Mobility aids - how to add beauty to function

[Calliope Hawthorn Dove]

Hi all

I have finally succumbed to arthritis and purchased at walking frame / transport chair.  Still embarrassed about taking it out for mundane life much less for steamy fun.

Here it is http://www.homeandmedical.co.uk/Portals/0/Drive%20Medical/Diamond%20Rollator%20Transport%20745%201.jpg
Mine is matt silver colour.

If I dress it up, I will take it out with pride.

I have 2 wonderful Victorian like cushions which I will be able to attach pretty easily.  Plan to paint the metal tubular bits a shiny brass, and the black brake cables with copper paint they look like tubing.  Will make a leatherette quiver to hold my walking stick and brollie.

For more interest I want to add sound.  I toyed with the idea of adding my shruti box http://www.shrutibox.co.uk/shopimages/content/oblique-shruti-box.jpg which emits drone notes.  Maybe too much.  What about a hurdygurdy music box, playing hopefully a well know period tune like Bicycle Built For Two.  

I also have a couple of lovely brass garden sprayer tubes with turned wood handle plungers.  But how to attach, and where.  Ideas?

[Calliope Hawthorn Dove]

Well some brilliant finds at local boot fair yesterday. 

A hideous brass and crystal wind chime to be take apart and bits used to decorate walker.

2 lovely turned wooden knobs that handily fit onto the ends of the handle bars

and my favourite and ancient hand drill with lovely wooden handle and red painted gear.  Plan to fix that hurdy gurdy music box when I find it.  How to amplify that is another matter.  Thinking a child's toy battery operated microphone painted and punked.

[Mr. Boltneck]

My personal impulse is to suggest flamethrowers, but I admit that such things may cause talk.

[Calliope Hawthorn Dove]

Well that is one way to clear the path in front of me.  I thought the hurdy gudy music box would be sufficient.  Perhaps I am wrong.

[Mr. Boltneck]

I believe that the accordion is the benchmark for anti-personnel instruments. The Smarter Half suggests bagpipes.

[Otto Von Pifka]

sounds like you have the project well in hand!

the only ideas that pop out at me would be some basic embellishments, like finials and clawfoot artwork. perhaps a carriage lamp?

the cushions sound good but if you want to keep it a little less plush, maybe some donor pieces from a wicker chair? for that lovely sanitarium roller chair feel.

[Clym Angus]

Well that is one way to clear the path in front of me.  I thought the hurdy gudy music box would be sufficient.  Perhaps I am wrong.

So, what's your "pipe" diameter?

Oooo wow!
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSu3NvKb9EX7-_34rSt5H8VywzqZrVJNpVeVqS7SRgjwpckltkZVQ
http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1444738


I think a certain amount of perzaz could be added to your frame, functionality too. given a bit of time, spray paint and understanding of the interlocking structure.

[markf]

Perhaps some design inspiration may be drawn from others who have tackled steaming up their mobility machines. markf
http://www.imvsmi.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/534485ef5822976.jpg.jpg
http://costumepop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/steampunk-wheelchair-costume.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.comicsalliance.com/media/2010/07/steampunk-wheelchair.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/wild%20wild%20west%20wheelchair/pouk23/dwheelchair.jpg
http://walyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Steampunk-Wheelchair.jpg

[Calliope Hawthorn Dove]

@ Mr. Boltneck
I like bagpipes.  However, I am sure you will agree that the best kindling for an accordion bonfire is a brace of banjos (and possibly their owner/players).

@ Mr. von Pifka
I have the finials that will fit at the end of chair handles.  Sadly a wicker chair will not fit the unit I have.  Besides I need t take it all down and flat pack for transport in car.  I do like the carriage lamp idea.

@ Mr. Angus.  
Wow indeed.  Very sweet.  But the unit has wheels which I am (for comfort sake) inclined to keep.  I will think about how to give them a more period look.

@ Mr. Markf
Thanks for the links.  I had seen the Wild Wild West chair and that red velvet dream in top link.  The others do give me more to think about.

Thank you all for you input and keep posting your ideas.  

This weekend I will attempt to take pics (and post here) of my walking frame and the accoutrements I have purchased to add to it.

[Naoran]

Some kind of lights would also be nice and could even be useful in the darker times of the year, an old bike headlamp or similar? I do not think you would net a full set with indicators and brakelights... come to think of it, it could certainly enlighten the mood around it... if you feel comfortable with such little "jokes".
And leather pouches to put stuff in are a nice addition to nearly anything that you move with you. Would it be possible to exchange the cloth? pieces with canvas or leather?

[Calliope Hawthorn Dove]

http://www.mobilitysmart.cc/images/products/large/diamond_transportchair_rollator_5.jpg

I have a silver coloured one of the above.  Planning to spray paint it all black.

Maybe make a wood frame woven strap seat the right width  (45cm) add piano hinges and flaps of wood frames to the sides of the seat to disguise the under carriage of transport chair.  Upholster all with period fabric, braid, brass upholstery tacks and fringe.  Fabric panels front and back attached with velcro to seat and sides.

The side frames should give me some surface to attach some steamy bits. 

The problem might be attaching the tube /quiver / brollie  and walking stick holder, since I will be covering the upright post. 

[Eric T Paradigm]

I think disguising as much of it as possible with polished wood would be a good start. That is what I have done with my mobility scooter (see http://paradigmengineering.yolasite.com/). I haven't worked out any period upholstery yet. The next part of the plan is to have a wooden instrument panel.

best wishes

Eric T Paradigm

[Jedediah Solomon]

Perhaps add wicker sides tuck-and-roll upholstery and such.

[Will Howard]

Paint the wheels (spokes & rims) red,  Not the tires/tyres, of course, as this was common on 19th century wagons, even locomotives.

[Crowquill]

Perhaps hanging a candle lantern or oil lamp on the front for travelling after dark, and a bulb horn to warn people to get out of your way?  Or, if you prefer a nautical theme, how about a set of running lights suitable for a small vehicle?   My father enjoyed the bicycle bell I put on his, but steampunking calls for a bit more. 

 I've had thing about horns or bells for wheeled frames because I used to get passed by people using them when I was mobility limited,  And, as I decided at the time, just because you need a cane doesn't mean you need an ugly cane!  Good luck with your project - post pictures!

[Capt. Stockings]

Here's a walker with a parasol, a silver tray, and a gps:


And here's a couple cool wheelchairs:

[Professor Bevel]

If it's an NHS one, make sure everything you add is removeable, they get soggy and difficult to light about modifications.  And positively sarcastic about the prospect of chariot-wheel blades on a paediatric wheelchair, now matter how cool the little boy in it would find 'em.  I make these mistakes so you don't have to, etc.

[Professor Bevel]

Anyway, classic car trim - here, for example - will amount to a damned fine start on pimping your, er, walk.  Can I also suggest a couple of sponson-mounted vertical-lift pulsejets? They make a lovely stuttering roar, can be powered off an ordinary plumbers gas cylinder, with suitable tuning won't actually lift your walker off the ground, establish to everyone within earshot that you are Not To Be Trifled With and have that wonderful mad scientists' balls-to-'elf-an'-safety* air about 'em.  Another thing I wasn't allowed to fit to the young gentleman's wheelchair, no matter how dismountable, this time at Mrs. Bevel's insistence as giving the apple of her eye the power of rocket-assisted takeoff jumps was, in her view, only encouraging hooliganism.




*Containing the lower part of the exhaust plume in  a brass mesh Davy screen minimises the risk of carpet burns etc., at least for moderate bursts.  Testing would establish the limit of safe operation.