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Going through life with a wheelchair presents its own unique set of challenges.
My aunt Paula, who had to use a wheelchair for three months following a car accident, found the adjustment to a seated posture challenging at times.
However, she also found ways to enjoy her time out of the wheelchair during her rehab.
Frankly, as she regained some mobility, she transitioned away from the wheelchair.
For those who have never walked, a wheelchair is an essential mobility device, although it comes with its own set of challenges.
Knowing this, one major problem with using a wheelchair is that you have to clean the wheels often.
Another problem is that heading outdoors can sometimes transport dirt back into the house, adding an extra cleaning task to your routine.
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Whether it’s you or your caretaker who ends up cleaning the wheels, it can be quite a task, particularly when the caretaker isn’t around.
But you often don’t find out until the dirt has caked on the wheels and impeded movement.
For those who drive the chairs themselves, their arms would get dirty since the push rings are close to the rear wheels.
Thankfully, several patented products are on the market designed to ease the task of cleaning wheelchair wheels.
More specifically, they come in different forms, accompanied by their setbacks.
Some of such products cost too much to produce due to their complex design.
Those produced are either quite challenging to operate or hinder the wheels’ normal movement, causing significant resistance or bumping while in motion.
On the contrary, others require some chair parts to be removed or modified before you can use them.
For wheelchair users, a device that self-cleans the wheels while you move would be an invaluable addition.
This device should be easy to install and use, causing no disturbance to your wheels’ movement. [1] And Billy Tolbert here’s got the perfect idea we could only wish for!
READ MORE: AI and Hands-Free Tech Revolutionize The Wheelchair Industry and Provide User Independence
Let’s explore the innovative design and functionalities of one such product, a wheel-cleaning brush.
The wheel brush in Figure 1 above meets all the fantasies – or requirements if you like – shared above. Its simple design makes it easy to use, maintain, and inexpensive to produce.
So, prospective buyers have nothing to worry about regarding availability and usage.
This brush design ensures seamless mobility for wheelchair users. The users will not notice any changes in motion, whether the brush is attached or not.
Each brush setup attaches to the back of the chair while cleaning each main wheel.
The wheel brush consists of a brush with down-pointing bristles encased within a set of plates, as shown in Figure 1 above. The brush is continually in contact with the outer surface of the main wheels, cleaning them as they move.
A connecting arm attaches the brush plate to the wheelchair, keeping it stable while allowing it to perform its cleaning function.
The arm comprises three legs; one for holding the brush plate in place, another for fixing the setup to the chair back, and a third for connecting the two other legs.
Figure 2 above describes an environmental view of the chair with the brush attached. Screws attach the bracket to the rear aspect of the armrest. In turn, the frame holds a leg of the connecting arm of the brush design.
The design is of two forms; a second one is shown in Figure 3 below.
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
A significant difference between both types is that the brush plate here inserts into a slot on the connecting arm, which screws directly into the back of the wheelchair.
Like the first type, it allows for undisturbed wheel movement while ensuring your rear wheels always stay clean.
The designs are also pretty easy to maintain. The brush heads are accessible within the plates, so you can take them out to clean them and ensure they don’t accumulate dirt.
In addition, you might want to change them for another type if they are worn from use.
Billy Tolbert’s wheel brushes can simplify maintenance and enhance the overall wheelchair experience for users and their support network alike.
The designs are simple to install while providing hands-off cleaning for your wheels. You also have little to maintain, as you would only need to change the brushes periodically.
Be sure not to miss our article on the Lightweight and Sleek Wheelchair Design with Advanced Practicality! Discover this innovative product in action today.
Reference
1. Tolbert B, Horton AA. Wheel brush for a wheelchair [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 6]. Available from: https://www.freepatentsonline.com/11357678.html
Hi there, while I’m grateful for the cleaning tips, I think it’s important to ask why you felt compelled to start the article with a negative critique of wheelchairs and an extremely ableist stance on how terrible it is to use one. For most disabled folks — and likely a huge part of this article’s readers — wheelchairs are an extremely valued and enabling extension of their body. Framing it as a tool for mobility and independence rather than a harmful, restrictive stressor would change nothing to this article, and reduce the ableist narrative on disability in general. (PS: I am not disabled, but a proud ally to this community)
Hey there, and thank you for your thoughtful comment. You’re absolutely right, and I truly apologize if our introduction gave off an ableist impression. Wheelchairs indeed offer independence and mobility, and it was never our intention to frame them negatively. We’ve updated the article to reflect this more empowering perspective. Thanks for helping us improve and for being a proud ally to the disabled community!