Patent Application
20180328043
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of aids for ascending or descending stairs of existing art and more specifically relates to hand tools having a surface adapted to engage a structure or component of stairways, ramps, or like structures.
For many individuals, climbing and descending stairs is both difficult and unsafe. The elderly, individuals with limited lower-body strength, and individuals with certain physical disabilities may fall within this group. Devices to assist individuals move up and down stairs have been attempted. For example, a stair lift is a mechanical device used to transport people up and down stairs while in a seated position. In this arrangement, an individual sits on a moving chair or platform and is lifted up or down the stairs by the chair, which moves along a fixed rail permanently anchored to the stair structure. Unfortunately, stair lifts are relatively costly and can only be used with a single stair, once installed.
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0243112 to Debrunner relates to an assist apparatus and method. The described assist apparatus and method includes 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. The apparatus is adaptable to any home, can help stabilize someone who has difficulty walking, and can provide assistance for carrying items such as laundry or groceries up or down the stairs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hand tools having a surface adapted to engage a structure or component of a stair art, the present disclosure provides a novel stairs assistance device and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a stairs assistance device and method.
A stairs assistance device is disclosed herein. The stairs assistance device includes a frame member, the frame member including an operable grasping jaw adapted to operably grasp a handrail of the stairs, the operable grasping jaw including a rail-grasping configuration and a released configuration, the rail-grasping configuration placing the operable grasping jaw in a fixed relationship with the handrail, the released configuration placing the operable grasping jaw in a movable relationship with the handrail, projecting laterally from the frame member, a hand grip configured to assist the user grip the frame member during use, a manually-operated actuator configured to assist actuation of the operable grasping jaw by the user, the manually-operated actuator adapted to adjust the operable grasping jaw between the rail-grasping configuration and the released configuration, and an arm support configured to support an arm portion of the user.
Moreover, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the frame member includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an elongated frame segment extending between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the elongated frame segment may define an elongated-frame axis, the hand grip may define a hand grip axis, the hand grip may be positioned adjacent the second end, and an elongated-frame axis and the hand grip axis may be orthogonal.
Furthermore, the arm support may include a U-shaped member adapted to support a forearm of the user. The elongated frame segment may include the arm support. Additionally, the arm support may further include a retaining strap configured to retain the arm portion of the user within the arm support, the retaining strap adapted to extend over the arm portion of the user.
Further, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the operable grasping jaw may include a fixed jaw rigidly coupled to the frame member. The fixed jaw may include a fixed-jaw griping face configured to engage the handrail and a pivot jaw pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw. The pivot jaw may include a pivot-jaw griping face configured to pivotally engage the handrail when the operable grasping jaw is in the rail-grasping configuration.
Even further, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the hand grip may include the manually-operated actuator. Moreover, such a stairs assistance device may include a biasing spring configured to bias the operable grasping jaw toward the released configuration. Additionally, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the manually-operated actuator may include a user-operable actuation lever pivotally coupled to the hand grip, and a pull cable configured to operably couple the user-operable actuation lever and the pivot jaw. The user-operable actuation lever may be configured to adjust the operable grasping jaw to the rail-grasping configuration when manually depressed and is configured to adjust the operable grasping jaw to the released configuration when manually released.
Also, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the operable grasping jaw may be detachable from the frame member. In this regard, the frame member may further include a grasping-jaw coupler configured to removably couple the operable grasping jaw with the frame member. In some embodiments of the stairs assistance device, the frame member may further include at least two of the grasping-jaw couplers, and at least two of the grasping-jaw couplers may be located on opposing sides of the arm support.
Further, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the fixed-jaw griping face may include a resilient fixed-jaw griping pad, and the resilient fixed-jaw griping pad may be detachable from the fixed jaw. Even further, the pivot-jaw griping face may include a resilient pivot-jaw griping pad and the resilient pivot-jaw griping pad may be detachable from the pivot jaw.
In accordance with another embodiment, the manually-operated actuator may include an electrically-operated actuator configured to mechanically adjust the operable grasping jaw between the rail-grasping configuration and the released configuration, an electrical battery adapted to power the electrically-operated actuator; and a manually-operated actuator switch configured control of the operation of the electrically-operated actuator. In this embodiment, the manually-operated actuator switch is adapted to be manually operable by the user.
Even further, it provides such a stairs assistance device, wherein the frame member may further include a cable-positioning channel configured position a portion of the pull cable extending between the user-operable actuation lever and the pivot jaw. Moreover, such a stairs assistance device may further include set of instructions, wherein the stairs assistance device is arranged as a kit.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a method of providing a stairs assistance device to assist a user move up and down stairs, the method including the steps of: providing an operable grasping jaw adapted to operably grasp a handrail of the stairs, the operable grasping jaw including a rail-grasping configuration and a released configuration, the rail-grasping configuration placing the operable grasping jaw in a fixed relationship with the handrail, the released configuration placing the operable grasping jaw in a movable relationship with the handrail; providing a frame member containing a hand grip projecting laterally from the frame member, the hand grip configured to assist the user grip the frame member during use, the hand grip including a manually-operated actuator configured to assist actuation of the operable grasping jaw by the user, the manually-operated actuator adapted to adjust the operable grasping jaw between the rail-grasping configuration and the released configuration, an arm support configured to support an arm portion of the user, and a grasping-jaw coupler configured to removably couple the operable grasping jaw with the frame member; coupling the operable grasping jaw to the grasping-jaw coupler; and operably coupling the manually-operated actuator and the operable grasping jaw.
Even further, it provides such a method, further including the steps of: placing an arm of the user adjacent the an arm support; gripping the frame member using the hand grip; grasping the stair rail by manually depressing the manually-operated actuator to place the operable grasping jaw in the rail-grasping configuration; and releasing the stair rail by releasing the manually-operated actuator to place the operable grasping jaw in the released configuration; whereby the stairs assistance device assists the user move up and down the stairs.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a stairs assistance device and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a hand tool having a surface adapted to engage a structure or component of a stair and more particularly to a stairs assistance device and method as used to improve the assisting a user move up and down stairs.
Generally, there is disclosed a device to assist a user move up and down stairs. The device has a gutter arm that a patient can lean into with his/her arm, a grip handle that the patient can hold during use, and a grip lever located directly in front of the handle. The grip lever is adapted to operate a clamping jaw that may be used to clamp on to the rail of the stairs. The patient can lean on the stairs assist device to take weight away from the legs. This assists the user to step on to the stairs. The operating the grip lever pulls a cable coupled to the clamping jaw. The device helps the patient to off-load weight from the legs by shifting weight to the arms so the patient can step up and down the stairs. The device makes going up and down the stairs safe and improves user mobility and independence.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
In reference to
The hand grip 114 is configured to assist the user 40 grip the frame member 102 during use and projects laterally from the frame member 102, as shown. A manually-operated actuator 138 configured to assist actuation of the operable grasping jaw 104 by the user 40 is adapted to adjust the operable grasping jaw 104 between the rail-grasping configuration 106 and the released configuration 108. An arm support 116 configured to support an arm portion 109 of the user 40 is also provided.
The frame of the stairs assistance device 100 may include a first end 118, a second end 120 (opposite the first end 118), and an elongated frame segment 122 extending between the first end 118 and the second end 120, as shown. Additionally, the elongated frame segment 122 may define an elongated-frame axis 126, the hand grip 114 may define a hand grip axis 124, the hand grip 114 may be positioned adjacent the second end 120, and an elongated-frame axis 126 and the hand grip axis 124 may be in a generally orthogonal orientation, as shown.
The arm support 116 may be a U-shaped member adapted to support the forearm of the user 40, as shown in
Further, the operable grasping jaw 104 of the stairs assistance device 100 may include a fixed jaw 130 rigidly coupled to the frame member 102. The fixed jaw 130 may include a fixed-jaw griping face 132 configured to engage the handrail 101. A pivot jaw 134 may be provided, which may be pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw 130, as shown. The pivot jaw 134 may secured to the fixed jaw 130 by a threaded pivot pin 117. In one embodiment of the system, a pivot pin 117 having fine left-hand threads may be used. The pivot jaw 134 may include a pivot-jaw griping face 136 configured to pivotally engage the handrail 101 when the operable grasping jaw 104 is in the rail-grasping configuration 106.
The hand grip 114 may include the manually-operated actuator 138, as shown. Referring to
A pull cable 142 may be provided, the pull cable 142 configured to operably couple the user-operable actuation lever 144 and the pivot jaw 134. The pull cable 142 may be a Bowden-type cable, with an inner wire and an outer housing. The wire slides inside the housing and actuates the pivot jaw 134, while the housing stays stationary. Such Bowden-type cables are often used to actuate bicycle brakes. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of actuator cables as described herein, the customary methods of attaching the ends of pull cables will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. The frame member 102 may further include a cable-positioning channel 150 configured position a portion of the pull cable 142 extending between the user-operable actuation lever 144 and the pivot jaw 134. The cable-positioning channel 150 may be a hollow channel formed within a portion of the frame member 102, as shown.
Referring to
Further, the fixed-jaw griping face 132 may include a resilient fixed-jaw griping pad 154 that may be detachable from the fixed jaw 130, as shown. Even further, the pivot-jaw griping face 136 may also include a resilient pivot-jaw griping pad 148, which may be similarly detachable from the pivot jaw 134. The surface of the pads may be textured to assist gripping. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other pad arrangements such as, for example, providing griping pads having a curving shape to further assist in gripping a stair rail, pads having alternate attachment couplers, etc., may be sufficient.
According to one embodiment, the stairs assistance device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the stairs assistance device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the stairs assistance device 100 such that the stairs assistance device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
Method 500 may further include the steps of: step three 503, placing an arm of the user adjacent the an arm support; step four 504, gripping the frame member using the hand grip; step five 505, grasping the stair rail by manually depressing the manually-operated actuator to place the operable grasping jaw in the rail-grasping configuration; and step six 506, releasing the stair rail by releasing the manually-operated actuator to place the operable grasping jaw in the released configuration; whereby the stairs assistance device assists the user move up and down the stairs.
It should be noted that steps 503 through 506 are an optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in
In another embodiment, the fixed jaw of the operable grasping jaw 104 may fitted with an electromagnetic pad that can be energized by engaging electrical terminals (contacts) within the slide-on groove of the grasping-jaw coupler 146. Electrically-conductive wires may be imbedded in the frame housing and may exit as external links on the slide-on pads of the fixed jaw 130. The slide-on pad may be located on either side of the device for left or right-hand applications. In this alternate arrangement, the movable jaw (pivot jaw 134) works on the principle of an iron magnetized to the electromagnet of the fixed jaw 130.
A battery compartment may be provided within the assembly to hold the battery or other power source. The electrical battery 610 may be of a rechargeable configuration and may include a charge controller 613 configured to allow the electrical battery 610 to be recharged from an eternal electrical power source 611. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other actuator arrangements such as, for example, providing battery-charge monitoring and one or more indicators alerting a user of a low-charge state, providing alternate control-circuit arrangements, using replaceable/disposable batteries, using other actuator devices/configurations, configuring the grasping jaw to comprise a normally closed “rail-grasping” configuration, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
