Step climbing device

Abstract

A step climber (1) for lifting / lowering at least one load (100, 100 ', 100' ') along a step (200), the step climber comprising a first frame (2), a lifting / lowering device (3) for lifting / lowering the step climber (1) along the step (200), and at least one wheel (20) for lifting / lowering at least one load (100, 100', 100 '') along the step (200). The invention relates to a step climber (1) comprising a first frame (2) and a wheel (20) rotatably constrained to the first frame (2) about a first horizontal axis (X) for displacing the step climber (1) along a planar surface (L), characterized in that the step climber (1) further comprises a second frame (4) for integrally housing the lifting / lowering means (3), and a distance / approach means (5) for moving the step climber (1) along the planar surface (L). The distance / approach device (5) is used for moving the second frame (4) away from / close to the first frame (2) so as to change the center of gravity of the step climber (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a step climber. In particular, such a step climber is used to lift / lower loads of different sizes along a staircase. BACKGROUND

[0002] According to the prior art, there are step climbers that ensure the displacement of loads along a staircase.

[0003] For example, patent EP2275067 describes a wheeled step climber comprising a frame consisting of a pair of vertical elongated plates on the sides, which delimit an intermediate compartment that houses an engine inside, which makes a drive shaft with a horizontal axis rotate, which shafts protrude on the outside of the plates with their end lengths. Two identical cranks are mounted and fixed in mirror symmetry on the end of such end lengths, one on the right and the other on the left, each crank supporting an outward pin at its free end, and one of two identical side wheels, which allows the movement of the step climber, is journalled on this pin. In practice, each time the engine moves, the shaft drives the pair of cranks to make a complete rotation of 360°, after which the cranks always return to their initial and stopped position, which coincides with the position in which the step climber stops on the ground by means of the two wheels.

[0004] Such a technical solution allows the lifting of loads along a staircase by means of a very simple structure.

[0005] In any case, such a technical solution is not without drawbacks. In fact, each time the step climber has to lift loads of very different sizes and weights along a staircase, the operator is forced to change the inclination with respect to the horizontal plane so that the center of gravity formed by the step climber and the load is as much as possible inward, i.e. as close as possible to the staircase. In fact, this reduces the risk of lifting the step climber, thus avoiding the possible loss of balance and the consequent possible dangerous fall of the operator, both in terms of safety of the operator himself and of the integrity of the load being transported.

[0006] Documents EP1476343B1, EP3145849B1, WO2019003172A1 and EP3758662B1 describe a step climber for lifting loads along a staircase.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to implement a step climber that allows to facilitate the lifting / lowering operation along a staircase each time loads of different sizes and weights have to be lifted.

[0008] A further aim of the present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned aims by means of a step climber that is simple in structure and is able to quickly and effectively lift / lower loads of very different sizes and weights along a staircase in any case.

[0009] Finally, the object of the present application is to implement a method which allows to simply and quickly lift or lower along a staircase different types of loads, and even when such loads differ in size and weight, i.e. in the centre of gravity. SUMMARY

[0010] The above object is achieved thanks to a stair climber for lifting / lowering along a staircase at least one load, comprising a first frame, lifting / lowering means for lifting / lowering said stair climber along said staircase, and at least one wheel rotatably constrained to said first frame about a first horizontal axis for displacing said stair climber along a flat surface, characterised in that it further comprises a second frame for integrally housing said lifting / lowering means, and distancing / approaching means for moving said second frame away from / approaching said first frame to vary the centre of gravity of said stair climber.

[0011] Such technical solution therefore allows to vary the position of the lifting / lowering means in order to vary the centre of gravity of the stair climber, thus facilitating the operation of transporting the load along the staircase.

[0012] In fact, depending on the characteristics of the load to be transported, the operator can vary the centre of gravity of the stair climber in order to make the transport of the specific load along the staircase safer, simpler and less tiring.

[0013] Furthermore, said distancing / approaching means comprise constraining means for rotatably constraining said second frame with respect to said first frame about a second horizontal axis.

[0014] The distancing / approaching of the second frame is therefore achieved by rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame.

[0015] In particular, said rotation of said second frame with respect to said first frame is limited to an angular range comprised between 0 and 30°, preferably between 0 and 12°.

[0016] Furthermore, said distancing / approaching means further comprise locking means for locking said second frame with respect to said first frame in a plurality of reversible positions, preferably within said angular range. According to the embodiments described herein, there are three angular adjustment positions.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforesaid reversible locking means are arranged above said rotatable constraining means between said second frame and said first frame.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the second frame includes a box-shaped portion at its bottom; the constraint device includes at least one pin rotatably constrained to the first frame along the second axis, and the box-shaped portion includes a pair of holes at its free end that can engage with the pin, i.e., the pair of holes can be integrally constrained to the pin to allow the second frame to rotate relative to the first frame.

[0019] Furthermore, the locking device includes at least one spindle mounted on the first frame and translatably horizontally along a third horizontal axis at least between an engaged position and a disengaged position via one or more holes formed in the second frame. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the one or more holes are arranged along an arc centered on the at least one second axis of rotation.

[0020] Advantageously, the first frame is substantially L-shaped, and the second frame is arranged on the rear side of the first frame.

[0021] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the second frame includes a pair of plates defining the sides of an intermediate compartment, within which the lifting / lowering device is housed. Furthermore, the lifting / lowering device includes an engine that rotates a drive shaft having a horizontal axis, the drive shaft extending its end length over the outer side of the plates of the second frame, on which two cranks are mounted and mirror-symmetrically fixed, wherein each time the engine is started, the drive shaft drives the pair of cranks to complete a 360° rotation.

[0022] Finally, the first horizontal axis is different from the second horizontal axis.

[0023] The objective is also achieved by means of operating a step climber according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0024] a) Position the at least one load on the first frame;

[0025] b) Operate the lifting / lowering device to lift / lower the step climber (1) along the steps;

[0026] The method is characterized in that, prior to step b), the method includes step c): moving the second frame away from / near the first frame to change the center of gravity of the step climber.

[0027] Furthermore, step c) includes rotating the second frame relative to the first frame about a second horizontal axis. Preferably, the rotation of the second frame relative to the first frame is limited to an angle range between 0 and 30°, and preferably between 0 and 12°.

[0028] Furthermore, step c) also includes locking the second frame relative to the first frame in a plurality of reversible positions preferably within the said angle range. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Referring to the illustrations in the attached diagram, where:

[0030] - FIG. 1A An orthographic view of the step climber according to the present invention is shown;

[0031] - FIG. 1B The invention is shown FIG. 1A Rear axonometric view of the step climber;

[0032] Figure 2A shows a side sectional view of the step climber, wherein the second frame is in a first position relative to the first frame;

[0033] Figure 2B shows a detailed view of the side sectional view of Figure 2A;

[0034] Figure 3A shows a side sectional view of the step climber, wherein the second frame is in a second position relative to the first frame;

[0035] Figure 3B shows a detailed view of the side sectional view of the step climber in Figure 3A;

[0036] Figure 4A shows a side sectional view of the step climber, wherein the second frame is in a third position relative to the first frame;

[0037] Figure 4B shows a detailed view of the side sectional view of the step climber in Figure 4A;

[0038] Figures 5A and 5B show... FIG. 1A The front axonometric view of the step climber and the detailed view of the step climber in Figure 5A;

[0039] - FIG. 6A yes FIG. 1A Side view of the step climber;

[0040] - FIG. 6B yes FIG. 1A A cross-sectional view of a step climber;

[0041] - FIG. 6C This is a detailed view of the constraint device of the step climber according to the present invention, wherein two spindles are in their engagement positions with the first frame;

[0042] - FIG. 7 This is an isometric view of the second frame and the lifting / lowering device integral with it;

[0043] - FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C This is a side view of a step climber according to the invention, suitable for transporting three different loads, wherein the second frame is in three different positions from the first frame. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Various embodiments and variations of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular, the step climber according to the present invention is designated as 1.

[0045] According to the embodiment shown herein, a step climber 1 for raising / lowering different loads 100, 100', 100'' along a staircase 200 includes a first frame 2, a raising / lowering device 3, and two wheels 20. The raising / lowering device 3 raises / lowers the step climber 1 along the staircase 200, and the two wheels 20 are rotatably constrained to the first frame 2 about a first horizontal axis X to displace the step climber 1 along a flat surface L. It should be observed that the two wheels 20 are arranged on opposite sides of the first frame 2, and they are therefore coaxial with the first axis X. Furthermore, the plane L is... FIGS. 8A-8C It is depicted as one of the platforms of Step 200.

[0046] Advantageously, the step climber 1 also includes a second frame 4 for integrally accommodating the aforementioned lifting / lowering device 3. Furthermore, the step climber 1 includes a moving-away / approaching device for moving the second frame 4 away from / closer to the first frame 2 to change the center of gravity of the step climber itself. The possibility of changing the center of gravity position by displacing the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 of the step climber 1 allows the operator to more easily transport loads of different sizes and weights (i.e., different centers of gravity) along the steps 200. In fact, whenever load 100'' has a higher center of gravity relative to another load 100, the operator will need to change the overall center of gravity formed by the step climber 1 and the load itself to bring it closer to the steps 200, i.e., by moving the second frame 4 further away from the first frame 2, so that the lifting and lowering of the load along the steps 200 is more stable. FIG. 8A , FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C In this study, it can be observed how, as the overall center of gravity height formed by the step climber 1 and the corresponding load transported by the step climber 1 increases, the second frame 4 must be moved further relative to the first frame 2. FIG. 8A In the middle, the second frame 4 is located at the point where the distance to the first frame 2 is the smallest; while... FIG. 8C In the middle, the second frame 4 is located at the point where the distance from the first frame 2 is the greatest.

[0047] In detail, the approach / remove device includes a restraint device 6 for rotatably restraining the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 about a second horizontal axis Y. In particular, as shown in the embodiments described herein, the rotation of the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 is limited to an angle range between 0 and 30°, preferably between 0 and 12°.

[0048] Furthermore, the approach / remove device also includes a locking device 7 for locking the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 in a plurality of stable and reversible positions P1, P2, and P3, which are within the aforementioned angular range of 12°. In particular, the embodiments described herein show three such stable positions: P1, P2, and P3 (see Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4A, 4B). Position P1 corresponds to the closest position between the first frame 2 and the second frame 4, while position P3 corresponds to the farthest position between the first frame 2 and the second frame 4. More specifically, the reversible locking device 7 is arranged above the rotatable constraint device 6 between the second frame 4 and the first frame 2.

[0049] Still according to the embodiment described herein, the second frame 4 includes a box-shaped portion 4a at its bottom. The restraint device 6 includes a pin 60 rotatably restrained to the second frame 2 along a second axis Y. The box-shaped portion 4a includes a pair of holes 43, 44 at its free ends 41, 42, which engage with the pin 60 to allow the second frame 4 to rotate relative to the first frame 2. The pin 60 passes through the two holes 61, 62 provided on the first frame 2. These holes 61, 62 allow the pin 60 to rotate freely about the axis Y. This second axis Y is also the longitudinal axis of the pin 60. The range of rotation of the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 is achieved by two end stops 70, 71, which prevent the second frame 4 from traveling further in either direction of rotation.

[0050] According to a particular embodiment, the reversible locking device 7 includes two spindles 7a mounted opposite each other on the first frame 2. Each spindle 7a is horizontally translatable relative to the first frame 2 along at least a third horizontal axis Z between an engaged position S1 and a disengaged position (not shown in the figures) using three holes 80, 81, 82 formed in the second frame 4. In particular, the holes 80, 81, 82 are arranged in an arc centered on a second axis of rotation Y of the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2. When both spindles 7a are inside one of the three holes 80, 81, 82, the second frame 4 cannot rotate relative to the first frame 2, and the spindles 7a are thus in their engaged position S1; while when both spindles 7a are in their disengaged position, the second frame 4 is thus free to rotate about the second axis Y, limited only by the two end stops 70 and 71. It should be noted that embodiments including only one spindle 7a also fall within the scope of this invention.

[0051] It should be observed that the number of holes 80, 81, 82 (or hole pairs 80, 81, 82) can also be different, for example, two or five, depending on the range of angles traveled by the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2, and on the number of different locking positions that the manufacturer expects to achieve to meet the needs of the end user.

[0052] As shown in the attached diagram, the first frame 2 is basically L-shaped, and the second frame 4 is arranged on the rear side of the first frame 2. In practice, the rear side of the first frame 2 is the side opposite to the side that is normally facing forward during the normal movement of the step climber 1. In practice, the rear side of the frame 2 is the side opposite to the side that directly contacts the loads 100, 100', or 100''.

[0053] Furthermore, the second frame 4 includes a pair of plates 45, 46 defining the sides of the intermediate partition 47, within which the lifting / lowering device 3 is housed. Three pairs of holes 80, 81, 82 formed on the second frame 4 are provided on the two plates 45 and 46.

[0054] Such a lifting device 3 includes an engine 90, which rotates a drive shaft with a horizontal axis S each time the engine 90 is started. The drive shaft extends outwards from the plates 45 and 46 of the second frame 2 at its end lengths 91a and 91b. Two cranks are mounted and fixed symmetrically on these end lengths 91a and 91b, each crank having two small wheels 95 and 96 at its free end. The drive shaft drives a pair of cranks 93a and 93b to complete a full 360° rotation, after which the cranks 93a and 93b always return to their initial and stop positions.

[0055] There is also a reduction gear 99 between the engine 90 and the engine shaft.

[0056] As shown in the attached diagram, the first horizontal axis X is different from the second horizontal axis Y.

[0057] The following describes the method of operation of the step climber 1 as described above and in summary, according to one or more of claims 1 to 11.

[0058] This method includes the following steps:

[0059] a) Position load 100, 100' or 100'' on the first frame 2;

[0060] b) Operate the lifting / lowering device 3 to lift / lower the step climber 1 along the steps 200;

[0061] Furthermore, advantageously, prior to step b), the method further includes step c): moving the second frame 4 away from / near the first frame 2 to change the center of gravity of the step climber 1. The decision regarding how far the second frame 4 should be moved away from or near the first frame 2 depends on the type of load 100, 100', or 100'' to be transported along the steps 200.

[0062] For this purpose, the step climber 1 may also include a levelness sensor (not shown here) that allows the user to understand the optimal distance that the second frame 4 should be positioned relative to the first frame 2, depending on the load to be transported, so that the same user can exert less force when transporting the load.

[0063] According to the invention, step c) includes rotating the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 about the second horizontal axis Y. Preferably, such rotation of the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 is limited to an angle range between 0 and 30°, preferably between 0 and 12°.

[0064] Finally, step c) also includes locking the second frame 4 relative to the first frame 2 in a plurality of stable and reversible positions P1, P2, P3, preferably within the aforementioned angular range.

Claims

1. A step climber (1) for lifting / lowering at least one load (100, 100', 100") along a step (200), the step climber comprising a first frame (2), a lifting / lowering device (3) and at least one wheel (20), the lifting / lowering device (3) lifting / lowering the step climber (1) along the step (200), the wheel (20) being rotatably constrained to the first frame (2) about a first horizontal axis (X) to displace the step climber (1) along a flat surface (L), characterized in that, The step climber (1) also includes a second frame (4) and a moving away / approaching device (5), the second frame (4) being used to house the lifting / lowering device (3) as a whole, and the moving away / approaching device (5) being used to move the second frame (4) away from / closer to the first frame (2) to change the center of gravity of the step climber (1).

2. The step climber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance / approach device (5) includes a constraint device (6) for rotatably constraining the second frame (4) relative to the first frame (2) about a second horizontal axis (Y).

3. The step climber according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotation of the second frame (4) relative to the first frame is limited to an angle range between 0 and 30°, preferably between 0 and 12°.

4. The step climber according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The distance / approach device (5) further includes a locking device (7) for locking the second frame (4) relative to the first frame (2) in a plurality of reversible positions (P1, P2, P3) preferably within the angular range.

5. The step climber according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reversible locking device (7) is arranged above the rotatable constraint device (6) between the second frame (4) and the first frame (2).

6. The step climber according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second frame (4) includes a box-shaped portion (4a) at the bottom, and the restraint device (6) includes at least one pin (60) rotatably restrained to the second frame (2) along the second axis (Y). The box-shaped portion (4a) includes a pair of holes (43, 44) at its free ends (41, 42), which can engage with the pin (60) to allow the second frame (4) to rotate relative to the first frame (2).

7. The step climber according to one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The locking device (7) includes at least one spindle (7a) mounted on the first frame (2) with one or more holes formed on the second frame (4) for horizontal translation along a third horizontal axis (Z) at least between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the one or more holes of the second frame (4) being arranged along an arc with at least one second axis of rotation (Y) as its center.

8. The step climber according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The first frame (2) is basically L-shaped, and the second frame (4) is arranged on the rear side of the first frame.

9. The step climber according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The second frame includes a pair of plates (45, 46) defining the sides of the intermediate compartment (47), within which the lifting / lowering device (3) is housed.

10. The step climber according to claim 9, characterized in that, The lifting / lowering device (3) includes an engine (90) that rotates a drive shaft having a horizontal axis (S), the drive shaft extending out of the outer side of the plates (45, 46) of the second frame (4) at its end lengths (91a, 91b), and two cranks (93a, 93b) are mounted and mirror-symmetrically fixed on the end lengths (91a, 91b), the drive shaft driving the pair of cranks (93a, 93b) to a full 360° rotation each time the engine is started.

11. The step climber according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first horizontal axis is different from the second horizontal axis.

12. A method for operating a step climber according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Step a): Position the at least one load (100, 100', 100'') on the first frame (2); Step b): Operate the lifting / lowering device (3) to lift / lower the step climber (1) along the steps (200); The method is characterized in that, prior to step b), the method includes step c): moving the second box (4) away from / near the first box (2) to change the center of gravity of the step climber (1).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Step c) includes rotating the second frame (4) relative to the first frame (2) about a second horizontal axis (Y). Preferably, the rotation of the second frame (4) relative to the first frame is limited to an angle range between 0 and 30°, preferably between 0 and 12°.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Step c) further includes locking the second frame (4) relative to the first frame (2) in a plurality of reversible positions (P1, P2, P3) preferably within the angular range.

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