Tuesday 31 March 2009

Indoor Straight Stair Lifts

Indoor straight stair lifts are intended to carry individuals upstairs and downstairs within a building, and are best suited for those who find it difficult to climb steps either due to aging or due to other physical disabilities. With more and more people finding these products as their favorite companions for their mobility needs, the indoor straight stair lift manufacturing firms are now providing a wide variety of lift models with varying features. These stair lifts are made available in various load carrying capacities and specifications suited for business and residential uses alike.


These stair chair lifts have the advantage that they require no complex modifications to be made to your existing home. These types of chair lifts are ideal for straight types of stairs and are often less expensive than curved stair lifts. These lifts run through a rail which can be fixed either on the stair or on a wall parallel to the staircase. Setting up the entire unit is much simple with fixing rail as the only installation required. Some common indoor straight stair lifts are Bruno’s Electra-Ride LT, Electra-Ride II, and the Electra-Ride Elite models and ThyssenKrupp Access’s Citia and Excel models.


Indoor stair chair lifts come in both battery powered and direct A/C powered units. The battery powered unit has a rechargeable battery which can be charged from a direct power supply and the unit is best suited in places where power shortages are common. All straight chair lifts have a number of user friendly features to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride.


Some of the user friendly features which are incorporated in indoor straight stair lifts include:

• Soft start/stop operation
• Rack and pinion drive for smoother drive
• Swing-away arms for enabling easy wheelchair transfer for the rider
• Wireless call/send features


All stair chair lifts have outstanding security features for ensuring trouble free operation. Most models are capable of halting the operation temporarily, if any obstacle appears on their path and resume their operation only after the obstacles are removed. To give customers value for their money, most indoor straight stair lifts in the market come with company warranties which cover all manufacturing defects and replacements for faulty components.



Customers are also provided the services of trained and expert service personnel who work with major elevator installation companies throughout the US. With excellent features and performance being provided by these straight chair lifts, the aged and the disabled finally have a product which can make their life more comfortable and independent.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/indoor-straight-stair-lifts-546295.html

Saturday 21 March 2009

Straight Stair Lifts - an Affordable Option for Many

Most of the physically challenged people depend on chair lifts to travel up and down the stairs in their residences. Straight stair lifts are used in houses that do not have stairs with curves and bends. The external stairways through which a person enters the home from outside are more often straight stairways. The same is the case in majority of the offices. Therefore straight stair lifts are commonly used in houses and offices. Straight stair chair lifts which are power driven, travel along a straight track. Apart from carrying old and disabled people, these devices can also be used to carry heavy luggage from one floor to another without much effort. As many of the stairway lifts are provided with remote control facility, it is easy to move luggage between two floors.


Straight stair lifts are cheaper than other types of lifts. These can be easily installed and are more comfortable than other stairway lifts. The installation charges usually depend on the length of the track. As the length of the track used for a this type of stair chair lift is lesser than that required for curved stair chair lifts, installation of this type of stair chair lifts is cheaper. Besides, straight chair lifts require only minimum number of tracks. As wheelchair lifts on stairways, these stairlifts are the best and most economical choice. This wheelchair lift can be used for other purposes also. All these factors contribute to making straight stair lifts an affordable option for many people.


These kinds of stair chair lifts are more convenient than curved stair chair lifts to travel up and down the stairs. They provide quicker movement from one floor to another, compared to curved chair lifts. Moreover, these can be easily relocated to new locations. Straight chair lifts are relatively more compact than curved chair lifts. They can be easily folded and kept aside when not in use. This enables other people to use the stairways comfortably.


Straight stair lifts which are manufactured by branded companies have a life of about 20 years if used properly. Bruno, ThyssenKrupp Access, Savaria Concord are some world famous brands that provide different models of straight as well as curved stairlifts with various features at affordable rates.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/straight-stair-lifts-an-affordable-option-for-many-555533.html

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Savaria Concord B.07 Straight Stair Chair

B.07 Straight Stair Chair is a straight stairway lift manufactured by Savaria Concord. This stair lift is designed for both residential and commercial use. The Savaria Concord B.07 Straight Stair Chair can be employed for indoor and outdoor purposes. This lift is of high utility value for physically disabled people because it facilitates easier mobility for them in homes and offices. This stairlift can be installed on either side of the staircase and can be made to run on electric current or on battery power. The option of battery operation is ideal because the lift can be operated even during power failures. Let us have a look at the various features incorporated in the B.07 Straight Stair Chair.


The rated load capacity of Savaria Concord B.07 Straight Stair chair is 300lbs, which can be upgraded up to 400 lbs. This stairlift can travel a maximum distance of 32 ft with an approximate speed of 18 fpm. This equipment has a motor with ½ hp and 110 VDC specifications. The angle of inclination of this lift is 25º to 45º. Aluminium extrusion is used in the rail of these stairlifts.


Safety features provided in Savaria Concord B.07 straight stair chair include:

• Obstruction sensors
• Safety brake on carriage
• Safety switches
• Seat belt


Obstruction sensors are used to detect obstructions on the path of the lift and thereby help to avoid injury to the user and damage to the equipment. The safety brake on the carriage prevents the carriage from going down in the case of chain rupture. Safety switches can stop the carriage when it reaches the top or bottom end of the stairways. The seat belt is another safety feature which holds the user in place when the lift is on the move.



Folding facility with regard to the seat, arms and footrest ensures enough space on the stairway. This enables others to use the stairways conveniently. Vinyl seat upholstery is an optional feature of this stair lift. The B.07 Straight Stair Chair can be installed quickly and easily.


Savaria Concord provides 30 months limited warranty for its B.07 Straight Stair lift. Customers who plan to purchase B.07 Straight Stair lifts can contact the local dealer of Savaria Concord in their region. These dealers can help you with installation, repairs and warranty claims.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/savaria-concord-b07-straight-stair-chair-556035.html

Monday 16 March 2009

What Kind of Non Slip Stairs Do You Need?

Non slip stairs can be found in a variety of settings. Some are used on job sites while others are found in stores and public buildings. Even private homes may be equipped with non slip stair treads. Where your stairs are found and how they will be built are both factors in what kind of non slip surface you will need.


In a home, there are literally hundreds of ways to improve stair safety. The most obvious way to make your steps into non slip stairs is simply to carpet them because carpet is more slip-resistant than wood steps.


On the other hand, if you do not want to completely cover your wood steps, you can buy non slip stair treads. Some of these are designed to look like small braided rugs, but they have a sticky backing that keeps them securely attached on each step. You can also get glow-in-the-dark non slip treads for added safety.


One choice for non slip stair treads that can be used in almost any environment is rubber or vinyl stair tread tapes. These stick to the steps and grip the sole of the shoe or foot so that there are no slips and falls. They can be put on stairs in a home, business, or public facility. Some of them can be made to look attractive enough for most decorating schemes too.


For industrial or construction uses, non slip stair tapes are designed using special materials. Abrasive granules are incorporated into the surfaces of some of the tapes, making them rougher and harder to slip on. Their basic substance is usually made of some kind of polymer that will hold up to all kinds of chemical, moisture, and pressure stresses.


Some heavy industrial applications require heavy metal non slip stairs that meet OSHA standards. These stairs must be able to withstand use in all kinds of weather. They must be able to hold the weight of heavy objects that might be carried up the stairs. Some of these stairs are made of different types of steel such as stainless steel and galvanized steel. Others are made of aluminum or other metals.


One of the keys to the non slip surface of metal stairs is in the shape of the design. Diamond plate is one of the older varieties of industrial use non slip stairs. It definitely provides more stable footing than a slick flat surface. However, some of the newer, non slip stairs are generally flat surfaced, but with an abrasive finish.


When you are getting ready to buy steps for your own purposes, determine what will work best for you. Think about whether cosmetic value is important and how much wear and tear the stair will need to be able to withstand. In the end, you can find your perfect set of non slip stairs to suit your needs.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/what-kind-of-non-slip-stairs-do-you-need-600327.html

Friday 13 March 2009

Thyssenkrupp Access Stair-glide Stairlift

ThyssenKrupp Access is one of the leading companies in the US, manufacturing quality accessibility products, specially designed to meet the needs of the aged and the disabled. With a range of accessibility products suitable for both commercial and non-commercial purposes in residential apartments, hospitals and commercial establishments, every product from ThyssenKrupp Access maintains the highest standards in quality and workmanship. The Stair-Glide stairlift from TK Access is one of the best selling models in the curved stairlift category with excellent features incorporated for daily usage.


With customization options available, the Stair-Glide lift is easy to install on both spiral and curved staircases in buildings. No costly modifications are required as the main installation unit required is a track which is attached to the stairs, along which the lift moves. The Stair-Glide lift can be used both indoors and outdoors, and for outdoor use, the unit has an outdoor package which includes weather resistant canvas covers to protect the lift from adverse weather conditions.


TK Access’s Stair-Glide stairlift has a lot of exceptional features and some of the built-in features include:


• Load carrying capacity of 300 pounds (135kg)
• Rack and pinion drive system
• U.L, CSA and c/U.L. listing
• Incline limits from 25º to 45º
• Remote controls for easier access


To ensure a smooth, stable and comfortable ride, the Stair-Glide stairlift features the SoftStart technique, developed by ThyssenKrupp Access for gentle acceleration of
stairlifts. Safety measures are given top priority for every product designed at ThyssenKrupp Access. With built-in footrest obstruction sensors, the Stair-Glide lift is capable of detecting obstacles on its path and can instantly halt its operation to prevent damage to the lift system. The lift can automatically resume its operations, once the obstacle is removed. For additional safety, seat belts are also provided as a standard feature.



TK Access’s Stair-Glide Stairlift, apart from its intended purpose of serving disabled persons can also be used to carry household items such as laundry upstairs and downstairs. All Stair-Glide lifts come with many additional optional components such as upholstered hand-rests for wraparound arms, joystick control on arms, manual lowering devices, hand-held pendant controls, over-speed brakes and folding rails. Clients can also choose from various upholstery options for fabrics including burgundy, royal, shadow and oatmeal herringbone.


Maintaining these Stair-Glide Stairlifts is now easy with ThyssenKrupp Access providing a 5 year warranty coverage on the drive train and two year warranty on component parts. Further, the increased number of lift installation and maintenance firms in the US and the easy availability of TK Access lift components guarantee users a trouble-free and smooth ride for years to come.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/thyssenkrupp-access-stairglide-stairlift-641877.html

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Stair Chair Lifts for Straight and Curved Staircases

Stair chair lifts are practical and convenient accessibility solutions for individuals affected by various types of mobility problems. Nowadays, you can find a wide range of stair chair lifts for straight and curved staircases, from leading manufacturers in the industry. Stair chair lifts enhance the value of your home, and with their elegant designs add to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Effortless Access to the Different Floors

Both straight and curved stair lifts are provided with many standard safety features including safety brake, height adjustable footrest, wall mounted call / send controls, automatic sensors, seat belts and swivel seat cut-off switch, and more. Straight chair lifts designed for use in both indoor and outdoor settings are available. With these devices, anyone can effortlessly use the stairs in residences and offices.

Along with reliability and safety, stair chair lifts offer a smooth and quiet operation. Curved stairlifts are the ideal options for staircases with bends or curves. Features such as automatic obstruction sensors, seat belts and armrest controls are incorporated in these models for ensuring safety and convenience. Whatever the configuration of your staircase is, you can get this mobility system tailor-made to the size and shape as per your needs and preferences.

Stair Chair Lifts – Enhancing Mobility and Freedom

Installing such equipment can provide a great degree of independence and freedom to mobility impaired individuals, and enhance the quality of their life. Stairlifts for residential as well as commercial purposes can be purchased from branded manufacturers in the market. At present, the top manufacturers that offer this line of accessibility equipment are Bruno, ThyssenKrupp Access and Savaria Concord.

The available models of stair lifts for straight and curved staircases include Electra-Ride III curved rail model, Citia, Excel, Stair-Glide, Flow II, Step-Saver and B.07. When planning to buy stair chair lifts for straight and curved staircases, it is important to do a little research regarding the various competing brands and models, their advantages, load carrying capacity, safety features, and prices.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/stair-chair-lifts-for-straight-and-curved-staircases-704432.html

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Handicap Stair Lifts for Homes: Stair Lifts for Handicapped

Handicap stair lifts are really a blessing for people who find it difficult to move up and down the stairway in their homes. Physically handicapped persons can access rooms on different floors with the aid of this mobility enhancement equipment. These devices can impart a certain amount of independence to disabled individuals.


The advantages of having handicap stair lifts at homes are: they can reduce the number of falls, lessen the wear and tear on knees, hip joints and ankles, and they can give freedom of movement to a certain extent. Nowadays, handicap stair chair lifts for homes are provided by a number of manufacturers. So, you can deal with your mobility disorders by installing a handicap stair lift without making home modifications.


While purchasing handicap stair chair lifts, one should consider several factors such as the amount of disability of the individual, ability to hold control buttons and so on. The person opting for these lifts must have the ability to rise on her own from the wheelchair to sit on the stair lift. If one cannot transfer oneself independently, she should consider other accessibility equipment instead. Most of the chair lifts are switched on and off using a button situated on the arm rest, so the person using them should be capable of performing this function. Moreover, the handicapped individual should have control over the upper portion of her body, or else she may slide or slip when the lift starts moving.


Depending on the shape of the staircase, one can opt for straight stair lifts or curved stair lifts. The power used for operating this device can be either AC or DC. Though the battery powered handicap stair chair lifts need to be recharged often, they can be operated even when there is a power failure in your home. These lifts can be mounted on either side of the stairs. Most of them offer a smooth and quiet ride. Some of them feature a sensor that can sense obstacles. Hence, the lift stops by itself on finding an obstruction, thus preventing damages to the equipment and the user. Almost all stair chair lifts will be equipped with safety belts. These lifts can be folded when not it use, allowing more space for others to walk by. Considering the expense involved in shifting the house and hiring a nurse, buying a chair lift is a better option. Installing handicap stair lifts in your home is often beneficial if there is an elderly or disabled person residing there.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/handicap-stair-lifts-for-homes-stair-lifts-for-handicapped-536301.html

Saturday 7 March 2009

Stair Lifts Price – Compare Stair Lift Prices Before Buying or Renting

Stair lifts are useful devices for elderly and disabled people. Because of these devices, such people are able to live their lives in an easier and more normal way. Stair lifts are relatively new technology in disabled person’s lives. They serve with the purpose of helping aged and disabled people to move around from one place to another or to go and up down stairs.


They come in numerous designs and applications. Some are designed with electric rails that can be installed along the sides of stairs—this is a traditional installation type. However, they are usually very expensive since they consist of a lot of hardware and labor to install.


So you decide to buy or rent one, it would be best to take some pointers on different stair lifts prices in the market.


In considering the price, you need to know the type of stair lifts you are going to purchase or rent. Basically, you also need to consider the type of stairs built inside your house. Compared to straight stair lifts, the curved stair lifts are more expensive since it is specially designed for curved angles. However, you can select other types of stair lifts such as outdoor stair lifts and the wheelchair platform stair lifts. All of these are available in the market today.


There’s nothing wrong in doing price comparisons from various suppliers or retailers. As a consumer this is your right, so take full advantage of it. It is essential to do some consultations first with your target vendor.


In this way you can easily identify what would be the best recommended stair lifts for your house. Aside from the stair lifts price, other important factors are the costs of installation and the warranty period of the stair lifts.


Nowadays, an average stair lift price is often increasing due to rising demand as many new people are now discovering its benefits and new, higher quality models are being made available.


If buying a new one is out of your budget you can look into rentals from any lift rental service centers as a last resort.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/elderly-care-articles/stair-lifts-price-compare-stair-lift-prices-before-buying-or-renting-667682.html

Finding the Right Stair Lift That Suits Your Needs

Stair lifts are mainly used for the safe transportation of the physically impaired and those with limited mobility up and down the stairs in multi-level and high-rise buildings. While planning to install a stair lift, finding the right stair lift that suits your needs might prove to be a difficult task.


Stair Lifts that Accommodate Your Multiple Requirements

Whether your requirement is getting a stairlift that operates even during power failures or one that can accommodate maximum weight, you can find whatever you need in the market. Besides, there are lifts that can be fitted into a straight stair case or a curved one, offering a smooth ride up and down. These are DC functioning and operate even after power outages. These have huge seat size, clean rail tracks, and soft start/ stop features that ensure comfortable transportation. These come with foldable footrest, flip-up seat and some of them can be even installed on either sides of the staircase.


Benefits of Selecting Quality Products

It is always a challenge to find the apt one when you are left with a variety of choices. While making use of quality products, you can ensure safe and reliable transportation on elevators that are free of manufacturer defects. Some of the manufacturers of quality products provide speedy installation and maintenance services for their customers.


Stair Lifts that Fit Your Budget

Though lifts are comparatively expensive, prior to purchasing, you can compare prices and make the right pick. First of all, you should decide on the kind of stair lift you require. There are different models in different sizes that can be utilized for both indoor and outdoor applications. For outdoor performance, these models come with weather resistant qualities. Indoor lifts can be installed with minimum disruption to the elegance of the building. Some of the popular types are straight rail, curved rail, wheelchair and outdoor stair lifts.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/finding-the-right-stair-lift-that-suits-your-needs-695571.html

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Installing Stair Lifts - Straight and Curved

Stair lifts are the right solutions to solve the accessibility problems of the aged, the physically handicapped and those with poor health conditions. Due to the tremendous improvement in technology, it is possible now to install stairlifts that are suitable for all models of staircases - straight or curved.


Careful Planning Required for Installation

Even though there are different models of stair lifts, all of them are designed to provide the same function, that is, to allow the user effortless and smooth access between the floors. Stair lifts are designed with different controls, folding tracks, handheld controls and glides, folding arms, upholstered seats, and much more. Based on your specific requirements, you can select the best model that serves your purpose. After purchasing a stair lift, it is best to authorize an expert to plan the installation process, so that the lift can be used without any fear or doubt about its safety. Installing stair lift systems, straight and curved will be done by the manufacturers or dealers after carrying out an in-depth analysis of your residence or office and the stairway.


The installation process of stairlifts mainly depends on the type of stair lift selected. If it is a straight stair lift, the installation process can be completed within two to three hours. On the other hand, installation of a curved stairlift requires much more time, that is, around four to twelve weeks. As far as the cost factor of installing stair lifts is concerned, the installation cost of straight stair lifts is more economic, when compared to the installation cost of curved stair lifts.


Make the Right Choice

It is important to select a recognized brand for complete durability and safety. Renowned companies such as Bruno, Thyssenkrupp Access and Savaria Concord are providing stairlifts with warranty.


Installing stair lifts, straight and curved, at the home or workplace can contribute a lot towards bringing back self-confidence to those individuals who are suffering from mobility constraints.


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/installing-stair-lifts-straight-and-curved-695915.html

Monday 2 March 2009

A Review Of The Bruno Stair Lift

Bruno is America's most popular home stair lift. There's no denying the quality of its products but how does it compare to other top rated stair lifts like the Stannah? What follows is a quick review.


Bruno Stairlifts was founded over 20 years ago by Michael R. Bruno and his wife Beverly and has grown to become one of America’s leading manufacturers of mobility aids. The company is proud to be ISO-9001 Certified, which is one of the most stringent and widely recognized quality standards in the world.


There are many manufacturers but most only make straight stair lifts. This is because the technology used is simpler and installation is straight forward, which keeps costs down. Bruno makes both straight and curved models for both home and outdoor use. Also, all its units are installed by its factory trained network of dealers. Bruno, like Stannah and others, does not recommend self installation even for straight models.


But how does a Bruno product rate against others on the market? In order to review against others in the industry we will review the Bruno Electra-Ride Elite stair lift. This unit is the company's premier, and most expensive straight model.


The Seat

The Seat of the Electra-Ride Elite can be adjusted from 19" to 24 1/2" as can the height of the footrest. This makes this seat one of the most flexible on the market. The cushions are also deep and comfortable. The armrests can be independently lifted up to allow easy access and the armrests, seat and footrest can be folded up to free up room when not in use. A retractable inertia lap belt is fitted as standard. This seat is very good and is one of the best on the market. If there is one complaint it's about folding up the armrests, seat and footrest; these have to be done separately requiring, not only 3 operations, but reaching down and folding the footrest can be difficult for someone with mobility problems. The seat offered as standard with the Stannah stair lift (both the Solus and Sofia models) allows the user to fold up all three parts by just moving the armrests; a thoughtful feature that should be implemented by all stair lift manufacturers, including Bruno.


The Electra-Ride Elite can operate at a maximum inclination of 45 degrees, which is the industry norm; Again Stannah out does the Bruno as it can handle an inclination of up to 52 degrees. However, the Electra-Ride wins hands down when it comes to carrying weight: it can handle up to 400 lbs; just about everyone else can handle at most 300 lbs.


The Rail

The rail of the Bruno Electra-Ride Elite fits to a nice snug 5" from the skirting on the stair case. This is far less than most other brands that typically require about 8-9". But the Stannah beats the Bruno again, requiring only 95mm (3.7") clearance.


The rail is made from steel and extruded aluminum and uses a rack and pinion drive system. Rack and pinion is now the industry norm; before cables where used to pull the chair but these gave a less comfortable ride and had the problem of a trailing cable - incidentally, Summit stair lifts still use this system.


Not only does the Bruno give the user a smooth ride, it is also quiet and is as quiet as any other models on the market.


The company offers 3 standard lengths of the rail; 16', 20' and 24'. The industry norm is a maximum of 20', so they are ideal for staircases that are that little bit longer. Buying a long straight rail that is standard will be cheaper than having to have a longer specially made.


The Carriage

This is the part of the stair lift that attaches the seat to the rail. What's a really nice feature of the Bruno stair lift is that you can adjust the speed of the carriage. This comes as standard and I don't know of any other manufacturer that gives you this option.


The carriage also comes with all the safety features you need. There are footrest safety switches as well as final end stop bumper at each end of the rail. As an optional extra you can have an overspeed safety brake to prevent the chair from uncontrolled descents. It's a shame that the brake governor is not fitted as standard as it is with the Stannah.


The Controls

It comes with rocker controls fitted in the armrest, which must be kept, pressed down to operate. There are also two wireless call/send controls. These controls are pretty much the industry norm.


Installation

Installation of the Electra-Ride Elite is very straight forward as it is a DC battery powered appliance. No special wiring is required. Note: many companies promote self-installation of straight models; Bruno doesn't. You should always have one installed by a qualified technician.


In conclusion, the Bruno stair lift compares favorably with other top rated appliances. In fact, the Stannah stair lift is the only one that can really offer a better appliance, but a Stannah is more expensive than a Bruno. Many consumer reviews are favorable, which is what you'd expect from this quality manufacturer.

About the Author

Follow the links for the Bruno stair lift and the Stannah stair lift as well as the best stair lift price of leading brands.

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