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  • Which of These 4 Personal Mobility Scooters Will You ...
    By 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters on July 16th, 2009 | No Comments Comments

    There are many makes and models of personal mobility scooters to choose from. Break them down and they fall into the 4 following categories of scooters. Here they are:
    1) Folding/Easily Transported Scooters: Your scooter won’t do you much good if you have to go onto a trip and can’t take it with you. That’s when this type of scooter comes into play. Usually this type of scooter can be disassembled into 3 or 4 pieces of lightweight parts – making the scooter easily transportable. Able to fit into the trunk of most cars.
    2) Three-Wheeled Scooters: As the name implies, this scooter has 3 wheels instead of 4. And it usually has a maximum weight capacity of 300 to 500lbs. Offering comfort and durability, three-wheel scooters can get you where you want to go indoors and outdoors.
    3) Four-Wheeled Scooters: If you plan on mostly using your scooter outdoors, then a four-wheeled personal mobility scooter is probably right for you. Obviously because this type of scooter has four wheels instead of three, it’s much more stable. With bigger tires than three three-wheeler, it’s able to go as fast as 10 miles per hour.
    4) Heavy Duty Electrified Personal Mobility Scooters: This type of scooter can come with three or four wheels and can support a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds.
    The type of personal mobility scooter you buy will depend upon several factors. Including weight of the user, whether the scooter will be used mostly indoors or outdoors and the amount of usage involved. Make sure you inform your salesperson of these factors. Don’t get talked into buying a scooter you don’t need.
    Written by the Mobility Scooter Review Team. Go to www.electric-mobility-scooter-reviews.com to see more free articles, tips and info. Updated weekly! This is the ultimate resource on mobility scooters.

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  • What Is the Difference Between a Mobility Scooter and...
    By 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters on July 16th, 2009 | No Comments Comments

    What Is the Difference Between a Mobility Scooter and a Powerchair?
    Mobility scooters and powerchairs are often grouped together to differentiate them from traditional self-propelled, or pushed wheelchairs. There are however some fundamental differences between a mobility scooter and a powerchair.
    Mobility scooters have three or 4 wheels and are steered using a bicycle style handlebar (or tiller) which requires 2 hands, and are designed to travel up to 35 miles. They are used by people with limited mobility, or those who tire easily when walking.
    Powerchairs usually look more like traditional wheelchairs, and some models even look just like a traditional wheelchair with batteries and a motor attached to each wheel. The powerchair is driven using one hand by a joystick controller on the arm of the powerchair. Powerchair users tend to spend more time in their chairs than scooter users spend on their scooters. Because of this, powerchairs tend to be more adaptable than disabled scooters and some models can have specialist seats and controllers fitted to suit the individual requirements of the user. For example, the powerchair can be controlled by hand, by a chin controller, or even using a sip and puff pipe operated with the mouth. The footrests can be specific to the user’s needs and can include swing away or articulating footrests. Powerchairs are also more likely to be used inside although some powerchairs are equally capable indoors and outdoors. Mobility scooters are more likely to be used outdoors, although some of the smaller ones can be used indoors.
    Electric scooters usually have one motor to drive the rear wheels. Powerchairs have two motors to individually drive the rear wheels. This gives the powerchair a great turning circle, and provides a lot of traction and control. Some powerchairs even have an electrically operated hydraulic seat so that the user can reach traditionally unreachable places like cupboards and shelves. Disabled scooters tend to be less customisable than powerchairs, and have fewer optional extras.
    Disability scooters tend to be less expensive than powerchairs. Powerchairs have two motors, and better, more supportive seating as users often spend a lot of time in the powerchair. Powerchair users may not be able to support themselves, or be able to walk at all, and so their requirements are different from mobility scooter users.
    Traditionally, powerchairs were not as easy to dismantle as mobility scooters, but this is changing and most of the powerchair manufacturers offer powerchairs that will fit into a car boot. Designs are changing so that powerchairs are becoming as easy to dismantle and as rugged as mobility scooters. Some powerchairs have six wheels for added stability, and some are front wheel drive for added manoeuvrability.
    Now that you have found out more about the differences between mobility scooters and powerchairs, you can decide which will suit you best.

    For more information about mobility scooters, please visit www.scootamart.com

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  • The History of Antique Wheelchairs – by Daniel ...
    By 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters on July 16th, 2009 | No Comments Comments

    Modern wheelchairs are lightweight, customizable, and available for sports, battery-operated and constantly being improved. In spite of the modern feel of wheelchairs, they have been around in one form or another for much longer than most people would guess. Probably from the time that wheels were invented and the time that chairs were around, it was natural that the two would come together. If that seems like an exaggeration, then read on about the history of antique wheelchairs.

    A Long, Long Time Ago

    The oldest existing picture of a chair with wheels is from China – in the 6th Century! The odds that they were around before someone drew a picture that would survive this long are excellent. There is also an image of a wheeled chair from Ancient Egypt. Again, it’s more likely that it exists because their culture made long-lasting images than that they invented antique wheelchairs. Records show that in the 16th Century, King Phillip of Spain owned an elaborate rolling chair and in 1700, King Louis XIV of France used a wheeled conveyance while recuperating from an operation. No doubt commoners with a flair for furniture building found uses for antique wheelchairs as well.

    It was in the 18th Century that the antique wheelchairs began to resemble our modern version. It had two large front wheels and a caser in the back. After the American Civil War and World War I, antique wheelchairs were built with wooden frames, wicker seats, big spoked wheels and featured adjustable arm and foot rests. A patent was filed in 1894 for the first wheelchair that could be propelled by the occupant.

    The first folding wheelchair was designed in 1932. It was invented by an injured mining engineer and a mechanical engineer who went on to found the E&J Company. These antique wheelchairs are probably quite collectible since the same company developed the first powered wheelchair in the 1950s. This is the same decade that saw wheelchair sports develop in England. The first Paralympics were held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Wheelchair athlete Bob Hall completed the 1975 Boston Marathon in a manual wheelchair.

    Lighter weight antique wheelchairs began showing up in the 1970s and 1980s in response to the need for sports chairs. Microprocessor controls for power chairs showed up in the 1980s. After this point, the term “antique wheelchairs” seems out of place. The developments in the 1990s were very modern, but nevertheless the history of antique wheelchairs is truly amazing.

    Are you looking at buying a wheelchairand don’t know where to start looking? wheelchair-deals.com offerers all sorts of information and advice on all types of wheelchairs. Visit <a href=”http://www.Wheelchair-deals.comwheelchair-deals.com and check out their wheelchair guide!

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  • The Benefits of Electric Indoor Wheelchairs – b...
    By 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters on July 16th, 2009 | No Comments Comments

    Electric indoor wheelchairs are a boon to wheelchair users. They add power, speed and comfort to the experience. Indoor electric wheelchairs are for people who have absolutely no mobility, even at home. However, indoor wheelchairs cannot be used outdoors, except in the garden or lawn. There is a huge variety of indoor wheelchair brands to choose from. They are provided with several options and can be custom designed to suit individual needs. There are also plenty of styles and colors to choose from.

    Certain guidelines must be met while providing an indoor electric wheelchair to a person. The person should be suffering from a defect of the locomotor system or from chronic heart or lung conditions that make walking impossible. The person should be unable to effectively self-propel a manual wheelchair indoors. The wheelchair user should also be able to achieve a fair level of independence in the home because of the electric indoor wheelchair. The need of this chair should be permanent or at least long term.

    There are also some dual electric wheelchairs, which are fit for both indoor as well as outdoor use. Some criteria required for this kind of electric wheelchair, in addition to the guidelines for indoor electric wheelchairs include the following:

    1. Users must have adequate field and acuity of vision to be safe on public roads.

    2. Users should have the ability to comply with DVLC requirements for motor vehicle drivers concerning epilepsy and other causes of loss of consciousness.

    3. Users should not require accessories, modifications or special seating outside of the range supplied by the powered chair manufacturer.

    4. Users should comply with the manufacturer’s recommended occupant weight limit for the chair.

    5. Users should have a residential environment, which is compatible with the use of a dual-purpose powered chair, and which includes a suitable storage area and power supply for battery charging.

    6. Users should have a local outside environment that is accessible by a dual-purpose powered chair and compatible with its use.

    7. Users should have the capacity to derive significant improvement in their independence and quality of life through use of a dual-purpose powered chair.

    Electric Wheel Chairs Info provides detailed information about electric wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs, electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site of Scooters Web.

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  • The Advantages of Electric Wheelchair Scooters –...
    By 5 Wheel Mobility Scooters on July 16th, 2009 | No Comments Comments

    Electric wheelchair scooters, or mobility scooters, are specially designed for providing mobility to disabled people. Electric scooters are high performance in terms of speed as well as safety. They are adaptable, affordable, durable and come with reliable warranties. Power mobility scooters are a great economic alternative to electric wheelchairs. They are available as portable/travel, three-wheel and four-wheel, front-end drive and rear-end drive scooters. The cost of motorized scooters ranges between $900 and $3,200.

    Electric wheelchair scooters are steered with a tiller, which is something like a bicycle’s handlebar. They have speed control knobs to control speed between 1 and 5 mph. They can be disassembled for easy transportation. Since mobility scooters operate on gel cell batteries, they are safe for transport.

    Electric wheelchair scooters are comprised of two kinds: Front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive mobility scooters. Front-wheel drive mobility scooters are basically for indoor use and for moving on leveled ground. They are powered by a 12-volt battery and have a range of 5-10 miles for each recharge.

    Rear-wheel drive mobility scooters, on the other hand, can carry up to 250 to 350 pounds. Some heavy-duty models can even carry up to 500 lbs. Rear-wheel drive scooters are powered by two 12-volt batteries and can travel 15 to 20 miles per recharge.

    A wide range of electric wheelchair scooters are available in the marketplace. Electric wheelchairs and scooters are being designed to suit individualized requirements. The latest models are more maneuverable, highly durable and lightweight. Most online as well as brick-and-mortar stores have experienced and expert staff to assist the customer when buying an electric wheelchair scooter. They also offer specialized services like maintenance and repair, provision of spares like cushions, tires and batteries, routine servicing as well as emergency services. There is also the option of buying used electric wheelchair scooters. All suppliers usually offer shipping services to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries.

    Some of the most popular electric scooter brands include, Sunrise Medical; Merits; Pride Medical Products; Tuffcare; Shoprider; Golden Technologies; Ranger; Palmer Industries; Quickie; Wheelchairs of Kansas; Roho; Winco; Gendron; Harmar Bruno; and Silver Star.

    Electric Wheel Chairs Info provides detailed information about electric wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs, electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site of Scooters Web.

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