OFFCARR Althea User manual

INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
ALTHEA
OFF CARR S.r.l.
Via Dell’Artigianato II, 29
35010 Villa del Conte (PD Italy
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
[email protected] - www.offcarr.com
UMALTHEA_R1
-
EN
May
2013
Edition

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INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................4
1.1 D ESCRIPTION .........................................................................................4
1.2 F EATURES ..............................................................................................6
2. PREPARATION FOR USE..........................................................................6
2.1 W HEELCHAIR OPENING ..........................................................................6
2.2 W HEELCHAIR FOLDING ..........................................................................6
2.3 T YRE PRESSURE CHECK ..........................................................................7
2.4 R EAR WHEELS ASSEMBLY CHECK ...........................................................7
2.5 F OOT - REST POSITIONING ........................................................................8
2.6 B RAKES CHECK ......................................................................................9
2.7 A CCESSORIES CHECK .............................................................................9
3. SETTING UP ...............................................................................................10
3.1 F RAME DEPTH ADJUSTMENT .................................................................10
3.2 R EAR SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT .........................................................13
3.3 G RAVITY CENTRE ADJUSTMENT ...........................................................13
3.4 F RONT SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT .......................................................14
3.5 F RONT FORK SUPPORT PLATE ADJUSTMENT .........................................14
3.6 S IDE GUARD ADJUSTMENT ...................................................................15
3.7 B RAKES ADJUSTMENT AND MAINTENANCE ..........................................15
3.8 S EAT UPHOLSTERY ADJUSTMENT AN REPLACEMENT ............................16
3.9 B ACK - REST TENSION ADJUSTMENT ......................................................17
3.10 B ACK - REST HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT ........................................................17
3.11 H EIGHT ADJUSTABLE PUSHING HANDLES .............................................17
3.12 F OOT - PLATE TO SEAT DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT .....................................18
3.13 F OOT - PLATE TILT ADJUSTMENT ...........................................................18
4. ARM-REST..................................................................................................19
4.1 D ETACHABLE ARM - REST ......................................................................20
4.2 T IP - UP ARM - REST .................................................................................20
4.3 H EIGHT ADJUSTABLE ARM - REST ..........................................................20
4.4 “L” TYPE ARM - REST .............................................................................21
5. ANTI-TIP DEVICE.....................................................................................22
5.1 C URVED REAR FRAME ANTI - TIP DEVICE ...............................................22
5.2 C URVED REAR FRAME ANTI - TIP DEVICE ...............................................23
5.2.1 Curved rear frame anti-tip device adjustment................................23
5.2.2 Telescopic end terminal adjustment ...............................................23
5.3 S TRAIGHT REAR FRAME ANTI - TIP DEVICE .............................................23
5.3.1. Height adjustment anti-tip device...................................................24
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6. DOUBLE PUSHRIM SINGLE DRIVE.....................................................25
7. HINGED BACK-REST...............................................................................26
8. SMALL WHEEL FOR NARROW PASSAGES WITH LEVER............26
9. UNBALANCING SYSTEM........................................................................27
10. EXTENDED WHEEL PLATE...................................................................27
11. STRETCHED BAR .....................................................................................27
12. ELEVATING FOOT-REST .......................................................................28
13. TABLE..........................................................................................................28
14. ABDUCTOR ................................................................................................29
15. LATERAL SUPPORT ................................................................................30
16. HEAD-REST................................................................................................31
17. SPOKES GUARDS......................................................................................31
18. WC SEAT.....................................................................................................31
19. USE OF THE WHEELCHAIR ..................................................................32
20. WARNING TO REDUCE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MISUSE
OF THE WHEELCHAIR...........................................................................34
21. MAINTENANCE, INSPECTIONS AND CONTROLS...........................35
22. CLEANING INSTRUCTRION..................................................................36
23. TECHNICAL SERVICE.............................................................................37
24. WARRANTY TERMS................................................................................37
25. PACKAGING, SHIPPING AND DELIVERY..........................................38
26. MATERIALS DIFFERENTIATION.........................................................38

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Thanks for choosing an OFF CARR wheelchair.
Since 1982 OFF CARR listens and responds to the customers' needs
by developing highly innovative and technologic solutions, always
aimed to reduce daily mobility problems, with special attention to
product style and to improve customers' life quality.
OFF CARR has a certified system for quality management following
UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 regulations and a Medical device - Quality
management system following UNI EN ISO 13485:2012 regulations.
OFF CARR products meet the 93/42/CEE directives, upgraded
with the 2007/47/CE directive.
Before using or making adjustments on this device,
carefully read the content of this instruction manual.
If needed, please contact an authorized dealer or the manufacturer at
the following address:
OFF CARR s.r.l.
Via dell’Artigianato II, 29
35010 Villa del Conte (Padova) Italy
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] http://www.offcarr.com
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1. Introduction
The lightweight wheelchair ALTHEA is a non-intrusive medical device,
specifically designed to reduce and counterbalance a physical handicap.
This wheelchair is manually propelled on the back wheels, it has many setups and a
wide range of accessories that meet any customer need.
Only qualified operators must setup the device.
It is forbidden to use the wheelchairs or parts of them in different ways
from those described on this manual.
1.1 Description
ALTHEA is an aluminum folding frame wheelchair. Other details are made with
aluminium or steel alloys or composite materials, such as carbon fibre.
Various frame colors are available and can be combined with various anodized
accessories and details sets.

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The seat upholstery (3) and the back-rest (5) are usually made with black nylon
cloth. The back-rest can be also made with breathable material to increase the
customer’s comfort. The back-rest upholstery is easily removable to make the
cleaning and washing operations easier and its straightening is adjustable by acting
on the velstraps under the upholstery.
A comfortable compartment with closing zip can be added in the lower part of the
back-rest and another can be placed frontally under the seat.
The back-rest is adjustable in height by acting on the frame-fixing screws. Height
adjustable pushing handles are available.
Different rear frame shapes are available (with same limitation of configuration).
The rear wheel plate (6) allows an easier adjustment of the rear wheel position to
find the most comfortable setup for the user. On demand, for special needs, the
wheelchair can be equipped with an extended wheel plate for safer setup, it is
compulsory with reclining back-rest.
20” or 22”or 24” rear wheel (RW) are available, with some configuration
restrictions. All the rear wheels are equipped with the quick releasing axle.
The front forks (9) have adjustable angles and can hold various wheel diameters
(FC) at various heights, to better answer the setup and agility needs of users.
The front frame (7) is available with fixed or detachable foot-rests. Considering
possible setup restrictions, the foot-plates (11) can be single or double and adjustable
in height and angle. Foot-holding belts and hell stops are available.
The wheelchair can be equipped with closed arm-rest or with open arm-rest with
side guards. Different kind of arm-rest are available. With open arm-rest or without
arm-rest the wheelchair is provided with composite polymer side guards or with
aluminum side guards, as chosen on the order form.
The brake devices (14) are adjustable to counterbalance different wheel sizes and
different wheel setups.
The wide and complete range of accessories available, allows a complete
customization of ALTHEA, both aesthetically and functionally.
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1.2 Features
Lightweight wheelchair
Aluminium folding frame
Double crossbar
Depth adjustable frame up to 6cm
Multiple positions for rear wheels
Tilt adjustable front fork support
Different kind of side guards and arm-rests
Fixed or detachable foot-rests or elevating and detachable
Single drive available
Maximum load of 120 kg
2. Preparation for use
The preparation for use of these devices must be performed by qualified
personnel both to evaluate the suitability of the product and to provide
the correct instructions to the user.
2.1 Wheelchair opening
•
Apply pressure with the open palm over the sides
of the seat (as shown on the drawing) until the seat
is perfectly aligned to the frame.
Be careful not to wrap the tubes of the
crossbar with your fingers to avoid being
pinched between the frame and the crossbar.
2.2 Wheelchair folding
•Fold up the foot-plate first to allow the folding of the
wheelchair frame;
•pull the seat upholstery upwards with both hands as
shown on the drawing.

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2.3 Tyre pressure check
A periodical check of the tyre pressure may help to keep the wheelchair efficient and
more comfortable.
Verify the tyre pressure value according to the value marked on the tyre.
(Indicatively the maximum pressure is: 7.5 BAR for high pressure rear wheels, 4.5
BAR for 20'', 22'', 24'' x1.3 / 8 wheels and 2.5 BAR for pneumatic front castors.)
The pressure for the model Schwalbe Marathon Plus should always be kept from
a minimum of 7 BAR to a maximum of 9 BAR to prevent damage to the surface
of the tyre itself.
In case of air transport is recommended to decrease the tire pressure.
2.4 Rear wheels assembly check
ALTHEA wheelchairs are normally shipped with the rear wheels assembled.
Test for the right functioning of the quick release axle and proper assembly of the
rear wheels:
•
ensure the brakes are released;
•keeping the axle button pressed, pull out the
wheel from the hub;
•still holding down the axle button, insert it into
the hub on the frame of the wheelchair;
•check the efficiency of the engagement by
trying to pull out the wheel without pressing the
button and making sure it does not come off.
For safety reasons it is important to repeat this test every time that for transport
or maintenance reasons, the rear wheels are removed and reassembled to the
frame.
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2.5 Foot-rest positioning
The ALTHEA wheelchair can be configured, depending on the model, with
detachable or not detachable footrests. According to the limits of setup, the footplate
can be either single (automatically lifted with the closing of the wheelchair), or both
single and double, manually lifted.
Once the wheelchair is open, position the footplate by rotating it downwards, ready
for use. If the footplate is single, pay attention to engaging properly its connection
pin to the corresponding connector on the frame.
Separate aluminium
profile footplates Single aluminium profile footplate
The automatic footrest, at the opening of the wheelchair, is automatically placed and
the footplate, in absence of weight, is slightly tilted on one side. This condition is
absolutely normal to allow the automatic closing. With a light weight on the plate, it
immediately takes a plain position.
In the case of a frame with removable footrests, the footrests are packed separately.
To insert the footrest:
•Open the wheelchair;
•Insert the footpads in their correct housing and rotate them starting from a 90°
angle position from the frame (as shown) and rotate it inwards until the
hooking mechanism snaps.