Rascal Rio power chair tray
Our client is an 80 year old lady suffering from MS. She wanted an easily removable tray fitted to her Rascal Rio powered wheelchair which she uses around the house. Nothing was available from the manufacturer. The controls for the chair were also allowing the chair to move at speed and our client wanted it to be a little safer for her.
The solution
Harrogate and Ripon Group engineer Mike Johnson came up with an innovative solution. The chair is light weight with no frame for supporting any of the usual types of tray mount. However, a suitable bracket used to mount the joystick controller was available underneath each armrest. A support bracket was made for permanent fitting to the chair without restricting access. A standard tea tray was adapted with very light side rails that latch onto the supports so that the tray could be lifted and latched into place one-handed. Materials used – aluminium tube, angle and channel together with 3d printed parts. (cost ~ £35 parts).
Mike reached out to a local disability equipment supplier we know to see if they could help with the sensitivity and the top speed of the control. The operating characteristics of machines like this (and mobility scooters and the like too ) can often be changed if you have the necessary software, cables and knowledge – as disability equipment dealers tend to have. An engineer visited to reprogram the controller to reduce the joystick sensitivity and maximum speed (cost to client £50 callout charge).
The benefit
Our client now has a chair and carrying tray that can be driven safely around the tight turns and restricted spaces in her home.
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