Colorado AgrAbility ProjectColorado AgrAbility ProjectYou want to do what?You want to do what?
Jason Beck, Rehabilitation Technologist
Assistive Technology
How do you match a client with AT?1) Look for new ways to complete tasks
• Can you change how client must complete tasks?
2) Look for commercially available products designed to complete tasks
• R&D has been done, product will do what it says
3) Look for commercially available products that you can modify to complete tasks
• Always easier to modify than to design
4) Design and fabricate a unique device• Most expensive, largest risk, sometimes only option
Unique solutions
1) PTO Jack
2) Automated Irrigation Gate
3) Portable Ladder/Staircase
4) ATV Throttle
5) 3D VR model with students
PTO Jack
• Client was paraplegic• Family member had to
hook-up PTO shaft from tractor to baler
• Difficult for family members to support and couple shaft at same time
• Jack used to support weight of shaft so that helper only had to worry about coupling
PTO Jack
• Materials:– Scissor style car jack– Half of irrigation PVC
pipe– Bungee cord to hold
PTO shaft– Fasteners to bolt
together
• Cost– $50
Automated Irrigation Gate
• Client was paraplegic• Unable to control
water level for irrigating by himself
• Family member (wife) had to manually insert 2”x4”s to dam up water
Automated Irrigation Gate
• Materials:– Steel channel frame
– AC geared motor w/brake
– Chain to turn jackshaft
– Steel jackshaft
– Sheet metal reinforced w/angle iron to dam water
– Climbing webbing to attach sheet metal to jackshaft
• Cost– About $700
Portable Ladder/Staircase
• Client suffered from chronic back pain and arthritis
• Irrigated his land by siphon from concrete ditch
• Ditch at the bottom of very soft dirt slope
Portable Ladder/Staircase
• Materials:– Aluminum angle for
structure– Raised expanded metal for
stair treads– Steel pipe for handrail– Aluminum scrap for
outriggers– Receiver hitch– Fasteners to bolt together
• Cost– About $200
ATV Throttle
• Client had severe crush injury to right forearm
• Could not operate thumb throttle on ATV
• Modified throttle to twist type and moved to left side
ATV Throttle
• Materials:– Help from Colorado
Powersports
– New throttle cable attached to carburetor
– Twist throttle control attached to throttle cable
– Moved to left side of ATV
• Cost– $175
3D VR Model with Students
• Transfer from tractor lifts into tractor cabs not always safe or efficient
• Work with students from the University of Colorado to model JD 4440 tractor cab
• Use 3D virtual reality to determine placement and types of devices to help transfer from lift into cab
Thank YouAny Questions?
