Stairs assistance device

Abstract

A stairs assistance device is provided for assisting persons attempting to ascend or descend a staircase. The device is configured to be mounted on an existing staircase handrail and includes, inter alia, a handgrip and a drive member for advancing the device upwardly or downwardly along the handrail.

1 . A stairs assistance device comprising: 
 a body defining a recess configured to slidably receive a handrail, the body supporting a grip portion and at least one drive member positioned to engage the handrail, and a motor operably connected to the drive member in relation to the handrail to effect movement of the body along the handrail.    
   
   
       2 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , further including at least one guide member, wherein the at least one guide member is supported on the body at a position to retain the body on a handrail.  
   
   
       3 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one guide member includes first and second guide members.  
   
   
       4 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the guide members includes a roller positioned to engage a handrail.  
   
   
       5 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive member includes a drive roller positioned to engage a handrail.  
   
   
       6 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a reversible motor.  
   
   
       7 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 6 , wherein the motor is battery powered and the battery is supported by the body.  
   
   
       8 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 7 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       9 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 6 , further including at least one switch on the body positioned adjacent the grip portion for selectively actuating the motor in one of a forward and reverse direction.  
   
   
       10 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one switch includes first and second switches.  
   
   
       11 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being pivotally secured to the rear portion.  
   
   
       12 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , further including an anti-rollback device, the anti-rollback device being positioned to engage a handrail to prevent the device from accidentally rolling down the handrail.  
   
   
       13 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 12 , wherein the anti-rollback device includes a latch member including a slip resistant portion positioned to engage the handrail.  
   
   
       14 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 13 , further including a biasing member for urging the slip resistant portion into contact with the handrail.  
   
   
       15 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 14 , further including a solenoid operably connected to the latch member, the solenoid being actuable to move the slip-resistant portion of the latch member out of contact with the handrail.  
   
   
       16 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 15 , wherein the latch member is pivotally secured a body of the anti-rollback device.  
   
   
       17 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein the external surface of the drive member is formed of compressible material such that, upon engagement with the handrail a surface contact area between the hand rail and the at least one drive member is increased.  
   
   
       18 . A stairs assistance device according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one drive member includes a compressible ball.