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Arm rest adaptation for car
Hello to all,
Over the last few months I have had to stop driving, which is a pain because it is my only way of getting around. My arms can’t stay up unsupported for very long and I think it would help a lot if there was some sort of elbow/arm rest I could attach and detach from the car. I share a car so the rests would either need to unobtrusive to the other driver or be able to come of altogether.
Now, in the centre there is an arm rest but it is not high enough and does not reach out far enough. On the door side there is the door, of course, which I used to put my elbow on but now its far to hard to keep my elbow on and it takes a lot of energy just holding it there. I have looked on the web but cannot seem to find anything that fits my needs. Can anyone suggest a website or specialist manufacture or even a home made type of thing that might help.
Thanks
WWRe: Arm rest adaptation for carHi there winged
I have taken a quick loo at the Motability site, specifically the Adaptions Page Not a great del there, unless you are in a position to consider a ‘Swivel Seat” such as this … scroll to the bottom of this page but this may be more invasive and costly than you were looking for.
Initially I had wondered whether having the arm rests would be considered an obstruction to the driver, but it seems not. I imagine other on here may have details of other aids and adaptions.
I'm always the animal, my body's the cage
I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com
Re: Arm rest adaptation for carhi
yes an Adaptation company can add on armrest or as an adaptation guy put it, add “a wee shelf” on the door. I looked into this when looking at toyota as the door was flush with no leaning place. I often lose out on the effectiveness of the inbult chair armrest as I like to drive with a wedge shape cushion to flatten the chair angle out, so the cushion puts me a little too tall to be leaning comfortable. For the left inbuilt Arm I made my own velcro cushion from a childs seatbealt padding thingy, It straps around the arm and gives me extra height and anyone else driving can slip it off if its in the way..I didn’t go for the toyota in the end but I did speak to a few different companies at the time, who thought it would be possible to add something to the door or order an extra armrest from the car company as lots are cars are ment to be left hand drive so the space is still in the chair for the armrest.
most smaller adaptations are custom built with you in mind email/call a couple of companies and explain what you need. Ive had good results from a company called PL Mobility ltd based in scotland and my local rep from Autochair who are nation wide. found both of these companies on http://www.autoadapt.co.uk autoadapt also show armrests on their site, they are promotting this armrest as a methode of reducing strain and fatigue when driving.
take care
CatRe: Arm rest adaptation for carThanks for the replies
AMGmod, I seen that chair but I think you need to have a bigger car than I have and whole lot more money :o. You are right though there is not much about.
Cat, I looked at that website but didnt see that section, hmm, that is what Im looking for. Will need to check out costs etc. I quite like the idea of a velcro arm rest. Something you can take on and off. I guess its just a case of ringing round and asking.
Apart from the company mentioned can anyone recommend a company that has fitted equipment for them and that they can reccommend.
WW
Re: Arm rest adaptation for carhi
The Armrest is on the Products, Driver environment section then click page 2 of the auto adapt site..I looked at the swivel seats, rep at a show told me they are more suitable in a 3 door car as you have more room to turn. they can fit them in a 5 door but you may not get the full turn or may need to change the wheel to a smaller one meaning more money again.
My DIY armrest cushion is made from a childs seat bealt cushion thingy. looks a bit like the Cosysnooze seat belt pillow on the mowthercare site.. its designed to open up flat to enable you to wrap it round the seat belt but if you sew an extra bit of velcro on you can fit it around the armrest and use the velcro to secure it.
Re: Arm rest adaptation for carHey catatude
I was trying to work out in my head how that velcro thingy looked like. I just couldnt picture it. Now I can.
I think I will purchase some seatbelt things and give it a go. This is probably the most cost effective way for me as money is tight, the same with everyone I guess. Time to put my non existent sowing skills into action 
Some info I read said that swivel seats were best for bigger cars because they had more room in the front. Thats always the way though conflicting points of view from different sources.
Thanks
WWRe: Arm rest adaptation for carSome info I read said that swivel seats were best for bigger
Most of the adds represent the conversion for the passanger side. Haven’t seen an add yet in the drivers side but Have seen different seat in situ in the drivers side at roadshows.. Although they say you lose some of the turn if fitted in a 5 door, I tried one that turned you out of the car, then had a riser function and it was great..
now were did i put those lottery numbers
cat
ps..some good videos on youtube showing chairs in actionTurnout swivel seat in a Fiat 500
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd6xd_gOBSY
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