Staircase climbing aid with ascent and descent handles attached to a carriage, which is held in a guide rail

• Main Authors: JOHN HARDING, LOUIS BLACHE, ALAN R TURNER-SMITH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.10.2007
• Subjects: BUILDING; ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS; FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; HAULING; HOISTING; LIFTING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Disclosed is a stair climbing aid with a guide 20 or track parallel to the inclination of the staircase and a sliding carriage 40 engaged with the guide. Attached to the carriage is a handle 30 with a ascent portion 34 and a descent portion 32, such that the portions are located in different positions relative to the carriage. The handle may provide the ascent and descent handles as separate handles, the handles extending in front of the user 1 when in use, and forming a curve around the user. The handle may be rotationally attached to the carriage in one, two or three axis. The carriage may have a control mechanism comprising a pawl means that engages holes in the guide. The control mechanism may be activated by the user applying a force on the descent handle in a predetermined activation direction. The applied force may be to rotate the handle, allowing the pawl to disengage the guide holes. The carriage may be attached to a counterweight 26 and to a fail-safe mechanism that locks the carriage if the counterweight fails. Also disclosed is a stair climbing aid with the control mechanism and a handle.