Neater NAS-Zero User manual

Neater Arm Support
Zero-Power version
(NAS-Zero)
Instruction Manual
Note: for instructions on fitting a NAS-Zero to a
wheelchair please refer to Guidelines available
to Neater Solutions’ Representatives.
Neater Solutions Ltd.
www.neater.co.uk
July 2020

2
Safety
•The NAS-Zero gives you some ability to move your arm.
Inevitably, this results in certain dangers that the user and
any carer must assess for themselves and take reasonable
precautions against. The following is a list of potential
dangers that Neater Solutions Limited has identified.
Please read this list and all other instructions carefully, but
be aware that there may be other dangers that we have
not identified.
•Ensure that you have control over the freedom of movement the
NAS-Zero gives you so that your arm or parts of the mechanism
do not cause any danger to yourself or others.
•Avoid moving or lifting any object that might be dangerous if
dropped or spilt - such as scalding hot liquids or cigarettes.
Though the NAS-Zero itself is made of flame resistant materials,
your clothes may not be and the NAS-Zero will not prevent a burn
should you drop such an object that you then cannot reach to
retrieve.
•Be aware that other dangers could exist in using the NAS-Zero
depending upon your circumstances. For instance, using it to help
you eat could result in choking if you have difficulty with
swallowing.
•Ask a physiotherapist to advise you on the use of the NAS-Zero.
Its use is usually of therapeutic benefit, but prolonged use could
strain you. In particular:
oEnsure that the full travel of the NAS-Zero arm up and down does
not cause you discomfort or even damage to your shoulder or
other joints.
oStart by using the NAS-Zero for only one hour per day and then
slowly build up your use of the device.
•Do not use the NAS-Zero in any way that could cause danger if
the mechanism were to jam.
•NAS-Zero is designed to comply with the essential
requirements of the Medical Devices Directive Class 1
(Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of April 2017).
•Please keep the NAS-Zero away from dirty, abrasive or corrosive
environments eg: avoid taking onto a beach.

3
If the NAS-Zero is fitted to a wheelchair:
•The NAS-Zero moving arm should be removed when moving the
wheelchair.
•The NAS-Zero moving arm should not be fitted when the
wheelchair is on a slope. Forward, backward or sideways tilt of the
chair could make your arm swing in a direction you cannot control.
•Do not operate other wheelchair functions such as backrest recline,
if there is any possibility that someone near the chair may trap
their fingers in any parts of the wheelchair or NAS-Zero
mechanisms or between the NAS-Zero and the chair.
•The NAS-Zero has not been crash tested with different wheelchair
set-ups. However, the NAS-Zero has a very sturdy construction
and tests have been carried out to simulate the forces that would
be exerted by the NAS-Zero on its attaching brackets in a crash
test. At the very least, when transporting the NAS-Zero in a
vehicle, ensure that:
1. The NAS-Zero has been fitted to your wheelchair by a
representative of Neater Solutions.
2. The NAS-Zero moving arm is completely removed from the main
bracket.
3. If you travel in your wheelchair, it is essential that the wheelchair
is suitable for use as a seat in a vehicle (as stated by the wheelchair
manufacturer). It is also essential that a headrest is fitted that is
suitable for use in a vehicle as supplied by the wheelchair
manufacturer to prevent your head hitting the main bracket of the
NAS-Zero in the event of an accident. (In any case you should use
such a headrest to prevent whiplash injury). If you have not been
provided with a headrest suitable for use in a vehicle, do not use
the wheelchair for this purpose.
4. The wheelchair is fastened into the vehicle following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
•Your wheelchair provider should have ensured that your wheelchair
satisfies any necessary safety criteria for your purposes. The NAS-
Zero should only be fitted to wheelchairs by a trained
representative of Neater Solutions. Please take note of any safety
advice in addition to the points here that the Neater Solutions
representative may give you. A properly fitted NAS-Zero used
correctly following the guidelines in this manual should not pose
any significant health and safety risks beyond those detailed in this
manual or by the Neater Solutions representative fitting the unit.
For instance, the weight of the NAS-Zero is very small compared
to the wheelchair; it therefore does not significantly affect the
performance of the wheelchair in incline tests.

4
Contents
Safety
Contents
Neater Arm Support Zero Power version
(NAS-Zero) Description
Set up:
•Fitting to table
•Angled Joint
•Parking
•Spring Adjustment
•Movement Range
Cleaning & Maintenance –Cleaning
Alternative Options
Attachment to wheelchair

5
Neater Arm Support Zero Power version
(NAS-Zero) - Description
The NAS-Zero is a non-powered version of the Neater Arm
Support. It offers a “helping arm” to people with some muscular
weakness.
The NAS-Zero supports the weight of the user’s arm in a sling,
enabling them to move their arm back and forth freely using
their own muscle power. It is usually supplied with a fixed
bracket system for clamping to a sturdy table. It can also be
attached to the back of a wheelchair or to a separate floor stand.
The sling is attached via an angled joint to a spring loaded arm
and a metal linkage with frictionless joints to the fixed bracket.
The strength of the spring can be adjusted to suit the user. A
light viscous damper helps smooth the movement.
An adjustable up stop sets the range of vertical movement.
(A version of the Neater Arm Support is available with electrically
powered vertical movement for users with weaker arms.)
Sling
supports
your arm
Adjustable
Mechanism
helps lift your
arm smoothly
Fold-away
Hook for parking
Compact sturdy base
with table clamps
Frictionless Joints for
free movement

6
Set up
1. Clamp the base to the table.
2. Hold the arm linkages as shown and drop the pin into the base.
(Larger and smaller clamps can be supplied)
Fold-away
Hook for
parking
Table clamps

7
As your arm is raised, your elbow drops
The sling and its frame are available in different sizes.
The sling frame is attached to the spring-loaded arm via an angled
joint. The joint is usually positioned so that when you raise your
arm, your elbow drops down automatically, helping to bring your
hand closer to your head –this is useful for many functions such as
feeding yourself. Similarly, when you lower your arm, your hand is
lowered further enabling you to reach things, such as objects on a
table, more easily.
As your arm is lowered, your hand is lowered further
Press down on the Hook Counterweight to lift the Parking Hook.
Then hook over the Angled Joint to park.
Angled Joint
Hook
Counterweight
Parking Hook
Push sideways
to fold away

8
Angled Joint position
Loosen the screw in the
Angled Joint (use a 5mm
Allen key) and slide the frame
to change the pivot position
before retightening the
screws.
The angle of the frame in the
joint can also be adjusted to
allow the right balance of
support without obstruction.
Spring Mechanism
The amount of lifting force
can be adjusted to the
optimum setting for you;
helping you lift your arm
without making it too difficult
to lower it.
Turn the screw anti-clockwise
to increase up-force,
clockwise to decrease.
Up Stop
Ensure that the NAS-Zero
gives the range of vertical
movement you require.
This can be adjusted by
turning the Up Stop screw
(use a 3mm Allen key).
+

9
Cleaning & Maintenance
The NAS-Zero can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and a little
detergent. Be careful not to allow water to flow into any of
the joints.
The sling can be removed from its frame for washing. Wash by hand
or use a low temperature machine wash (eg: Woollens setting).
The arm joints are shielded ball and roller bearing that do not
require lubrication.
Contact Neater Solutions for any further maintenance information or
if there are any problems with the functioning of the NAS-Zero.
Undo the three Velcro
Straps near the elbow
Slide off the front.
Rubber ends inside should
remain inside the sling

10
Attachment to wheelchair
The NAS-Zero should only be fitted to a wheelchair by a
representative of Neater Solutions Limited using approved fittings
and procedures.
Regular checks must be made to ensure that the NAS-Zero is as
securely attached to the chair as when it was fitted by the Neater
Solutions representative. It is the responsibility of the user or their
representative to ensure these regular checks.
Alternative options
The deep pocket in the back of the Sling helps keep you elbow in
place as you lift your arm. Some people like to use a Strap that fits
to the frame to help hold their arm in.
A Soft Fleece cover for the front of the slings gives more comfort
on bare skin.
Left and Right handed units are available.
NAS-0 mounting bracket to fit to a stand or chairs (see notes
below). A parking hook can be fitted to the bracket but will only be
usable if suitably positioned.
People whose arms are too weak to use a NAS-Zero are
recommended to try the Powered Neater Eater Support see
www.neater.co.uk/neater-arm-support.
Demonstrator Sling Frames are 75mm shorter than the
maximum length standard frames. They have tapped hole ends for
up to three 25mm extension pieces –so that different length frames
can be tried easily by screwing in more extension pieces.

11
Sling Frame measurement
The sling frame is available as standard in wide and narrow sizes.
•It is cut to length: Overall Length OL
•clamped into the angled joint: Joint Position JP
•and can be angled at a positive or negative Offset Angle OA
(Zero is with both sides of the sling frame in line with the joint
axis.)
Overall Length OL
Joint Position JP
Width
narrow = 93mm
wide = 115mm
Offset Angle OA
(positive angle is with frame
centre above joint axis as shown)
+10°
Copy, print and cut
out this image for
use as a gauge.
Punch hole here
Max lengths:
284mm (narrow frame)
334mm (wide frame)