Title:Development of sub wheels for the purpose of detaching large wheels of a wheelchair.
Author:Kiyomi MATSUO,Hiromitsu KOBAYASHI,KaoruFUJIIE,Yoshiteru TERASHI,Yoshito EHARA(Spinal Injuries Center) Shigeyuki ISHII,Yoshio OHBA,Shunichi ITO(OX engineering Inc)
Proceedings of 12th Japanese Conference of Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology. vol.12,pp. 27-32 (August,1997)
Keywords:
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
Kiyomi MASUO (Spinal Injuries Center)
TEL:0498-24-7500


Abstract:
This paper describes development of sub wheels to detach large wheels of wheelchairs for the purpose of entering to narrow space. Specifications of prototype was as follows: 1)Attach and detach them easily. 2) Prevent disturbing wheelie when climbing curb. 3)Light weight. 4)Sub wheels is 2 to 3cm backward and 2cm higher from the large wheels grounding position. 5)Adequate strength. 6)Sub wheels with 3 to 4 inches diameter. 7)Changeable height of sub wheels. 8)Attach the sub wheels to the attachment of the arm rest. 9)Use them for regular quick release type of large wheels. The weight of the sub wheel was 550g and the weight of the whole wheelchair was 12.6kg. The weight of the wheelchair except the large wheels was 9.3kg. To release large wheels, the rider raised each wheel by himself/herself without help of caregivers. To move without large wheels, the rider pulls something around. This wheelchair has been used for one year for evaluation. Moving without large wheels was effective in narrow situation like rest rooms, air planes, hotels, stores and some places. However, some cautions were needed when it was used at climbing curb and on rough roads because the sub wheels touched the ground.