Ron, If Luke has good upper body strength how about a slip-in grab bar he could pull on to help you to help him up?
David
David, I've thought about that, but so far I can't come up with any secure way of attaching it. One of the advantages of this approach would be that it would get him more involved in the "getting out" routine. He's certainly able to learn new behaviors if given enough trials.
Ron
Linear Actuators www.firgelliauto.com less than $100.00ea for 18" stroke.
Maybe you get a look at the Dauntless setup?
duck
Thanks Duck. Those are pretty cool.
Ron
how about puttin 2 rails on each side that would hinge at each end with the linear actuator
the 2 rails being hooked just like the motorcycle jacks you see lol for that mater use the hydraulic jack
my 4 cents (inflation u know lol)
stacy
Thanks for the suggestion Stacy. Actually, the seat will tilt right now. The Jeep seat I put in has the same arrangement as the original Calif. one had; i.e., a horizontal bar across the bottom front that is fastened to the hack floor by a couple of "half circle" clamps.
In addition to all you guy's creative input, I'm going to try and talk with an Occupational Therapist who worked with Luke for many years. Although she hasn't seen him now since he aged out of school 7 years ago, I know she still thinks about him and is quite good at her job. I'm think that I'll get her feedback for at least these three ideas: (1) tilt the seat somehow, (2) make a door or cut out the hack side, and (3) fabricate a grab bar in front of Luke so he can help pull himself up. (as I typed that, I remembered that this may not be a possibility).
Anyway, I sincerely appreciate your ideas and welcom more.
Duck (or anyone else) any chance you could e-mail me a sketch of how this might be rigged up? I don't think Jay's system is shown on his site -- or, at least I couldn't find it.
Thanks much!
Ron
Ron, yes I could sketch something if I new what I was talking about, that’s just one more reason I’m anxious to go to a rally, I believe there will be vendors and a bunch of different rigs and interesting ideas to look over. I talked to Dennis at the welding supply house across the street today, he’s quite the inventor, him and his buddy build these robots that destroy other robots, you may have seen this on TV, it’s very competitive, anyway we got to jawun about your situation and he suggested the linear actuated screw, like the Dauntless deal,,,, email the Dauntless people and see if they can get you a brochure or something. I’d like to see how this works out for you guys.
duck
Jay, do you have anything? Is there something on your site that I'm missing?
Thanks,
Ron
I just posted some pictures that my friend Rick did with his digital editing skills. They show what might be involved in modifying the side of the hack so it's kind of like an FII. They're in my album (Ron_n_Luke's Ride). I'd welcome your comments -- especially those of you who have done some fiberglass work. Oh, sorry for the duplicate pics.
Thanks,
Ron
I'm still wrestling with the "get-Luke-off-his-butt" issue. Here's my latest thinking.
Move the nose latches to the outside of the hack. This is needed because if they're left inside the seat will catch of them when tilted fully.
Mount something like this - www.12vautotech.com/superjack.html - in the trunk and fabricate some lever gizmo that will raised the rear of the seat. This jack is small (5") but has plenty of power. I like the remote control feature since it should help prevent accidental raising (like when Luke is seat-belted in - ouch) and it has a lowering capability.
I'm sure I'd need to reinforce the floor of the trunk, but that shouldn't be too hard.
Whatchathink?
Ron
Sounds like it would work. But you will need a quick action so when needed it will act like a ejection seat and get him out fast.
Ron in Co
But I might have to catch him on his way down! 😉
Ron
Get him a parachute
Hmmm, maybe a wing with a seat attached. He could fly along behind the rig when we're moving.
Ron
