In a method for recycling energy from stairs, a step platform is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device, coupled to the platform, stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (also releases stored energy as the step platform moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (locks the step platform in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform to move into the lower position. A sensor determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform. A controller signals the controllable locking mechanism to unlock the step platform when the step platform is in the lower position, and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform.

A stair assistance device and a system for assisting individuals with traversing stairways is provided. Each stair assistance device includes a platform. The platform has a first end that is defined opposite of a second end. Each end has an interface. Each interface is designed to secure the end of the platform to one of a pair of lifts. The lifts are designed to vertically displace the platform from a raised position to a lowered position and vice versa. Multiple stair assistance devices may be used to assist an individual with traversing an entire stairway.

A system includes an input/output (I/O) interface, a processor coupled to the I/O interface, and a memory accessible to the processor. The I/O interface may be configured to receive data from one or more sensors and to provide control signals to one or more actuators. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive sensor signals from the one or more sensors and send actuator signals to the one or more actuators to control movement of a plurality of discrete stair lifts of a staircase based on the received sensor signals.

The present invention relates to an aid device for ascending and/or descending staircases for people with motor disabilities.

In a method for recycling energy from stairs, a step platform is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device, coupled to the platform, stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (also releases stored energy as the step platform moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (locks the step platform in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform to move into the lower position. A sensor determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform. A controller signals the controllable locking mechanism to unlock the step platform when the step platform is in the lower position, and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform.

The present teachings include techniques for lifting a user (e.g., a person having an injury or a physical disability) onto playground equipment. One such technique includes coupling a lifting device to playground equipment and positioning a user on a first platform of the lifting device. Sub-platforms of the lifting device may be disposed between the first platform and an elevated engagement area of the playground equipment, where the sub-platforms define stairs between the first platform and the engagement area. An actuator may move the first platform upward toward the engagement area along a z-axis, and, either via the actuator or movement of the first platform, each of the plurality of sub-platforms may also move along the z-axis to form a substantially planar pathway between the first platform and the playground equipment at the elevated height.

The invention relates to a system for assisted ascent or descent, comprising: —a staircase comprising at least one instrumented mobile step, equipped with at least one sensor for measuring the centre of pressure of a user and at least one lifting actuator designed to raise or lower the step according to a degree of vertical freedom; —a calculation unit connected to the sensor for measuring the centre of pressure and to the lifting actuator, the calculation unit being configured to calculate at least the position, the speed of movement and the acceleration of the user from the centre of pressure measured by the sensor and, depending on the values calculated, control the lifting actuator.

In a mechanism for recycling energy from stairs (200), a step platform (210) is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device (220), coupled to the platform (210), stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform (210) to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (220) also releases stored energy as the step platform (210) moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (240) locks the step platform (210) in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform (210) to move into the lower position. A sensor (250) determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250). A controller (300) signals the controllable locking mechanism (242) to unlock the step platform (250) when the step platform (250) is in the lower position and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250).

In some embodiments, a stairway system may include a staircase having a plurality of steps and including a plurality of actuators. Each step may be coupled to one or more actuators and may be configured to move vertically in coordination with one or more other steps to provide a virtual platform to carry a user from a first elevation to a second elevation as the user moves. A control system may cause the virtual platform to move continuously along the staircase by progressively adjusting a sequential set of steps to a common elevation, such that a user can walk forward across a level platform formed from two or more steps while the virtual platform changes elevation carrying the user.

In a mechanism for recycling energy from stairs (200), a step platform (210) is moveable between an upper and lower position. An energy storage device (220), coupled to the platform (210), stores energy when a downward force is applied thereto, causing the step platform (210) to move to the lower position. The energy storage device (220) also releases stored energy as the step platform (210) moves from to the upper position. A controllable locking mechanism (240) locks the step platform (210) in the lower position when the downward force has caused the step platform (210) to move into the lower position. A sensor (250) determines when a downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250). A controller (300) signals the controllable locking mechanism (242) to unlock the step platform (250) when the step platform (250) is in the lower position and when the downward force has been applied to the next higher step platform (250).