Excel G6 Active, G4, Xeryus Compact, G5 Comfort, G3 User Manual

Read instructions before use

User Manual

Excel

G6 ‘Active’

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Overall user manual

© 2009 VAN OS MEDICAL UK LTD.

Tel. [phone], Fax [phone], E-mail: [e-mail], www.vanosmedical.com

YOU AND / OR YOUR ATTENDANT MUST READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS MANUAL BEFORE USE

General information

You have just purchased a Van Os Medical UK Ltd wheelchair and we want to thank you for the confidence in our
EXCEL® products. The EXCEL® wheelchair is a quality product. It is adjustable in many different ways and it can
also be easily upgraded.

The policy of Van Os Medical UK Ltd is to continually improve the quality and reliability of our products. We reserve
the right, therefore, without prior notification, to alter this guide.

It is important that your guide for the use of the wheelchair is read carefully. The manual contains important
information about the safe use and maintenance of your wheelchair. We recommend that you keep this guide, it's
also your proof of warranty and you will find it useful for referring to at a later date.

The safety instructions in this guide are general guidelines that must be seen as broad guidelines. It is possible that
you develop your own ways for many common actions. However, we advise you to consult a professional for
assistance in developing safe and effective techniques with regards to your daily activities and your physical
capabilities.

Your new wheelchair requires frequent maintenance, much of which you can do yourself. We want you to take your
wheelchair once a year to be inspected by a professional. You will find a maintenance schedule later in this
manual.

You'll also find that this manual includes a detailed description of all the available settings of your wheelchair.
Many of these options require, as well as repairs to your wheelchair, the knowledge of a professional. We therefore
advise you to consult a professional if your wheelchair requires repairs or a modification.

Caution!

In this guide you will find informative comments, recommendations and warnings. These are clearly identified by
the below symbols and the appearance of the text: -

 Tip Informative information

 Recommendation Damage to equipment is possible if recommendations are not followed

 Warning To avoid personal injury, warnings must be followed

Fill out the information on your authorized dealer below

:

Company: …………………………………………………………………

Address: …………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

Telephone number: …………………………………………………………………

Fax number: …………………………………………………………………

Email adress: …………………………………………………………………

Website: …………………………………………………………………

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© 2009 VAN OS MEDICAL UK LTD.

Tel. [phone], Fax [phone], E-mail: [e-mail], www.vanosmedical.com

Contents

1. IDENTIFICATION .................................................................................................................................................................. 3

2. GENERAL EXPLANATION CONCERNING YOUR WHEELCHAIR ................................................................................................ 4

2.1 C

OMPONENTS OF THE WHEELCHAIR

....................................................................................................................................................4

2.2 G

ENERAL EXPLANATION OF THE FUNCTION AND POSSIBILITIES OF YOUR WHEELCHAIR

....................................................................................4

3. SAFETY REGULATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 G

ENERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS

.........................................................................................................................................................5

3.2 W

ARNINGS FOR SAFE USE

.................................................................................................................................................................5

4 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

4.1 S

AFETY TIPS

...................................................................................................................................................................................7

4.2 N

EGOTIATING PAVEMENTS AND UNEQUAL SURFACES

.............................................................................................................................8

4.3 G

OING UP AND DOWN RAMPS

...........................................................................................................................................................9

4.4 G

OING UP AND DOWN STAIRS

..........................................................................................................................................................11

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AND MOUNTING OPTIONS ................................................................................................................. 12

5.1 T

OOLS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION

...............................................................................................................................................12

5.2 O

PENING AND CLOSING THE WHEELCHAIR

..........................................................................................................................................12

5.3 U

SE OF THE FOOTPLATE AND FOOTREST

.............................................................................................................................................13

5.4 U

SING THE ELEVATING LEGRESTS (OPTIONAL

) ......................................................................................................................................15

5.5 U

SING THE CALF PLATE (OPTIONAL

) ..................................................................................................................................................16

5.6 U

SING AN AMPUTEE SUPPORT (OPTIONAL

) ........................................................................................................................................16

5.7 U

SING THE WHEELCHAIR BRAKE

.......................................................................................................................................................18

5.8 U

SING THE ARMREST

.....................................................................................................................................................................19

5.9 U

SING PUSH HANDLES

....................................................................................................................................................................20

5.10 P

OTENTIAL USES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BACK OF THE WHEELCHAIR

.....................................................................................................20

5.11 U

SING THE REAR WHEELS (TIRE TABLE) AND ANTI-TIP WHEELS

..............................................................................................................21

5.12 U

SING ACCESSORIES AND OTHER OPTIONS ON YOUR WHEELCHAIR

.....................................................................................................22

5.13 U

SE OF THE HEADREST (OPTIONAL ITEM

) .........................................................................................................................................24

6. TRANSPORT AND TRANSIT IN CAR ..................................................................................................................................... 27

6.1 DE-

ASSEMBLY

..............................................................................................................................................................................27

6.2 A

SSEMBLY

...................................................................................................................................................................................27

7. MAINTAINENCE ................................................................................................................................................................. 27

7.1 T

YRES

.........................................................................................................................................................................................27

7.2 B

RAKES

.......................................................................................................................................................................................28

7.3 C

ROSS BRACE

...............................................................................................................................................................................28

7.4 R

EAR WHEEL

................................................................................................................................................................................28

7.5 F

RONT CASTOR AND FRONT CASTOR FORK

..........................................................................................................................................28

7.6 U

PHOLSTERY

................................................................................................................................................................................28

7.7 C

LEANING

....................................................................................................................................................................................29

8. PROBLEM ANALYSIS AND SOLUTIONS ............................................................................................................................... 29

9. WARRANTY ....................................................................................................................................................................... 30

9.1 W

ARRANTY APPLICATION

................................................................................................................................................................30

9.2 W

ARRANTY DEFINITION

..................................................................................................................................................................30

10. SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................................................ 31

10.1 G

ENERAL MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

..........................................................................................................................................31

10.2 S

ERVICE CHECKLIST

......................................................................................................................................................................32

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Tel. [phone], Fax [phone], E-mail: [e-mail], www.vanosmedical.com

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1. IDENTIFICATION

Your wheelchair is equipped with a unique identification number. You can find this number on the cross frame of
your wheelchair. Below is an example of the frame label on which you can find the identification number.
Furthermore you will find the explanation of the various data stored on the frame label listed below.

1. Production date The date on which your wheelchair was manufactured.

2. Serial number Every wheelchair has its own unique identification number. YOU must have this

number when making technical requests or if warranty parts are required.

3. Maximum user weight The largest occupant weight allowed for protection of both the wheelchair and the
user.

4. Type number This number indicates which model of wheelchair you have, again this is always
required when making technical calls.

5. Model name The model name of your wheelchair starts with the brand name Excel. The brand
name Excel is followed by an additional model description that forms the model
name of your wheelchair.

6. Usage application Where you can use your wheelchair.

7. Warranty Here the guarantee period of your wheelchair is reflected. Chapter 9 describes your

warranty terms and conditions in more detail.

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2. GENERAL EXPLANATION CONCERNING YOUR WHEELCHAIR

2.1 Components of the wheelchair

1 Back coating

10

Ball head

2 Push handle

11

Front fork

3 Backrest

12

Front wheel (swing castor)

4 Hand

rim 13 Foot plate

5 Rear wheel

14

Foot rest

6 Parking brake

15

Seat

7 Axle bracket

16

Armrest

8 Anti-tip wheels

17 Tension bar

9 Frame

18 T

ension straps

back

Your wheelchair is equipped with a number of elements and parts. You should know these before continue reading
this manual. Your wheelchair can be equipped with options and accessories not pictured. You will see this yourself
whilst reading this manual. Designs and specifications may change without prior notice.

2.2 General explanation of the function and possibilities of your wheelchair

Your wheelchair is a foldable one, which is designed to be easy to transport in a car. Mainly, we divide the
wheelchairs into two categories: self propel version with large rear wheels, and the transit version with small rear
wheels. You can look at the rear wheel to see which type of wheelchair you have. If you wheelchair has big 24”
rear wheels and you can move it yourself it is a self propel version. If you wheelchair has small 12” rear wheels and
you need a supervisor to push the wheelchair it is a transit version.
Your wheelchair is a product falling into the medical equipment and is not a standard consumer product. You must
follow this manual completely to ensure good, optimal and safe use of your wheelchair.

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© 2009 VAN OS MEDICAL UK LTD.

Tel. [phone], Fax [phone], E-mail: [e-mail], www.vanosmedical.com

3. SAFETY REGULATIONS

VAN OS MEDICAL UK Ltd specifically disclaims responsibility for any body injury or property damage which may
occur during any use which does not comply with laws or ordinances. If used correctly, the Excel wheelchair is an
utmost safe and stable product, if the instructions for use as described in this manual are followed. However, it is
possible when the Excel wheelchair is not used correctly, dangerous situations may occur.

3.1 General safety regulations

Protect your Excel wheelchair by checking it regularly. When a part of your Excel wheelchair is not functioning
properly, a dangerous situating could occur. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR WHEELCHAIR IN A GOOD CONDITION TO
ENSURE SAFETY IN USE.
Periodical inspection, correct adjustment of your wheelchair and timely replacement of damaged and worn parts
will result in use for years without any problems. A qualified Van Os Medical UK Ltd dealer, who will use only Van
Os Medical UK Ltd replacement parts, will take care of your wheelchair to ensure a long lifetime.



Warning:

YOU must your keep wheelchair in a good state to be able guarantee use and ambulatory the security
in.

3.2 Warnings for safe use



Warnings:

-

do not use your wheelchair on streets or roads, only on the pavements;

- do not use your wheelchair in sand, rough area, wet and glade surfaces or surfaces with little grip;

- the transport of your wheelchair is in all vehicles, including vehicles which are adapted developed

especially and/or for the transport of your wheelchair, is at your own risk. We accept absolutely no
liability for this. We recommend you, if you want nevertheless to transport your wheelchair, to contact
a recognised manufacturer of taxi fixations to take with the carrier, your supplier and/or systems to
choose an appropriate system for your wheelchair and situation;

- do not try to ascend ramps without installed anti tippers, never ascend a hill without anti tippers;

- do not lean concerning the back of the wheelchair. This can result in rolling over the wheelchair;

- before leaning or reaching forward, sit back into the chair and face the castors forward:

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- A ‘wheelie’ is extremely dangerous to the user and will cause serious damage to the wheelchair

- Never connect anything to the wheels, this may cause damage to the chair and also effect the balance of

the chair and may injure the user;

- Do not stand on the footrest this will cause the chair to tip and injure the user
(figure 4);

- For suitable protection of potential obstruction the lowest point of the footrests serves minimum 7 cm
free of the ground;

- Place the wheelchair on a stable, flat surface and attach the brakes before you get off or.

- Attach the brakes when you use the wheelchair in a lift or on a wheelchair lift and when you want to get

off;

- The standard weight capacity has been indicated on your frame label;

- Unauthorized modification and or use of no Van Os Medical parts will void the warranty of this chair and

may lead to injury to the user and damage to the chair.

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© 2009 VAN OS MEDICAL UK LTD.

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4 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

You will have to learn the characteristics of your wheelchair. It is most important to learn the safest methods to
develop the daily activities in accordance to your life style. Consult your medical advisor or therapist for assistance
by developing safe and effective techniques for your daily activities and your physical possibilities.

4.1 Safety Tips

Daily operations such as getting off the wheelchair, reaching and bending in wheelchair will cause change the
weight distribution and the centre of gravity of you and your wheelchair. You will need to perform these
movements and techniques as shown below.

Transferring

Transferring in a wheelchair is a difficult manoeuvre. Consult your physical therapist for assistance in developing
your individual technique. The possibilities you have for making a transfer are depending on your physical
characteristics. We advise to discuss this first with your physical therapist.

However if you have sufficient body strength and you want to transfer to and from the wheelchair can you best do
this in the following manner:

To get out of the wheelchair:

First of all you must make sure that your wheelchair stand as closely as possible to the place of where you want sit.
Put the castors forward and attach the brakes. Swing away the footplates and place your feet on the ground. You
are now in position to carry out the operation. Shift your weight to the front of the chair, you can use the armrests
as a support and move yourself to the place where you want sit. If necessary you can use a transfer board.

To get in:

To get in your wheelchair you need to do the same things as when you want to get out of the wheelchair, only in
reversed order.

Reaching / bending forward

1. Make sure that you are as close as possible to the object;

2. Make sure the front wheels are turned forward. If not, go forwards and then backwards to turn the wheels fully
to the front;

3. Engage the wheel brakes;

4. You can now move towards the target with caution to keep the wheelchair from falling.

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Reaching / bending sideward

1. Manoeuvre the chair as closely as possible to the object you want to reach. You can use your rear wheels;

2. Make sure the front wheels are fully turned to the front. If not, go forwards and then backwards to turn the

wheels fully to the front;

3. You can now pick up the object. While you pick up the object you need to make sure you keep it as close as

possible to the wheelchair (picture 7 and picture 8).

Reaching / bending backward

1. Manoeuvre the chair as closely as possible to the object. You can use the rear wheels. For example they will

indicate how close you can come to object;

2. Do not engage the wheel locks. If your weight moves while reaching, it is better to drive in that direction than

tipping the wheelchair.

3. Do not reach further than your arm can reach. If you are in doubt, you reposition the chair (picture 9);

4.2 Negotiating pavements and unequal surfaces

Going up the pavement:

If you ascend a pavement, we advise to do this together with an attendant. The attendant can help you in two
different ways, however we advise you to do it the first way.

- You and the attendant reach to pavement facing forward. The attendant must pull the push handles towards

him and place his foot on the stepper on the rear side of the wheelchair. Because of this there is a lever effect
that tips the wheelchair (see picture 10).

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- The attendant is already standing on the pavement and makes sure that the wheelchair stands with the rear
wheels as closely to the pavement as possible. The user of the wheelchair needs to lean backwards. This way
the wheelchair will tip backwards and the attendant can pull the chair on the pavement. The attendant needs
to make sure that the front wheels are on the pavement before he lets the wheelchair down.

If you want to go up a pavement alone, you should move your weight as far forward as possible by bending forward.
Then you must provide a so-called 'Wheelie', to get the front wheels on to the pavement (see figure 3, under the
heading “Warnings for safe use”). You can only perform this action if you have practiced it with a trained expert.

Going down the pavement:

If you want to go down the pavement, we advise you to do this with an attendant. The attendant should move the
wheelchair forward to the curb. Then the user should lean back so the attendant can tilt the wheelchair to find a
balance point. When the wheelchair is balanced the attendant can move the wheelchair slowly off the curb. When
the wheelchair is off the pavement, the attendant can let the front wheels back onto the ground.

If you want to independently go off the pavement, you should do this in reverse (Figure 11 shows what not to do).
You can do this only if you've practiced with a trained expert.

4.3 Going up and down ramps

Most people can climb short slopes by themselves. This of course depends on your body strength, stamina and the
gradation of the slope. Inspect the slope always for risks, such as holes or slippery and uneven surfaces before you
drive off. If you can not see the slope, ask someone to inspect it for you.



Warning:

A slope of more than 5 degrees can be dangerous to descending or climbing. Remember that the
friction of your hands to grab the hand rim is the only way to brake while driving.

Most people develop their own methods to drive up slopes through practice. Sit with your upper body slightly
forward as you climb the slope. Should it be necessary to stop on the slope, you must try to avoid unexpected
movements which may cause tilting when climb further (Figure 12).

If you want to climb a relatively steep slope, we advise you to use the assistance of a supervisor, figure 13.

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 We recommend you to use anti-tip wheels. They prevent you from tipping the wheelchair over backwards
(figure 12). Depending on the model of your Excel wheelchair sometimes these are a standard item and
sometimes they are an optional extra.

 Do not carry any weight on the back of the wheelchair whilst ascending (figure 13). This changes the
balance and increases the chances of tipping backwards.

Make sure the footrest is minimum 7 cm from the ground when you are descending a slope. This is in order to
ensure your safety at the end of the slope. Always look forward when you descend and do not lean forward as this
can cause overturning. Lean slightly backward in order to increase stability.

Make sure you have your wheelchair under control at all times. Do not hurry down the slope, but move slowly and
safely. The speed of descent is controlled by the amount of grip strength that you exercise on the hand rims. In an
effort to prevent friction burns to your hands, it is recommended that you use gloves. To reduce the risk that you
burn your hands or lose control over the wheelchair, you need to slowly descend a slope.

Do not use the wheel brakes during the descent. The wheel brakes are designed for static braking of the rear
wheels whilst stationary.

Avoid changing direction as you descend. Despite that your EXCEL® wheelchair is designed for balance and control,
a change of direction on the slope can change the balance which will cause instability.

If you are using an attendant they should be aware that even with a slight slope already considerable traction
should be exercised (figure 15).



Warning:

Using the wheel brakes to slow down the wheelchair whilst driving can cause a sudden stoppage. The
result of this can be that the chair rotates to one side and tilts, or abrupt stops so that the seat tilts
forward.

 If your wheelchair is used in an environment where there are many slopes, it is advisable to fit a drum

braking system for the attendant to use.

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