Step extending apparatus

• US 20030111100A1
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Step Extender, LLC
• Original Assignee: Step Extender, LLC
• Inventors: Jones, Richard Martin, Bell, Frank Brabson
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/00 Apparatus for passive exercising A61H5/00 takes precedence; Vibrating apparatus driving means for vibrating A61H23/00; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/001 on steps or stairways

Abstract

A step-extending device is adapted for use in association with a walker to ascend or descend a stairway. The step-extending device may employ a first base and a second base, each of which is adapted to receive legs of a walker upon respective upper surfaces. The device may be used in connection with a frame that connects the first and second bases to each other. A cross member connects first and second bases. A frame includes one or more upright members with handles adapted for grasping and moving the step-extending device from one stair to another stair during use. The height of each of the first and second support bases is adjusted to approximate the height of stairs upon a stairway, so that stairs of essentially any height may be accommodated.

Claims

1. A step-extending device configured for assisting persons to walk upon steps of a stairway using a four-legged walker, comprising:

(a) a first base and a second base, each of said first and second bases defining a flat planar underside configured to rest upon a step, each of said first and second bases further defining a flat planar upper surface disposed above each respective underside, each of said bases defining a height extending vertically between said flat planar underside and said flat planar upper surface;

(b) a cross member, said cross member comprising a first end and a second end, said first end of said cross member being attached to said first base, said second end of said cross member being attached to said second base.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the height of each of said first and second bases is adjustable.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second bases comprises a plurality of units, said units of each said base being stacked upon each other.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least two of said units of at least one of said bases are adapted for forming an interlocking connection to each other.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said interlocking connection is defined by a hole formed in a first unit and selectively engageable to a key member carried by a second unit.

6. The device of claim 1:

(a) wherein said device is selectively operable between a first mode and a second mode;

(b) wherein in said first mode each of said first and second bases includes a first predetermined number of units stacked upon each other to define a first height; and

(c) wherein in said second mode each of said first and second bases includes a second predetermined number of units stacked upon each other to define a second height different from said first height.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

a first hinge pivotally connecting at least two of said units of said first base;

a second hinge pivotally connecting at least two of said units of said second base;

a flip bar having a first end connected to one of said hinged units of said first base, said flip bar having a second end disposed opposite said first end and connected to one of said hinged units of said second base, wherein pivoting movement of said flip bar reconfigures the device between said first and second modes.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a lever having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said second end being pivotally connected to said flip bar, wherein said lever is configured and disposed so that activation of said lever effects said pivoting movement of said flip bar.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising:

a first upright member extending vertically from at least one of said cross member and one of said bases, said first upright member including a first end connected to at least one of said cross member and one of said bases and having a second end positioned above said first end;

a second upright member extending vertically from at least one of said cross member and one of said bases, said second upright member having a first end connected to at least one of said cross member and one of said bases and having a second end positioned above said first end;

a horizontal bar connecting said first upright member and said second upright member; and

wherein said lever is pivotally mounted upon said horizontal bar.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein pivoting of said lever relative to said horizontal bar effects said pivoting movement of said flip bar, thereby changing said step-extending device from said first mode to said second mode.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said lever defines a telescoping section, said telescoping section defining a distal end, said telescoping section being pivotally mounted upon said horizontal bar, said lever further defining a first rigid rod having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends of said first rigid rod being pivotally connected to said flip bar and the other of said opposite ends of said first rigid rod being pivotally connected to said distal end of said telescoping section.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said telescoping section includes a second rigid rod and a rigid hollow tube, said tube defining a proximal end, said distal end of said telescoping section being formed by a distal end of said tube and disposed opposite said proximal end of said tube, said tube further defining a plurality of adjustment holes defined transversely therethrough and spaced apart from each other along the length of said tube between said proximal and distal ends, said proximal end of said rigid tube being pivotally mounted upon said horizontal bar, said second rod defining at least one adjustment hole transversely through one end thereof and said one end of said second rigid rod being slidably disposed within said proximal end of said tube.

13. The device of claim 1, further wherein said first base includes a first retaining wall extending upwards adjacent said upper surface.

14. The step extending device of claim 1, wherein said cross member further comprises a length extending from said first end to said second end, further wherein said cross member includes an adjustment mechanism configured for selectively adjusting said length of said cross member.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a first upright member extending vertically from at least one of said cross member and one of said bases, said first upright member including a first end positioned adjacent said cross member and a second end positioned above said first end, said first upright member having a length extending from said first end to said second end.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said first upright member includes an adjustment mechanism configured for selectively predetermining the length of said first upright member.

17. The step-extending device of claim 15, further comprising a first handle grip carried by said second end of said first upright member.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising a second upright member extending vertically from at least one of said cross member and one of said bases, said second upright member having a first end connected to at least one of said cross member and one of said bases, said second upright member defining a second end positioned above the first end.

19. The step-extending device of claim 18, further comprising a horizontal bar connecting said first upright member and said second upright member.

20. The step extending device of claim 19, further comprising an extension projecting upwards from said horizontal bar, said extension being adapted to facilitate grasping of said step extending device.

21. The step extending device of claim 18, wherein said horizontal bar further comprises a length, wherein said horizontal bar includes an adjustment mechanism configured for selectively adjusting said length of said horizontal bar.

22. A step-extending device for use upon a stairway, the stairway having a first stair having a first height, the stairway further having a second stair positioned adjacent to and below said first stair, said first stair and said second stair each having a tread width, said step-extending device comprising:

(a) a first base and a second base, each of said first and second bases having a flat upper surface; and

(b) a frame having;

i) first and second uphill legs,

ii) first and second downhill legs,

iii) a lateral member, said lateral member comprising a first end and a second end, said lateral member being connected to said first downhill leg by said first end and connected to said second downhill leg by said second end,

iv) a first side member, said first side member having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally connected to said first uphill leg and said second end being pivotally connected to said first downhill leg;

v) a second side member, said second side member having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally connected to said second uphill leg and said second end being pivotally connected to said second downhill leg;

(c) wherein said first base is connected to said first uphill leg, and said second base is connected to said second uphill leg; and

(d) the step-extending device being configured such that placement of said uphill legs upon said first stair, and placement of said downhill legs upon said second stair positions respective upper surfaces of said first and second bases at a vertical height that is about the same as the height of said first stair.

23. The step-extending device of claim 22, further wherein said device comprises a first latching member, said first latching member having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said first uphill leg and said second end being connected to said first downhill leg, said step extending device further comprising a second latching member, said second latching member having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said second uphill leg and said second end being connected to said second downhill leg, each of said first latching member and said second latching member providing a respective first length extending from said first end to said second end, further wherein each of said first and second latching members includes a plurality of receiving holes spaced at predetermined intervals along at least a portion of said first length in the vicinity of at least one of said respective first end and said second end;

further wherein said first downhill leg includes a first peg extending from its surface, said first peg being adapted for selective engagement with said holes of said first latching member;

further wherein said second downhill leg includes a second peg extending from its surface, said second peg being adapted for selective engagement with said holes of said second latching member; and

whereby the positions of said respective upper surfaces of said first and second bases is adjustable according to which one of said holes in said respective first and second latching member is engaging said first and second peg in said respective first and second downhill legs.