Turning Aid for Paralyzed People
Intro: Turning Aid for Paralyzed People
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
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
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
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
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
STEP 7: ATTACHING BALSA WOOD
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
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
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
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
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
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!
12 Comments
michalY 3 years ago
wellsya 6 years ago
I had a spinal fusion on my L4/L5 vertebrae one month ago and am not allowed to turn, bend or twist my spine. Your invention would have been ideal in the hospital and rehab.
LeilaD8 7 years ago
superviser 9 years ago
jacob_kellman who gives if its ADA approved
its disabled person approved by me
superviser 9 years ago
well done this is something I am going to make
superviser 9 years ago
well done this is something I am going to make
jacob_kellman 9 years ago
Is this ADA Approved?
craftclarity 9 years ago
This is a really really fantastic project. Thanks for addressing a need that Design often ignores.
ssebastian4 9 years ago
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DThaVkkvDkA
This is the commercial solution I was talking about.
ssebastian4 9 years ago
Great job. A similar commercial solution costs thousands of pounds. Everything for the disabled are ridiculously expensive. This is a good example of low cost technology helping some one in need. I work with people with disabilities and I know the difference this bed can make.
Akin Yildiz 9 years ago
i have the same experiences with ssebastian4 . these items are extremely expensive when most disabled people are also poor. great work!
Akin Yildiz 9 years ago
i have the same experiences with ssebastian4 . these items are extremely expensive when most disabled people are also poor. great work!