Everest & Jennings Advantage Recliner User manual

3K01-INS-LAB-RevA12
© GF Health Products, Inc.
Read this manual before operating
your wheelchair.
Save this manual for future use.
The most current version of this manual
can be found online at www.grahameld.com.
Recliner
Manual Wheelchair
User Manual

 
Contents









GF Health Products, Inc. is not responsible for typographical errors.
All illustrations, specifications, packaging and warranties contained
in this catalog are based on the latest product information available at
the time of printing. The most current product information, including
the most current revision of this manual, can be found online at
www.grahamfield.com.
Graham-Field, Everest & Jennings, E&J, and Advantage are
registered trademarks of GF Health Products, Inc.

 


Important safety, operating, and maintenance instructions that warrant
your attention are included in this user manual. Read the entire manual
carefully before operating your new wheelchair, and refer to it as often as
necessary to help maintain good performance standards.
Consult your healthcare professional and Graham-Field authorized
distributor for assistance in developing and learning safe and effective
techniques for performing your daily activities according to your
individual physical abilities and needs, and to make certain that your
wheelchair is properly prescribed and adjusted for your use.
The safety precautions in this manual are general warnings intended
to be used only as basic guidelines. You may find it necessary to
develop your own methods for safely solving frequently encountered
challenges. Again, consult your professional medical advisors for their
recommendations about safety methods, and never hesitate to ask for
their assistance.
Your wheelchair should receive frequent, regularly scheduled
maintenance, including an inspection of the mechanical parts, to
ensure proper operation. Some suggested inspection procedures,
troubleshooting procedures, and adjustment procedures are included in
this manual. When it comes to service and repair, remember that your
Graham-Field authorized distributor knows your wheelchair best.
Thank you for choosing an Everest & Jennings® product. We at
Graham-Field wish to assure you of our continuing commitment to
provide innovation and quality in our products. The Advantage Recliner
is a manual, folding, lightweight wheelchair, suitable for frequent users
who require a lightweight, portable wheelchair, fitted to their anatomy,
without the need of customization or alteration to the center of gravity.
The Advantage Recliner is intended for indoor and / or outdoor use. The
Advantage Recliner comes with a higher back and removable full support
headrest which includes an additional neck support that adjusts easily to
fit every need. Anti-tippers and an anti-fold bar are standard.

 
The person performing adjustments on the Advantage Recliner has the
responsibility of making certain that the user can safely operate the
wheelchair with the adjustments selected. This person must evaluate the
user's ability, weight, physical condition, the environment in which the
wheelchair will be used, and the terrain over which the wheelchair will
travel. We recommend the use of anti-tippers at all times.
WARNING: When in use, anti-tippers must be installed in the
downward position.
Please note the following special statements, used throughout this
manual, and their significance:
WARNING: Indicates a potential hazard situation or unsafe
practice that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
personal injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potential hazard situation or unsafe
practice that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate
personal injury.
s NOTICE: Indicates a potential hazard situation or unsafe
practice that, if not avoided, could result in product or property
damage.
Info: Provides application recommendations or other useful
information to ensure that you get the most from your product.

 





Safety requires the constant attention of the wheelchair user and the
attendant. It is extremely important to learn and always use safe methods
of performing basic daily activities. Always consult your healthcare
professional to determine those methods most suitable for your
individual abilities.
Protect yourself and your wheelchair by having your Advantage Recliner
serviced regularly. Whenever any part of your Advantage Recliner is not
functioning properly, contact your Graham-Field authorized distributor
immediately, as a hazardous situation could result, causing personal
injury or damage to your wheelchair. ONLY EXCELLENT CONDITION
IS ACCEPTABLE WHERE SAFETY IS CONCERNED. Periodic
inspection, adjustment, and replacement of worn parts will provide many
years of superb performance.

WARNING: Advantage Recliner maximum weight capacity is
300 lb (136 kg), EVENLY DISTRIBUTED.
WARNING: Do not operate this wheelchair on streets or
roadways.
WARNING: Do not operate this wheelchair on hilly or rough
terrain, sand, wet or icy surfaces, or surfaces with impaired
traction. Ensure that pathway is clear of all obstacles.
WARNING: Do not turn wheelchair while going downhill, as
wheelchair could tip over.
WARNING: Do not attempt inclines without anti-tippers installed
in the downward position. Do not attempt any incline or decline
greater than six degrees (10% grade, or one foot of rise or fall
per ten feet of ramp length).

 
WARNING: This wheelchair does not offer seating or occupant
restraint equivalent to the seat provided in a motor vehicle! To
increase your safety while traveling in a motor vehicle, always
transfer to the vehicle seat and use the restraint provided by
the vehicle manufacturer.
WARNING: Do not tie down or attach anything to the wheels.
This could cause tipping and possibly result in injury or damage
to the wheelchair.
WARNING: The footplates' lowest point should clear the ground
by at least 2 1/2 inches, to permit proper clearance of potential
obstruction.
WARNING: Doing a "wheelie" (tilting the wheelchair backward
until it reaches its balance point) is dangerous and could result
in personal injury to the user.
WARNING: Do not stand or step on the footplates while
transferring to or from your wheelchair. This could cause the
wheelchair to tip or may cause personal injury or damage to
your wheelchair.
WARNING: Do not place your hands between seat rail and side
panel.
WARNING: Always engage wheel locks before transferring,
using a wheelchair lift or using an elevator.
WARNING: Ensure that wheelchair is on a stable, level surface
and engage wheel locks before and during transfer.
WARNING: Operate only with anti-tippers in place when leaning
or tipping. When in use, anti-tippers must be installed in the
downward position.
WARNING: Do not lean over the top of the wheelchair back. This
could cause the wheelchair to tip over.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of tipping before leaning or
reaching forward, sit back in the seat and rotate casters fully
toward front of wheelchair.
WARNING: Unauthorized modification or the use of
non-Everest & Jennings replacement parts could change the
structure of the wheelchair, void the warranty, and create a
hazardous condition resulting in serious personal injury.

 
WARNING: Do not lean on this wheelchair or use it as a
walker—these are practices which could result in loss of
balance and personal injury.
WARNING: Do not use your wheelchair on escalators.
WARNING: Wheel locks are not brakes. Do not use the wheel
locks to slow down your wheelchair, or while the wheelchair is
moving. Wheel locks are only intended to keep the wheelchair
in place when it is at a complete stop.
WARNING: GF Health Products, Inc. specifically disclaims
responsibility for any personal injury or property damage which
may occur during any use which does not comply with federal,
state, or local laws or ordinances.

 

Please familiarize yourself with main components, identified in
Advantage Recliner illustration below.
Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.
crossbrace
armpad
headrest
backupholstery
arm
seatupholstery
elevating
legrest
legpad
footrest
castersocket
casterfork
casterwheel
handgrip
triggerrelease
backpost
anti-foldbar
mechlock
anti-tipper
handrim
rearwheel
frame
wheellock
Advantage Recliner

 


WARNING: If you are lowering or raising the reclining back while
the user is seated in the Advantage Recliner, take care not to
let the back drop. This could cause serious personal injury.
WARNING: Do not operate wheelchair unless seat back is in a
fully upright position.
WARNING: Ensure that reclining back is locked in place before
occupying or operating wheelchair.
upperend
ofbackpost
handgrip
back
removableheadrest
triggerrelease
lowering and raising reclining back

Pull trigger releases located below the push handles on both sides
simultaneously and recline back to desired incremental position. Lock
into place by releasing trigger releases.

Pull trigger releases located below the push handles on both sides
simultaneously and recline back to desired incremental position. Lock
into place by releasing trigger releases.


To install the removable headrest, insert the headrest posts into the
upper ends of the backposts as shown above.

 

The Everest & Jennings Advantage Recliner has been designed and
engineered to perform as a stable and well balanced unit when used for
its intended purpose. However, it is possible to tip the Advantage Recliner
over if it is used improperly. We urge you to learn the characteristics
of your wheelchair. It is most important to learn safe methods to
perform the daily activities basic to your lifestyle. Consult your medical
professionals for assistance in developing the skills and proper
techniques to perform all activities safely.

Proper balance is the key to maintaining the stability of your wheelchair.
Reaching, bending, and transferring to or from a wheelchair will change
the weight distribution and center of gravity of you and your wheelchair.
When performing such activities, do so as instructed in the following
paragraphs to avoid tipping the wheelchair.

WARNING: Always ensure that the wheelchair is on a stable,
level surface and engage wheel locks before transfer.
WARNING: Do not step on the footplates; this could cause the
wheelchair to tip. Fold them up, and either detach them, or
swing them aside.
WARNING: There is a critical moment when there is little or no
seat platform beneath you. Take every precaution to reduce this
unsupported distance before you attempt transfer.
Transferring into or out of a wheelchair is a very difficult maneuver.
Exercise extreme care when transferring without the aid of either an
attendant or a patient lift. Consult your physician, nurse, or physical
therapist for assistance in developing your individual technique. Make
sure that the wheelchair is stabilized, and will not move or slide during
the transfer. Take extra precaution to prevent tipping. Use good body
mechanics to prevent personal injury.

 

WARNING: Always turn the casters frontward to provide
stability while reaching. If in doubt, ask for assistance or use a
device that will extend your reach without requiring you to shift
your weight.
Although it is not recommended, you may find it occasionally necessary
to lean or reach from your wheelchair. Consult with your healthcare
professional for assistance in developing your personal safe reaching or
moving techniques suited to your ability and restrictions.

WARNING: Do not attempt to reach objects if you are required
to move forward in the seat. Do not attempt to retrieve objects
from the floor if you must reach down between your knees.
Do not shift your weight in the direction that you are reaching
and / or bending; this could cause the wheelchair to tip.
1. Maneuver the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish
to reach.
2. Rotate both casters fully forward; go forward, and then back the
wheelchair toward the object to swing the casters fully forward.
3. Engage both wheel locks.
4. Ensure that the casters are rotated fully forward before reaching. If
not, repeat step 2.

WARNING: Do not engage the wheel locks while reaching
or bending backward. Should your weight suddenly shift
accidentally, it is better to roll in that direction than to tip over.
WARNING: Do not lean over the back upholstery; this could
cause the wheelchair to tip.
1. Maneuver the wheelchair as close as possible to the object; the rear
wheels will limit how close you can get.
2. Rotate both casters fully forward; go forward, and then back the
wheelchair toward the object to swing the casters fully forward.
3. Reach only as far as your arm will extend without changing your sitting
position. If in doubt, reposition the wheelchair or ask for assistance.

 

WARNING: During descent, the footplates' lowest point should
be no closer to the ground than 2 1/2 inches to permit proper
clearance.
WARNING: Do not attempt inclines without anti-tippers installed
in the downward position. Do not attempt any incline or decline
of more than 6 degrees (10% grade, or one foot of rise or fall
per ten feet of ramp length).
WARNING: Do not use wheel locks to slow your descent.
Attempting to use wheel locks is likely to result in accidental
locking that could cause the wheelchair to stop abruptly,
suddenly pitch forward, or tip sideways.
WARNING: Avoid changing direction while descending a ramp or
incline, as this could cause instability.
Most people are capable of negotiating short inclines without assistance,
depending upon upper body strength, endurance, and the degree of
incline. Know your own capabilities and limitations in terms of strength
and endurance before attempting to negotiate an incline or decline.
Practice with an attendant or healthcare professional first before
attempting any inclines, declines, curbs or ramps. Always inspect the
ramp for hazards such as holes, slippery or uneven surfaces, etc. before
starting up or down. If you can not see the entire ramp, ask someone to
inspect it for you.

Lean the upper part of your body slightly forward as you ascend the
incline. If it becomes necessary to stop on the incline, avoid any abrupt
or sudden forward movement as you resume climbing, this could cause
tipping.

Always face forward when going down a ramp, but do not lean forward;
this could cause tipping. Lean slightly backward to increase stability. It is
critical to keep the wheelchair under control at all times. Descent should
be made slowly and safely by grasping the handrims; however, use care,
as friction heat will be generated. We recommend the use of gloves to
reduce the effects of friction heat, but going slower is a better alternative.

 

Curbs, steps and stairways are dangerous obstacles that confront the
wheelchair user. When you encounter curbs, find a way around, or use
the ramps now available in most locations. If you encounter steps and
there is no ramp available, avoid the steps by utilizing the disabled
designated elevators now required in most locations.
WARNING: Never attempt to negotiate steps, stairs or
escalators in your Advantage Recliner.

 

The Advantage Recliner offers several adjustments to make it easier
and more comfortable to drive. Section 7, MAINTENANCE, offers
preventive maintenance suggestions for keeping your wheelchair
in excellent condition; ensure that all components are in excellent
condition before adjusting. The following are recommended methods;
after a few adjustments, you may develop your own. Always consult your
Graham-Field authorized distributor for assistance.
The person performing adjustments on the Advantage Recliner has the
responsibility of making certain that the user can safely operate the
wheelchair with the adjustments selected. This person must evaluate the
user's ability, weight, physical condition, the environment in which the
wheelchair will be used, and the terrain over which the wheelchair will
travel.
All adjustments and their page locations are referenced in the index at
the end of this manual. Specific tools needed to perform each adjustment
are identified in adjustment directions. A complete list of tools needed to
perform all adjustments in this section follows:
Hex wrench furnished with wheelchair
M13 wrench
M10 wrench
M5 hex key

 

We recommend that you do not replace or adjust rear wheel or caster
components yourself, since special tools and training are required. Please
contact your Graham-Field authorized distributor when your rear wheels
or casters need adjustment, or if you wish to change seat height.

 

Info: Fixed arms are not removable. Only detachable
Advantage Recliner arms, as shown below, are removable.

1. Depress arm release
pin until it unlocks.
2. Hold arm by center of
armpad. Lift straight
up and off.

Hold arm by center of
armpad. Lower arm
straight down into sockets
and push to lock. Ensure
that release pin is locked
in place.
WARNING: Ensure that arm release is locked in place before
occupying or operating wheelchair.
releasepin
rightarm
frontarmsocket
remove arm

 


WARNING: The footplates' lowest point should be no closer to
the ground than 2 1/2 inches, to permit proper clearance.
WARNING: Do not stand on the footplates; this could cause the
wheelchair to tip.


1. To release lock, pull
swingaway release
lever forward, toward
front of wheelchair.
Legrest will swing
outward.
2. To remove, lift
legrest straight up
off wheelchair hinge
pins.

1. Set legrest on
wheelchair (so that
legrest hinge plates
engage wheelchair
hinge pins).
2. Swing legrest inward.
3. Ensure that legrest is locked in place and that swingaway release
lever is locked in a rearward position, toward back of wheelchair.
WARNING: Ensure that legrests are locked in place before
occupying or operating wheelchair.
hinge
plate
swingaway
releaselever
removeelevatinglegrest

 

Info: It is possible to RAISE elevating legrest without unlocking
legrest release. As a safety feature, however, you must unlock
legrest release in order to LOWER elevating legrest.
1. To release elevation lock,
pull legrest release lever up
toward back of wheelchair.
2. Swing legrest up to desired
position.
3. Lock legrest elevation level:
Pull lever toward front of
wheelchair.
4. Ensure that elevating
legrest is locked in
position.
WARNING: Ensure that
legrests are locked in
place before occupying or
operating wheelchair.

The legrest panel can be rotated up and out of the way. Refer to picture
above.
1. To adjust panel, hold the panel and rotate it upward.
2. To return panel to position, hold the panel and rotate downward.
The panel will stop at the proper position.
WARNING: Ensure that legrest panels are locked in place before
occupying or operating wheelchair.
adjustlegrest
legrest
releaselever
legrest
panel

 

See picture at right.
1. Loosen latch to free
footplate extension
inside legrest hanger.
2. Press down on the
locking buttons and
adjust the footplate
to the desired length.
Ensure that the
locking buttons are
completely extended
and securely fastened
in the adjustment
holes.
3. Fasten latch to secure
footplate extension
inside legrest
hanger.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for
the other footplate
extension.
5. Ensure that both footplate extensions are securely fastened and
that minimum ground clearance is 2 1/2 inches.
WARNING: Ensure that footplates are securely fastened before
occupying or operating wheelchair.
hanger
adjustment
holes
locking
button
latch
footplate
elevatinglegrest
footplateextension,
adjustlength

 


M13 wrench, M5 hex key
Check the crossbraces to ensure that the bolt and nut securing both
crossbraces in the center of the wheelchair are secure (crossbraces
should be loose enough to fold easily, yet snug enough to take up excess
play). Use an M13 wrench and M5 hex key to tighten.