The AstroChair

[Eyeball]

Since becoming a member of this forum I have become aware of the difficulties faced by disabled people entering the world of astronomy:

(a)Carrying equipment outside

(b)Difficulty setting up equipment

©Viewing from a wheelchair

When you consider the problems they face, part of their misfortune could be their saving grace - enter the AstroChair, a tube mounted wheelchair!

To some degree, a wheelchair operates like a Dobsonian mount - the chair itself becomes the mount with an adaptation to hold the tube; azimuth is controlled via the wheels. Alignment could be provided via hydraulics or some other method.

Just for you, LukeSkyWatcher (we’re on the same wavelength humour wise) the AstroChair GR7.

The GR7 would be the motorised version, which would be fitted with a Tornado aircraft engine; it would get users to areas of dark sky, er, fairly quickly - Halifax to Bodmin Moor in only 17mins.

I could just see you in a Biggle’s flying suit Paul.

To be serious, I believe the concept to be feasible. It merely requires an adaptation to hold the tube, which would protrude over the shoulder of the wheelchair user. Perhaps a 90 degree specialist eyepiece would also be required. Wheelchair users already have great manoeuvrability, so azimuth movement is not a problem.

All it would require for wheelchair users to view the heavens comfortably, is an aluminium frame to hold the tube over their shoulder with a means to control altitude, and a specialist eyepiece. A small amount of adaptation that could make a world of difference.

[AstroTiger]

Works in theory

But how would you be able to orientate around the eyepiece.

using the chair as the mount is an interesting concept though

Perhaps something like an optical fibre type tube could be used with an eyepiece at the end?

Something like a surgeons endoscope?

Not sure how well it would work though, but if it did, i think abled bodied people would use it as well :-)

[Eyeball]

As for the eyepiece, imagine someone using a bazooka, then the principle would be the same - instead of a sight you would have an eyepiece. The tube would be positioned (forward or back) so the eyepiece was in reach from a comfortable sitting position. It would have to be at a 90 degree angle with a small extention tube.

I can see in my mind's eye the concept, and I cannot see why it would not work

[Catanonia]

mmm, this has given me a great idea for a new astro device.....

Nothing to do with the chair, scope holders etc, just got my thought processes working.

[LukeSkywatcher]

A friend in Australia sent me a link a while back for a bino mount for wheelchair users. It attaches right on the chair frame. No reason why the same thing couldnt work for a scope. I'll try to find the link.

[Eyeball]

A friend in Australia sent me a link a while back for a bino mount for wheelchair users. It attaches right on the chair frame. No reason why the same thing couldnt work for a scope. I'll try to find the link.

I really think it is feasible Paul

[LukeSkywatcher]

The one i saw was a modified ARTi mount. Sorry it was used for SLR camera in the link my friend sent me. It can also be used for bins.....so why not a scope. I did find this link for a similar product. The wheelchair in the link he sent me was mororised and the motor controlled the camera etc.

[Eyeball]

You could have a motor control the 'altitude' of the scope, couldn't you? Azimuth could be controlled by the wheels (large, hand operated).

[LukeSkywatcher]

Keep it simple. No motors. Motors can break down.

[AstroTiger]

See now that could work.

The only limitation being that it would have to be a lot stronger to carry something like a medium to larger telescope, but i dont see that being a major issue.

This could crack much of the problem for the disabled i think.

As an abled bodied person i'd even have one!

[LukeSkywatcher]

For a telescope you would need something like a parralellogram mount. It could attach to the back of the chair and come up over behind your head. You would need counter weight added to the front of the chair so as not to be launched backwards. If i was technically minded and good with metalwork/woodwork i would have designed one already and built it.

But all i am good for is web design.

[AstroTiger]

This is true, but i sense someone on here might give it a go.

As for me, i am a humble IT Trainer, so thats no good either

[LukeSkywatcher]

I know a couple of guys who own a wheelchair/mobility devices store over here. They also do repairs etc and adaptations to existing equipment. I might just fire them off an email with pictures of the paralellogram mount and ask them to draw up some ideas for a wheelchair based telescope mount. They might just reply with ideas instead of drawn plans. It really is such a simple but brilliant idea.

All the best inventions are the simple ones. The parralellogram mount in itself is genuis but its not portable for disabled users. Add one with a quick release mounting/locking bracket to a wheelchair and you have the best thing since sliced bread.

[Eyeball]

For a telescope you would need something like a parralellogram mount. It could attach to the back of the chair and come up over behind your head. You would need counter weight added to the front of the chair so as not to be launched backwards. If i was technically minded and good with metalwork/woodwork i would have designed one already and built it.

But all i am good for is web design.

I envisaged it with a frame attached to the large wheel nut, with a diagonal brace attached to it that runs behind the seat. The scope would be positioned to the right or left of the seated user - they themselves would be the counterweight.

Interesting to see that you are involved with web design, as I am as well.

I have just built a website for a local authority, rated at triple-A for accessibility. Another campaign of mine - web access for the disabled. I did the work on a voluntary basis.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I envisaged it with a frame attached to the large wheel nut, with a diagonal brace attached to it that runs behind the seat. The scope would be positioned to the right or left of the seated user - they themselves would be the counterweight.

Interesting to see that you are involved with web design, as I am as well.

I have just built a website for a local authority, rated at triple-A for accessibility. Another campaign of mine - web access for the disabled. I did the work on a voluntary basis.

I studied web design,graphic art,internet security,computer science etc full-time for 3 yrs as a "mature student". I took and passed with flying colours all exams CIW and my college threw at me.

I didnt have to do exams in some subjects like computer apps (Visual Basic, Spreadsheets,Typing,Word processing) because i already was awarded distinctions in them about 20 yrs ago.

So now i am a bog standard Certified Internet Webmaster.

If i need graphic designs created for a project i do, i call on college mates who actually can draw a straight line without a ruler.

HTML is my forte.

[Wobbly Bob]

Very interesting, as some of you Sky Campers may know, I use a wheelchair at these events, and the 1st point I would like to make is, the chair would have to have OUTRIGGERS fitted for stabilaty (we always advise a solid mount to newcomers) 2nd point, defo a firm pantograph arrangement (when sat in the chair, there is very limited movement.

Now guys and gals, I use a mobility scooter these days and I have made a trailer that clips on to the back of the buggy . Expanding that Idea (I use an 8" SCT in the obsy and can obtain an eyepiece view at any position by rotating the diagonal and wizzng around the pier in my office chair which has a gas lift seat) So! some sort of trailer mounted outfit, whith which can be accessed in any position by the buggy.

[Darren B]

Wouldn't a gas lift pier be a better bet? Have the telescope on a William Optics or Giro type Alt/Az mount and the mount on a gas lift pier. e.g. with a refractor lower the mount when viewing near the horizon and heighten the mount when viewing up towards the zenith or vice versa with a newtonian. Unless there are problems that I have not thought about?

[Lemmy]

Its a great idea.

If the tube is mounted (effectively) on the chair then the chair should be structurally sound and rock solid, free from vibrations or slight movement resulting from the occupier moving. You would probably need to have extendable jacks to raise the rubber/pneumatic chair tyres off the ground as Wobbly Bob says.

I would asume that there is obviously a need for such a device and I'm sure that there must be a commercial viability to the idea.