Category Archives: Mobility

Mobility needs for wheelchair users including wheelchair vans, ramps, foot and hand controls.

Left Foot Accelerator

Left Foot Accelerator by Automotive Innovations is a leader in design & quality. The (LFA) is extremely adjustable allowing it to be used in virtually any vehicle. The (LFA) is also equipped with a quick disconnect allowing (LFA) to be released and removed from the vehicle when not in use. Only the mounting plate is permanently mounted to the floor. LFA The (LFA) was designed for the driver that has lost control of only his right foot.

The Left Foot Accelerator, like model 3545S, is an accelerator pedal for persons with limited or no use of the right leg requiring them to drive with their left leg. It is equipped with a guard to prevent the driver from inadvertently resting their right foot on the accelerator pedal. The Left Foot Accelerator incorporates a quick release mechanism and is easily removable without tools.
A left foot accelerator pedal device which allows persons lacking sufficient functionality of the right foot or right leg to operate a motor vehicle accelerator pedal using their left foot. The device incorporates an accelerator pedal activator which engages the motor vehicle accelerator pedal and is operable attached by a main shaft to a left side accelerator pedal. The main shaft is supported by a base unit which is removable attached to a base plate affixed to the vehicle floor. By depressing left side accelerator pedal a person lacking functionality of the right foot may operate the vehicle while the device may be easily removed from base plate allowing a person of normal functionality to operate the vehicle.

A Quick Release Left Foot Gas Pedal with Pedal Guards allows the driver to accelerate with the left foot. This pedal is installed on the left side and is mechanically linked to the original manufacturers pedal. The Pedal Guard shields the original pedal thereby making it inoperable. This quality crafted pedal is fully adjustable. The lightweight design of the pedal along with its quick release feature makes it quick and easy to remove and install, as the Left Foot Accelerator. A Pedal with Pedal Guard slides in and out of a base that is bolted to the floor. This makes the a Left Foot Accelerator Pedal with a Pedal Guard is a smart choice.

Pedal Extensions
Automotive Innovations’s gas and brake pedal extensions adjust to allow 6″ to 12″ or longer if necessary of extended reach. Made of durable lightweight aluminum or steel, Pedal Extensions provide comfortable driving after installation. Pedal Extensions fold down out of the way to allow other persons to operate the vehicle. Pedal extensions must be installed by authorized dealers. They fit most American cars and vans.

Left Foot Gas Pedal
Designed for people with limited or no use of their right foot, the quick release left foot gas pedal enables those drivers to utilize their left foot for gas operation. The pedal can be installed in any vehicle with an automatic transmission. No adjustments are necessary after installation, and the unit can easily be removed to allow other drivers to operate the vehicle. A pedal stop is part of the unit, and will not allow the right foot to inadvertently apply throttle.

Block Pedal Extensions
Our pedal extensions are fabricated from structural aluminum tubing with a non-skid surface. They have adjustable slots for two stainless steel clamps that go around the gas and brake pedals (can also be modified for clutch pedal extensions). Standard sizes range from 1″ to 4″ high. This is a semi-permanent installation.
Custom Foot Pedal Extensions

Automotive Innovations carries a full line of custom gas, brake, and clutch pedal extensions for all driver’s needs.

Steering Controls

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Suicide (Steering) Knobs
Suicide Knobs are the attachments you put on a steering wheel so you can drive a car or truck with one hand. They are also known as Brodie Knobs, Necker Knobs, wheel spinners and Steering Knobs.

They were very popular in the days before power steering. Now that everyone has power steering they are not as popular, due in part to a large umber of states banning them. They can have wildly different designs and can be an interesting accessory. They also help make it a lot easier when you have to parallel park!

Short History of the Steering Knob

Brodie knobs were used on trucks before the advent of power steering. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering and operation of the radio. They also see extensive use on forklift trucks used in warehouses and even riding lawnmowers, where frequent sharp turning is required while moving about.

Brodie Knobs were widely popular (especially on the west coast of the U.S.), during the 1950s. Their intention was to be used primarily as addition to a Hot Rod. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin. Hence, come the terms “lay a brodie” and “Slob the knob”.

In the 1950s and 60’s a person could go into any local mechanics shop and choose from a large variety of “Brodie Knobs”, with every conceivable theme, from “Candy Apple colored”, product logos, to nude women, and everything in between, some automobile dealerships even used them for advertisements.
Steering Controls

3521B Steering Control Hook Grip

Designed for those using a prosthetic hook (typical with two fingers). One finger goes on the outside of the ring, the other finger goes on the inside, securing you to the steering wheel for smooth handling.

3519 Steering Control Single Pin Foam Grip
You’ll like the soft foam handle grip and the smooth steering motion. The secure grip gives you comfortable control and command of your vehicle. Your Mobility Products & Design dealer Automotive Innovations, MA can easily install this model and the others listed below.

3520B/3520G/3520W Steering Control Spinner Knob
The Spinner Knob presses firmly against the palm of your hand, giving you added strength and control for easy driving. Spinner Knob is available in three colors to coordinate with your vehicle – Black, Gray or Woodgrain. Readily Detachable – have more than one on hand for a quick, easy update to your interior.

3521B Steering Control Hook Grip
Designed for those using a prosthetic hook (typical with two fingers). One finger goes on the outside of the ring, the other finger goes on the inside, securing you to the steering wheel for smooth handling.

3522 Steering Control Tri-pin Grip
Your hand and wrist are comfortably secure with this lightweight three-pin grip. The pins are fully adjustable, so you can easily find your individual comfort setting. An available counter weight takes away the Tri-pin Grip’s weight, so you can mount it on the either side of your steering wheel. Easily replaceable foam cover for comfort.

3523B Steering Control Palm Grip
Only Mobility Products & Designs offers you this lightweight aluminum wrap. You can adjust it to comfortably fit your hand, and its firm strength holds that shape for secure steering control. The soft, sheepskin liner protects your hand, and keeps you warm in the winter. An unique finger rest protects your fingers, plus the raised device keeps them from having little contact with the steering wheel. Ideal for arthritis suffers.

3524 Steering Control V-Grip
With a foam-grip single pin and foam-covered aluminum wrap providing backhand support, your hand stays securely and comfortably in place. You can easily adjust the single pin to find the steering grip that’s just right for you. Easily replaceable foam cover for comfort.

3525 Counter Balance
A Counter Balance may be used in conjunction with the Tri-Pin Grip. The Counter Balance minimizes the fatigue to the driver offsetting the weight of the Tri-Pin grip whether on an extended or short trip. This is especially important on vehicles equipped with modified steering systems. The Counter Balance is readily removable for ambulatory drivers without tools. Standard weight is 24 oz and now available in 4 oz and 8oz weights.

Sure-Grip Mechanical Hand Controls

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Easyspin RF 360 – New
The Easyspin RF360 utilizes precise radio frequencies to operate up to 6 secondary functions wirelessly from the stylish and ergonomic spinner.  The Spinmaster spinner knob and Easyspin indicator system have been the standard in one-handed steering for more than a decade but our drive to improve and refine led us to supersede these proven performers. While inheriting the distinctive characteristics of its predecessors; featuring durable construction, smooth and reliable operation, and quick release mechanism, as well as the original and unique Spinmaster steering wheel clamp, the Easyspin RF360 ups the ante with its own innovative features.

Suits Any Vehicle Wiring Configuration
The standard configuration for the Easyspin RF360, VAC6, can include up to 6 vehicle accessory controls in only one mode of operation.

With 6 functions you can cover operation of all frequently used accessories such as:

Indicators
Headlights
Horn
Washers and
Sequential wipers.

You can also control non-essential vehicle accessories such as:

Electric windows
Tiptronic gear shifting
Cruise control and
Integrated phone controls while maintaining quick access to those frequently used accessories.

The user can alter the button configuration at any time to suit their needs. Simultaneously holding two buttons for a couple of seconds will instantly swap their functions. Any button, any function, total flexibility.

The design of the Easyspin RF360 with its integrated buttons and unique hammerhead shape has been created specifically to fit your hand’s ergonomics. It didn’t happen by accident, over 18 months were spent undertaking research, development and testing with designers, occupational therapists and clients. It also features a soft rubber overlay grip for your comfort.

Features:

Ergonomic shape and soft overlay rubber grip for your comfort
Operate up to 6 functions
Supported by the world renowned Spinmaster steering wheel clamp, known for providing superior durability and gripping strength without damaging your steering wheel
Features a quick release function so that it may be removed at any time with the press of a button, allowing unrestricted access for other drivers
Strong, robust design, constructed from heavy-duty mining-grade injection molded glass filled UV resistant nylon to withstand years of regular use
2 years battery life with LED low battery warning light, easily accessed battery slide and life-extending sleep mode
Mechanical Hand Controls

Push/Rock
The original and the best, the Sure Grip Push/Rock system, has become known for its comfort, precision and overall safety.

Unlike other hand controls styles, the push/rock system puts the operating handle in a vertical position; the driver eases the handle back to accelerate and pushes forward to brake. This unique rocking motion allows full-range braking and acceleration with minimal hand travel while keeping the hand in a natural position.

Sure Grip’s Push/Rock controls are known for having the easiest gas in the industry today thus, allowing for hours of fatigue free driving. The push/rock style will give you the driving experience you have been longing for.

Sure Grip hand control designs prevents contact with legs or knees at higher speeds. The upright handle also allows the installation of controls in smaller vehicles or tight spaces other controls would not fit. Controls do not impede pedal use.

Push/Pull

The Sure Grip Push/Pull hand control uses the same movement to apply the gas and brake as other Push/Pull controls; however the pivot point for the Sure Grip control is on the left-hand side of the wheel close to the handle, this allows for a shorter stroke and greater leverage. In addition to the pivot point, the handles position is at a slight angle, an angle that makes a big difference to the driver. The benefits of Sure Grip’s unique Push/Pull hand control design include:
Less strain on fingers and thumb
Flexible hand positions for lower fatigue and cramping while driving
The ability for both hands to keep contact with the steering wheel
In addition to the benefits enjoyed as a result of the handle and its position, drivers will also appreciate the other features that Sure Grip’s Push/Pull offers including:
Superior pedal feel, with constant acceleration and no “dead spots”
Limited modifications to the vehicles dash

Push/Right Angle
Unlike other Push Right/Angle controls, the Sure Grip Push Right/Angle’s body doesn’t pivot or move when the accelerator is applied. The pivot point for the Sure Grip control is on the left-hand side of the wheel, and only the handle pivots. A stationary main body has many benefits for the driver including:

Increased leg room for getting in and out of the vehicle, as many installs allow brake rod to pass through the dash Full acceleration without the control hitting the drivers lap Greater two-handed contact with the steering wheel due to the shortened stroke of the handle In addition to the benefits enjoyed as a result of the stationary main body, drivers will also appreciate the other features that Sure Grip’s Push Right/Angle offers including:

Superior pedal feel, with constant acceleration and no “dead spots”

Lower fatigue while driving
Limited modifications to the vehicles dash

Push/Twist
Pivot Point
The Sure Grip Push/Twist control uses the same motorcycle style acceleration as other Push/Twist controls, but has an auxiliary handle that makes the twisting motion easier and allows for longer, more comfortable driving.

In addition to the unique benefits enjoyed with our other hand controls, such as increased leg room and ease of use, drivers will also appreciate the other features that the Sure Grip Push/Twist offers including:
Superior pedal feel, with constant acceleration and no “dead spots”
Lower fatigue while driving
Limited modifications to the vehicles dash
Easier braking

AutoLock is an accelerator lock out device that comes standard on all of Sure Grip’s hand controls, and is an added safety feature for the driver or those that share the vehicle. With the push of a button or knob, the accelerator function of the hand control can be disabled and help prevent accidents through misuse of the control by mechanics, valets or any other unqualified user. Autolock is available in both electronic and manual formats.

Sure Grip Recreation
Sure Grip hand control users now have the option of adding the Push/Rock style of driving to their favorite recreation vehicles. Sure Grip has developed easy installation applications for many of the nation’s top selling side-by-sides, go carts and golf carts.

The Handling You Need  
Sure Grip has always given its users great control of their vehicles. Now that Sure Grip has hand controls designed specifically for smaller off-road vehicles that same control can be enjoyed wherever you decide to go. Unlike other hand controls Sure Grip’s handle is in the vertical position, which gives precision control and the ability to drive with both hands on the wheel. With two hands on the wheel, drivers have the control needed when headed off the beaten path.

Veigel North America Hand Controls

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Veigel is the internationally leading manufacturer of driving school systems and driving aids for handicapped persons. They believe in absolute customer satisfaction which we are achieving by developing and manufacturing our products at the highest quality level.

With over 80 years of experience manufacturing adaptive driving products like, mechanical hand controls, and an in-house R&D facility everything Veigel manufacture has been designed and tested to meet the highest standards in quality, function and design. The average employee has 15 years of experience at Veigel Automotive. The combined effort of so many years of dedication and focus have resulted in the highest quality, most reliable and safest products on the market.

Veigel 4100 Classic Hand Control
The Veigel hand control is an accelerator and brake that fits perfectly into the interior of modern vehicles. Thanks to the ergonomically optimized handle and the additional individual adjustability of the grip angle the acceleration becomes easier, fatigue-free and adapts to every hand position of the driver. To accelerate you simply turn the handle on your hand control clockwise. In order to break, just push the hand control slightly front wise. The break can also temporary be locked in place. The hand control can also easily be fold away.

Veigel 4200 Compact Hand Control
Proven hand control technology from Automotive Innovations and Veigel in a modern design – this is the principle of the COMPACT hand control. The functional principle is rather simple: To accelerate the ergonomically designed handle is only to pull backwards. A short push forward activates the break, which also can be temporary locked in place. As the CLASSIC, the COMPACT can also be fold away.

Veigel Commander
The optional fitted Veigel Commander for CLASSIC or COMPACT allows the driver to conduct the most important secondary functions of the vehicle unstressed with just one finger. The device can be used very easily and merges perfectly with the award-winning Design of the Veigel hand control. In addition the Original lever can still be used as normal.

Veigel Basic-Commander
The Basic Commander enables the driver to indicating in each situation, even at a roundabout, without repositioning or letting your hand loose of the steering wheel. Also this switch is really easy to use and fits perfectly to the award-winning design of the Veigel hand control. Needles to say, that the original lever still can be used as normal.

The Basic Commander is available for the COMPACT and the CLASSIC hand control.
Classic leather-clad
Complying with your request you can order the hand control in leather-clad.

Wells-Engberg Mechanical Hand Controls

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Their mechanical hand controls provide safe, easy and more convenient vehicle operation as well as being priced competitively with other manufacturers. They manufacture 4 different types of mechanical controls to suit all needs.

Wells-Engberg controls come with a universal mounting, using a common set of connectors which allows installation in the majority of domestic and foreign cars, light trucks, and vans equipped with automatic transmission and power brakes. They also have designed special mountings for some vehicles which make installation even easier.

Their two cable controls are supplied with a mounting which allows the cable to be run directly to the accelerator pedal itself. Wells-Engberg is constantly striving to keep up with the automobile manufacturers and supply the physically challenged population with the most advanced products available.

CT-100 Rotary Cable Control

Mechanical control with a flexible accelerator cable going directly to the accelerator pedal assembly twist handle (same as motorcycle grip) to accelerate.
Push handle toward brake pedal for braking.
Control is mostly aluminum and is black anodized.
Uses universal mounting brackets.
Order either right or left hand.
The cable design allows reduced amount of hardware in driver’s area. This gives the driver more leg room.

CP-200 Right Angle Control

To operate accelerator pull handle down toward lap.
Cable attached to handle goes directly to the accelerator pedal assembly.
Push handle toward brake pedal for braking.
Control made mostly of aluminum and is black anodized.
Uses universal mounting brackets.
Order either right or left hand.
Cable design reduces hardware in the driver’s area allowing more leg room.