Strengthened Wheelchair
The client, who has Huntington’s, suffers from muscular spasms which, owing to his height and strength, has broken multiple wheelchairs and is now unable to be provided with any further replacements.
The Challenge
The client’s current chair is different to previous ones so it wasn’t possible to view the previously broken parts, but the client’s sister explained that the headrest and the footrest are the weak areas which had previously broken under the stress of the spasms. The plan was to replace these weak areas with stronger parts.
The solution
The weakest part of the headrest was the stay upon which the headrest was mounted. The original part was pressed tubular aluminium. This was replaced with a solid steel rectangular section bar machined on a bench top milling machine to a similar profile to the aluminium pressed tubular part and was fitted as a straight replacement.
The footrest was originally an aluminium assembly with the footplate hinged to allow the client access to the wheelchair in a standing position on the floor. The footplate and the side tubes which fit into an aluminium casting which is part of the wheelchair main seat frame. The footplate was a welded fabrication constructed from steel plate, angle, and tubular sections. The side bars were also welded steel fabrications from solid steel bar. The fabrications were assembled to incorporate a pivot to provide user access as per the original. The side bars also required machining to replicate the profile of the original side tubes and allow fitment into the castings.
All parts were successfully fitted to the wheelchair. The side tubes and footplate had foam cushioning added to ensure the safety of the client.
Materials were supplied by Metals4U (steel) , Halfords (welding rods), B&Q (paint)
The benefit
The carers can now be confident that they will be able to safely take the client out of the home and that he will be able to take advantage of the minibus that the home has and enjoy going outside, visiting the beach, zoo and going out for coffee.
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