Introduction: Turning Aid for Paralyzed People

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In this instructable, we will show you how to make a turning aid with which disabled people can turn by their self in bed.

The person for whom we made this is called Sylvie and is paralyzed from her waste to her feet. The device works by raising the bed allowing ropes to pull on a blanket. This blanket helps the person to roll over on his/her flank. The bed used in this instructable is a common bed found in many hospitals and retirement homes. Off course, not all beds are the same so a few minor adjustments might have to made to make it fit.

Step 1: SHOPPING LIST

MACHINERY

  • Drill bit Ø 3.0mm
  • Drill bit Ø 10.0mm
  • Screw bit
  • Drilling Machine
  • Jigsaw
  • Measuring tool
  • Marker/ Pencil
  • Sanding paper
  • Sewing Machine

PARTS//

  • ±40 Wood screws: M4; 45.0mm
  • Triplex: 6.0mmMDF: 18.0mm
  • Steel bar: Ø 10.0mm; 2.20m
  • Sheet: 1.00 x 1.20m
  • 4 Guiding wheels (Step 6)
  • 2 Single Pulleys
  • Rope Ø 8.0mm
  • 4 Lashing Straps

EXRTRA//

  • Cutter
  • Tape
  • Wood glue

Step 2: SAWING SIDE PANELS

In this step we saw out our 4 basic panels of the final product.using a simple jig saw. First we saw one panel, and use this as a template for the other 3.

OPERATIONS//

  • Outlining panel contours
  • Sawing out countours
  • Drilling start and end of the 3 central slots
  • Sawing out 3 slots

PARAMETERS//

  • Material: Triplex (birch)
  • Thikness: 6mm
  • Minimum needed panel size: (4x) 650 x 550mm
  • Attachment: Dimensions in technical drawing

Step 3: SAWING SPACERS

To create an even space between the two panels, we need to saw several spacers.

OPERATIONS//

  • Sawing plank with correct width
  • Deviding plank in different pieces

PARAMETERS//

  • Material: MDF
  • Thikness: 18mm
  • Minimum needed panel size: 85 x 850mm
  • Attachment: Dimensions in technical drawing

Step 4: MOUNTING PULLEY

To guide the rope through the frame we use 4 pulleys. In this step we mount these pulleys on 4 of the spacers.

OPERATIONS//

  • Positioning the polley at the centre of the block
  • Drilling
  • Screwing

PARAMETERS//

  • Drill size: Ø 3.0mm
  • Wood screw: M4; 45.0mm

Step 5: ASSEMBLING

In this step we mount the parts we've created until now. We used a simple drilling machine with drill and scewing bit.

OPERATIONS//

  • Positioning spacers (1 long one and 4 smalls)
  • Drilling two holes at every spacer
  • Screwing

PARAMETERS//

  • Drill size: Ø 3.0mm
  • Wood screw: M4; 45.0mm
  • Attachment: Dimensions in technical drawing

Step 6: POSITIONING THE ROPE

Make sure that you positioned the rope through the pulleys before you to the next step. TIP: make a knot at the end so you rope can't come out when you close the frame.

Step 7: ATTACHING BALSA WOOD

This step is to make the whole product clean to the user. Bending a balsa sheet around the curve closes the whole frame. Balsa is a soft wood sort and can easily been cut with a simple cutter.
TIP: the more professional designer can also use plywood to make it more durable.

OPERATIONS//

  • Cutting the balsa with a width a little bigger than the actual width of the frame
  • Drilling a whole in the balsa where the rope should pass
  • Glueing balsa on the frame
  • Cutting off the extra edges

PARAMETERS//

  • Material: Balsa
  • Thickens: 2.0mm
  • Width balsa: 9.4mm

Step 8: STEEL BAR

The steel bar is used to pull the person over, therefore it must be sufficiently strong to be able to bear the weight of the patient.

OPERATIONS//

  • Saw the bar at the correct length
  • Drill two wholes at each side of the bar (1.5cm from the edge)

PARAMETERS//

  • Ø 10.0mm
  • Length: 2.20m
  • Drill size: Ø 8.0m (Same as rope)

Step 9: SEWING THE CLOTH

In this step we create the cloth were our client will have to sleep on. Because of this use a comfortable fabric that's suitable for the washing machine.

OPERATIONS//

  • Sew all the edges to create a clean border at every side.
  • At the longest side, fold the edge 5.0cm inside
  • Sew this border

PARAMETERS//

  • Cloth size: 1.00 x 1.20m

Step 10: MOUNTING ON THE BED

Now we have completed the two side-frames and the bar with the sheet in-between. Here ends the work in the workplace, what's left is connecting this structure to the bed.

OPERATIONS//

  • Slide both frame over the bed sides
  • Place the bar (with the sheet) between the two frame inside the slots
  • Pull at each side two lashing straps through the frame around the bed sides

Step 11: PULLEY SYSTEM

The pulley system is one of the most important parts of the bed. Make sure you connect the pulley when the bed is at its lowest point. Note that where you should connect the pulley system to the bed varies from bed to bed.

OPERATIONS//

  • Connect one pulley at the bottom of each side of the bed (The part that doesn't move)
  • Pull the rope through the pulley
  • Attach each end of the rope to the bottom of the mattress base (The part that move up together with the mattress)

Step 12: MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY

Making this tool was not only fun for us to do, but we also made a difference in someone's life. Sylvie is now able to turn in her bed whenever she wants.

This product can sure still be optimized, and therefor we challenge you! Design not only for the average, design for everyone!

More info about this project and our way to this product can be followed on our blog.
Interested in comparable projects of our colleagues? Visit the website of Design For (Every)one.

Thanks for your support!