Wheelchairs, what are they and what types?
A wheelchair is a wheeled mobility device in which the user sits. The wheelchair can be propelled by either manually or via various automated systems( e.g. electric, battery). Wheelchairs are used by people for whom walking has become difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, , or a disability. People with both sitting and walking disability often need to use a wheelbench. The earliest record of the wheelchair in use go back to England dating from the 1670s.
Wheelchair also has another popular use and is a popular drug combination comprising cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.
A basic simple standard manual wheelchair comprises of the following items:
- Seat and back,
- Two small front (caster) wheels and two large wheels, one on each side,
- And a foot rest.
Wheelchairs are often made with various combinations of the basic type, currently there are many types of wheelchairs, and they come highly customized wheelchairs for the individual user's needs. The footrests/leg rests,the seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, front caster outriggers, adjustable backrests, controls, and many other features can be customized on, or added to, many basic models, while some users, often those with specialized needs, may have wheelchairs custom-built. there is endless formations and combo's for a wheelchair.
Various optional accessories are available in the market, adjustable backrests, such as anti-tip bars or wheels, safety belts, tilt and/or recline features,support for limbs, mounts or carrying devices for crutches, walkers or oxygen tanks, drink holders, and clothing protectors.
Experiments have also been made with unusual variant wheels, like the omniwheel or the mecanum wheel. These allow more directional movement options, so technology is continuing to move forward.
Manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are the type that require people to move them, there is three types of manual wheelchairs namely self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and wheelbase. Many manual chairs can be folded wheelchairs for storage or movement into a vehicle.
Manual or self-propelled wheelchairs are propelled by the occupant, be pushing the large wheels at the rear, the chair is moved by pushing on the hand rims which are made of hollow tube attached to the large wheel, typically of a smaller size than the wheel it self. A skilled operator can pull wheelies on the back wheels which is key to climbing down kerbs etc.
Attendant-propelled chairs are designed to be propelled by an care giver or friend who will push the wheelchair using the handles, and thus the back wheels are rimless and often smaller. These chairs are typically used as transfer chairs to move patients around like in hospitals or airports.
Wheelbase chairs are wheeled platforms with specially-molded seating systems interfaced with them for users with a more complicated posture. A molded seating system involves taking a cast of a person's best achievable seated position and the either carving the shape from memory foam or forming a plastic mesh around it. This seat is then covered, framed, and attached to a wheelbase this becomes more of a custom wheelchair then a standard type.
Light weight and high cost are related in the manual wheelchairs market. At the low-cost end, heavy, tubular steel chairs with sling seats and little adaptability dominate. In a higher price range, and more commonly used by persons with long-term disabilities, are lightweight wheelchairs with more options and the top end of the market contains ultralight wheelchairs which have extensive seating options and accessories, all-terrain features, and so.
Electric Powered Wheelchairs
Three general styles of electric powered chairs are center,rear and front wheel driven. Each style has particular handling characteristics. Electric wheelchairs can also be divided by seat type; some models resemble manual chairs, with a sling-style seat and frame, whereas others have 'captain's chair' seating like that of an automobile.
Electric powered wheelchairs can for indoor and outdoor use and are generally given for people who cant move their own wheelchair. A person with full function of the arms and upper torso will generally be prescribed a manual chair, or find that their insurance will not cover.
Other wheelchair variants
A standing wheelchair is one that supports the user in a standing position. They can be used as both a wheelchair and a standing frame, allowing the user to sit or stand in the wheelchair. They will move from sitting to standing with a hydraulic pump or electric-powered assist.
A mobility scooter is a motorized assist device quite the same as a electric powered wheel chair but with a bar instead of a joystick. Mobility scooters are available from large, powerful models to lightweight folding ones intended for travel use.
A bariatric wheelchair is one designed to support larger weights as most standard wheelchairs are designed to support lesser weights.
Sport wheelchairs
Disabled athletes use streamlined sport wheelchairs for disabled sports that require speed and agility and cant use the typical wheelchair, such as basketball, rugby, tennis and racing. Each wheelchair sport tends to usecustom wheeelchairs that wont be the same between sports. They are usually non-folding to increase its solidity, with a pronounced angle for the wheels which helps its turning and made of special composite, lightweight materials. Sport wheelchairs are not generally for everyday use, and are often a 'second' chair specifically for sport use.
Beach wheelchairsThis type of wheelchair will allow the users to enter the water and provide a better mobility in the sand. Now there is many types of these beach wheelchairs in the market.
Folding Wheelchairs
We all know the differences between a folding and a normal wheelchair just by its name alone, so the decision wether to have a folding or a rigid frame will lie with you. The main advantage that a foldable wheelchair will have over a rigid frame wheelchair is its ease of travel over uneven surfaces it can do this due the frames ability to keep the wheels on the ground and hence reduce the bumps.
Cost of folding wheelchairs
Folding wheelchairs come in two designs that are lightweight and heavy-duty models, for anything between one thousand and four thousand dollars. If you buying your first wheelchair you will be wise to try both rigid and folding wheelchair styles to see which suits you the best.
Advantages
For obvious reasons the biggest advantage of the foldable wheelchair is its ability to fold, which can be very convenient when you need travel around with your wheelchair as it fit inside your car with ease. You don't require dismantling the wheelchair when folding it up as it just folds down. A rigid frame wheelchair on the other hand will require a large van to transport it around.
Since it is very flexible, all the four wheels remain on the ground especially when the surface is rough. The leg-rests of the folding wheelchair are swing-away, whereas the wheelchairs with rigid frames have fixed front ends. Storing is very easy, as it folds very neatly and easily and can be easily put away in small homes, even where space is a problem.
Disadvantages
Due to its continued open and fold up, typically it's adjustable and removable parts will tend to break or even get lost. On the other hand the removable parts are much easier to repair than the rigid frame wheelchairs. Folding wheelchairs can not be used for all activities as they are not strong enough and could break easily. Foldable wheelchairs do not have adjustable seating that can recline.
Folding wheelchairs even though have two types they will generally be heavier than there rigid frame counterparts and hence will be slightly harder to push. Moving parts of a folding wheelchair will have greater wear and tear than a normal wheelchair
The advantages of the folding chair do out way the disadvantages and it is still a very popular choice for the users due to its simple yet sturdy and functional design.
Hope these tips will help you in choosing your next wheelchair.
How To Get Mobile Again With Light Weight Wheelchairs
It can be very frustrating to us when we become restricted to do things what we have done for many years and worse when we feel dependent on others. Sometimes we get depressed about being helpless and dependent on others. These are some the emotions we go though when we are stuck in a wheelchair.
By using a lightweight wheelchair we can begin to lead a normal as a life as possible. Due to its lightweight we have more options and fewer limitations to what we can do and where we can go. A more independent person we can become again.
There are many benefits of lightweight wheelchair over a more traditional manual wheelchair. Of course as the word says lightweight is one of them, typical a lightweight wheelchair can weigh as little as 19lbs and with this we are able to propel ourselves around, lift them into the car and generally man handle them easier compared to other types of wheel chairs.
Another plus is they can be operated by battery, in this way we can move around with a minimum of effort. A very good plus point is it is useful for a patient who is lacking strength to move the wheelchair themselves.
Because it is battery operated, it improves the patient's mobility and it's made as a more specialized chair. Wheelchairs can now be modified in many different applications. The lightweight wheelchairs also give a user the freedom to move even with a small quantity of effort.
Manual wheelchair can be sometimes be very awkward because of the weight. Luckily, lightweight wheelchairs are already out in the market for a while. Most of this kind of wheelchair are coded as K0004 (a Medicare code) which lessens the cost as compared to a regular manual wheelchair.
When it comes to the price, lightweight wheelchairs are very inexpensive compared so when you are deciding to buy a lightweight wheelchair, you should try to consider its functionality. If necessary, try to look for the wheel chair accessories accompanied with the purchase that could be a great help for the user's needs.
He is a few pointers to consider before buying a wheelchair:
• Most of the lightweight wheelchair weighs 29 to 33 pounds. This is appropriate for moving and for daily use but others can weigh far less.
• Most lightweight wheelchairs have changeable back heights, flip-back armrest, seats and quick-release functionality.
• Choose a wheelchair with a changeable tire. Do not go for a wheelchair that requires the entire wheel unit to be changed.
• If the wheelchair has already flip-back arms, you will not need a wheelchair with removable arms anymore. Flip-backs will be enough and can already satisfy the user's needs. • If you are planning to buy a seat pillow, it can be a factor in adding the height of the user's seating position.
• A strong frame, arm rests, leg rest and a good brake are some of the important features which you should look for when buying a lightweight wheelchair.
Use these pointers and you are assured of the best quality lightweight wheelchair available in the market. Lastly, it is most important that you also consider the needs of the person who will use it. Make sure that they will be comfortable in its use.
Remember to let the person realize that it is not a sign of his being disabled. Instead, let the person know that his lightweight wheelchair is the tool for him or her to start a new life again.
Quickie GTi Titanium Ultra lightweight Wheelchair
Summary:Manual Rigid Wheelchair, Ultra-lightweight titanium performance with style.
Quickie GTi Titanium Wheelchair
As the title says it's Titanium! The weight of the ultra light wheelchair is less than 19-lbs amking it a high performance. Built with tough 1 1/8" titanium tubing, the GTi® responds like a sports car, struts like a model, and floats like a feather from the road to the front seat. It's smart, it's advanced, and it's loaded with the most sought after features in today's marketplace. In short, it is our top of the line performance chair.
Open-frame design
The Quickie GTi's "L" shaped design with the mono-frame is perfect for transporting around. With the optional folding push-handles and the standard folding backrest combined with the "L" frame-shape makes the Quickie GTi frame easier to move across the driver's seat than most non-folding and folding aluminum-frame chairs.
Front and Rear Optional-Suspension
The Quickie GTi titanium ultra light wheelchair features optional front Frog-Legs and rear Quickie custom suspension systems. These two systems can be purchased separately or in combination to provide the ultimate smooth ride. Add on the mountain-wheel option and 6" wide front caster-wheels and the chair is ready for an off-road adventure.
The Gti is available in 15 painted colors so if grey's not your color thats not an issue and the axle plate and caster forks are available in 6 anodized colors. So there many options to make a stylish wheelchair.
The Quickie Gti now features Schwalbe tires, Kik tires, and Natural-Fit handrims. These options, along with our fabric, plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber side guards keep your hands clean at all times.
The new GTi backrest has some additional features you wouldn't expect from thai type of lightweight wheelchair . Along with 20° of angle adjustable, height adjustable, and a quick release folding mechanism, it also has a fold-down locking mechanism that secures the backrest in the down position during transfers.
Live in a rocky or bumpy area or like off road? No issue for this lightweight wheelchair as the Quickie GTi offers Froglegs front caster suspension, wide 6" caster wheels, rear axle elastomer suspension, and super knobby mountain wheels.
The Quickie GTi features different types of tension-adjustable backrest upholstery: standard, vented, and Jay Precision adjustment. If wicking away heat and moisture is most important, vented is an ideal choice.
Quickie ultra light wheelchair has been beefed up by having a tubing (1 1/8"), maximized the strut tube placement (sits below the user's center-of-gravity), and eliminated all non-essential structure that results in an elegant ultra-lightweight wheelchair that turns on a dime and responds instantly to the slightest push.
The GTi's "L" shaped frame design is perfect for moving in and out of the front seat. When you combine this with its low titanium weight and quick release wheels, loading becomes a pleasure not a chore.
We hope you enjoy the ultra light wheelchair made of titanium
Click here for more information on Wheelchair Reviews or Quickie Wheelchairs
How much does a lightweight Wheelchair Weigh?
Q: Do you know the difference between a standard weight and a lightweight wheelchair?
A: The difference can be as much as 15-lbs. or more.
Overall weight is a large factor of consideration if the wheelchair is going to be carried in a car trunk, backseat, or propelled by an individual. Some standard steel framed chairs can weigh as much as 50-lbs. and can be too difficult to push, propel, carry, or lift. More popular lightweight wheelchairs range in weight from 28-lbs to 36-lbs and are easier to lift into a car trunk.
A person's condition may determine the weight of a chair too for example, if a patient has suffered a stroke, has limited mobility, arthritis,etc they may not be able to propel a heavier chair. However, this same patient may be able to propel a lightweight wheelchair.
Lightweight Wheelchair Sizes
Lightweight Wheelchair Sizes
Size
By using the chart in About lightweight wheelchairs you can determine the correct chair size. Seat width, seat depth, back height, and seat-to-floor height are crucial to configuring the correct wheelchair.
Seat-to-Floor Height?
Seat-to-floor height is very important if the patient is going to push themselves along by their feet. Seat-to-floor height can be lowered down approximately 2" by purchasing a "dual axle" lightweight wheelchair. On these "adjustable height" chairs with "dual axles" the front forks have several holes to allow moving the front wheels up or down a few inches. The combination of these adjustments allow for about 2.5 inches of adjustment in seat-to-floor height.
In General
Standard seat-to-floor height for a wheelchair is 18" to 20". Hemi is 17.5 to 18.5- inches and varies somewhat with manufacturers. Anything lower to the ground is either a "super" or "ultra" Hemi. Too reduce the lower seat-to-floor height the rear wheels are changed from the standard 24-inch to either a 22 or maybe 20-inch. The front casters are also changed from a standard 8-inch to a 6 or 5-inch.
Remember: if you are adding a cushion to a wheelchair allow that differential (you'll be adding approx. 2" to seat height.)
About Lightweight Wheelchairs
About lightweight Wheelchair Sizes
The overall widths and other measurements will vary across several categories of Ultra light Wheelchairs. All wheelchair buyers should be concerned with some of the basic dimensions such as overall width, etc.
You should begin by scouting out the basic layout dimensions of the wheelchairs. Do this by identifying the smallest and narrowest doorways, passage ways, elevators, or whatever will affect your daily life.
In general, use the formulas below to determine the overall width of a wheelchair:
- Transport Wheelchair: Seat Width + 3"
- Standard Folding Wheelchair: Seat Width + 8"
- Reclining Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"
- Bariatric Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"
How to Measure for Wheelchair Size:
Who needs to measure?
Measuring for Transport Wheelchair, standard wheelchairs and most lightweight wheelchairs need only the seat width & depth. If the person wants to propel themselves then the seat-to-floor height.
Helping you configure.
Some of the lightweight wheelchairs have detailed configuration information and require additional measurements. To help you through the configuration process we have provided the Seating Chart below to help with various menu selections and choices. In addition, this information may be needed when placing your order.
Write down your measurements as these will be required when selecting your lightweight wheelchair.
TiLite Evo Ultralight Rigid Wheelchair
The TiLite Evo Ultralight Rigid Wheelchair has Bread into each EVO is the superior smooth ride and technology found in TiLite's other chairs at a more affordable price. Thanks to Tilite Evo unique axle plate and camber tube design, the Tilite Evo turns on a dime and is significantly more responsive than the traditional dual axle plate chairs. The Evo's low price means there's no reason not to enjoy the Ultimate Ride with this ultralight Rigid wheelchair.
Specs
Chair Weight 12.9 lbs.
Weight Capacity 250 lbs.
Seat Widths Available 14"- 20"
Seat Depths Available 14"- 20"
Front Seat Height Range 16.5" -21"
Rear Seat Height Range 14" - 20"
Back Type Options Folding Seat with adjustable height or angle
Camber 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15 or 18 degrees
Front Frame Angle 70, 80 or 85 degrees
Center of Gravity Adjustable
Front Caster Angle Adjustable
Front Seat Height Adjustable
Rear Seat Height Adjustable
Seat Back Angle Adjustable
Seat Back Height Adjustable
Seat-to-footrest Adjustable
Click here for more information on Wheelchair Reviews or TiLite Wheelchairs
American Bantex Corporation- Regent Deluxe
American Bantex Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of durable medical equipment, home healthcare, rehabilitation, disposable, scientific and many other products.
We will look at the details of three types of American Bantex Light Weight Wheelchairs
American Bantex Corporation Regent Deluxe Lightweight Wheechair
Manual wheelchair with folding frame.
• Padded seat and backrest.
• Premium 24" mag wheels with solid tires.
• 8" front mag casters.
• Flip back, desk length padded armrests.
• Super duty aluminum brakes.
• Hemi height adjustable.
• Swing away footrests (elevating optional).
• Quick release rear axles optional.
• Sizes: 16", 18", 20".
• Colors: Silver Texture, Metallic Navy Blue.
• Weight: ~32 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
• Lifetime frame warranty.
American Bantex Regent Lightweight Wheelchair
Manual wheelchair with folding frame. • Padded seat and backrest
• Premium 24" mag wheels with solid tires.
• 8" front mag casters.
• Fixed full length padded armrests.
• Swing away footrests (elevating optional).
• Sizes: 16", 18".
• Colors: Silver Texture, Metallic Navy Blue.
• Weight: 32 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 250 lbs.
• Lifetime frame warranty.
American Bantex Ultramax Lightweight Wheelchair
Manual wheelchair with folding frame.
• Aircraft grade aluminum frame construction
• Padded nylon upholstery.
• Desk length padded armrests.
• Fixed armrests and footrests.
• Fold down back for easy storage.
• 24" Pneumatic aluminum wheels w/ 8" front casters.
• Weight: 29 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 230 lbs.
• Lifetime frame warranty.
Click here for more information on Wheelchair Reviews or American Bantex Corporation
Choosing a Ultra Lightweight Wheelchair
Almost every wheelchair manufacturer has their own line of ultra lightweight wheelchairs, so you will be spoiled for choice. It can be confusing, but we have broken them down into three major categories or types to assist you to find the right chair for you. The three categories are:
- Rigid
- Folding
- Titanium Rigid and Folding
The following overviews and tips should answer some queries or questions that you may have and help get you on your way.
Rigid Ultra lightweight Wheelchairs
Rigid wheelchairs are by far the most popular choice in ultra lightweight wheelchairs. The rigid frame eliminates the additional hardware and mechanisms of a folding frame and therefore enables a lighter weighing which will increase the response and performance. These wheelchairs have a long list of options including the basics like push handles and flip-up armrests to Spinergy SPOX wheels and light-up front casters.
Folding Ultra lightweight Wheelchairs
This style of wheelchair is ideal for transporting your wheelchair behind the seat of your car or can't live without swing-away leg rests but don't want to sacrifice weight or performance, then a folding ultra lightweight wheelchair is the choice for you. These wheelchairs offer all the options of a rigid ultra lightweight wheelchair with the benefit of being able to fold up with a tug on the seat upholstery.
Titanium Ultra lightweight Wheelchairs
Titanium is the material of choice these days for its strength,lightness, durability and the built-in shock absorption of the metal itself. The wheel chairs come in both folding and rigid titanium chairs. Titanium wheelchairs are generally more expensive and may take a little longer to custom build.