Support apparatus and method for assisted traversal of a structure

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for assisted walking on stairs or other sloped surfaces. The apparatus may also be used for assisted walking on slippery surfaces. The apparatus comprises a fixed support and a moveable support. The fixed support is fixed relative to the stairs or other walking surface, while the movable support is selectively moveable relative to the stairs and fixed support in a direction substantially parallel to an incline of the stairs. The movable support is selectively positionable relative to the fixed support in one of a plurality of closely spaced discrete locking positions in which the movable support can support a personal relative to the stairs.

1 . An apparatus for assisted traversal of stairs, the apparatus comprising:
 a fixed support, in use of the apparatus, fixed relative to said stairs;   a movable support, in use of the apparatus, selectively slidably movable relative to said stairs and said fixed support in a direction substantially parallel to an incline of said stairs;   wherein said movable support, in use of the apparatus, is selectively positionable relative to said fixed support in one of a plurality of closely spaced discrete locking positions in which the movable support can support a person relative to said stairs.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said fixed support is fixed to a wall adjacent to said stairs and wherein said fixed support is formed as a substantially elongate rail and has a central bore therethrough 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of said movable support is at least partly received in said fixed support and wherein a second portion of the movable support extends substantially perpendicularly relative to said fixed support. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said first portion is disposed at one end of the movable support and is fixed against movement other than a limited degree of rotation and along said direction and said second portion includes an oppositely disposed free end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, in use of the apparatus, the movable support is securable against movement relative to said fixed support by a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said fixed support includes an elongate slot having discrete locking positions at which said movable support is securable against movement relative to said fixed support. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate slot comprises a plurality of recesses for receiving an engaging part of the movable support, each recess corresponding to a respective discrete locking position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said movable elongate slot includes a plurality of notches for receiving at least a part of said movable support therein to secure said movable support against movement relative to said fixed support. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable support comprises at least one grip disposed away from the fixed support. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the movable support comprises an elongate bar and the at least one grip is disposed on or adjacent the bar. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein, in an extended position, the bar extends substantially laterally of the fixed support and, in a stowed position, at least part of the bar extends downwardly of the fixed support. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable support includes a slider slidably movable relative to the fixed support and wherein the movable support comprises a bar having a fixed end fixed at one end of the bar to the slider and an oppositely disposed free end. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the bar is pivotably movable relative to the fixed support. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for assisted traversal of an inclined structure, comprising:
 a fixed support fixed relative to the inclined structure; and   a movable support slidably movable relative to the fixed support along a longitudinal axis of the movable support, the movable support having a locking portion cooperating with the fixed support for releasably fixing the movable support against movement along the longitudinal axis and having a sliding portion and a support portion, the support portion extending away from the sliding portion for supporting a person during traversal of the inclined structure;   wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to an incline of the inclined structure and wherein the support portion has a first portion extending away from the sliding portion along a first lateral axis and a second portion extending away from the sliding portion along a second lateral axis offset from the first axis.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second lateral axes are substantially parallel and wherein the first and second portions are connected by an intermediate portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion comprises first and second coaxial subportions in rotating connection with each other, the first and second subportions having respective first and second engaging portions, wherein, when the first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other, the first and second subportions are fixed against relative rotation, and when the first and second engaging portions are disengaged from each other, the first and second subportions are rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one biasing element for biasing the first and second engaging portions toward an engaged position, in which the first and second engaging portions are engaged and wherein the first and second engaging portions have interengaging teeth for engaging each other in the engaged position. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising an actuator for causing the first and second engaging portions to be disengaged and wherein the actuator is connected to the second engaging portion and is operable to cause the second engaging portion to disengage from the first engaging portion. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises a radially extending portion connected to the second engaging portion so that, when the radially extending portion is pulled in a direction away from the sliding portion, the second engaging portion is pulled in a direction away from the first engaging portion, thereby disengaging the first and second engaging portions. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for assisted traversal of a structure, the apparatus comprising:
 a fixed support, in use of the apparatus, fixed relative to the structure;   a movable support, in use of the apparatus, selectively slidably movable relative to the structure and the fixed support in a direction substantially parallel to an incline of the structure, the movable support having a support arm extending away from the fixed support;   a brake for selectively causing frictional braking engagement of at least a first portion of the movable support with at least a second portion of the fixed support to retard movement of the movable support relative to the fixed support; and   an actuator disposed on the support arm and coupled to the brake for actuating the brake.