Pen-top remover
A jewellery maker who works with paper decorated using felt-tip pens has reduced strength in her hands due to Rheumatoid arthritis. She struggles with removing the tops of her pens and glue-stick and asked if we could devise something to help her do this more easily.
The solution
A gripping tool was made with different-sized sections for holding the tops of her pens, glue-stick etc firmly, enabling her to twist and pull the the pens away. The tool included a strap-wrench as an alternative and was mounted on a base so it could be screwed down or used free-standing. Downward pressure was all that was needed to operate the tool.
The birch ply was found in a skip, the aluminium and leather were scrap.
The benefit
No more struggling with tight pen-tops or having to ask for help.
- Skills involved:
- Issues Addressed:
- Activities Helped:
- Location:
- Solution:
Hello, I have arthrogryposis which causes my hands to not be able to grip things. I enjoy coloring but can’t open markers or gel pens on my own. I’m based in the US. Are there any locations that you have in the US that would allow me to purchase an item like this?
Hi Sciatta, thank you for your comment. I’m afraid that REMAP only operates in the UK, so we unfortunately can’t offer services to people unless they’re based near one of our branches. We do have a list of useful resources that I hope might be of some use to you in the US: https://remap.org.uk/how-we-can-help/when-we-are-unable-to-help/
Hi, thankyou for replying to me. My condition is Arthrogryphosis which I was born with, it affects all my limbs and my hands look a bit like arthritis so I can’t grip very well, I love colouring, so I hope you can help, please. I am 83 years old.
Hope you can help and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
June Rapley.
S
Hi June, thank you for this additional information. Are you possibly able to complete our referral form, which can be found here: https://remap.org.uk/referral-form/ ? That way we’ll be able to see if we have a branch near you that can help.
I find it difficult sometimes to remove the caps from colouring felt tip pens.
Hi June, if you could benefit from a similar solution then please complete our referral form with a bit more information, so we can see if we’re able to help: http://www.remap.org.uk/help
Hi please could I buy a pen top remover.
Thank you
Karen Pennington
Hi Karen, all of our items are custom made free of charge, so they’re not available to buy. However, you can complete our referral form to see if we can help you with something similar: http://www.remap.org.uk/help