GAIT MASTER II TM ADULT Use r s Manual 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Design Goals Components Precautions Assembly General Information Assembly Instructions Fitting Instructions Measuring The User Preparing The Unit Options Gas & Coil Springs Abduction Seat Front Caster Anti-Swivel Lock & No-Backs Head, Neck, & Shoulder Support Seat Support Frame Only Pelvic Support Getting In & Out Assisted Entry Unassisted Entry Assisted Exit Unassisted Exit Fine Tuning Spring Lock-Out Collapse & Transportation Technical Data 3 3 4 6 7 7 9 14 14 15 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 31 31 34 36 36 40 41 2 Maintenance READ ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE USE! PREFACE This booklet provides information to professionals for the setup and use of the adult Gait Master . The benefits of using the system can be profound, not only in terms of gait development, but also in terms of increasing the user s independence, self-confidence, and social interaction. The Gait Master provides upper body support along with weight relief as the user develops gait skill and tolerance. DESIGN GOALS The Gait Master is designed to give the user the potential of hands-free, self-initiated movement while providing lateral support and assisted lift. A two-part spring assisted lift allows for dynamic weight relief throughout the entire gait, and assists the user up to and down from a standing position. Extreme adjustment of the seat, thoracic, and sternum supports are possible with quick and easy adjustments. If deemed allowable by a professional, a user can get into, out of, and secure themselves in the Gait Master with no outside assistance. Additionally, adjustment of seat height and thoracic supports are possible while the user is secured in the unit, and the fine-tune seat height control can be easily controlled by the user while they are in the Gait Master . 3 COMPONENTS Refer to Figure 1 1. Sternum Support 2. Thoracic/Upper Back Support 3. Rear Seat Pad 4. Seat 5. Upper Frame (silver) 6. Brake Handle 7. Caster Anti-Swivel Lock 8. Caster Wheel 9. Bumper Wheel 10. Pull Knob 11. Lower Frame (colored) 12. Gas Spring Height Adjustment Lever 13. Center Vertical Column 4 1 2 13 4 12 11 3 5 6 10 9 7 8 Figure 1 5 PRECAUTIONS 1. Standing and or gait training is only carried out under the prescription of the user s physician along with the recommendations for duration, frequency, and contraindications. 2. A therapist must always be present while the Gait Master is in use, unless a physician and therapist have authorized independent use of the Gait Master to the user. 3. The Gait Master can tip over if used by a tall individual with poor upper body control. 4. Best if used on level surfaces, and be moved slowly up/ down handicap approved ramps only. 5. Do not use for transportation in vehicles or as a push stroller. 6. Check all knobs, latches, and screws that are used for body positioning adjustments before every use to ensure they are securely fastened. 7. Periodically check all fasteners, and tighten any loose fasteners. Loose fasteners can cause the Gait Master to be inoperable. 8. Check each of the four caster legs to check that they are locked and cannot swivel before the user gets into the unit. 9. The thoracic supports and rear seat pad bar must be locked into position at all times during use, unless the user is getting into or out of the Gait Master . 10.Secure the rear leg straps so they do not drag on the floor during use. 11.Do not put fingers or body parts in/near joint pinch points or holes during operation. 6 ASSEMBLY General Information Tools Required 3/16 Allen Wrench (included in tool pouch) 5/32 Allen Wrench (included in tool pouch) Tape Measure Sliding Knobs The sliding knobs are found on the thoracic ring support, and the rear seat pad. These knobs slide along the length of the tube, and automatically lock into place. Push the round black knob along the length of the tube and away from the hinge joint. Rotate the hinge joint outward and release the knob. Refer to Figure 2. To lock the knobs back in place: swing the arm containing the knob to its locked position. The knob will automatically lock into place. Figure 2 7 Pull Knobs Pull knobs are found on the lower frame. Behind the round knob is an X shaped slot. These slots act as a guide for a retaining pin attached to the pull knob. Pull the round black knob out so the retaining pin is free. Rotate the knob 90 degrees so the retaining pin lines up with other slot. Release the knob and allow the retaining pin to slide into the slot. The pull knob is in the locked position when the retaining pin is in the deeper of the two X slots. Refer to Figure 3. Locked Retaining Pin Unlocked Figure 3 8 Allen Screws All other adjustments are comprised of allen screws. Insert the short end of the appropriate allen wrench into the socket of the allen screw. Tighten or loosen the screw by turning the allen wrench. Figure 4 Assembly Instructions Unpack and unwrap all of the parts. Depending on your specific order, your parts may differ than the ones shown below. Figure 5 9 Unwrap the two black straps that keep the caster legs together, and rotate the legs to an open position as shown in Figure 1. The caster legs do not automatically lock into place. Put away the straps by wrapping them around the leg and looping the strap through the two D-rings. Lock the caster legs in place. Rotate the rear leg pull knobs so the retaining pin is aligned with the deepest slot. Release the knob. It is ok if the knob does not slide all the way into the slot. Rotate the caster leg back and fourth until the retaining pin locks the leg in place. Refer to Figure 6, note that the location of the slots may not be as depicted as in the figure. Rear Knob 10-Deg. Knob Locked Locked Unlocked 18-Deg. Knob Figure 6 10 The front caster legs have two locking pins each. One to lock the leg at a 10-degree angle, and the other to lock the leg at an 18-degree angle. It is suggested to start with the front legs at the 18-degree outward angle for first time users, for use on outside/uneven terrain, or individuals requiring added stability. When changing between the 10 and 18-degree angles for the front leg, make sure both knobs on the front leg are in the unlocked position before rotating the leg. It is only required to lock the knob that relates to the desired leg angle position. If the silver and colored frames are not together: Confirm that the pull knobs near the top of the square tubes are in the unlocked position (retaining pin is in the shallow slot) as shown in Figure Figure 7 7. If they are in the locked position, the upper frame will not slide into the lower frame. Actuate the gas springs* to make insertion of the upper frame into the lower frame easier (This may already be done for you before the unit was packaged). Pull the ring toward the front of the unit while rotating the gas spring release lever toward the right side of the Gait Master . Refer to Figure 8. The ring may by released once the handle is vertical. Pull Continue to rotate the handle until both gas springs stop rising out of the square tubes. Figure 8 *Caution, the gas springs will extend upward out of the opening of the square tubes (Figure 9), and can do so with much force and speed. Keep clear of the opening of the square tubes Figure 9 while actuating the gas spring release handle. 11 Insert the upper frame into the lower frame. Make sure the U shape of the silver round tube is pointing toward the front of the lower frame. Insert the silver vertical square tube over the black round gas spring. Refer to Figure 10. Continue to slide the upper frame down and into the square tube of the lower frame. Fixed inside the larger square tube of the lower frame are plastic inserts. These pieces fit snugly between the two square tubes. If the silver square tube does not immediately slide past the plastic inserts, put slight pressure on the silver square tube to help align it in place. When aligned properly, the upper frame should easily slide down into the lower frame. Forcing the upper frame into the lower frame when not properly aligned can cause damage to the plastic inserts. Figure 10 12 Rotate the thoracic support so the front pads are about 4 inches (10 cm) lower than the rear curved pads. Loosen the four allen screws on the central block, only one or two turns is necessary. Rotate the support arms and tighten all four allen screws firmly. Rotate Screws Figure 11 Insert the center vertical column into the top of the square opening in the center of the upper frame. Remove the end-cap from the column. Slide the center vertical column into the square opening. Make sure that the nuts attached to the screws can slide into the groove of the vertical column. It may be necessary to rotate the screws a few turns to line up the nuts correctly. Slide the center column toward the floor until Screws about 5 inches (13 cm) extends below the square opening. Firmly tighten both of the screws located on the side of the square tube until the column is securely in place. Figure 12 13 Attach the seat to the center vertical column. Slide the open square tube attached to the seat frame up around the center vertical column. Make sure the nuts attached to the allen screws are aligned so they can slide into the groove of the center column. Stop when about a 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) of the column extends below the square tube. Firmly tighten the allen screws until the seat is securely in place. Figure 13 Attach the end cap of the center column. Push the cap into place until it cannot go any further. FITTING INSTRUCTIONS Measuring The User Figure 14 #1: Inseam + 2in: ________ #2: Crotch to Tip of the Sternum* - 2in: ________ #3: Chest Width + 1in: ________ #4: Chest Depth + 2.5in: ________ *This measurement can be changed for the most effective area of the sternum pad placement; either, below, across, or above the breast area. 14 Preparing The Unit The design of the Gait Master allows for a wide range of users. This section explains the basic steps in getting the unit in an arrangement that will allow the user to comfortably get in/out and use the device. Additional fine-tuning can be done based on preference and user feedback (see Fine Tuning section). During preparation, the user should NOT be placed in the Gait Master at any time! First, make sure the upper frame is free so slide up and down inside of the lower frame. On each side of the lower frame near the top of the square tube is a pull knob (Figure 7). This knob allows the upper frame to be locked to the lower frame (No spring action). When the retaining pin is in the shallow slot, then the upper frame is able to slide in and out of the lower frame when downward pressure is applied. This is what is desired at this time. If the pull knob does not come out when you pull it, try putting downward pressure on the upper frame while you pull the knob out. Gas Spring Handle Operation The gas spring release handle has a locking pin to prevent accidental actuation of the gas spring. The handle can be placed in three main positions (see next page). Use the pull ring to change handle positions. Pull Figure 15 15 Position 1, the handle lays toward the left of the unit. It can rotate, but does not actuate the gas spring (Figure 16a). Position 2, the handle is in a vertical locked position. It cannot rotate, and does not actuate the gas spring (Figure 16b). Position 3, the handle is in a vertical un-locked position. It can rotate, and will actuate the gas spring when rotated toward the right of the right of the unit (Figure 16c). Movable w/out actuation Figure 16a Fixed vertically Figure 16b Movable with activation Figure 16c Positions 1 & 2 are to be used help prevent accidental actuation of the gas spring by the user. Position 3 allows the handle to actuate the gas spring without having to use the locking pull pin (Figure 15). To actuate the gas spring (raise the upper frame), rotate the handle to the right of the unit (Figure 16c). The further the handle is rotated, the faster the spring will raise the frame. The handle can be released at any time, and this will lock the position of the upper frame in its current location (The upper frame can still move up/down due to the coil spring). 16 Preparing The Unit (con.) Adjust the angle of the sternum support to a position similar to Figure 17. Use the allen wrench to loosen/ tighten the four screws. The angle of the sternum pad can be adjusted further once the user is in the unit. Do not place the user in the unit at this time! Screws Figure 17 Adjust the distance between the sternum pad and the seat so it is equal to measurement #2 as shown in Figure 18 by moving the seat frame up/down on the center column. Confirm that the seat height can be reached. Actuate the gas spring so the upper frame rises until it comes to a stop. The gas spring has a 7.9in (20cm) stroke. Measurement #1 should be in between #2 the value of ...