4 replies to this topic

[JoeJJ]

I am an inventor based in Oxfordshire, England and I have devised a mechanism by which a manual wheelchair may be opperated using only one hand. The significance of this is that someone who is unable to walk and also has lost some movement in one arm may still be mobile whilst not depending on batteries or an assistant.

My wheelchair will be opperated by a single handrim on one side, and by a lever located just infront of it. The wheelchair design is intuitive to use and will not requrie the extensive "adjustment period" typical of double-handrim designs, nor the great manouverability difficulty of fixed axle designs.

As I am not aware of the number of people who would benifit from this idea, I have not yet built a prototype. I intend to apply for sponsorship from a publicly funded organisation or charity.

I would be very grateful if someone could help me in one of the following ways:

* Indication of the number of people who might benefit from this idea.
* Information about existing manual wheelchairs that can be opperated one-handed.
* Consulation to acheive the best ergonomics and interface (ideally with someone who will use the wheelchair once it's produced).
* Information regarding the requirements of a wheelchair (such as whether it is more important to turn on a dime or to be able to corner on the move, and whether comfort or weight is more important to most users).

If you can help me in any way towards making my design a reality, I greatly look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks.

Joe JJ

[russ1]

Been done (a lot), have a google for hemiplegic wheelchair - as for people who'd benefit it's mostly stroke victims along with some paras who have other injuries.

[Apparelyzed]

I would of thought the long term implications of such a chair could result in excesive wearing of the shoulder joint, as well as abnormal twisting of the spine which could result in abnormal musculoskeletal deformaties.

Even pushing with two arms long term can result in curvature of the spine, arthritic shoulders, torn rotator cuffs etc.

Wouldn't someone with such a condition just buy an electric wheelchair?

What market would buy such a chair?

Sorry if the above seems negative, but it's worth thinking about.

Regards

Simon

[JoeJJ]

Apparelyzed, on May 29 2006, 04:38 PM, said:

I would of thought the long term implications of such a chair could result in excesive wearing of the shoulder joint, as well as abnormal twisting of the spine which could result in abnormal musculoskeletal deformaties.

Even pushing with two arms long term can result in curvature of the spine, arthritic shoulders, torn rotator cuffs etc.

Wouldn't someone with such a condition just buy an electric wheelchair?

What market would buy such a chair?

Sorry if the above seems negative, but it's worth thinking about.

Regards

Simon

The idea was to avoid dependance on batteries. At present I have little-to-no idea of the size of the market. Perhaps it contains people with long term loss of mobility in some limbs combined with short term injury in others. In this case it's a very small and temporary market. Time for a rethink.

Thanks for your input.

-Joe

[Apparelyzed]

The only time I could imagine such a wheelchair would be usefull is when going on holiday.

It would be easier than humping an electric wheelchair abroad on a plane.

But if you are in your own home, batteries aren't a problem as you just plug them in to recharge, and if you are unable, then the chances are you would have a carer who could do it for you.

So, I'd say your market may be as a temporary travel chair.

Simon