Patent ID: 7490617

Claim:
A step-extending device configured for assisting persons to walk upon steps of a stairway using a four-point walker, comprising: (a) a first base and a second base, each of said first and second bases defining a flat planar underside configured to rest unattended upon a first step when the device is in use, each of said first and second bases further defining a flat planar upper surface disposed above each respective underside and disposable in use to support one leg of the walker at a height substantially equal to the step disposed above said first step, each of said bases defining a height extending vertically between said flat planar underside and said flat planar upper surface; (b) a cross member, said cross member comprising a first end and a second end, said first end of said cross member being attached to said first base, said second end of said cross member being attached to said second base, wherein said device is selectively operable between a first mode and a second mode; wherein in said first mode each of said first and second bases includes a first predetermined number of units stacked upon each other to define a first height; and wherein in said second mode each of said first and second bases includes a second predetermined number of units stacked upon each other to define a second height different from said first height; (c) a first hinge pivotally connecting at least two of said units of said first base; (d) a second hinge pivotally connecting at least two of said units of said second base; and (e) a flip bar having a first end connected to one of said hinged units of said first base, said flip bar having a second end disposed opposite said first end and connected to one of said hinged units of said second base, wherein pivoting movement of said flip bar reconfigures the device between said first and second modes.