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?