ArticlesBy Ross Bryan
The lowly reacher is not considered much in these days of hightech gadgets. It doesn't have any external power source excepthuman input. It doesn't contain any electronic chips and none ofits functions are measured in mega-hertz.
But in the land of "unable-to-reach-that-far" it isking. Yes, for those who are bed-ridden, those in wheelchairs, orthose who have great difficulty leaving a seated position it canbe worth its weight in gold.
All it is is a stick with pincers on one end and a triggermechanism on the other. It usually is about 2 or 3 feet inlength, light, compact, and, with a little practice, it can pickup the smallest pieces of paper or hefty cans of soup.
It's hard to believe but with just a 3 foot long reacher theaverage person can reach about 10 times the volume they can withjust their arms, roughly 700 cubic feet versus 66 cubic feet.
There are a number of different designs. Some are constructedwith suction-cup looking ends for molding around the item to bepicked up. Others have extensions that run up the arm to givesupport to those without extensive wrist control or strength.Many are also manufactured with a small magnet on the end topickup pins, paper clips or small coins.
Yes, when it comes to retrieving that TV Guide that fell offthe bed table, or pulling on a sock after hip surgery, orreaching for that can of soup above the sink from a wheelchair,you can't beat the versatility of a reacher.
Oh, and another good thing about them is that they're inexpensive. You can expect to pay between CAN$15 and CAN$30.
Ross Bryan is the manager of Tranquil Lane Products Inc. If you require a more in-depth explanation or have questions you can e-mail Ross at article@tranquillane.com. Please put the article heading in the Subject: .
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