Chair Lift For Stairs

Officially, the first chair lift for stairs was designed by Pennsylvania inventor C. C. Crispen in the early 1900s. A self-taught engineer, Crispen designed a chair lift for a friend who was having problems climbing the stairs in his home. Crispen mounted a tilted chair on a set of rails which allowed the chair to be pulled up the stairs or slowly lowered down the stairs. 

Unofficially, the idea for a chair lift idea may have come from King Henry the VIII. Weighing approximately 420 pounds, Henry VIII could not climb the staircase to his bedroom in London’s Whitehall Palace. Servants had to use a block and tackle system to lift the King the twenty feet to his bedroom.

The design of the modern chair lift is has not changed much since Crispin’s time except for the fact that they are more efficient and reliable. The seat is usually set on small rollers or casters that move smoothly on steel or aluminum rails custom fitted to the stairs on which they are installed. Cables or chains can pull the seat up the rails, or allow the seat to descend slowly. Other drive mechanisms, such as gears or worm screws may also be used depending on the specific needs of the user, or the design challenges of a particular installation.

Modern chair lifts include other design features that make them both safer and more practical for people who have difficulty moving up and down the stairs. Chair lift seats may swivel to one side or the other, fold down flat, or lock into different positions. Some lifts may allow the user to stand instead of sit. Other features may be designed into the chair lift for users who may have trouble getting on and off the lift. Safety sensors and braking systems are important to insure that the chair lift stops and locks into the proper position for a safely getting on or off. An emergency braking system is needed to make sure the chair does not break away and descend so fast that it causes injuries.

For anyone thinking of having a chair lift installed in their home, there are a number of factors to consider. The most important, of course, is identifying the specific needs of the person who will use the chair lift. The physical characteristics of the space where the chair lift will be installed are also important. Chair lifts can be installed on both straight and curved stairs, but the stairs must have sufficient structural strength to support the weight of the chair lift and the stress of its use.

Potential users will also want to consider the chair lifts ability to use regular electric power or batteries. The option to use battery power could be important if a power failure causes the chair to be stuck either up stairs or down stairs, or worse, in the middle. In addition, the importance of the chair’s controls should be taken into consideration. Keeping in mind that that person using a chair lift has limited mobility, the controls must be properly designed for easy use. Small buttons that are hard to reach along with controls that are confusing and difficult to manage are a going to be a problem. 

Fortunately for potential buyers, many reputable dealers can help with the selection of the right chair lift for any specific situation. A reputable dealer can help figure out the user’s specific requirements, identify the appropriate options, and arrange for the installation. Of course, potential buyers should always talk to more than one dealer to make sure they are getting the right information and the right chair lift for their stairs.