Securing an Otto Bock Robby bath frame
Our client is a teenaged girl hoisted into a large/deep electrically adjustable bath, onto an Otto Bock “Robby” adjustable bathing frame shown below, set precisely to her support needs. However, our client is inclined to move around a lot and a solution was required to secure the relatively narrow frame in place without making any modifications to the bath.
The solution
Our first step was to stop the frame tending to slide down the length of the bath towards the plug end, and this was achieved with an anchor point at the top of the bath made of aluminium, to which the frame is secured with adjustable straps. The anchor point hooks over the edge of the bath and Dycem non-slip material stops it moving.
The second step was to stop the frame moving from side to side, and this was achieved by using two supports like this – which fit under the centre and foot of the frame, and are made from EVA foam cut to match the contours of the bath, linked with stainless steel tie-rods. The rod ends are covered in marine heat-shrink sleeve and are a push fit into holes drilled into the EVA foam blocks.
A third support clips onto the upper part of the frame using Terry clips, bracing higher up the bath sides.
Finally, it was necessary to make a more substantial securing belt than was originally supplied with the equipment, and this was made using the same sort of hi-tech fabric as used on the Robby.
The benefit
Our client can be hoisted onto the now firmly positioned frame and bathing her is now much easier. The EVA blocks are closed cell (waterproof) foam, but have been templated, so if replacements are required, they can be made in just a few minutes.
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