Kingkraft goes for gold!

Whilst the world watches on as the Olympic athletes compete to be the best, disabled spectators at the Aquatics centre have access to bathroom facilities thanks to the hoist that Kingkraft fitted. It's very exciting to know that we contributed something to the biggest event in the World and we feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to showcase our work. Because of the hoist, less-abled people can now be easily lifted when in the bathroom instead of a carer/parent having to lift. So enjoy watching the swimming and diving and cheering on Adlington, Miley, Daley and the rest of our team whilst knowing there is appropriate facilities for all the spectators.

Good luck Team GB!!!

Does your child struggle sleeping at night? Here's the answer to your prayers...

"Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common problem presented to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The disorder affects 3-5% of all school-aged children. The core symptoms of the disorder-inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity-are associated with a high rate of comorbidity (e.g. oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety and depression), as well as academic underachievement, poor social relations and sleep disturbances. Sleep difficulties was even included in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in the DSM III and are often included in ADHD rating scales e.g. Conners' Rating Scale for parents."

2010 Informa UK Ltd (Informa Healthcare, Taylor & Francis As)


That quote was taken from the findings of a study undertaken by Allan Hvolby and Niels Bilenberg of the University of Southern Denmark to determine the use of a ball blanket in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder sleeping problems.


Kingkraft are happy to introduce to our customers the Protac Ball Blanket that has been proven to help children and adults who suffer from ADHD fall to sleep faster and sleep better. The study found that when children slept with the Ball Blanket, the time taken to fall asleep was reduced by almost 40% - with the children only taking 15 minutes on average to drop off. It also showed that a child's tendency to wake up during the night was reduced to match the level of children who did not have ADHD. The behaviour of children at school was also studied revealing those who had slept with the blanket were able to concentrate better and were able to cope more with school activities; with a 10% improvement in both hyperactivity and concentration levels.

So how does the Protac Ball Blanket work?


It stimulates the sensory system which contributes to improved bodily consciousness. It was designed on the basis of the American occupational therapist and psychologist A. Jean Ayres' theories of sensory integration. It works due to the weight from the loose balls inside the blanket that press on certain points of the body, which stimulates both the sensation of touch and the sensing of muscles and joints. The many sensory impressions transmit inhibitory impulses to the central nervous system. This increases the sense of the body and its limits, and provides confidence and calm.

When your body is physically or mentally agitated, it affects your bodily awareness because the brain is expending energy on other things other than self-awareness. When using the Ball Blanket, people find calmness and security due to the sensory stimulation.

The blanket can be used for a number of conditions, other than ADHD, such as:

• Anxiety
• Autism
• Brain injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Hyperactivity
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Parkinson's disease
• Tourette's syndrome
• any many more

Protac have developed three more products with the same technology of the Ball Blanket designed to also provide sensory stimulation.

The Protac Ball Cushion provides a dynamic sitting posture and good balance training. It has been designed according to the theory of sensory integration. When sitting on the Ball Cushion, the flexibility of the balls will cause you to move beyond the body's centre of gravity. Automatically the body will sense this and signal to shift the weight of the body to keep balance. In that way, back and abdominal muscles are stimulated so you receive impulses to sit upright. This product is perfect for the school classroom as the cushion movements relieve pressure on the back improving concentration.

The Protac SenSit is a chair that can come with or without a Puff (footstool). Again it is designed to trigger sensory points on the body with the flexible plastic balls that are inside the chair. Children and adults with concentration difficulties benefit from sitting in the chair with the soothing effect it provides. The pressure from the side and neck wings gives a sense of security so the user can concentrate and relax for longer periods when sitting in the chair.

The final product developed by Protac is the MyFit vest. There are channels on the front and back that are filled with heavy plastic balls which again leads to better body awareness. It is closed with a zip and has a simple lacing system on the back and sides which make it fit snugly and comfortably to the body. 

Try before you buy?

We loan out the Protac Ball Blanket on a two week period so you can see the benefits it provides. This has been highly successful with our customers with the majority of people who have loaned the blanket saying they have never slept as good or for as long. If this is something you are interested in you can contact the office on 0114 269 0697.

We provide workshops and demonstrations on the other Protac products for schools, health centres and individuals at their home. Again, this has proved highly successful with customers seeing a huge difference in concentration and hyperactivity levels. You can also contact the office to arrange this with our occupational therapist and paediatric physiotherapist.

If you would like to receive a brochure on the Protac products please visit our website.

Ergonomics for Children

How many of us were told to sit up and be still whilst at school? At a guess, nearly all of us. In fact, movement is necessary and benefits the body and mind leading to greater concentration and is vital for growth and development. If only teachers realised that a little bit of mischief increased blood flow and oxygen supply to developing organs, muscles and the brain. It might have made us listen a little more!

Kingkraft understand how important physical activity is and realise that today's children spend more time playing video games and watching television rather than playing sport and keeping active. This can present many drawbacks to a child's health and growth. Movement is essential, even while sitting. So this is where we introduce to you our ergonomic range. Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements and its cognitive abilities.

Hokki Stool

PantoSwing-Lupo

PantoMove-Lupo

The Hooki Stool has a curved bottom requiring the user to change position continually and encourages a dynamic sitting position. The PantoSwing-Lupo is a cantilevered chair whereby a change of the position of the centre of gravity changes the inclination of the seat. In the forward sitting position, the seat is also inclined forwards, which stimulates the spine to a dynamic balance and stabilises the posture. The PantoMove-Lupo allows natural and impulsive movement providing a regular change of sitting posture. It is also equipped with a dynamic seat with a rocking effect.

Ergonomics are proven to have a number of physiological benefits including increasing attention and concentration level. The advantages are:

• The spinal vibrations are changed regularly
• The spinal discs are continuously supplied with nutrients
• Complex muscles in the back are stimulated
• More than 100 joints in the spine are able to move freely
• Blood circulation and oxygen supplies are optimised
• The brain metabolism is supported which encourages concentration

The human body, especially those of developing children and teeangers, requires a steady flow of blood and oxygen and nutrients it brings. Movement is fundamental to this process, which is why a static body should not be maintained over a long period of time. The transitional period between a child and teeanger is very important for the development of biological functions, in particular bones and the spine. More children and teenagers of today are experiencing problems with their back, neck and head due to non-ergonomic and incorrectly-sized furniture.

Not heard enough reasons yet as to why to move away from the conventional rigid chairs, here's a few more:

• The pelvis turns increasingly backwards and the back becomes rounded
• The shoulder, neck and back muscles become tense
• The spinal cord is pressed on one side
• The stomach muscles slacken and the digestive organs become constricted

To achieve maximum results, an ergonomic children's area should:

• Adapt to the height of the child
• Conform to the child's autonomous need for movement
• Accommodate the various activities

Ergo III Inclining Desk 

A table or desk should not only be adjustable in height but in working surface incline too, preferably 16 to 20 inch. This leads to a comfortable reading and writing surface where the head and upper body can be held upright. Flat tables and desks aggravate sitting discomfort and cause noticeable problems. The back becomes rounded and the head is bent back to attain the necessary spacing between the eyes and the work causing strain on the neck.

Help you child develop into a healthy teenager and book a free demonstration of our ergonomic range through our website.

Article with reference from www.varierusa.com/education/1493

It was acceptable in the 80s...

The 1980s were a decade of big hair, shoulder pads and leg warmers. While the youth of the time were listening to their Walkman and singing along to Michael Jackson and Madonna or walking around with their leather jackets and Aviator sunglasses a la Tom Cruise in Top Gun or playing Pacman and Rubik's Cube, Kingkraft were busy designing and manufacturing their first product, the Easibath.

1980s Easibath brochure

2012 Easibath Brochure
Click here to view the brochure online

The Easibath made it easier for a parent to bathe their less-abled child by a folding side door which opened for easy access and then closed to form a bath. What an idea! If only every bath could be positioned next to your bed so you didn't have far to travel from having your evening soak to going to sleep!

The beauty of the Easibath's design meant it could be very versatile with customers being able to use it as a shower bench and a changing platform also. As a result of this, the Easibath has been a popular choice amongst our many customers since it was first manufactured in 1984.

Although the bath is manufactured with the folding side panel, many customers choose to lift their child into the bath nowadays with the help of a hoist. There is ample space underneath the bath for a mobile hoist but ceiling tracks can be used too.

Another great feature is that it is height adjustable. It can be lifted to help avoid back strain on the parent/carer and can be lowered for more mobile users to climb into the bath themselves with the help of the folding side panel.

The square design of the bath allows body support cushions to sit perfectly inside to help prop-up the user so the parent/carer can focus on washing. We manufacture a range of supports from base, fold side and back rest cushions (inclined or reclined) to knee wedges (with or without pommel). We also can provide vacuum support cushions for the head and body.

A standard function with all Kingkraft baths is a thermostatic mixer valve. This is set to a certain temperature and allows the parent/carer to focus on the child while the bath is steadily being filled at a constant warm temperature. It also means that it can be filled with the user in. No more hopping between legs because you didn't check the boiling/freezing water before jumping in!


Optional extras to the Easibath are shower and whirlpool systems. The shower needs to be a category 5 system which prevents the head from falling in the water if it was to be knocked off the hinge. The whirlpool option can be fitted on the non-opening side only but provides a more relaxing and pleasurable experience. Your very own jacuzzi, how exciting!

The Easibath is manufactured from polypropylene and the folding side is achieved through having a plastic hinge system. They are very durable and can last years. For those that have been battered and bruised we do offer a replacement top. The bath is available in a range of standard sizes and can also be manufactured to the customers' own specification, including Special Order units which are both longer and wider than standard models. A base and side cushion, along with a choice of back rest (not required with the 1700 model are supplied with the bath.

If you are looking for more information or to request a quote on the Easibath please visit the website.