BCW Advantage User manual

BCW Advantage
Manual Wheelchair
Customer Manual
#8002
Uncontrolled Copy
Rev 2.0 Current 06/02/03
204 W. 2nd St.
Ellis, KS 67637
R

TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITIONSOFSYMBOLS ................................1
INTRODUCTION.......................................2
Description .......................................3
Specifications......................................4
PRE-USEINSPECTIONANDSETUP............................5
SafetyChecklist.....................................5
WheelchairAssembly..................................5
FEATURES.........................................13
Armrest.........................................13
Footrest ........................................13
UpholsteryFabric ...................................14
RearWheelLocks...................................14
CastersandPneumaticTires .............................15
OPTIONS..........................................16
PositioningBelts....................................16
PowerDriveAttachments ...............................16
SeatingSystemModifications.............................16
SAFETY TIPS
Fasteners .......................................18
Maintenance......................................18
Storage.........................................18
OPERATIONOFMECHANISM ...............................6
General.........................................6
ReachingorLeaning ..................................6
Transfers ........................................7
CenterofBalance....................................8
Slopes..........................................8
DoorwaysandObstacles................................8
TirePressure ......................................9
MotorVehicleSafety ..................................9
StreetandRoadways..................................9
Escalators.......................................10
Transporting a Chair and Rider Up or Down Stairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CurbsandSingleSteps................................10
Folding and Unfolding the Wheelchair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ElevatingFootrest...................................17
i

WARRANTYINFORMATION................................20
LimitationsandExclusions...............................20
GoverningLaw.....................................20
WarrantyServicesProcedures.............................21
MANUFACTURERDISCLAIMER..............................22
GeneralInformation..................................22
TrademarksandPatents................................22
Copyright........................................22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii

DEFINITIONS OF SYMBOLS
In the following sections you will find important instructions for your safety. The words
“WARNING” and “CAUTION” alert you to specific risk of personal injury or property damage.
They mean as follows:
WARNING - A hazard or unsafe practice that may cause severe injury or death to
you or to other persons.
CAUTION - A hazard or unsafe practice that may cause damage to this bed or to
other property.
DEFINITIONS OF SYMBOLS
1

Before using this BCW Advantage wheelchair you, and each person who may assist you,
should read this entire manual and make sure to follow all instructions. Review the important
safety information in each section often, until the warnings are second nature to you.
For your safety and comfort, Wheelchairs of Kansas provides you with a quality product
designed to meet and exceed the demanding needs of the bariatric patient.
Your authorized Wheelchairs of Kansas dealer knows your chair best and can answer most of
your question about chair safety, use, and maintenance. For your future reference, fill in the
following:
Wheelchairs of Kansas Dealer:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Model Number:
WARNING - If you fail to heed these warnings, severe injury may occur to you
or your attendant.
For the User:
You should make sure that persons who assist you read and follow all warnings and
instructions that apply to that use. Before using this BCW Advantage Chair, each attendant
must know what to do to ensure safety.
For the Attendant:
1. Put the user at ease. Tell the user what you plan to do and explain what you expect the
user to do.
2. Work with the user doctor, nurse or therapist to learn safe methods best suited to your
abilities and those of the user.
3. Always use good posture and proper body mechanics. When you lift or support the user,
bend your knees slightly and keep your back as upright and straight as you can.
INTRODUCTION
2

3
INTRODUCTION
We want to hear your questions or comments about this manual, the safety and reliability of
your walker and the service you receive from your Wheelchairs of Kansas dealer. Please feel
free to write or call us at the address and telephone number below:
Wheelchairs of Kansas
Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 320
204 W. 2nd St.
Ellis, Kansas 67637
1-800-537-6454
IMPORTANT: READ YOUR WARRANTY
DESCRIPTION
The BCW Advantage is a manual wheelchair that is available in a variety of sizes from 24”
wide up to 34” wide. Designed and engineered for bariatric individuals, this chair can hold up
to 850 lbs. This chair has seat height adjustability by changing the placement of the axle bolt
and raising or lowering the casters. Also offering standard accessories, such as removable
desk-length, height, adjustable armrests and swingaway footrests.
Rear
Wheel
Casters
Armrests
Swingaway
Footrests

Overall Width
24”.........................................31”
26”.........................................33”
28”.........................................35”
30”.........................................37”
32”.........................................39”
34”.........................................41”
OverallDepth......................................32”
Overall Height
24”-28” .....................................39”
30”-34” .....................................41”
SeatDepth........................................20”
Seat Height
24”-28”...............................19”or20.5”
30”-34”...............................20.5”or22”
BackHeight.......................................17”
ArmHeight.....................................7.5”-9”
WeightCapacity.................................850lb.
4
INTRODUCTION
SPECIFICATION
WARNING - If you fail to heed this warning, a fall may occur and cause severe
injury to you or your attendant, and may cause damage to this
wheelchair and to other property.
The weight capacity of this wheelchair is 850 lbs.
Exceeding this limit will void the warranty.

PRE-USE INSPECTION AND SETUP
SAFETY CHECKLIST
WARNING - If you fail to heed these warnings, severe injury may occur to you
or others. Before each use of your wheelchair you should:
1. Make sure that your chair rolls easily and freely and that all parts work smoothly.
2. Check for excess noise, vibration or a change in ease of use. They may be signs of a
problem such as low tire pressure, loose fasteners or damage to the chair.
3. If you detect a problem, make sure to repair or adjust your chair before using it. Contact
your authorized Wheelchairs of Kansas dealer to help you find and correct the problem.
WHEELCHAIR ASSEMBLY
Determining whether assembly is required will depending on the method of shipping. The
wheelchair is shipped two different ways, one way is completed assembled and the other way
the casters and wheels must be bolted on.
Tools required: 2 - ½”Open End Wrench
2 - 15/16” Open End Wrench
The Advantage wheelchair has two adjustments for the seat to floor height, determine which
height is suitable for your situation. If the top hole is used on the casters, be sure to use the
top hole on the wheels.
To bolt on the back wheels, slide the bolt through the wheels and then add the spacer. Attach
wheel assembly through the frame and secure the nut with a 15/16” wrench. Be sure to put
the bolt through the same (top or bottom) hole on both sides.
Slide the caster up into the frame of the chair, slide bolt in through the pre-drilled hole. Attach
nut with a ½”wrench. Be sure to put the bolt through the same (top or bottom) hole on both
sides.
5

OPERATION OF MECHANISM
GENERAL
WARNING If you fail to heed these warnings, a fall or tip over may occur and
cause severe injury to you:
1. Start slowly with an easy, fluid motion. If you are familiar with a different chair, you may use
too much force and tip over.
2. Have someone help you until you know what can cause a tip over and how to avoid doing
so. Never try a new maneuver on your own until you are sure you can do it safely.
3. Your chair is most stable when you are moving forward. Be very careful when you move
your chair backward. You may lose control or tip over if one of the rear wheels hits an
object and stops rolling.
REACHING OR LEANING
(Example: Dressing or Changing Clothes)
WARNINGS Reaching or leaning affects the center of balance of your
wheelchair. If you fail to heed these warnings, a fall or tip over may
occur and cause severe injury to you:
1. Avoid reaching or leaning if you must shift your weight to do so. Ask for help or use a
device to extend your reach.
2. Never try to reach an object if you must move forward in your seat to do so. This may
cause the wheelchair to tip forward. Always keep your buttocks in contact with the
backrest.
3. Never reach with both hands. If you do so, you may not be able to catch yourself to prevent
a fall if the chair tips.
4. Never lean backward to reach an object.
5. If you must reach or lean from your chair:
A. Rotate the front casters to the forward position. To do this,
move your chair past the object, then back up alongside it.
Backing up will rotate the casters to their forward position.
B. Place your chair as close as you can to the object you
wish to reach.
6
Front Casters in
Forward Position