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From: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (John Lynch)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Able System Chair
Message-ID: <16426@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 14 Dec 90 04:49:52 GMT
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Index Number: 12503

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

* Original: AREA.... MEDCENTER
* Original: FROM.... John Lynch
* Original: TO...... Alan Hess
* Forwarded by...... Maximus-CBCS v1.02 at 1:261/1000.0

Well, over at Social Security Admin, they have me riding ij a
wheelchair,
 alias the TANK, that can climb steps, rais and lower the occupant,
 and move at 6mph.  Today I made my first visit to the steps.  You
back up the steps, and go forward down the steps.  They were
supprised when I wanted to go up, rather then down, but that flight
of steps looks long coming up to it.  It has sonar sensors that
will let the chair know when it is on the edge of the steps.  You
hit a witch, and stacks lower dwon and lifts the chair up  off the
for regular wheels.  The sensor then lower lift bars to keep you
from going over backwards in the transition to the stairs and the
seat tilts backwards.  As you start to go up the steps,, the seat
repostions to the proper positionh for your body.  And up you go
backwards.  Usually the treds slip once or twice, which turns you
cold, but up you go.  But then there is comming down the steps.  Yo
drive till about three inches from the lip, feels as if you are
already falling down them, and lower the treds.  then you move
forward till the sensors reposition the chair seat a device comes
down in the front to keep the chair from dropping hard into the
treds and throwing you out, then the interesting part, you suddenly
tip forward, do it in your pants :-), heart goes into throat, and
down the steps you go.  You have to steer to keep the chair going
down the steps straight, or keep on on the curve of the steps if
they curve.  It works, it does work, it does draw a crowd, it does
cost $20,000, but it is not on the market yet.  This 510 lb beast
is having its road test evaluated by Food and Drug Admin, you do
need a prescription.  Once that is completed it should be in the
market.   Any\one interersted in this beast should write Quest
Technologies, 766 Palomar Ave., Sunnyvale CA. 94086-9716, Fax
408-7391806,,voice 408-739-3550.  They do have an east coast rep in
D.C. Ed Grant at (301)268-2364 (in Annapolis, Md 31403).  More
stories if I live through Jan 14th. What I wont do in the service
of my country.  And they think the guys in Saudia Arabia have it
dangerious.  Regards, John

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