The conventional layout for a typical domestic stair lift is to have the seat at right angles to the rail so the user travels " sidesaddle". Seats can be tailored to suit individual needs. For users with shorter legs a short seat can be fitted, to make the lift more comfortable to sit on. Some special models have a stand-on platform also known as a "perch" seat. Most domestic carriages have a seat with arms and a footrest. In most designs the carriage is pulled by a cable or chain, or driven along the inclined rail by a rack and pinion system or other drive arrangement. The carriage is the component which moves along the rail and normally runs on small diameter rollers. Rails for wheelchair platform stair lifts may be secured to walls in addition to the step fixings. The sections of curved rails are usually packaged well to prevent damage in transit and are unwrapped and assembled on site. Individual designs vary a lot and probably the key criterion is to make the curves with the smallest radius possible so they will wrap tightly around objects such as newel posts. If a rail crosses a doorway at the bottom of the stairs or causes an obstruction a hinge can be fitted so the end of the rail can be folded back out of the way when not in use.Ĭurved rails are made from materials such as steel or aluminum and come in various cross-sectional shapes according to the designer. In most applications they are attached to the steps with metal brackets (sometimes called “cleats”). These rails may, typically, weigh over 30 kg, depending on the length. Straight rails for use on domestic staircases are usually made from extruded aluminum or steel and come in various cross-sectional shapes. Modern stair lifts can be found with a wide variety of features such as adjustable seat height, battery isolation switches, call stations, 'flip-up' rail, key switch, folding step, speed governor, seat belt, soft start and soft stop.
The 30 stone king, injured through jousting, used a chair that was hauled up and down stairs on a block and tackle system by servants at the ancient Whitehall Palace in London.
However, TV historian Doctor David Starkey has in 2009, found evidence in a list of the possessions of King Henry VIII that attributes the first stairlift invented to the monarch. Prior to this Frederick Muffett of Royal Tunbridge Wells, invented and patented the "An Invalid Chair with Tramway for use on Staircases". A self-taught engineer, he built the first prototype of the inclining chair. Crispen's idea was to design a seat that could climb stairs. Crispen, a Pennsylvania entrepreneur, created a way to enable his ailing friend to travel from floor to floor.
This type of chair lift should not be confused with the chairlift used by skiers. Stairlifts are known variously as stair lifts, stair-lifts, chair lifts, stair gliders and by other names. A person gets onto the chair or platform and is lifted up or down the stairs by the chair which moves along the rail. A chair or lifting platform is attached to the rail. For sufficiently wide stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs. A stair lift is a mechanical device for lifting people, typically those with disabilities, up and down stairs.