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Car Access
To achieve effective transfers for this client, a handle was constructed that could be locked onto the car door bolt striker. Once locked in place, the handle sticks out beside the passenger seat and the client has something strong to lean on as she lowers and raises herself. The handle was finished off by attaching a standard plastic hand grip over the metal tubing and sticking padding to the metal plate to stop it rubbing against the door pillar. Ref T7-418
Car Boot Lid Strap
A woman was having difficulty in closing her car boot because she could not reach the lid when standing at the rear of the car. A neat and simple solution was provided by a strap attached to the underside of the boot lid. Made from approximately 600mm of 50mm webbing, the strap has a loop at one end and a 7mm hole at the other so it could be riveted in place. Ref 98/105
Portable Step
Some students with disabilities were having difficulty in getting into their mini-bus because the step was too high. A free standing intermediate wooden step was constructed. The design emphasises stability, which is increased by the addition of rubber grommets to the undersides of the feet to prevent any movement on hard surfaces. When not in use the step can be stored under the front passenger seat. Ref 98/144
Reaching Device
Woman with paraplegia over many years has developed weakness and pain in her shoulders. She was having difficulty shutting her car door after transferring from her wheelchair into the car on the passenger side and then sliding over to the driver's seat. She did not want any structural modification to the car. A reaching device was made of poly pipe and resembling a claw. The client could easily hook the pipe into the armrest of the passenger door and pull the door shut. In this simple solution PVC tubes were fixed to a PVC elbow. Ref 96/347
Supporting Frame for Car Transfers
Woman who is unable to bend her legs walks with the assistance of a walking frame, but cannot get out of her car without being lifted by someone. A frame similar to a walking frame was made to provide bars for the client to push down on while she pushes herself up to standing position. The frame has two arms, and a base with an open front to allow her to walk out of it using her conventional walking frame. The frame sits on four legs which can pivot ensuring stability on uneven surfaces. The full-width pivot acts as a 500mm long hinge and ensures a very rigid frame. The design is very simple, inexpensive, with few moving parts, and is easily lifted into the back of the car. Ref T1/173
Swivel Base For Child's Seat
Young girl with multiple physical disabilities uses a special supportive car seat. Her mother has had neck surgery limiting her ability to lift her child out of the car seat. A swivel base for the car seat was made to reduce the strain on the mother's back and neck. The base allows the car seat to be pivoted to the side to provide ease of access for transferring the child into and out of the car. When in the normal front facing position, the car seat is secured by the lap/sash belt passed through the back rest frame and by its own tether strap hooked to a lug on the floor. Ref T0/027
Wheelchair Lifter for Car
A woman with arthritis uses a wheelchair for shopping. She drives a car and wanted to take the wheelchair with her in the car, but was unable to lift it into and out of the boot. A lifting device consisting of a winch and pulley was designed and constructed. As there was not enough space in the boot, a mounting plate and pillar was attached at the rear of the car below the bumper bar. A removable pulley arm was attached onto the pillar. The wheelchair is folded and the pulley hooked on to a wheel rim with a lightweight karabiner. Using the winding handle, the chair is easily winched up to a suitable height and guided into the boot. A Velcro strap keeps the wheelchair handles together during lifting and a simple bolt lock prevents the winding handle from moving once it is in the required position. Ref 96/034
Modification to Scooter Lifter for Car
The client carried his electric scooter in the rear of his van, but was no longer able to load it manually. An electric hoist was purchased to lift the scooter, but it could not be mounted inside the vehicle as intended. Modifications were required to provide external mounting on the vehicle. A support post of 40mm heavy steam pipe was fitted to the rear side of the vehicle to carry the removable post and swinging arm of the electric hoist. The wiring circuit was altered to suit the electric hoist. A safety harness for the scooter hooks onto the lifting arm of the hoist, which lifts the scooter to the level of the tailgate and then can easily be manouvered into the rear of the vehicle. Ref 99/275