Evacuation chair

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an evacuation chair having a frame assembly having a main frame having two laterally spaced struts and a front axle carrying at least one front wheel, wherein each of the laterally spaced struts of the main frame comprises a lower free end terminating proximal the front axle. Each of the lower free ends of the laterally spaced struts comprises a ground contact surface for contacting the ground when the laterally spaced structs are substantially vertical. The present disclosure also relates to an evacuation chair for evacuating a seated user down a staircase, the evacuation chair being for operation by an operator. The evacuation chair has a frame assembly having a front axle carrying at least one front wheel and two rail assemblies attached to the frame assembly, each rail assembly extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end of the rail assembly to a rearward free end thereof. The chair further has a kickstand having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a forward end connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies, the kickstand further comprising a rearward connecting bar extending laterally between rearward ends of the kickstand arms, at least one rear wheel being mounted on the connecting bar of the kickstand. The kickstand is pivotable from a stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies to a deployed position with the arms extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies such that the at least one rear wheel is rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms. There is a clear space extending throughout a legroom region between the kickstand arms from the forward ends thereof to the rearward connecting bar to accommodate the movement of the legs of the operator between the rail assemblies when the kickstand is in the stowed configuration.

Description

[0001] EVACUATION CHAIR

[0002] Field of the disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an evacuation chair for allowing an operator to evacuate a seated user down a staircase.

[0004] Background

[0005] In an emergency, such as a fire, buildings must be evacuated. For safety reasons, the use of most lifts is prohibited, so the building is evacuated via standard or emergency staircases. This means that people with a mobility difficulty or an injury and unable to descend the staircase unassisted, require help to safely evacuate the building. It is not considered safe to use a standard wheelchair on a staircase, nor is it safe to ask an able-bodied person to carry the person with the mobility difficulty or injury down the staircase. Therefore it is usually recommended that an evacuation chair is used.

[0006] One of the main differences between an evacuation chair and a standard wheelchair is the provision of rail assemblies or “skis” for safely descending staircases. The rail assemblies are oriented rearwardly at an acute angle with respect to a generally upright direction of the chair so that the chair can be tilted backwards on to the rail assemblies for descent down a staircase, with the rail assemblies contacting two or more stairs at a time, in order to lend stability to the progress of the evacuation chair down the staircase. The person being evacuated is seated in the chair, stably located due to the backward tilting of the chair.

[0007] There are a number of different known evacuation chairs having rail assemblies. Some known evacuation chairs have a relatively simple (and therefore a relatively cheap and light) frame made of up of two frame members: a generally upright main frame having a front wheel / axle assembly, and a support frame having a forward portion for supporting a seat member and a rearward portion for supporting the rail assemblies. The support frame is pivotally connected to the main frame between its forward and rearward portions. The forward lower ends of the rail assemblies are also pivotally connected to the main frame and the rearward portion of the support frame is slidably connected to the rail assemblies.

[0008] The pivotal and sliding connections of the frame members and rail assemblies allow the chair to be folded from a use configuration (in which the support portion and rail assemblies extend away from the main frame) to a storage configuration (in which the support frame and rail assemblies rest against / parallel to the main frame.

[0009] The main frame is a closed loop with two substantially upright struts spaced by a top bar (parallel to the main frame cross bar) and an opposing, parallel base bar proximal the wheel / axle assembly.

[0010] In the unfolded, use configuration, the operator of the chair tilts the main frame forwards move the struts to a substantially vertical position (e.g. using the top bar of the main frame as a handle / support) so that the seat member is accessible for the user requiring evacuation. During this tilting, the base bar of the main frame rests on the floor.

[0011] The operator then tilts the main frame backwards to lift the base bar from the floor so that the seated user’s weight is carried on two wheels of the wheel / axle assembly. This two-wheeled use configuration allows the chair to be manoeuvred to the top of the staircase. The operator then guides the chair and seated user down the staircase with the rail assemblies contacting the stairs.

[0012] The known evacuation chairs also provide for a four-wheeled use configuration for where extended movement of the chair is required e.g. to move the seated user an extended distance to the top of a staircase or away from the bottom of a staircase.

[0013] For the four-wheeled configuration, a kickstand having two substantially linear arms joined between and pivotable relative to the rail assemblies is provided. A kickstand brace is provided between the arms where they connect to the rail assemblies. Two castors are provided on a kickstand connection portion extending between the two arms (parallel to the base bar and the axle of the main frame). A gas strut / spring extends between the front axle of the main frame and a kickstand cross bar, the cross bar extending between the arms interposed between the kickstand brace and the kickstand connection portion. In the storage configuration and two-wheeled use configuration, the kickstand is nested between the rail assemblies.

[0014] Where extended horizontal travel of the chair is required, the operator uses their foot to pull the kickstand towards them (assisted by the gas strut / spring) to extend from between the rail assemblies so the that castors can contact the floor to provide the four-wheeled configuration of the chair. There are two main problems with this known evacuation chair. Firstly, whilst loading the chair with the user requiring evacuation, the base bar does not provide adequate stability. For example, forwards toppling of the chair (i.e. rotational movement about the axis of the base bar) may not be prevented by the base bar. Furthermore, sufficient lateral stability may not be provided by the base bar as the rounded transition between the base bar and the uprights struts allows lateral rotation.

[0015] Secondly, the kickstand cross bar and brace present obstructions to the operator’s legs when loading the evacuation chair and when moving the chair in the two-wheeled configuration. This obstruction is, at best, uncomfortable for the operator (e.g. causing bruising or cuts to their shins) and, at worst, can present a tripping hazard.

[0016] There is the need for an evacuation chair that ameliorates at least one of the problems of the know evacuation chairs.

[0017] Summary

[0018] Accordingly, in a first preferred aspect, there is provided an evacuation chair for evacuating a seated user down a staircase, the evacuation chair being for operation by an operator, the evacuation chair having: a frame assembly having a front axle carrying at least one front wheel; two rail assemblies attached to the frame assembly, each rail assembly extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end of the rail assembly to a rearward free end thereof; a kickstand having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a forward end connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies, the kickstand further comprising a rearward connecting bar extending laterally between rearward ends of the kickstand arms, at least one rear wheel being mounted on the connecting bar of the kickstand, the kickstand being pivotable from a stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies to a deployed position with the arms extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies such that the at least one rear wheel is rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms; wherein there is provided a clear space extending throughout a legroom region between the kickstand arms from the forward ends thereof to the rearward connecting bar to accommodate the movement of the legs of the operator between the rail assemblies when the kickstand is in the stowed configuration. In this way, the operator is able to walk relatively close to the chair when the kickstand is in the stowed position (e.g. when loading the seated user and moving short distances over level ground) by positioning part of his / her front walking leg in the legroom region between the arms of the kickstand (between the rail assemblies). As will be apparent, it is preferred that the clear space also extends rearwardly of the rearwards ends of the rail assemblies, in order to provide space for the operator to be located behind the chair. This ensures the operator is able to push the chair in an ergonomic position, which also improves the ease with which an operator can move the chair.

[0019] In some embodiments, the frame assembly comprises a main frame having two laterally spaced struts. Each of the laterally spaced struts of the main frame may comprise a lower free end (or “foot”) terminating adjacent to the front axle. Each of the lower free ends / feet of the laterally spaced struts may comprise a ground contact surface for contacting the ground when the laterally spaced structs are substantially vertical.

[0020] This can increase stability of the chair during loading as discussed below for the second aspect.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to an evacuation chair for evacuating a seated user down a staircase, the evacuation chair being for operation by an operator, the evacuation chair having: a frame assembly having a main frame having two laterally spaced struts and a front axle carrying at least one front wheel; two rail assemblies attached to the frame assembly, each rail assembly extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end of the rail assembly to a rearward free end thereof; wherein each of the laterally spaced struts of the main frame comprises a lower free end terminating adjacent to the front axle, and wherein each of the lower free ends of the laterally spaced struts comprises a ground contact surface for contacting the ground when the laterally spaced structs are substantially vertical.

[0022] In this way, upon loading the user into the evacuation chair when the frame assembly is oriented such that the main frame is substantially vertical, the ground contact surfaces of the free ends (or “feet”) can provide a stable surface on which the evacuation chair can rest during loading thus minimising the risk of forwards or lateral toppling of the chair. The omission of a base bar connecting the lower ends of the struts also reduces the weight of the evacuation chair. When the evacuation chair is being moved over level ground, the operator need only tip the chair back slightly to raise the lower free ends of the main frame from the ground.

[0023] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the evacuation chair further comprises a kick stand having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a forward end connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies, the kickstand further comprising a rearward connecting bar extending laterally between the rearward ends of the kickstand arms. There may be at least one rear wheel mounted on the kickstand connecting bar. The kickstand may be pivotable from a stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies to an extended position with the arms extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies such that the at least one rear wheel is rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms. There is preferably a clear space extending throughout a legroom region between the arms of the kickstand from the forward ends thereof to the rearward connecting bar to accommodate the movement of the legs of the operator between the rail assemblies when the kickstand is in the stowed configuration.

[0024] The clear space enables the operator to be positioned closely behind the frame assembly of the evacuation chair when the kickstand is in the stowed position (e.g. when loading the seated user and moving short distances over level ground) as discussed above for the first aspect.

[0025] The evacuation chair of the first or second aspect may have any one or, to the extent that they are compatible, any combination of the following optional features.

[0026] For the avoidance of doubt, references to upper / lower and forward / rearward are intended to refer to directions considered in a normal use configuration of the chair i.e. with the seated user sitting forward of the rail assemblies.

[0027] In the first aspect and embodiments of the second aspect, the clear space extends from the connecting bar of the kickstand to the forward end of the kickstand arms. The connecting bar is provided between the lowermost, rearward ends of the kickstand arms. This results in a substantially U-shaped kickstand. The clear space / legroom region is provided by this U- shape with the omission of any component extending laterally between the arms of the kickstand (other than the connecting bar at their lowermost ends). For example, unlike the known evacuation chairs, the kickstand does not include any braces or cross bars extending between the arms. This provides an unobstructed clear space / legroom region that extends for the length of the kickstand arms from the connecting bar to the forward free ends.

[0028] It is preferable that there is no lateral component extending between the two rail assemblies at least proximal the rearward free ends. There may no lateral component extending between the two rail assemblies for the entire length of the rail assemblies from their forward (attached) ends to their rearward free ends. The clear space / leg room extends in a plane in which the free ends and the connecting bar lie. It may further extend perpendicularly at least rearwardly of the connecting bar.

[0029] The kickstand arms are preferably angled at their lower portions (proximal the connecting bar). The are preferably angled towards the front axle. This forward angling of the kickstand arms means that, in the stowed configuration, the connecting bar (and at least one rear wheel) is located further forwards away from the operator than would be the case if the kickboard arms were linear. This helps reduce the possibility of the operator making contact with the connecting back of the kickstand in the stowed configuration.

[0030] The kickstand arms may additionally or alternatively be angled inwards towards each other at their lower portions such that the connecting bar is shorter than the lateral spacing between the upper portions of the kickstand arms, e.g. shorter than the spacing between the forward ends of the kickstand.

[0031] The connecting bar carries at least one rear wheel, e.g. two rear wheels. The two rear wheels are preferably laterally spaced on the connecting bar. The / each rear wheel may be a castor i.e. the / each rear wheel may be rotateably (and optionally pivotally) mounted to a respective mount fixedly connected to the connecting bar.

[0032] The connecting bar may have a substantially planar lower surface on which the wheel(s) is / are mounted. It may have a substantially planar upper surface which present a convenient surface on which the operator can locate their foot whilst moving the kickstand between the stowed and deployed configurations. The arms of the kickstand may be formed as strips (i.e. the arms may have a greater length and width than depth). This may facilitate connection of the forward end of the arms to the rail assemblies. The strips may have an inner surface (defined by their length and width) facing each other (across the clear space / leg room) at least in an upper portion of the arms (proximal the forward ends). The connecting bar may be integrally formed with the kickstand arms i.e. the kickstand may be of a unitary construction.

[0033] The kickstand is pivotally mounted to the rail assembly. Each of the forward ends of the kickstand arms is pivotally connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies. Each of the forward ends of the kickstand arms may be pivotally connected to inner surfaces of the rail assemblies (the inner surfaces facing one another e.g. facing each other across the clear space / legroom) so that the kickstand lies at least partly within the rail assemblies in the stowed position.

[0034] Embodiments of the first and second aspects may further comprise an actuation member extending between one of the rail assemblies and the kickstand to facilitate movement of the kickstand between the stowed and deployed configurations. The actuation member may comprise a spring e.g. the actuation member may comprise a gas strut / spring. There may be two such actuation members.

[0035] The spring(s) may be biased to an expanded configuration in both the stowed and deployed configurations of the kickstand i.e. the spring moves through its maximum compressed configuration (against the bias) during movement of the kickstand between the stowed and deployed configurations. In this way the spring(s) may hold the kickstand in both the stowed and deployed configurations without the need for any catch or lock.

[0036] Each actuation member may extend between the respective rail assembly and kickstand arm pivotally connected to the rail assembly. The / each actuation member may be connected to the respective inner surface of the rail assembly so that the actuation member(s) lie(s) within the rail assemblies in the stowed configuration.

[0037] In the stowed configuration, the kickstand lies at least partly within the lateral space defined between the rail assemblies. For example, the kickstand arms may lie fully between the rail assemblies e.g. substantially parallel to the rail assemblies. The connecting bar may extend laterally in the space between the rail assemblies in the stowed position or may be positioned forwardly of the rail assemblies by the angling described above. The rearwheel(s) may also lie within the lateral space between the rail assemblies in the stowed configuration or may project forwards (away from the operator) from within the rail assemblies. The length of the arms of the kickstand is preferably selected such that rear wheel(s) are spaced upwardly from the lower forward ends of the rail assemblies. In this way, they will not contact the ground in the stowed configuration. In the second aspect and embodiments of the first aspect, frame assembly comprises two laterally spaced struts and a front axle carrying at least one front wheel. The laterally spaced struts of the main frame may be considered to be generally upright and they are oriented substantially vertically when the person using the chair is being seated (and when the chair is in a storage configuration discussed below). The struts will be tilted rearwardly backwards by the operator during descent of a staircase.

[0038] The struts may be linear along their entire length e.g. from their lower free ends comprising the ground contact surfaces, to upper portions comprising their upper ends. In other embodiments, the struts may comprise at least one angled portion. For example, each strut may each have a forwardly or rearwardly angled upper portion proximal their upper ends.

[0039] The upper portions of the struts extend upwardly beyond the rearward free ends of the rail assemblies in both the folded (storage) and unfolded (use) configurations of the chair.

[0040] The upper ends of the struts may be connected by a transverse top bar which may be substantially horizontal and which may provide a handle for movement of the chair by the operator. The struts and transverse top bar together define a substantially inverted II- shaped main frame.

[0041] A backrest (e.g. formed of flexible textile or plastics material) may be sleeved onto the upper portions struts, across the lateral spacing therebetween. An upper portion of the backrest may be looped over the top bar of the main frame.

[0042] The main frame (e.g. the inverted U-shaped main frame) may be of a unitary construction e.g. formed of a single rod or tube bent into the two struts and transverse top bar.

[0043] In other embodiments, the struts of the main frame may be telescopic such that each strut comprises a lower and upper portion that are slidably arranged. The telescopic upper portions may be connected to each other via the transverse top bar e.g. they may be integrally formed with the transverse top bar (so as to form the inverted U-shaped main frame). In some embodiments, the lower strut portions may each comprise a receiving bore for receiving the respective lower end of the upper strut portions.

[0044] The main frame may comprise a main brace extending transversely between the struts e.g. proximal the receiving bores in the lower strut portions. The main brace may have a forward concave surface and a rearward convex surface. Where the lower free ends / feet of the laterally spaced struts comprise a ground contact surface, the ground contact surfaces may be substantially planar. Gripping formations e.g. ridges or dimples may be provided on the ground contact surface e.g. on the planar ground contact surface. The ground contact surfaces may each be each provided by a respective sock mounted on or an insert mounted in the free ends / feet of the struts. The socks / inserts may be formed of a resilient material e.g. a rubber material to provide non-slip gripping thus further increasing stability when the struts of the main frame are vertical for loading of a user. When the struts are vertical, the ground contact surfaces are preferably horizontally arranged.

[0045] The free ends / feet of the struts providing the ground contact surfaces are proximal the front axle. The free ends / feet are preferably arranged outwardly of the front wheel(s) i.e. the front wheel(s) is / are preferably mounted on the front axle in between the two free ends / feet. This provided increased lateral stability upon loading of the chair.

[0046] There is preferably no connection between the lower ends / feet other than the front axle and in particular, no connection between the lower ends / feet that is lower than the front axle. The free ends / feet form the lowermost portion of the chair when the struts are vertical. There is preferably no other component of the frame assembly (other than the ground contact socks / inserts) in contact with the ground when the struts are in their vertical orientation.

[0047] In the use configuration when the struts are tilted backwards, the free ends / feet / socks / inserts are raised from the ground.

[0048] The front axle extends transversely relative to the struts of the main frame. It may be connected to the stuts (e.g. rearwardly of the struts) by opposing laterally spaced mounting plates (which may each project rearwardly from the respective strut). The front axle may act to maintain the lateral spacing between the lower ends of the struts. It may comprise a reinforcement element e.g. a rod which may be at least partly threaded. The reinforcement element e.g. rod may be housed within a tubular front axle. The laterally spaced mounting plates may receive threaded portions of the threaded reinforcement element. The threaded portions may be secured to the mounting plates using fasteners such as threaded bolts.

[0049] The front axle may carry two laterally spaced front wheels e.g. spaced so as each to be proximal (and preferably inwardly of) a respective one of the struts of the main frame. This improves lateral stability of the chair. When the main frame is tilted for loading of the user (e.g. with the main struts substantially vertically arranged), the wheel(s) mounted on the front axle will be lifted from the ground (and the ground contact surfaces of the main frame contact the ground).

[0050] The chair comprises two rail assemblies each having a forward end connected to the frame assembly i.e. connected to the main frame. The rail assemblies may be pivotally connected to the frame assembly i.e. pivotally connected to the main frame. They may be pivotally connected proximal the lower ends of the struts of the main frame e.g. about the front axle. Each rail assembly may comprise an extension (which may extend substantially perpendicularly to the rail assembly), the extension being pivotally mounted on the front axle.

[0051] The rail assemblies may be pivotable between the storage configuration in which they are generally upright e.g. at least partly lying against the struts of the main frame, to the use configuration in which they project upwardly and rearwardly from their connection to the frame assembly.

[0052] The frame assembly may further comprise a support frame pivotally connected to the main frame e.g. pivotally connected to the two laterally spaced struts. The pivotal connection of the support frame is interposed between the lower ends / portions of the struts i.e. the upper ends / portions of the struts of the main frame extend upwardly from the pivotal connection. The support frame may have a forward portion for supporting a seat member and a rearward portion for supporting the rail assemblies. The support frame may be pivotally connected to the main frame struts between its forward and rearward portions.

[0053] In preferred embodiments, the frame assembly comprises only the main frame, front axle and support frame thus providing a simplified, lightweight construction.

[0054] The forward portion of the support frame may form a loop portion, looping forwards (in the use configuration) between the pivotal connections to the main frame struts. A flexible seat member is preferably slung between the loop portion of the support frame and the main frame. The seat member may be integrally formed with or connected to the backrest member. When the loop portion is pivoted forwardly of the main frame during the use configuration (as discussed below), the seat member provides a surface onto which the user can be seated. The upper ends / portions of the struts of the main frame extend upwardly relative to the seat member in the use configuration. The rearward portion of the support frame may comprise two linear portions each extending rearwards from a respective one of the pivotal connections to the main frame struts. The forward loop portion and rearward linear portions together form a substantially U-shaped frame member.

[0055] The rearward linear portions may be angled proximal their rearmost ends e.g. angled away from the front axle.

[0056] The rearmost ends of the rearward linear portions of the support frame are each slidably received in the respective rail assembly. They are slidable from a lowermost position (in the storage configuration) to an uppermost rearward position (in the use configuration). In some examples the rearmost ends of the rearward linear portions may each be slidably received in a channel in the respective rail assembly. In each rail assembly, the channel may be defined on a forward surface of the rail assemblies. At least one and preferably both rail assemblies have a slot (e.g. on at least one lateral side surface of the rail assembly) for slidably receiving a fastener extending into the channel, the fastener being connected to the rearmost end of the respective rearward linear portion.

[0057] The frame assembly may comprise brackets pivotally mounted on the main frame struts, each bracket connected to the support member. The connection may, for example, be via fixedly connecting the bracket to the support frame or by forming each bracket to define a channel for receipt of the support frame.

[0058] The support member is pivotable from a storage configuration in which the rearward linear portions are substantially vertically aligned with the struts of the main frame and the forward loop portion is generally upright, to a use configuration which the rearward linear portions extend downwardly and rearwardly of the main frame and the loop portion extends forwardly of the main frame i.e. forwardly of the struts of the main frame. The loop portion and linear portions may be substantially perpendicularly to the main from struts in the use configuration.

[0059] Use of the chair will now be described. In the storage configuration, the struts of the main frame are generally upright (with the ground contact surfaces on the ground). The support frame is pivoted such that the forward loop portion and rearward linear portions move towards the main frame and lie generally upright on opposing sides of the pivotal connections (with the loop portion uppermost). The rail assemblies also lie generally upright and substantially parallel to the main frame struts with the rearmost ends of the linear portions of the support frame at their lowermost position within the rail assemblies. When a use of the evacuation chair is needed, the support frame and rail assemblies are pivoted relative to the main frame (e.g. by pulling downwards on the rail assemblies) so that the loop portion of the support frame is pivoted away from the main frame to project forwardly whilst the rearmost ends of the linear portions of the support frame and the rail assemblies project rearwardly. During this pivoting, the rearmost ends of the linear portions of the support frame slide away from their lowermost position within the rail assemblies to their uppermost position to support the rail assemblies an acute angle relative to the struts of the main frame.

[0060] The user is seated whilst the main frame is generally upright e.g. with the main frame struts substantially vertical with the ground contact surfaces providing stability and preventing rolling forward of the main frame.

[0061] After loading the user, the main frame is tilted backwards so that the ground contact surfaces leave the floor and the weight of the user is carried on the front wheel(s). This configuration can be used to wheel the user to the top of a staircase where the rail assemblies are then used to slide the user down the stair in the known manner.

[0062] At the base of the staircase (or indeed at the top of the staircase before descent), where the operator is required to move the chair over an extended distance, the operator may choose to deploy the kickstand. This causes the kickstand to un-nest from the space between the rail assemblies and project rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies. The rear wheel(s) will contact the floor providing increased stability over the extended distances.

[0063] Prior to the deployment of the kickstand, it will have been stowed at least partly between the rail assemblies and the clear space provided by the U-shaped form of the kickstand will have prevented operator from contacting the kickstand with their legs.

[0064] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0066] Fig. 1 shows a front and side perspective view of a first embodiment of an evacuation chair in the fully unfolded (use) configuration;

[0067] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment in a folded storage configuration; Fig 3 shows a side view of the first embodiment in a partially unfolded configuration;

[0068] Fig 4 shows a side view of the first embodiment in a 2-wheeled use configuration with the kickstand stowed;

[0069] Figure 5 shows a side view of the first embodiment with the kickstand partially deployed;

[0070] Figure 6 shows a side view of the first embodiment with the kickstand fully deployed;

[0071] Fig 7 shoes a side view of the first embodiment in a 4-wheeled use configuration; and

[0072] Fig. 8 shows a front and side perspective view of a second embodiment of an evacuation chair in the fully unfolded (use) configuration.

[0073] Figure 1 shows a front and side perspective of an evacuation chair 1 in a 4-wheeled use configuration for evacuating a seated user down a staircase. The seat member and backrest have been omitted to allow the frame assembly 2 to be more clearly seen.

[0074] The frame assembly 1 comprises a generally vertical / upright main frame 3, a support frame 4 and a front axle 5 supporting two front wheels 6. Two rail assemblies 7 are attached to the frame assembly 1, each rail assembly 7 extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end 7a of the rail assembly 7 to a rearward free end 7b thereof.

[0075] The main frame 3 is a unitary structure (e.g. formed of a single bent metal tubing) and has two laterally spaced struts 8 which are linear along their entire length from lower free ends 8a to an upper portion 9 where the struts 8 are angled forwardly and connected by a transverse top bar 10.

[0076] Although not shown, a flexible, textile / plastic material backrest is provided between the struts 8 and is looped over the top bar 10.

[0077] Each of the lower ends / feet 8a of the struts 8 terminates adjacent to the front axle 5. The two front wheels 6 are laterally spaced on the axle 5 such that they are each proximal a respective one of the lower ends / feet 8a of the struts 8. The two front wheels 6 are located between the lower ends 8a i.e. the lower ends 8a are outwardly located relative to the front wheels 6. As can be seen in the side views in Figures 2-7, the front axle 5 is affixed to the main frame 3 rearwardly of the struts by opposing laterally spaced mounting plates 12 (only one visible) which each project rearwardly from the respective strut 8. The front axle 5 maintains the spacing between the lower ends / feet 8a of the struts. It comprises a tubular sheath housing a threaded reinforcement bolt, the opposing lateral ends of the reinforcing bolt secured to the mounting plates 12 using threaded bolts.

[0078] The two rail assemblies 7 each have a forward end 7a comprising an extension 7c extending substantially perpendicularly to the rail assembly 7. The extension 7c is pivotally connected to the frame assembly at the front axle 5.

[0079] The support frame 4 is substantially U-shaped and is pivotally connected to the two laterally spaced struts 8 by brackets 13 pivotally mounted on the main frame struts 8. Each bracket 13 defines a channel in which the support frame 4 is received.

[0080] The support frame 4 has a forward portion 4a for supporting a flexible, textile / plastic material seat member (not shown) and a rearward portion 4b for supporting the rail assemblies 7. The connections to the pivoting brackets 13 are provided between the forward and rearward portions 4a, 4b.

[0081] The forward portion 4a of the support frame 4 forms a loop portion, looping forwards between the pivotal bracket connections to the main frame struts 8.

[0082] The rearward portion 4b of the support frame 4 comprises two linear portions each extending rearwards from the respective bracket 13. They are angled away from the front axle proximal their rearmost ends. The rearmost ends of the linear rearward portions 4b of are each slidably received in a channel 14 defined in the forward surface of the respective rail assembly 7. They are slidable from a lowermost position 16a in the storage configuration (see Figure 2) to an uppermost rearward position 16b in the use configuration. The rail assemblies 7 each have opposing slots 16 slot for slidably receiving a respective fastener 17 extending into the channel 14, the fasteners 17 being connected to the rearmost end of the respective rearward linear portion 4b of the support frame 4.

[0083] The evacuation chair further comprises a U-shaped kickstand 18 having two laterally spaced arms 19, each arm 19 having a forward end 19a connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies 7. The kickstand further comprises a rearward connecting bar 20 extending laterally between rearward ends 19b of the kickstand arms 19. The connecting bar 20 has a planar upper surface and planar lower surface. Two rear wheels 21 in the form of casters are mounted on the lower surface of the connecting bar 20. There is a clear space 25 extending between the kickstand arms 19 from the forward ends 19a to the rearward connecting bar 20. The clear space 25 is free of any component extending laterally between the kickstand arms 19 other than the connecting bar 20.

[0084] The kickstand arms 19 are preferably angled towards the front axle at their lower portions (proximal the connecting bar 20). They are additionally angled inwards towards each other at their lower portions such that the connecting bar 20 is shorter than the lateral spacing between the forward ends 19a of the kickstand arms 19.

[0085] The kickstand arms 19 are formed as strips (having opposing planar surfaces having a length and width which are both greater than the depth between the opposing surfaces). This may facilitate connection of the kickstand arms 19 to the rail assemblies 7 using fasteners 7c extending in the depth direction of the kickstand arms 19.

[0086] The kickstand 18 is pivotally mounted to the rail assemblies. Each of the forward ends 19a of the kickstand arms 19 is pivotally connected to a respective inner surface of the rail assemblies 7 (the inner surfaces facing one another).

[0087] Two gas spring actuation members 26 are provided each extending between an inner surface of a respective one of the rail assemblies 7 and kickstand arms 19.

[0088] The evacuation chair is foldable into a storage configuration as shown in Figure 2. In the storage configuration, the struts 8 of the main frame 3 are generally upright (with the lower free ends 8a on the ground).

[0089] The lower free ends / feet 8a are provided with a gripping sock 22 formed of rubber and providing a planar ground contact surface 22a for contacting the ground when the laterally spaced structs are substantially vertical (e.g. in the Figure 2 storage configuration).

[0090] In the storage configuration, the support frame 4 is pivoted such that the forward loop portion 4a and rearward linear portions 4b move towards the main frame 3 and lie generally upright on opposing sides of the pivotal connections (with the loop portion 4a uppermost). The rail assemblies 7 also lie generally upright and substantially parallel to the main frame struts 8 with the rearmost ends of the linear portions 4b of the support frame 4 at their lowermost position 16a within the rail assemblies 7.

[0091] When a use of the evacuation chair is needed, the support frame 4 and rail assemblies 7 are pivoted relative to the main frame 3 (e.g. by pulling downwards on the rail assemblies 7) (Figures 3 and 4). The loop portion 4a of the support frame 4 is pivoted away from the main frame 3 to project forwardly whilst the rearmost ends of the linear portions 4b of the support frame 3 and the rail assemblies 7 project rearwardly. During this pivoting, the rearmost ends of the linear portions 4b of the support frame 4 slide away from their lowermost position 16a within the rail assemblies 7 to their uppermost position 16b to support the rail assemblies 7 an acute angle relative to the struts 8 of the main frame 3.

[0092] The user is seated whilst the main frame 3 is generally upright with the support frame 4 oriented substantially perpendicularly to the main frame struts 8 as shown in Figure 3. In this loading configuration, the ground contact surfaces 22a provided on the gripping socks 22 on the free ends / feet 8a of the struts 8 provide stability and prevent rolling forward of the main frame 3.

[0093] After loading the user, the main frame 3 is tilted backwards so that the ground contact surfaces 22a leave the floor and the weight of the user is carried on the two front wheels 6. This 2-wheeled configuration (as shown in Figure 4) can be used to wheel the seated user to the top of a staircase where the rail assemblies 7 are then used to slide the user down the stair in the known manner.

[0094] During storage, loading of the chair, movement of the chair in the 2-wheeled configuration and descent of the staircase, the kickstand arms 19 are stowed between the rail assemblies 7 as shown in Figures 2-4. The forward angling of the kickstand arms 19 means that the connecting bar 20 and rear wheels 21 are located further forwards than the rail assemblies 7 in the storage configuration.

[0095] The clear space 25 and forward location of the connecting bar 20 and rear wheels 21 provides an unimpeded legroom region and enables the operator loading the user and pushing the chair in the two wheeled configuration to walk closely behind the frame assembly 2 of the evacuation chair 1 when the kickstand 18 is in the stowed position.

[0096] At the base of the staircase where the operator is required to move the chair over an extended distance, the operator may choose to deploy the kickstand 18 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 from its stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies 7 to a deployed position with the arms 19 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies 6. The kickstand may be deployed by the operator placing their foot on the upper surface of the connecting bar 20 and pulling the connecting bar 20 rearwardly with their foot. The gas spring actuation members 26 assist in the deployment of the kickstand 18. The springs are be biased to an expanded configuration in both the fully stowed (Figure 4) and fully deployed (figure 6) configurations of the kickstand i.e. the springs move through its maximum compressed configuration (against the bias) during movement of the kickstand between the stowed and deployed configurations. In this way the springs hold the kickstand in both the stowed and deployed configurations without the need for any catch or lock.

[0097] When deployed (see Figure 7), the rear wheels 21 are rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms 19 and, after backwards tilting of the struts 8 of the main frame 3, the rear wheels 21 can contact the ground and provide increased stability over extended distances.

[0098] Figure 8 shows a second embodiment which is the same is all regards as the first embodiment except that the struts 8 of the main frame 2 are telescopic (and the brackets 13 do not provide channels) . Each strut 8 comprises a lower portion 30 and upper portion 40 that are slidably arranged. The upper strut portions 40 are connected to each other via the transverse top bar 11 and are integrally formed with the top bar 11 . The lower strut portions 30 each comprise a receiving bore 31 for receiving the respective lower end of the upper strut portions 40.

[0099] It further comprises a main brace 32 extending transversely between the struts 8 proximal the receiving bores in the lower strut portions. The main brace has a forward concave surface and a rearward convex surface.

[0100] It will be appreciated that various modification may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1. An evacuation chair for evacuating a seated user down a staircase, the evacuation chair being for operation by an operator, the evacuation chair having: a frame assembly having a main frame having two laterally spaced struts and a front axle carrying at least one front wheel; two rail assemblies attached to the frame assembly, each rail assembly extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end of the rail assembly to a rearward free end thereof; wherein each of the laterally spaced struts of the main frame comprises a lower free end terminating proximal the front axle, and wherein each of the lower free ends of the laterally spaced struts comprises a ground contact surface for contacting the ground when the laterally spaced structs are substantially vertical.

2. An evacuation chair according to claim 1 wherein the struts are linear from their lower free ends comprising the ground contact surfaces, to an upper portion having a transverse crossbar.

3. An evacuation chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the main frame is of a unitary construction.

4. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the struts each comprises a lower and upper portion that are telescopically arranged.

5. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ground surfaces on the lower free ends of the laterally spaced struts are substantially planar.

6. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a respective resilient sock or insert is mounted on or in the free ends of the struts.

7. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one front wheel is located between the free ends of the struts.

8. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising: a kickstand having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a forward end connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies, the kickstand further comprising a rearward connecting bar extending laterally between rearward ends of the kickstand arms, at least one rear wheel being mounted on the connecting bar of the kickstand,the kickstand being pivotable from a stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies to a deployed position with the arms extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies such that the at least one rear wheel is rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms; wherein there is provided a clear space extending throughout a legroom region between the kickstand arms from the forward ends thereof to the rearward connecting bar to accommodate the movement of the legs of the operator between the rail assemblies when the kickstand is in the stowed configuration.

9. An evacuation chair for evacuating a seated user down a staircase, the evacuation chair being for operation by an operator, the evacuation chair having: a frame assembly having a front axle carrying at least one front wheel; two rail assemblies attached to the frame assembly, each rail assembly extending rearwardly and upwardly from an attached forward end of the rail assembly to a rearward free end thereof; a kickstand having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a forward end connected to a respective one of the rail assemblies, the kickstand further comprising a rearward connecting bar extending laterally between rearward ends of the kickstand arms, at least one rear wheel being mounted on the connecting bar of the kickstand, the kickstand being pivotable from a stowed position stowed between the rail assemblies to a deployed position with the arms extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rail assemblies such that the at least one rear wheel is rearwardly spaced from the forward ends of the kickstand arms; wherein there is provided a clear space extending throughout a legroom region between the kickstand arms from the forward ends thereof to the rearward connecting bar to accommodate the movement of the legs of the operator between the rail assemblies when the kickstand is in the stowed configuration.

10. An evacuation chair according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the kickstand is a substantially U-shaped kickstand without any laterally extending element between the arms above the connecting bar.

11. An evacuation chair according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the kickstand arms each have a lower portion angled towards the front axle and / or angle towards one another.

12. An evacuation chair according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the connecting bar has a substantially planar upper surface.

13. An evacuation chair according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the kickstand arms are formed of two strips with their major surfaces facing the clear space.

14. An evacuation chair according to any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the evacuation chair further comprises at least one actuation member extending between one of the rail assemblies and the kickstand.

15. An evacuation chair according to claim 14 comprising two actuation members, each connected between a respective rail assembly and the kickstand.

16. An evacuation chair according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising comprise a support frame pivotally connected to the main frame, the support frame having a forward portion for supporting a seat member and a rearward portion for supporting the rail assemblies.

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