Passenger lift

Abstract

Passenger lift (10) with guide elements (2A, 2B) arranged in a stairwell on or along a staircase, with a transport device (1) supported by the guide elements (2A, 2B) and movable along the guide elements (2A, 2B), wherein the transport device (1) comprises a chair-like attachment with a seat (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) and a backrest (1.2) for receiving a person to be transported, wherein the transport device (1) further comprises a foldable footboard (1.4) and an operating handle (1.6) for actuating the footboard (1.4), characterized in that the footboard (1.4) and the operating handle (1.6) are coupled in such a way that, during an actuation process of the footboard (1.4), the movements of the footboard (1.4) and the operating handle (1.6) occur in the same direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger lift according to the preamble of claim 1. Passenger lifts of this type are often also referred to as stairlifts, since they are usually installed in a stairwell on or along an existing staircase. They enable people with limited mobility to move independently up and down stairs, particularly in a multi-story building. Commercially available passenger lifts include guide elements that extend across floors. A suitable drive mechanism can move a transport device along these guide elements. The transport device includes a seat designed like a chair, on which a disabled person can sit and be safely transported from floor to floor. In a known passenger lift, a foldable footrest is hinged to the lower part of the transport device on the entry side.This footboard can essentially assume two defined operating positions. In its resting position, the footboard is folded flat against the front of the transport device to save space. In its transport position, the footboard is folded down, protrudes at an angle of approximately 90° from the front of the transport device, and serves solely to support the feet during transport. The manufacturer expressly prohibits placing the full weight of the transported person on the footboard. Therefore, the footboard is neither suitable nor intended as an entry or exit aid. In the known passenger lift, changing between the operating positions of the footboard is achieved manually using a rotatable, crutch-like handle. The handle can be pivoted between two extreme positions: firstly, by rotating it fully upwards to its stop.Secondly, it can be lowered by a reverse rotation until it reaches its lowest position. Curiously, and ergonomically quite nonsensical and confusing, the footboard does not follow the direction of rotation of the handle when being extended or retracted, but behaves in precisely the opposite way. When the handle is rotated upwards, the footboard folds down. When the handle is rotated downwards, the footboard folds up until it rests against the front of the transport device. This requires even a person in full possession of their faculties to constantly readjust their thinking. For a patient with cognitive impairments, this is simply impossible. This results in the patient being unable to operate the lift independently and constantly reliant on assistance from a caregiver.

[0002] The present invention eliminates this disadvantage and enables a person with impaired abilities to continue using the passenger lift independently.

[0003] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 : essential components of a passenger lift; Fig. 2: the transport mechanism of the passenger lift in a side view; Fig. 3: Parts of the in Fig. 2 transport device shown in an enlarged view; Fig. 4: another variant of the actuating means for moving the footboard.

[0004] Fig. Figure 1 schematically and partially shows essential components of a passenger lift 10, often also referred to as a stairlift. The passenger lift 10 essentially comprises guide elements 2A, 2B arranged parallel to each other, which are mounted in a space-saving manner in a stairwell on or along a staircase. In a multi-story building, such guide elements can also be installed across floors to enable the transport of people between floors. Reference numeral 1 denotes a transport device that enables the transport of a disabled person via the staircase(s). The transport device 1 is guided by the guide elements 2A, 2B and is movably arranged along these guide elements by means of motor power. The transport device 1 includes a base frame 1.3 in which the drive elements and their power supply unit, which are not shown or described in detail here, are housed.A chair-like passenger seat is mounted on the base frame 1.3. The passenger seat comprises a seat surface 1.1 and a backrest 1.2. The transport device 1 typically also includes foldable armrests and a safety belt for securing the person being transported. These latter components are not explicitly shown in the drawing. Reference numeral 3 designates the floor in the area of ​​a stop point of the transport device 1, for example, on a floor of the building. Reference numeral 1.4 designates a footboard that is pivotally mounted in the lower part of the base frame 1.3. In the transport device 1's rest position, this footboard 1.4 is folded up against the entry side to save space. For transporting a person, the footboard 1.4 is folded down at an angle of approximately 90° and therefore protrudes from the front of the transport device 1.The feet of the person being transported rest on the folded-down footboard during the transport process.

[0005] Fig. 2 shows essential parts of the in Fig. The transport device shown in Figure 1 is again shown in a side view. Of particular relevance to the innovation described here is the footboard designated with reference number 1.4, which is shown here in its folded-up position.

[0006] Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged representation of components of the in Fig. The following description refers specifically to the transport device 1 shown in Figure 2, enclosed in the indicated circle K. The base of the transport device 1 is again designated by reference numeral 1.3. The footboard 1.4, which is hinged to the base, is in its folded-up position. It is rotatably mounted about pivot point DP2 and can be moved to its respective end positions in the directions indicated by the double arrow P2. The folded-down position is indicated by dashed lines in the figure. Reference numeral 1.6 designates a crutch-like operating handle, which is rotatably mounted about pivot point DP1. This operating handle 1.6 can be rotated to two end positions in the directions indicated by the double arrow P1. The key feature of the present innovation, in contrast to the known solution, is the simultaneous rotation of the operating handle 1.6 and the footboard 1.4.This is ergonomically sound and generally understandable even for people with cognitive impairments. When the operating handle 1.6 is turned downwards, the footboard 1.4 folds down into its working position. Conversely, when turned upwards, the footboard folds up into its resting position.

[0007] Despite this improvement in the operation of footboard 1.4, the concept of initiating an up-and-down movement by means of a rotational movement can still present an insurmountable obstacle for a cognitively impaired person. Therefore, a further improved version is proposed below, offering an operation method that requires less complex thought. This version is described in Fig. 4 is shown. The figure in turn shows parts of the in Fig.The transport device 1 is shown in side view in Figure 2. The footboard 1.4 is pivotally mounted on the base frame 1.3 about the pivot point DP2. The two possible pivot directions are indicated by the double arrow P2. An actuating handle 1.6, preferably in the form of a knob, is provided for actuating the footboard 1.4. This actuating handle 1.6 is slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot 1.7 and is linearly movable in two directions. These two directions, namely downwards and upwards, are indicated by the double arrow P3. The coupling between the actuating handle 1.6 and the footboard 1.4 is realized with a suitable linkage and / or articulated levers. The beginning and end of the longitudinal slot 1.7 each form a stop for the operating handle 1.6, with the upper stop corresponding to the folded position of the footboard 1.4 and the lower stop corresponding to the folded position of the footboard 1.4. Reference symbol list 1 Transport device 1.1 Seat 1.2 Backrest 1.3 Base frame 1.4 Footboard 1.6 Operating handle 1.7 slot 10-person elevator DP1 pivot point DP2 pivot point P2 Double Arrow P3 Double Arrow

Claims

[1] Passenger lift (10) with guide elements (2A, 2B) arranged in a stairwell on or along a staircase, with a transport device (1) supported by the guide elements (2A, 2B) and movable along the guide elements (2A, 2B), wherein the transport device (1) comprises a chair-like attachment with a seat (1.1, 1.1A, 1.1B) and a backrest (1.2) for receiving a person to be transported, wherein the transport device (1) further comprises a foldable footboard (1.4) and an operating handle (1.6) for operating the footboard (1.4), characterized by , that the footboard (1.4) and the operating handle (1.6) are coupled in such a way that when the footboard (1.4) is actuated, the movements of the footboard (1.4) and the operating handle (1.6) are in the same direction. [2] Passenger lift (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that a longitudinal slot (1.7) is provided in the base (1.3) in which the operating handle (1.6) is slidably mounted. [3] Passenger lift (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the beginning and end of the longitudinal slot (1.7) each form a stop for the operating handle (1.6), the upper stop corresponding to the folded position of the footboard (1.4) and the lower stop corresponding to the folded position of the footboard (1.4).

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