The Characteristics of the Folding Wheelchair

There are two types of the manual wheelchair. One has a rigid frame while the other has a collapsible frame. The latter is called the folding wheelchair. It is easier to store and transport than the former. It is also generally heavier because it has folding and locking mechanisms and reinforcing elements. Heavy-duty and lightweight models of this kind of chair are available.

Instead of having to use a larger vehicle or provide for special transportation arrangements, a car can be used to transport a folding wheelchair; it will fit easily into the trunk when folded. The option to fold it is made possible by an x-frame that allows it to be collapsed sideways. Thus, it can be kept in a relatively small space when not in use.

The four wheels of a folding wheelchair remain on the ground when navigating on an uneven surface, making it more stable on such a surface than the chair with a rigid frame. The flexible frame of the chair yields to accommodate the unevenness of the floor, ground, or terrain. On a hard floor surface, however, it is less stable than the rigid wheelchair.

The cost for keeping a wheelchair that can be folded in good condition is greater than that for a chair with a rigid frame. The parts of the folding chair that can be adjusted and removed, while making it easy to fold and transport the chair, are worn down and get lost more easily and this leads to more frequent need for repair and replacement.

Furthermore, the folding wheelchair’s relatively greater weight requires more effort to propel and maneuver the chair. Its moving parts also make the frame flexible and this flexibility absorbs much of the force exerted to propel the chair making it harder to push and control. Greater strength and dexterity is needed in propelling and maneuvering the folding chair when compared to the chair with a rigid frame.

When in a wheelchair that can be folded, there are certain activities that it is not appropriate for the user to engage in. This is because certain compromises are made in terms of stability and strength in order to have the ability to fold the chair. The desirable features of the folding chair also make it less durable and less stable at the same time.

Individuals who are from zero to four years and those who are from 60 to 90 years old are the patients for whom the folding wheelchair is appropriate. This is because it is not optimized for self-propulsion and is therefore appropriate for those who minimal or no upper body strength. A wheelchair with a rigid frame is more appropriate to those who are able to propel a wheelchair.

The folding wheelchair is suitable for transporting in smaller vehicles that have less capacity as well as for smaller living quarters that have minimal storage space because it takes up less room when folded. Even if it is relatively heavier than the wheelchair with a rigid frame, it is more convenient for the invalid’s companion to carry and keep. Its focus is portability and ease of storage.

The Kinds of Manual Wheelchair

The manual wheelchair, so called because it is propelled with human power, has many types. One is the attendant propelled wheelchair which is pushed by a person other than the occupant of the chair. This type does not have hand rims on its large wheels. What it has are handles at the back of the chair which the attendant uses to control it.
Another type is propelled by the occupant himself. This is the self propelled wheel chair. Attached to the outside of its large wheels are hand rims which the user manipulates in order to move the chair. These hand rims have a diameter that is less than that of the wheels for better control. The speed and direction of the chair is determined by the actions of the user on the hand rims.
The fundamental components of a manual wheelchair are the seat, the back rest, the foot rest, two large rear wheels and two small front wheels. Additional chair features can be added as required. Such additions are tailored to the needs of the intended users. The height of the chair, the size of the seat, and the position of the foot rest as well as the back rest can be varied.
There is a one arm drive type of self propelled wheel chair. On one side of this type of chair are two hand rims, one smaller in diameter than the other. By moving the two hand rims simultaneously, the chair can be propelled forward or backward. By operating only one of them, the chair can be turned either right or left depending on which one is moved.
A lever is used to control another kind of self propelled wheel chair. The chair can be moved in any direction by pumping the lever in certain ways. Still another way of propelling wheelchairs is possible for those who can not use their arms or hands. Special mechanisms are incorporated into the manual wheelchair so that it can be manipulated using one or both feet.
The wheelbase chair is a type of wheel chair that is specially tailored for users with complicated postures in order to serve their unique needs. This type of chair is basically a custom-built seat attached to a platform with wheels. A cast of the user is made while he is in the best seated position that he can achieve, and the seat is moulded from this cast.
Some types of manual wheelchair are easily stored because these can be folded. Others have rigid frames. Some have adjustable foot rests or adjustable back rests, or both. Still others have features that are specially designed for the requirements of their users. Such features may include holders for oxygen tanks and other medical equipment, safety belts, and even holders for drinks, books, and such.
The common inexpensive wheel chair is usually made of tubular steel. These are heavy compared to the more costly ones that are made of lightweight materials. Wood was a common material used in earlier wheel chairs. Today, most wheel chairs are made from combinations of materials such as metals, plastics, fabric, and fibreglass. The wheels on these chairs look very much like those on bicycles.

Using a Wheelchair to get around on a College Campus

Many people who use a wheel chair are able to get around on a college campus without any trouble. Most colleges have the latest technology including internet access, cell phones, and handicap access.

Of course, campuses have been “handicap-accessible” for quite some time, but only recently are they becoming truly 100% accessible. While class buildings have always had elevators so that students could get to their classes on the upper floors of a building, not all buildings have had ramp access at all entrances. That is still not entirely the case, but each time a building is renovated, the handicap access tends to be one of the things that gets a lot of attention. Wheel chair transport is becoming more and more of a focus for college campuses across the nation, if not across the world. Read more

Aluminum Wheel Chair Ramps

Wheel chair ramps are very versatile and help those who need to use a wheel chair. It is important that you choose the right ramp for your needs and for your physical abilities.

Selecting The Material For Your Wheelchair Ramp

There are many types of wheelchair ramps available from different types of materials that are specially designed to fit your precise needs, for example, if you need a wheelchair ramp for getting into the house you are looking for something easily used so that you can get in and out with little effort. The best choice for that would probably be a mixed alloy aluminum wheel chair ramp. They are a popular choice because they are very light and easy to maneuver. The aluminum used is soft so it has to be mixed with other materials in order to be durable. Read more

Choosing the Right Wheel Chair for your Child

There are many different shapes and sizes of wheel chairs to choose from. Selecting the right one for your child can be tricky because you need to take many different things into consideration. Here are some helpful hints to make the process easier for you.

What are the Needs or your Child?

The first thing to consider when looking for a child wheel chair is the specific needs of the child. Their age and their health will have to be considered as well. Look for a child wheel chair that will offer them a variety of movement options. Many of the electric wheelchairs out there are very high tech. Read more

Women in Wheelchairs

Women in wheelchairs are able to go most anywhere with this invention. The wheelchair is often taken for granted. They provide mobility for those who are confined to them due to injuries, illnesses, and diseases. Some women in wheelchairs use a manual model and others prefer a motorized version. Both help them get around.

Women in wheelchairs have freedom to go most anywhere they desire today instead of resorting to being confined to a bed as they were in the past. Women in wheelchairs are able to work, take care of children, and enjoy social activities. The more independent women in wheelchairs are able to be, the happier they are. Who wants to be dependent on someone else to take care of all their needs? Read more