Abstract:
A collapsible chair for transporting people up and down stairs, comprising a main frame, a seating assembly, and a rail assembly. The seating assembly is provided to form a set for a person, and this assembly is pivotally connected to the main frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. The rail assembly is used to support the chair for movement down steps, and this assembly is also pivotally connected to the main frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the chair is provided with uniquely designed gripping bars that may be used to help carry the chair upstairs. Also, the chair is provided with a set of wheels that are uniquely located to help stabilize the chair. Preferably, an improved locking mechanism is mounted on the chair to help lock the seating assembly and the rail assemblies in their open positions, and a specially designed latching assembly is provided to lock an upper frame of the chair in various positions. With the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chair is provided with a harness system to hold a person in the chair, and this system is especially designed to hold the legs of that person so that the person&#39;s legs do not interfere with someone carrying the chair upstairs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention generally relates to collapsible chairs specifically designed to transport people down stairs.  
           [0002]    Various types of collapsible chairs are, specifically designed to transport people down stairs. For example, one such chair that is very well designed for this purpose is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,048. Generally, these chairs are particularly useful for evacuating handicapped people from high rise buildings when the elevators cannot or should not be used. These chairs are also useful in helping elderly or disabled people out of their residences.  
           [0003]    One limitation of these chairs is that, heretofore, they have not been especially well suited for carrying people upstairs, which is also an important need. For instance, an elderly or disabled person may be returned home from a hospital and require assistance up the stairs into his or her home.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    An object of this invention is to provide a collapsible chair that can readily be used both to transport people upstairs and downstairs.  
           [0005]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible chair, of the type that is well suited for carrying people downstairs, with specially located gripping bars to help people grip the chair and carry the chair upstairs.  
           [0006]    Another object of this invention is to provide a well stabilized collapsible chair that is very well suited for transporting people both upstairs and downstairs.  
           [0007]    A further object of this invention is to provide an improved locking mechanism with Velcro straps for locking a collapsible chair in an open, erect position.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved latching mechanism for holding an upper, collapsible frame of a collapsible chair in various selected positions.  
           [0009]    These and other objectives are attained with a collapsible chair for transporting people up and down stairs, comprising a main frame, a seating assembly, and a rail assembly. The seating assembly is provided to form a set for a person, and this assembly is pivotally connected to the main frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. The rail assembly is used to support the chair for movement down steps, and this assembly is also pivotally connected to the main frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions.  
           [0010]    In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, the chair is provided with uniquely designed gripping bars that may be used to help carry the chair upstairs. Also, preferably the chair is provided with a set of wheels that are uniquely located to help stabilize the chair. Also, in accordance with the invention, an improved locking mechanism is mounted on the chair to help lock the seating assembly and the rail assemblies in their open positions, and a specially designed latching assembly is provided to lock an upper frame of the chair in various positions. With the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein in detail, the chair is provided with a harness system to hold a person in the chair, and this system is especially designed to hold the legs of that person so that the person&#39;s legs do not interfere with someone carrying the chair upstairs.  
           [0011]    Further benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible chair embodying the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 shows the chair in its collapsed position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 shows the rail assemblies of the chair.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of one of the rail assemblies.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a locking bar of the chair.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 shows a latching assembly of the chair.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one of the latches of the latching assembly.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 illustrates an upper frame section of the chair.  
         [0021]    FIGS.  11 - 21  illustrate the operation of the chair. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 illustrates collapsible chair  100 , generally comprising main frame  102 , seating assembly  104 , and rail assemblies  106  and  110 . Preferably, the chair further includes upper frame section  112 , front support assembly  114  and harness system  116 . Generally, main frame  102  provides a base or frame for the other components of the chair, and supports the chair for movement over floors and other flat surfaces. Seating assembly  104  is provided to form a seat for a person, and rail assemblies  106  and  110  are provided to support the chair for movement down stairs. Upper frame section  112  provides direct support for the head and upper back of a person seated in the chair. Front support assembly  114  provides additional support for the front of chair  100  and provides a gripping bar  184  to help carry the chair upstairs, and harness system  116  is used to hold a person in the chair.  
         [0023]    Chair  100  is similar to the collapsible chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,048, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The elements and components of chair  100  are connected together so that the chair can be expanded from a collapsed form, shown in FIG. 2, to an open form, shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 . In its collapsed position, the chair has a small, compact size and shape and, for example, the chair can be stored in a vehicle or closet without occupying a substantial amount of space. When the chair is opened, a person can be safely and securely seated and transported in the chair; and in particular, a person in the chair can be easily transported down stairs and carried up stairs.  
         [0024]    With the embodiment of chair  100  shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , main frame  102  includes left and right support members or legs  120  and  122 , lower cross member  124 , upper connecting members  126  and  130 , upper cross member  132 , wheels  134  and lower shaft  136 . Seating assembly  104  includes left and right side members  140  and  142 , front cross member  144 , and flexible sheet  146 ; and each rail assembly  106 ,  110  includes rail member  150 , a multitude of rollers  152 , belt  154  and flange  156 . In addition, upper frame section  112  includes left and right side members or legs  160  and  162 , and top cross member  164 . Also, front support assembly  114  includes legs  166  and  170 , wheels  172  and bottom subframe  174 ; and this subframe, in turn, includes left and right members  176  and  180 , and cross or lateral member  182  and carry up gripping bar  184 .  
         [0025]    Left and right legs  120  and  122  of main frame  102  are generally parallel to each other and generally define the left and right sides of chair  100 . Lower cross member  124  is connected to and extends between and supported by lower ends of legs  120  and  122 , and upper cross member  132  of the main frame extends between and is supported by upper ends of legs  120  and  122 . Wheels  134  are connected to the bottom ends of legs  120  and  122  via suitable brackets. With these connections, frame members  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  132  form a sturdy rectangular shaped support frame for chair  100 .  
         [0026]    With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower ends of legs  120  and  122  bend backwards, as shown at  122   a , preferably at an angle between 120° and 140°. This rearward bend of legs  120  and  122  is of significant utility because it substantially improves the stability of the chair  100 . To elaborate, as a result of the backward bend in these legs, wheels  134  are located rearward of where they otherwise would be. This reduces and, as a practical matter, may practically eliminate the risk that the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair  100  might shift rearward of wheels  134  and thus cause the chair to tip over backwards. Because of this, among other advantages, a person may be seated in the chair with the assistance of only one other person, and hence only one person is needed to open or erect the chair, to place another person in that chair, and then to transport the chair down stairs.  
         [0027]    Connecting members  126  and  130  are securely mounted to upper ends of legs  120  and  122 , and these connecting members are used to support and to connect upper frame section  112  to main frame  102 . For example, ends of the connecting members preferably include a pair of parallel, connected sleeves or tubular portions  186  and  188 . In use, one sleeve of each connecting member is rigidly mounted on the top of a respective one of the legs  120 ,  122  of main frame  102 , and one of the legs  140 ,  142  of upper frame section  112  is inserted into the other sleeve of the connecting member. As particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, upper cross member  132  is rigidly secured to and extends between connecting members  126  and  130 .  
         [0028]    Seating assembly  104  is pivotally connected to main frame  102  for pivotal movement between a closed or folded position and an open or unfolded position. In the closed position, shown in FIG. 2, the left and right members  140  and  142  of the seating assembly extend generally parallel and closely adjacent to main frame  102 ; and in the unfolded position, the left and right members  140  and  142  of the seating assembly extend away from the main frame, generally perpendicular thereto.  
         [0029]    More specifically, left seat member  140  is pivotally connected to left leg  120  of mainframe  102 , and this seat member extends both rearwardly and forwardly of leg  120 . Similarly, right seat member  142  is pivotally connected to right leg  122  of main frame  102  and extends both rearwardly and forwardly of leg  122 . Seat member  144  is connected to and laterally extends between forward portions of seat members  140  and  142 . Preferably, seat member  144  and the forward portions of seat members  140  and  142  are integrally connected together and formed from a single elongated tubular element that is bent into a U-shape to form these seat members.  
         [0030]    In reference to seat  146 , there is a cross bar in sleeve of seat  146  to connect to cross member  132 , and a cross bar in sleeve of seat  146  to connect right behind seat member  144 . As seating assembly  104  is pivoted into its unfolded or open position, sheet  146  is pulled open to form a seat for a person.  
         [0031]    Each of the lateral rail assemblies  106  and  110  is also pivotally connected to main frame  102  of chair  100  for pivotal movement between folded or closed and unfolded or open positions. .In the folded or closed position, shown in FIG. 2, the rail assemblies extend upward from a lower portion of main frame  102 , generally parallel thereto; and in the unfolded or open position, shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 , the rail assemblies extend upward and rearward from the lower portion of the main frame  102 . Moreover, preferably, the rail assemblies  106  and  110  are also connected to seating assembly  104  so that as the seating assembly is pivoted between its closed and open positions, the rail assemblies are automatically moved between their closed and open positions.  
         [0032]    The two rail assemblies  106  and  110  are substantially identical, and thus only one will be described in detail. With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 , rail member  150  of rail assembly  110  is pivotally connected to shaft  136  via a suitable bracket  190  and extends upward from this bracket. Rollers  152  are rotatably mounted on rail member  150 , and these rollers are arranged in a linear sequence or path on the rail member. Belt  154  is mounted on the rollers  152  and is supported by the rollers for movement around an endless path defined by the rollers.  
         [0033]    Flange  156  is connected to the rail member  150 , and this flange forms an elongated groove  156   a  that is used to help move rail assembly  110  between its closed and open positions. More specifically, cross bar  192  extends through the two grooves  156   a  in the two flanges  156  of the two rail assemblies  106  and  110 , and the two ends of this cross bar are rigidly secured to the back ends of members  140  and  142  of seating assembly  104 . Thus, cross bar  192  pivots with the back ends of members  140  and  142  as seating assembly  104  pivots between its open and closed positions. With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, as bar  192  swings downward and inward, the bar engages the surfaces of flanges  156  that form grooves  156   a  and pulls the rail assemblies  106  and  110  toward main frame  102  and into the folded or closed position of the rail assemblies. Conversely, as seating assembly  104  pivots from the closed position into the open position, bar  192  swings upward and outward, and this cross bar pushes rail assemblies  106  and  110  outward and into their open positions.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 5, preferably, a hook  194  is provided adjacent the top of each groove  156   a  to hold cross bar  192  at the tops of those grooves. More specifically, hooks  194  are pivotally mounted on flanges  156 ; and when the rail assemblies are in the open positions, hooks  194  can be swung over cross bar  192  such that the hooks engage the cross bar and hold the cross bar in a comparatively fixed position, between the hook and the top of groove  156   a . To release bar  192  from hooks  194 , to allow the cross bar to slide down grooves  156   a , the bottom portions of the hooks are pivoted away from the cross bar, clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5. A connecting bar  196  may be connected to both hooks  194  to facilitate pivoting the hooks. A second safety is a Velcro strap that provides locking the bar  196  to cross bar  192  in FIG. 5 to bar  202  in FIGS. 6 and 7. All three are wrapped by safety Velcro straps  198 .  
         [0035]    With particular reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and  7 , a locking bar  202  may be provided to help lock the rail assemblies  106  and  110 , as well as the seating assembly  104 , in their open positions. Generally, locking bar  202  is connected to main frame  102  for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, the locking bar engages seating assembly  104  to help lock the seating assembly and rail assemblies  106  and  110  in the open position; and in the disengaged position, the locking bar is disengaged from the seating assembly. Preferably, in the engaged position, locking bar  202  extends over and engages cross bar  192  to help lock the seating assembly and the rail assemblies in their open positions. Also, preferably, retaining magnet  204  is mounted on main frame  102 , specifically, cross member  132 , to hold the locking bar releasably in the disengaged position.  
         [0036]    More specifically, with the preferred embodiment of chair  100  shown in the drawings, locking bar  202  includes side legs  206  and  210 , cross or lateral leg  212  and locking piece  214 . Legs  206  and  210  are pivotally connected to and extend from main frame  102 . For example, legs  206  and  210  may be connected to left and right legs  120  and  122 , respectively, of the main frame via suitable brackets and slightly above side members  140  and  142  of seating assembly  104 . Cross leg  212  is connected to and extends between outward ends of legs  206  and  210 . Legs  206 ,  210  and  212  may be connected together in any suitable way; and for instance, these legs may be integrally connected together and formed from a single metal rod that is bent into a u-shape. Locking piece  214  is mounted on cross leg  212  for pivotal movement therewith, and piece  214  forms an outwardly facing notch  214   a . When the locking bar  202  is in the engaged position, cross bar  192  is received in notch  214   a , and the locking piece  214  helps lock the cross bar in place.  
         [0037]    With reference again to FIGS.  1 - 4 , upper frame section  112  is connected to and is supported by main frame  102  for movement between retracted and extended positions. Also, the upper frame section  112  can be connected to the main frame so that frame section  112  either faces forward or faces backward. With the preferred embodiment of chair  100  shown in the drawings, when upper frame section  112  is in its extended position, (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 ), the upper frame section extends upwards from the top end of main frame  102 , generally parallel thereto; and when upper frame section  112  is in its retracted position (shown in FIG. 4), the upper frame section extends generally downward from the top end of main frame  102 , generally rearward of the main frame. Also, the upper frame section is considered to face forward when cross member  164  is forward of legs  160  and  162 , as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 ; and, conversely, the upper frame section is considered to face backwards when member  164  is rearward of legs  160  and  162 .  
         [0038]    More particularly, legs  160  and  162  of upper frame section  112  are substantially straight, although, as viewed in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the upper portion of each of these legs curves upwardly forwardly slightly, and upper cross member  164  is connected to and extends between the upper ends of legs  160  and  162 . In addition, legs  160  and  162  are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart slightly less than the distance between legs  120  and  122  of main frame  102 . Legs  160  and  162  and cross member  164  may be connected together in any suitable manner. For example, cross member  164  may be welded to top ends of legs  160  and  162 .  
         [0039]    With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and  4 , upper frame section  112  is connected to main frame  102  by inserting the bottom ends of legs  160  and  162  into sleeves  188  of connecting members  126  and  130 . The sizes of sleeves  188  and legs  160  and  162  are selected so that these legs will slide up and down through these sleeves, allowing the upper frame section  112  to move between its extended and retracted positions.  
         [0040]    With reference to FIGS. 4, 8 and  9 , latching assembly  220  is provided to hold legs  160  and  162 —and thus upper frame section  112 —in place relative to main frame  102 . Preferably, latching assembly  220  is used to hold upper frame section  112  in all of its various positions. Extended forward position is for transporting a person down stairs. Backward lower position is for carrying a person up stairs.  
         [0041]    Preferably, latching assembly  220  includes substantially identical left and right subassemblies  222  and  224 . Each subassembly includes latch  226 , bracket  230   i  and biasing means such as spring  232 . Generally, latch  226  is mounted on main frame  104  for sliding movement between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, the latch  226  engages upper frame section  112  and holds that frame section in place. In the disengaged position, the latch  226  is not engaged with upper frame section  112 , and that frame section is moveable between the retracted, extended, forwardly facing and rearwardly facing positions. Spring  232  engages latch  226  and urges the latch into its engaged position.  
         [0042]    Preferably, each latch subassembly further includes means, generally referenced at  234 , for holding latch  226  in the disengaged position, against the urging of spring  232 . With the embodiment of latch assembly  222  shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this holding means  234  includes an end portion  226   a  of latch  226  and an adjacent retaining slot  236  formed in cross member  132  of main frame  102 . More specifically, latch  226  includes a straight, main portion and a bent-end portion  226   a . To hold latch  226  in the disengaged position, the latch is pulled to the right, as viewed in FIG. 9, against the force of spring  232 , and the latch is turned to swing bent portion  226   a  into slot  236 . The physical engagement between bent portion  226   a  and the surface of member  132  that forms slot  236  prevents the latch from sliding back to the left. Latch  226  can be returned to the engaged position by swinging bent portion  226   a  out of retaining slot  236 , and allowing spring  232  to force the latch to the left.  
         [0043]    Preferably, as shown in FIG. 9, latch  226  is slidably mounted on cross member  132  of main frame  102  by means of bracket  230 , immediately to the side of connecting sleeve  188 . The sidewall of that connecting sleeve forms a through, side opening  242 , allowing latch  226  to slide into the sleeve. Also, the sidewall of each leg  160 ,  162  of upper frame section  112  forms two side openings, an upper opening and a lower opening. FIG. 10 shows these upper and lower openings of leg  162  at  244  and  246  respectively. These upper openings in legs  160  and  162  are used to hold frame section  112  in the retracted position, while the lower openings are used to hold frame section  112  in the extended position.  
         [0044]    To put frame section  112  in the retracted position, legs  160  and  162  are slid downward through sleeves  188  so that the upper leg openings  244  are aligned with sleeve openings  242 , and then latches  226  are slid, under the bias of springs  232 , into and through openings  242  and  244 , locking the frame section  112  in place. To put frame section  112  in the extended position, latches  226  are pulled out of openings  242  and  244 , frame legs  160  and  162  are raised to align lower openings  246  with sleeve openings  242 , and then latches  226  are slid through the aligned leg and sleeve openings to lock the legs  160 , and  162  in place. Preferably, it may be noted,. spring biased stop buttons, shown for example at  252  in FIG. 8, are mounted on legs  160  and  162  to limit upward and downward movement of those legs. When desired, an operator can press these buttons  252  inwards, into the legs, to allow the buttons, and the connected legs, to slide through sleeves  188 .  
         [0045]    As mentioned above, front support assembly  114  includes legs  166  and  170  and bottom subframe  174 . Support legs  166  and  170  are pivotally connected to and extend downward from seating assembly  104 , to help support the seating assembly and to help position the legs of an occupant of the chair. Bottom subframe  174  is pivotally connected to main frame  102  and extends forward therefrom, and this subframe  172  includes a laterally extending forward cross member  184  located forward of the support legs  166  and  170 . Because of its location, below and forward of the legs  166  and  170  of the chair occupant, cross member  184  forms an effective gripping bar for a person to grip the chair to help carry the chair upstairs.  
         [0046]    This is of significant importance because it substantially facilitates using the chair  100  to carry a person upstairs. This, in turn, is very advantageous because, as a result, the same chair  100  may be easily and readily used both for carrying people upstairs and for transporting people downstairs.  
         [0047]    More specifically, the preferred embodiment of subframe  174  includes left and right members  176  and  180  and cross members  182  and  184 . Left and right members  176  and  180  are pivotally connected to left and right legs  120  and  122  of main frame  104 , and members  176  and  180  extend forward from legs  120  and  122 . Cross member  182  is connected to and laterally extends between intermediate portions of members  176  and  180 . Front portions of members  176  and  180  curve forwardly downwardly, and front cross member  184  is connected to and laterally extends between the forward ends of members  176  and  180 . Members  176 ,  180  and  184  of subframe  174  may be connected together in any suitable way. Preferably, members  176 ,  180  and  184  are integrally connected together, and for instance, these members may be made from a single, tubular member that is bent into a U-shape. Cross member  182  may be welded to side members  176  and  180 .  
         [0048]    Front legs  166  and  170  of assembly  114 , in addition to being pivotally connected to cross member  144  of seating assembly  104 , also extend forward of cross member  182  of subframe  174  and are pivotally connected to that cross member via brackets. Wheels  172  are connected to front legs  166  and  170 , both for rotational movement and for swiveling movement about the axes of those legs.  
         [0049]    With the above-described arrangement, as seating assembly  104  pivots into its folded position, subframe  174  of support assembly  114  swings upward, generally about cross member  124 , and front legs  166  and  170  move upward and inward, pivoting relative to member  144  and relative to subframe  172 . With reference to FIG. 2, in the collapsed position of chair  100 , front legs  166  and  170  of front support assembly  114  extend substantially downward from seating assembly member  144  and subframe  174  extends substantially upward from lower back cross member  124 .  
         [0050]    Harness system  116  is provided to help secure a person in chair  100 ; and this system includes left and right belt sections  260  and  262 , leg strap  264  and head band  266 . Left and right belt sections  260  and  262  are respectively mounted on legs  120  and  122  of main frame  102 ; and preferably these belt sections can be slid up and down along those legs, allowing the position of the belt sections to be adjusted. For example, ends of belt sections  260  and  262  may form loops that are mounted on or wrapped around legs  120  and  122 . These belt sections may be connected together in any suitable way, such as by means of a Velcro fastener. Also, rear safety Velcro strap to hold  192 ,  196  and  202  in lock positions when, chair is open.  
         [0051]    Leg strap  264  is mounted on one of the legs  166 ,  170  of front support assembly  114 . In use, strap  264  is wrapped around the other of the legs  166 ,  170  of front support assembly  114  and around the legs of a person seated in the chair, and the two ends of the strap are connected together to form a secure loop holding the legs of the person between legs  166  and  170  of chair. Strap  264  may be mounted on leg  166  in any suitable way, and preferably the strap can be slid up and down along that leg. For instance, one end of strap  264  may form a loop that is mounted on or wrapped around leg  166 . Further, the two ends of leg strap  264  may be connected together in any suitable manner, for example by means of a Velcro fastener.  
         [0052]    Head band  266  is provided to help hold the head of a person seated in chair  100 , and preferably, the head band includes back and front sections  270  and  272 . Back section  270  is mounted on and extends between legs  160  and  162  of upper frame section  120 , the center of front section  272  is connected to back section  270 , and the two ends of section  272  may be releasably connected together, for example by a Velcro fastener. In use, a person who is seated in chair  100  places his or her head against sections  270  and  272 , and the ends of front section  272  are wrapped around and against the forehead of that person and then connected to each other.  
         [0053]    Although the operation of chair  100  is apparent from a review of the above discussion, that operation will now be summarized. This operation is specifically illustrated in FIGS.  11 - 21 , and as shown therein, an important advantage of this chair is that the same chair can readily and easily be used to transport people both upstairs and downstairs.  
         [0054]    More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, chair  100  may be stored in its compact, collapsed position, and the chair may be fully opened, as shown in FIG. 12 by means of a simple procedure. In particular, to open the chair, seating assembly  104  is pulled into its open, erect position, and upper frame section  112  is pulled upward and locked into its extended position. When seating assembly  104  is pulled into its opened position, front support assembly  114  and rail assemblies  106  and  110  are automatically moved into their open or operating positions and wrapping a safety Velcro strap around bars  192 ,  196  and  202 .  
         [0055]    Once chair  100  is opened, a person may be seated in the chair, as shown in FIG. 13. Then, with reference to FIG. 14, belt sections  260  and  262  may be connected together across the lap of that person, belt strap  264  may be looped around the legs of the chair occupant, and head band  266  may be connected around the forehead of that person. When the chair is moved over a flat, or comparatively flat, surface, the chair is supported by wheels  134  and  172 . When the chair is moved down stairs, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the chair is supported by the lateral rail assemblies  106  and  110 , which engage and extend across the top edges of those stairs.  
         [0056]    To use chair  100  to carry a person upstairs, upper frame section  112  is secured in the backwardly facing position, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, and a person is secured in the chair, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Two people are used to carry the chair upstairs, as shown in FIG. 21, with one person holding the chair via upper cross member  164  and with the second person holding the chair via lower front cross member  184 .  
         [0057]    While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects previously stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.