Lightweight Collapsible Wheelchairs usually refers to the feature that a wheelchair may have, collapsible meaning that it is a foldable wheelchair, unlike rigid chairs that are usually not foldable, this includes sports wheelchairs, basketball wheelchairs, and active wheelchairs.
Lightweight collapsible wheelchairs usually have a very light frame that is complete with a foldable feature, this includes folding the wheelchair seat and components into a compact shape, that can be stored into the trunk of a vehicle, or a storage space for example.
Harry Jennings and his disabled friend Herbert Everest, both mechanical engineers, invented the first lightweight, steel, collapsible wheelchair[4] in 1933. Everest had broken his back in a mining accident.
A Foldable Frame is Important
Light Collapsible wheelchairs are the new norm in the wheelchair community, the foldable and light frame has become very popular with wheelchair users who prefer to use a lightweight wheelchair that can also be folded for convenience, and to boost the time it takes to do your daily routine.
Collapsible is synonymous with the word Foldable, they mean the same thing when they are used in front of the word “wheelchair”, the frame of the chair is foldable, including the seat, sometimes the backrest, foldable footrests, or in some cases collapsible push bars for caregiver propelled wheelchairs.
Karman Healthcare provides lightweight collapsible wheelchairs that are foldable and have a light frame, we cover over 10 different categories of wheelchairs that are collapsible, we provide foldable ergonomic wheelchairs, light wheelchairs, ultra light wheelchairs, transport wheelchairs, bariatric wheelchairs, tilting wheelchairs, recliner wheelchairs, pediatric wheelchairs, and standard wheelchairs that are foldable.
We have the following categories that include Lightweight Collapsible Wheelchairs:
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Ergonomic Wheelchairs
- Ultra Lightweight Wheelchairs
- Lightweight Wheelchairs
- Transport Wheelchairs
Collapsible Wheelchair Wheels
There is a new type of technology known as “collapsible wheelchair wheels“, which allow the user to fold their wheels for even more comp-actability than was available before.
The wheelchair is rolling into the 21st century with a twist bound to elicit plenty of double takes: foldable wheels. Morph Wheels, designed by the same guy who created foldable wheels for bikes, have the potential to make travel of all sorts less cumbersome for a chunk of the nation’s estimated 2 million-plus wheelchair users. “This is the first foldable wheelchair wheel,” says Kathleen Hanek, director of product management at Maddak-owned Morph Wheels. “It’s all about making things easier and increasing accessibility for wheelchair users.” It’s also about making money. Morph Wheels ranks near the priciest end of wheelchair wheels: $950 for a set of two — nearly double what some wheels cost. And, at about 7.5 pounds each, they weigh considerably more than more conventional 4.5-pound wheels. The extra weight is because the tires are solid rubber — no air — and because the wheels are made from glass-filled nylon, not metal. But, in exchange for the extra weight — and upper-end price — consumers get the convenience of foldable wheels. Also, unlike most wheelchair wheels, these generally fit into overhead bins on flights. And into tight rental car spaces — a boon for some business travelers. “I’ve never seen anything like them,” says Bob Vogel, a paraplegic and wheelchair user who is senior correspondent for New Mobility, the magazine owned by the United Spinal Association. “I love the innovation.” But, Vogel adds, foldable wheels may only appeal to a niche market. “I don’t see your average user taking the time to fold a wheel to get it into a car,” he says. “If it takes an extra 20 seconds per wheel, that’s a lot of time.” To fold the wheels, they must be detached from the chair. They are folded by first removing the axle that holds the wheel in place. The wheel, essentially, squishes in half when you press on both sides. Foldable wheels where first conceptualized in 2007 for bicycles by British designer Duncan Fitzsimmons. After receiving inquiries from the wheelchair community, he eventually teamed up with Maddak and redesigned the wheels for use on wheelchairs. The company relied on a focus group of wheelchair users to help it perfect the design. The focus group kept prodding for improvements. “It looks simple, but it was an engineering feat to come up with what we have,” says Hanek. The design was named the top design in the transportation industry in 2013 by the London Museum of Design. The wheels comes with a three-year warranty. “The trick was to create a wheel that wasn’t just a folding wheel,” Hanek says. “It needs to act and feel just like a normal wheel when it’s unfolded.”
Original Article by Bruce Horovitz – USA Today
You can give us a call at 1-626-581-2235
Folding Wheelchairs that are Collapsible
Additionally, so it important to remember that most manual wheelchairs are foldable. The type of folding mechanism should be FDA regulated with proper 501k registration. Be aware of “look” a likes out there. Some manufactures do not “follow” the “rules”.
Especially those out there that fold up like a beach chair. They definitely are not “SAFE” and if you check, they are not classified as a medical device. All of Karman Wheelchairs are. Just check out the documentations. You wouldn’t want your family or loved ones to be “unsafe”. Definitely don’t buy from a company that hasn’t been around long enough are isn’t vetted within the medical community. It’s not worth it. Just like you wouldn’t a car that’s cheaper and unsafe, you wouldn’t do this with wheelchairs either.
Our TV-10 Travel Wheelchair
Moreover, we are the original creators of the below style of foldable wheelchair. It’s designed to travel. We suggest transport wheelchairs and the like if you’re looking for something more traditional. If not, this is it.
As a result, we have had at least 5 generations of this model throughout the course of time with “re-inventing” what we already knew worked best. Don’t buy copy cats and don’t buy uber expensive models that double this price. Buy the original and find generations and over a decade of improving upon what we deem as the most unique transport foldable travel friendly wheelchair.
