40 replies to this topic

[poppins232]

My husband is Andrew Slorance and director of iimaginedesign.com.
He was a journalist before designing this chair and is paraplegic.
http://www.youtube.c...y slorance&aq=f

He will be posting on here soon and hopes to answer any questions you have.

[wheelinmom]

ooohhh myyyy, that is SWWWEEEET, wonder how much that baby cost????

[LeahC]

It looks like an office chair x

[1positivethinker]

Sweet! That's definitely unique!

Along the same lines of unique - anyone seen the Genny chair? I have been in contact with the inventor for quite some time, just waiting for it to hit the US market!

http://www.gennymobility.com/

[roo]

i agree,,,,,,, looks like a office chair lol
roo

[poppins232]

1positivethinker, on 10 January 2011 - 09:43 PM, said:

Sweet! That's definitely unique!

Along the same lines of unique - anyone seen the Genny chair? I have been in contact with the inventor for quite some time, just waiting for it to hit the US market!

http://www.gennymobility.com/

Good for the beach I suppose,not new technology, is like a segway but I think the other chair is made by formula one and is light and more sporty.

[rue2you]

Light - as in, how much does it weigh and how does it break down?

[guido]

Urgh! If you're going to promote a website, please take the time to do a clickable link! Also do you (or your friends down the road) know that none of the buttons work on the site: FB, Twitter and Early Registration.


Otherwise keep sending the links in. Always interesting to keep abreast of what's coming up : )

[roo]

guido, on 11 January 2011 - 05:55 PM, said:

Urgh! If you're going to promote a website, please take the time to do a clickable link! Also do you (or your friends down the road) know that none of the buttons work on the site: FB, Twitter and Early Registration.


Otherwise keep sending the links in. Always interesting to keep abreast of what's coming up : )

i agree..... why have the site running when no buttons work

roo

[poppins232]

Apologies for the link issues, early days yet!

[rue2you]

poppins232, on 11 January 2011 - 08:25 PM, said:

My husband is Andrew Slorance and director of iimaginedesign.com.
He was a journalist before designing this chair and is paraplegic.
http://www.youtube.c...y slorance&aq=f

He will be posting on here soon and hopes to answer any questions you have.
Apologies for the link issues, early days yet!

I will be the first to say that you have handled this well. Thank you! Quick question - is there a physical chair made or is this all computer design so far? It really is cool. Would love to sit in it!

[Carbon Black]

Hi Everyone

My name is Andy and I am the designer of Carbon Black. I have been a wheelchair user since breaking my back 26 years ago when I was a kid. For many years I have thought the wheelchair could be so much better and so much more stylish. Three years ago I began the process of re-designing the wheelchair as we know it. I wanted a chair that looked amazing, was super light, had features that other chairs didn't. I wanted Carbon Black to solve as many of the problems I have faced with my conventional chairs over the years.

There are many unique features of Carbon Black such as oil free axles - No more oily mess on your car seats. Forward illuminating LEDs- As you will know moving around in the dark is tricky in a chair. No tools adjustability so you can change your foot position as and when you want to suit your footwear. No tools adjustable backrest height.
Every Carbon Black will be made to measure and constructed from the very latest composite technology. Weight will be minimal, I can't yet tell you what the weight will be as we are still fine tuning the layup (direction and amount of carbon weave). Carbon Black will be very light.

The wheels are fully carbon fibre with integrally moulded pushrims (no bolt on metal) The carbon rims won't mark your home or chip you car and are very light. The current weight of one wheel with axle and tyre is under 1kg and will get lighter.
The wheels are standard quick release with titanium axles. The frame is a cantilever design that is more compact than conventional L shaped frames. The backrest is on a quick release and removed easily with one hand. I have always found that folding backrests easily break and often unfold when in transit. The transit size of Carbon Black is tiny and designed to be kind to your vehicle interior.

As someone correctly pointed out the site is not fully operational yet but it will be very soon so please check it again soon. Carbon Black is not yet on sale the site is a temporary site so interested individuals can register their interest and be first in line to purchase.
Initially Carbon Black will be rolled out in the EU under the CE mark. I am filing for FDA approval soon and hope the chair will be available in the US in the coming months.

For any questions you can ask me on here or email direct at info@iimaginedesign.com

[Carbon Black]

rue2you, on 11 January 2011 - 08:27 PM, said:

poppins232, on 11 January 2011 - 08:25 PM, said:

My husband is Andrew Slorance and director of iimaginedesign.com.
He was a journalist before designing this chair and is paraplegic.
http://www.youtube.c...y slorance&aq=f

He will be posting on here soon and hopes to answer any questions you have.
Apologies for the link issues, early days yet!

I will be the first to say that you have handled this well. Thank you! Quick question - is there a physical chair made or is this all computer design so far? It really is cool. Would love to sit in it!

Hi This is a real chair it is currently being fine tuned and tweaked before becoming available to order. The chair pictured is a prototype but is very real and usable. I aim to have a pre-orders site up in about six weeks and up to full speed for April.
You say you would like to sit in it. I can tell you it feels great. When my wife saw me sitting in it she said the thing that hit her was how much of me there was and how little wheelchair. -More person less chair. The cutouts in the backrest allow the person to be seen and their own sense of style to be seen. The shape of the backrest is very ergonomic and does not dominate the rear view of the user as would be the case with a conventional solid backrest.
It is also very energy efficient to use and easy to push.

[ajl338]

Actually i wouldnt want a chair that looked this designer. I wouldnt want people to notice the chair before they noticed me. I want light because that is easier to push, i want unbreakable because i batter chairs but it just needs to be comfortable to sit in and easy to repair / get spares for. I dont see my chair as a fashion item, just an adition to me getting about. Mine spends most its life covered in mud and sand

[Carbon Black]

ajl338, on 11 January 2011 - 09:16 PM, said:

Actually i wouldnt want a chair that looked this designer. I wouldnt want people to notice the chair before they noticed me. I want light because that is easier to push, i want unbreakable because i batter chairs but it just needs to be comfortable to sit in and easy to repair / get spares for. I dont see my chair as a fashion item, just an adition to me getting about. Mine spends most its life covered in mud and sand

That is exactly what Carbon Black is. More person less chair. You really don't see a lot of wheelchair it is a very compact design. The chair does not have the conventional two stem design where there is frame on either side of the users legs.The front stem sits behind the legs so from the front the only you really only see the footrest and wheels.
I agree that the chair has to be very tough and Carbon Black will be tough. I think that the last thing a wheelchair should do is inhibit its user. The user should be able to go anywhere. Carbon Black will take you where you wouldn't dare take a regular chair.

[rue2you]

Andy,

I think it is VERY cool!! Less chair is great! You are a higher level than me - do you find you get the balance you need with that backrest? Also, will it work for all standard cushions? And then...the big question....what is a ballpark cost going to be?

Oh, if you need someone stateside to demo your chair - I am your girl!! Orange happens to be one of my favorite colors!

[Carbon Black]

rue2you, on 11 January 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

Andy,

I think it is VERY cool!! Less chair is great! You are a higher level than me - do you find you get the balance you need with that backrest? Also, will it work for all standard cushions? And then...the big question....what is a ballpark cost going to be?

Oh, if you need someone stateside to demo your chair - I am your girl!! Orange happens to be one of my favorite colors!

That is very kind of you it is great to hear that those that it is intended for like the design. I have curved the seat so it fits a standard Jay cushion. Although the seat is carbon it is not flat so the cushion wont sit oddly. The price is a really tricky question. Carbon fibre is really expensive stuff
and unlike other carbon chairs we use a lot of it. Carbon Black is going to be a very high end chair and will be more expensive than others. In time the price will come down but it would be unwise of me to give you a ballpark. I am working very hard to bring the price as low as possible. I really do want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to benefit from it.
It really is chalk and cheese to other chairs. I will be able to give a price when the current stage of development is complete and we are accepting pre orders. I will get the site problems sorted over the coming days and if you like the chair please register. `you are under no obligation to proceed with an order. Mass production is not what we do so availability may get tight. Sorry this is not the answer you want right now.

[Carbon Black]

Carbon Black, on 11 January 2011 - 09:52 PM, said:

rue2you, on 11 January 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

Andy,

I think it is VERY cool!! Less chair is great! You are a higher level than me - do you find you get the balance you need with that backrest? Also, will it work for all standard cushions? And then...the big question....what is a ballpark cost going to be?

Oh, if you need someone stateside to demo your chair - I am your girl!! Orange happens to be one of my favorite colors!

That is very kind of you it is great to hear that those that it is intended for like the design. I have curved the seat so it fits a standard Jay cushion. Although the seat is carbon it is not flat so the cushion wont sit oddly. The price is a really tricky question. Carbon fibre is really expensive stuff
and unlike other carbon chairs we use a lot of it. Carbon Black is going to be a very high end chair and will be more expensive than others. In time the price will come down but it would be unwise of me to give you a ballpark. I am working very hard to bring the price as low as possible. I really do want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to benefit from it.
It really is chalk and cheese to other chairs. I will be able to give a price when the current stage of development is complete and we are accepting pre orders. I will get the site problems sorted over the coming days and if you like the chair please register. `you are under no obligation to proceed with an order. Mass production is not what we do so availability may get tight. Sorry this is not the answer you want right now.

Oh sorry, I forgot to answer you question on balance. The backrest is great I can scope it up and down as I want it when I want it. If I am out and about I push it low and if I am on the computer or watching TV I raise it up to a more supportive height. The only thing to get used to is the lack of the two front struts as on conventional chairs. There are small handles to grab hold of at the front corners of the seat but it does take a little getting used to. It is also easier for car transfers as the front wheels will go straight under the car. You can actually do a seat edge to seat edge car transfer and not chip your car paint or wheelchair.

[roo]

emm carbon black ,,,,
well carbon wheels have been on the market a couple of years now in the uk ,,and am woundering his this new chair is going to stand up2 day to day use ,,,my chair goes though the mill ,,,when i got my 1st pr of carbon wheels these was meant not to crack my concerns was when dropping down kerbs are they going to fracture ,,no no the surplyer said these carbon wheels are stronger than your normal wheels {cheers stu for lying" cylone"} so when i cracked 1 of them yes,,cracked 1 and it was only dropped down 3 little steps,,,so the company was saying .wow thats not happened before ,are you sure you hav'nt run over it with your car ,,yes like i have a habbit running over my wheels,,so off they went finding out why it cracked 7wks later still no closer.after alot of talking they replaced them .and that was the last time i used CARBON WHEELS ,,,,so now theres a chair coming on the market made from carbon .wounder what happens when the chair cracks,it would be intersting knowing what the chair can go under pressure before it cracks or fracture .so until then . am sticking to what i know best titan frame for me .

roo

[Carbon Black]

roo, on 12 January 2011 - 08:12 AM, said:

emm carbon black ,,,,
well carbon wheels have been on the market a couple of years now in the uk ,,and am woundering his this new chair is going to stand up2 day to day use ,,,my chair goes though the mill ,,,when i got my 1st pr of carbon wheels these was meant not to crack my concerns was when dropping down kerbs are they going to fracture ,,no no the surplyer said these carbon wheels are stronger than your normal wheels {cheers stu for lying" cylone"} so when i cracked 1 of them yes,,cracked 1 and it was only dropped down 3 little steps,,,so the company was saying .wow thats not happened before ,are you sure you hav'nt run over it with your car ,,yes like i have a habbit running over my wheels,,so off they went finding out why it cracked 7wks later still no closer.after alot of talking they replaced them .and that was the last time i used CARBON WHEELS ,,,,so now theres a chair coming on the market made from carbon .wounder what happens when the chair cracks,it would be intersting knowing what the chair can go under pressure before it cracks or fracture .so until then . am sticking to what i know best titan frame for me .

roo

Strength of Carbon:
You make avery valid point about carbon fibre. There are some really poor products on the market made from carbon. When I set out designing Carbon Black I understood fully what the needs were. I have used a chair every day for 26 years and I know what punishment my chairs take.
Carbon Fibre if made properly is very tough. The layup must be correct ( direction of the carbon weave and amount of carbon used) The curing cycle must be done for the correct amount of time and at the correct temp. The reason some carbon products fail is due to these process being done on the cheap or without the correct knowledge. We don't use carbon on its own as you would find in other wheels. We have a very detailed layup of carbon fibre, Kevlar and other composites and core materials that give maximum resistance to impact. Each material brings a particular quality, so when mixed with each other the result is very robust.

The wheels on Carbon Black are not like other wheelchair wheels that are simply modified bike wheels. Carbon cycle wheels are not intended for curb jumping. The wheels on Carbon Black have been designed from scratch for a wheelchair and are fully tested. I use the chair every day and I am an active user. You would not tackle curbs with flat tyres on a Spinergy wheel as you will likely dent the wheel rim. The same goes for Carbon Black wheels, maintaing tyre pressure is important for protecting the wheels as it is for easy pushing. Solid tyres also offer no cushioning and should not be used with carbon wheels. Carbon Black uses high pressure air filled tyres. The carbon wheels you speak of probably had metal pushrims screwed into the carbon. This will have created weak spots where the holes were drilled. The pushrims on Carbon Black wheels are integrally moulded so maximum strength is achieved. The other big difference is that Carbon Black uses 28" wheels. The bigger wheels make curbs a lot easier and the impact a lot smaller. Rolling resistance is less and the chair is easier to push. For anyone concerned about accessing the seat with larger wheels it really is not a problem. Access onto the chair is very easy and due to the mono stem easier than with conventional frame shapes.

When the pre ordering site goes up I will put up video of the chair being used on kerbs and other situations anyone wants to see.

For anyone interested please register on the site and ask any questions.

Carbon Black, on 12 January 2011 - 01:02 PM, said:

roo, on 12 January 2011 - 08:12 AM, said:

emm carbon black ,,,,
well carbon wheels have been on the market a couple of years now in the uk ,,and am woundering his this new chair is going to stand up2 day to day use ,,,my chair goes though the mill ,,,when i got my 1st pr of carbon wheels these was meant not to crack my concerns was when dropping down kerbs are they going to fracture ,,no no the surplyer said these carbon wheels are stronger than your normal wheels {cheers stu for lying" cylone"} so when i cracked 1 of them yes,,cracked 1 and it was only dropped down 3 little steps,,,so the company was saying .wow thats not happened before ,are you sure you hav'nt run over it with your car ,,yes like i have a habbit running over my wheels,,so off they went finding out why it cracked 7wks later still no closer.after alot of talking they replaced them .and that was the last time i used CARBON WHEELS ,,,,so now theres a chair coming on the market made from carbon .wounder what happens when the chair cracks,it would be intersting knowing what the chair can go under pressure before it cracks or fracture .so until then . am sticking to what i know best titan frame for me .

roo

Strength of Carbon:
You make avery valid point about carbon fibre. There are some really poor products on the market made from carbon. When I set out designing Carbon Black I understood fully what the needs were. I have used a chair every day for 26 years and I know what punishment my chairs take.
Carbon Fibre if made properly is very tough. The layup must be correct ( direction of the carbon weave and amount of carbon used) The curing cycle must be done for the correct amount of time and at the correct temp. The reason some carbon products fail is due to these process being done on the cheap or without the correct knowledge. We don't use carbon on its own as you would find in other wheels. We have a very detailed layup of carbon fibre, Kevlar and other composites and core materials that give maximum resistance to impact. Each material brings a particular quality, so when mixed with each other the result is very robust.

The wheels on Carbon Black are not like other wheelchair wheels that are simply modified bike wheels. Carbon cycle wheels are not intended for curb jumping. The wheels on Carbon Black have been designed from scratch for a wheelchair and are fully tested. I use the chair every day and I am an active user. You would not tackle curbs with flat tyres on a Spinergy wheel as you will likely dent the wheel rim. The same goes for Carbon Black wheels, maintaing tyre pressure is important for protecting the wheels as it is for easy pushing. Solid tyres also offer no cushioning and should not be used with carbon wheels. Carbon Black uses high pressure air filled tyres. The carbon wheels you speak of probably had metal pushrims screwed into the carbon. This will have created weak spots where the holes were drilled. The pushrims on Carbon Black wheels are integrally moulded so maximum strength is achieved. The other big difference is that Carbon Black uses 28" wheels. The bigger wheels make curbs a lot easier and the impact a lot smaller. Rolling resistance is less and the chair is easier to push. For anyone concerned about accessing the seat with larger wheels it really is not a problem. Access onto the chair is very easy and due to the mono stem easier than with conventional frame shapes.

When the pre ordering site goes up I will put up video of the chair being used on kerbs and other situations anyone wants to see.

For anyone interested please register on the site and ask any questions.

Site is now fully operational.

iimaginedesign.com

Attached Thumbnails

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[rue2you]

I'm not a curb jumper so no worries there! One of the features that I really like is the lack of the side posts things (I don't know the technical name)that encase your legs. I love the idea that you could pull up closer to things for transfers and such. I think that is brilliant!

I wish insurance would pay for a chair like this because I am stuck with whatever insurance will do.

[FRANK6898]

I have registered on you website and would like to see and try the chair if possible.
Cheers Frank.

[roo]

Carbon cycle wheels are not intended for curb jumping

am not a full time kerb jumper but theres not dropped kerbs everywhere ,,,,so being a para and wheelchair bound i daily drop down kerbs ,sometimes it quicker to do so than push and look for the "dropped kerbs" ,,,,i also am very active ,,,,,like youself andy,,,
roo

[ajl338]

You would not believe where i take my chair

If people on feet can go, i also go. It goes into the snow, up hills, down steps, through the woods, down kerbs, onto the beach etc etc etc.

[rue2you]

My chair going places isn't my problem. It's my arms!! Whew....I need bigger muscles!!

[Carbon Black]

ajl338, on 12 January 2011 - 08:53 PM, said:

You would not believe where i take my chair.

If people on feet can go, i also go. It goes into the snow, up hills, down steps, through the woods, down kerbs, onto the beach etc etc etc.

Carbon Black will do all the curbs and go anywhere you dare. We are testing in the Scottish Highlands that are currently covered in snow. My aim behind this project is to create the best daily use chair ever made. I know how roughly it will be treated. Airline staff will throw it onto conveyors, users will drag it and drop it on asphalt, scrape it on curbs and abuse it.

I will myself am doing all of this to it. I won't complete the development until Carbon Black is truly ready.

Obviously you don't buy a Ferrari if you want to drive off road, and you don't buy a Land Rover if you want to go fast. I have prioritised weight saving and energy efficiency to create a very slick sporty easy to push and live with chair. Features like the LEDs are great. I have always found moving around in the dark to be a real pain. Holding a torch and pushing a chair really doesn't work. Now I can move about with confidence in the dark in a way I could never do before. A simple thing like just seeing the path ahead makes a world of difference.

[FRANK6898]

Having had a bit more time to study the photo I still like the basic concept of the chair but I have a few questions.

1) What provisions are there for fitting mudguards ?

2) If the question of carbon fibre wheels being up to the job or not is an issue, as the chair is bespoke could it be measured and build to accept a pair of 25in spinergy wheels?

3) What warranty would be offered as being a new chair and company this must also be a consideration when purchasing ?

Regards Frank.

[Carbon Black]

FRANK6898, on 12 January 2011 - 09:26 PM, said:

Having had a bit more time to study the photo I still like the basic concept of the chair but I have a few questions.

1) What provisions are there for fitting mudguards ?

2) If the question of carbon fibre wheels being up to the job or not is an issue, as the chair is bespoke could it be measured and build to accept a pair of 25in spinergy wheels?

3) What warranty would be offered as being a new chair and company this must also be a consideration when purchasing ?

Regards Frank.

To answer you questions:

There is currently no provision for mudguards or clothes protectors. Weight saving and portability is very much the name of the game. My own experience of such accessories is that they are fairly ineffective and get in the way. However, making up a pair of carbon clothes protectors would not be an impossible challenge.

Spinergy wheels will fit Carbon Black. It would be better if the user did this from the beginning if the wheels were to be smaller than Carbon Black wheels. Retro fitting smaller wheels would affect the CG setup.

Warranty is something I am looking at but clearly a warranty will exist and protect against any defect from fair usage.

I am not always able to get to this site so it may be easier for you to fire any questions directly. info@iimaginedesign.com

[rue2you]

I would definitely want some kind of mud guard. Course, I am a girl!

[FRANK6898]

rue2you, on 12 January 2011 - 10:57 PM, said:

I would definitely want some kind of mud guard. Course, I am a girl!

Hi rue2you,

Being a girl or not, I think most of us using an everyday chair want to keep our clothing around the hip and thigh area as dry as possible.

Carbon Fibre detachable mudguards gives people the option to be with or without, but not to have that option in my opinion would be a major flaw.

Frank.