19 replies to this topic

[Fluid Matrix]

I posted this video on youtube several months ago, and only decided now to post it here.

A little history about myself. I became a L1 para following a motorcycle accident in May 2009. I spent about 3 months between the hospital and therapy before I finally made it home again. Shortly after getting home, one of my friends decided that he wanted to take on the task on devising a way for my to access my basement that I had been working on turning into my multi-purpose home theater room. This guy works for a local farm-implement company and has a history of taking on strange projects.

So, it took him several months, but this is the finished project. The unit is run off of 2 12v batteries that are connected to an adjustable worm gear. (BTW, don't ask me what a worm gear is, because I honestly don't have any clue) Speed is fully adjustable, and he even designed a safety braking system if one of the cables were to snap. Control is from a momentary toggle switch at both the top and bottom of my stairs, and also wirelessly through a handheld remote, that I have hanging off my Roho, similar to a car alarm remote. It has sensors at both the top and bottom so the motor knows when to stop, as to not hurt anything as well. This is not a simple winch system.

Enjoy!



P.S.

Yes, I know my legs look thin. I lost about 60 lbs due to an infection I caught AT THE HOSPITAL while in ICU. I'm luckily back up about 25 lbs. since this video was shot.

[Tetracyclone]

Way cool FM. Perhaps he could write up the plans, or do some drawings that you could post here. The lift is marvelously minimalist.

Could you do another vid showing close-ups of how you get on and off, and how an AB gets around it?

[wheelzoffortune]

Amazingly cool. Props to your friend.

[Fluid Matrix]

Tetracyclone, on 24 March 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

Way cool FM. Perhaps he could write up the plans, or do some drawings that you could post here. The lift is marvelously minimalist.

Could you do another vid showing close-ups of how you get on and off, and how an AB gets around it?

He's already stated he's not interested in writing up plans or building these for others. The risks on his end aren't worth the monetary benefits.

As far as getting on and off the lift, it's just a solid platform that's wide and long enough for my wheelchair. When I need to go downstairs, I call the lift up via my wireless remote, and when it gets to the top, I simply roll onto the platform and set my chair brakes. Then, again use the wireless remote to take myself downstairs. When the lift isn't needed, it simply stays downstairs and out of the way of any AB person.

Edited by Fluid Matrix, 24 March 2011 - 07:55 PM.

[sh1wn]

Nice, its great to have friends. Is there any kind of lip or flap to keep you from rolling to far and taking a fast trip down? Kinda like a vehicle lift has?

[allis53ca]

Xtremely cool and top knotch engineering

[Fluid Matrix]

sh1wn, on 24 March 2011 - 08:48 PM, said:

Nice, its great to have friends. Is there any kind of lip or flap to keep you from rolling to far and taking a fast trip down? Kinda like a vehicle lift has?

There is a flap at the end that he originally had designed to flip up, but wouldn't be strong enough to roll off the edge. Unfortunately, the birth of his first child has put the finishing touches of the lift on the back burner. We had thought up maybe some type of "speed bump" too, just so I know where it's safe to roll and not go too far. I'm going to try and get some more pics in the next few days and post them up.

[Ginny]

That's awesome! What a clever solution. I hope you continue to regain your health.

[Quad65]

Could you have one of your AB buddies shoot some close-up video showing the mechanism and how it works? How it's put together? Maybe even a parts list? That would help the rest of us who want to maybe have someone cobble together a similar set-up.

I've seen the 'Stair Glide' units go for around, what, $10,000?

Edited by Quad65, 26 March 2011 - 04:27 PM.

[oldwheelz]

Looks much like the one I have. About 7 yrs. old and no problems. Cost about the same as my outdoor ramp and was built by the same guy. Don't remember the exact price but less than $2000. Mine works much like a commercial garage door opener. Electric motor in basement that has spools that take up the cable. Control switches in the basement, upstairs, and on the platform. Limit switches at the end of travel each way. Very simple but takes a bit of tinkering till it is set up. Just look at the cables now and then and that is it for maintenance. Also comes in handy for lifting things in or out of the basement.

[Quad65]

oldwheelz,

Any chance of getting a bit of video on your setup? Maybe some specs and such?

[oldwheelz]

Nothing to take video's with but if you pm me I can take some pic's and send them.

[Fluid Matrix]

Better late than never, here are some pics of the setup from the basement.

The first picture shows the wench/worm drive. The 2 cables go up from that to the platform that runs up and down the track.

Picture #2 shows the complete electronics of the system, including the 2 batteries below that are wired to a battery tender. If power goes out while I'm downstairs, I will still be able to get back upstairs.

Picture #3 shows a close-up of the electronics. There are 2 adjustable speed potentiometers for the separate sensors (in the center), as well as the wireless receiver, for the wireless control attached to my wheelchair, in the upper right corner.

[Tetracyclone]

Hey thanks. Your friend did a lovely neat job of it.

[Quad65]

Your location says Shithole, KS. Is that up the road from Bumf*@k, AR?

Edited by Quad65, 15 April 2011 - 02:44 AM.

[moimart]

Fluid Matrix, on 13 April 2011 - 03:17 AM, said:

Better late than never, here are some pics of the setup from the basement.

Thanks for sharing the pics, i'll try to setup the mechanical part but the electronics it's over my head

[wheeliebear75]

Tetracyclone, on 24 March 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

Way cool FM. Perhaps he could write up the plans, or do some drawings that you could post here. The lift is marvelously minimalist.

Could you do another vid showing close-ups of how you get on and off, and how an AB gets around it?

wheelzoffortune, on 24 March 2011 - 01:47 PM, said:

Amazingly cool. Props to your friend.

What they said!

[Kimu]

thats awesome! we all need mates like that!

[Ferreira]

Sweet...gotta build one myself too.

[scott73]

Wow thats nice