A self-propelled goods stair climber includes: first and second motorized tracks and an elongated configuration parallel to a straight forward travel direction; a loading surface implemented to tilt with respect to the tracks around a first transverse axis perpendicular to the tracks; an actuated stabilization member movable between an extracted position so that the weight of the stair climber is carried at least in part by the stabilization member and a retracted position in which the stabilization member is not loaded; a proximity or support sensor carried by the stabilization member to send a signal of approach or contact with a floor; an electronic control unit programmed to activate the first and second tracks on the basis of said signal when the stabilization member is extracted; and check an inclination of the loading surface to be maintained in a predefined angular range with respect to a horizontal direction.

A hand truck having a frame with first and second ends and a handle adjacent the first end and a platform extending from the second end. Wheels adjacent the second end support the frame and platform for rolling movement. A lever member with first end pivotally connected to the frame at the first end and second free end. A position stabilizing member is pivotally connected to each side of the frame proximate the second end with each shoe assembly being pivotal to a support position extending below a respective wheel. The free end of the lever member is positioned against a surface and the frame pivoted thereabout with the shoe portion of each shoe assembly moving to the support position. An automatic braking system prevents unwanted downward movement. A repositioned lever member and multiple commonly hinged lever members allow for full stair lifting and elimination of the position stabilizing member.

Disclosed a dual-function electric stair-climbing vehicle. A bicycle-like saddle is mounted at an upper part of a frame of the vehicle; and a worm gear reducer is mounted at a middle part of the vehicle for driving two rotating legs to climb up or downstairs. The vehicle is mainly used for fire rescue in high-rise buildings, equipment maintenance of high-rise buildings when no elevator is available, and fast transportation of equipment, materials and firefighters or maintenance men upstairs. When the width of a corridor is greater than 1.1 m, the vehicle can be rode upstairs directly with people and goods; when the width is less than 1.1 m and greater than 0.9 m, people need to get off and make a turn; and when the width is less than 0.9 m, the vehicle is not available. The dimension of the frame is about 1200×550×380 mm.

A hand truck having a frame with first and second ends and a handle adjacent the first end and a platform extending from the second end. Wheels adjacent the second end support the frame and platform for rolling movement. A lever member with first end pivotally connected to the frame at the first end and second free end. A position stabilizing member is pivotally connected to each side of the frame proximate the second end with each shoe assembly being pivotal to a support position extending below a respective wheel. The free end of the lever member is positioned against a surface and the frame pivoted thereabout with the shoe portion of each shoe assembly moving to the support position. An automatic braking system prevents unwanted downward movement. A repositioned lever member and multiple commonly hinged lever members allow for full stair lifting and elimination of the position stabilizing member.

To provide a stage-corresponding caster device being entirely compact, able to smoothly and stably work, and able to easily get over a stage end face, a holder main body 1 attached to an attached member B and having a pair of left and right side wall portions 10, a main wheel supporting member 2 in which the main wheel 7 is pivoted to a lower portion 2b and an upper portion 2a is pivoted to the holder main body 1, a sub wheel supporting member 3 in which the sub wheel 8 is pivoted to a front portion 3c and a rear portion 3d is pivoted to the main wheel supporting member 2 coaxially with the main wheel 7, and a slide roller 30 attached to the sub wheel supporting member 3 on a forward position to the main wheel 7, are provided; and the holder main body 1 has a guiding groove 13 inclined backward and downward in side view on the side wall portion 10 to guide the slide roller 30, the front portion 3c of the sub wheel supporting member 3 is oscillated downward by contact of the main wheel 7 with the stage end face Ja, the sub wheel 8 is pressed to the stage upper face Jb, and the main wheel 7 climbs over the stage end face Ja.

An assistive robot includes a manipulator, a base coupled to the manipulator, the base defining a front end and a rear end positioned opposite the front end, the base including a chassis body, a front conveyor assembly positioned at the front end of the base, the front conveyor assembly including a front conveyor defining a conveyor pathway that extends at least partially within the chassis body and a front toe extending outward from the front conveyor, and a rear conveyor assembly positioned at the rear end of the base, the rear conveyor assembly including a rear conveyor defining a conveyor pathway that extends at least partially within the chassis body and a rear toe extending outward from the rear conveyor.

To provide a stage-corresponding caster device being entirely compact, able to smoothly and stably work, and able to easily get over a stage end face, a holder main body 1 attached to an attached member B and having a pair of left and right side wall portions 10, a main wheel supporting member 2 in which the main wheel 7 is pivoted to a lower portion 2b and an upper portion 2a is pivoted to the holder main body 1, a sub wheel supporting member 3 in which the sub wheel 8 is pivoted to a front portion 3c and a rear portion 3d is pivoted to the main wheel supporting member 2 coaxially with the main wheel 7, and a slide roller 30 attached to the sub wheel supporting member 3 on a forward position to the main wheel 7, are provided; and the holder main body 1 has a guiding groove 13 inclined backward and downward in side view on the side wall portion 10 to guide the slide roller 30, the front portion 3c of the sub wheel supporting member 3 is oscillated downward by contact of the main wheel 7 with the stage end face Ja, the sub wheel 8 is pressed to the stage upper face Jb, and the main wheel 7 climbs over the stage end face Ja.

Disclosed a dual-function electric stair-climbing vehicle. A bicycle-like saddle is mounted at an upper part of a frame of the vehicle; and a worm gear reducer is mounted at a middle part of the vehicle for driving two rotating legs to climb up or downstairs. The vehicle is mainly used for fire rescue in high-rise buildings, equipment maintenance of high-rise buildings when no elevator is available, and fast transportation of equipment, materials and firefighters or maintenance men upstairs. When the width of a corridor is greater than 1.1 m, the vehicle can be rode upstairs directly with people and goods; when the width is less than 1.1 m and greater than 0.9 m, people need to get off and make a turn; and when the width is less than 0.9 m, the vehicle is not available. The dimension of the frame is about 1200550380 mm.

A method of operating a payload-carrying vehicle having two laterally disposed wheels positioned along a central axis is described. The method includes measuring a force applied by a user to the hand truck, where the measured force comprising a direction and a magnitude, and providing torque to each wheel to cause each wheel to rotate in a respective direction as a function of the measured magnitude and direction. The amount of torque provided to each wheel in response to the force from the user is such that the magnitude of measured force applied by the user is not greater than a predetermined threshold value.

An assistive robot includes a manipulator, a base coupled to the manipulator, the base defining a front end and a rear end positioned opposite the front end, the base including a chassis body, a front conveyor assembly positioned at the front end of the base, the front conveyor assembly including a front conveyor defining a conveyor pathway that extends at least partially within the chassis body and a front toe extending outward from the front conveyor, and a rear conveyor assembly positioned at the rear end of the base, the rear conveyor assembly including a rear conveyor defining a conveyor pathway that extends at least partially within the chassis body and a rear toe extending outward from the rear conveyor.