Ablequip Wheel-link
Sometimes when you go out on a mobility scooter,
its difficult if you have limited walking ability and there are tight spaces at the opposite end. Do you take scooter and try and manage with stick/crutches or do you get someone to take you with manual chair?
WheelLink is a simple bracket that fits the rear of the scooter, in order to carry a folded wheelchair or
rollator, so that it can be used in those confined areas where a
scooter really can't go. You can see how this ingenious device helps
its inventor, Mike Spencer here:
http://www.independentliving.co.uk/demo/movies/ablequip.html
its difficult if you have limited walking ability and there are tight spaces at the opposite end. Do you take scooter and try and manage with stick/crutches or do you get someone to take you with manual chair?
WheelLink is a simple bracket that fits the rear of the scooter, in order to carry a folded wheelchair or
rollator, so that it can be used in those confined areas where a
scooter really can't go. You can see how this ingenious device helps
its inventor, Mike Spencer here:
http://www.independentliving.co.uk/demo/movies/ablequip.html
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by William Phillips on -
Apart from my scooter breaking down, that's the main reason I stopped using one. Instead I learnt to drive using hand controls and carry my manual W-chair in the back of my car. The Wheel-link looks like a good idea for most scooter users. I toyed with the idea myself and other than adapting a shopping (Domestic Type) trolly didn't take the idea any further.
If the Wheel-link works OK without falling off it should be a good gadget. Bill xx
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Permalink Reply by Carol Gow on -
Hello Kati
A very ingenious device which has potential. It is sickening when you can't move between aisles because of obstructions. This is always the case at my local shop.
The only thing that worries me is the stability of the scooter. Whether something strapped to the back would cause problems for the airo dynamics. Would it not become top-heavy so to speak. Not everyone has a lightweight wheelchair and even those sold as lightweight are heavy (not including titanium). My scooter (which is heavyweight) handbook warns about weight, it even shows weight distribution. How you should dispense your weight when you take a hill etc. I know manufacturers ere on the side of caution but nevertheless......
Regards
Carol
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Permalink Reply by Kati on -
Well they mentioned he had a patent for it so I'm assuming it would have had to go through safety checks to receive a patent? It was featured in 'Independant Living' magazine.
It didn't show him putting it on and taking it off, but I would assume you need considerable strength and balance to turn the chair upside down to put it on and also take it off and stand it upright and open seat out, or have someone to help you do it, which kind of defeats the idea of it making you more independent.
My quickie chair folds like his did and even with arm rests and wheels off the folding frame itself is awkward to lift due to the length, even though the width is reduced by seat sling folded. When I had helper in early days it took two of us to lift it folded in half but complete with wheels into her car boot and I could just about manage to stand and keep balance holding on with one hand whilst lifting front of chair with other.
If a person wasn't too heavy themselves or had scooter with a higher upper weight limit it may manage but they'd need to have the strength and balance to get it on and off and I cant see how you would do that whilst still sitting on scooter.
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Permalink Reply by William Phillips on
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Carol, I think you mean 'center of gravity'. Aero dynamics is to do with wind resistance. Know what you mean though.
My sense of balance is practicaly non existant. The only way I can lift my W-chair in to my car is by holding on to the car with one hand while lifting W-chair with the other. So if I (or anyone) wanted to get an 'Ablequip Wheel-link' I would deffo' have to try it out before buying one. Also I don't think it would be a good idea to use on a 3 wheeled scooter for stability reasons. Still think it's a good Idea though. (for a 4 wheeled scooter). As you say Carol, it "has potential". Bill xx
Carol Gow said:Hello Kati
A very ingenious device which has potential. It is sickening when you can't move between aisles because of obstructions. This is always the case at my local shop.
The only thing that worries me is the stability of the scooter. Whether something strapped to the back would cause problems for the airo dynamics. Would it not become top-heavy so to speak. Not everyone has a lightweight wheelchair and even those sold as lightweight are heavy (not including titanium). My scooter (which is heavyweight) handbook warns about weight, it even shows weight distribution. How you should dispense your weight when you take a hill etc. I know manufacturers ere on the side of caution but nevertheless......
Regards
Carol
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Permalink Reply by Carol Gow on
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Hello Bill
Thank you - never was any good at Physics, in fact was asked to leave the class!!!!
Regards
Carol
William Phillips said:Carol, I think you mean 'center of gravity'. Aero dynamics is to do with wind resistance. Know what you mean though.
My sense of balance is practicaly non existant. The only way I can lift my W-chair in to my car is by holding on to the car with one hand while lifting W-chair with the other. So if I (or anyone) wanted to get an 'Ablequip Wheel-link' I would deffo' have to try it out before buying one. Also I don't think it would be a good idea to use on a 3 wheeled scooter for stability reasons. Still think it's a good Idea though. (for a 4 wheeled scooter). As you say Carol, it "has potential". Bill xx
Carol Gow said:Hello Kati
A very ingenious device which has potential. It is sickening when you can't move between aisles because of obstructions. This is always the case at my local shop.
The only thing that worries me is the stability of the scooter. Whether something strapped to the back would cause problems for the airo dynamics. Would it not become top-heavy so to speak. Not everyone has a lightweight wheelchair and even those sold as lightweight are heavy (not including titanium). My scooter (which is heavyweight) handbook warns about weight, it even shows weight distribution. How you should dispense your weight when you take a hill etc. I know manufacturers ere on the side of caution but nevertheless......
Regards
Carol
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Permalink Reply by William Phillips on
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Never had Physics at my school Carol. Or maybe I was day-dreaming when they did. I did and still do, 'do' a lot of that. xx
Carol Gow said:Hello Bill
Thank you - never was any good at Physics, in fact was asked to leave the class!!!!
Regards
Carol
William Phillips said:Carol, I think you mean 'center of gravity'. Aero dynamics is to do with wind resistance. Know what you mean though.
My sense of balance is practicaly non existant. The only way I can lift my W-chair in to my car is by holding on to the car with one hand while lifting W-chair with the other. So if I (or anyone) wanted to get an 'Ablequip Wheel-link' I would deffo' have to try it out before buying one. Also I don't think it would be a good idea to use on a 3 wheeled scooter for stability reasons. Still think it's a good Idea though. (for a 4 wheeled scooter). As you say Carol, it "has potential". Bill xx
Carol Gow said:Hello Kati
A very ingenious device which has potential. It is sickening when you can't move between aisles because of obstructions. This is always the case at my local shop.
The only thing that worries me is the stability of the scooter. Whether something strapped to the back would cause problems for the airo dynamics. Would it not become top-heavy so to speak. Not everyone has a lightweight wheelchair and even those sold as lightweight are heavy (not including titanium). My scooter (which is heavyweight) handbook warns about weight, it even shows weight distribution. How you should dispense your weight when you take a hill etc. I know manufacturers ere on the side of caution but nevertheless......
Regards
Carol
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