Flexible Thing

The Flexible Thing TD, was originally conceived as a safe, activity-specific, prosthetic solution for two-handed water skiing and other water sports requiring bi-lateral, “two-handed”, gripping of a rope “tow handle”. The high strength, flexible strap is simply wrapped two or three times around the tow handle and then “over-grasped” with the sound hand to prevent strap release. When the sound hand lets go or is pulled off the tow handle the strap slips free and safely releases from the tow handle. Two-handed tow rope control is required!

Once testing began with the Flexible Thing, it became obvious that the design could have many “cross-over” avocational uses for securely holding tools and handles, as well as carrying objects, with the addition of a buckle system that would hold and lock the strap in place at varying lengths. This buckle would not ever be used in water skiing or similar sports because “release” is not spontaneous. However, for holding a shovel, rake or similar long handled tool, or for grasping an axe handle to control the swing bilaterally, the Flexible Thing provids simple, secure control and a very good range of motion (ROM). Similarly, the Flexible Thing could be strapped around a carrying handle of a tool box or engage a wheelbarrow handle, lawn mower handlebar, etc. so long as spontaneous release was not required for safety. An adjustable friction, pivoting wrist is built-in “standard”, providing for an “Add-on” L CODE.

The flexible strap is very “grippy”, reinforced and rated at one thousand pounds. The strap is easily replaceable and can be cut and modified for length, as may be needed. The components are anodized aircraft aluminum. The FTTD is tough, reliable, simple and practical.

The Flexible Thing weighs only 4.5 ounces (128 gm) and comes standard with a twelve inch, long one inch wide, strap.