Project Description
Rifton Products
Activity Chair
Activity Chair
The ultimate in active seating for pediatric to adult clients
The ultimate in active seating for pediatric to adult clients
One chair, many lives
Therapists everywhere tell us the Activity Chair is perfect for feeding, speech therapy, active learning and for clients with sensory processing challenges. Not only that; parents see what it can do for their child in the classroom and realize how much they need it at home, too.
The Activity Chair has revolutionized adaptive seating and continues to delight therapists with its versatility for people of all shapes and sizes, all conditions and special needs.
Download the Activity Chair brochure.
Download the Activity Chair positioning checklist.
The Benefits:
Tool free adjustments while client is in the Activity Chair.
Wide range of optional components available to create an adaptive chair providing customized active seating for your client – whether in early intervention, school, home, rehab or day hab – from the client with autism to one with more involved physical challenges such as cerebral palsy.
Two Chair Base Options:
Hi/lo base for easy transfers, optimal positioning and instant access to any activity.
Standard base for regular classroom use and ideal for students with autism who need calming through self-generated motion (self-stimming).
Features
With all adjustments easy to make – and no tools required – the Rifton Activity chair is an ideal choice for the busy special needs classroom or at home.
The lateral supports are fully adjustable in height, width and angle – all with one knob which, by the way, can’t ever fall off and get lost.
Every white button and lever indicates a point of adjustment as shown here with the abductor.
All it takes is a pen to remove seatbelt and harness clips, making these attachments easy to use and tool-free yet child-proof.
Unlike a reclining wheelchair, the Rifton Activity Chair can be easily adjusted while a client is in the chair. This saves time and makes adjustments much simpler to gauge.
Seat depth can be safely and easily adjusted while a child is in the chair by pulling the handle beneath the seat.
Jeremy’s caregiver can tilt his chair forward simply by squeezing two levers at the back of the chair.
Transfers are a cinch with foot–pump height adjustment and easily removable armrests.
All Rifton Activity Chairs have tilt-in-space, which encourages sit-to-stand and resting positions. Tilt-in-space can be activated tool-free while your client is in the chair.
The standard base tilts 15° forward and 15° back while the hi/lo base tilts 15° forward and 25° back.
In addition to tilt-in-space, every Rifton Activity Chair’s backrest angle adjusts 5° forward and 20° back.
Adjust the tilt-in-space angle by squeezing two levers at the back of the chair as shown.
Handwashing made easy: tilt ’n go!
And when it’s time to relax in the middle of a busy day, that’s easy too.
The optional seat and backrest springs on the Rifton Activity Chair standard base (and the backrest spring in the hi/lo base) allow for calming through self-generated motion – ideal for clients with autism. The spring column can be locked when not in use.
The spring column can be locked and unlocked by turning the white twist-lock collar.
Once his caregiver has unlocked the spring, Mateo calms down by bouncing and rocking.
Armrests provide lateral boundaries as well as upper extremity weight-bearing assist to aid trunk control. Rifton’s armrests can be raised or lowered individually to accommodate clients who need extra trunk stabilization and can be set at angles ranging from horizontal to 60° up or down. The tray accessory attaches to the armrests.
Armrest top surface:
small: 2¼” x 8¾” large: 3″ x 12″
Forearm prompts facilitate head and trunk control while sitting and secure distal placement of upper extremities. This enables the use of the pelvic girdle and trunk core muscles for improved postural stabilization and strengthening. Rifton’s forearm prompts are fully adjustable for optimum positioning.
Forearm prompt padded area:
small: 4″ x 7″ large: 4½” x 8½”
Range of adjustment from elbow to fist:
small: 8″ – 12½” large: 10½” – 16″
The armrests tilt quickly and easily so Marina can get right up to the computer.
Forearm prompts help Jeremy maintain trunk and head control.
With the support of one forearm prompt Jeremy can use his communication device.
The large and medium hi/lo bases are height-adjustable via a foot pump. The foot pump allows you to lower the client in the chair until his or her feet are on the floor, or raise it to a 32″ high table. The chair’s height can also be easily set for lateral transfers.
The small hi/lo base is equipped with a gas spring to serve the same function.
Lowering the R850 hi/lo base chair to floor level allows Amy to participate in circle time at eye–level to her peers.
Transfers are a cinch with foot–pump height adjustment and easily removable armrests.
When the caster swivel lock is engaged, the Rifton Activity Chair can be pushed in a straight line without drifting to the side. When the lock is disengaged, casters will swivel and the chair can be maneuvered into tight spaces.
Comfortable seat and backrest pads are essential for providing cushioned support and preventing decubiti. Rifton’s backrest and seat pads are made of polyurethane foam covered with a cleanable, healthcare-grade polyurethane-coated fabric. The seat pads can be turned front to back for longer wear. Pads are available in 6 color choices.
Legs for the standard base chair are height-adjustable, long or short, stationary or with casters. Adjustable in 1″ increments, these legs allow you to position your client at optimum height. The grippy tips of the stationary legs are designed to keep your client from sliding and moving across the floor, even with dynamic rocking. The legs with casters make your chair easy to move when transitioning from one classroom to another.
Components
Headrests optimally position clients with poor head control. Choose a flat, contoured or winged headrest. All headrests attach tool-free to the backrest.
Flat headrests adjust front to back and up and down using Rifton’s unique two-knob adjustment system.
Dimensions: 9″ x 5″
Contoured headrests adjust front to back and up and down using Rifton’s unique two-knob adjustment system.
Dimensions: 9″ x 5″
The contoured headrest on the Activity Chair
Winged headrests adjust front to back and up and down using Rifton’s unique two-knob adjustment system. The side wing pads adjust from almost flat to 90°.
Dimensions: 16″ x 5″ when flat to 6″ between wings at 90°
Necessary for clients who need good upper body support, laterals are important for proper alignment of the spine. Laterals are independently adjustable, both vertically and horizontally. Laterals can be purchased with or without a chest strap attached.
Small: 5″ x 4″
Large: 6½” x 5″
With the addition of a wide chest strap to the laterals, clients without upper torso control gain added trunk support and security to help correct alignment of the spine.
The laterals on the Activity Chair
Recommended for all chairs with wheels, push handles make it easy for the caregiver to maneuver and transport a client in the Activity Chair from one place to another.
The push handles on the Activity Chair
The tray attaches to armrests and provides a work, play and feeding surface with raised edges. It can be set at angles ranging from horizontal to 60° up or down, and can be raised or lowered to suit your client’s needs.
Note: The tray attaches to the armrests only, not to forearm prompts.
Tray width x depth / Cut out width x depth:
Small: 19″ x 18″ / Small: 11 ½” wide x 5″ deep
Medium: 22″ x 20″ / Medium: 13½” wide x 6″ deep
Large: 25½” x 22½” / Large: 16″ wide x 7 ½” deep
The handhold attaches to tray for arm and hand positioning to control spasticity. Handholds are especially for clients with spastic muscle tone and are helpful for proper joint alignment.
The tray and handhold on the Activity Chair
The chest strap provides added trunk support with its wide and comfortably padded strap. The chest strap is for clients without upper torso control who need extra support and security. Made from padded, anti-microbial, high performance material.
Maximum circumference:
Small: 34″
Medium: 40″
Large: 52″
Width of strap:
Small: 3″
Medium: 3¾”
Large: 4″
The chest strap on the Activity Chair
The butterfly harness is necessary for clients needing more support for trunk control while sitting. When adjusted to fit snugly and comfortably, it provides maximum anterior support giving security, safety and freedom of movement.
Slim-cut butterfly harness performs the same positioning function as the regular butterfly harness. The slim cut butterfly harness is an alternative especially designed for larger female clients.
The butterfly harness on the Activity Chair
A thigh belt gives additional support and security for the client’s thighs while helping to adduct their knees.
Maximum circumference:
Small: 32″
Medium: 41″
Large: 52″
The thigh belt on the Activity Chair
An alternative to a typical seat belt, Rifton’s unique pelvic harness firmly positions a client’s pelvis by securing hips and upper thighs without pressure on the abdomen. The pelvic harness provides a stable, comfortable base for postural control and encourages proper alignment of the spine. It also controls extreme extensor spasticity that can result in sacral sitting.
Max. thigh circumference:
Small: 22″
Medium: 25″
Large: 31″
The pelvic harness on the Activity Chair
Hip guides attach to the arm supports. They provide a snug, comfortable fit giving the client security and safety. Placed at the sides of the pelvis to align a client’s torso, they provide maximum support of trunk control while sitting. Hip guides can also be important for proper alignment of the spine. They independently adjust vertically and horizontally. For transfers, hip guides remove with the arm supports.
Available in small: 3¼” x 5½” and large: 4″ x 9¼”
The hip guides on the Activity Chair. Hip guides are attached to the arm supports and can therefore be easily removed with them for transfers. Hip guides can be used with both types of arm supports – armrests or forearm prompts.
Necessary for good joint and body alignment of clients with dysfunctional muscle control. The abductor separates knees and helps to control spastic muscles that cause legs to scissor. The abductor can be adjusted backward and forward in three positions to improve postural control.
Available in:
small: 3″ wide x 6″ long x 3½” high
large: 4″ wide x 7½” long x 4″ high
The abductor on the Activity Chair
Adductors are necessary for clients with limited muscle control that results in abduction of lower extremities. They provide a comfortable lateral boundary for client’s knees and maintain proper body and joint alignment by supporting each leg individually.
One size only: 5″ high x 6″ long
The adductors on the Activity Chair
Helpful for clients with limited muscle control, leg prompts maintain body and joint alignment when sitting by supporting each leg individually with a strap that passes around the front. Leg prompts move both in and out and laterally for maximum adjustment.
Maximum circumference:
Small: 14″
Medium: 16″
Large: 18″
The leg prompts on the Activity Chair
The footboard facilitates weight-bearing through the legs and feet during functional sitting activities, and can be used with sandals or ankle straps to meet specific positioning needs. The footboard can flip up, swing back out of the way for sit-to-stand transfers, or can be used as a step for transfers.
The new Activity Chair footboard is retrofittable. Do you have an old-style footboard on your chair? You can replace it by purchasing the new, improved design.
The footboard on the Activity Chair
The footboard’s height adjusts easily and smoothly.
The footplate can flip up or swing back out of the way for sit-to-stand transfers, or lock down.
The footboard’s knee angle adjusts easily, swinging back under the chair or extending forward to approximately 45°.
The footplate angle adjusts in increments of 5° over a range of 20°.
Ankle straps (require footboard) secure the feet of clients with limited muscle control and excursion movement. They enable a moderate range of movement while improving independence in postural control. Ankle straps help maintain body alignment by supporting each leg individually.
Maximum circumference:
Small: 12″
Large: 16½”
The ankle straps on the Activity Chair
Note: Ankle straps cannot be used simultaneously with sandals.
Sandals (require footboard) are necessary for clients who are unable to control leg movement. They adjust to correctly position client’s feet. Sandals also align the client’s body for optimum positioning, enhancing good posture and proper joint alignment.
Small: 3″ x 7″
Medium: 4″ x 9″
Large: 5″ x 10½”
A pair of sandals on the Activity Chair
Note: Sandals cannot be used simultaneously with ankle straps.
Wedges (require sandals) are especially for clients with specific ankle positioning needs or uneven leg lengths. Position them under the sandals to enhance good posture and align body for optimum positioning. Use them to raise heels or toes, or combine two wedges under one sandal to add flat lift.
Thickness:
Small: 1″
Medium: 1¼”
Large: 1½”
A pair of wedges on the Activity Chair
The lumbar and seat support kit lets you adapt the contours of the seat and back for a specific client’s needs. They can be cut to length and attached where needed under the seat and back pads with adhesive-backed hook and loop strips.
The lumbar and seat support kit on the Activity Chair
The backrest filler pad fills the space between the bottom edge of the backrest and the top edge of the seat when backrest is in one of the top three positions. It can be used to provide additional lower back support.
The backrest filler pad on the Activity Chair
The mini kit on the Activity Chair
The mini kit makes the small Activity Chair a prime option for the smallest child – from approximately eight months up to two years. Remove it as the child grows and use the same chair for many more years.
Trunk support max. circumference: 26″
Backrest pad thickness: 1″
Some Whitmyer headrests can be installed on all Rifton Activity Chairs. This adapter gives you the option to use a Whitmyer M2100-WB headrest mounting bracket and the Whitmyer Onyx headrest support system.
Note: Rifton supplies only the adapter and T20 power tip. Whitmyer mounting brackets and headrests must be purchased from a Whitmyer supplier.
The Whitmyer adapter plate on the Activity Chair
Sizes & Dimensions
Use the dimensions chart below to help you make the right choice for your client.
Want to make sure it fits? Download a detailed chair sizing worksheet.
| Key user dimensions (inches) | ||||||
|
The user’s overall height is a general guide to help you select the appropriate chair. Choose the model that allows for growth. |
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|
User’s overall height |
32* – 48 *28 – 38 requires mini kit
|
28* – 48 *28 – 32 requires mini kit |
40 – 56 |
40 – 56 |
50 – 74 |
50 – 74 |
| Item Dimensions (inches) | ||||||
| Frame width | Short legs: 21
Long legs: 23 Short legs with casters: 22½ Long legs with casters: 23½ |
25 | Short legs: 23¼
Long legs: 24¼ Short legs with casters: 24½ Long legs with casters: 25½ |
27½ | Short legs: 26¼
Long legs: 26¼ Short legs with casters: 27¾ Long legs with casters: 27¾ |
29¾ |
| Frame depth (front to back) | Short legs: 21½ – 23
Long legs: 26¼ – 27¾ Short legs with casters: 23½ – 25 Long legs with casters: 27 – 28½ |
31 | Short legs: 22½ – 24½
Long legs: 26¾ – 28¼ Short legs with casters: 25 – 27 Long legs with casters: 26½ – 28¾ |
31 | Short legs: 30½ – 32¾
Long legs: 32½ – 34½ Short legs with casters: 31 – 33 Long legs with casters: 34¾ – 35¼ |
36 |
| Seat height above floor | Short legs: 9½ – 12½
Long legs: 18½ – 21½ Short legs with casters: 13½ – 16½ Long legs with casters: 18½ – 21½ |
10 – 25 | Short legs: 12½ – 16½
Long legs: 19 – 23 Short legs with casters: 16 – 20 Long legs with casters: 19 – 23 |
12 – 23 | Short legs: 16½ – 20½
Long legs: 20 – 24 Short legs with casters: 16½ – 20½ Long legs with casters: 20 – 24 |
16 – 24 |
| Seat angle for tilt-in-space | 15° forward, 15° back | 15° forward, 25° back | 15° forward, 15° back | 15° forward, 25° back | 15° forward, 15° back | 15° forward, 25° back |
| Backrest angle adjustment | 5° forward, 20° back | 5° forward, 20° back | 5° forward, 20° back | 5° forward, 20° back | 5° forward, 20° back | 5° forward, 20° back |
| Footboard knee angle | 45° – 110° | 45° – 110° | 45° – 110° | 45° – 110° | 45° – 110° | 45° – 110° |
| Seat height above footboard | 7 – 12 | 7 – 12 | 7¾ – 15¼ | 7¾ – 15¼ | 11¼ – 21¼ | 11¼ – 21¼ |
| Seat width with hip guides | 7 – 9 | 7 – 9 | 8½ – 11½ | 8½ – 11½ | 11 – 14 | 11 – 14 |
| Seat width without hip guides | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 |
| Seat depth (1″ increments) | 8 – 12
7 – 11 with mini kit |
8 – 12
7 – 11 with mini kit |
11 – 16 | 11 – 16 | 15 – 20 | 15 – 20 |
| Armrest height above seat | 5 – 7½ | 5 – 7½ | 7 – 10½ | 7 – 10½ | 7 – 10½ | 7 – 10½ |
| Trunk support width | 5½ – 11½ | 5½ – 11½ | 6½ – 12 | 6½ – 12 | 9½ – 14 | 9½ – 14 |
| Backrest height above seat | 12½ – 15½ | 12½ – 15½ | 15½ – 19 | 15½ – 19 | 19 – 24 | 19 – 24 |
| Headrest height above seat | 14½ – 21 | 14½ – 21 | 17½ – 24½ | 17½ – 24½ | 19½ – 29½ | 19½ – 29½ |
| Maximum working load (lbs) | 75 | 75 | 150 | 150 | 250 | 250 |
More information about the Activity Chair is located in the Product Manual.
Having trouble printing this chart? Try this printer-friendly chart instead.
Download the Activity Chair Positioning Checklist.
Activity Chair Sizes |
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Order form (small)
Product manual
Letter of medical necessity
Purpose of straps and supports
