Fold Up Wheelchairs

Fold up wheelchairs are ideal for those who need to move about every day or for those looking for a lightweight chair to take with them on vacation.

The rigid frames don't flex when you move the chair. This can cause energy waste and cause loss of tone.

Find footplates that can be removed or inserted and a switch to change from power to manual that can be flipped up away from the chair.

Rigid Manual Wheelchairs

Rigid frame manual wheelchairs are designed with the user in mind and a concentrate on stability. They are usually lighter than a custom-designed manual wheelchair that folds and can be more maneuverable, like in doorways.

Rigid wheelchairs are constructed with a rigid frame that is usually inspired by athletic and sports chairs to maximize energy transfer through the wheels. This results in a faster more responsive and comfortable ride for the person who is riding.

Many rigid frame wheelchairs are equipped with swing-away legs that make it easier for the user to transfer to and from the chair. Some models also have quick release axles to further simplify maintenance and transportation by decreasing the weight of the wheelchair to make it easier to load into vehicles.

Some rigid frames can also be constructed using ultralight materials like titanium. This helps reduce the weight of the chair while improving its performance. This is particularly important for those who need an ultralight chair to improve mobility.

The rigid frame design of these wheelchairs is also generally more robust than a folding model and makes it a suitable option for frequent and long-term use. This increased durability of the chair can reduce the frequency at which parts like footplates and seats require replacement thus reducing time and cost for both the user and caregiver.

Custom-made rigid chairs can provide better spinal support and a more customized fitting, which can enhance the comfort and reduce pressure sores. This type of wheelchair can be particularly beneficial for people who are active and require a high-performance chair to accommodate their unique lifestyle.

Selecting the best wheelchair to meet your needs is an essential step in maintaining your independence and increasing your quality of life. QUICKIE provides a range of options to create rigid or folding chair that suits your lifestyle. It is recommended that, to get the most from your wheelchair and minimize the chance of injury, you include safety features like a seatbelt, chair harness, heel loops and anti-tippers.

Folding Manual Wheelchairs

A manual folding chair is one that can easily be folded and stored when not in use. This kind of wheelchair can be put in the boot of your car or in a storage compartment when you are using public transport. This kind of wheelchair is also lighter than rigid wheelchairs, which makes it easy to transport and move.

Consider what features and functions you are most interested in when you're considering purchasing a manual folding wheelchair that will fulfill your mobility needs. For instance, you could have a certain height and weight requirement or require a specific type of seating system. You may also need an ultra-compact, lightweight wheelchair that's easy to fold and unfold or an advanced chair for outdoor use.

Consult your physician or physical therapy about the best manual wheelchair for you when you're evaluating your options. They can help you choose the most suitable wheelchair for your mobility and health, and also give you guidelines on how to make use of it safely and effectively.

To get the most of your new chair it's important to understand how fold and unfold it correctly. This will help you avoid getting hurt or damaging the chair particularly if you're not familiar with the procedure.

Create the space in which you'll fold and unfold your chair. This is important as it ensures that you have enough space, and that the wheelchair will not be injured or entangled by any obstructions that block your path. It is also recommended to stop the brakes on your wheelchair prior to trying to fold it, as this will stop any sudden movements that could result in injury to anyone else in the vicinity.

Once you've prepared the area and you're ready to begin the folding process by grabbing the back and front handles (or the seat tube handles if your chair doesn't have armrests). Pull the handles gently and steadily. The chair will unfold and become easier to lift when you are finished.

Rigid Folding Frames

The rigid frame wheelchairs are known for their robustness and are a good option for those looking to get the most out of your chair. They also tend to be more efficient than folding frame chairs, since they don't have the additional weight of folding mechanisms that get in the way.

You can choose from a range of materials for rigid frames, including aluminum, titanium and carbon fibre. They are also lighter than a conventional or a configured wheelchair because their sleek design reduces the amount of material used to make them.

Request your doctor to let you test drive a rigid-frame chair if you are unsure. Finding a chair that fits well is important since the positioning of your feet as well as your backrest can make a big difference in how comfortable it makes you feel. It's also worth checking that the hoist-point is in the position that allows you to use it with your chosen vehicle, and whether or not there are any quick release axles that could be used to reduce the size of the frame when you take it on and off a car lift or similar device.

Another advantage of a rigid wheelchair is that it doesn't fold side-toside, which can sometimes be a problem with folding frames that need to bend to fit into vehicles. This could cause the wheels to move towards the front from the footplate. This can negatively impact your driving experience as it can make pushing more difficult due to the increased drag.

A rigid wheelchair can also be shaped to taper between the hips and the knees, or the aluminum can be made smaller between the footrest and the knees. This will allow it to be more affixed to your body and make it more comfortable. The X mechanism that permits folding wheelchairs to fold could restrict the adjustments and configurations. A rigid frame wheelchair offers additional features, including strap-based backrests, as well as fully-fitted backrests.

Folding Rigid Frames

Rigid frame wheelchairs offer an energy-efficient propulsion system and a self propelled lightweight folding wheelchair construction. Their one-piece frames are built without a cross-brace which eliminates side-to-side folding, and helps reduce the overall weight of the chair. This lets the user focus more energy on pushing the wheelchair forward, thereby increasing the efficiency of the wheelchair.

The rigid frame can be made of lightweight folding transport wheelchair materials like titanium. This material has a better strength-to-weight ratio compared to aluminum and is also resistant to corrosion. Certain rigid frame wheelchairs come with foldable footplates that allow more motion for the user. These features are able to enhance the overall comfort of the wheelchair, and enable users to propel themselves over rough surfaces.

The rigid wheelchairs are also less likely to flex which could reduce the effectiveness of the propulsion systems. The frame of the chair will transfer less energy to move because it is flexing.

Another advantage of rigid wheelchairs is that they can be customized to meet the needs of the individual user. The seat widths, depths and angles can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the user. This flexibility lets the user choose the best wheelchair and then adjust it as they grow.

Although rigid frame wheelchairs are more durable, they can also be heavier to transport and store. They generally require a larger vehicle like vans to transport them from one place to another and may require to be disassembled prior placed into the vehicle.

If you are considering a rigid wheelchair it is important to trial a few models before deciding. These chairs aren't for everyone, and they can be difficult for new users to use, particularly if they don't have the upper body strength and balance to handle the chair. If you decide to buy a rigid wheelchair look for a model with back canes that fold down to help reduce the size of the frame when not in use. Also, look for "quick release axles" to enable the wheels to be removed in order to reduce the size of the frame when it is stored.