Invacare Blade Plus User manual

User Guide
Blade +
Invacare
R

Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Blade + manual wheelchair- we are certain that you
will be delighted with it. Just to make doubly sure you really gain the full
benefits from your remarkable new INVACARE wheelchair and to ensure
many years of trouble free performance, this manual gives you essential
information concerning Safety, Handling and Operation, together with some
helpful tips. Please read it carefully before trying out your new Blade +, so
that you may truly enjoy your new independence.
We recommend to have your wheelchair inspected and serviced by an
authorised INVACARE dealer at least once a year. It is in your best interests,
not only to ensure your personal safety, but also the continued high
performance and long service life of your chair.
Whenever you need special advice and assistance, or if there is any problem
with your chair, do not hesitate to contact the local INVACARE dealer. He is
just a phone call away and has all the equipment and knowhow required to
provide you with expert professional service.

1
Note for wheelchair users
INVACARE provides a wide range of wheelchairs to meet the requirements
of users. However, the decision on the type of model to be prescribed rests
exclusively with qualified advisors.
INVACARE or its appointed representative shall not be held responsible if a
wheelchair is used that is unsuitable for the users level of disability, if the
wheelchair itself is incorrectly used or if a problem arises due to poor
maintenance.
The information set out in this manual may be modified without prior notice.
This manual contains copyright information. All rights are reserved. No part
of this document may be photocopied or reproduced without prior written
agreement from INVACARE or its appointed representative.
This manual gives details of all the options of the Blade + range
of wheelchairs. It describes the options, operation and
adjustments that may be required. However, your INVACARE
retailer will be able to give you further information and
demonstrations.
SAFETY NOTICE
PLEASE ENSURE THE WHEELCHAIR IS
FULLY OPENED AND THE SEAT RAILS ARE
LOCATED IN THE SEAT SADDLES BEFORE SITTING DOWN

2
Table of contents
Page
Note for wheelchair users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Table of contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. Safety and operating limits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Weight limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 Reaching for an object from a wheelchair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 Transferring to other seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4 Tilting the wheelchair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.5 Kerbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.6 Stairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.7 Upward and downward slopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2. Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.1 Folding and unfolding the wheelchair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.2 Propelling the wheelchair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. Summary of safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4. General description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5. Backrests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6. Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7. The various types of armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Table of contents cont.
8. Folding chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
9. Rear wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
10. Castors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
11. Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
12. Footrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
13. Backrest Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
14. Rear Anti-tippers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
15. Transit kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
16. Safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
17. Spoke guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
18. Tipping Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
19. Adjusting Recliner Backrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
20. Hub Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
21. Routine Checks and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
22. Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
23. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
24. Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
25. Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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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. Many actions cause the user of a
wheelchair to reach out, lean over or move about within the wheelchair and
outside it. These actions will change your centre of gravity and weight
distribution of the wheelchair.
Your wheelchair has been designed to remain stable for normal everyday use
if it is used correctly taking the precautions recommended in this manual.
1.1 - Weight limit
The maximum user weight limit for the Blade + is 89kg.
This weight includes accessories such as a compact oxygen cylinder or other
equipment required by the user.
However, the wheelchair users’degree of activity is important. For example,
an active user weighing 75kg may subject the wheelchair to more stress than
a user weighing 115kg. We recommend very active wheelchair users to
choose an appropriate design of wheelchair. Your INVACARE approved
distributor will advise you on the best model.
1.2 - Reaching for an object from a wheelchair
The limitations on reaching out from
a wheelchair shown in figure 1 have
been produced using a
representative sample of
wheelchair users.
Only the arms should extend
beyond the seat of the wheelchair.
For safety reasons, the body and
head should remain within the
wheelbase.
1

5
Position the castors to give the longest
possible wheel-base. (Figure 2)
Lock the manual brakes on the rear wheels.
Leaning forwards
(Figures 3, 4 and 5)
Move the wheelchair as close as
possible to the object you wish to reach.
Only reach out to take what is within
arms length in normal sitting position.
2
3
54

6
Leaning backwards
(Figures 6 and 7)
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach.
Only lean back for objects that are within arms length in normal sitting
position.
Leaning to one side
(Figure 8)
This is the most dangerous manoeuvre as it is
easy to tip sideways.
To move up to the object and lean over, you must
use the castors as a means of keeping the
wheelchair stable and balanced. (Figure 2)
For your safety, it is essential to be in the
correct position.
Do not try to pick something up from the floor if
this would upset your balance.
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8

7
1.3 - Transferring to other
seats
It is possible to move from and to a
manually propelled chair if the
following guidelines are followed.
INVACARE does not recommend
any particular method for
transferring: this is the
responsibility of a medical advisor
who should consider your level of
disability and type of wheelchair.
When transferring, either to get out of
or return to your wheelchair, make
sure:
- That the gap between the two seats is
as small as possible. (Figures 9 and
10)
- That the manual brakes on the rear
wheels are on to prevent the wheels
moving. (Figure 11)
Turn both castors towards the seat to
which you wish to move. Lift up the
footplates.
Do not stand on the footplates.
9
10
11
12

8
If possible, fold back the footrest
supports to the side to clear the way.
(Figure 13)
If possible, remove the armrests on
the side between the wheelchair
and the other seat. (Figure 14)
NB
Never stand up on the footplates.
(Figure 15)
13
14
15

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1.4 - Tilting (balancing on the rear wheels)
Tilting without help from a third person
Wheelchairs in the INVACARE range have been designed for use by
those who have mastered the technique of balancing on the rear wheels
without help from a third person. However, you should never exceed the
limitations of the wheelchair. Repeated shock on the castors caused by
tipping the wheelchair up yourself may affect the rigidity or settings of
your wheelchair. If your wheelchair is fitted with accessories, these may
affect the methods used for balancing on the rear wheels.
When you wish to learn a new technique, consult an experienced person
for advice in using your type of wheelchair.
Tilting with assistance from a third person
The user should be sitting correctly and firmly in the chair or if unable to
support themselves, should be strapped in position to prevent him/her
falling out of the chair.
If a wheelchair user needs assistance in tilting the chair, the assistant must
know how to use their body correctly. Keep your back straight and bend at
the knee to tilt the wheelchair. Never exert too much force. The medical
team in charge of the user will advise you in the methods best suited to
your morphology. The INVACARE approved distributor will provide you with
information on the risks of using the wheelchair incorrectly if the wheelchair
has removable parts such as armrests or leg rests. These must NEVER be
used as aids when lifting as they may inadvertently become detached
and cause injury.
To tilt the wheelchair (Figure 16), a third
person should grip the handles firmly.
Warn the user of the wheelchair before
tilting it and remind him/her to lean
backwards. Check that the user’s feet
and hands are clear of all the wheels.
Place a foot on the foot step tube and
push smoothly until the wheelchair is at
the point of equilibrium.
At this stage, the helper will feel a
difference in weight distribution which
usually occurs at an angle of about 30°.
Turn the wheelchair in the direction
16

10
Lower the front of the wheelchair smoothly, holding the handles firmly. Use
your weight on the foot step tube to act as a counterweight. Do not lower the
wheelchair suddenly down the last few centimetres before returning to the
normal position as this may hurt the user.
1.5 - Kerbs or obstacles 30 to 50mm high
Method 1 - Negotiating the obstacle forwards
(Figure 17)
The helper should tilt the wheelchair
until the castors have passed over
the kerb. Move the wheelchair
forwards and lower the castors
gently onto the pavement. Push the
wheelchair until the rear wheels
touch the kerb. Lift and push until the
rear wheels have mounted the kerb.
Do not lift by the handles on the
backrest.
Method 2
(Figure 18)
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
continuous movement, pull the
wheelchair until the rear wheels mount
the kerb and pass onto the pavement.
Do not lower the castors to the ground
until you have pulled the backrest of
the wheelchair sufficiently far to clear the kerb.
NB: Folding backs should always be checked to ensure they are
engaged.
17
18

11
1.6 - Steps, stairs or obstacles over 50 mm high
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 parts only.
Use the following procedure for
going up stairs: (Figure 19)
Tilt the wheelchair to its point of
equilibrium. One helper (at the
back) holds the wheelchair up
against the first step, gripping the
handles firmly to lift.
The second helper, holding firmly a fixed part of the front frame, lifts
the wheelchair above the stairs and holds it while the first helper
places one foot on the following step and repeats the operation.
The wheelchair must not be lowered until the last step has been
negotiated and until the chair is clear of the stairs.
Escalators
Do not use an escalator when moving a wheelchair from one floor to another.
This might cause serious injury.
19

12
1.7 - Upward and downward slopes (operating limits)
Do not attempt to go up or down
slopes greater than 9% without
assistance. (Figure 20)
Always go straight up and down
slopes otherwise the wheelchair
might overturn. (Figure 21)
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 22)
NB: The use of Anti Tippers is
recommended in traversing upward
slopes.
20
21
22

13
Downward slopes
Lean backwards carefully and allow the
handrims to slide through your hands.
Be ready to react at any moment to
check the speed and direction by
keeping in close contact with the
handrims. The manual brakes should
not be used to slow you down. (Figure
23)
If you are going up or down a slope
avoid turning sharply and never try to
go up or down diagonally.
2-Use
2.1 - Folding and unfolding the wheelchair
Wheelchair with fabric upholstery.
To fold
Lift the footplates.
Release the backrest tensioner if necessary.
Using both hands, take the centre of the seat fabric at the front and back
edges and raise it. (Figure 24)
Or, tilt the wheelchair to one side and close it using the handles on the back
rest or the armrests. (Figure 25)
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