Invacare Action 4 User manual

Invacare® Action4
®
User guide
Yes, you can.

1
Foreword
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Some information is submitted
under copyright – all rights reserved. Any information in this document cannot be photocopied or duplicated
without prior written authorization by Invacare.
As the European and world leader manufacturer of wheelchairs, Invacare endeavours to supply a wide range
of wheelchairs to meet all the needs of the user in everyday life. However, nal selection of the wheelchair
rests solely with the user and his/her qualied health advisor.
Proper and efcient use of the wheelchair that you have chosen is based upon the medical prescription
which was issued for you on the basis of your pathology and the nature of your disability.
Your wheelchair is especially designed to be used inside, and with certain restrictions outside. Please comply
with trafc regulations.
Stamp of the Distributor

1
Introduction
Dear Customer
Thank you for purchasing an Invacare wheelchair.
This model was designed to provide you with all the benets and features to meet your needs.
Only quality components were selected for your wheelchair based upon rigorous inspections during the
entire manufacturing process.
This product conforms to the requirements of Council directives 93/42/EEC related to medical devices
class 1(one) product by application of following standards: NF EN ISO 14971 and NF EN 12182.
This manual describes the operating limits of your wheelchair, maintenance operations and adjustments
that you or your assistant can make.
However, all the repairs (except for inner tubes) as well as some adjustments, require specic technical
training and, therefore, must be performed by your distributor.
The Invacare® Action4® is designed for both indoor and outdoor use with the purpose of helping people
who are not able to walk over a long distance.
Even though your Invacare® wheelchair has been designed to provide a long and trouble free life it is
inevitable that wear, tear and usage will eventually render the product unusable. Invacare® recommends
that the average usable life of this product is ve years, providing the product has been correctly
maintained according to the manufacturers recommendations.

2
3
A. GENERAL GUIDELINES
Page
1. Safety and operating limits
1.1 Reaching an object from the chair 3
1.2 Transferring to other seats 5
1.3 Tilting 6
1.4 Tilting, kerbs 6
1.5 Stairways 7
1.6 Slopes 7
2. Operating instructions
2.1 Folding and Unfolding the wheelchair 8
2.2 Wheelchair propulsion 9
2.3. Lifting the wheelchair 9
3. Safety inspection and maintenance
3.1 Performance control 10
3.2 General inspection 10
4. Transportation
4.1 Observations 12
4.2 Restraint systems 13
5. Summary of warranty terms
5.1 Standard terms 14
5.2 Limitation of liability 14
6. Summary of operating instructions 14
B. DESCRIPTION OF YOUR CHAIR
Page
1. Presentation
1.1 Introduction 15
1.2 General description 15
2. Adjustments
2.1 Seat 16
2.1.1 Seat upholstery 16
2.1.2 Type of Backrest 17
2.1.3 Backrest upholstery 18
2.1.4 Footrest supports 19
2.1.5 Armrests 20
2.1.6 Comfort version 21
2.2 Frame 23
2.2.1 Side frame 23
2.2.2 Double folding system 23
2.2.3 Steering tube 23
2.3 Rear wheel 24
2.3.1 24" & 22" wheels 24
2.3.2 Handrims 24
2.3.3 Axles 25
2.4 Castors 25
2.4.1 8", 6" & 5" wheels 25
2.4.2 Front fork 25
2.5 Brakes 26
2.5.1 Manual brakes 26
2.5.2 Hub brakes 27
2.6 Options & accessories 27
2.6.1 Seating options 27
2.6.2 Propulsion options 28
2.6.3 Safety equipment and options 30
2.6.4 Other options 31
3 Specication and tool
3.1 Standard wheelchair specifications 32
3.2 Tools for adjustments and regular maintenance (Not supplied) 32
3.3 Dimensions 33
TABLE OF CONTENTS

2
3
whilst the line of your combined centre of gravity lies within
the points of contact of the forward and rear wheels with
the ground.
- Weight Limit
The maximum recommended weight of the user is 125kg
and 150 kg for 50,5 - 55,5 & 60,5 cm seat width. However,
the level of activity is an essential factor. For example, an
active user who weighs 75 kg may subject the wheelchair to
more stress than user who weighs 100 kg. To this purpose,
we recommend that you consult your retailer when choosing
the model of wheelchair based upon your daily life style.
1.1. Reaching an object from the chair
The limitations on reaching out from a wheelchair indicated
in the following diagrams have been calculated based on a
representative sample of wheelchair users:
- Only the arms should be extended beyond the seat of the
wheelchair. (gure 2).
- The body and head should remain within the boundaries of
the seat. (gure 3).
123
A GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Safety and operating limits
For a safe operation of your wheelchair, the following parame-
ters should be observed :
- Stability and balance
Your wheelchair has been designed to provide the stability
you need during normal daily activities.
Any movement in the wheelchair will have an impact on
the position of the centre of gravity, which may lead to the
wheelchair tipping and a fall.
To improve your safety when you move a lot or you transfer
your weight from one place to another, we recommend using
seat belts.
- Weight distribution (gure 1)
Many actions cause the user of a wheelchair to reach out,
lean over or move about within the wheelchair and outside
it. Any movement you make whilst sat in your wheelchair
will move the combined centre of gravity of you (Gc) and
the wheelchair (Gw). You will remain stable in the wheelchair

4
5
1.1.1 Leaning forward
Do not extend your chest beyond the armrest (gure 4).
In order to reach an object in front of you, you must lean and
bend down ; therefore, you must use the castors as a tool
(pointing them forward) to maintain stability and balance. An
accurate alignment of the wheels is essential for your safety
(gure 5).
1.1.2 Leaning backward
Position wheelchair as close as possible to the desired object
so that you can simply pick it up by stretching your arm
while sitting in the chair in a normal position. In any case, do
not lean backwards because you may cause the chair to tip
(gures 6 and 7).
!
Warning :
The hanging of back packs or similar items onto your chair
backposts can affect the rearward stability of your chair,
especially when used in combination with recliner backrests.
This can cause the chair to tip backwards causing injury.
Therefore, Invacare® strongly recommend the use of anti-
tippers (available as an option) when using your backposts to
carry a back pack or similar items.
5 7
6
4

4
5
1.2. Transferring to other seats
1.2.1 Sideways transfert
This may be done without assistance provided that you are
sufciently mobile and have a strong enough torso.
- Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the seat
to which you would like to sit, with the castors pointed
forward. Lock the wheels by applying the brakes.
Fold the footplate up and push the footrest/legrest to the
side, remove / swing away the armrest to falicitate the
transfert.
Shift your body towards the place where you want to sit
while distributing your weight to the arms and hands
(gures 8 & 8A).
- While moving from the wheelchair to the seat, your body
will have little or no support. Where possible use a transfer
board during transfers.
1.2.2 Front transfert (gure 9)
If you are more or less able to stand up and if your upper
body is strong and mobile enough, you can transfer forward
to another seat.
If you nd this movement difcult, we recommend that you
obtain some assistance from an attendant or carer to ensure
the transfer is as smooth and safe as possible.
Lock both brakes and ensure both castor wheels are facing
the forward position.
Please note that the brakes should not be used in any case as
support for transfers. Fold the footplate up, then grip rmly
the armrest handle, take care of your nails on the skirt-guard
edges. Push on your arms to easily lift yourself up and the
attendant can help you to nalise the transfer to the place
where you wish to sit.
!
Warning :
- Position yourself as close as possible to the place where
you wish to sit.
88A 9

6
7
- When transferring, position yourself as far back as possible
in the seat to prevent breaking screws, damaging the seat
upholstery or causing the wheelchair to tip forward.
- Lock the two brakes ; they should not be used in any case
as support for transfers.
- Never stand on the footrests when you are getting in or
out of the wheelchair (gure 10).
1.3. Tilting (balancing on the rear wheels)
For greater safety, this operation must be performed by an
attendant. The attendant should be aware of the required
physical effort and use appropriate positioning in order to
relieve the strain on his/her back (keep a straight back and
bend your knees during this operation).
To tilt the wheelchair, the attendant must rmly grab the han-
dles making sure both are properly xed. Warn the occupant
in the wheelchair before tilting it and remind him / her to
lean backwards and make sure that both feet and hands of
the user are clear of the wheels. Place a foot on the footstep
tube and move continuously until the chair reaches the equi-
librium point. At this stage, the assistant will feel a difference
in weight distribution, which usually occurs at approximately
30°. At this point, the wheelchair can get over the obstacle
easily. Finally, the attendant slowly and gradually lowers the
front down to the ground, while rmly holding the handles.
!
Warning :
- Be aware of detachable parts such as armrests or legrests :
they must NEVER be used as lifting supports as they may be
inadvertently released, resulting in possible injury to the user
and / or attendant.
- Do not lower the wheelchair suddenly, even if it is several
centimetres from the ground, as this may result in injury of
the user.
1.4. Tilting, Kerbs
To get on the pavement :
- Method 1 (gure 11)
The attendant positions the wheelchair in front of the pave-
ment facing forward. Press down on the lower tube of the
frame (or on tipping levers, delivered as an option) as well
as pulling on the push handles. Attendant tilts the wheelchair
backwards until the castors reach the pavement; attendant
pushes the wheelchair forward until the rear wheels are
against the kerb and again pushes the wheelchair until the
rear wheels climb over the kerb.
11
10

6
7
- Method 2 (gure 12)
In this case, the attendant stays on the pavement and tilts
the wheelchair in a backwards position with the rear wheels
against the kerb. The attendant tilts the wheelchair bac-
kwards until it is balanced and pulls the wheelchair with a
steady movement until the rear wheels climb over the kerb ;
then he / she lowers the castors, while making sure that the
chair is far enough on the pavement so that the castors do
not fall into empty space.
To get off the pavement :
The attendant positions the wheelchair facing forward on
the pavement and tilts it backwards until it is balanced, then
he/she pushes the wheelchair forward until the rear wheels
touch the road after getting over the obstacle; then, he / she
gradually lowers the castors to the ground.
1.5. Stairways
Because this is a difcult movement, we recommend using
two attendants, one in front of the wheelchair and one
behind the wheelchair.
!
Warning :
we recommend that users over 100 kg in weight do not use
this starway manoeuvre !
To climb stairways (gure 13) :
After tilting the wheelchair to the point of equilibrium, one
assistant (at the back) holds the wheelchair up against the
rst step grasping the handles rmly to lift..
The second assistant, lifts the wheelchair above the stairs,
while holding rmly a xed part of the frame, and holds it
while the rst assistant takes a step and repeats the opera-
tion. The wheelchair must not be lowered until the last step
has been passed and the chair is clear of the stairs.
To descend stairways :
Same operation as above, however, reverse steps as above.
!
Warning :
- Do not attempt to lift the wheelchair by any removable parts
(such as armrests, legrests or footrests).
- Avoid using an escalator which may lead to serious injury in
the event of a fall.
13 14
12

8
9

°

1.6. Slopes
It is recommended to avoid using ramps with a slope higher
than 9°. The wheelchair risks tipping over in the event of
spinning or side movement (gure 14).
Upward slopes (gure 15) :
Lean the upper body forward and your centre of gravity will
move forward to a more stable position. Now move the
wheelchair forward with short quick pushes on the hand
rims to maintain speed and direction control. If you want to
rest, apply both brakes when stopping.
Downward slopes (gure 16) :
Lean backward cautiously and your centre of gravity will
move backward to a more stable position. Now let the hand
rims slide in your hands. Be ready to react at any moment to
control speed and direction.
!
Warning :
- Avoid turning suddenly and never try to climb and descend
a ramp diagonally (figure 17).
1817
The position of the rear wheel axle and the angle of your
wheelchair’s backrest are two of the key adjustments
that can affect your stability whilst sat in the wheelchair
(see gure 14A). It is recommended to avoid using ramps
with a slope greater than 9 degrees and do not attempt
to turn whilst on a slope. The wheel position is usually
factory set and should not be change unless by the
direction of a competent person who must have assessed
the impact of the change on your stability in normal
use. If your wheelchair is tted with a recliner backrest
it is recommended that anti tippers are also tted and
used whenever the backrest is reclined from the upright
position.
2. Operating instructions
2.1. Unfolding and Folding the wheelchair
2.1.1 Unfolding the wheelchair (gure 18) :
- With one hand, grab the armrest or the seat support
tube on one side of the wheelchair and slightly tilt it to-
wards you (so that the rear wheel and castor lift from the
ground) ;
16
15
14A
ex : Standard configuration
for fixed backrest