Active Design Chailey Standing Support Manual

Fitting and Operating Instructions

IMPORTANT!
Please read the instructions in full before using the Chailey
Standing Support.
The Chailey Standing Support must be set up and adjusted by
a competent therapist or rehabilitation engineer before use.
Ensure the main trunk support assembly is located in position
and the location pins are both fully engaged
Ensure the brakes are fully engaged before use.
The Chailey Standing Support may be heavy. Take care when
lifting a heavy load.
If you are unsure of any part of these instructions or have
queries on the use of the Chailey Standing Support, do not
hesitate to contact us.

INTRODUCTION
The standing support should be viewed as an integral part of the child's
postural management programme. Research evidence indicates that
children with Cerebral Palsy who do not achieve standing or walking
independently, are more at risk of developing hip problems (Scrutton &
Baird 1997).
Children who have reached the appropriate chronological age to stand
and are unable to do so will need to experience standing with the correct
biomechanical support in the upright position.
The Chailey Standing Support will help your child to:
Be more able in the standing position
Have a good starting position for movement
Gain better use of head and hands to play and use switches
Have greater independence
Have change of position, allowing gravity to help with digestion and
breathing
Offers an opportunity for loadbearing and be at a similar height as
peers.

IDENTIFYING THE COMPONENTS
The Chailey Standing Support consists of three main components:
1. Body Support
2. Main Frame with Footrest Assembly attached
3. Tray (with bowl and lid)
Figure 1 –Main components

The Body Support consists of the following components:
1. Thoracic Lateral Supports and Safety Strap
2. Anterior Chest Support
3. Trunk Cushion
4. Pelvic Lateral Supports
5. Pelvic Strap and Safety Strap
6. Thigh Supports
7. Pommel
Figure 2 - Body Support components
In some cases, in particular where a user has good upper trunk ability, the
Anterior Chest Support and Thoracic Laterals Support may not be fitted.

SETTING UP THE CHAILEY STANDING SUPPORT
Positioning the Body Support in the Main Frame
Separate the two halves of the black
strap and bring towards the front.
Refasten the Velcro to form a loop (A).
This can then be used to operate the
location pins on the Main Frame.
Partially insert the Body Support into the
Main Frame. While still holding the Body
Support, pull the loop handle and move
the support into position until it is
located against the stops (B).
Engage the location pins by releasing
the loop. Re-position the strap behind
the Main Frame tubes (C).
IMPORTANT!
Check the Body Support location pins are fully engaged
before use. Always re-position the black strap behind the
frame. This ensures the release mechanism is more
difficult to operate.

Optimum Location of Components
Figure 3 shows the location of the components of the Chailey Standing
Support and how they should normally be positioned in relation to the
user.
Figure 3 –Optimum Location of Components
The footplates are adjustable to facilitate a standing base as wide as or
slightly wider than the pelvis.
A soft Anterior Chest Support allows trunk movement, protraction of the
shoulder girdle and free movement of the arms. The Thoracic Lateral
Supports should be positioned approximately 4-5cm below the level of the
axillae. Where the child has good trunk ability, they may be lowered or

removed entirely to encourage more upper trunk movement. A safety
strap is used to allow movement within a defined range.
The Trunk Cushion is angled forwards at 10ofrom the vertical at the level
of the hips (in line with the centreline of the pelvic lateral pads. It is
indicated by the change in angle on the trunk cushion that can be seen as
a horizontal line across the width of the cushion). This supports the trunk
forward over the base and the shape encourages some hip flexion.
The Pelvic Lateral Supports should be positioned in line with, or just
above, the greater trochanters to stabilise the pelvis and maintain
symmetry. The Pelvic Strap stabilizes the pelvis in a neutral or slight
anterior tilt.
The Thigh Supports can be adjusted to vary the amount of abduction. The
knees should be located on the Thigh Support, and be at least 4cm above
the bottom edge of the cushion.
Checking the Initial Setup
The Chailey Standing Support will be delivered already set up to the
measurements recorded on the prescription form. The lateral supports will
be symmetrical and centrally aligned and may need to be moved to
accommodate asymmetry, or if you want to allow more active movement
in the trunk.
Once all the adjustments have been made, re-check all components for
the correct position and tighten all the bolts with the tools supplied with the
Chailey Standing Support.
If the measurements were not provided with your order, you will need to
take these now and set the support up accordingly. It is recommended you

record these on a Chailey Standing Support Prescription Form for
reference later if you need them (our booklet ‘Standing as Part of a
Postural Management Programme’ may also be useful).

ADJUSTING THE CHAILEY STANDING SUPPORT
Adjust the Height of the Body Support
(Measure Heel to Hip)
There are two types of adjustment of
the Body Support:
Primary adjustment
Secondary adjustment
To change the primary adjustment,
release the location pins on the Main
Frame (D) and move the Body Support
to the most appropriate position.
Engage the location pins. If necessary,
move the stop to ensure the Body
Support is always inserted at the
correct height.
To adjust the secondary adjustment,
loosen the bolt (E) at the centre of the
Body Support that runs in the
adjustment slot. Lift or lower the Body
Support to the correct height. Tighten
the bolt fully.
IMPORTANT
It is strongly recommended that primary adjustment is
carried out without the user in the support.

TIP
When carrying out initial adjustments without the user in the
support, set the secondary adjustment slightly too high. It can
then be adjusted down slightly when they are in the support (it
easier to adjust down than up when the user is in the support).
Adjusting the height of the Anterior Chest Support
and Thoracic Lateral Supports
(Measure Heel to Axilla)
These two components adjust
together. Loosen the single bolt (K)
securing the assembly and move the
supports to the desired location.
Tighten the bolt. Check the Hip to
Axilla height to ensure it ties in with
the Heel to Axilla measurement.
TIP
Always try to adjust the Body Support starting with the
secondary adjustment on its lowest setting, positioning the
primary adjustment on its maximum setting for the hip height
you are trying to achieve. This will make it easier to readjust in
the future as the user grows as only the secondary adjustment
will need to be changed.

Adjusting the width of the Thoracic Lateral Supports
(Measure Chest Width)
Loosen the bolt (L) securing the
lateral support. Adjust to the desired
location and tighten the bolt. Ensure
they are symmetrical and centrally
aligned.
If the user has good trunk control it is
possible to fully remove the thoracic
laterals. Unfasten the safety strap and
loosen the bolts (L) enough to fully
remove the pads. Re-tighten the bolts
against the lateral tube socket so they
are still available if the laterals need to
be reused.

Removing the Anterior Chest Support Assembly
Remove the tray. Remove the bolt
securing the chest support (K).
Remove the chest support replacing
the bolt into the chest support so it is
available if it is needed again.
Locate the Body Support into the
main frame in its lowest position (this
helps to keep the sliding mechanism
aligned when removing the plate).
Remove the plastic moulding (M)
covering the top of the slider
assembly.
Carefully loosen and remove the two
10mm bolts (N) securing the Chest
Support Vertical Adjustment plate.

Once they have been removed, rotate
the plate through 180o(O) and insert
back onto the Body Support (this
ensures the correct spacing of the
sliding mechanism is retained).
Replace the bolts using new
shakeproof washers and tighten.
Reposition the plastic moulding.
If these steps are carried out carefully, the sliding mechanism should still
be operational. To check this, loosen the central adjustment bolt (E) and
check the fine height adjustment by sliding the Body Support between the
minimum and maximum positions.
Adjusting the Pelvic Lateral Supports
(Measure Hip Width)
The width between the pelvic supports
can be adjusted. Loosen the bolt (F) on
the pelvic pad support arm and move
the pad to the required position.
Ensure the pads are symmetrical and
centrally aligned.

Adjusting the Footplate depth
Loosen the bolts securing the footplates
(G). Move the footplate assembly to the
desired location. Tighten the bolts.
Adjusting the Footplate width (Measure Heel Width)
Loosen the two central bolts securing
the footplates (H). Move each footplate
the desired location. Tighten the bolts.
Ensure the footplates are symmetrical
and centrally aligned.
Adjusting the height of the Thigh Supports
(Measure Hip to Knee)
Loosen the top bolts of both the Thigh
Supports (I). Adjust the height to the
desired location. Retighten the bolts.

TIP
If you are making a fairly large adjustment, you may find it
easier to also loosen the two bottom bolts (J) to allow the
Thigh Support to pivot while they are adjusted.
Adjusting the angle of the Thigh Supports
Loosen the top (I) and bottom (J) bolts
of the Thigh Support that you want to
adjust (work with one side at a time to
ensure both thigh supports remain at the
same height). Adjust the support to
provide that appropriate amount of
ab/adduction. Tighten the bolts. Adjust
the other Thigh Support if necessary in
the same way.
Once the angle has been adjusted, the
medial supporting surface of the thigh
supports should be symmetrical and in
line with the inner face of the footplates
(illustrated by dotted line on picture).
You may need to adjust or readjust the
footplates to ensure this is the case.

Adjusting the Height of the Tray
Loosen the nut on the location clamp.
Release the two thumb screws and
adjust the tray to the correct height.
Tighten the thumb screws and position
the location clamp on top of the tube
(this clamp ensures the tray is always
located in the same position). Tighten
the nut.

USING THE CHAILEY STANDING SUPPORT
Placing a Child in the Chailey Standing Support
To place your child in the Chailey Standing Support, follow the following
steps:
Check the child is wearing appropriate footwear
Make sure you have enough help to position the child, either with
another person or helped with a hoist
Put the brakes on and make sure all straps are undone and out of
the way
Place the feet in the footplates and stand the child up into the
support
Move the pelvis until it is level and upright
Secure the Velcro pelvic strap and then the safety strap
Secure the thoracic strap
Straighten the child’s trousers if they are bunched up (this can
cause unnecessary pressure).
Check and readjust pelvic position if necessary
Check overall alignment, and readjust if necessary
Check with the child that they are comfortable.

Moving the Chailey Standing Support
It is possible to move a child around a room whilst they are in the standing
support. To do so, release each of the four brakes and carefully push the
standing support to the required location. When in place, ensure all four
brakes are engaged.
Maintenance
Every six months, you should check the positions of all components for a
good fit, ensure all bolts are tight and the cushions are not worn out.
Straps should be checked for signs of wear.
As the child grows the support will need adjusting. The Chailey Standing
Support is fully guaranteed for 12 months but should last between 2 and 4
years if correctly prescribed and maintained. It will need changing when
the child has outgrown the full range of adjustment.
The following cushions have covers that can be removed for washing:
Anterior Chest Support
Thoracic Lateral Supports
Trunk Cushion
Thigh Support Medial Cushions
IMPORTANT
We recommend that this base is not used for moving a
child from one room to another or over uneven or sloping
surfaces

A 40owash should be used, and they can be tumble dried. The foam
inside has a special lining that allows the skin to breathe. This lining
should not be removed. The other cushions can be wiped clean with a
damp cloth.
SUMMARY
Children need to feel secure (physically and emotionally) before they are
able to be active, sleep or play happily. The Chailey Standing Support will
help with this by providing a biomechanically correct position and
boundaries within which movement can be experienced and learned in a
positive way. The Chailey Standing Support is one part of a 24-hour
postural management programme that may include seating, a lying
support, active movement (such as horse riding) and hands-on treatment.
Active Design Ltd, 68K Wyrley Road, Birmingham. B6 7BN.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] Internet: www.activedesign.co.uk
© Active Design Ltd 2005. All rights reserved. INS090-2