DAEDALUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
MAKING TECHNOLOGY MORE ACCESSIBLE
The DAESSY Folding Mount - DFM2 and DFM2ROP
The DAESSY Folding Mount - DFM2
The DAESSY Folding Mount – DFM2 consists of two lengths of stainless steel tube joined by a Folding Mechanism. The Horizontal Tube can be lifted through an angle of 90º and rotated down 180º to place the Horizontal Tube and Vertical Tube parallel along the side of the wheelchair. The complete mount can be removed leaving only the Frame Clamp assembly attached to the wheelchair frame; in its folded configuration the DFM2 is a very compact unit for storage or transportation.
The mount is supported on the wheelchair by a Frame Clamp Assembly, which is permanently attached to either the left or right side of the wheelchair.
For the standard DFM2 the Frame Clamp Assembly is composed of a Frame Clamp Inner Piece and a Frame Clamp Outer Piece. The Inner Piece is clamped to the wheelchair frame while the Outer Piece holds the vertical mount tube. An Index Clamp (IC1) secured around the lower end of the Vertical Tube engages with a positioning pin on the Frame Clamp Outer Piece to position the tube and prevent rotation.
The DAESSY Folding Mount ROP Version- DFM2ROP
The ROP Version of the Folding Mount – DFM2ROP incorporates a Locking Mechanism at the Frame Clamp. The increased security of the connection between the Removable Frame Clamp Receiver and the Removable Outer Piece makes the Folding Mount ROP Version suitable for tilting seat systems.
Caution:
Rarely does the user have the necessary combination of strength and dexterity to perform the folding operation unaided. Guide the mount through the complete folding sequence. Do not merely lift and drop.
In the folded position the attached device protrudes beyond the side of the wheelchair making it vulnerable to collisions if the wheelchair is moved. In particular large keyboard devices that are tilted to allow the user full access may protrude a considerable amount and the DFM2 may not be appropriate for these devices. In some cases use of a Folding Quick Release Base (USBF) will allow the device to be folded to a more protected configuration when stored beside the wheelchair.
Whenever the wheelchair is moved with the mount folded, it is recommended that the device be detached from the mount and carried separately.
When the mount is folded the unbalancing effect of heavy devices on small wheelchairs is reduced but not eliminated, and it may be advisable to remove the device or mount before the wheelchair is vacated.
Choice of Folding Direction
The folding sequence has two steps. The first movement rotates the Horizontal Tube up through an angle of 90º. The second movement is a rotation of the Horizontal Tube down through 180º to place it parallel to the Vertical Tube. The initial direction of the second rotation can be either forward or backward. The factory default assembly of the Folding Mechanism (RTH+2RTHTM) will result in forward rotation when the mount is installed on the right side of the wheelchair (user’s perspective) and backward rotation when the mount is assembled on the left side of the wheelchair. The Folding Mechanism can be converted to provide opposite directions of downward rotation (see Changing from Right Hand to Left Hand Assembly).Right Side Folding Sequence – Default Setting
From the In-use position the Horizontal Tube is lifted up, rotating at the Folding Mechanism, to bring it parallel to the Vertical Tube.
From the Vertical Position the Horizontal Tube is rotated forward and down through 180º to bring it down to a position beside the wheelchair.
Left Side Folding Sequence – Default Setting
From the In-use position the Horizontal Tube is lifted up, rotating at the Folding Mechanism, to bring it parallel to the Vertical Tube.
From the Vertical Position the Horizontal Tube is rotated backward and down through 180-degrees to bring it down to a position beside the wheelchair.
When the wheelchair user has the strength and dexterity needed to perform the folding sequence the movements may be easier with backward folding. The Horizontal Tube and mounted device must be held though the entire sequence – not merely lifted and dropped – and the backwards and down motion may be better suited to the natural motion of the user’s arm. When an aide folds the mount, there is little or no advantage to backward folding.
On many wheelchairs, the backwards rotation of the Horizontal Tube will be obstructed by the rear wheel or other fittings, and the S-Tube must be positioned to hold the Folding Mechanism further out from the wheelchair to avoid these obstructions.
Folding Mount