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A New Lift for Those Who Need It
An engineer, who worked to design a launch pad safety exit
for NASA, put his knowledge to use when he developed the eZ-uPTM
lift device. Paul Neal worked with NASA's Kennedy Space Center
in the late 1960s to help develop a safety exit to allow workers
to get off launch platforms in an emergency--a design that was
patented by NASA. Now retired, Neal watched as his wife struggled
to get out of a chair or lift herself from a sofa because of
her arthritis. So, he decided to devise an aid for people to
lift themselves from seated positions.
Amazingly, the 79-year-old retiree with a degenerative eye
disease that has left him legally blind was able to design the
device by himself. His original design was elegantly simplet--the
apparatus was placed under a seat cushion so that two hand supports
were then in front of the seat just below shoulder level. This
way, a seated person could take hold and easily lift herself
from the seat. It wouldn't work, however, on any chair or sofa
that didn't have removable cushions. So, Neal took his model
and drawings to RJDesigns & Associates of Panama City, Florida.
Immediately, RJDesigns recognized the benefit the elderly
and disabled would receive from such a device. With refinements,
Neal and the firm went through seven prototypes as they tested
the device at retirement homes, the Council on Aging, and on
all designs of beds, sofas, and chairs at a furniture store.
According to RJDesigns, the eZ-uP device can support people in
excess of 500 pounds. It can be quickly and easily assembled
without tools.
The eZ-uP is constructed of lightweight aluminum and features
telescopic arms for maximum support. Broken into its individual
pieces, the eZ-uP fits inside a seat cushion-sized box. The telescopic
arms have easy-to-turn clamps that make it completely adjustable
in height and width, and the device slides under most sofas,
chairs, and beds. It will not slip on tile or wood flooring and
can be secured to just about any furniture design.
RJDesigns is also marketing an attachable table tray that
adjusts to all positions while supporting level objects. According
to RJDesigns, the lift aid is an inexpensive alternative to other
products in the same general market. Chairs that lift a seated
person using a pneumatic device can cost almost ten times the
amount of the eZ-uP.
Neal's royalties from sales are just a secondary benefit of
his invention. "[The money] doesn't worry me a bit,"
Neal says, "If I can help somebody that's great. The important
thing is it worked so good for [my wife]." The eZ-uP is
a true accomplishment for a husband who wanted to give a helping
hand. The fact that others could benefit is such a great plus
for his efforts.
eZ-uPTM is a trademark of RJDesigns & Associates.
![image shows an elderly man using the eZ-uP device from sitting to standing position.](images/46B.JPG) |
The eZ-uPTM device
will not slip on tile or wood flooring and can be secured to
just about any furniture design. |
The
eZ-uPTM is constructed of lightweight aluminum and
features telescopic arms for maximum support. Broken into its
individual pieces, the eZ-uP fits inside a seat cushion-sized
box. |
![in three-part image shows that the eZ-uP device can be broken down into individual pieces, and conveniently stored](images/47.JPG) |
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