aidapt VA163HAM User manual

Economy Self-Propelled Transit Chair
VA163HAM
Assembly and Operating Instructions
This le 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 transit chair, you and each person that may assist you in its use
should take time to read this manual and follow all instructions.
PLEASE NOTE:
Your transit chair has a unique identication 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:
Model VA163HAM can be wheeled by the person sitting in the chair and has pram handles
for assistance pushing.
The maximum user weight is 110 kg; under no circumstances should this be exceeded
Before each use please take the time to check your chair for any loose parts. Any
modication 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 transit chair.
NOTE: Do not assemble or use this equipment without rst reading and understanding
this instruction manual.
The helper should not place all of their weight on the handles by lifting their feet o
the oor 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 tments are secure, the
castors/wheels are in good working order, the chair is properly balanced and all wheels
must be in contact with the oor at all times during use.
• For safe operation, the following points must be remembered:
i. 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.
ii. The footplates are designed only to support the feet while in the seated position.
DO NOT STAND ON THE FOOT PLATES.
iii. WARNING: Surface areas of your chair can get hot when the chair is exposed to
external sources of heat (e.g. sunlight).
• Please now refer to the section on Assembly and use.

ASSEMBLY
1. First remove all contents from the box.
2. To open the transit chair, push seat rails and press downwards until the chair is fully
opened taking care to keep ngers clear of moving parts
(Fig.1).
3. To close the transit chair, take the centre of the seat fabric at the front and back edges
and lift (Fig.2).
NB: When opening and closing your transit chair please keep ngers well away from
any possible entrapment areas.
The only part of the chair 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 dealer for advice.
Note: The seat rails must be fully engaged in the seat frame support brackets before
sitting down.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
BRAKE OPERATION
Parking Brakes (Occupant)
See Fig. 3 which shows the chair 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.
Fig. 3 Fig. 3a

CORRECT USAGE
WARNING: The centre of balance is aected by a change in posture body position or
weight distribution.
Many activities require the transit chair user to reach, bend and transfer into and out of
the chair. These movements will cause a change to normal balance, centre of gravity and
weight distribution of the chair.
The design of your chair enables it to remain stable for normal everyday usage if used
correctly in accordance with the recommendations in this manual.
N.B. Do not stand on the transit chair
1. Reaching/bending forward
Move the chair 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 chair.
2. Reaching/bending backwards
Move the chair 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.
3. Reaching/leaning sideways
Move the chair 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 to prevent tipping over. Do not shift your weight or sitting position towards the
object you are reaching as it may cause the chair to tip over.
4. Transferring
Before attempting to transfer in and out of the chair, every precaution should be taken
to ensure the gap between the two seats is as small as possible. The chair should be on a
smooth, stable and level area. Be sure to fully engage the wheel brakes when transferring in
and out of the chair or when in an elevator or chair lift. 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 certied health care professional until the chair owner is familiar with the
procedure.
BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
To adjust the parking brakes
loosen bolt A (as per gure 3b)
and move brake unit sideways
to adjust as required and then
re-tighten bolt A.
Fig. 3B

5. Negotiating Obstacles
5.1 Approach the obstacle (kerb etc.) front on
The transit chair 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 g. 5
& 6). The chair should never be tilted by the handles only as this will put adverse strain on
the handles. Move the transit chair 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 transit chair should not be lifted by the handles alone.
5.2 Upward and Downward slopes (g. 4)
Always go straight up and down slopes to avoid the possibility of the transit chair
overturning. Avoid steep slopes, which may cause instability.
Stable on slope Beginning of instability
(slope too steep)
Stable on slope Unstable (slope too steep)
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Back Rest
Upholstery
Push Handles
Leg Rest
Release E-Clip
Tip Bar
Adjustable
Brake
6. Ramps
Be sure of your own capabilities, limitations and strength before attempting to go up a
ramp. Correct techniques on ramp negotiation should be shown to you by a qualied
professional. Assistance is recommended when going up or down inclines greater than
10°. If you must stop on an incline, avoid sudden, abrupt movement when you resume
movement. Due to the backward angle of the chair, sudden abrupt movement could cause
instability. Attempting to use the wheel hand brakes could result in accidental locking,
tipping to one side, or cause a sudden stop. Avoid changing direction when going down an
incline, as this could result in instability that may cause tipping.
AIDAPT GENERAL TRANSPORT GUIDANCE
The design of your chair enables it to remain stable for normal everyday usage if used
correctly in accordance with the recommendations in this manual.
Aidapt recommend transit chair users should transfer from their chair to a vehicle seat and
use a 3-point occupant restraint system for the seated position. Aidapt also recognises that
due to reason of pain or discomfort, transfer may not be possible.

1. Push Handles
The handles are designed for the helper to propel the chair. They must not be used solely
for lifting the chair over obstructions or kerbs (see negotiating obstacles) The helper
should not place all of their weight on the handles by lifting their feet o the oor
as this will place adverse strain on the handles.
2. Backrest Upholstery
Periodically check the upholstery for signs of tears or sagging. Replace immediately if the
seat is damaged
3. Leg Rest Release Lever
Remove the e-clips from either side of the chair and pull the leg rests away from the main
frame. To re-t and return to the original position, reverse the above procedure, making
sure the e-clips lock into place.
4. Adjustable Brake
These are used to hold the chair in a stationary position, and are tted on either side of the
chair. They should not be used when the chair 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 chair. This will immobilize
the chair. To release the brake, move the lever towards the rear of the chair.
5. Castors & Bearings
The front wheels have solid puncture proof tyres. These should be checked at regular
intervals to monitor any wear. Transit chairs become dicult to steer and propel when
surfaces have worn at. It is recommended that both front tyres are replaced at the same
time to avoid one side of the chair 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
t. The castor fork swivel allows the chair to be steered. An adjustment locknut is located
under the castor cap. If the locknut is too tight, the chair will be dicult to steer.

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 nish. Do not use
any obtrusive cleanser that will scratch the nish on the chair.
3. Cross Brace
Periodically lubricate the centre bolt on the cross brace with light machine oil. Operation of
the cross brace permits the chair to be opened and closed easily. It should be inspected at
regular intervals for signs of wear and bending.
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. The large rear wheels should be inspected at least once a month to ensure proper
tightness. If the wheel wobbles or is loose, release lock nut and tighten axle bolt slightly.
Test for proper tightness by learning chair to one side and spin adjusted wheel. 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 chair is tted with pneumatic tires and you have a puncture please take your chair to
the nearest dealer or bicycle repair centre.
5. Front Castors
The castors should be checked periodically and lubricated occasionally. Lubricate them by
removing the fork and greasing the castor stem bearings. Lubricate the wheel bearings by
removing the wheel from the fork. Reassemble the fork and wheel by tightening the nuts
until no play remains, but the wheels can be roll freely. If the nut is too loose, the castor will
wobble, if too tight, the chair will be dicult to steer.
6. Brakes
Regularly check for eective operation and there is no wear or signs of play.
7. General
Always check before use that the chair folds and unfolds correctly and that movement both
backwards and forwards is in a straight line.
8. Servicing
We recommend your chair is fully serviced every twelve months. For parts information
please contact Aidapt Bathrooms Limited (details on the back page).
9. Recycling of your Wheelhair
Once the chair has reached its expected service life you can contact Aidapt for disposal.

SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM
Overall Width (Extended)
Overall Width (Folded)
Seat Width
Size of Rear Wheel
Size of Front Castor
Seat Height from Ground
Overall Height
Overall Depth
Seat Depth
Backrest Height
Maximum User Weight
Outer Carton Size
Net Weight
DETAILS
655mm
260mm
500mm
600mm
200mm
470mm
890mm
1040mm
395mm
420mm
110kg
750x200x790mm
15kg
Aidapt Bathrooms Ltd, Lancots Lane, Sutton Oak, St Helens, WA9 3EX
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • Web: www.aidapt.com
Email: [e-mail] • [email protected].uk • [email protected]
Manufacturers Agent – Kingsmead Service Ltd, 64 Totteridge Common, London,
NW1 0ND.
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