Mobile crane foot platform
28th April 2014
Patient with rheumatoid arthritis and severe water retention was unable to locate both her feet on the relatively small platform of the Harvest crane that she used to raise her into a standing position
A larger foot plate was manufactured. Because of client weight, due consideration had to be made to the strength of the new plate structure, which comprised 50×25 hollow steel section. Platform floor comprised 18mm plywood with carpet tile finish to provide a non-slip surface. An edging of standard copper tubing with 50mm insulation provided a soft edge.
The knee support bracket was also removed from the crane pillar, the exposed end being covered by suitable padding.
The client can now locate feet safely onto crane platform.
Double buggy divider
28th April 2014
Mother with two children, 3 years and 6 months has a double Maclaren buggy. Elder child is mildly autistic and inadvertently causes injury to younger child when both are in buggy. Mother required some form of divider which would prevent youngster being injured but which would also permit them to see each other.
A dividing screen of clear 4mm polycarbonate sheeting is attached to the buggy by a pair of clamp fixings. Clamps remain fixed to buggy and screen is removed to permit pram folding. Polycarbonate was chosen because of its strength and resistance to shattering. Photos illustrate clamps (2 off) and general shape of divider screen.
Screen effectively prevents elder child causing injury to younger whilst permitting both to sight each other.
Raised toilet seat
28th April 2014
Client with mobility problems uses a raised toilet seat. Seat location lugs do not provide sufficient security of seat location resulting in seat slipping off toilet. The photos below show the seat on the toilet and the manufacturer’s locating lugs:
Existing location lugs removed and replaced by new locator pins that extend deeper into toilet so providing more secure location. The photos below show the new extended lugs:
Client can now use seat with knowledge that seat will not slip from toilet bowl.
Wheelchair switch tray
28th April 2014
Chloe is 8 years old and has cerebral palsy. To teach her communication skills her school required a means of positioning a 4-way switch plate onto her wheelchair. The switches were connected to a suitable box of “electronics” provided by the school.
The tray supplied by the local “wheelchair services” was unsuitable for use, it being unstable and too small.
A new tray was manufactured from 6mm MDF sheeting and fixed by means of a steel frame to spigots on the wheelchair arms. To facilitate removing Chloe from her chair, the upper fixings were simple slotted plates, the lower ones being a fork form with pinch screws to secure the tray. By this means the tray could be fitted or removed without the need for any tools and once fitted formed a stable and rigid structure.
The switches were mounted onto a curved piece of MDF which had a high friction rubber compound glued to its underside. Once placed in a suitable position the friction compound prevented the switch assembly sliding whilst in use.
Chloe now has a suitably large working surface and can have her switch positions readily optimised to suit her abilities.
Electric mobility scooter trailer
28th April 2014
An elderly lady with MS required a means of attaching her bicycle trailer to her electric scooter. She is a keen artist and requires a means of carrying her equipment.
A simple sandwich block was manufactured which fitted onto the rear bumpers of her scooter. The block was fitted with a tapped boss to permit attachment of her trailer draw bar. The trailer has a draw bar set at 45 degrees and a terminal head designed for rigid connection to a bicycle rear axle. A strong spring between the terminal head and the drawbar acted as a flexure facility. By simply rotating the terminal head it was capable of rigid transverse attachment to the sandwich block.
The client can easily attach/remove the trailer to her scooter and can now carry her painting gear with ease.
Extended door handle
28th April 2014
A homeowner of reduced stature has difficulty reaching the door handles of her French doors.
An extension rod and handle were fitted to an existing handle to provide a low level operation.
The client can now operate handle with ease.
Aerosol Dispenser
28th April 2014
An elderly client has Carpal Tunnel syndrome and also suffers from Angina. As such she has difficulty applying sufficient pressure to the medication release button on her aerosol dispenser.
Based upon a design in a previous yearbook, a similar style mechanism was constructed. This particular model permits simple insertion and removal of the medication capsule and also utilises no springs, which would have increased force requirements. The device permits either single or dual hand operation.
The client can now easily depress the medication release button on her Angina spray.
Chunc to BuggyPod coupling
28th April 2014
7 year-old boy has cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy. He uses a Chunc 45 wheelchair. His little sister is 1 year-old. Mother requires to be able to take both children out together and is looking for a means to couple a secondary push-chair type pram to the Chunc 45. Mother has already purchased a second-hand Revelo BuggyPod and wished this to be used as the auxiliary chair.
During a telephone discussion with engineers at Revelo, the manufacturer of the BuggyPod, they stated that they had seen one of their BuggyPods coupled to a Chunc 45 at an exhibition. Following on from there, a call to the manufacturers of the Chunc 45 chair revealed that they had indeed developed a coupling adaptation. This was purchased, at relatively little cost, and fitted to the Chunc 45 chair.
The adaptation permits simple coupling of the BuggyPod, which may either be folded up when not in use or speedily removed and replaced without the use of any tools. When the BuggyPod is removed, a pair of interface coupling units are left attached to the Chunc 45 chair.
Chunc 45 parts required for this project were:
Description Part No No Cost
Front Harness Attachment Assy ASM 1527 1 £4.60
M8x16mm Button Head SS Bolt NA-00-451 1 £0.07
M8x16mm Socket Head SS Bolt NA-00-501 1 £0.14
Non-Rotating Boss PSM 1308 1 £1.15
Fixed End Cap PSM 1310 1 £0.87
Points to note on BuggyPod:
- The BuggyPod auxiliary chair retails at around £80.00 and is an extremely well engineered auxiliary chair which is capable of being fitted to a wide range of standard and special needs chairs. Revelo publish a compatability list on their website but this list does not yet show compatability with the Chunc 45.
- When not in use, the BuggyPod may either be folded up or simply removed – without the need for any tools
- The BuggyPod may only be fitted to the right hand side of the main chair (as seen from the pusher’s point of view)
The facility permits the mother to take both children out together. This enhances the interaction and bond between the children since they are now doing things together.
UV Shelter for Quad Cycle
28th April 2014
Alice, who is 5 years old, has the condition known as Exeroderma Pigmuntosum (XP); she has zero tolerance to the UV component of normal daylight – even on overcast days. As such she has to have her entire body screened from daylight and can only go outside during daylight hours if she has been completely coated in protective cream, wears opaque light proof clothing and is wearing a special hat assembly which incorporates a UV screen built into its face visor. This is extremely restrictive and prevents her from normal play and experiencing the normal stimuli other children take for granted. Her head-piece is also cumbersome and stuffy during warm weather.
A means was required to permit a “normal” play experience with her friends.
Having previously made her a UV cover for her small electric car (which she has now out-grown) we considered the manufacture of some form of bicycle arrangement. Because of potential topside weight problems a standard 2-wheel bicycle was not feasible. A tricycle wasn’t considered “cool” so we manufactured a quad cycle by combining two bicycle frames. One cycle is considered the master unit and is the only one with steering control, with linked steering to the other cycle. This unit was also fitted with a fixed wheel sprocket to permit both forward and reverse movement.
To provide UV protection a tubular steel frame was manufactured to which was fixed impact resistant acrylic, the inner surfaces of which were coated with a UV blocking film (Dermaguard). Hinged side doors provided ready access and egress. The roof of the enclosure was covered in light-proof blackout blind material.
Alice can now play freely with her friends and has developed confidence in her own abilities.
Window opener
28th April 2014
This wheelchair user has only one functional arm and could not open the windows to permit ventilation.
Redundant elbow crutches were modified with a ring fitted to the foot of the crutch which when fitted over the handle allows him to unlock, open, close and re-lock the windows with ease.
The client’s quality of life has improved and they now have freedom to ventilate the house at will.
Wheelchair reversing mirror
27th April 2014
A wheelchair user is unable to twist his neck to see behind whilst reversing his wheelchair.
A simple reversing mirror was mounted onto the wheelchair arm with a swivel fitting to permit transit through narrow openings.
The client can now ensure the rear is clear before reverse movement.
UV screen for electric car
27th April 2014
Three year old Alice has severe xeroderma pigmentosa, and, as a result, her skin is totally intolerant to ultra violet light. Alice had recently been given a small electric car and wished to be reasonably free to use it outdoors but when out she has to ensure her skin is totally covered to prevent exposure to sunlight.
A UV screen with enough air space around it to permit ventilation and minimise any possibility of claustrophobia was required. A frame was manufactured from tubing which clipped to the front of the car, located in guides at the rear and tilted forwards to facilitate entry/exit. Acrylic sheeting was attached to this to provide all-round vision and covered with a UV solar film designed to block 100% of UV rays, whilst being transparent to visible light. The roof comprised a section of black-out blind material. “Driving gloves” are worn to protect the skin on her hands.
Alice can now play outside with her friends without having to wear her facial protective screen.
Tricycle foot restraints
27th April 2014
Connor is a young child with extensive muscular dystrophy who was learning to develop limb movement. His parents had bought a tricycle system which incorporated seat belts and a push bar to help exercise and strengthen his leg muscles. However, due to coordination problems, he was unable to maintain his feet on the pedals.
Over-sized sandal type shoes were attached to the pedals so that the child can wear normal shoes which fit within the pedal-sandals.
The Velcro straps are only closed sufficiently to restrain Connor’s foot without preventing it from being slipped out if the tricycle were to be accidentally tipped over.
By having his feet effectively secured to the pedals his legs are now being exercised when he is pushed around by his parents. This adds greatly to Connor’s pleasure.
Toilet raising adaptor
27th April 2014
Nichola, a wheelchair user with lower body paralysis, found difficulty getting on and off the toilet due to the difference in height between her chair and the toilet seat. Restricted movement meant she was dependent on carers to undertake hygiene operations following toilet use. Any device needed to be light enough to be taken on holidays.
A spacer seat, designed so that the seating height is the same as her wheelchair, was manufactured using fibre-glass materials and a standard toilet seat. It is held securely in place by clips which attach it to the toilet bowl. This permits transfer by simply sliding sideways between chair and toilet. A further feature is an aperture on one side which permits her to gain access for hygiene purposes.
The device now offers Nichola complete independence when using the toilet. The device has also been taken abroad.
Pushchair adaptation for supermarket trolley
21st April 2014
This disabled child could not use a shopping trolley child seat. The child’s pushchair needed to be adapted to permit use of a wheelchair user’s trolley.
By fitting a suitable (easily removable) adaptor frame any style of supermarket wheelchair trolley could be used. The mother can now do the family shopping with child in full view and suitably supported by his own special pushchair.
Pram pulling aid
21st April 2014
Leah has been blind from birth and, having a young child, wished to be able to take her out for walks. She found that pulling a pram with one hand whilst being guided by her dog with the other gave her an awkward posture. She needed a means of improving her posture.
A towing bracket was fixed to the pram handle. This permitted Leah to pull the pram without having to twist her body. One of the problems encountered was the design of the pram which has a great deal of lost motion in the folding handle system.
Because Leah is totally blind, there are risks associated with her taking a child out in a pram. As such she was issued with a product “limitation-of-use” instruction sheet.
Leah now has the means to permit her to pull her child in the pram so enhancing her maternal experience.
Pram harness release
21st April 2014
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is unable to operate the harness release mechanism on her child’s pram.
A scissor type mechanism was developed from which four finger pins act upon both spring catches simultaneously. It is placed over the junction piece, with both handles horizontal. The handles are then freely rotated to the 20 to 4 position, the action of which squeezes each catch and pushes them out of the junction piece. In the event of one catch releasing before the other, the mechanism shifts slightly sideways to effect ejection of the remaining clip.
The client is delighted that such a simple mechanism allows her to be independent in releasing her children from the pram.
Personal toilet facility
16th April 2014
Olivia, a three year-old girl who has had both lower legs and one lower arm amputated, wanted a means of accessing a toilet during the night without having to bother her parents. The house layout is such that the bedrooms are on the first floor whilst the bathroom is in the basement.
A portable “suitcase style” commode was made to hold a standard potty and a tissue box. A small battery operated light was fitted which comes on when it is opened. The case also has a padded top to act as a step-up to permit her to get in and out of bed without having to fit her prosthetic limbs. When not in use the case closes completely and is stored under the bed.
Olivia now has the facility she longed for and continues to develop her independence. The outer case is brightly decorated to be pleasing to the eye and has also been taken on holiday.
Modified toilet
14th April 2014
A child with a leg disorder was required to have a steel brace permanently fitted. When seated on a toilet the diameter of the leg brace caused her to be seated off balance, resulting in her spine being twisted.
A fibreglass moulded seat was manufactured with a suitable indentation to accommodate her leg brace. This seat was then combined with a camping style portaloo so that the child could ‘reach’ her own toilet without requiring parental aid. The whole was then fitted into a chrome steel frame to provide suitable side support.
The child can now use a toilet without resulting in spinal twist. Such was the success of this project that a further shaped seat arrangement was made to fit onto a conventional toilet for use whilst at school.
Leg brace support
12th April 2014
A child with a leg disorder was required to have a steel brace permanently fitted. Because of the weight of the brace she was unable to sit with good posture on a chair, which resulted in spinal twisting.
A chair extension piece was manufactured to provide support for her leg brace.
She can now sit on her chair with her leg brace being adequately supported.
Commode seat
31st March 2014
This client had been supplied with a wheelchair commode fitted with a soft padded seat. He was unwilling to use the device, possibly because he thought he was sitting on a normal chair.
The padded seat was replaced by a conventional toilet seat with a suitable extension to support the client’s right leg.
The client is now happy to use the commode.
Bean bag trolley
10th March 2014
The mother of a severely disabled child required a means of transporting her around the house. The child was normally confined to either a bed or wheelchair.
A caged trolley,with suitable casters and pulling strap, was manufactured and fitted with a large bean-bag to permit mobilisation of the child whilst lying on the beanbag.
The bean-bag provides safe support to the child, and the mother can now easily move her around the various rooms of the house, so providing improved personal contact whilst undertaking normal domestic duties.
Auxiliary car mirror
9th March 2014
The mother of a young child with severe dystrophy has a specially adapted car seat for her child. The seat has to be fitted in the back of the car facing to the rear. The mother was therefore, unable to safely check on the child whilst driving.
A parabolic mirror was fitted to the extreme rear of the car such that the mother has a reflected image of the child in her driving mirror.
The mother can safely observe the child in rear view mirror, with the added benefit that the child can also see its mother and is much more settled in the car.
