Anatomy of a Manual Wheelchair

D. Michael McKeough, PT, EdD Associate Professor

Department of Physical Therapy© 2007 All rights Reserved

Abstract

• This presentation illustrates the components of a manual wheelchair.

• Note pages contain a brief description of the function of each component.

Presenter’s Bio-sketch

• Dr. McKeough is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at California State University, Sacramento.

• He received his doctorate in the control of human movement from Columbia University, his Physical Therapy degree from the Medical College of Georgia, and teaches physical therapy intervention with individuals who have suffered spinal cord injury.

Learning Objectives

• To be able to identify the primary components of a manual wheelchair and describe their function.

Performance Objectives

Given an appropriate wheelchair or illustration:

•be able to identify the primary components of a manual wheelchair and describe the functions of each.

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Click on name to highlight structure

Push handle bracket tube

Backrest

Swing-away,padded armrest

Pneumatic tire

Aluminum handrim

Aluminum wheel rim

Spokes

Rear wheel hub

Release axel

Axel plate

Frame

High wheel lock

Swing-away release

Caster housing cover

Caster plate

Caster housing

Seat cushion

Seat sling

X-Hinge

Swing-away foot rest

Crossbrace

Caster fork

Caster wheel

Caster tire

Flip-up foot rest

Heel loop

Review Questions

• Identify the location of the seat back.• Identify the location of the wheelchair

frame.• Identify the location of the swing-away

foot rest.• Distinguish between the seat cushion

and seat sling.

Recommended Reading

• The anatomy of a powered wheelchair.

The End

© 2006 DM McKeoughAll rights Reserved

Manual Wheelchair Components Labeled

1. Push handle bracket tube2. Backrest3. Swing-away, padded armrest4. Pneumatic tire5. Aluminum handrim6. Aluminum wheel rim7. Spokes8. Rear wheel hub9. Release axel

10. Axel plate11. Frame12. High wheel lock13. Swing-away release14. Caster housing cover15. Caster plate16. Caster housing17. Seat cushion18. Seat sling

19. X-Hinge20. Swing-away foot rest21. Crossbrace22. Caster fork23. Caster wheel24. Caster tire25. Flip-up foot rest26. Heel loop

4.

6.

9.

11.

13.

15.

3.

1.

2.

5.

7.8.

10.

12.

14.

16.

17.

24.

18.19.20.21.

22.23.

25.26.

Click on name to magnify