A stair lift is a mechanical device to lift disabled people. The stairs need to be wide sufficiently. The lift is mounted on the treads of the stairs. A chair or a lifting platform is attached to it. The chair moves along the rail. A person needs to sit on it to be lifted up or down.
It was invented in 1920 by a Pennsylvanian entrepreneur to help an ailing friend. The idea was to design a seat that could help travel floor to floor. The first prototype was called the Inclinator. It was made of an inclining chair.
A modern stair lift has many features. The user can adjust seat height, battery isolation switches, call stations, speed, seat belt, soft start, and soft stop. Straight rails are made of aluminum and steel. These rails weigh over 30–60 kg. The carriage moves along the rail. There are many types of stair rail lifts.
Straight-rail stairlifts
These are the most common types of stair lifts. Straight-rail stair lifts can usually be installed within days.
Curved-rail stairlifts
These are specially designed for curvy stairs. It takes 5–10 weeks to manufacture a curved-rail stair lift.
Wheelchair vertical platform stairlifts
These are mostly used for transporting a wheelchair or scooter and the person.
Outdoor stairlifts
Outdoor stair lifts can be used for both straight and curved lifts.
Previously owned stairlifts
There is a second-user market for some types of stair lifts. This is most common with straight rail domestic types.
Goods stairlifts
These stair lifts are used for lifting goods from one place to another.
AC and DC power:
Early stair lifts mostly had AC drive motors, which ran at full mains voltage. An “energy chain” ran alongside or through the rail to carry the power cable from the supply point to the carriage. With most DC models, the batteries are accommodated within the carriage and travel with it.
Controls :
Stair lifts are largely operated using a control on the arm of the lift. Electronic controls are used extensively. Many stair lifts have radio frequency or infrared remote controllers. It is known that radiation from devices such as fluorescent lights can interfere with infrared stair lift controls. Also, heat and incandescent lights can, in some circumstances, have an adverse effect.
Safety:
Modern lifts have a high degree of comfort. “Safety edges” are a common feature of the power pack and footplate. “Safety edges” ensure that if there is any obstruction on the stairs, the stair lift will automatically stop and only travel away from the obstruction.