Activity Chair

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.

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Activity Chair Brochure

Activity Chair positioning checklist

Features

Use the slides below to learn more about the features of the Activity Chair.

Tool-free adjustments

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.

Adjust with client in the chair

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.

Tilt-in-space

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.

Spring option

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.

Arm support options

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.

Hi/low base foot pump

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.

Components

Use the slides below to learn more about the components of the Activity Chair.

Note: All components fit both hi/lo and standard Activity Chair bases, although shown on a standard base here.


Headrests

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°

Laterals

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

Push handles

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

Tray & handhold

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

Chest strap & Thigh belt

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

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

Butterfly & Pelvic harnesses

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

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

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.

Abductor & Adductors

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

Leg prompts & Footboard

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

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 & Wedges

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

Lumbar and seat support kit

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

Backrest filler pad

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

Mini kit

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"

Whitmyer adapter

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


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.

Therapists or Medical Professional?

Are you a therapist or medical professional needing information on products or to request a product trial from one of our dedicated full time Rehab and Seating Consultants?


Please fill in our online request form today and we will have a Consultant reach out directly to you.

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