Lateral trunk supports play a vital role in providing a supportive, comfortable and functional wheelchair seating set up for many wheelchair users. They can facilitate participation, enhance activity, protect posture, promote safety and so much more. Whilst it’s the support pad itself which makes contact with the user and provides them with these benefits, it can only be as effective as the mounting hardware to which it’s attached.
The latest evolution of the Spex Paediatric Swing-Away Lateral provides the next iteration in its design, building on its predecessor and extensive feedback gained from prescribing therapists, AT consultants and wheelchair users to deliver a superior experience for children who rely on these essential supports.
Let’s explore how six of these enhancements have made a significant difference in comfort, function and usability.
One of the most noticeable improvements is the inclusion of a specifically designed neoprene sleeve, serving a dual purpose in both aesthetics and comfort. How a wheelchair looks is very important for many children, parents and caregivers, often with a preference towards having minimal hardware on show.
This addition of neoprene provides a sleek, aesthetically pleasing finish which covers the hardware. The other benefit of this nifty little sleeve is that it provides a smoother and softer contact surface for children whose arms may otherwise come into contact with the hardware itself. This is particularly beneficial for children whose skin can mark or bruise easily, or simply where this additional protection will prevent them from getting hurt.
The sleeve is provided as standard with an opening for the swing away release mechanism, along with additional holes to facilitate easy access to commonly used adjustment points, so to not impede the usability of the accessory.
Strength and durability are key when it comes to wheelchair accessories, and when considering lateral support hardware which also needs to move, this is especially true. The newly designed Z Bar of the Spex Paediatric Swing-Away Lateral incorporates a knurl feature: an addition of small grooves along the bar for improved grip and stability.
This innovation, along with increased clamping strength, ensures a more secure attachment, reducing the likelihood of the clamp loosening over time and the lateral support moving out of position, a problem commonly encountered in this particular accessory group.
Additionally, the lateral bracket itself is now slightly thicker, offering enhanced resistance to bending under load, making the support more reliable and durable.
The updated swing-away mechanism is now more compact, a thoughtful adjustment that reduces interference with other components such as wheelchair canes. This streamlined design ensures that the lateral trunk support remains functional and unobtrusive, contributing to a more seamless and user-friendly experience.
Improved access to the swing-away release is also achieved through this change, ensuring the lateral support can always be swung away from position, no matter the configuration of the wheelchair.
Durability was a significant consideration in the redesign of the bracket and swing-away attachment. Feedback on the previous model’s design indicated problems with a loosening over time, becoming problematic for long-term use. The new design, inspired by the proven adult Spex lateral support systems, addresses this issue effectively.
By incorporating a more robust swing-away mechanism, the updated bracket ensures greater stability and resilience, making it a dependable choice for daily use and provides children with the support they need, when they need it.
Further customer feedback has led to a crucial adjustment in the fixing stud length, reducing the chance of this falling out during intricate adjustments needed to get the position just right. The slightly longer fixing stud allows for a more loosened position for repositioning, enabling easier adjustment and placement of the hardware before final tightening.
This small yet impactful change addresses a common issue where nuts would frequently fall off during adjustments, making the setup process smoother and more user-friendly.
Finally, the optional extender kit addresses the need of additional bracket depth, without requiring a whole new lateral bracket to be required. This is particularly beneficial for children, where their future needs may not always be known, and their development and growth can bring additional considerations for their seating.
For setups where a thicker back support cushion is used, or where additional contouring is needed to accommodate or reduce trunk asymmetries, this extender kit allows for further adjustment of the lateral pad’s position.
Simply add the extender kit to the new Paediatric Lateral Trunk Support and the bracket is transformed, offering adjustable slots for depth, providing added flexibility and ensuring that the support can be perfectly aligned for optimal comfort without having to completely replace the entire bracket.
The new version of the Spex Paediatric Swing-Away Lateral Trunk Support is a prime example of how thoughtful design improvements can significantly enhance the functionality and comfort of wheelchair accessories.
From the neoprene sleeve that adds comfort and style, to the robust new fixing mechanisms and compact swing-away design, these updates reflect a deep understanding of user needs and practical challenges.
With these improvements, the Paediatric Lateral Swing-Away Trunk Support not only meets but exceeds expectations, paving the way for whatever adventures lie ahead.
