New backrest for WHILL C2
Jake and his family had chosen a very impressive and stylist new motorised wheelchair, the WHILL C2. However, it needed some modification to suit his frame and their specific needs. Unfortunately there is very limited adjustment available in the chair as it is supplied, only a small vertical movement in the height of the seat, the armrests and the seat back. Once these were at their maximum Jake still had very little support as the built-in backrest only reached to about the small of his back. Also, with such a low back there was no comfortable way for anyone to push the chair when in free-wheel mode, whether it was occupied or not. What was needed was a new back attachment that provided better support and preferably that enabled it to be manoeuvred without using the motor and joystick. One other constraint was that the seat back, complete with new extension, should not project beyond the chair front when folded down in order to facilitate transportation by car.
A general view of the chair showing the low back support roughly level with the armrests
This indicates how low the existing back support is when the chair is occupied
The solution
A new custom-designed attachment was required that could be fixed to existing mounting points in the frame and matched the curve of the existing back. The geometry was extremely difficult to measure due to the constraints of fitting it to the existing frame and bolt holes, so as not to invalidate the warrantee by making a more permanent modification. Therefore an adjustable mock-up was created that allowed the key parts to be fitted in place and locked by tightening of bolts. This was used as the template for the final version to be fabricated. A handlebar and new back cushion were added to this frame to complete the assembly.
New back support, handlebar and cushion assembly
Existing available mounting points in the chair back
Fully assembled and in use
The benefit
A chair that had been bought at great expense is now available for more comfortable and practice use.
- Skills involved:
- Issues Addressed:
- Activities Helped:
- Location:
- Solution:
Everything Remap does is bespoke to the client’s needs and free of charge. We don’t have any products that are pre-made and we do not sell anything. This model of wheelchair does have a very low back support but it was not designed to be modified or added to. The above project was the result of the client and his parents needing a modification that was not available on the market. If you need similar help to custom design and make a modification please go to https://www.remap.org.uk/referral-form/ and request Remap’s help.
We have whill c2 and are looking to fit a jay back or similar higher support system.
Do you market anything that would fit?
Regards
Peter Swain