STAIR CLIMBING AID (RAMP) FOR SELF-MOVING VACUUM ROBOTS

Abstract

The present invention comprises a novel stair climbing device for self-moving robots that allows moving between dwelling levels using existing straight as well curved stairs. The straight ramp is attached to the stair's wall in a folded state and placed on the stair in the unfolded state. The curved ramp is stored in a folded state and is placed in the stair in unfolded state. When a vacuum robot comes close to the ramp, it can be unfolded automatically or manually and allows the robot to go up or downstairs to the next level of the dwelling. When the ramp is not in use, it can be folded into a stored state or/and be removed. The stairclimbing aide's dovetail ramp allows a robot to climb on the ramp due to its lower approach angle.

Claims

1. A stair-climbing devices design and constituent elements of the ramps, both, curved and straight.

2. The way the device is used in working and storing positions.

3. The idea is to provide a physical ramp for a vacuum robot to climb the stairs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which similar references may indicate similar elements and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1-FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one example of the working position of the present invention when a robot is on a lower level coming to the straight ramp.

[0013] FIG. 2 - FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one example of a storing position of the present invention when the straight ramp is folded, and the stairs are clear.

[0014] FIG. 3 - FIG. 3 shows a deconstructed view of all straight ramp parts.

[0015] FIG. 4 - FIG. 4 depicts a section view and detail views of significant straight ramp elements.

[0016] FIG. 5 - FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view working position curved ramp on a rounded stair.

[0017] FIG. 6 - FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view working position curved ramp on a straight stair.

[0018] FIG. 7 - FIG. 7 depicts a curved ramp with different radiuses

[0019] FIG. 8 - FIG. 8 depicts a section view and detail views of significant curved ramp elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The terminology used herein is to describe embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with the definition in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0022] In describing the invention, it will be understood that several techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefits, and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

[0023] The stair climbing aid (ramp) is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0024] The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

[0025] The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments. FIG. 1 depicts an example of a straight stair-climbing ramp (3, 4) in a working state. The vacuum robot (8) is intended to climb up from a lower level using stairs (6) to the higher level.

[0026] The dovetail ramp (1) is pushed forward to set up into a working position. The angle between the floor level and dovetail ramp (1) and between the dovetailed ramp (1) and ramp (4) allows the robot (8) to overcome the high slope of the stairs.

[0027] Referring now FIG. 2, which depicts the storing state of the straight ramp (1, 2, 3, 4) where the dovetail ramp (1) is pushed back, and the device is rotated along an axis (2) against the wall (7). Stair (6) remains clear, and the device does not hinder the traversing of the stairs.

[0028] Seen in FIG. 2 again are the reinforcing ribs on detail 3, which add rigidity to the straight ramp, and wall (5), which is covered with details 3 and 4.

[0029] FIG. 3 depicts the straight ramp's details in a deconstructed view. The wall (5) and the axis (2) are cut manually during the device installation to the length of the stair or ?-? inch of a step height or less depending on the slope of the stair. The ramp parts 3 and 4 overlap, so the length of the entire ramp is adjusted to the wall (5). Axis 2 is cut during the installation to the length of the ramp and the wall (5). The dovetail ramp (1) is inserted into the channels on the lower ramp (4).

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of the straight ramp in a working state where the ramp is attached to the wall (5) with screws and the ramp parts (3, 4) rotate along axis 2 to the wall or the stairs.

[0031] FIG. 4, detailed view A, shows how the wall (5) is connected with the straight ramp part (3). The gap between teeth is for the section of overlapping ramp parts 3 and 4 attached to the wall (5).

[0032] FIG. 4, detailed view B, shows how parts 3 and 4 are connected on the overlapping section. The surface of part 4 is pushed into a groove on the ramp (3) and adjusted on the other side after that.

[0033] FIG. 4, detailed view C, depicts the channels along which the dovetail slides back and forth to allow the ramp to be folded. The lower part of the channel is intended for the ramp's working state, which allows fixing the dovetail axis using a small bump (9) depicted in detail view E.

[0034] FIG. 5 depicts an example of a curved stair-climbing ramp (1, 2, 3) in a working state. The vacuum robot (4) is intended to climb up from a lower level using stairs (5) to the higher level.

[0035] On the FIG. 6 is the same example presented for the case of a straight stairs.

[0036] FIG. 7, depicts two main parts (1) which connects to each other and create a chain. The top (2) and the button (3) dovetails can be connected to every main details using holes and pins depicted on the picture.

[0037] FIG. 8, detailed view E, depicts the pin which holds two main parts together. Due to the central channel along the main detail (view C) the entire chain can be adjusted to every stair length as well be folded together for storing. Views A and B show how top and bottom dovetails are attached to the main details. View C with section D-D shows how two main details can be pushed inside each other along the central channel to allow save place during storing.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows possible application of the curved ramp to various stairs radiuses, max curved, medium and with no radius. Detail views A and B shown in FIG. 8 have corresponding numbers bellow to show a gap in mm between two main details walls within each state.