Locking system for a stair assistance device

A stair assistance device for use with a handrail, the device comprising:

• a sleeve having a handlebar extending therefrom, the sleeve engageable with and slideable relative to the handrail, and
• a removable pad assembly disposed within an interior of the sleeve, wherein when the stair assistance device is engaged with the handrail, said removable pad assembly is disposed between an internal surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the handrail,
• wherein the removable pad assembly comprises a sprung steel backing plate from which an inwardly bent protrusion is formed comprising a spring strip in a portion of a first surface disposed at a first longitudinal end of the backing plate, said spring strip having the first surface bonded with a material having a first coefficient of friction for slidably engaging the outer surface of the handrail while a second surface disposed at a second longitudinal end of the sprung steel backing plate is bonded with a material having a second coefficient of friction, the second coefficient of friction being higher than the first coefficient of friction,
• wherein when the stair assistance device is engaged with the handrail, said spring strip provides a biasing force against the outer surface of the handrail so that the material with the second coefficient of friction is held in contact with the outer surface of the handrail to hinder or prevent movement of the sleeve relative to the handrail when the device is not in use, and wherein the handle bar is manually movably along the handrail when a user overcomes the biasing force.