STAIRWAY STEP AID

• US 20160346157A1
• Filed: 05/31/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Debra L. Barto
• Original Assignee: Debra L. Barto
• Inventors: Barto, Debra L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,434,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/06 Transfer using ramps, lifts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/001 on steps or stairways
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0107 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/102 Knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/02 Stairways; Layouts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/035 Stairways consisting of a plurality of assembled modular parts without further support E04F11/032 takes precedence

Abstract

A step aid device has a series of support structures positioned on a flight of stairs to assist a user with a lower leg injury to climb the stairs. A first support structure may be disposed on a first plane. The first support structure has a first side, a second side oppositely disposed from the first side, and a perimeter disposed between the first side and the second side. A second support structure may be disposed on a second plane. The second support structure has a first side, a second side oppositely disposed from the first side, and a perimeter disposed between the first side and the second side. The second support structure the second plane may be offset from the first plane.

Claims

1. A step aid device, comprising:

a first support structure disposed on a first plane, the first support structure having a first side, a second side oppositely disposed from the first side, and a perimeter disposed between the first side and the second side;

a second support structure disposed on a second plane, the second support structure having a first side, a second side oppositely disposed from the first side, and a perimeter disposed between the first side and the second side, the second support structure the second plane being offset from the first plane.

2. The step aid device of claim 1, wherein the second support structure is interconnected to the first support structure.

3. The step aid device of claim 1, wherein the first support structure and the second support structure each have at least one outwardly extending flange adjacent to the second side configured to secure the first support structure and the second support structure to an associated underlying surface.

4. The step aid device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of each support structure has a rear portion and a front portion, the rear portion being substantially perpendicular to an associated nosing of a stair and the front portion being angled toward the rear portion.

5. The step aid device of claim 1, where the first support structure and the second support structure are nested and stackable.

6. The step aid device of claim 5, further comprising a pin to secure the first support structure and the second support structure together.

7. The step aid device of claim 1, further comprising a spacer operatively connected to the first side of the first support structure.

8. The step aid device of claim 1, wherein the first support structure further comprises a handle.

9. A method for climbing stairs, comprising the steps of:

positioning a knee on a first side of a first support structure, the first support structure having a height greater than a height of a respective stair;

bearing body weight on an opposing leg, the opposing leg in proximity to the first support structure;

positioning the knee on a first side of a second support structure;

bearing body weight on the opposing leg;

repeating the steps of positioning the knee on the support structure and bearing body weight on the opposing leg until stairs are climbed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of bearing body weight on an opposing leg, the opposing leg in proximity to the first support structure, the opposing leg is adjacent to the first support structure.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of bearing body weight on an opposing leg, the opposing leg in proximity to the first support structure, the opposing leg is either on a step in front of to the first support structure or on a step behind the support structure.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first support structure further comprises at least one spacer operatively connected to a first side of the first support structure in order to adjust a height of the first support structure to be about the same height as the user'"'"'s positioned knee.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of securely positioning the first support structure and the second support structure to the stairs.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of interconnecting the first support structure and the second support structure via a fastener.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fastener is a connector having a slot defined therein, the connector having a first end and a second end, the second support structure being angularly and elevationally adjustable relative to the first support structure.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first support structure has an outwardly extending flange configured to attach the first support structure to a respective stair.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the support structures has a rear portion, a front portion and a perimeter, the rear portion being substantially perpendicular to an associated nosing of a stair.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the support structures has a front portion angled toward a rear portion.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

stacking the first support structure and the second support structure; and

removing the first support structure and the second support structure from the stairs.

20. A step aid device for a flight of stairs, the flight of stairs comprising a first stair, a second stair, a third stair and a fourth stair, the step aid device comprising:

a plurality of support structures, each support structure comprising;

a first side,

a second side oppositely disposed from the first side, and

a perimeter disposed between the first side and the second side;

each of the support structures disposed on a different substantially horizontal plane;

each of the support structures having a selectively adjustable height, each of the support structures being interconnected to provide for angular and elevational adjustment relative to each other.