GB2485341A

GB2485341A - Measuring tool for surveying a proposed stairlift installation

Info

Publication number: GB2485341A
Application number: GB201018584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond John Drayton
Original assignee: Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
Current assignee: Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2010-11-04
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-04
Also published as: GB2485341B; GB201018584D0

Abstract

A measuring tool includes a vertically adjustable, substantially horizontal surface (8 fig. 1) and a plurality of gauges 14 alternatively selectable to position the horizontal surface (8 fig. 1) at predefined spacings from a vertical plane. The horizontal surface (8 fig. 1) may be a seating surface and the vertical plane may be a wall. A selection of seat squabs 9, 10 may be mountable on the horizontal surface (8 fig. 1). The horizontal surface (8 fig. 1) may be locked by locking means in defined vertical positions 23 which may correspond to available seat to footrest heights of a stairlift to be installed. The measuring tool may be used for taking accurate measurements of an intended user of the stairlift whilst in substantially the same posture as would apply when using the stairlift, the measurements including knee to heel (Y fig. 3) and knee to the vertical plane (X fig 3). Such measurements can be used to avoid clashes between a stairlift user and walls defining a staircase.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO STAIRLIFTS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to stairlifis and, in particular, to a measurement tool for use when undertaking a survey for a stairlift installation.

Background to the Invention

Before a stairlift can be installed a survey must be undertaken of the site of the proposed installation. This involves carefully measuring the staircase to which the stairlift is to be fitted. It is also important to take measurements of the intended user of the stairlift, not only to ensure that the user will be comfortable and safe when using the stairlift but also to ensure that the particular design of stairlift to be installed can meet the requirements or limitations of both the site and the user.

Insofar as the intended user is concerned, two dimensions need to be considered, namely the knee-to-heal measurement and the knee-to-spine measurement, both when the user is seated. The first of these dimensions dictates the seat-to-foot rest height of the stairlift. The further dimension determines whether the stairlift or the user will clash with the walls defining the staircase at any time during movement of the stairlift up and down the staircase. When recording the latter dimension, consideration must be given to the available space between the back of the stairlift chair, and the adjacent wall.

In the past, persons undertaking the survey have made use of a readily available chair and, if necessary, placed cushions on the chair to bring the user into the nearest approximation of the posture deemed most suitable and most comfortable for using the stairlift. Measurements can then be taken using a readily available tape measure. This practice has a number of drawbacks.

Firstly, if a suitable chair and cushioning is not available it may be difficult to position the intended user in a manner which will allow accurate measurements to be taken. Further, even if the user can be supported in an appropriate posture, there may still be difficulties taking accurate measurements given the rather ad hoc components used to support the user when the measurements are taken.

It is an object of this invention to provide a measuring tool which will go at least some way in addressing the aforementioned drawbacks; or which will at least provide a novel and useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly the invention provides a measuring tool for use in assessing a site for a stairlifi installation, said tool including a substantially horizontal surface, said horizontal surface being vertically adjustable, said measuring tool further including a plurality of gauges which are alternatively selectable to position said horizontal surface at predefined spacings from a vertical plane.

Preferably locking means are provided to lock said horizontal surface in defined vertical positions.

Preferably said the range of vertical positions correspond to the available seat-to-footrest heights of the stairlift to be installed Preferably said measuring tool includes a selection of seating squabs mountable on said horizontal surface.

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.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One embodiment of measuring tool according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows and isometric view of a measuring tool according to the invention in a first, folded, configuration; Figure 2: shows a similar view to Figure 1 but with the measuring tool in a vertically expanded configuration; and Figure 3: shows a side elevational view of the measuring tool shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Description of working embodiment

The invention provides a measuring tool for use in assessing a site for a new stairlift installation and, in particular, for recording information on an intended user of a stairlift. The tool as described herein is used to take measurements of an intended user of the stairlift when in a posture that would be adopted when using the stairlift and thus ensure that, when installed, the user is both seated comfortably and will not clash with the staircase as the stairlift moves up and down the staircase.

Referring to the drawings, an embodimentS of measuring tool comprises two principal sections, namely a base 6 and a seat pan section 7 which is vertically adjustable on the base 6. The upper side 8 of the pan section 7 comprises a horizontal surface on which the intended stairlift user can be seated, either directly or on a seating squab mounted on the surface 8. In the form shown a selection of two seating squabs 9 and 10 are provided. The measuring tool further includes a selection of spacing gauges 11, 12, 13 & 14 which serve to position the tool, and in particular the horizontal surface 8, at defined distances from a vertical datum such as a wall 15 (Figure 3).

The base 5 comprises a bottom plate 16 having a pair of side plates 17 projecting vertically upwards from opposite side edges of the plate 16+ The side plates 17 may be braced by bracing member 18 extending vertically across the rear edge of the base. Pairs of clamping screws 20 are screw-fitted into the side plates 17 and serve to lock the parts 6 and 7 together yet, upon loosening, allow the pan section 7 to be vertically adjusted with respect to the base 6.

The seat pan section 6 comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped structure having side plates 22 extending downwardly from the horizontal surface 8. As can be seen from Figure 2, the side plates 22 have formed therein a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal locking slots 23 projecting from common vertical slots 24. The horizontal locking slots 23 are positioned apart at spacings which correspond to different seat-to-footrest heights of the stairlift intended to be installed and may included engravings or markings (not shown) to indicate the height of each individual slot. The slots are sized to receive the shanks of the clamping screws 20 and the forward columns 25 of slots 23 may include downwardly aligned spigots 25 to lock the slot, in a horizontal direction, with respect to a clamping screw engaged therewith.

The spacing gauges 11, 12, 13 & 14 comprise broad, shallow, U-shaped brackets which are pivotally mounted onto the rear of side plates 22. In this embodiment the depths of the brackets are, respectively, 40, 50, 70 and 75 mm and, as indicated in Figure 3, are used to establish dimension A which represents the chair-to-wall spacing of the intended installation. It will be appreciated that different chairs, or different combinations of chair and carriage, give rise to different chair-to-wall spacings.

The brackets are nested together and can be selectively pivoted into a horizontal operating position shown in Figure 3. Each bracket may be maintained in the operating position by gravity or, alternatively some form of catch may be provided to retain the selected bracket in a horizontal position.

A pair of carry handles 26 are provided on the side plates 22 to enable the tool to be carried, and the height thereof to be readily adjusted.

During carriage of the tool 5 the seating squabs 9 and 10 may be stored in the base as shown in Figure 1. Just prior to use, one of the squabs is engaged with the horizontal surface 8, each of the squabs having T-headed locking pins 28 (shown on inverted squab 10 in Figure 2) on the underside thereof which are configured and positioned to lock into the slots 27 in the surface 8. As can be seen the squabs 9 and 10 are of identical width and thickness but are of different depths so that the intended user can indicate which provides greatest comfort.

In use, the tool is adjusted so that height is both comfortable to the intending user and also draws the user's knees back sufficiently to avoid clashing with the opposing wall. With a user not in position, this is effected by loosening the clamping screws 20 and displacing the pan section 7 horizontally until the shanks of the clamping screws 20 are aligned with the vertical slots 24. The pan section 7 can then be moved up or down until the desired height is reached whereupon the pan is then displaced horizontally so that the clamping pins are engaged in a set of horizontal slots 23. The clamping pins are then tightened and the user can be seated.

Essentially this determines dimensions x and y in Figure 3. With the dimension A also being established, a ready and accurate indication of a likely clash can be established.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a simple yet effective measuring tool to accurately record measurements from an intending stairlift user and thus allow an assessment, in advance of actual installation, of any problems which might arise during use of the proposed installation.

Claims

Claims 1. A measuring tool for use in assessing a site for a stairlift installation, said tool including a substantially horizontal surface, said horizontal surface being vertically adjustable, said measuring tool further including a plurality of gauges which are alternatively selectable to position said horizontal surface at predefined spacings from a vertical plane.
2. A measuring tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein locking means are provided to lock said horizontal surface in defined vertical positions.
3. A measuring tool as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said the range of vertical positions correspond to the available seat-to-footrest heights of the stairlift to be installed
4. A measuring tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a selection of seating squabs mountable on said horizontal surface.