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Question 663042: I am paralyzed & trying to order a Right Triangle of foam cut-to-order which will elevate my legs to prevent blood clots without causing additional pressure on my backside per my doctor and physical therapist. There are no ready made products to accomplish this other than hospital beds which we don't want. The length of one leg is 5 ft/ 6" (66 inches). I need to compare prices of a hypotenuse with a 30 degree slope vs. a 35 degree because the thickness of the foam (height of the other leg) determines the overall cost.
1] Is there a basic formula I could use to calculate different thicknesses given a static leg of 66" with a 30 degree slope. Then plug in varying slopes to determine the height of the 3rd leg?
2] In case I can't obtain such a deep piece, I may have to make it 2 or more layers and glue them together. For example combine a base Rectangle 66" long and 5" thick and glue a thinner top layer that still achieves a 30-35 degree slope. I have NO idea how to calculate that.
3] If you have time I may also need to provide a 3-D drawing with the area as well as dimensions. {3rd Dimension = 40" wide.}
I would be very grateful for your help! I am a very positive person with a can-do/ problem solving attitude. You'd be amazed how often people with spinal injuries need math and engineering knowledge to create simple solutions. Thanks! (the above e-mail address is laura v w @...)
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! the height of the leg opposite (h) the slope angle can be determined by the tangent of the slope angle
:
A 30 degree slope
tan(30) = 
h = 66 * 38.1 inches high
:
An equation for the height for various angles would be
h = 66 * tan(slope angle)
:
Most calc have the tangent function, just select that function enter the
slope angle, multiply that value times 66 and you have the height
:
For example for a 35 degree angle
h = 66 * tan(35)
Find the tangent on the calc
h = 66 * .70
h = 46.2 inches
:
If you have to fabricate this from say 5" thick sheets of foam
get rectangles of 66 by 40, assemble enough layers to get the max height
that you need. (46" would require about 9 layers)
cut the rectangular cube opposite corners, if the height is right the angle
will be right.
Since you now have two of these triangular solids, you can cut one down
to have less of slope, hence less height.
:
I know foam is pretty expensive, my wife sews stuff, and buys it a a place called Hancocks where they have many different sizes, so perhaps you could have
a triangle form built of wood and glue a 5" layer on it. If could be made to
have an adjustable height. hope this helps. C
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