Basic Wheelchair Overview

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Basic Wheelchair Overview

July 14th, 2007 | Add a Comment

The function of the wheelchair is to help people that have difficulty in walking for reasons such as illness, injury or other disability, to gain mobility. The first recorded instance of the wheelchair took place in England in the 1670s. It became known throughout Europe during the German Renaissance. Today, wheelchair technology is advancing at an incredible rate.

The basic and standard wheelchair has a seat as well as a back, two small front wheels and two large wheels as well as a footrest. This basic design has many variations, and they can be customized to suit individual preferences and needs. One can also add accessories such as an anti-tip bar or wheels, safety belts, adjustable backrests and, much more. In addition, the newest wheel technology includes the omniwheel and the mecanum wheel, which provide directional options.

There are manual as well as power wheelchairs. The manual includes self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and wheelbase. In addition, the manual version is easily stored or placed in any vehicle. The power version also comes in three models: rear, center, and four wheel front driven (or just front driven).

For disabled athletes there are streamlined sport wheelchairs that provide speed as well as maneuverability, such as are used for basketball, rugby, tennis, and racing. They may not be foldable, since they require a sturdy frame, and they often have a pronounced angle for the wheels, as well as using composite and lightweight materials.

Technological advances, such as gyroscopic developments, provide improved balance as well as the ability to run on only two wheels, depending on the surface. Some chairs can also raise the user to a near-standing position. However, most advances tend to be in the cushion materials, particularly memory foam and gel.

If you’d like to learn more about wheelchairs, we recommend: The Perfect Wheelchair