Adapted grabber
Our REMAP engineer Paul has adapted a traditional folding grabber/helping hand/reacher for a person who has a weak grip, limited mobility and a tremor. Precise movement, a steady aim and a fine grip are required to operate a traditional ‘helping hand’ grabber. The person could not operate a traditional grabber and had to rely on others to reach everyday household objects as he sat in his chair.
The Challenge
The design was inspired by a dustpan-and-brush collection method. The person can use the extended grabber to reach items on the floor and scoop them into the small collection tray and then close the lid on the tray with a single activation of the easy grip trigger. The closed lid keeps the collected items inside the tray without the need to maintain a firm grip on the trigger. The items stay safe in the closed device despite movement due to tremor.
The solution
Paul used a large ‘squeeze grip’ helping hand and replaced the claw grip with a tray with a spring-loaded flap; made of 1.25mm aluminium sheet, mounted on the original plastic fitting which had supported the grabber’s claw. The original cable has been replaced with a longer and stronger bicycle gear cable, and the trigger is modified for easy use and strength, with a cable-clamp allowing length adjustment.
The grabber is designed for scooping and lifting small household items only eg TV re-mote/keys/cutlery/phone etc. It is not designed to carry heavy weights/liquids or food.
The aluminium construction is relatively soft, and the edges have been smoothed, but there could be a risk of skin damage if the devise is brought against a body part with force.
The benefit
The person can retrieve small items near his chair independently.
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