Important Parts of a Wheelchair
Wheelchairs are a crucial tool that help people with limited mobility to get around. They can increase independence, boost confidence and enable the user to enjoy their day-to-day activities more.
While many wheelchairs are made for general everyday use, others are designed to address specific access needs or improve safety. These are sometimes referred to as “specialist” wheelchairs.
Brakes
The brakes on your wheelchair keep your chair stationary and in place so that it is not in danger of tipping over or rolling away. They are very important, and it is a good idea to check your wheelchair’s brakes on a weekly basis to ensure that they work properly.
There are many different types of braking systems on the wheels of a wheelchair, including manual brakes, which are operated by hand pressure or head movements. Electric wheelchairs, which use battery power, have braking systems that allow the user to slow down without requiring physical effort or manual dexterity.
Wheelchair brakes are a necessity for those who depend on them for mobility and independence, and it is essential to keep them in good working order. They should be inspected on a regular basis and if they are loose, they should be secured tightly to the frame of the wheelchair to prevent them from slipping or falling off.
One of the main signs that it is time to replace your wheelchair brakes is when they cannot be securely locked to the frame of your chair. This will prevent them from working as they should, and it wheelchair will also cause your wheelchair to be unsafe when you are using it.
Most wheelchair brakes come in two types – push to lock and pull to lock. The push to lock version is mounted on the frame of your wheelchair and has a lever that when pushed moves a bar that puts pressure onto the tyre to stop the wheel from moving.
The pull to lock version is located on the top side frame rail in front of each rear wheel, and is accessed with your feet on the footplates. These brakes are easy to remove and replace, making them a popular choice for most wheelchair users.
Footplates
The footplates of a wheelchair help to support the feet and legs, keeping them safely in place. They also prevent them from sliding off and causing injuries to the ankles or feet, and can improve seating posture.
The position of the footplates of a wheelchair depends on the type of chair used, and the needs of the individual. Some chairs have swing-away footplates that are mounted on the sides of the seat, while others have fixed footplates that rest on the ground beneath the seat.
Most power wheelchairs are equipped with footplates, which allow the lower limbs to be repositioned while in use. However, mispositioned feet can cause severe injuries if they slip or fall off the footplate and contact the ground. This can cause sprains, strains and fractures to the legs.
This is especially dangerous for people with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D), since they cannot feel or reposition their feet. In addition, essential pressure relief using tilt-in-space regularly displaces the feet from the footplates due to their extended position as the chair tilts backward.
These accidents can be very serious and even fatal for SCI/D patients, as well as obese individuals who may not realize their limb positions. To reduce the risk of these injuries, we have developed a sensor that monitors the positioning of the user’s foot as they move through the wheelchair.
We’ve also developed a non-slip foot rest cover that can be fitted to the footplates of a wheelchair, preventing them from slipping off and reducing injuries to the feet and legs. The cover can be easily fitted to the existing footplates and will aid in preventing the feet from slipping off, as well as helping to improve seating posture.
Seat
The seat of a wheelchair is a critical component to help maintain the stability of the user. It can be customized with various options to meet a user’s specific needs, such as adjustable backrests, tilt and recline features, armrests, caster wheels or anti-tip bars, footplates and leg rests.
Measuring the seat of a wheelchair is essential to ensure that it is correctly sized for the individual. This includes seat width, depth, and height.
Most wheelchairs have standard measurements, but some lightweight models may require more specific measurements. This is especially true for users who are looking to propel their chair using their feet.
The best way to determine the correct width for a wheelchair is to have the user sit on a firm surface and measure their width across the widest part of their lap, which is normally the hips. The widest part of the thighs could be measured for some people whose thighs are wider than their hips when they sit, but this should only be used as an example.
Once you have the correct seat width, make sure that the width between the sides of the seat is also correct. This is important because if the side of the seat is too narrow, the arms of the chair will put pressure on the hips and thighs of the wheelchair user, which can lead to painful pressure sores in the pelvic area.
The ability to raise a wheelchair user up in a powerchair has huge potential for improving the quality of life for people with mobility limitations, as it can enable them to reach higher levels of activity, such as ordering at a cafe or bar or reaching things on high shelves. Vertical mobility has been found to improve a person’s overall health and reduce their risk of injury.
Backrest
The backrest of a wheelchair is a crucial part of the seating system, as it provides support to the spinal column. It is essential for proper posture and avoiding postural deformities such as lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis in individuals with paralysis. The backrest should also allow the wheelchair user to recline and change position without experiencing discomfort.
A high backrest is often recommended for people with limited mobility who want a lot of support in their chair. However, it can also add to the weight of the chair and make it harder for the user to move around.
It is also important to ensure the backrest is positioned correctly, so that it does not compress and cause pain. If the wheelchair is used for a long period, it is important to carry out regular backrest assessment to keep track of how it is working.
In addition to the lateral support, the backrest should also offer a firm cushion, which helps to avoid slouching and improves comfort. The backrest should also provide sufficient space wheelchair between the back of the seat and the back of the wheelchair, to ensure adequate trunk support.
There are different backrests available for wheelchair users, and they are all designed to provide an optimal sitting posture. These different models should all be able to provide the right amount of support, and they all have different features that can help determine which one is best for you.
The most common and effective way to measure a backrest is to simply sit on it and see how comfortable it is. This can be done using the TAWC, which is the most commonly used measure of seating comfort.
Wheels
Wheels are one of the most important parts of a wheelchair. They are essential for mobility, helping the wheelchair to move smoothly on the ground, and are available in many different designs. The wheels also determine the performance of a chair and how it performs in different environments and usage patterns.
Most wheelchairs use composite mag wheels. These wheels are popular for their durability and strength, and they can handle a lot of weight. However, they can also flex during use and this increases the energy required to propel the wheelchair. Spoked wheels, on the other hand, do not flex and therefore they are more efficient for most users.
A spoke is a piece of metal that lines up with other spokes, usually in a “cross pattern”. These “spokes” are attached to the outer rim of the wheelchair. The end of each spoke has a “nipple” that attaches to the rim.
The nipple can be adjusted by turning it to tighten the spoke, which will increase the tension of the wheel. In turn, this will make the rim able to be set in the center position for maximum propulsion and tracking of the wheelchair.
Another option is foam-filled tires, which are a great choice for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. They’re durable, and they don’t get flat as quickly as pneumatic tires. They are also lightweight and low maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about expensive repairs or replacements.
Pneumatics are the lightest of the three, but they require more force to propel, and they are less comfortable than foam-filled or tubular tires. They’re also more sensitive to punctures and need to be inflated and monitored regularly to keep them functioning properly.