Upscale: The Wheelchair-Accessible Scale For Home Use

Upscale: The Wheelchair-Accessible Scale For Home Use - open-source assistive technology working model by the TOM Israel community community

About this project

UpScale is a lightweight, easy to store wheelchair scale adaption that allows wheelchair users to weight themselves at home while remaining seated in their chair. The product is composed of two aluminum slides that sit on top of any basic scale so wheelchairs can easily roll on and off.

UpScale was designed by wheelchair users and makers from TOM:TLV. For less than $60 USD in manufacturing costs, TOM’s UpScale is both affordable and accessible to all people, no matter their location or economic situation.

The challenge

The only options for wheelchair users across the globe are stopping by a local healthcare facility or purchasing an enormous and expensive scale of their own (which also requires assistance). With the estimated cost of buying a wheelchair-compatible scale at $500-$2,500, this is both inconvenient and out of reach for the roughly 3.6 million American and tens of thousands of Israeli wheelchair users.

Who it helps

Ofer (33) is a young Electrical Engineer living in Tel-Aviv, who was paralyzed him from the waist down in a swimming accident nearly five years ago. Weight gain is a primary health concern for wheelchair users, so Ofer has sought out TOM to develop a scale that is: convenient, affordable, self-operated, and wheelchair-compatible.

How it works

Product specs

Approximate Time Required: 2 Days

Approximate cost : less than USD $60

Upscale is a scale adaption that allows wheelchair users to weigh themselves at home while remaining seated to their chair. It is an accessible and affordable solution for all.

The product is composed of two aluminum slides that sit on top of any basic scale so wheelchairs can easily roll on and off.

To build this product, please download the product file and take adequate safety precautions when using manufacturing equipment.

Tools needed -

Power Screwdriver with Philips Bit

Disk Grinder

Measuring Tape

All-Purpose Adhesive Sealant (e.g. Super 7)

Dry Erase Marker

Sanding Paper

Bill of materials -

U-Shaped Aluminium Profiles (x2) 120 cm X 13 cm X 2 cm

Aluminium Profiles (x3) 63 cm X 3 cm X 1.5 cm

Aluminium Profiles (x4) 11 cm X 3 cm X 1.5 cm

Rubber Sheets (x2) 120 cm X 12.5 cm X 2 mm

Rubber Sheets (x4) 11 cm X 1 cm X 2 mm

Rubber Sheets (x2) 40 cm X 2.5 cm x 2 mm 1 cm

Phillips Head Self-Drilling Screws (includes 2 spares)

For any questions regarding the assembly, operation or specifications of this device, please contact daniel.levy@tomglobal.org

Product Development History

This product originated in TOM:Tefen 2015. It was made for Sefi, a need knower who had trouble weighing himself.

A team of makers in TOM:TLV Developer groups 2019 decided to redesign and manufacture this product, starting with building one for the need knower, Ofer, and then making a clear product file that could be disseminated.

The product later was continued in a partnership between TOM and Shenkar college - TOM:Merkaha week 2020, a group of students helped improve and make more scales, and testing them with need knowers.

see Shenkar's Upscale here

To follow updates on Upscale and other assistive tech solutions by TOM communities and our global network of makers, follow us on social media here .

Project details

The build files for Upscale: The Wheelchair-Accessible Scale For Home Use are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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