platform;
wherein the second lift comprises a second motor, such that force is directly applied to the second end of the platform via the second interface;
wherein the second motor is internally disposed within the housing of the second lift and directly applies bidirectional force to the second end of the platform;
wherein the first interface comprises a first vertical support to directly engage a first aperture at a top surface of the first lift and the second interface comprises a second vertical support to directly engage a second aperture at a top surface of the second lift;
wherein the first interface comprises a first protrusion to directly engage a first slot on an inside surface of the first lift and the second interface comprises a second protrusion to directly engage a second slot on an inside surface of the second lift;
wherein the platform comprises at least one actuator to directly move the platform from the raised position to the lowered position and from the lowered position to the raised position; and
wherein the at least one actuator is a footpad disposed on a top surface of the platform.
2. The stair assistance device of claim 1 , wherein the platform is rectangular in shape.
3. The stair assistance device of claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises an upper surface that is entirely flat.
4. The stair assistance device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is a wall-mounted actuator.
5. A system for assisting individuals with traversing a stairway, comprising:
a plurality of stair assistance devices;
wherein each of the stair assistance devices comprises:
a platform, the platform defining a first end opposite a second end;
the first end of the platform defining a first interface;
the first interface to engage a first lift;
the second end of the platform defining a second interface;
the second interface to engage a second lift;
wherein the first lift and the second lift vertically displace the platform between a raised position and a lowered position;
wherein the plurality of stair assistance devices comprise a base stair assistance device and a peak assistance device;
wherein each of the stair assistance devices is adapted to be installed at an area adjacent to a stair;
wherein the first lift comprises a first motor, such that force is directly applied to the first end of the platform via the first interface;
wherein the first motor is internally disposed within the housing of the first lift and directly applies bidirectional force to the first end of the platform;
wherein the second lift comprises a second motor, such that force is directly applied to the second end of the platform via the second interface;
wherein the second motor is internally disposed within the housing of the second lift and directly applies bidirectional force to the second end of the platform;
wherein each end of the platform comprises at least one actuator configured to directly move the end of the platform from the raised position to the lowered position and from the lowered position to the raised position; and
wherein the at least one actuator is a footpad disposed on a top surface of the platform.
6. The system for assisting individuals with traversing a stairway of claim 5 , wherein each end of the platform is rectangular in shape.
7. The system for assisting individuals with traversing a stairway of claim 5 , wherein each end of the platform comprises an upper surface that is entirely flat.
8. The system for assisting individuals with traversing a stairway of claim 5 , wherein the at least one actuator is a wall-mounted actuator.