From: Bob.Paddock@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Bob Paddock)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Chair repair!
Date: 20 Jan 93 21:51:33 GMT
Reply-To: Bob.Paddock@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 26327

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

JV>  What brand is it? I have to make a decision soon on a new
JV>chair.

        I asked Rogger, he said it was a Ever Jennings (Spelling?)
Marathon model.  We spent the next two hours talking about redesigning
it.  He said he saw *The Chair* that he wanted, it was made by a
German company and was described on the program "Inventions" or
"Beyond 2000".  He contacted them and said they would not import into
the USA because of liability.   He said it was a tracked unit (Like a
tank, or bomb removal robot you see on TV) that would even go up and
down stairs.  Where Rogger and I live the area to Roggers chair is
what Baha is to a car.

        Tom, Roggers stepfather, said that modern mountain bikes are
built better.  They come complete with shockabsobers, and much better
tiers.  The Wright Brothers started in the bicycle business, look
where it got us?  Maybe we should start a chair business in a mountain
bike shop?

JV>  Ah, if only I could afford you for a design for a 36vdc servo
JV>steering system on a chair! Only thing is, I don't really need
JV>1000A thyristors. <g> I'd prefer something in a MOSFET.
JV>Seriously, I have no idea who I could go to for this, nor how
JV>many billions it would cost. ;(

        We use 2000V/500A SCR's for the mining machine
actually...probably would be a MOSFET or IGT for a chair tho....

        I did some talking to my boss about getting in the chair
business, to sell thing at a reasonable price.  He told me if I could
find what out what rules and laws govern the manufacturing and sale of
chairs he would consider doing some thing.  Where would I find such
information?  In the end I doubt any thing would become of this, but
then maybe Rogger and I, with help from real users like yours self,
could start our own chair business? :-)

        Rogger was complaining that a new on/off switch for the
recline part of his chair cost him $500.   The same switch from Radio
Shack $2.95.  The Boss said that he ran into this with the company air
plane (Before we had to sell it to pave the drive way.  We couldn't
afford the liability insurance to use the plane for work any longer,
so we drive over it daily now.  First pot hole just started, and is
growing daily nicely..).  He had to replace the alternator in
his car, it cost $59.95.  A while latter he had to replace the
alternator in the plane, it cost $999.95 FOR THE EXACT SAME
ALTERNATOR!  He said that the paperwork, all of the licences,
approvals, and certifications, cost the $940.  I find this sickening,
what *value* did all of this paperwork add to the alternator, or
Roggers on/off switch?   Both the switch and the alternator broke,
even with all of this extra cost!

        If nothing else I'm going to learn a lot more about chairs...

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