Quote:
|
I saw this (from the other thread) and my first thought was "How could that work?". It almost seems like trying to balance a camera on a monopod, so it's interesting for me to see from your endorsement how poor my first impressions were (come to look at it more, it almost looks adapted from a camera monopod). I've also wondered if, in circumstances such as yours or where significant paralysis is involved, something similar to a harmonica neck holder would be practical in some circumstances (or better, for support, something similar but with "backpack" straps)?
|
My initial reaction was much the same as yours when I saw it on the web for the first time. But since nothing else had worked, because of the offer of a truly free trial (Ed, the inventor would pay shipping both ways), perhaps because I was getting a bit desperate, or the seeming innocence of its presentation I decided to get one. I was shocked at just how stable it is. I shouldn't have been because it uses one of those elementary bit of engineering that we often forget. It does not have one leg but in fact three. The ends of the shelf, the edge that rests on your legs, table bed or what have you has two small "leg" projections, one at each corner. So if you project a line of support from the point at which the telescoping leg is attached through each of these "legs" you have not a monopod but rather a tripod or perhaps more appropriately a three legged stool. And as you most likely know there is no support system which is more stable than one with only three points of contact. Ask any milkmaid and she will tell you that her three legged stool never rocks or tips or what have you. It is a constant, steady, if simple support. What is even more remarkable the projection does not end at the tip of the "legs" but continues in a virtual sense to the floor on which the telescopic leg is sitting. Neat!
To further improve the stability of the device Ed has incorporated a cord with an ingenious method of adjustment which limits the angle at which the the telescopic leg can project from the shelf. This with just a bit of weight on the shelf locks the device so that it can not collapse. Sort of like a diagonal tension wire on old fashion screen door.
In all a very clever bit of minimal engineering.