I N DU ST RY LE ADE R
INDUSTRY LEADER (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
1985, Peek Exhibited at the first International Seating Symposium in Memphis, Tennessee. The bolt-on recliner kit became the drop-on recliner when a solid welded seat frame assembly converted the folding, belt drive, 24-inch rear wheel into a rigid frame chair, opening new possibilities. 1985-1986, Life got out of the way and the “Sliding Back” recliner is completed, patent applied for. The first power recliner successfully addressed shear elimination. 1986-1987, Introduction of the first “Power Base,” the Fortress FS-655, pushed the “Drop-On” recliner into a complete and comprehensive power recline seating system, from the footrest to the headrest and everything in between, all from LaBac Systems. 1988, LaBac Systems pushes the envelope requiring education and training in the Highlands Ranch, Colorado, training facility at the factory. It is believed that this was the first time a company required training to purchase products. 1990-1991, Designed and produced the LaBac MTC, Greg Peek finishing up the modifications to the “little the first adult-size manual orange Zippie Iris” mentioned on Page 6. tilt chair. This was followed by several alphabet soup variations. Designed and patented “Active Anti-Tippers” for use on short wheelbase power chairs, essentially creating a six-wheeled chair, which prevented tipping. Additionally, several custom seat elevating seats/carts for power chairs utilizing scissor lifts, predating what everyone does today. 1996, Designed and patented the Variably Adjustable Lower Body Support, also known as 4 Axis footrest, and modular adjustable seat frame for wheelchairs, a width and depth adjustable solid seat frame, which could also have functional components added or deleted to change the configuration and function of the power seat — essentially what everyone does today.
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DIRECTIONS 2024.4
Michelle Lange and Greg Peek at ISS 2023.
June 1997, This was a year that everyone experiences in some way, “the biggest mistake of my life” when LaBac is sold to Graham Field. The legal handcuffs and bankruptcy protection forced Peek out of the industry and held him out until April 2003. Summer 2003, Peek moves back into the LaBac building and starts preparation for reentry into the wheelchair field, attending Medtrade later that year introducing a new line of "Degage" manual tilt wheelchairs. Probably the most robust and durable adult manual tilt chair ever made, just a little bit ugly. 2005, While exhibiting at ISS in Orlando a therapist asks, “Can you do anything to stop these “Rocker Bangers” from breaking the back canes from their chairs.” Peek, still not knowing there are things he can’t do, says yes. Late 2005, The “Dynamic Rocker Back” is born, Seating Dynamics follows shortly thereafter, and the rest is recent history. Seating Dynamics has become and is still the only company worldwide to focus exclusively on dynamic seating components for wheelchairs. August 2018, Designs and builds wheels enabling the "Turbinator streamliner" to become the world’s fastest and only wheel-driven vehicle to traverse the Bonneville Salt Flats at over 500 mph.