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from: Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people
with limited mobility access to the second floor of a home.
Some stairlifts have platforms forwheelchairs, but most are
mechanical chairs with footrests that glide along a track
mounted on the wall side of a staircase.
Since few people can afford to have an elevator installed in
their home the stair lift is a perfect answer for those who are
no longer able to navigate stairs.
Most chairlifts are designed for a person weighing less than 300
pounds. But the good news is that there are some lifts
especially constructed for people who tip the scales at 350
pounds or more.
The chairs on most stairlifts face sideways and then swivel to
allow the rider to easily step off at the top or bottom of the
stairway. As an extra safety measure, the chair locks in place
when it is swiveled.
The lift will not move unless the chair is in the drive
position. For added safety the chairs are equiped with a
seatbelt so that a rider with balance problems can feel secure
while riding.
Among the other safety features are footrests with sensors that
will stop the stairlift if they detect an obstacle. The chairs
also have brakes that stops travel if there is a malfunctioning
problem with the drive system.
Most of these stair lifts are powered by an electric motor that
simply plugs into a regular outlet. It doesn't need any special
wiring. However, you might want to see if your state or city
building code has any regulations about the installation of
chairlifts and similar devices.
Modern stairlifts feature a call station at both the top and
bottom of the stairs. That allows the lift chair to be quickly
moved to the place it is needed at the moment.
Stairlifts can be mounted either on the stairway wall or on
stair risers. The controls on the chair are constant pressure
switches. If you lift your finger from the switch, the chair
stops moving.
There are mechanical limits at each end of the track to keep the
lift from moving beyond its safe limits.
The rail that carries the chair can be either a straight rail or
a curved rail for curved stairways. The straight rail is less
expensive and easier to install.
Straight rails can be altered to fit the dimensions of various
stairways. Thatmeans they have the added benefit of portability.
If you change homes you can take a straight rail from one
stairway and install it on another stairway.
Another benefit is that the stairlift can be sold to another
user if it is no longer required in your home.
Ameriglide stairlifts, for example, come with instructions for
home installation, or you can pay to have someone from the
company install it for you.
Curved stairlifts are more expensive and mechanically more
complicated. Each rail as to be custom made to fit a specific
curved stairway. Because of that a curved rail usually can't be
re-used on another stairway.
If time is a factor remember that a curved stairlift requires
custom work and so will take longer before it can be delivered
compared with a conventional, straight rail model.
A professional on site assessment of your curved stairway is
also necessary in order to make a rail that will fit properly.
Since curved rails are more complex, it is suggested that you
should not attempt to install one yourself.
It just makes sense to have it professionally installed to
ensure a proper and safe fit. In fact, often installing two
straight rail systems may be more practical than buying a curved
stairlift.
The track can be up to twenty feet long, and it can be cut to
fit a shorter stairway.
A stairlift with a cable drive system is preferred by many. The
cable system is quiet and it doesn't require lubrication or
maintenance. The steel cable used is the same type of cable used
in commercial elevators. That is especially important in chairs
made for heavy passengers.
A few stair lifts have a 500 pound weight capacity. The seat is
wide and has a high back. Unlike the other models, the chair on
the these heavy duty stairlifts does not face sideways. It faces
the bottom of the stairway. The rider is ridingbackwards on the
way up the stairs and forwards on the way down.
Stairlifts provide many extra years of independent living for
the elderly and those whose movement is impaired. Besides, they
are fun to ride!
About the author:
Patricia Taylor is a home decor and furnishing advisor. She offers a FREE home decorating guide at her web site: http://ForBeautifulHomes.com. She writes more about lift chairs here http://www.LiftChairsHere.com Learn more at http://www.StairLiftsHere.com
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