Gas springs in a hygiene system make everyday life easier for disabled people

The "Rifton HTS" is a special hygiene and toilet chair for children and young people with disabilities and thus a great help in their everyday lives. The latest generation of the practical aid for relatives and caregivers expands the versatility of the device with the so-called tilt-in-space function. Two lockable gas pressure springs from ACE Controls enable the chair to be tilted forwards and backwards. They thus ensure significantly more comfort for users and patients.

Since 1977, US-based Rifton Equipment, based in New York State, has been developing and producing aids for the disabled. Especially in the areas of locomotion and seating furniture and aids, the specialists have rich experience and a lot of know-how. Existing product lines are regularly reworked and equipped with new designs or innovative technologies. A prime example is the 2014 first introduced hygiene and toilet system, short Rifton HTS. Head designer Kirk Wareham was responsible for the development at Rifton: "In addition to an aesthetic re-design, we have also integrated various functions that our American and international customers have long desired," says the design engineer. Since the chair can be used for use as a toilet chair, but also as a hygiene chair, ie for washing or showering, tilting forwards and backwards was at the top of the wish list.

Gas pressure springs were required for this, which not only can be locked at the push of a button, but also meet the special requirements in terms of water resistance. "During the development phase, we select the suppliers of components for our products very carefully," says Kirk Wareham. Rifton ultimately chose the parent company of ACE shock absorbers, ACE Controls from Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Like the German subsidiary, the company is able to supply lockable industrial gas pressure springs made of stainless steel in very high quality and in large quantities. At the same time, ACE closely accompanies the development of new customer products on both sides of the Atlantic with its own application engineers. In this case, Ron Legawiec, engineer and regional salesman, was responsible for looking after the customer Rifton.

“The use of gas springs has increased at Rifton in recent years,” says the damping expert. "The greater flexibility of the products represents a clear advantage over the competition." When work on the redesign began in 2013, Kirk Wareham quickly involved his consultant Ron Legawiec in the development.

Made to measure stainless steel gas springs

After the development and test phases had been completed, the new Rifton HTS went into series production in the USA in February 2014 and is now also available internationally. The particular feature of the model is that it grows with its users. “Nevertheless, it is also available in the three sizes“ Small ”,“ Medium ”and“ Large ”,” says Legawiec.

The smallest version is suitable for users from 76 centimeters in height, while the largest model can still be used by teenagers or even adults up to 188 centimeters in height. The requirements for the industrial gas springs used also change accordingly. "For each of the three models, we supplied stainless steel gas springs in the right dimensions and the right performance," explains Legawiec.

Two gas springs are installed in each chair, which enable the so-called tilt-in-space function. This ensures that the chair can be gently and quickly tilted 15 degrees forwards and backwards at the same time.

Steplessly lockable

ACE industrial stainless steel gas springs use compressed nitrogen. When the trigger is actuated, the piston valve opens, the gas flows through the piston and the piston rod extends or can be pushed in. If the operator releases the release, the valve in the gas spring closes automatically and the piston rod is locked in the desired position. The gas springs are infinitely adjustable over the entire stroke. Depending on the intended use, they can be delivered springy, rigid, absolutely rigid, smooth or double rigid blockable.

As far as the material is concerned, the damping specialist offers suitable variants for every application. So there are the gas springs in steel, stainless steel V2A or stainless steel V4A. Rifton uses high quality stainless steel because the HTS provides regular contact with water and moisture, especially when used for washing and showering. In addition, the chairs are cleaned and disinfected in high frequency - but even strong detergents do not affect the function of the self-contained gas spring systems.

All project participants at Rifton and ACE worked together smoothly, bringing to market a new generation of high quality, innovative and sophisticated sanitation systems. The Rifton HTS will make caregiving and caregiving easier for people with disabilities worldwide - comfortable, safe and versatile.