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Fitting a mounting to a wheelchair

 

1.         Fit to left or right side?

The UniMount can be mounted to either side of the wheelchair that (in the case of a powered wheelchair) will generally be decided by location of the joystick.

2.         Where to attach frame clamp.

Find a suitable position on the lower rigid wheelchair frame for the frame clamp to fit. Note that the frame clamp requires a space 50 mm wide and check that it does not interfere with the front castor, brake, brake lever and footplate. Ideally, a position on the frame should be found that is in line with position of the communication device from where the wheelchair occupant can comfortably reach the keyboard (assuming here this is the accessing method). If this is not possible (more often the case!) then the UniMount has a number of configurations to provide correct positioning.

3.            Measure wheelchair frame tube

Measure size of the tube where the wheelchair frame clamp is to be attached by using the supplied tube measurement gauge (see diagram 2.) 

Round tube measure diameter. Hence tube will be “x” mm diameter.

Square tube measure one side (side a = side b). Tube is “a” mm square.

Rectangular tube measure both side a and side b. Tube is “a” mm x “b” mm.

 

Diagram 2.    Determining wheelchair frame tube size with tube measurement gauge

Tube Shape Tube Size UniMount clamp insert
Round (mm diameter)

20

22

25

30

1

2

3

4
Square (mm x mm)

 

20 x 20

22 x 22

25 x 25

30 x 30

No insert required  

Just open up clamp to fit  

any size up to 35 x 35mm
Rectangle (mm x mm) 25 x 35 5

Table 1.         Common tube sizes.

Wheelchair Stability

It is advisable to CHECK STABILITY of the wheelchair (on a horizontal plane) with UniMount, communication device attached and with the wheelchair user seated in the wheelchair. You should also be aware of situations that affect wheelchair stability.

§      Check stability of the wheelchair on a horizontal plane in all four positions as shown below in diagram 10. 

§      Stability of a wheelchair is measured in four directions: front, back, left and right sides.

§      Powered wheelchairs are more stable than manual wheelchairs since they have heavy     batteries and electric motors low under the wheelchair giving it a low centre of gravity.

§      Stability is compromised the greatest when the UniMount is in position 3, especially on a manual wheelchair.

§      A heavier communication device will obviously affect the stability.

§      The UniMount in position 1 can compromise a manual wheelchair’s stability if the communication device is over or past the front wheels.

§      Stability of a wheelchair on a slope decreases with increase in angle of the slope. Therefore, watch out for ramps, hills, driveways, roadside curbs, etc.

Please note that the above information on wheelchair stability is intended to be a guide only and is not all-inclusive.

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Last modified: June 14, 2006
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