specialtomato Series 79XXXXXX Multi Positioning Seat User Guide

specialtomato Series 79XXXXXX Multi Positioning Seat

CAUTION:
Read Instructions Before Using! Save This Guide For Future Reference This product is NOT certified for motor vehicle or aircraft use in Europe or Canada. This product is made for indoor use only.

For Customer Service Support: Contact your dealer directly.

• Serial Number (Located on seat shell):
• Model:
• Date of Purchase:

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated to another language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise without the prior written consent of Bergeron Health Care. Use only Special Tomato accessories and parts on Special Tomato products. Special Tomato parts are not interchangeable with other manufacturers’ products. Replace any worn parts immediately for safety. ©Copyright 2022 Bergeron Health Care. All rights reserved.

Intended Use

The MPS is a hard shell with modular cushions that attach via hook-and-loop patches to meet most postural and positioning needs. The MPS is compatible with a wooden mobile base, and can also be strapped to a standard kitchen, dining room or classroom chair. Special Tomato Multi-Positioning Seat (MPS) also meets the USA FMVSS standard as a car seat and FAA standards for use on aircraft.

WARNING

• To improve safety we recommend that users should not be left unattended at any time while using Special Tomato equipment.
• Be sure that all adjustments are securely fastened before you put the user into the product.
• Always secure the 5-point harness after transferring the child into the seating system.
• When the seat is in use be sure that the height and tilt adjustment lockouts are engaged to prevent accidental adjustment from other children.
• To prevent tipping: Do not attempt to move the seating system over uneven surfaces. Use care when transferring children in and out of the seating system.
• Always secure the child in the restraint
  • Never leave a child unattended
  • Always keep the child in view
  • Secure straps tightly
  • Always use a seating system on a smooth level surface

Please Note: Special Tomato™ products are latex-free.

• MPS = Multi-Positioning Seat

The Story Behind the Brand
Special Tomato™ is Tim Bergeron’s latest product line. He has over 40 years of experience designing, building, and selling adaptive positioning equipment, including founding the Tumble Forms® product line as its original designer. Tim has coupled his design experience with a new manufacturing process that provides soft durable, impermeable cushions for positioning children with special needs. The first Special Tomato™ Brand Product is the Multi- Positioning Seat. Now you may be asking, “What’s so Special about Tomatoes?” Tim is pictured here with his youngest daughter, Carrie, a young adult with Down syndrome. Carrie’s story, “The Special Tomato”, summarizes what Tim believes that most parents feel about their child with special needs. “Every child is special in their own unique way. It’s a parent’s job to find ways to facilitate their child’s growth in a way that includes them equally within the family and community.” For children with physical disabilities, adaptive equipment can play an important role in helping them reach their highest functioning level.

The Special “Tomato” on the Bergeron Bush
My dad and mom had four children. The first three children were healthy and regular people. Then I came along, a baby with a difference, Down Syndrome. I had a hole in my heart, a rip in my heart valve, jaundice, a big tongue and a wobbly head. As I got older I also realized that I am a slow learner. One day it was bothering me that I was having a hard time doing my school work. I told my dad about this problem and he shared a story about when he was out in his garden picking tomatoes the year I was born. Every year my dad grows a garden and loves to plant tomatoes.
At harvest time there were Beefsteak tomatoes on a bush. When he saw a differently shaped tomato it got his attention. It had a large, smooth, bright red enlarged side that made my dad want to pick it up and study the bump because it was so unique and looked appetizing. At supper, that tomato was just as juicy as the others. Even though I’m different like the tomato as a person with Down Syndrome, my family and friends love me even more and want to help me when I need it. My dad tells me that even though I have more difficulty learning than my brother and sisters, my lovable and outgoing personality and strong character make me just as special as they are. I guess I am the special “tomato”on our family’s bush!

Carrie Bergeron

• Peggy, Tim and Carrie Bergeron (from left to right)

Setting Up Your MPS

Unpack
Check to see that the following items are included with your Multi- Positioning Seat (MPS):

• Seat Shell
• Head Cushion
• Back Cushion
• Seat Cushion
• Two Safety Attachment Straps installed
• Five Point Harness System installed
• Left and Right Leg Rest Extensions
• 2 Leg Rest GROOVED Knobs (1 3/16”)
• 2 Footrest BALL Knobs (1 1/2”)
• Footrest with 2 Foot Straps
  • These items are optional.

Assembly
First, attach the MPS to the appropriate base of choice with the Attachment Straps.

Mobile Floor Base

• Tightly secure the Rear Strap under the lip of the Mobile Floor Base
• Secure tightly the Bottom Strap under the Mobile Floor Base between both sets of wheels Figure 1.

Standard Chair

• Tightly secure the Rear Strap around the back of the chair (spiral method below or straight method in Figure 1.)
• Secure tightly the Bottom Strap under the seat of the chair Figure 3.
  • Note: Make sure the chair is stable!

Setting Up Your MPS

Footrest Assembly

1. Insert both ends of the Leg Rest Extensions into the corresponding holes in the front of the seat shell.
   NOTE: Make sure to insert the leg rests far enough so that the Leg Rest GROOVED Knobs (1 3/16”) go through one of the three corresponding holes in the leg rests, giving the appropriate depth for your child. Figure 4.

2. Tighten the 2 Leg Rest GROOVED Knobs (1 3/16”) until you feel resistance. There is a block to prevent tightening it too much.

3. Place the footrest at the appropriate height, depth, and angle for your child. Figure 5.

4. Insert the 2 Footrest BALL Knobs (1 1/2”) into one of the three appropriate holes on the side of the footrest. These Footrest BALL Knobs (1 1/2”) should be tight!

Please Note: It is NOT necessary to overtighten any of the knobs. They are designed to hold with a SNUG fit!

Adjustments
The Special Tomato™ Multi-Positioning Seat provides a comfortable and adjustable seating surface for your child. The durability of this unique product along with built-in adjustability allows for years of use as it grows with your child. Adjustability is accomplished as follows:

Seat Cushion
Uses hook and loop strips plus our track system for easy adjustment. Under the Seat Cushion are three guide lines. Figure 7a. The middle line positions the hips at 90°. The top line provides 15° of Hip Extension. The bottom line provides 15° of Hip Flexion. Our Hip Flex™ Adjustment provides 15° of Hip Flexion or 15° of Hip Extension without recline. Align the top of the seat cushion along the selected line for hip positioning. Figure 7b.

Head Cushion and Back Cushion
Adjust up and down easily. Hook and loop strips and our track reference mark system allow you to quickly reposition the modular cushions to fit your child. Figure 6.

Foot Rest
Provides maximum adjustment allowing for height, depth, and angle adjustability. hook and loop straps secure your child’s feet to the footrest for proper positioning. Figure 8a. Adjust the depth of footsteps as needed. Figure 8b.

Adjustments
Five-Point Harness: Provides comfort and adjustment needed to properly support and position your child. Figure 9a. To adjust the Five-Point Harness, remove the black covers from the shoulder straps. Press in the gray button. Figure 9b. Pull the top strap to tighten. Figure 9c. Pull the bottom strap to loosen. Figure 9d.

Lap Strap
Press the center red button to release both sides of the lap strap. Re- insert each metal buckle into the corresponding socket to secure the lap strap portion of the 5-point harness. Figure 10.

MPS Optional Accessories

Mobile Floor Base
WARNING: To avoid unintended motion, ensure caster brakes are locked when not actively moving the Mobile Floor Base.

1. Complete with four swivel casters. Figure 11.
2. Rear casters have foot-operated locks. Figure 12.
3. Tray Storage in the rear of the Mobile Floor Base. Stays secure with metal brackets. Figure 13.

Customize Your Size
When ordering your MPS, you can choose from several size cushions to make it your own! Figure 14. Cushions vary in size to accommodate ages ranging from 9 months to young adult.

MPS Optional Accessories

Installing Replacement Cushions

Switching Seat Cushions

1. Unclip the crotch strap and feed downward through the hole in the seat cushion. Figure 15a.
2. Remove the seat cushion.
3. Verify that the 5-Point Harness Clip is securely fastened. Push a small metal clip through the slot of a large metal clip to secure the 5-Point Harness. Figure 15b.
4. Test it by pulling on both straps to make sure that they stay connected. Figure 15c.
5. Place a new cushion in the seat shell.
6. Pull the crotch strap back up through the seat cushion. Figure 15d.

MPS Optional Accessories

Tray

Tray items include:

1. Tray, 2 Tray Risers, 2 Tray Riser BALL Knobs (1 1/2”), 2 Washers
2. Secure both Tray Risers to the Seat Shell at the desired angle with the attached hook and loop strips. Figure 16.
3. Place Washers on BALL Knobs (1 1/2”) and insert them into the corresponding slot and hole. Tighten both BALL Knobs (1 1/2”). Figure 17. (Not necessary to over tighten.)
4. Place the Tray on the Tray Risers considering the appropriate amount of depth for your child. Use the hook and loop flap to secure the Tray to the Tray Risers. Figure 18.
5. To remove the tray, first pull up on the hook and loop flap. Figure 19a. Second, pull the tray off by holding onto the curved sides and rotating one side towards you. Figure 19b.
6. The Tray Risers can remain on the Seat Shell. Figure 20.

MPS Features

5-Point Harness

1. Turn your MPS upside down. Figure 21 shows the correct position of the two clips (one black, one brass) that hold the 5-point Harness in place.
2. To secure the belt if it has come undone, push the brass metal clip through the slot of the black metal clip. Figure 22. Test it by pulling on both straps to make sure that they stay connected.

Buckling the 5-Point Harness

1. The Chest Clip is provided to keep the 5-Point Harness in place to protect your child. Figure 23. 2 – Once your child is in the MPS, engage the Chest Clip by connecting the two halves. Figure 24. You will hear an audible “Click” when it is properly engaged.
2. To remove your child after you are finished using the restraint, depress the two black prongs in the center of the Chest Clip and pull the two halves apart. Figure 25.
3. To complete securing the 5-point Harness, insert each of the silver buckle tongues into the corresponding sockets of the black buckle. Figure 36.

You will hear an audible “Click” when it is properly engaged.

Consumer Information

Maintenance
Regular maintenance is required to make sure this product remains in good working condition. Never use abrasive cleaners. The harness pads can be removed, hand washed at 38ºC or 100ºF then air dry. Wipe seat, back, and headrest cushions with warm water and/or mild detergent. Do not submerge. Always ensure the product is dry before use. To extend the life of the hook and loop strips, comb out the hook portion (hard side) to remove lint and other debris.

Limited Warranty

Please fill out and mail your warranty card!
Bergeron Health Care warrants to the original retail purchaser of the Special Tomato™ product, that if any part or component proves defective in material or workmanship within five years of the purchase date, the defective part will be repaired or replaced (at Bergeron Health Care’s discretion) free of charge. Warranty service may be performed by an authorized service center or (at Bergeron Health Care’s discretion) the factory. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, or damage caused by accident or misuse. To exercise this limited warranty, the user should first obtain a Return Authorization Number from the dealer the Special Tomato™ product was purchased from. The product must be delivered charges pre-paid (UPS recommended) to the factory or to an authorized service center, together with a copy of the original invoice, the Return Authorization Number, and a written description of the problem.

For Customer Service Support

• Contact your dealer directly

References

• Special Tomato - Pediatric Adapted Equipment - Soft Touch: Available by Special Tomato

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