Karma Ergo Lite KM-2501 Owner's Manual

Ergo Lite

(KM-2501)

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GENERAL WARNING

! DO maintain your chair well, in particular check the tire pressure since this

affects the efficiency of the brakes.

! DO make sure both brakes are applied before getting in or out of the chair.
! DO make sure both brakes are applied when the chair is not being pushed or

used.

! DO take care when climbing curb or turning on slopes.
! DO avoid steep or uneven surfaces that may cause the chair to tip over.
! DO avoid soft surfaces because the casters may become bogged down.
! DO travel smoothly in all conditions.
! DO look well ahead to anticipate hazards such as furniture, doors, potholes,

slopes, curbs, doorways etc.

! DO make sure that both feet are safely on the footrests and that clothing is

safely tucked out of the way so that it cannot get caught in the wheels.

! DO take care when travelling up or down or across inclines.
! DO keep both hands on the push handles to control the chair, if you are the

attendant.

! DO pay attention to keep the chair’s balance.
! DO check the frame and components regularly and refer to this user guide

during and after the warranty period.

! DO tie-up the upholstery or replace which with a new one when it becomes

loose.

! DO equip with anti-tippers to avoid falling backwards.
! DO equip with a seat belt designed for disabled people.
! DO equip with "heel loops" for disabled people.
! DO clean both hands after oiling the wheelchair.
! DO keep far away from flame.
! DO NOT overload the chair under any circumstances.
! DO NOT hang anything heavy on the back of the chair that could cause the

chair to become unstable, particularly when negotiating inclines.

! DO NOT allow more than one user at a time.
! DO NOT use with an unconscious patient.
! DO NOT use other transport to pull the wheelchair.
! DO NOT do "wheelies", since you my fall or tip over backwards and suffer a

severe injury.

! DO NOT sit in the wheelchair within a moving vehicle unless it has been

affixed the labels of hook mark.

! DO NOT go too fast or turn too quickly.
! DO NOT travel across a slope (in any direction) greater than 7 degrees.
! DO NOT stand on the footplates when getting in or out of the chair.
! DO NOT go down steps forward, whether solo or with an attendant.
! DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by any removable (detachable) parts.

Lifting by means of any removable (detachable) parts of the wheelchair may
result in injury to the user and/or assistant or damage to the wheelchair.

! DO NOT use the wheelchair when the back is folded. This alters the centre of

gravity and may cause the wheelchair to tip backwards. The back should only
be folded for storage or transport of the wheelchair.

! DO NOT hang anything on the back joint that could cause the backrest

folding suddenly and may cause injury.

YOU AND YOUR KARMA SERVICE PROVIDER

! No tools are required for assembly. Your wheelchair should be set up by

your authorized Karma dealer. Your authorized Karma dealer is also your
service provider. Unauthorized repairs, upgrades and add-ons will negate
your warranty and may lead to injury. Any adjustments to the rear wheel
position should be carried out by your authorized Karma service provider.
Your Karma service provider has the necessary service/maintenance manual

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for your wheelchair.

! If you have any defective parts or lose any parts, please contact your dealer

for repair and/or replacement. Please only use parts authorized by Karma.
Use of parts that are not authorized by Karma will negate your warranty.

! Customers should go to their dealership for all service needs to guarantee

their warranty is not nullified. Always go to an authorized service provider.
Unauthorized repairs will nullify your warranty. Procedures other than those
described in this manual must be performed by a qualified technician. They
also have the service manual with a complete list of maintenance required to
keep your Karma wheelchair in top performance. Check the warranty
section of this manual to find out what Karma guarantees and what
maintenance and parts you will have to pay for.

! Karma does not have an official list of service providers at this time. Please

contact your dealer for service. If you cannot contact your dealer, please
contact another authorized Karma dealer for service. If this is not possible
please contact us and we will arrange for a service repair. Please note that
there will be a charge for collection and delivery of your wheelchair.

CE MARKING

This wheelchair complies with the requirements of the Medical Devices Directive
93/42/EEC.

CAUTION:

Before purchasing and using a Karma wheelchair, please consult a qualified
professional to ensure that you choose a suitable product and receive training in
how to use it. It may also be necessary to fit additional equipment to your
wheelchair or change your wheelchairs set up. Please consult your service
provider.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PREFACE .................................................................................................................. 2!

2. SAFETY ..................................................................................................................... 3!

3. INTENDED USE & PARTS ........................................................................................ 7!

4. OPERATION .............................................................................................................. 9!

4.4.2 METHOD OF RESTRAINT ................................................................................. 17!

6. OPTIONS AND ACCESSARIES ............................................................................. 22!

7. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................................. 23!

8. SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................... 23!

9. CLEANING & RECYCLING ..................................................................................... 24!

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1. PREFACE

Please carefully read this owner's manual before using the wheelchair. Improper
use of the wheelchair could result in harm or injury. Therefore, for safe and
enjoyable use of the wheelchair, please read this owner's manual.
! This owner's manual includes operation instructions for the aspects of the

wheelchair, unfolding/folding instructions and instructions on how to deal with
possible accidents.

! This owner's manual is written for Karma wheelchair: Ergo Lite (KM-2501).
! The symbols used in this manual are explained below. Pay special attention to

the parts marked with these symbols.

WARNING:

Improper use could lead to serious injury or death.

CAUTION:

Improper use could lead to serious injury and/or damage
to your wheelchair.

SUGGESTION:

Follow these instructions to keep the wheelchair in good
condition.

! This manual includes the repair and maintenance chart as well as the warranty.
! If someone else uses the wheelchair, make sure that you give him or her this

owner's manual for his or her reference.

! As designs change, some illustrations and pictures in this manual may not

correspond to the wheelchair that you purchased. We reserve the right to make
design modifications without further notice.

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2. SAFETY

2.1 Doorways

The safest way to operate the chair is on level floors that are free of obstacles.
Whenever possible use a ramp to enter or exit a facility. Keeping your hands on
the push rims will allow you to maintain maximum balance. Do not try to force
yourself over an obstruction by propulsion and never use the sides of a doorway to
pull yourself through a passageway.

2.2 Leaning

Do not lean over the side of your wheelchair since such an action may cause your to
lose balance and fall. (See Figure 2.3)

2.3 Navigating Inclines

" Never turn on a hill due to the danger of tipping.
" When assisting, go straight up a slope. If you need to go down, walk

backwards until user is on level ground. (See Figures 2.4 and 2.5)

" Avoid stopping on an incline; it can potentially cause you to lose control of the

chair.

" Do not use the brakes to slow down or stop the wheelchair; this could cause it to

seize up or pull to on side, causing you to lose control of the wheelchair.

" Whenever possible, navigate inclines with an attendant.
" Operating limits: do not attempt to go or down slopes greater than 5 degree

without assistance.

2.4 Curbs

" Whenever possible get help from an assistant/attendant (if you have assistance

make sure that your chair is equipped with push handles).

" Avoid hard impacts when descending a Curb. A hard impact could adversely

affect the chair.

" Never try to scale or descend Curbs that exceed a normal height (30-50mm).
" Always be careful when climbing Curbs and never move up or down a Curb in

reverse without an assistant.

2.5 Stairs

" Always use two or more assistants. Tilt the wheelchair to its point of equilibrium.

One assistant (at the back) holds the wheelchair up against the first step,
gripping the handles firmly to lift. The second assistant, holding firmly a fixed
part of the front frame, lifts the wheelchair above the stairs and holds it while the
first attendant places one foot on the following step and repeat the operation.
(See Figure2.1)

" Never go down steps forwards.
" Never use an escalator for transport, use an elevator.

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Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

2.6 Streets

" Always use extreme caution when crossing streets. Reflective tape on the chair

and/or your clothing will make you more visible to drivers.

" Avoid potholes and rough terrain that might cause the casters to become stuck.

(See Figure 2.6)

2.7 General

" Always make sure BOTH brakes are applied before getting in or out of the chair.
" Never stand on the footplates when getting in or out of the chair.
" Never carry more than one passenger. Karma wheelchairs are designed for

one user.

" Please make sure your clothing does not get caught in the rear wheels.

2.8 Upholstery

" When cleaning the upholstery, use warm water and a mild soap.
" Upholstery cleaner/foam can also be used, but avoid other cleaning solvents.

2.9 Anti-tippers

Please purchase anti-tippers and always use them to avoid personal injury. The
distance between anti-tipper and wheels is more than 5cm; the height to floor
doesn’t be over 5cm. (See Figure 2.2)

2.10 Maximum User Weight Limit

Refer to "Max. User Weight" in section 8. SPECIFICATIONS. Loads exceeding
maximum capacity can damage your wheelchair and cause malfunctions yielding a
safety hazard. The warranty does not cover damage caused by improper
operation of the wheelchair.

2.11 Avoid General Misuse:

" Please note any vehicle can cause injury if used incorrectly. This user guide

contains a number of cautions. Please follow these guidelines to increase your
safety. Please be aware that careless use endangers your own safety as well as
that of others. ALWAYS follow the Highway Code when outdoors and the
guidelines written in this manual. Your wheelchair will give years of safe use if
used sensibly and carefully.

" Do not let children stand or play on the wheelchair. (See Figure 2.7)

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Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

Figure 2.7