Project Description
Grahamfield Products
Pacer Gait Trainer
Pacer Gait Trainer
The therapist inspired gait training system
The therapist inspired gait training system
Dynamic.
Ready to go everywhere.
Gait training has come a long way since we introduced our first model in the 1980s, and our Pacer continues to evolve and improve to meet our customers’ needs. Over the years your suggestions have helped us keep our design at the cutting edge.
Download the Pacer brochure.
Download the Pacer positioning checklist.
Why dynamic?
Walking is complex. When we talk about dynamic gait training we refer to the often unobserved but significant shifts of body and weight that occur in typical gait patterns. In the therapy community there is a growing consensus that a well-positioned pelvis in combination with dynamic movement is critical to successful gait training. A specialized gait trainer, like the Pacer, helps achieve this proper positioning and provides the dynamic weight-bearing and weight-shifting needed for a more natural gait pattern and easier stepping.
The Pacer
The Pacer, because it can be configured in so many ways, can accommodate clients of every ability, in any environment. Everything about the Pacer encourages progress for clients so nothing stands between them and the places they want to go. It’s the versatility and dependability you’ve come to expect from Rifton.
The Pacer is easily configured to meet your client’s every need. Choose between dynamic and standard upper frames and pair them with standard, utility and treadmill/stability bases.
Features
Walking is dynamic. As we take steps to move through space we make subtle but significant shifts of the body both vertically and laterally. When providing gait training it’s important to accommodate this dynamic movement rather than restrict it.
The Pacer with the dynamic upper frame accommodates the natural side-to-side and up and down movements of the body during step-taking to facilitate a more effective gait pattern.
Our sleek dynamic upper frame delivers the kind of movement you’ve asked for with 2″ of vertical and horizontal movement with separate lock-out control for each. Whatever the particular needs of your client – in either anterior or posterior positioning – you can now do more.
Dynamic weight-bearing – supporting 2″ vertical up and down movement during the process of walking
Dynamic weight-shifting – providing support for 2″ side-to-side movement while walking
Dynamic upper frame A sophisticated, compact mechanism allows this upper frame to shift 2″ vertically and horizontally, providing dynamic body support. These powerful features enable the vertical and lateral movements that occur naturally as we shift weight from one leg to the other. If your client doesn’t need this movement, vertical and lateral dynamic functions can be locked out independently.
The Standard upper frame is a great choice for clients who do not need dynamic movement. It accommodates all the Rifton prompts you’re familiar with and depend on.
Both our upper frames feature a single telescoping column with a gas spring to make height adjustments easy.
A single button releases the gas spring for easy height adjustment. Release the button to lock it at any height.
The column has been indexed for easy recording of positions between clients and sessions.
Indoors: Better than ever. Our standard base, with improved casters and features, provides exceptional functionality and support. It is designed to be used on smooth surfaces.
Indoors or out, our standard base takes your clients where they need to go.
Who says therapy can only happen indoors? Bring your gait training outdoors or in with our new utility base featuring large, rugged wheels and greater base width for better mobility on rough surfaces.
The utility base is not recommended for use in the posterior (reverse) position.
Over a treadmill: We heard you. Our therapists asked for a simple and affordable treadmill accessory and we delivered – the treadmill/stability base.
You can mount the same upper frame easily on any of the three bases.
Available in two widths, the treadmill/stability base straddles almost any treadmill. It also adjusts 7½” from the lowest to highest position.
Over ground, the treadmill/stability base provides all the functions of our standard base, plus extra stability for those that need it. And you can adjust it from floor to treadmill height with the press of a button.
The Multi-position saddle (MPS) is the ultimate positioning accessory for easy transfers and gait training.
The MPS hip corral quickly provides the pelvic stability needed for upper and lower body mobility. Additionally, the MPS has five adjustments for quick and easy pelvic positioning.
The MPS can be used for anterior and posterior gait training.
The MPS easily attaches to both the dynamic and standard upper frames.
Posterior Position: Even in the reverse position the Pacer offers all the supports your client needs, and it’s a great solution for those who walk better with open access to the environment. Additionally, this posterior positioning is a natural progression towards independent movement.
Prompts and supports can be reversed and moved along the top bar of the frame to whichever position best matches your client’s needs.
The MPS makes transfers, especially for heavy clients, so much easier (and safer). By placing the upper frame and MPS in their lowest positions you can ease your seated clients onto the saddle.
Once the transfer is completed, caregivers can easily raise the client into an upright position for gait training.
Using the height adjustment on the MPS, caregivers can raise the client’s pelvis to the optimal height for weight-bearing and step-taking.
With the tilt adjustment on the MPS, caregivers can quickly position the client’s pelvis into anterior or posterior tilt for the most effective gait pattern.
No more counting tiles! Now available on every Pacer base as an option, Rifton’s new odometer makes it easy to record client progress in any setting, in either feet or meters.
A close-up view of the front caster with optional odometer.
The Pacer casters’ five functions let you fine tune the Pacer’s movement as your clients gain control.
Variable drag: Made with the same material used in automotive brakes, our variable drag feature gives you greater control with the simple twist of a dial.
Swivel lock: Each caster’s swivel can be locked independently. Lock all four to help clients walk in a straight line, or just the two rear casters to eliminate drifting sideways. Release swivel locks on all casters for movement in any direction.
Direction lock: Prevent involuntary backward movement with the one-way directional lock featured on each caster.
Utility base front caster
Utility base rear wheel
Foot-operated brakes make it easy to lock the wheels for transfer.
Prompts and supports – such as the new arm supports and old chest support – attach anywhere along the Pacer frame’s top bars.
As with the old Pacer, prompts are easily removed when a client no longer needs them.
This feature also allows the Pacer to be easily adapted to multiple clients’ needs in a school or institution.
Our detachable upper frame makes it easy to stow and transport the Pacer. Separable components allow you to bring the right base for each client and every setting.
The upper frame can be easily detached from any base by pressing the button and pulling out the column stem. The two parts of the frame can be stowed in a trunk.
The dynamic upper frame can easily fit into your trunk.
Standard base frame ready to go into your trunk.
Makers of high-quality bicycles believe in the long-term benefits of baked-on powder coating because it is formulated to stand up to wind and weather. So do we.
Our Pacer gait trainer is available in your choice of 5 colors: blue, red, lime, pink and gray.
The Pacer in blue.
The Pacer in red.
The Pacer in lime.
The Pacer in pink.
The Pacer in gray.
Components
Arm prompts include height, rotation, angle, lateral proximity and forward/backward adjustments to accommodate numerous positioning requirements.
Padded surface area: small 4½”x 8″, large 5″x 9″
Adjustment range: (elbow to fist): small 9″– 12½”, large 10½”– 15″
A set of arm prompts mounted in the most typically-used position on a Pacer gait trainer frame. Placed at the front of the Pacer frame, they encourage a forward-leaning posture.
Arm platforms offer a simple alternative for clients who need less arm positioning. They attach to our adjustable arm prompt base and are made of integral skin foam for padded comfort and easy cleaning. Arm platforms are available with or without handgrips.
Padded surface dimensions: 13½”x 5½”
Arm platforms with handgrips.
The arm platforms in use.
Hand loops can be used on any size of Pacer. Hand loops attach as a pair or singly anywhere on the Pacer’s upper frame and are height and angle adjustable to fit each client’s unique needs.
Providing hand loops boosts a client’s sense of stability and confidence while moving.
The handlebars are available for any Pacer. In combination with the simple chest pad, they form a lightweight configuration perfect for higher functioning users.
Handle height from pivot to top: small 5″, large 7″
For users who need less arm support, the handlebars attach quickly and adjust easily.
The handlebars in use on the small Pacer.
The chest pad is ideal for less involved users. Its anterior support pad offers angle adjustment, and its single support strap allows for easy transfers and quick positioning.
Range of circumference: small 14″ – 28″, med 22″ – 40″, large 28″ – 50″
Pad height: small 4″, med 5″, large 6″
The chest pad is available for the small, medium and large Pacer sizes. Together with the MPS and handlebars it forms a simple configuration perfect for higher functioning users.
The chest pad in use on the small Pacer.
The chest prompt is available in three sizes and accommodates a wide range of users. It holds the client’s torso at the desired angle, with tilt adjust forward or back in 15° increments. One knob adjusts both the tilt-angle and width of the chest prompt.
Range of circumference: small 14″– 28″, med 22″– 40″, large 28″– 50″
Height: small 4½”, med 6½”, large 8″
Adjustments to the chest prompt are tool-free and can be made while client is in the Pacer. The cover is cleanable, healthcare-grade vinyl. The chest prompt fits snugly to support dependent users, or wraps loosely as a training guide for gaining independent trunk control.
The multi-position saddle (MPS) enables finely tuned positioning of the pelvis. Adjustable in five directions to accommodate each client’s posture, the MPS easily attaches to both the dynamic and standard upper frames.
MPS seat pad dimensions:
Width at back: small/med 3½”, large 5¼”
Width at front: small/med 3″, large 4½”
Length: small/med 9½”, large 10¾”
Saddle height adjusts to fine-tune the position of the pelvis during gait.
Adjustment range: Large: 8½”, Med: 8½”, Small: 5½”
Saddle depth adjusts to optimally position the pelvis in relation to the upper body to encourage forward motion during ambulation.
Adjustment range: Large: 5″, Med/Small: 4″
Saddle angle is adjustable to position the pelvis in anterior or posterior tilt for the most effective gait pattern.
Adjustment range:
Large: 15° forward and 15° back
Med/Small: 7° forward and 7° back
Hip corral depth and height adjustments provide cushioning and support for the pelvis at the level of ASIS.
Adjustment range:
Large: depth 3″, height 3″
Med/Small: depth 3″, height 2″
An optional nylon spandex cover fits tightly over the MPS seat pad and decreases surface friction
For clients who need less abduction, the pelvic support is a softer alternative to the hip positioner. It provides weight–bearing assistance and freedom of movement while clients build strength and stamina.
See Sizing for user and item dimensions.
For clients who need less abduction, the pelvic support is a softer alternative to the hip positioner. It provides weight-bearing assistance and freedom of movement while clients build strength and stamina.
The pelvic support is made of microbe-resistant polyurethane over a core of closed cell foam padding. It will withstand routine cleaning with a 10% bleach solution. This foam and web-reinforced construction is comfortable yet durable.
To determine the correct size pelvic support needed, measure half of the user’s thigh circumference:
Small: 4″ – 8″
Medium: 6″ – 10″
Large: 8″ – 14″
The hip positioner is designed to encourage good positioning for gait training. It enables natural pelvic movement and lower extremity weight-shifting, and provides good abduction. A pad is available for added comfort.
See Sizing for user and item dimensions.
Rings on the posterior strap of the hip positioner or pelvic support clip onto the handholds mounted on the Pacer frame, allowing you to quickly secure a client following transfer.
Thigh prompts swing with the user’s stride and prevent leg scissoring. They are height adjustable in the medial and lateral positions and prevent the user from turning within the Pacer frame.
Length (from clamp to strap): small 5″– 8″, large 5″– 11”
Max. leg circumference: small 15″, large 20″
The thigh prompts assist leg abduction. Used with the ankle prompts they can also prevent scissoring.
Ankle prompts snap securely onto the frame and have comfortably padded ankle straps. The spring adjusters limit stride length and control stride placement. Adjust the strap length to determine foot separation and prevent scissoring.
Shown at left are two ankle prompts for the Pacer gait trainer frames. The top one is for the utility base and the bottom one is for the standard base.
Ankle prompts help to prevent scissoring. Used with the thigh prompts they can assist with leg abduction.
The odometer makes it easy to record client progress in any setting, in either feet or meters.
The odometer is an option when choosing your Pacer base.
The odometer looks simple, but has a lot of functions.
To reset display to 0, press the reset button. To display total lifetime distance traveled, press and hold button for 1 second. Lifetime distance will be displayed in kilometers or thousands of feet, depending on unit setting. To switch between feet or meters, press and hold button until units change (approximately 10 seconds).
It’s no longer necessary to count floor or ceiling tiles to mark walking progress!
The ergonomic handholds are height-adjustable and can be positioned in four directions and placed anywhere along the top bar of the frame. A pair of handholds automatically comes with every hip positioner or pelvic support; an additional pair can be purchased if needed.
Handholds can be used by caregiver or client.
Our communication tray features a mounting system with a range of positions. Great for holding tablets and other mobile devices.
Inside dimensions: 8½”x 11″
Max. working load: 10 lb.
The communication tray is a handy surface for small devices.
The guide bar is made of lightweight, high strength aluminum alloy. It attaches to the front tube of the standard or utility base with a quick-release clamp, and enables the caregiver to guide the Pacer from in front or behind.
The guide bar enables caregivers to guide clients while gait training and can be rotated 180° to pull from the front (as shown) or push from behind the Pacer.
The guide bar can be held by the caregiver with their right or left hand.
The optional hand brakes combine both running and parking brake functions in a simple lever-action control. The brakes attach to the arm prompts and can be quickly removed when not needed.
Note: Since retrofitting is complex, we recommend ordering brakes with the original purchase.
The hand brakes are designed for use by client.
A tough and attractive tote bag big enough (14″x 16″x 9″) to keep all your Pacer accessories together when not in use. Made of black ballistic nylon with a zippered top, here’s a bag that will hold up to whatever you throw in it and still look great.
And like all things Rifton, it’s made in the USA.
The accessories tote
Sizes & Dimensions
Important: User’s weight must not exceed the maximum working load.
| Key user dimensions (inches) | |||||
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Measure the vertical distance from the bent elbow to the floor while the user is standing upright. |
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Elbow height |
15½ – 20½ |
18½ – 27½ |
24 – 35 |
32 – 47 |
34 – 49 |
More information about the Pacer gait trainer is located in the following Product Manuals:
Small, Medium, Large and XL Pacer
Download the Pacer Positioning Checklist
Download the XL Pacer/E-Pacer/TRAM Comparison Chart
Medium and Large Pacer size comparison |
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Product Resources
Order form
S, M, L, XL product manual
Pacer Gait Trainer brochure
Letters of medical necessity
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