Straight Stair Lifts
A stair lift is a mechanical apparatus designed to help people with difficulties climbing or walking to negotiate staircases; here we will be discussing the most basic type, straight stair lifts.
A Bit of Stair Lift History
The history of the stair lift is not entirely certain. The most credible claim to the invention of modern straight stair lifts goes to C. C. Crispen, a self-taught engineer and entrepreneur from Pennsylvania. In the 1920′s, Crispen’s friend was ailing and had difficulties going up and down staircases unaided. Crispen had the idea to design a seat that could carry his friend, so he built and dubbed the Inclin-ator. However, there is also evidence that the original inventor of straight stair lifts was King Henry VIII of England. After an unfortunate jousting mishap left the king with impaired mobility, he used a chair that servant moved up and down stair via a block and tackle.
Modern Stair Lifts
Today’s stair lifts do not break servants’ backs. They are generally electric, operated by a joystick, and are often battery-powered so that they can even be used during outages. Straight stair lifts ride up and down stairs on a rail that is installed directly onto the steps. These rail pieces are prefabricated and are mounted sturdily onto the stairwell, usually using metal brackets referred to as cleats. If the rail must cross a doorway at the bottom or top of the track, a hinge system can be used so that the rail can be swung out of the way when not in use.
Installation and Design
Straight stair lifts are mounted on the track for use. Many designs feature a swivel seat, footrests, retractable armrests, and some even have sensors to halt movement if there is an obstruction in the path of the lift. This unit travels up or down the track using a cable and pulley system or a rack and pinion drive. There are many different stair lift products, and many manufacturers of them. Stair lifts should be chosen based on their rail distance from the wall, maximum allowable incline, and weight limits. Weight limits range anywhere from 275 to 350 pounds. Inclines may vary from 25 to 56 degrees. Track distance from the wall can be as little as 4.75 inches for narrow stairwells up to nearly 10 inches for wider stairs. All of these things vary with the model and manufacturer and require research before purchase.
Stair Lift Pricing
Prices for straight stair lifts vary greatly. It is possible to find used models for $1500 or less, depending on the condition of the product. New straight stair lifts generally range in price from $1700 for a do-it-yourself installation and up to $3500 or more for deluxe models that are professionally installed.
Lift Manufacturer Comparisons
In a poll of owners of straight stair lifts, with questions based on price, reliability, adjustability, and the aesthetics of the unit, Sterling units were the clear winners, scoring 9 out of 10 points with the models 1000 and 200, and an 8 for the model 950. The Stannah 400 and 260 models each came in with 8 points, making this stair lift a clear second. Owner satisfaction found its lowest marks with the TK Citia Excel, which could only claim 6 out of 10.
To sum up, if you are in need of a assistance getting up and down stairs and do not wish to burden loved ones to assist you, a stair lift could be the answer, offering away to traverse stairs independently and safely. With costs varying widely as well as many installation options, there is sure to be straight stair lifts for practically every situation.