Stairlift with foldable chair with assist system

Abstract

Stairlift and methods of using and installing such a stairlift, the stairlift comprising a rail, a carriage and a chair, wherein: - the chair comprises a seating member connected to the carriage via a primary hinged seat connection, wherein: - the primary hinged seat connection comprises at least one primary hinge which is hingeable around a substantially horizontal seating axis, - the chair is arrangeable into a seating configuration, a folded configuration and an assist configuration, - the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the assist configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis, - the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the folded configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis, - the chair comprises an assist system configured to: i. assist the user standing up from the chair, AND / OR ii. assist the user sitting down in the chair.

Description

[0001] Title: Stairlift with foldable chair with assist system

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to the field of stair lifts for moving a person along a staircase.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Stair lifts are installed in many residential buildings across the globe, as well as other types of buildings. A stair lift greatly increases accessibility for people who have difficulties navigating staircases due to physical or mental limitations, such as elderly or disabled persons.

[0006] However, stairlifts takes up a considerable amount of space even when not in use, narrowing the passage along the staircase for normal use of the staircase. Furthermore, users can have difficulty with embarking on the stairlift or disembarking from the stairlift, for example due to limited mobility, muscle weakness or injuries.

[0007] Object of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a stairlift which solves at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for installation of said stairlift. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method of using said stairlift.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] In order to achieve at least one of the objects, in a first aspect the invention provides a stairlift comprising a rail, a carriage and a chair, wherein: the chair is supported by the carriage to move along with the carriage, the carriage is moveable along the rail, the rail is configured to be arranged along a staircase, the chair comprises a seating member connected to the carriage via a primary hinged seat connection, wherein: the primary hinged seat connection comprises at least one primary hinge which is hingeable around a substantially horizontal seating axis, the chair is arrangeable into a seating configuration, a folded configuration and an assist configuration, in the folded configuration, a front end of the seating member is arranged higher than a rear end of the seating member, in the assist configuration, the front end of the seating member is arranged lower than the rear end of the seating member, the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the assist configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in a first pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, the chair is moveable from the assist configuration into the seating configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in a second pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, wherein the second pivoting direction is opposite to the first pivoting direction, the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the folded configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, the chair is moveable from the folded configuration into the seating configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, in the seating configuration, the chair is configured to in use be occupied by a user of the stairlift, the chair comprises an assist system configured to: i. assist the user standing up from the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis to overcome a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, thereby pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction, AND / OR ii. assist the user sitting down in the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis, thereby at least partially counteracting a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, while allowing the seating member to pivot around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction.

[0011] The assist system allows assisting the user in sitting down and / or standing up from the chair by pivoting the seating member this aids the user embarking on the stairlift and / or disembarking from the stairlift. Furthermore, the chair can be arranged into the folded configuration to minimize intrusion of the chair, for example into the space of the staircase.

[0012] In an embodiment, the assist system comprises a speed control device to regulate a speed of pivoting of the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction AND / OR in the second pivoting direction. The speed control device ensures the movement of the seating member is controlled, leading to enhanced safety and comfort for the user. In an embodiment, the assist system comprises an assist actuator for actively moving the chair from the seating configuration into the assist configuration AND / OR from the assist configuration into the seating configuration. The active movement of the chair performed by the assist actuator further assists the user in standing up and / or sitting down.

[0013] In an embodiment, the front end of the seating member is arranged higher in the folded configuration than in the seating configuration AND / OR the rear end of the seating member is arranged lower in the folded configuration than in the seating configuration. This allows compact folding of the chair.

[0014] In an embodiment, the front end of the seating member is arranged lower in the assist configuration than in the seating configuration AND / OR the rear end of the seating member is arranged higher in the assist configuration than in the seating configuration. This allows compact folding of the chair.

[0015] In an embodiment, the stairlift comprises a first rear hinge member arranged on the seating member near the rear end of the seating member and a second rear hinge member arranged on a rear support member, wherein: the assist system is configured to regulate vertical movement of the second rear hinge member with respect to the carriage, the second rear hinge member is configured to be arrangeable in a first rear connection position and in a second rear connection position, wherein the second rear connection position is located higher with respect to the carriage than the first rear connection position, in the seating configuration of the chair, the second rear hinge member is arranged in the first rear connection position, and the first rear hinge member is preferably engaged with the second rear hinge member, in the assist configuration of the chair, the second rear hinge member is arranged in the second rear connection position, and the first rear hinge member is engaged with the second rear hinge member.

[0016] Via the vertical movement of the second rear hinge member and thereby the first rear hinge member, the angular position of the seating member with respect to the seating axis can be controlled.

[0017] In an embodiment, the assist actuator is configured to: arrange the second rear hinge member in the first rear connection position in the seating configuration of the chair and to arrange the second rear hinge member in the second rear connection position in the assist configuration of the chair.

[0018] By actively moving the second rear hinge member and thereby the first rear hinge member, the angular position of the seating member with respect to the seating axis can be actively controlled by the assist system. This further assists the user in standing up and / or sitting down.

[0019] In an embodiment, the assist actuator is configured to vertically move the rear support member with respect to the carriage, thereby vertically moving the second rear hinge member with respect to the carriage.

[0020] In an embodiment, the rear support member forms part of an armrest AND / OR part of a backrest, wherein preferably a first part of the armrest is configured to be in a same position in the seating configuration of the chair as in the assist configuration of the chair. When the first part of the armrest is in the same position in both the assist configuration and the seating configuration of the chair, this further aids the user in standing up and sitting down.

[0021] In an embodiment, in the folded configuration of the chair, the first rear hinge member is disengaged from the second rear hinge member. By disengaging the first rear hinge member from the second rear hinge member in the folded configuration, the chair can be folded more compactly. This further reduces intrusion of the chair, for example into the space of the staircase

[0022] In an embodiment: the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are configured to transmit an upward force from the second rear hinge member to the first rear hinge member when the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are engaged AND / OR

[0023] - when the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are engaged, the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are configured to disengage when the first rear hinge member is moved upwards with respect to the second rear hinge member or when the second rear hinge member is moved downwards with respect to the first rear hinge member. Transmitting an upward force from the second rear hinge member to the first rear hinge member allows countering of the downward force exerted on the first rear hinge member by the weight of a user occupying the chair as the second rear hinge member exerts an upward force on the first rear hinge member. If the rear hinge members are configured to disengage when the first rear hinge member is moved upwards with respect to the second rear hinge member or the second rear hinge member is moved downwards with respect to the first rear hinge member, the rear hinge members can disengage when the chair is moved to the folded configuration.

[0024] In an embodiment: the first rear hinge member comprises a pin arranged on the seating member and the second rear hinge member comprises a vertically extending slot arranged on the rear support member, the slot having an open end at a top end thereof and a closed end at a bottom end thereof, OR the first rear hinge member comprises a vertically extending slot arranged on the seating member and the second rear hinge member comprises a pin arranged on the rear support member, the slot having an open end at a bottom end thereof and a closed end at a top end thereof.

[0025] The combination of a pin and a slot allows the rear hinge members to transmit an upward force from the second rear hinge member to the first rear hinge member and allows the rear hinge members to disengage when the first rear hinge member is moved upwards with respect to the second rear hinge member or when the second rear hinge member is moved downwards with respect to the first rear hinge member.

[0026] In an embodiment, the chair comprises: a footrest support connected to the seating member near the front end of the seating member via a hinged support connection pivotable around a substantially horizontal support axis, a footrest connected to the footrest support near a bottom end of the footrest support via a footrest connection, wherein: in the folded configuration, a support angle between the footrest support and the seating member is smaller than 90 degrees, in the assist configuration, the support angle is larger than 90 degrees, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the seating configuration, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the folded configuration, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the assist configuration.

[0027] This allows more compact folding of the stairlift chair. This further reduces intrusion of the chair, for example into the space of the staircase.

[0028] In an embodiment: the footrest connection is pivotable around a substantially horizontal footrest axis, in the seating configuration, the footrest is configured to be arranged substantially horizontally, in the folded configuration, the footrest is configured to be arranged at a footrest angle with respect to the horizontal, wherein the footrest angle is preferably at least 60 degrees, more preferably about 90 degrees, preferably the footrest axis is substantially parallel to the support axis.

[0029] This allows more compact folding of the stairlift chair. This further reduces intrusion of the chair, for example into the space of the staircase.

[0030] In an embodiment, in the folded configuration, a bottom surface of the footrest is substantially flush with the footrest support. This reduces the chance of injury or damage to materials due to protruding ridges or sharp corners or edges.

[0031] In an embodiment: the footrest support has a variable footrest distance between the support connection and the footrest connection, the footrest distance is adjustable to a first support length and to a second support length, the first support length is shorter than the second support length, the footrest support is optionally telescopic, wherein the footrest distance is optionally adjustable by telescopic length adjustment of the footrest support.

[0032] This allows compact folding of the stairlift chair.

[0033] In an embodiment, the stairlift comprises a support actuator configured to adjust the footrest distance, wherein: the support actuator is configured to set the footrest distance to the first support length when the chair is arranged in the folded configuration, the support actuator is configured to set the footrest distance to the second support length when chair is arranged in the seating configuration, the support actuator optionally comprises an electric motor, the stairlift optionally comprises a support controller for controlling the support actuator.

[0034] This allows compact folding of the stairlift chair. The support actuator may comprise a motor such as an electric motor arrange inside the footrest support. The support controller may also be integrated into the footrest support. The support actuator may for example be a rack and pinion arrangement, a linear electric motor, or a hydraulic motor.

[0035] In an embodiment, the stairlift comprises a folding actuator for pivoting the seating member around the seating axis, the chair optionally comprising a central controller for controlling the folding actuator, wherein: the folding actuator is configured to arrange the seating member substantially horizontally in the seating configuration of the chair, the folding actuator is configured to arrange the seating member at a first folding angle of at least 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal, preferably at least 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal, more preferably substantially vertically in the folded configuration of the chair.

[0036] This allows ease of folding the stairlift chair, limiting strain on a person folding the chair.

[0037] In an embodiment, in the folded configuration of the chair, the footrest support, and the footrest do not protrude beyond the carriage in a horizontal protrusion direction perpendicular to the seating axis. This reduces effective intrusion in the horizontal protrusion direction of the chair itself to zero, as the chair itself does not protrude beyond the carriage in the horizontal protrusion direction.

[0038] In an embodiment, the chair comprises a backrest and wherein a seating surface of the seating member faces the backrest in the folded configuration of the chair, wherein optionally in the folded configuration of the chair a second folding angle between the seating surface and a backrest surface of the backrest in the folded configuration is less than 40 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees. This allows compact folding of the chair. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method comprising the steps of: providing a stairlift according to the first aspect, arranging the rail along the staircase, arranging the carriage on the rail.

[0039] This provides the benefits of the stairlift as discussed above.

[0040] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of using a stairlift according to the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of: assisting the user standing up from the chair which is arranged in the seating configuration by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis to overcome a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, thereby pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction and moving the chair from the seating configuration into the assist configuration, AND / OR arranging the chair in the assist configuration and assisting the user sitting down in the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis, thereby at least partially counteracting a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, while allowing the seating member to pivot around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction to move the chair from the assist configuration into the seating configuration.

[0041] This provides the benefits of the stairlift as discussed above.

[0042] These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

[0043] It will be clear to the skilled person that the features of any of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0044] Brief description of the figures

[0045] Embodiments of the stairlift according to the invention and the methods according to the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a stairlift according to the invention with the chair in an intermediate configuration between the seating configuration and the folded configuration.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the stairhft of fig. 1 in the seating configuration.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the stairlift of fig. 1 in the assist configuration.

[0048] Fig. 4A shows a side view of the stairlift of fig. 1 in the folded configuration.

[0049] Fig. 4B shows a side view of a stairlift according to the invention in the folded configuration.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows a front view of the stairlift of fig. 1 in the seating configuration.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a front view of the stairlift of fig. 1 in the assist configuration. Fig. 7 shows a front view of the stairlift of fig. 1 in the folded configuration. Fig. 8 shows a side view of the stairlift of fig. 1 with the chair in the same configuration as in fig. 1, wherein different elements are indicated than in fig. 1.

[0052] Detailed description of the figures

[0053] Figure 1 shows the stairlift 1 according to the invention with the chair 4 in an intermediate configuration, between a folded configuration 11 and a seating configuration 10. The stairlift 1 comprises a rail 2, a carriage 3, and a chair 4. The carriage 3 is moveable along the rail 2 and supports the chair 4. The rail 2 is arranged along a staircase 5. Installing the stairlift comprises the steps of providing the stairlift 1, arranging the rail 2 along the staircase 5 and arranging the carriage 3 on the rail 2.

[0054] The chair 4 comprises a seating member 6 connected to the carriage 3 via a primary hinged seat connection 7. The primary hinged seat connection 7 comprises at least one primary hinge 8, in this case embodied by hinges at the ends of multiple telescopic support elements. The primary hinge 8 is hingeable around a substantially horizontal seating axis 9 (see figures 5 - 7), which is perpendicular to the plane of figures 1 - 4B and 8.

[0055] The chair 4 can be arranged in a seating configuration 10 as shown in figures 2 and 5, a folded configuration 11 as shown in figures 4A, 4B and 7 and an assist configuration 12 as shown in figures 3 and 6. The chair 4 is configured to be occupied by a user in the seating configuration 10. In the folded configuration 11 , a front end 13 of the seating member 6 is arranged higher than a rear end 14 of the seating member 6. In the assist configuration 12, the front end 13 of the seating member 6 is arranged lower than the rear end 14 of the seating member 6. The front end 13 of the seating member 6 is arranged higher in the folded configuration 11 than in the seating configuration 10. The rear end 14 of the seating member 6 is arranged lower in the folded configuration 11 than in the seating configuration 10. The front end 13 of the seating member 6 is arranged lower in the assist configuration 12 than in the seating configuration 10. The rear end 14 of the seating member 6 is arranged higher in the assist configuration 12 than in the seating configuration 10.

[0056] The chair 4 is moveable between these configurations 10, 11, 12 by pivoting of the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 via the primary hinged seat connection 7 in either a first pivoting direction 15 or an opposite second pivoting direction 16. The chair 4 is moveable from the seating configuration 10 into the assist configuration 12 by pivoting the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15. The chair 4 is moveable from the assist configuration 12 into the seating configuration 10 by pivoting the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the second pivoting direction 16. The chair 4 is moveable from the seating configuration 10 into the folded configuration 11 by pivoting the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the second pivoting direction 16. The chair 4 is moveable from the folded configuration 11 into the seating configuration 10 by pivoting the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15.

[0057] The chair 4 comprises an assist system 17 to assist the user standing up from the chair 4 and / or sitting down in the chair 4. To do so, the assist system 17 exerts a torque on the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9. When assisting in standing up, this torque overcomes a torque exerted on the seating member 6 by the user, such that the seating member 6 is pivoted around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15, from the seating configuration 10 to the assist configuration 12. When assisting in sitting down, the torque exerted by the assist system at least partially counteracts the torque exerted on the seating member 6 by the user, while allowing the seating member 6 to pivot around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction 16. In both cases, the assist system provides a torque in the first pivoting direction 15.

[0058] The assist system 17 may comprise a speed control device 18 to regulate a speed of pivoting of the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15 and / or in the second pivoting direction 16. Alternatively, or additionally, the assist system 17 may comprise an assist actuator 19 for actively moving the chair 4 from the seating configuration 10 into the assist configuration 12 from the assist configuration 12 into the seating configuration 10.

[0059] The stairlift 1 comprises a hinged connection at or near the rear end 14 of the seating member 6, which comprises a first rear hinge member 20 arranged on the seating member 6 near the rear end 14 of the seating member 6 and a second rear hinge member 21 arranged on a rear support member 21 A. The assist system 17 regulates vertical movement of the second rear hinge member 21 with respect to the carriage 3 via vertical movement of the rear support member 21A with respect to the carriage 3. The second rear hinge member 21 moves with the rear support member 21A. The rear support member 21A forms part of the armrest 24 and / or backrest 25. A first part 26 of the armrest 24 stays in the same position in the seating configuration 10 and the assist configuration 12, as this does not move with the rear support member 21A (this is visible by comparing figures 2 and 3).

[0060] The first rear hinge member 20 and the second rear hinge member 21 can transmit an upward force from the second rear hinge member 21 to the first rear hinge member 20, such that the second rear hinge member 21 exerts an upward force on the first rear hinge member 20, when the first rear hinge member 20 and the second rear hinge member 21 are engaged. The first rear hinge member 20 and the second rear hinge member 21 are configured to disengage when the first rear hinge member 20 moves upwards with respect to the second rear hinge member 21 or when the second read hinge member 21 moves downwards with respect to the first rear hinge member 20. This occurs for example during folding of the chair 4, when the chair 4 moves from the seating configuration 10 to the folded configuration 11. This disengagement allows more compact folding of the chair 4.

[0061] To achieve these features, one of the first rear hinge member 20 and the second rear hinge member 21 comprises a pin 27 and the other comprises a vertically extending slot 28 with an open end 29 and a closed end 31 opposite the open end 29. In the imaged embodiment, the second rear hinge member 21 comprises a pin 27 arranged on the rear support member 21A, whereas the first rear hinge member 20 comprises a vertically extending slot 28 with an open end 29 at a bottom end 32 thereof and a closed end 31 at a top end 30 thereof. If the pin 27 and slot 28 are reversed such that the second rear hinge member 21 would comprise the slot 28 and the first rear hinge member 20 would comprise the pin 27, the closed end 31 would be at the bottom end 32 of the slot 28 and the open end 29 would be at the top end 30 of the slot 28. This would yield the same or comparable results.

[0062] The assist system 17 can arrange the second rear hinge member 21 in a first rear connection position 22 or in a second rear connection position 23. The second rear connection position 23 is located higher with respect to the carriage 3 than the first rear connection position 22. In the seating configuration 10 of the chair 4, the second rear hinge member 21 is arranged in the first rear connection position 22 (see fig. 2). In the assist configuration 12 of the chair 4, the second rear hinge member 21 is arranged in the second rear connection position 23 (see fig. 3). The assist actuator 19 positions the second rear hinge member 21. The assist actuator 19 may take the form of a linear actuator arranged inside or on part of the chair 4 (see figure 6).

[0063] In both the seating configuration 10 and the assist configuration 12, the first rear hinge member 20 is engaged with the second rear hinge member 21 . In the folded configuration 11 , the first rear hinge member 20 is disengaged from the second rear hinge member 21 (see figures 4A, 4B and 7). Thus, in the folded configuration 11 , the second rear hinge member 21 can be arranged in any position, as it is not engaged with the first rear hinge member 20.

[0064] The chair 4 comprises a footrest support 33 that connects the footrest 36 to the seating member 6. The footrest support 33 is connected to the seating member 6 near the front end 13 of the seating member 6 via a hinged support connection 34 which is pivotable around a substantially horizontal support axis 35. The footrest 36 is connected to the footrest support 33 near the bottom end 37 of the footrest support 33 via the footrest connection 38. In the folded configuration 11 , a support angle 39 between the footrest support 33 and the seating member 6 is smaller than 90 degrees (see figure 4A). In the assist configuration 12, this support angle 39 is larger than 90 degrees (see figure 3). The footrest support 33 is arranged substantially vertically in the seating configuration 10, folded configuration 11 and assist configuration 12. When the chair is moving in between these configurations, the footrest support 33 may be arranged non-vertically (see figure 1) or be arranged vertically as well in order to minimize intrusion also during movement of the chair 4 between configurations.

[0065] The footrest 36 is pivotable around a substantially horizontal footrest axis 40 with respect to the footrest support 33 via the footrest connection 38. The footrest axis 40 is substantially parallel to the support axis 35. The footrest 36 is arranged substantially horizontally in the seating configuration 10. In the folded configuration 11 , the footrest 36 is arranged and at a footrest angle 41 with respect to the horizontal 41A or preferably at least 60 degrees, more preferably about 90 degrees (see figure 4A). Preferably, the bottom surface 42 of the footrest 36 is substantially flush with the footrest support 33 when the chair 4 is in the folded configuration 11 . This way, a substantially continuous surface 42A is formed by the bottom surface 42 of the footrest 36 and the footrest support 33. This is shown in figure 4B, wherein a stairlift 1 is shown which is otherwise identical to the stairlift 1 of figure 4A. The only difference is that the footrest support 33 and footrest 36 are shaped such that the bottom surface 42 of the footrest 36 is substantially flush with the footrest support 33 when the chair 4 is in the folded configuration 11. This reduces the chance of injury or damage to materials due to protruding ridges or sharp corners or edges. The length of the footrest support 33 is adjustable by adjusting the footrest distance 43 between the support connection 34 and the footrest connection 38 to either a first support length 44 (see figures 4A, 4B, and 7) or a longer second support length 45 (see figures 2, 3, 5, and 6). The footrest distance 43 is telescopically adjustable by a support actuator 46, for example an electric motor 47 such as a linear electric motor 47 arranged inside the footrest support 33 (see figs. 5 and 8, where the support actuator 46 is a linear electric motor 47 indicated in dashed lines, as it is arranged inside the footrest support 33). A support controller 48 may be included to control the support actuator 46 via a support communication line 48A, which may be either wired or wireless. In the embodiment shown in figure 5, the support controller is arranged inside the footrest support 33 and the support communication line 48A is wired connection. The support actuator 46 sets the footrest distance 43 to the first support length 44 when the chair 4 is arranged in the folded configuration 11 and to the second support length 45 when the chair 4 is arranged in the seating configuration 10. In the assist configuration 12, the footrest distance 43 may also be set to the second support length 45 or to a different third support length, for example longer or shorter than the second support length 45.

[0066] The stairlift 1 may comprise a folding actuator 49 to fold the chair 4. In the imaged embodiment, the folding actuator 49 comprises two pairs of cylinders of variable length, the hinged support connection 34 and the footrest connection. The folding actuator 49 pivots the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 to fold the chair 4. The folding actuator 49 arranges the seating member 6 substantially horizontally in the seating configuration 10 of the chair 4 and at a first folding angle 53A of at least 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal 41A, preferably at least 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal 41 A, more preferably substantially vertically in the folded configuration 11 of the chair 4 (see figure 4A).

[0067] In the folded configuration 11 of the chair 4, the seating member 6, the footrest support 33, and the footrest 36 do not protrude beyond the carriage 3 in a horizontal protrusion direction 51 perpendicular to the seating axis 9 (see figure 4A). In the folded configuration 11 of the chair 4, a seating surface 52 of the seating member 6 faces the backrest 54 and optionally a second folding angle 53B between the seating surface 52 and a backrest surface 54 of the backrest is less than 40 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees.

[0068] The stairlift 1 can be used to assist the user standing up from the chair 4 from a sitting position with the chair in the seating configuration 10. In this position, the user exerts a torque on the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the second pivoting direction 16 (e.g. due to the weight of the user). The user is assisted in standing up by the assist system 17 exerting a torque on the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15, to overcome the torque exerted on the seating member 6 by the user. This pivots the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the first pivoting direction 15 and thereby moves the chair 4 from the seating configuration 10 into the assist configuration 12. The user can easily dismount the chair 4 when it is in the assist configuration 12. This helps the user as they do not have to fully raise themselves up from a sitting position in the chair 4 in the seating configuration 10.

[0069] The stairlift 1 can also be used to assist the user sitting down into the chair 4 from a standing position. The chair 4 is then first arranged in the assist configuration 12. The user then mounts the chair 4 and exerts a torque on the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 in the second pivoting direction 16 (e.g. due to the weight of the user). The assist system 17 exerts an opposite torque on the seating member 6 around the seating axis 9 (i.e. in the first pivoting direction 15) to at least partially counteract the torque exerted by the user on the seating member 6. At the same time, the seating member 6 is allowed to pivot around the seating axis 9 in the second pivoting direction 16. This moves the chair 4 from the assist configuration 12 to the seating configuration 10 in a controlled way at a controlled speed. Thus, the user does not need to support themselves for the final part of sitting down, aiding them in sitting down.

[0070] As shown in figure 8, a central controller 50 controls one or more components of the chair via the communication connections 50A - 50E, which may comprise wired and / or wireless connections.

[0071] The central controller 50 controls the folding actuator 49 via the folding control connection 50A to arrange the seating member 6 substantially horizontally in the seating configuration 10 of the chair 4, and to arrange the seating member 6 at the first folding angle 53A with respect to the horizontal in the folded configuration 11 of the chair 4.

[0072] The central controller 50 controls the support actuator 46 via the support length control connection 50B and the support controller 48 to set the footrest distance 43 to the first support length 44 when the chair 4 is arranged in the folded configuration 11, and to set the footrest distance 43 to the second support length 45 when the chair 4 is arranged in the seating configuration 10. Alternatively, the central controller 50 and the support controller 48 may be integrated into a single unit. The central controller 50 controls the footrest connection 38 via the footrest control connection 50C to pivot the footrest 36 around the footrest axis 40. The footrest connection 38 may comprise a motor such as an electric motor to control its movement. Alternatively, a separate footrest controller may be used which may or may not communicate with the central controller 50.

[0073] The central controller 50 controls the hinged support connection 34 via the support hinge control connection 50E. The hinged support connection 34 may comprise a motor such as an electric motor to control its movement. Alternatively, a separate hinged support connection controller may be used which may or may not communicate with the central controller 50.

[0074] The central controller 50 controls the speed control device 18 and / or the assist actuator 19 via the assist control connection 50D. This allows the central controller 50 to regulate the position and / or movement of the speed control device 18 and / or the assist actuator 19 when moving the chair 4 to and from the seating configuration 10, folded configuration 11, and / or assist configuration 12.

[0075] The central controller 50 thus controls movement of one or more elements of the chair 4. Via each of the control connections 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E, the central controller 50 controls a different element of the chair 4. One or more of these control connections 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E may be omitted or replaced by other means such as manual control or control via different control elements, while still resulting in adequate control of the chair 4.

[0076] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0077] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and / or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. , open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

[0078] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Stairlift comprising a rail, a carriage and a chair, wherein: the chair is supported by the carriage to move along with the carriage, the carriage is moveable along the rail, the rail is configured to be arranged along a staircase, the chair comprises a seating member connected to the carriage via a primary hinged seat connection, wherein: the primary hinged seat connection comprises at least one primary hinge which is hingeable around a substantially horizontal seating axis, the chair is arrangeable into a seating configuration, a folded configuration and an assist configuration, in the folded configuration, a front end of the seating member is arranged higher than a rear end of the seating member, in the assist configuration, the front end of the seating member is arranged lower than the rear end of the seating member, the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the assist configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in a first pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, the chair is moveable from the assist configuration into the seating configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in a second pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, wherein the second pivoting direction is opposite to the first pivoting direction, the chair is moveable from the seating configuration into the folded configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, the chair is moveable from the folded configuration into the seating configuration by pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction via the primary hinged seat connection, in the seating configuration, the chair is configured to in use be occupied by a user of the stairlift, the chair comprises an assist system configured to: i. assist the user standing up from the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis to overcome a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, thereby pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction, AND / ORii. assist the user sitting down in the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis, thereby at least partially counteracting a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, while allowing the seating member to pivot around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction.

2. Stairlift according to claim 1, wherein the assist system comprises a speed control device to regulate a speed of pivoting of the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction AND / OR in the second pivoting direction.

3. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assist system comprises an assist actuator for actively moving the chair from the seating configuration into the assist configuration AND / OR from the assist configuration into the seating configuration.

4. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end of the seating member is arranged higher in the folded configuration than in the seating configuration AND / OR the rear end of the seating member is arranged lower in the folded configuration than in the seating configuration.

5. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end of the seating member is arranged lower in the assist configuration than in the seating configuration AND / OR the rear end of the seating member is arranged higher in the assist configuration than in the seating configuration.

6. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first rear hinge member arranged on the seating member near the rear end of the seating member and a second rear hinge member arranged on a rear support member, wherein: the assist system is configured to regulate vertical movement of the second rear hinge member with respect to the carriage, the second rear hinge member is configured to be arrangeable in a first rear connection position and in a second rear connection position, wherein the second rear connection position is located higher with respect to the carriage than the first rear connection position, in the seating configuration of the chair, the second rear hinge member is arranged in the first rear connection position, and the first rear hinge member is preferably engaged with the second rear hinge member,in the assist configuration of the chair, the second rear hinge member is arranged in the second rear connection position, and the first rear hinge member is engaged with the second rear hinge member.

7. Stairlift according to the preceding claim, the stairlift further comprising the features of claim 3, wherein the assist actuator is configured to: arrange the second rear hinge member in the first rear connection position in the seating configuration of the chair and to arrange the second rear hinge member in the second rear connection position in the assist configuration of the chair.

8. Stairlift according to claim 7, wherein the assist actuator is configured to vertically move the rear support member with respect to the carriage, thereby vertically moving the second rear hinge member with respect to the carriage.

9. Stairlift according to any of claims 6 - 8, wherein the rear support member forms part of an armrest AND / OR part of a backrest, wherein preferably a first part of the armrest is configured to be in a same position in the seating configuration of the chair as in the assist configuration of the chair.

10. Stairlift according to any of claims 6 - 9, wherein in the folded configuration of the chair, the first rear hinge member is disengaged from the second rear hinge member.

11. Stairlift according to any of claims 6 - 10, wherein: the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are configured to transmit an upward force from the second rear hinge member to the first rear hinge member when the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are engaged AND / OR- when the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are engaged, the first rear hinge member and the second rear hinge member are configured to disengage when the first rear hinge member is moved upwards with respect to the second rear hinge member or when the second rear hinge member is moved downwards with respect to the first rear hinge member.

12. Stairlift according to the preceding claim, wherein:the first rear hinge member comprises a pin arranged on the seating member and the second rear hinge member comprises a vertically extending slot arranged on the rear support member, the slot having an open end at a top end thereof and a closed end at a bottom end thereof, OR the first rear hinge member comprises a vertically extending slot arranged on the seating member and the second rear hinge member comprises a pin arranged on the rear support member, the slot having an open end at a bottom end thereof and a closed end at a top end thereof.

13. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, the chair comprising: a footrest support connected to the seating member near the front end of the seating member via a hinged support connection pivotable around a substantially horizontal support axis, a footrest connected to the footrest support near a bottom end of the footrest support via a footrest connection, wherein: in the folded configuration, a support angle between the footrest support and the seating member is smaller than 90 degrees, in the assist configuration, the support angle is larger than 90 degrees, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the seating configuration, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the folded configuration, optionally, the footrest support is arranged substantially vertically in the assist configuration.

14. Stairlift according to the preceding claim, wherein: the footrest connection is pivotable around a substantially horizontal footrest axis, in the seating configuration, the footrest is configured to be arranged substantially horizontally, in the folded configuration, the footrest is configured to be arranged at a footrest angle with respect to the horizontal, wherein the footrest angle is preferably at least 60 degrees, more preferably about 90 degrees, preferably the footrest axis is substantially parallel to the support axis.

15. Stairlift according to the preceding claim, wherein in the folded configuration, a bottom surface of the footrest is substantially flush with the footrest support.

16. Stairlift according to any of claims 13 - 15, wherein: the footrest support has a variable footrest distance between the support connection and the footrest connection, the footrest distance is adjustable to a first support length and to a second support length, the first support length is shorter than the second support length, the footrest support is optionally telescopic, wherein the footrest distance is optionally adjustable by telescopic length adjustment of the footrest support.

17. Stairlift according to the preceding claim, comprising a support actuator configured to adjust the footrest distance, wherein: the support actuator is configured to set the footrest distance to the first support length when the chair is arranged in the folded configuration, the support actuator is configured to set the footrest distance to the second support length when chair is arranged in the seating configuration, the support actuator optionally comprises an electric motor, the stairlift optionally comprises a support controller for controlling the support actuator.

18. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a folding actuator for pivoting the seating member around the seating axis, the chair optionally comprising a central controller for controlling the folding actuator, wherein: the folding actuator is configured to arrange the seating member substantially horizontally in the seating configuration of the chair, the folding actuator is configured to arrange the seating member at a first folding angle of at least 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal, preferably at least 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal, more preferably substantially vertically in the folded configuration of the chair.

19. Stairlift according to any of claims 13 - 18, wherein in the folded configuration of the chair, the footrest support, and the footrest do not protrude beyond the carriage in a horizontal protrusion direction perpendicular to the seating axis.

20. Stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chair comprises a backrest and wherein a seating surface of the seating member faces the backrest in the folded configuration of the chair, wherein optionally in the folded configuration of the chair a second folding angle between the seating surface and a backrest surface of the backrest in the folded configuration is less than 40 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees.

21. Method of installing a stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: providing a stairlift according to any of the preceding claims, arranging the rail along the staircase, arranging the carriage on the rail.

22. Method of using a stairlift according to any of claims 1 - 20, the method comprising the steps of: assisting the user standing up from the chair which is arranged in the seating configuration by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis to overcome a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, thereby pivoting the seating member around the seating axis in the first pivoting direction and moving the chair from the seating configuration into the assist configuration, AND / OR arranging the chair in the assist configuration and assisting the user sitting down in the chair by exerting a torque on the seating member around the seating axis, thereby at least partially counteracting a torque exerted on the seating member by the user, while allowing the seating member to pivot around the seating axis in the second pivoting direction to move the chair from the assist configuration into the seating configuration.

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