STAIR WALKER

AMBULATEUR « STAIR WALKER »

English Abstract

The Stair Walker will replace a regular handrail when in use. It will assist
stair
users with a safer, more controlled and balanced stair accent or decent. The
Stair Walker
will run the length of a set of stairs on the same degree of decline. A bar
will come out
from the rail on a 90 degree angle and run parallel to ground level. The bar
will be in front
of the user at all times. The bar will rest in lock notches that are
incrementally placed on
the length of the rail. The user will lift the bar out of the lock notch and
move it forward
into another lock notch. Then the user will take the next step towards the bar
while holding
onto it at all times. If the user trips, the bar will help brace their fall.

Claims

Page 3
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which and exclusive property or privilege
is claimed
are defined as follows:
1. A stair Walker is made from a lightweight strong metal or metal alloy. Its
length
will vary and can be cut and adapted tp any size set of stairs. The shape of
the rail is
tubular. It will be of a diameter convenient to be used like a regular
handrail by
none stair challenged users. It will be installed into the studs at an
appropriate
height relative to its user and run at the same rate of decline as the steps.
Along the
outside (stair side edge of the hand rail) a sliding groove is located. This
groove
will run the length of the rail and allow the bar/slider combination to run
the length
of the rail. Underneath the groove, lock notches just big enough to house the
safety
bar in the locked position will be in place incrementally, there will be as
many lock
notches in place as the length and structural integrity will allow, as these
are part of
the safety mechanism. The slider will be just smaller than the inside of the
tubular
rail; this will allow the slider/safety bar combination to run the length of
the rail
smoothly and securely. The safety bar part of the slider safety bar
combination will
come out from the rail at a 90 degree angle and when in its locked position in
the
lock notches, it will be parallel to the ground. The safety bar will have a
sufficient
width relative to its user covering a span up to 3 feet in width. The rail
will have a
notch at either end of the rail that will allow the safety bar to rest flat
against the
wall when not in use.
2. As defined in claim 1 where a plastic end will he fitted at the end of the
rail
where the cut was made to custom fit the stair Walker.
3. As defined in claim 1 where the lock notches are concealed within the tube.
4. As defined in claim 1,2,3 where a hand release is used instead of lock
notches so
that when the user clutches the hand control, the bar then will be free to
move into
the next position. When the user releases the hand control the bar will be
locked
securely into position.
5. As defined in claim 1,2,4, where a preset able tension control mechanism is
used for
resistance for fluent accent or decent on the stairs instead of the lock
notch.
6. A slider/safety bar that past the lock notch has 2-90 degree bends in it,
after the first
90 degree bend an adjustment mechanism may be used to adjust the height of the
bar to custom fit the user.
7. A Stair Walker wherein the slider system has adjustable preset stopping
points
based on the depth of the stairs.
s

Page 4
8. A Stair walker as defined in claims 1,4,6 wherein the bar is only large
enough to
accommodate one hand for less challenged stair users.
9. A Stair walker as defined in claim 1,4 wherein there is negative tension on
the bar
so that the user must push the bar down the stairs, on the accent, the
negative
tension created will be used as positive tension aiding them in their accent.

Description

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Page l:
I~escrip9>ion
The Stair',l~alker is an innovation of the stair step hatndrail. If a
challenged stair
step user is rewired to support their accent or decent with a hand over hand
motion they
are ut thei:r h~d in an u~baya~~,ed nfiiti~ri< Tire shoulders should 1?e s
~ar~ t~ their ath
p _Y - -- p - - ~ ~ p ._ __)
If they do trip there is little chance that their grip on the rail will stop
their fall.
The Stair V~alker will replace the narmal handrail fc~r those who require aid
with
stair steps. It will be installed at the wane angle and high as that of a
regular handrail.
before the user starts their accent or decent they will lift the bar out of
its resting position
and lock it into place at whatever distance the~T choose in front of them. The
user will hold
the bar while taking a step for_w~rd into tl~~ bari keeping the sh_c~ulder-s
~quar_~ to their path
while improving their balance. 'hhey will repeat this motion until they have
reached the end
of their accent or decent. If the user should trip on their decent, the bar in
its locked
position will help brace their fall.
In the following description I will refer the unit that replaces the regular
hand as the rail
(Fig 1a). This is the u.~~it in which will replace tl~e regular haGndrail and
will house the
sliderlbar combination (F ig 1 e). The unit that will be held b;y the user
will be referred to as
the bar (Fig l~. The opening that will allow the bar to slide up and down will
be referred
to as the sliding grocwe (Fi.g l h).. The notches drat run increrner~taHl_y
the length of the rail
will be referred to as the locking notches (Fig lc). The notClaes that avill
allow the bar to
rest flush to the wall when the unit is not in use will be refeured to as the
resting notches
(Fig 1 d).
A Rail will run the length of the stairs on the sane angle of decent. (f'ig 1
a) It will be
mounted ti~rt~~gh the wall and into the studs a the saa~ne revel as the
regular h~~ail it is
replacing. The rail will be tubular in shape and function. The inside of the
rail will be
round in circumference andY~ust large enough to allow the slider to slide
while giving the
Izar stahili_ty<. (Fig i h)
The rail will have a sliding groove at the side running the length of the
rail. (Fig 1b) This
sliding groove will allow the bai to run th.e length of the stairs. The
sliding groove will be
,just large enough to allow the bar slide up and down the rail.
-Underneath the sliding groove tLtere will ~6e Iock notches cul. into the
rail. These cock
notches will run the length of the rail. The notches along with the sliding
groove will be
situated so that vihen the bar is in the -locked position it will -be parallel
to the ground.
There will be as many lock notches on it as functionally possible to allow the
bar to lock at
any position along the way. (Fig 1 c) The Iock notches will be just l~~ge
crieugh to house
the I~ar in the resting position.

CA 02416225 2003-O1-23
1?age ~
The bar will be attached tQ the slider (Fig 1 e) and connect snaking a T
shape. The top of the
T is the slider; it is slightly sn~.aller than its rail housing. This is the
piece that slides up and
dawn the rail while transferring the strength and support from. the. stud
mounted rail to the
bar.
The i_eng. th of_ the T (Fig 1 f~ is tt~_~ 1?~.r an..d will be an
appr~>pr_iate width. reta..tave to the
width of an average. body, it will be used as- to hold onto- or will. brace
their fal.I as the user
makes their accent or decent.
The resting notches will be situated at the eery top and bottom of the rail.
These notcl°les
will allow the bar to rest flat against the wall when it is not in use. (Fig l
d)
The bar will be fitted with end caps that t~lill create the gap for the
resting notch and protect
against -~~tal -shards frc~the eut of wst~m fiatirrg the rail to the -sups ~fi-
g 1 i~
~ foam pad will slide over the l~a~° allowing it to be more easily
gripped. (Fig lg~
Figure 2a shows the Stair Walker in use.

Representative Drawing