Lightweight Wheelchairs

For users of wheelchairs, there is a pretty good option to being restricted to a regular wheel chair that is maybe not as portable as you might like and that's one of the lightweight wheelchairs that are being manufactured for those who need a more mobile option. That's because if you decide you need to take a trip somewhere far and it will entail moving from one vehicle to another, hotel rooms, travel variations and all manner of moving around, then you are going to want a mobility solution that is both lightweight and portable. This article takes a look at that solution in the lightweight wheelchair that is both portable and light, as well as easily collapsible for stowing away in the trunk of a car, or beside you on a train or coach or even an airplane.

This type of wheel chair will weight in at typically less than thirty pounds and can be flat packed into a very small area for maximum portability. They are designed for maximum safety and long term durability while being technically more advanced than a regular chair.

Lightweight Folding Wheelchair Design

The design of these lightweight folding wheelchairs is typically with a steel or aluminium frame weighing around thirteen pounds, with soft padded seat and back for comfort as well as padded armrests. The armrests fold down to the same level as the seat before the whole unit is collapsed into its foldaway position for travelling and storing. This is a little different from other types of lightweight wheelchairs which are made with a rigid frame that does not collapse, although the weight is a great advantage while being sturdier than collapsible versions.

The overall design and main use of the lightweight folding wheelchair has been developed more for the elderly or infirm user who will require the lower weight and easy to fold away set up. It should be noted that the foldaway wheelchair itself is not designed for its user to fold down, but rather for the user's helper who can more easily manage the foldaway action, although generally this collapsible mechanism is easy enough for most people to be able to use without too many problems.

One major disadvantage of the lightweight folding wheelchair design is their lack of flexibility when being personalized to the user's height, weight and body size. This is something that is a compromise between portability and flexibility. Because these chairs need to fold down, they lack the range of adjustments available on rigid chairs as the folding mechanisms would be less effective. When compared with rigid wheelchairs that are not able to fold, they are less adjustable to suit the user's needs, but more portable for travelling.

Another disadvantage is the lower level of comfort afforded by the fold down version when compared to a rigid design. This is again a compromise to allow for maximum portability so lightweight folding wheelchairs are not recommended for long periods of continuous use. However, they are perfect for short journeys where their portability comes into its own, such as travelling by car to an airport, getting from the airport check-in to the boarding gate and then when getting off the plane to get to luggage reclamation and through passport control to the taxis or other means of transport the other end, then transferring to the hotel you are staying at. All these are short hops in the wheelchair and the advantages of its portability outweigh the lower level of comfort which is rarely a problem ion such short periods of use.

Maintenance and Care of Lightweight Wheelchairs

This type of wheelchair will need slightly more in the way of maintenance and care than heavier, rigid chairs. The additional moving parts such as folding points and locking mechanisms are not as strong as the rigid couplings of other types of chair. Similarly, the lightweight frames can be weaker with more of a tendency to bend when mishandled, resulting in their becoming difficult to re-fold in future.

Maintenance of any wheelchair is important, especially when yours is not in use very much, in which case it should be stored in a dry, sheltered place such as in the home. This is to prevent it getting damp over a long period, which will result in some parts rusting which can also cause problems when folding. The last thing you need when you are in need of your wheelchair is for it to be rusty and not open or close properly.

Lastly, lightweight folding wheelchairs make it possible for a temporary user who doesn't normally need the use of a wheelchair, such as someone suffering an accidental injury or physical problem associated with a temporary illness that prevents them from or makes it difficult or uncomfortable to walk normally to have the use of a wheelchair for a short duration of time to alleviate the problems associated with their condition in the short term.

Handicapped RV

Site Navigation

Articles

Resources

Handicap Products

Accessibility Notice

This website uses a plain theme for accessibility purposes to assist people with limited reading abilities and the visually challenged.