Tag Archives: Spinner Knobs

Adaptive Equipment for Those with Partial Disabilities

Some individuals with partial disabilities say they do not have a need for a fully wheelchair accessible van or truck and state they only need a bit of extra help. For those able to stand with or without assistance, turn, and walk a few steps, there are a number of simple, affordable solutions that can make the vehicle you already own more comfortable and accessible.

Turning Seating
Convenient and affordable, turning automotive seating can eliminate the need to twist and climb into vehicles. Seats can be adapted to automatically swivel over the door frame with the push of a button, allowing drivers or passengers to easily accommodate themselves without having to struggle to get inside. These solutions can be installed in nearly any vehicle, including tall trucks and SUVs. In these cases, the seat lowers to the driver or passenger’s preferred height, then lifts and turns back into the vehicle.

Wheelchair or Scooter Lifts/Carriers
For those who are able to transfer into a vehicle’s seats, whether they are automatic or not, a wheelchair or scooter lifts can stow their equipment in the trunk or roof of a car, back of a van or SUV, or bed of a pick-up truck. These systems can be fully automatic or manually powered, depending on the needs of the user.

Grab Bars and Assist Handles
Grab bars and assist handles can make it safer for those with partial disabilities to enter, exit and drive a vehicle. Extremely affordable and portable, these solutions can be incorporated into nearly any make or model in mere minutes.

Steering Aids
Modifications like low-effort steering and wheel attachments can make driving much easier for those with limited upper body mobility, arthritis, etc. From palm grips to tri-grip designs, spinner knobs and steering cuffs, there is an accessible option to meet every need.

A Little Extra Help: Adaptive Equipment for Those with Partial Disabilities

Some individuals with partial disabilities say they do not have a need for a fully wheelchair accessible van or truck and state they only need a bit of extra help. For those able to stand with or without assistance, turn, and walk a few steps, there are a number of simple, affordable solutions that can make the vehicle you already own more comfortable and accessible.

Turning Seating
Convenient and affordable, turning automotive seating can eliminate the need to twist and climb into vehicles. Seats can be adapted to automatically swivel over the door frame with the push of a button, allowing drivers or passengers to easily accommodate themselves without having to struggle to get inside. These solutions can be installed in nearly any vehicle, including tall trucks and SUVs. In these cases, the seat lowers to the driver or passenger’s preferred height, then lifts and turns back into the vehicle.

Wheelchair or Scooter Lifts/Carriers
For those who are able to transfer into a vehicle’s seats, whether they are automatic or not, a wheelchair or scooter lifts can stow their equipment in the trunk or roof of a car, back of a van or SUV, or bed of a pick-up truck. These systems can be fully automatic or manually powered, depending on the needs of the user.

Grab Bars and Assist Handles
Grab bars and assist handles can make it safer for those with partial disabilities to enter, exit and drive a vehicle. Extremely affordable and portable, these solutions can be incorporated into nearly any make or model in mere minutes.

Steering Aids
Modifications like low-effort steering and wheel attachments can make driving much easier for those with limited upper body mobility, arthritis, etc. From palm grips to tri-grip designs, spinner knobs and steering cuffs, there is an accessible option to meet every need.

Steering Controls

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.