Cot side for adjustable bed
2nd April 2014
The client, recovering from a stroke, needed a cot side to stop him rolling out of bed at home. (He was bed blocking until the job was completed). The double bed at home was a new adjustable one which did not have provision for attaching a cot side.
A free-standing steel frame was made to avoid making holes in the new bed. The bottom of the frame pushes under the bed and is thus secured against tipping. The frame carries a standard NHS expandable, rise and fall cot side.
The client was able to come home from hospital and cannot fall out of bed.
Car seat hand rest
12th March 2014
This client has had polio and although he could turn through 90° in the passenger seat of a car and put his feet on the ground, he could not pull himself upright to get out of the car.
A handrest was fitted between the door pillar and the front seat so that the client could push himself up with his left hand. This consisted of a right angled bracket with the base sitting on the floor of the rear seat and with the upright coming between the front seat and the door pillar. A screwed rod with a beech wood handrest was fitted to the top of the upright arm, this can be adjusted up or down to suit.
For the first time, the client can now get out of the car unaided.
Bleach bottle opener
11th March 2014
The client was unable to open ‘safety’ caps of bottles containing liquids like bleach due to rheumatoid arthritis in her hands.
A tapered fork was made from aluminium angle and fitted with a wooden handle, it has teeth on one side only. The fork, when pushed over the bottle cap, squeezes the sides and holds them in that position while the cap is unscrewed. When the action is reversed the fork loses its grip and can be removed from the cap. The length/ angle ratio of the fork is sufficient to accept all the standard sizes of caps.
The client can now open this type of cap without assistance and has even loaned it to able-bodied neighbours.
Bird cage catch
11th March 2014
This lady could not open the door on her bird cage.
A nylon cord and handle were fitted to the bird cage door catch.
The client can now open the bird cage door with ease.
Bicycle crank modification
10th March 2014
Henry, a pensioner, is a keen cyclist who will ride 50 – 60 miles in a day. Years ago, a motorcycle accident left his right leg and ankle deformed. His ankle is out of line with the centre of his foot and so the inner side of his anklebone tends to contact the bicycle crank arm on each revolution of the pedals resulting in pain by the end of a ride.
The engineer made an extension piece in aluminium alloy with an M22 external thread at one end and an internal pedal spindle thread through it. The crank arm internal thread was then enlarged to M22 so the extension piece could be screwed into it and secured with engineering adhesive. The pedal spindle screwed in as normal. Care had to be exercised to ensure that the new threads were true to the original axis.
Henry is absolutely delighted with the modification and is now able to ride long distances without the pain of his right ankle constantly striking the bicycle crank arm.
Bath plug aid
10th March 2014
The client has arthritis and finds it very difficult to bend down. She has an electrically operated bath seat to help her in and out of the bath but she found it almost impossible to fit and remove the plug.
A standard rubber bath plug was fitted into a plastic water pipe via a pin. The pin allows the plug to rotate and swivel independently of the tube. The client can fit the plug in the bath from a near standing position and can rest the pipe against the side for later easy access. To prevent any buoyancy effects due to trapped air this cap was drilled to give a small central air release hole.
The client can now maintain her independence (and dignity) by bathing herself.
Bag carrier and trailer hitch for wheelchair
9th March 2014
The client, who uses a powered wheelchair, wanted means of carrying and accessing shopping safely on his own. He also wanted to use the chair to move a small trailer around the garden.
The chair is very substantial with plenty of load carrying capacity. A pivoted frame, with roller and ball bearings so that the basket is easily moved, was bolted to one side of the chair supporting a swinging carrier which holds a plastic basket that can be swung alongside the chair for loading or stowed behind the seat.
The trailer hitch is mounted onto the frame on the back of the chair and can be easily removed when not needed.
He can load the basket at the checkout and carry the shopping safely home.The trailer hitch enables him to play an active part in gardening.
Adult cycle stabilisers
6th March 2014
Martin has mild cerebral palsy which affects his balance. He wanted to be able to ride a bicycle, particularly for a charity ride in support of the local hospice which helps his wife. An adult mountain bike was fitted with stabilisers. The stabilisers have large pneumatic tyre wheels. The stabilisers had to be strengthened with struts upwards and forwards to the rear frame of the bicycle to cope with the loads imposed by a heavy adult.
Martin completed the 24 mile charity ride and now uses the bicycle to get around the town.
