Mealtime Partners Mounting Products
Mealtime Partners provides five different length Flex Arm Mounting Systems for mounting Adaptive Switches, or other user-provided devices, to wheelchairs, tables, bedrails or other fixed objects with appropriate surfaces. Also, Mounting Plates are available to attach Micro Light Switches, Jelly Bean Switches, and Mini Cup/Specs Switches to the Flex Arm Mounting Systems. (For mounting on some of the newer powered wheelchair models that have slotted rails for attaching wheelchair components and other accessories, see Mounting Products for Slide-Track.) Sometimes it is more convenient to have the Adaptive Switches simply laying on the lap. For this an Adaptive Switch Mounting Lap Tray is also available.
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Examples of the Flex
Arm Mounting Systems for Mounting Adaptive Switches on Wheelchairs The following pictures show a Flex Arm Mounting System with the appropriate switch mounting plate. |
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| Jelly Bean Switch Mounted for Hand Control | Jelly Bean Switches Mounted for Head Control |
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| Specs Switch Mounted for Head Control | Mini Cup Switch Mounted for Head Control |
All of the Mealtime Partners Mounting Systems include an MtP Wheelchair Clamp, a Flex Arm of user selected length (5 lengths from 6-inches to 30-inches are available) and a "ball and socket" swivel end-section, as shown below. Adaptive Switch Mounting Plate Kits for attaching the Adaptive Switches are also available to attach an Adaptive Switch to the Flex Arm Mounting System. Alternately, other, light-weight user provided devices can be attached to the ball and socket end of the Mounting System.
To attach an Adaptive Switch to a Flex Arm Mounting System using one of the Mealtime Partners Mounting Plate Kits listed below, select the Adaptive Switch Mounting Plate that is appropriate for the Adaptive Switch that is going to be mounted. Next, decide the length of Flex Arm needed to mount the switch. (The overall length of the mounting system is approximately the length of the Flex Arm plus 3-inches.) Attach the Mounting Plate to the ball and socket end of the Switch Mount. Attach the Adaptive Switch to the plate, insert the Flex Arm into the Wheelchair Clamp, and tighten the thumb screw. The Mount is now ready to be attached to a wheelchair, table or bed. Other, user provided devices can be attached to the ball and socket end module using a 1/4"-20 screw. (The Mealtime Partners Adaptive Switch Mounting Plate Kits come with all of the necessary screws and other components needed to attach the Mounting Plates to the Arms.)
| Description of the Mealtime Partners Flex Arm Mounting System | |
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The Mealtime Partners Flex Arm Mounting System is comprised of a Mealtime Partners Wheelchair Clamp (MtP Part No. 4960, if purchased separately), a Flex Arm, and a "ball and socket" end section. The Flex Arm and end section come fully assembled. The Flex Arm is "heavy duty" and when bent into the desired shape, will hold the position firmly. The ball and socket end section is not quite as strong and, thus, permits further bending, or swiveling. However, it is also very rigid and will not easily be repositioned. (The picture below, left, illustrates the swiveling capability of the end section.) The last ball-section has an embedded 1/4"-20 machine nut, permitting a 1/4"-20 x 3/4" long screw (or longer, depending on the thickness of the device being attached) to be screwed onto the Mounting System. (The hole for the screw is shown below, bottom right.) | |
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| Flex Arm Mounting System with 12-Inch Flex Arm | Ball and Socket Swivel Arm End-Section |
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| Swivel Arm End-Section Illustration | Swivel Arm End-Section Screw Hole |
This page last updated 5-21-2021