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.
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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 ultra lightweight 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.
