Improvements in or relating to stairlifts

Abstract

A stairlift chair assembly 5 has a seat 10, a backrest 11 and a footrest 17. The chair 6 has one or more lights to project light down on to the seat and / or footrest. The lights are not visible from an

Description

This invention relates to stairlifts and, in particular, to a stairlift chair assembly. Background to the Invention Stairlifts are typically used by persons having one or more physical limitations and ensuring safe use of the stairlift is therefore paramount. One factor influencing safety is lighting. It is well known to provided visual indicators such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) that light when a particular activity of the stairlift is underway, or if a fault arises in the course of operation. However an unrelated problem can arise in that many staircases in which stairlifts are installed are poorly lit and there is a risk that when light sources are turned on in an attempt to alleviate this problem, the sudden increase in light can dazzle a user as their eyes adjust. Further, existing light sources may not adequately highlight the potential hazard a parked stairlift might present, particularly if parked at positions between the rail ends and / or if the chair is swivelled. It is an object of this invention to go at least some way in addressing the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the invention provides a stairlift chair assembly including a seat, a backrest and a footrest, wherein the assembly further includes one or more light sources configured and arranged to project light downwardly on to surfaces of one or both of said seat and said footrest, the light sources not being visible from an eyeline positioned at an upper edge of the backrest. Preferably said one or more light sources comprises first lighting means positioned above the seat and operable to illuminate an upper surface of said seat; and second light means positioned above said footrest and operable to illuminate an upper surface of said footrest. Preferably the stairlift chair assembly further includes at least one armrest, and wherein said first lighting means is mounted on or within the at least one armrest so as to project light in a downwardly toward said seat. Preferably the stairlift chair assembly further includes a footrest receiving recess configured to receive the footrest when the chair is in a folded state, wherein said second lighting means is positioned in said recess so as to project light downwardly. Alternatively, or in addition, the second lighting means is positioned on an underside of said seat. In a second aspect the invention provides a stairlift including a chair assembly as set forth above. Preferably the stairlift further includes an ambient light sensor configured to control the outputs of said one or more light sources. Preferably said seat and said footrest are moveable between unfolded states and folded states, and wherein said stairlift further includes control means operable to deactivate said one or more light sources when said seat and footrest are in the folded states. Preferably said one or more light sources comprise one or more LEDs The invention may comprise any novel combination of individual elements or components described in the following example that may combine to provide a stairlift chair assembly and / or a stairlift and should not be confined to the particular combination or combinations of elements or components described. Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future. The scope of the invention should be limited by the appended claims alone. Brief Description of the Drawings One form of stairlift chair assembly embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1: shows a schematic isometric view of a stairlift chair assembly incorporating the invention. Detailed Description of Working Embodiment As shown in the drawing, the invention provides a chair assembly 5 comprising a chair 6 and a footrest 7 mounted at the upper and lower regions, respectively, of an interface 8 although, in other embodiments, the chair and footrest may be provided as an integrated unit. The chair 6 comprises a seat 10, backrest 11, and armrests 12. The seat 10 has an upper surface 13 and an underside 14 while the armrests 12 have upper arm support surfaces 15 and undersides 16. The footrest 7 has an upper surface 17 and an underside 18. The chair assembly 5 is shown in Figure 1 in a ‘use’ or unfolded state. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in stairlift chair applications, the seat 10 and footrest 7 can be folded to reduce the intrusion of the assembly 5, into the staircase, when the stairlift is not in use. In the form shown the seat 10 folds so as to lie adjacent to backrest 11 while the footrest 7 folds vertically and, in this particular embodiment but by no means essentially, is received in a recess 20 provided in the interface 8. A particular feature of the invention is the provision of one or more light sources to at least partially illuminate the seat surface 13 and the footrest surface 17, particularly when the ambient lighting is low. The one or more light sources preferably comprise a first lighting means positioned above the seat surface 13 and configured and aligned to project light down onto the surface 13; and second lighting means positioned above the footrest surface 17 and configured and aligned to project light down onto the surface 17. The light sources, whatever their form, are mounted in such away that they are not visible from an eyeline at or above the level of the upper edge 19 of the backrest. Thus, direct light is not visible to a user approaching the chair, only the effect of the lighting on surfaces of the chair, and the potential risk of dazzling is therefore reduced. This ‘soft’ lighting not only enhances safe use of the stairlift but also enhances the aesthetics of the stairlift installation. The first lighting means is preferably positioned at a level above the second lighting means and, in the embodiment shown preferably comprises one or more LED light sources (not visible) mounted on or within one or both undersurfaces 16 of the armrests 12 to as to project cones of light 21 downwardly on to the surface 13. The second lighting means also preferably comprises one or more LED light sources (not visible) which may, for example, be mounted within an upper edge of the recess 20, an upper part of the interface 8 or on or within the undersurface 14 of the seat; and which are configured to project a cone of light 22 downwardly on to the surface 17. The LED slight sources are preferably programmable RGB LEDs so that the output light can be programmed to best suit the colour, material and finish of the upholstery material of the chair. One or more ambient light sensors (not shown) may be provided to adjust the outputs of the light sources and thereby the degree of brightness of the first and second lighting means and control means, which may but not necessarily be included in the main stairlift ECU, may be provided to deactivate the lighting means when the chair is in the folded configuration and / or when a user is seated in the chair.

Claims

1. A stairlift chair assembly including a seat, a backrest and a footrest, wherein the assembly further includes one or more light sources configured and arranged to project light downwardly on to surfaces of one or both of said seat and said footrest, the light sources not being visible from an eyeline positioned at an upper edge of the backrest.

2. A stairlift chair assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one or more light sources comprises first lighting means positioned above the seat and operable to illuminate an upper surface of said seat; and second light means positioned above said footrest and operable to illuminate an upper surface of said footrest.

3. A stairlift chair assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including at least one armrest, and wherein said first lighting means is mounted on or within the at least one armrest so as to project light in a downwardly toward said seat.

4. A stairlift chair assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further including a footrest receiving recess configured to receive the footrest when the chair is in a folded state, wherein said second lighting means is positioned in said recess so as to project light downwardly.

5. A stairlift chair assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said second lighting means is positioned on an underside of said seat.

6. A stairlift including a chair assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A stairlift as claimed in claim 6 further including an ambient light sensorconfigured to control the outputs of said one or more light sources8. A stairlift as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein said seat and said footrest are moveable between unfolded states and folded states, and wherein said stairlift further includes control means operable to deactivate said one or more light sources when said seat and footrest are in the folded states.

9. A stairlift chair assembly or stairlift as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said one or more light sources comprise one or more LEDsA

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