Southwest B.C.’s first massive snowstorm of the yr introduced with it the same old grumbles and moans about cleansing sidewalks.
However for these with accessibility considerations, shovelling snow can current a serious problem.
For one Vancouver man, necessity turned the mom of invention. Paul Rebucal says he created a snow shovel that he may use as he will get older.
“I want to do this as a result of I’ve to save lots of my again,” Rebucal advised CBC Information. “I’m already a senior, so I’m very vulnerable to accidents.”
Paul Rebucal exhibits CBC’s Steve Zhang his prototype for what he describes as a snow shovel for seniors, which Rebucal designed to assist make his job safer, sooner — and extra enjoyable.
The shovel, made virtually solely with recycled supplies, is the newest brainchild of Rebucal, who lately retired from his job as a constructing custodian at John Norquay Elementary in Vancouver.
The wheeled shovel has customers push down on a roller-style handlebar to scoop up snow. They will then roll it to the aspect of the sidewalk or street and use a lever attachment to dump the snow out.
The system reduces the quantity of brute power wanted to function a snow shovel, as there may be little or no lifting and higher arm power wanted.
He says he constructed the shovel largely out of repurposed objects he discovered mendacity across the faculty the place he labored. The metallic deal with was taken from an electrician who didn’t want it and the shovel’s scoop consists of a hand-moulded rubbish can lid.
“I simply purchase the cable,” he mentioned of an merchandise wanted for the lever attachment. “It’s principally junk.”
“This is sort of a prototype — it’s not, like, truly [a] working mannequin, however I can nonetheless enhance it.”
For these with mobility points, piled-up snow could be greater than an occasional nuisance, it also can pose a security danger.
Tanelle Bolt, a design and accessibility marketing consultant primarily based in Langford, B.C., speaks to BC At this time host Michelle Eliot about utilizing her wheelchair on snowy sidewalks — and the irritating challenges it brings.
Tanelle Bolt, a design and accessibility marketing consultant primarily based in Langford, B.C., says that municipalities ought to do extra to implement fines for many who don’t shovel snow, and step up snow-plowing efforts.
“Bodily motion is essential to your total well-being and having a social community and the power to go and be social and benefit from the open air,” she advised BC At this time host Michelle Eliot on Thursday.
Serial inventor
The shovel is simply the newest invention from Rebucal, who’s initially from the Philippines.
Amongst his different innovations is a lunch desk lifter, which makes use of hockey sticks and a big lever to make it simpler and safer to fold faculty lunch tables.
“It’s a interest for me,” Rebucal mentioned. “It motivates me to go to work day by day. It’s like going to work and taking part in [with] my toys.
“After I was a child, I [didn’t] have the posh of shopping for that. I make my very own toys again house once I was a boy.”
He says in 1982 he was the primary individual within the Philippines to patent a folding bicycle, which helped him get round visitors congestion extra simply.
One other invention is the “duster buster,” a vacuum tube that helps clear off ceiling dusters.
“My innovations, my creativity inside the faculty, helps me to take care of my sanity,” the retired custodian mentioned. “Work is … custodial and janitorial and generally it’s not enjoyable. However due to my invention, I’ve enjoyable.”
Rebucal retired on Dec. 29, however not earlier than he had the chance to talk to college students about his innovations and the significance of creativity.
“Make all the time the world a greater place than while you began,” he mentioned.
This text is from from cbc.ca (CBS NEWS)