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Invacare Variance Plus
User adjustment manual
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Introduction Thank-you for purchasing a wheelchair from Invacare. This model offers you all the advantages and characteristics of a product that has been designed especially to meet your particular requirements. Great care has been taken with this wheelchair throughout the whole of its manufacturing process. The components have been selected for their quality and inspections have been carried out so that your wheelchair can provide you with full satisfaction. This booklet describes the whee
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Note The information set out in this manual may be modified without prior notice. This manual contents copyright information. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced without prior written agreement from your local INVACARE office, see back page for addresses. The wheelchair user As a wheelchair manufacturer, INVACARE makes every effort to supply a wide range of wheelchairs to meet the many different user requirements. However, the final decision on
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Index 1. Safety and operating limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/10 1.1 Reaching for an object from a wheelchair . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.2 Transferring sideways to other seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.3 Tilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.4 Tilting, kerbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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1 - Safety and operating limits Stability and equilibrium To ensure that the wheelchair remains stable and is manipulated correctly, you must always maintain good equilibrium. Your wheelchair has been designed to remain stable for normal everyday use. Nearly everything you do from the wheelchair will have an effect on the centre of gravity. We recommend using straps for increased safety when you are moving about and shifting your weight. Weight distribution 1 (Figure 1 ) Many actions will c
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1.1 - Reaching for an object from a wheelchair ( Figure 2 ) The limitations on reaching out from 2 a wheelchair shown on the following diagrams have been produced using a representative sample of wheelchair users: 91 men and 36 women. Note the difference between maximum stretch and reaching out in normal sitting position. Only the arms should extend beyond the seat of the wheelchair. For safety reasons, the body and head should remain within the boundaries of the seat. ( Figures 3 and 4
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Leaning forwards 5 Position the swivelling castors as far forward as possible ( Figure 5 ) and lock the manual brakes. Do not lean out beyond the armest. ( Figure 6 ) To support yourself and lean over To reach towards an object, you support yourself and lean over, it is important to 6 use the swivelling castors as a tool for maintaining stability and equilibrium. A correct alignment is essential for your safety. To lean backwards ( Figures 7 and 8 ) Move the wheelchair as close as possible
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1.2 - Transferring sideways to other seats ( Figure 9 ) This may be done without assistance provided that you are sufficiently mobile and have a strong enough torso. 9 Position the wheelchair as close as possible to the seat to which you wish to move with the swivelling castors pointing towards it. Lock the wheels. Move the weight of your body towards the seat. While moving between the chair and the seat you will have little or no support under your body. Whenever possible, use a
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Lean your body forwards while holding the two armrests and lifting yourself to standing position. Then move to the place where you wish to sit, taking your weight on your arms and hands. ( Figure 10 ) WARNING Never stand up on the foot rests when you are 11 getting in or out of the wheelchair. ( Figure 11 ) 1.3 - Tilting (balancing on the rear wheels) Do not tilt the wheelchair without assistance unless you have mastered the technique of balancing on the rear wheels. NOTE FOR THIRD PERSON
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1.4 - Tilting, kerbs METHOD 1 - ( Figure 12 ) The helper should tilt the wheelchair until the swivelling castors have passed over the kerb. Move the wheelchair forwards and lower the swivelling castors onto the pavement. 12 Push the wheelchair until the rear wheels mount and pass the kerb. METHOD 2 - ( Figure 13 ) The helper should stand on the pavement and turn the wheelchair until the rear wheels are against the kerb. Tilt the wheelchair backwards to the point of equilibrium and, in a
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METHOD 3 - ( Figure 14 ) 14 Kerbs, steps, platforms. As a general rule, if you are using the wheelchair without assistance, do not try to negotiate obstacles more than 30 mm high, unless your wheelchair is fitted with anti-tip wheels which minimise the risk of tipping up backwards. 1.5 - Stairs We recommend that you take very great care when taking a wheelchair up or down stairs. Two people are required for this. Advice to third persons Make sure that you get hold of fixed, non-removable p
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1.6 - Slopes ( operating limits ) Slopes Do not attempt to go up or down slopes greater than 9%. Beyond this limit the 16 wheelchair might fall over if your turn or move sideways.( Figure 16 ) 17 Upward slopes Lean the upper part of the body forward and push the chair forward with short quick thrusts on the handrims to maintain speed and control direction. If you wish to take a rest, apply both brakes when stopping. ( Figure 17 ) 18 Downward slopes Lean backwards carefully and allow the
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2 - Use your wheelchair 20 2.1 - Folding and unfolding the wheelchair To unfold : ( Figure 20 ) 1. Unfold the wheelchair by taking hold of the armrest or the side of the chair nearest to you, tip the chair sideways (lifting the rear wheel and the swivelling castor from the ground) and press on the tube supporting the seat upholstery 21 until it is fully down. The seat upholstery should be stretched. 2. Put on the two manual brakes. Open the foot/leg rest, check the ground clearance and
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2.2 - Propelling the wheelchair The wheels of your wheelchair are fitted with handrims. These should be adjusted so that you can get a good grip with your hands. Various accessories may be fitted to improve the grip ( plastic covers, studs, etc . . . ) The qualified medical or paramedical personnel will be able to advise you on the most appropriate way of propelling yourself. Do not put any part of your body in the spaces when the chair is in motion 3 - Safety checks and maintenance 3.1 - Chec
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Checks to be made 1. General the wheelchair unfolds and folds easily the wheelchair moves in a straight line (no resistance or drag) 2. Manual brakes the manual brakes do not touch the tyres when moving the manual brakes are easy to operate the joints are not worn and do not show signs of play 3. Cross bars examine them to check that they are not worn or bent 4. Clothing protectors / armrest upholste
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4 - Transport Transporting the wheelchair Systems for anchoring the wheelchair in automobiles WARNING Invacare wheelchairs are capable of being transported in vehicles with or without the occupant. We recommend securing it with a 4 point restraint system - two at the front, two at the rear. Select suitable fixing points on the chassis of the chair : vertical tube sections. NB. the force applied should be sufficient to overcome any sideways and forward movement without causing any deformation
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Limitation of liability This warranty does not extend to the consequential costs resulting from fault clearance, in particular freight and travel costs, loss of earnings, expenses, etc. Invacare shall not be liable for : - natural wear and tear - inappropriate or incorrect use - defective assembly or setting-up by the purchaser or third parties - defective or neglectful treatment - use of unsuitable spares 6 - Summary of instructions for use for improved safety - User weight limit : 120 k
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7. Introduction Your wheelchair is part of an extensive product range. Each wheelchair is specifically adapted to your requirements, this handbook will explain all the possible adjustments for this product range. 7.1 General description Your wheelchair comprises of several main items whose names will be used throughout this handbook. Please familiarise yourself with the following terms in order to understand your wheelchair better. - Seat elements comprises of the backrest, the seat
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Backrest fabric Arm support Backrest Armrest Rear wheels Seat fabric Manual brakes Swingin, swingout footrest Rear wheel axle Liftup footplates Handrim Folding frame Front wheel ( casters ) Direction tube 1 8 Adjustments 8.1 Seat elements 8.1.1 Different types of backrests Fixed-height backrest : 40 or 51 cm (Photo 1) - Comprises of two tubes with handles and backrest upholstery which cannot be adjusted. - No adjustment on this backrest. Warning : Check screw fittings as loose screws can rip
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Backrest folding at mid-height (Photos 2 and 3) � - Comprises of two tubes with handles either straight or bent at 10° and upholstery in which tension cannot be adjusted. Folding enables one � to reduce the height of the backrest for easier transport. This folding operation can be carried out by the wheelchair user. - Use : In order to fold the backrest, pull both lever A and fold down the backrest using the handles. To put the backrest back in use-position, reverse the operation, checki
