Invacare Zipper 2 User manual

Invacare® Zipper 2
User Guide

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Contents Page
Useful Symbols In This Manual 4
Warranty Terms & Conditions 5
Limitation of Liability 6
Introdu tion 7
Intended Use 8
1 Safety & Operating Limits 9
1.1 Weight Limit 9
1.2 Reaching For An Object From A Wheelchair 10
1.3 Transferring To Another Seat 13
1. Tilting (Balancing On The Rear Wheels) 17
1.5 Kerbs, Or Obstacles Up To 50mm High 19
1.6 Steps, Stairs Or Obstacles Over 50mm High 21
1.7 Upward & Downward Slopes (Operating Limits) 22
1.8 Heat and Fire Warnings 2
2 Use 25
2.1 Folding & Unfolding The Wheelchair 25
2.2 Propelling The Wheelchair 27
3 Summary Of Safety Instru tions 28
4 General Des riptions 29
5 Ba krest 32
6 Seat 33
7 Armrests 34
8 Chassis 37
9 Rear Wheels 37
10 Castors 40
11 Manual Brakes 41
12 Footrest 42
13 Calf Straps 45

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14 Ba krest Extension 46
15 Rear Anti Tippers 47
16 Transit Kit 47
17 Amputee Kit 48
18 Tray 49
19 Spoke Guards 49
20 Lap Belt 50
20.1 Types of Lap Belt 50
20.2 Lap Belt Adjustment 51
21 Tipping Levers 52
22 Routine Che ks & Maintenan e 53
23 Transport 56
23.1 Using your wheelchair as a seat in a vehicle 56
23.2 Transporting your wheelchair as luggage 58
24 Storage 59
25 Cleaning 59
26 Produ t End Of Life 60
ISO 7176 part 15: Information Dis losure – Self Propel Model 61
ISO 7176 part 15: Information Dis losure – Transit Model 62
Conta ting INVACARE 63

Useful Symbols In This Manual
WARNING!
This symbol warns you of danger! Always follow the instructions to avoid injury to the user or damage to the
product!
EXPLOSION HAZARD!
This symbol warns you of an explosion hazard, an example of which can be caused by excessive tyre pressure
in a pneumatic tyre!
•Always follow the instructions to avoid injury to the user or damage to the product.
NOTE:
This symbol identifies general information which is intended to simplify working with your product and which
refers to special functions.
REQUIREMENTS:
This symbol identifies a list of various tools, components and items which you will need in order to carry out
certain work.
TRANSPORTATION:
This symbol identifies important information relevant to transporting your wheelchair in a motor vehicle.

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Warranty Terms & Conditions
Standard INVACARE Terms
This is to certify that your wheelchair is warranted by INVACARE Ltd. for a period of 2 years for parts and 3
years for frames.
1. Only INVACARE chairs purchased at full price are warranted against defective workmanship and materials.
2. If a defect or fault is discovered the INVACARE dealer from whom the wheelchair was obtained should be
notified immediately.
3. The manufacturer will not accept responsibility for damage caused by misuse or non-observance of the
instructions set out in the user manual.
. During the period of the warranty any parts that have become defective, due to faulty workmanship or
materials, will be renewed or repaired without charge by the INVACARE dealer.
5. The warranty will be forfeited should any unauthorised alteration be made to the equipment.
6. The purchaser’s statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act are not affected.

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Limitation Of Liability
This warranty does not extend to the consequential costs from fault clearance, in particular freight and travel
costs, loss of earnings, expenses, etc.
•Natural wear and tear
•Inappropriate or incorrect use
•Defective assembly or setting-up by the purchaser or third parties
•Defective or neglectful treatment
•Use of unsuitable spares

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Introdu tion
You have just bought a Zipper 2 manual wheelchair from our INVACARE range.
This model offers you all the advantages and characteristics of a wheelchair that has been designed especially
to meet your particular requirements.
Great care has been taken with this wheelchair throughout the whole of its manufacturing process. The
components have been selected for their quality and inspections have been carried out so that your
wheelchair can provide you with full satisfaction.
Note For Customers
INVACARE provides a wide range of wheelchairs to meet the requirements of customers. However, the
decision on the type of model to be prescribed rests exclusively with qualified advisers.
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 Zipper 2 range of wheel hairs. It des ribes the
options, operation and adjustments that may be required. However, your INVACARE retailer
will be able to give you further information and demonstrations.
Safety Noti e
Please ensure the wheelchair is fully opened and the seat rails are located in the seat saddles before sitting
down.

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Intended Use
An indoor and outdoor configurable wheelchair offered with various options compliant with EN12183:2009.
The Zipper 2 manual wheelchair has been designed to provide mobility and comfort for persons with
impaired mobility.
The wheelchair has been designed to be used either/or by a seated user/carer/attendant in both indoor and
outdoor environments.
The wheelchair has, in its standard format, been designed to accommodate users who weigh up to a
maximum of 11 kg (18 stone), have all limbs intact and have sufficient upper body strength to maintain a safe
position within the wheelchair without the addition of supporting aids.
Adaptations from the standard wheelchair format are available to accommodate users who do not meet these
criteria, these will only be considered after a suitable risk assessment has been carried out by the product
prescriber. When prescribing wheelchairs for use by full or partial amputees (above or below knee, single or
double) it is important to recognise that lower limb amputation will affect the sitting centre of balance of the
wheelchair. The impossibility of generalising the individual ability of a wheelchair user means it is imperative
that the product prescriber carries out a full stability evaluation to ensure that the user is safe in the use of
the wheelchair and the risk of the wheelchair tipping is minimised.
The wheelchair should only be used in accordance with the safety advice given within this user guide. Failure
to follow the recommended advice within this user guide could lead to personal injury.
No claims are made that the product will medically improve the circumstances or condition of the user.

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1 Safety & 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.
Surfa es Affe ted By Heat
The wheelchair is made from metal and plastic materials and, as with all products made with such materials, it
can absorb heat from the sun when used outdoors or exposed to sunlight through windows, etc. This can
result in the surfaces of the wheelchair becoming hot, so take care in using it and touching the surfaces if it is
left or used in such an environment.
1.1 Weight Limit
The maximum user weight limit is 114kg for both the Self propel (S) and Transit (T) models.
However, the wheelchair user's level of activity is important. For example, an active user weighing 75kg may
subject the wheelchair to more stress than a less active user weighing 11 kg. We recommend very active
wheelchair users to choose an appropriate design of wheelchair. Your INVACARE approved distributor will
advise you on the best model.

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1.2 Rea hing For An Obje t From A Wheel hair
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.
Position the castors to give the longest possible wheel-
base (Figure 2). Lock the manual brakes on the rear
wheels.

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Leaning Forwards
(Figures 3, 4 & 5)
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object
you wish to reach. Only reach out to take what is
within arm’s length in normal sitting position.

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Leaning Ba kwards
(Figures 6 & 7)
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Only lean back for objects that are
within arm's length in normal sitting position.

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1.3 Transferring To Other Seats
Leaning To One Side
(Figure 8)
This is a dangerous manoeuvre as it is easy to tip sideways.
To move up to an object and lean over, you must use the castors as a
means of keeping the wheelchair stable and balanced.
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.
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 adviser 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)

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When transferring, either to get out of or return to
your wheelchair, make sure that the manual brakes
on the rear wheels are on to prevent the wheel
moving (Figure 11).
Turn both castors towards the seat to which you
wish to move. Lift up the footplates (Figure 12).
Do not stand on the footplates.

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If possible, swing the legrest hangers out to the
side to clear the passage (Figure 13).
If possible, remove the armrests on the side
between the wheelchair and the other seat
(Figure 14).

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Note: Never stand on the footplates (Figure 15).

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1.4 Tilting (Balan ing 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 assistan e 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 falling out of the chair. If a
wheelchair user needs assistance in tilting the chair, the assistant must know how to use his 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.

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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
tipping lever and push smoothly until the wheelchair
is at the point of equilibrium. At this stage, the helper
will feel a difference in weight distribution. Turn the
wheelchair in the direction required and negotiate
the obstacle.
Lower the front of the wheelchair smoothly, holding
the handles firmly. Use your weight on the tipping
lever to act as a counterweight. Do not lower the
wheelchair suddenly for the last few centimetres
before returning to the normal position. This might
hurt the user.
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1.5 Kerbs, Or Obsta les Up To 50mm High
Method 1 - Negotiating the obsta le 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 just lift by the
handles on the backrest.

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Method 2 - Negotiating the obsta le ba kwards
(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 rest of the
wheelchair sufficiently far to clear the kerb.
Note: Folding backs should always be checked to
ensure they are engaged.