aidapt VA170 Range Lightweight Aluminium Wheelchair Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- Aidapt
Table of Contents
aidapt VA170 Range Lightweight Aluminium Wheelchair
This file is available to view and download as a PDF at www.aidapt.co.uk. Sight impaired customers can use a free PDF Reader (such as adobe.com/reader) to zoom in and increase the text size for improved readability.
READ BEFORE USE
Before using your new Wheelchair, you and each person that may assist you in
its use should take time to read this manual and follow all instructions.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing your wheelchair from Aidapt. This model has been designed to help you gain independence and meet your particular requirements. Throughout the manufacturing process, great care has been taken; the components have been selected by quality and inspections carried out to ensure you get full satisfaction from our product, including BS EN 12183:2014
PLEASE NOTE:
Your Wheelchair has a unique identification serial number. This is located on
the main cross brace below the seat canvas and should be used in all
correspondence. Write your serial number here for future reference:
This model is intended for assistance pushing use only and not for wheeling by the person sitting in the Wheelchair. The maximum user weight is 115 kg; under no circumstances should this be exceeded. When folding the Wheelchair for transportation in a car the leg rests can be detached leaving the frame weight of (10.3 kg). Before each use please take the time to check your Wheelchair for any loose parts. Any modification to this product without the express permission from Aidapt will invalidate your guarantee.
- SAFETY SUMMARY
The following recommendations are made for the safe use of the wheelchair.
NOTE : Do not assemble or use this equipment without first reading and understanding this instruction manual. The helper should not place all of their weight on the handles by lifting their feet off the floor as this will place adverse strain on the handles. If you cannot understand the instructions, please contact Aidapt, a Healthcare Professional or a Dealer before installing this equipment.
- Before using this product, care must be taken to ensure that fitments are secure, the castors/wheels are in good working order, the wheelchair is properly balanced and all wheels must be in contact with the floor at all times during use.
- For safe operation, the following points must be remembered:
- Always observe the limits regarding reaching objects, leaning back, tilting and use of manual brakes, tyres and weights limits. These are dealt with under the section headed Assembly and Use.
- The footplates are designed only to support the feet while in the seated position. DO NOT STAND ON THE FOOT PLATES.
- DO NOT USE YOUR WHEELCHAIR AS A TRANSPORT SEAT IN A VEHICLE.
- The upholstery meets the flammability requirements specified in EN 1021-2:2006/ISO 8191-2:1998. Care should be exercised near open flames or burning cigarettes.
- WARNING: Surface areas of your Wheelchair can get hot when the wheelchair is exposed to external sources of heat (eg. sunlight).
- Please now refer to the section on Assembly and use.
ASSEMBLY
- First remove all contents from the box.
- To open the wheelchair, push seat rails and press downwards until the chair is fully opened taking care to keep fingers clear of moving parts (Fig.1).
- To close the wheelchair, take the centre of the seat fabric at the front and back edges and lift (Fig.2).
NB: When opening and closing your Wheelchair please keep fingers well away from any possible entrapment areas. The only part of the Wheelchair that can be adjusted are the leg rests. Ideally your knees should be at 90 degrees with the seat. If you are not sure please contact a healthcare professional or your local Wheelchair dealer for advice.
BRAKE OPERATION
Parking Brakes (Occupant)
See Fig. 3 which shows the wheelchair with the parking brake not applied. To
apply the parking brake push the handle forward as in Fig. 3a until it
‘clicks’ and this will apply the brake.
Attendant Brakes
These are located on the handles and have a 2 click system. See Fig 3b. To
slow the wheelchair pull the brake handles which will ‘click’ once and then by
applying further pressure it will increase braking. By pressing harder the
brake handle will ‘click’ again which means the parking brake has been
applied. To release the brakes (from either the 1 click or 2 click position)
then press the release handle.
BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
The brakes may need to be adjusted periodically. We would advise that this is
done by competent person. For normal adjustment see Fig. 3a, whereby ‘Nut A’
needs to be released and then the adjustor needs to be turned
clockwise/anticlockwise to adjust the brakes. After adjustment re-tighten Nut
A. Should further adjustment be needed then see Fig. 3c where the hex nut
needs to be undone and the cable pulled and tightened before re-locking with
the allen key.
USE
WARNING : The centre of balance is affected by a change in posture body
position or weight distribution.
Many activities require the wheelchair owner to reach, bend and transfer into
and out of the wheelchair. These movements will cause a change to normal
balance, centre of gravity and weight distribution of the wheelchair. The
design of your wheelchair enables it to remain stable for normal everyday
usage if used correctly in accordance with the recommendations in this manual.
1. Reaching/bending forward
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach.
Position the front castors so that they are extended as far forward as
possible. Fully engage the wheel locks on the rear wheels. Only reach out to
take what is within arm’s length in normal sitting position. Only the arms
should extend beyond the seat of the wheelchair.
2. Reaching/bending backwards
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach.
Reach back only as far as your arm will extend without changing your seating
position. Do not lean over the top of the back upholstery as this could change
your centre of gravity and may cause you to tip over. Continued on next page
3. Reaching/leaning sideways
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach.
Rotate the front castors to a line in the direction you will be reaching.
Fully engage the wheel locks on the rear wheels. Do not shift your weight or
sitting position towards the object you are reaching as it may cause the
wheelchair to tip over.
4. Transferring
Before attempting to transfer in and out of the wheelchair, every precaution
should be taken to ensure the gap between the two seats is as small as
possible. Be certain that the wheel locks are on to prevent the wheels moving.
Turn both castors in the direction of the seat to which you wish to move. Lift
up the footplates and fold back the supports to the side. Do not stand on the
footplates. It is imperative that the actual transfer procedure be supervised
by a certified health care professional until the wheelchair owner is familiar
with the procedure.
5. Negotiating Obstacles
5.1 Approach the obstacle (kerb etc.) front on
The wheelchair should be tilted by the helper until the front castors have
passed over the kerbs. The helper must apply downward pressure with their foot
to the tip bar (see fig. 5 & 6). The chair should never be tilted by the
handles only as this will put adverse strain on the handles. Move the
wheelchair forward until the rear wheels touch the kerb and gently lower the
front castors over the pavement. Push the lift until the rear wheels have
mounted the kerb. The wheelchair should not be lifted by the handles alone.
5.2 Upward and Downward slopes (fig. 4)
Always go straight up and down slopes to avoid the possibility of the
wheelchair overturning. Avoid steep slopes, which may cause
instability.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The following diagram shows details of the wheelchair terminology used in this
manual.
1. Backrest
There are two types of backrest fitted to the wheelchair, either fixed or
adjustable. The adjustable backrest can be folded down by means of a locking
mechanism fitted to both sides of the lower part of the backrest pillars. To
fold the backrest down, push on both of the black plastic levers, then pull
back and down on the top part of the backrest. To return to the original,
reverse the procedure, making sure the mechanisms are locked securely.
2. Handles
The handles are designed for the helper to propel the wheelchair. They must
not be used solely for lifting the wheelchair over obstructions or kerbs.
Downward pressure must be applied to the tip bar at the same time to prevent
adverse strain on the handles (see negotiating obstacles) (see fig. 5& 6) The
helper must not place all of their weight on the handles by lifting their feet
off the floor as this will place adverse strain on the handles.
3. Armrest
PVC pads are fixed onto the armrest for comfort and can be replaced as spare
parts.
4. Seat Upholstery
Periodically check the upholstery for signs of tears or sagging. Replace
immediately if the seat is damaged. Remember: the seat upholstery is the
primary weight – supporting material.
5. Footplates
The footplates are intended as a foot support only when you are sitting in the
wheelchair. On no account should you stand on the footplates. The heel loops
or calf straps (if fitted) can be used to secure the position of the feet. The
footplate assemblies can be adjusted in height by loosening the nut of the
base of the adjustment tube, positioning the plate at the required height and
tightening the nut to secure the assembly. The footplate supports cannot be
adjusted but are moveable from the wheelchair. They can be swung away to the
outside of the wheelchair. To carry out this procedure, press the release
lever and swing the support to the outside of the wheelchair. If the support
is to be removed, lift it upwards. To re-fit and return to the original
position, reverse the above procedure.
6. Castor and bearing
The front wheels have solid puncture proof tyres. These should be checked at
regular intervals to monitor any wear. Wheelchairs become difficult to steer
and propel when surfaces have worn flat. It is recommended that both front
tyres are replaced at the same time to avoid one side of the wheelchair from
being higher than the other. The wheel is secured to the castor fork by an
axle bolt and axle nut. Periodically, this bolt and nut should be checked and
tightened if necessary to allow a snug but free spinning fit. The castor fork
swivel allows the wheelchair to be steered. An adjustment locknut is located
under the castor cap. If the locknut is too tight, the wheelchair will be
difficult to steer.
7. Wheel lock assembly
These are used to hold the wheelchair in a stationary position, and are fitted
on either side of the wheelchair. They should not be used when the wheelchair
is moving or to slow it down. They should always be applied together. To
operate, push the brake lever forward towards the front of the wheelchair.
This will immobilize the wheelchair. To release the brake, move the lever
towards the rear of the wheelchair.
8. Cross Bar
Operation of the cross brace permits the wheelchair to be opened and closed
easily. It should be inspected at regular intervals for signs of wear and
bending.
9. Folding Backrest Device
Push down the hinge to fold down the backrest. Automatically lock when pull up
the backrest handle. This device is to enhance the storage feature.
ROUTINE CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE
1. Upholstery
Upholstery should be routinely cleaned with a mild soap and water solution.
Never use paint remover or thinners on upholstery.
2. Metal Parts
Clean all metal parts with a wax compound such as car wash to maintain finish.
Do not use any obtrusive cleanser that will scratch the finish on the chair.
3. Cross Brace
Periodically lubricate the centre bolt on the cross brace with light machine
oil.
4. Tyres and Wheels
Examine tyres regularly for wear and replace as necessary. Solid tyres should
be replaced when they become loose on the rim or cracks appear which expose
the mounting wire groove. For pneumatic tyres, check tyre pressure is even and
correct. Check that the wheels run freely and that quick release axles are
correctly locked. If your wheelchair is fitted with pneumatic tires and you
have a puncture please take your wheelchair to the nearest dealer or bicycle
repair center
5. Castors
Check periodically that the bolt and nut securing the wheel to the castor fork
is tight and allows a snug but free spinning fit.
6. Brakes
Regularly check for effective operation and there is no wear or signs of play.
7. General
Always check before use that the wheelchair folds and unfolds correctly and
that movement both backwards and forwards is in a straight line.
8. Servicing
We recommend your wheelchair is fully serviced every twelve months. For parts
and service information please contact Best for Mobility Limited (details on
the back page). Your Wheelchairs has been made from the finest materials and
tested to BS EN 12183:1999 for your complete piece of mind and the expected
service life of your wheelchair is 5 years+.
9. Recycling of your Wheelchair
Once the wheelchair has reached its expected service life you can contact
Aidapt for disposal.
SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM DETAILS
Length (folded) 22” (55.9 cm)
Width (folded) 9½” (24 cm)
Width (unfolded) 20” (51 cm)
Height (folded) 30” (76 cm)
Height (unfolded) 35” (89 cm)
Net weight 11.85 kg
Net weight (without leg rests) 10.3 kg
Maximum Carrying Weight 115 kg
Seat size 17” (43 cm)
Wheel size & tyre 8” solid tyre
Tyre type Mag solid tyre
Additional information Folding backrest
GUARANTEE
This product is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 5 years on the frame and 12 months on all other parts.
The warranty is subject to the following conditions:
- The purchaser shall complete the registration form below and send it to Aidapt within 14 days of purchase of the product, together with a copy of the sales invoice/receipt.
- If any defect or fault is discovered, the supplier and/or Aidapt should be notified immediately.
- Aidapt will not be responsible for damage caused by misuse, natural wear and tear, defective assembly or installation by the purchaser or their agent, defective treatments, unauthorised alteration to the equipment or use of unsuitable spares.
- The buyer’s statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act are not affected.
Aidapt Bathrooms Ltd, Lancots Lane, Sutton Oak, St Helens, WA9 3EX
Telephone: +44 (0) 1744 745 020
• Fax: +44 (0) 1744 745 001
• Web: www.aidapt.com
Email:accounts@aidapt.co.uk
• adaptations@aidapt.co.uk
• sales@aidapt.co.uk
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