Variloc Adjustable Hinges Make New Medical Equipment Inventions Possible

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI, March 09, 2011 (Press-News.org) Locking hinge manufacturer Adjustable Locking Technologies is known for making hinges for one-of-a-kind applications, but a recent invention by Duke University students has taken the company's medical hinge applications to a new level. Adjustable Locking Technologies' patented line of "Variloc hinges" features rugged, adjustable locking inline rotation ideal for applications in which equipment which must be both adjustable and capable of withstanding heavy torque. Used to support a wide range of aerospace, military and medical equipment, Variloc hinges were recently chosen by a group of Duke University students to provide the hinging component for their newly invented medical chair guitar stand.

Rockstar Guitar Stand for Wheelchair Users & People With Cerebral Palsy

Duke University students Rachel Belzer, Kristine Brown, Al Samost and Brendan Moore choose to build the Rockstar Guitar Stand as a capstone to their senior biomedical engineering course, "Design for People with Disabilities". For the project, these students were given the opportunity to work with a local client struggling with cerebral palsy to build a device which would allow the client to combat his or her disability. The client wanted a device built to help him play musical instruments, so the students drafted a design for the Rockstar Guitar Stand.

The completed stand affixes to the client's mobile chair and is capable of supporting either a guitar or an electric keyboard. In order to provide adjustability for the guitar neck and back support, the device needed to be equipped with sturdy, yet easily adjustable hinging mechanisms. Adjustable Locking Technologies' push button Variloc hinges proved to be the perfect component for this application. A plastic Variloc hinge secures the guitar neck support, and a stainless steel Variloc hinge provides adjustability for the guitar back support. These key supports may be easily adjusted, thanks to the Variloc hinges' push button activation feature.

Both Variloc hinges were provided to the students at a discounted price.

Variloc Hinges & Other Medical Equipment Applications

Adjustable Locking Technologies is no stranger to medical equipment applications. In addition to countless uses in industrial, military and tooling applications, Variloc adjustable hinges have been used to develop, prototype and manufacture innovative medical products such as adjustable platform positioning chairs, custom walkers, adjustable nuclear medicine racks and ambulatory assistance devices. Variloc hinges can alternately be equipped with pneumatic or electronic activation for remote hinge control.

"Our hinges have facilitated a lot of product inventions over the years," Adjustable Locking Technologies CEO John Scheer commented, "but every now and then our products are used to make a new medical device that really improves the quality of life for people. It's these types of applications that really count - that make what we do worthwhile."

About the Company
Adjustable Locking Technologies is the original manufacturer of patented Variloc, Infiloc and RocLoc rotary locking hinges. Serving a wide range of medical, military and aerospace industries, ALT's locking hinge products have been used by companies such as NASA, GE Healthcare and Bohl Crane. For more information about Adjustable Locking Technologies' hinges and their applications, visit www.adjustablelockingtech.com.