Replies

1. 
   MojoMan | Dec 17, 2003 08:38pm | #1

   Hmmmm....Cloud....Dome....I see a helical ramp a la Frank Lloyd Wright and the Guggenheim Museum....

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

2. 
   caseyr | Dec 17, 2003 08:45pm | #2

   There used to be a company that advertised a device for just such a situation.  The add showed an arm with a seat on it (maybe had a lady sitting on it) jutting out from the wall.  I assume there was some type of motorized mechanism in the wall that took the occupant of the seat up and down the stairs.  I used to see the add all the time, possibly in Popular Science magazine.  Don't remember seeing it for a while and I certainly have no clue as to what the name of the company was. 

1. 
   caseyr | Dec 17, 2003 08:49pm | #3

   Try Googling on "stair lift" or "stair assist".  Several hits.  Here are the first two:

   http://www.silvercross-stair-lifts.com/stair-lift/BBCompact-stair-lift.html

   http://www.101stairliftsguide.com/stair-lifts.htm

   Edited 12/17/2003 12:58:27 PM ET by CaseyR

2. 
   CloudHidden | Dec 17, 2003 09:06pm | #4

   If they get to that point, they'll install an elevator. I'm leaving room for it. Things aren't thaaaaat bad. They are mobile, just don't wanna do hard climbing. Is people's experience here that 6" (or other) stairs are noticeably easier or is any difference negligible?

1. 
   DanT | Dec 17, 2003 10:12pm | #5

   Cloud,

   I am not a stairs expert.  But I have sore knees.  So in my shop I went with 6 3/4 rise and 11 1/2 tread depth.  Really helped.  Getting your whole foot on the step is a big help.  DanT

2. 
   VaTom | Dec 18, 2003 02:33am | #10

   Is people's experience here that 6" (or other) stairs are noticeably easier or is any difference negligible?

   My wife has ambulatory problems.  We settled on a 5 1/2" rise, 11" depth after much experimenting.

   For your clients, I would be asking more about their ailment.  20 yrs ago I experienced a similar problem, went to a physical therapist who put me on a weight-lifting regimen.  After a year of pumping iron I had to buy different pants, but the knee problems went away.  Problem was thighs that didn't have sufficient strength to hold the knee cap in place under the rigors of stair climbing.  The next summer I was astounded to be able to get to my normal fishing spot, hauling my normal 40 lbs., without knee pain.

   Obviously your clients may suffer from more than just rough cartilage and weak thighs, but I'd ask.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   Novy | Dec 18, 2003 02:53am | #11

   Now this type of colaboration is what this forum is supposed to be about !

    In my 1956 Edition of "Arch Graph Stds." the chart tells me a 6" rise with a 10 3/4" run.

    That being said ....... That sounds like the classic should equal 17 " equation .....  ( Rise + Run = 17" )

    I have bad knees and am getting old so this thread has me thinking ?

    I think if you make the run too long aka landscape proportions you will have to take too many steps per run.

    Keep the run short for their ( Elderly Me ) short controlled steps. 1 Per

    6 " Is a comfortable distance to lift you leg apparatus

   On a hill by the harbour

3. 
   Sphere | Dec 18, 2003 03:01am | #12

   Yup. I had an 80 yr. old woman needed a break on the ht. No inspection but 5.5 with 11 worked real well, suprised me as I am at 36" inseam and they walked or ran with ease. I would not change the tread width more than an inch either way.

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Dec 17, 2003 10:35pm | #6

   I have also done a few stair sets with 6 to 6-1/2 inch risers. I use 11-1/2 to 12" treads.

   Yes, the smaller riser makes a substantial difference for those with bad knees (at least that what my customers have told me). Of course, the trade-off is that there will be a couple more steps per flight.

   Another element that has helped these same customers, is a railing design that allows them to pull with both hands when necessary -- kinda like pulling yourself up a hill using a rope. You'll need to be sure that the railing design can be grabbed with the "cross-body" hand, perhaps with an underhand grasp.

   And this is one area where the code conflicts with what might be truly needed. If the stairway were about 28" wide (total), then grabbing with both hands could be done using a railing on each side. There could even be handles protruding from the railing -- like putting knots in that rope I mentioned.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
4. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 17, 2003 11:41pm | #7

   You might want to find an occupational therapist. Or if there is an university around that has an occupational/physical therapy, physiology, or biomechanical porgram.

5. 
   gdcarpenter | Dec 18, 2003 12:55am | #8

   Hi Cloud, hello from Raleigh,

   At the summer cottage had to replace old cement ramp with stairs and landings, and with parents in late 70's and early 80's thought of them, not to mention myself.  Wound up with risers of 6 1/4"  (2x6 face and 2x step) with an 11" run (2-2x6).  Walks like a charm.  Experimented with deeper steps but fell out of normal stride length, the 11" worked the best, especially as older folks tend to take somewhat shorter steps.  Hope all's well.

   Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

1. 
   CloudHidden | Dec 18, 2003 01:17am | #9

   Hey there yourself! All's fine. Still enjoying the booty. Might get out to Raleigh in the spring for a gymnastics meet. I'll give a holler.

   Thanks for the feedback. That's just the kind of practical info needed. Great point about shorter step-taking. That's why I didn't just wanna rely on the formulas and make them deeper without asking around.