Future Mobility Healthcare Inc. STELLATO II Owner's Manual

OWNERS MANUAL

UM1340 REV02 2 STELLATO II

1 CONTACT INFORMATION

FUTURE MOBILITY HEALTHCARE INC.
APPRECIATES YOUR FEEDBACK

Supplier: Please give this manual to the user of the wheelchair.
User: Please read this entire manual before using this wheelchair.

Thank you for choosing Future Mobility Healthcare Inc.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to write or call us
at the address and telephone number below:

Future Mobility Healthcare Inc.

Customer Service Canada

3223 Orlando Dr.

Mississauga ON L4V 1C5

Phone: [phone] or [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

www.futuremobility.ca

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................. 2

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................ 3

3 PARTS OF THE WHEELCHAIR ........................................... 5

4 NOTICE – READ BEFORE USE .......................................... 6

CHOOSE THE CORRECT CHAIR AND OPTIONS .................... 6

REVIEW THIS MANUAL OFTEN ............................................... 6

WARNING .................................................................................. 6

5 LABEL LOCATIONS ............................................................ 7

6 GENERAL WARNINGS ........................................................ 8

USER WEIGHT LIMIT ................................................................ 8

WEIGHT TRAINING ................................................................... 8

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHAIR........................................... 8

TO REDUCE THE RISK ............................................................. 8

SAFETY CHECKLIST ................................................................ 9

CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS .............................................. 9

GROUND TERRAIN ................................................................... 9

CENTER OF GRAVITY ............................................................ 10

WHEELIES............................................................................... 10

ROLLING BACKWARDS.......................................................... 10

REACHING OR LEANING ........................................................ 11

RAMPS AND SLOPES ............................................................. 11

TRANSFERS ........................................................................... 12

7 ATTENDANT WARNINGS ..................................................13

DESCENDING A CURB ........................................................... 13

CLIMBING A CURB .................................................................. 13

DESCENDING STAIRS............................................................ 13

8 COMPONENT WARNINGS .................................................15

ANTI-TIP WHEELS .................................................................. 15

ARMRESTS ............................................................................. 15

BACK CANES .......................................................................... 15

FASTENERS ............................................................................ 15

FOOTRESTS ........................................................................... 15

POSITIONING BELTS ............................................................. 16

QUICK-RELEASE AXLES ........................................................ 16

REAR WHEEL AXLES ............................................................. 16

REAR WHEEL LOCKS ............................................................. 17

9 WHEELCHAIR SET-UP AND ADJUSTMENTS ..................18

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE FLIP-BACK ARM ................................ 18

CENTER PIVOT SWINGAWAY FOOTREST ........................... 19

DUAL SWINGAWAY FOOTREST ............................................ 20

DUAL PUSH SWINGAWAY FOOTREST ................................. 21

DUAL ELEVATING LEGREST AND HANGER ......................... 22

CASTER AND FORK ASSEMBLY ........................................... 23

REAR WHEEL AXLE (QUICK RELEASE) ................................ 25

REAR WHEEL AXLE (FIXED BOLT) ........................................ 26

REAR WHEEL AXLE POSITION PLACEMENT ....................... 27

FRONT SEAT TO FLOOR SET-UP CHART ............................. 28

REAR WHEEL MOUNT POSITION .......................................... 31

FOLDING AND UNFOLDING THR WHEELCHAIR .................. 32

SEAT SLING ............................................................................ 33

REAR ANTI-TIPS ..................................................................... 34

BACKREST .............................................................................. 37

BACK UPHOLSTERY .............................................................. 38

WHEEL LOCKS ....................................................................... 39

CUSHION INSTALLATION ...................................................... 39

TIE-DOWNS ............................................................................. 40

10 TROUBLE SHOOTING ........................................................41

11 MAINTENANCE ...................................................................42

SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLIST ........................................ 42

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE ..................................................... 44

SERVICE AND REPAIR ........................................................... 44

CLEANING YOUR CHAIR ........................................................ 44

12 WARRANTY ........................................................................46

LIFETIME ................................................................................. 46

FOR TWO (2) YEARS .............................................................. 46

FOR (90) DAYS ........................................................................ 46

LIMITATIONS ........................................................................... 46

WARRANTY PROCEDURES ................................................... 46

UM1340 REV02 5 STELLATO II

2

10

13

14

3 PARTS OF THE WHEELCHAIR

1

4

5
6

7

8

9

11

12

1. Back Post

2. Rear Wheel

3. Back Upholstery

4. Back Post Grip

5. Anti-tip

6. Seat Sling

7. Wrap Flip-back Armrest

8. Wheel Lock

9. Side Frame

10. Caster Fork

11. Caster Wheel

12. Swing Away Footrest

13. Composite Footplate

14. Cross Brace

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4 NOTICE – READ BEFORE USE

CHOOSE THE CORRECT CHAIR AND OPTIONS

Future Mobility Healthcare Inc. provides a choice of many
wheelchair styles to meet the requirements of the wheelchair user.
However, the final selection of the wheelchair and its options rests
solely with you and your health care advisor. Choosing the best
chair will depend on such things as:

1. The level of your disability, strength, balance and
coordination.

2. The places and terrain that you are likely to use your
chair.

3. The need for options for your safety and comfort (such as
anti-tip tubes, positioning belts, or special seating
systems).

REVIEW THIS MANUAL OFTEN

Before using this chair you, and each person who may assist you,
should read this entire manual and make sure to follow all
instructions. Review the warnings often.

WARNING

The term “WARNING” are hazards or unsafe practices that may
cause severe injury or death to you or to other persons.

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5 LABEL LOCATIONS

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6 GENERAL WARNINGS

USER WEIGHT LIMIT

WARNING

NEVER exceed the weight limit of 275 pounds for a combined weight of rider and items carried. If you do exceed the limit, damage to your
chair, tip-over or loss of control may occur and cause severe injury to the rider or others.

WEIGHT TRAINING

WARNING

NEVER use this chair for weight training if total weight (rider plus equipment) exceeds 275 pounds. If you do exceed the limit, damage to your
chair, tip-over or loss of control may occur and cause severe injury to the rider or others.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHAIR

WARNING

Every wheelchair is different. Take the time to learn the feel of this chair before you begin riding. Start slowly, with easy, smooth strokes. If you
are used to a different chair, you may use too much force and tip over. If you use too much force, damage to your chair, a fall, tip over or loss
of control may occur and cause severe injury to the rider or others.

TO REDUCE THE RISK

WARNING

1. BEFORE riding, you should be trained in the safe use of this chair by your health care advisor.

2. Practice bending, reaching and transfers until you know the limit of your ability. Have someone help you until you know what can
cause a fall or tip-over and how to avoid doing so.

3. Be aware that you must develop your own methods for safe use best suited to your level of function and ability.

4. NEVER try a new maneuver on your own until you are sure you can do it safely.

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5. Get to know the areas where you plan to use your chair. Look for hazards and learn how to avoid them.

6. Use anti-tip tubes unless you are a skilled rider of this chair and are sure you are not at risk to tip over.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

WARNING

Before each use of your chair:

1. Make sure the chair rolls easily and that all parts work smoothly. Check for noise, vibration, or a change in ease of use. (They may
indicate low tire pressure, loose fasteners, or damage to your chair).

2. Repair any problem. Your authorized supplier can help you find and correct the problem.

3. Check to see that both quick-release rear axles are locked. When locked, the axle button will “pop out” fully.

CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS

WARNING

1. If you modify or adjust this chair, it may increase the risk of a tip-over UNLESS you make other changes as well.

2. Consult your authorized supplier BEFORE you modify or adjust your chair, or contact Future Mobility Healthcare.

3. We recommend that you use anti-tip tubes until you adapt to the change, and are sure you are not at risk to tip over.

4. Unauthorized modifications or use of parts not supplied or approved by Future Mobility Healthcare may change the chair structure.

A. This will void the warranty and may cause a safety hazard.

GROUND TERRAIN

WARNING

1. Your chair is designed for use on firm, even surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and indoor floors and carpeting.

2. Do not operate your chair in sand, loose soil or over rough terrain. This may damage wheels or axles, or loosen fasteners of your
chair.

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CENTER OF GRAVITY

WARNING

The point where this chair will tip forward, back, or to the side depends on its center of gravity and stability.
How your chair is set up, the options you select and the changes you make may affect the risk of a fall or tip-over.

1. The Most Important Adjustments Are:
a. The position of the rear wheels. The more you move the rear wheels forward, the more likely your chair will tip over backward.
b. The position of the carriage.

2. The Center Of Gravity Is Also Affected By:
a. A change in the set-up of your chair, including:

i. The seat height and seat angle.

ii. Backrest angle.
b. A change in your body position, posture or weight distribution.
c. Riding your chair on a ramp or slope.
d. The use of a back pack or other options, and the amount of added weight.

WHEELIES

WARNING

Because of the ability to adjust the center of gravity and changes in center of gravity that will result from operating the tilt in space feature of
this chair, as a user, do not perform wheelies in this wheelchair.
Doing a “wheelie” means: balancing on the rear wheels of your chair, while the front casters are in the air. It is dangerous to do a "wheelie" as
a fall or tip-over may occur.

ROLLING BACKWARDS

WARNING

Use extra care when you move your chair backward.
Your chair is most stable when you propel yourself forward.
You may lose control or tip over if one of the rear wheels hits an object and stops rolling.

1. Propel your chair slowly and smoothly.

UM1340 REV02 11 STELLATO II

2. If your chair has anti-tip tubes, make sure to lock them in place.

3. Stop often and check to be sure your path is clear.

REACHING OR LEANING

WARNING

If you reach or lean it will affect the center of balance of your chair. This may cause you to fall or tip over. When in doubt, ask for
help or use a device to extend your reach.

1. NEVER reach or lean if you must shift your weight sideways or rise up off the seat.

2. NEVER reach or lean if you must move forward in your seat to do so. Always keep your buttocks in contact with the backrest.

3. NEVER reach with both hands (you may not be able to catch yourself to prevent a fall if the chair tips).

4. NEVER reach or lean to the rear unless your chair has anti-tip tubes locked in place.

5. DO NOT reach or lean over the top of the seat back. This may damage one or both backrest tubes and cause you to fall.

6. If You Must Reach Or Lean:
a. Do not lock the rear wheels. This creates a tip point and makes a fall or tip-over more likely.
b. Do not put pressure on the footrests.
c. Move your chair as close as you can to the object you wish to reach.

RAMPS AND SLOPES

WARNING

Riding on a slope, which includes a ramp or side hill, will change the center of balance of your chair. Your chair is less stable when it
is at an angle. Anti-tip tubes may not prevent a fall or tip-over.

1. Do not use your chair on a slope steeper than 10%.

2. Always go as straight up and as straight down as you can. (Do not “cut the corner” on a slope or ramp.)

3. Do not turn or change direction on a slope.

4. Always stay in the CENTER of the ramp. Make sure ramp is wide enough that you are not at risk that a wheel may fall over the edge.

5. Do not stop on a steep slope. If you stop, you may lose control of your chair.

6. NEVER use rear wheel locks to try to slow or stop your chair. This is likely to cause your chair to veer out of control.

7. Beware Of:
a. Wet or slippery surfaces.

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b. A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or depression).
c. A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. A drop-off of as small as 3/4 inch can stop a front caster and cause the chair to tip forward.

TRANSFERS

WARNING

It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good balance and agility. Be aware that there is a point during every transfer
when the wheelchair seat is not below you. To Avoid A Fall:

1. Work with your health care advisor to learn safe methods.
a. Learn how to position your body and how to support yourself during a transfer.
b. Have someone help you until you know how to do a safe transfer on your own.

2. Lock the rear wheels before you transfer. This keeps the rear wheels from rolling.

3. Make sure to keep pneumatic tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure may allow the rear wheel locks to slip.

4. Move your chair as close as you can to the seat you are transferring to. If possible, use a transfer board.

5. Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward as possible.

6. If you can, remove or swing footrests out of the way.
a. Make sure your feet do not catch in the space between the footrests.
b. Avoid putting weight on the footrests as this may cause the chair to tip.

UM1340 REV02 13 STELLATO II

7 ATTENDANT WARNINGS

DESCENDING A CURB

WARNING

Follow these steps to help a rider descend a curb or single step going BACKWARD:

1. Stay at the rear of the chair.

2. Several feet before your reach the edge of the curb or step, turn the chair around and pull it backward.

3. While looking over your shoulder, carefully step back until you are off the curb or stair and standing on the lower level.

4. Pull the chair toward you until the rear wheels reach the edge of the curb or step. Then allow the rear wheels to slowly roll down onto
the lower level.

5. When the rear wheels are safely on the lower level, tilt the chair back to its balance point. This will lift the front casters off the curb or
step.

6. Keep the chair in balance and take small steps backward.

7. Turn the chair around and gently lower front casters to the ground

CLIMBING A CURB

WARNING

Follow these steps to help the rider climb a curb or single step going FORWARD:

1. Stay behind the chair.

2. Face the curb and tilt the chair up on the rear wheels so that the front casters clear the curb or step.

3. Move forward, placing the front casters on the upper level as soon as you are sure they are past the edge.

4. Continue forward until the rear wheels contact the face of the curb or step. Lift and roll the rear wheels to the upper level.

DESCENDING STAIRS

WARNING

1. Use at least two attendants to move a chair and rider down stairs.

2. Move the chair and rider FORWARD down the stairs.

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3. The person at the rear is in control. He or she tilts the chair to the balance point of the rear wheels and rolls it to the edge of the top
step.

4. A second attendant stands on the third step from the top and grasps the hanger receiver or front most part of the seat rail. He or she
lowers the chair one step at a time by letting the rear wheels roll over the stair edge.

5. The attendants move to the next stair down. Repeat for each stair, until you reach the landing.

UM1340 REV02 15 STELLATO II

8 COMPONENT WARNINGS

ANTI-TIP WHEELS

WARNING

Anti-tip wheels can help keep your chair from tipping over
backward in most normal conditions.

1. Future Mobility Healthcare Recommends Use Of Anti-Tip
Tubes:
a. UNLESS you are a skilled rider of this chair and are

sure you are not at risk to tip over.

b. Each time you modify or adjust your chair. The change

may make it easier to tip backward. Use anti-tip tubes
until you adapt to the change, and are sure you are not
at risk to tip over.

2. When locked in place (in the “down” position) anti-tip tubes
should be BETWEEN 1 1/2 and 2 inches off the ground.
a. If set too HIGH, they may not prevent a tip-over.
b. If set too LOW, they may “hang up” on obstacles you

can expect in normal use. If this occurs, you may fall or
your chair may tip over.

3. Keep Anti-Tip Tubes Locked In Place UNLESS:
a. You have an attendant, or
b. You have to climb or descend a curb, or overcome an

obstacle, and can safely do so without them. At these
times, make sure anti-tip tubes are up, out of the way.

ARMRESTS

WARNING

Armrests will not bear the weight of this chair.

1. NEVER lift this chair by its armrests. They may come loose
or break.

2. Lift this chair only by non-detachable parts of the main
frame.

BACK CANES

WARNING

Always keep fingers away from the locking mechanism located at
the bottom of the back canes when folding the back down or pulling
it back up.

FASTENERS

WARNING

Many of the screws, bolts and nuts on this chair are special
high-strength fasteners. Use of improper fasteners may cause
your chair to fail.

1. ONLY use fasteners provided by an authorized supplier (or
ones of the same type and strength, as indicated by the
markings on the heads).

2. Over- or under-tightened fasteners may fail or cause
damage to chair parts.

3. If bolts or screws become loose, tighten them as soon as
you can.

FOOTRESTS

WARNING

Footrests will not bear the weight of this chair

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1. At the lowest point, footrests should be AT LEAST 2

INCHES off the ground. If set too LOW, they may “hang up”

on obstacles you can expect to find in normal use. This
may cause the chair to stop suddenly and tip forward.

2. To Avoid A Trip Or Fall When You Transfer:
a. Make sure your feet do not “hang up” or get caught in

the space between the footrests.

b. Avoid putting weight on the footrests, as the chair may

tip forward.

3. NEVER lift this chair by the footrests. Footrests detach and
will not bear the weight of this chair. Lift this chair only by
non-detachable parts of the main frame.

POSITIONING BELTS

WARNING

Use positioning belts ONLY to help support the rider’s posture.

Improper use of these belts may cause severe injury to or death
of the rider.

1. Make sure the rider cannot slide down in the wheelchair
seat.

2. If this occurs, the rider may suffer chest compression or
suffocate due to pressure from the belts.

3. The belts must be snug, but must not be so tight that they
interfere with breathing. You should be able to slide your
open hand, flat, between the belt and the rider.

4. A pelvic wedge or a similar device can help keep the rider

from sliding down in the seat. Consult with the rider’s

doctor, nurse or therapist to find out if the rider needs such
a device.

5. Use positioning belts only with a rider who can cooperate.

6. Make sure the rider can easily remove the belts in an
emergency.

7. NEVER Use Positioning Belts:
a. As a patient restraint. A restraint requires a doctor’s

order.
b. On a rider who is comatose or agitated.
c. As a motor vehicle restraint. In an accident or sudden

stop the rider may be thrown from the chair.

Wheelchair seat belts will not prevent this, and further

injury may result from the belts or straps.

QUICK-RELEASE AXLES

WARNING

1. Do not use this chair UNLESS you are sure that both quick­release rear axles are locked. An unlocked axle may come
off during use and cause a fall.

2. An axle is not locked until the quick-release button pops out
fully. An unlocked axle may come off during use, resulting
in a fall, tip-over or loss of control and cause severe injury
to the rider or others.

REAR WHEEL AXLES

WARNING

A change in set-up of the rear wheels will affect the center of
balance of your chair.

1. The farther you move the rear axles FORWARD, the more
likely it is that your chair will tip over backward.